Respecting Valletta

Now that Renzo Piano's brilliant proposal for the entrance to Valletta has been unfortunately taken, by public opinion, as unsuitable and consequently forgotten, let us give the entrance to the city its due respect, just the same.

So until public opinion converts to better sensibility of our cultural identity and has a more sound concept of public art, let us stop masking City Gate with monstrous billboards, at times camouflaging it grotesquely. Not to mention the times when, on 'special' occasions, crudely designed light festoons make it look like the façade of a village band club. This must stop. We must realise that if ever we make fun of the Gate we will be making fun of our city.

I have been in favour of and still strongly support Piano's design solution for the entrance to Valletta, with full conviction. But as long as this almost 50-year-old, rather simple, architectural structure stands, it deserves care, maintenance and if possible, a minimal structural facelift.

Lessening further, through our often habitual and inconsiderate ways and blessings, the dignity of the City's entrance will definitely not improve its appearance.