Selecting the right cultural stakeholders

The reply of the CEO of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Mario Farrugia (August 26), to my press release issued as PRO of the Malta Historical Society on August 2, raises more questions than it, in fact, answers. First of all, I would like to point out that, contrary to the impression given by Mr Farrugia in his reply, I never questioned the role of the Commissioner of Police in this matter. What I, as PRO of the Malta Historical Society question, is the involvement of the Cottonera Waterfront Group.

Considering the enormity of the mistakes that have been committed in the area, the use of this word (mistakes) by Mr Farrugia, serves to minimise the controversial decisions taken by the authorities to safeguard the economic and financial interest of the Cottonera Consortia. Vittoriosa's waterfront has been defaced forever by concrete constructions.

Incidentally, all these interventions were undertaken under Maltese law, the same law that has been solicited by Mr Farrugia as an indisputable guarantee and safeguard of our historical patrimony. Furthermore, unlike the impression that Mr Farrugia wants to convey concerning the economic regeneration of the area, the proposed developments by the Cottonera Waterfront Group reserve a very bleak future for Vittoriosa. The remaining open space at the marina will not be reconstructed by the consortia as it was in the distant past but will be taken over by another concrete monstrosity which is being labelled a hotel. One also hopes that the area earmarked for development by CWG in the area of Dock No.1 in Bormla will not be another construction mistake!

In fact, I am left speechless by the fact that Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will shortly be entering into a sort of business partnership with the Cottonera Waterfront Group for the development of this fort. While I have no doubt about Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna's positive input, at the same time, the announced forthcoming arrangement with the Cottonera Waterfront Group seems to be a desperate attempt to give the latter the missing qualification to become a respectable heritage stakeholder.

It is not enough for organisations or companies to have a legal portfolio to justify their involvement as cultural stakeholders. First of all, these organisations need to have a proven track record. This applies to both government and private bodies. If they lack such record, the Historical Society of Malta is of the strong opinion that they should not be consulted on the use of historic buildings.

This principle holds for buildings situated in Vittoriosa as well as elsewhere. If the credentials of these associations and/or companies are tainted due to their past mistakes then they need first to regain the lost credibility before they can be nominated to express their opinion on the use (or misuse) of our cultural heritage. Once such credibility is regained, then the Malta Historical Society would have no objection to having these bodies consulted on the use of Malta's Heritage.