Mark Micallef
Msida finds alternative launch pad for fireworks
Msida still managed to celebrate its feast with a fireworks display, after organisers secured a spot to launch the fireworks off the bastions on the Floriana side.
The prospect for enthusiasts looked bleak after the Police Commissioner refused, for the first time in over a decade, to close the St Venera bypass and Regional Road so that fireworks could be let off from a ridge overlooking Valley Road.
The alternative, some are hoping, will be a lasting base. Msida mayor Alex Sciberras, who acted as a mediator between police and the enthusiasts, said: "We hope this could serve as a permanent alternative to the previous place, because we do not need to close any roads to let off fireworks from the bastions."
When asked whether the fireworks displays were covered by insurance, a critical issue now that the petards will be let off closer to the yacht marina, the mayor was unsure, but said he was under the impression that all such activities needed insurance cover.
"Frankly, I haven't gone into that. I simply mediated to see if an alternative solution could be found," he said. Meanwhile, the head of the Msida Pyrotechnics Society, Raymond Sultana, could not be contacted.
As has been the case for the past 11 years, the pyrotechnics society filed a request to close the St Venera bypass and Regional Road.
They were expecting the usual go-ahead before Frank Bartolo, the superintendent at Mater Dei Hospital, launched an appeal to the authorities through The Sunday Times not to allow the roads to be closed as it could have dangerous consequences on the hospital's running.
Msida's Band Club president, Vince Azzopardi, came in for stinging criticism after saying that the road would remain open "over my dead body".
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In Discussion
6 Comments
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Karen M. Zammit Manduca
Jul 20th 2008, 22:36
Thankfully the matter has been resolved without having to resort to closure of a main arterial road. My personal thanks go to those who were instrumental in this and did not bow to pressure from the feast organisers.
On the other hand, I cannot help wondering whether the letting off of fireworks from the bastions would not prove to be detrimental to Malta's precious bastions due to vibrations.
Although I do not agree in principle with the letting off of petards and can only just about approve of "kaxxi infernali" which, at least, offer a spectacle of colour, I wonder whether it may be more appropriate to have these fired from a barge situated in the harbour as is done with the feasts of Balluta, St Gregory and St Julian's. Obviously this would have to be at a very safe distance to any of the boats berthed in Msida Creek, but they would be fired sufficiently high to be viewed by all at Msida.
James Sultana
Jul 20th 2008, 20:08
Next week there is the St. Venera feast if I`m not mistaken. Usually this feast brings with it the closure of the St.Venera tunnels and the road which leads from it towards the "pepsi" bridge due to the letting of fireworks.
Considering that this also a main artery and that it is also the quickest route from Mater Dei to various zones of the island, will the tunnels remain open this time ? Will the same panic as that linked to the Msida be raised ?
Francois Spiteri
Jul 20th 2008, 18:38
About time!
a.cassar
Jul 20th 2008, 16:34
Thank you Mater Dei! as for the insurance issue, I hope to God that everything is according to law because if an accident happens during the launching we'll be in for a different kind of fireworks display!
Renato J. Costigan
Jul 20th 2008, 15:09
Many thanks to the Superintendent of Mater Dei Hospital,
Dr. Frank Bartolo for bringing this problem to light
and the Regional Road was kept open.
Also to the Commissioner of Police, John Rizzo for not falling
to treats from the President of the Msida band club.
Alan Attard
Jul 20th 2008, 11:20
An alternative launch pad found 11 years too late. Many thanks for the inconvenience !