War of words on St John's development
The church yard alongside St John's Co-Cathedral.
A war of words between the NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation continued this morning, with the FAA accusing the foundation of violating the Aarhus Convention on harassment of environmental activists.
The two have locked horns over the foundation's proposals to extend its museum by creating underground chambers below St John Street or building facilities at St John's church yard.
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said it was surprised that the foundation had expressed itself so strongly against public participation in the St. John’s Cathedral debate in a statement earlier this week.
"By failing to hold a public presentation before submitting the applications, as is the norm when dealing with a project affecting Malta’s premier national monument, the foundation clearly looked upon the public’s interest as unwelcome and uncalled-for trespassing on the hallowed grounds of "experts", the FAA charged.
"Far from being based on speculation, FAA’s stand on the St. John’s case has been arrived at after researching the information available, attending the foundation’s presentation, widespread consultation and studying the MEPA file and plans three times. Just as FAA committee members are not experts in the matter, neither are the members of the foundation. On this subject FAA is also echoing the views of other entities including MEPA, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Valletta Local Council and the Church Cultural Heritage Commission," the FAA said.
"By preparing communal objections (to the project), FAA makes it possible for the public to participate in the planning process, a right established by the EU Directive on public participation as well as the Aarhus Convention which the foundation is obliged to respect, being partly appointed by the State. Submitting identical objections does not make them any less valid, however the foundation’s dismissal of the voice of the public is downright patronising and arrogant; a totally inappropriate response coming from an entity that is partly Church-run."
The FAA asked if this attitude had been approved by the Curia and the Archbishop. It said the over 1,050 who objected to MEPA in record numbers represented all of Maltese society, from the layman to many University lecturers and ambassadors.
"The foundation’s disdain of their committed objections is an insult to the Maltese public," the FAA said.
It said it would continue to support the foundation’s efforts to extend the Cathedral museum through more viable, less costly and less disruptive alternatives that respected Malta’s laws on protection of scheduled monuments.
"Leading cathedrals of Europe like Cologne, Vienna, Milan, Florence and Siena, not to mention Mdina, have not resorted to excavation but to off-site museums, an option which deserves serious consideration to house the ancillary collections, offices and restoration workshops," the FAA said.
It said it would also continue to defend the public’s right to voice itself on planning issues through every means at its disposal.
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In Discussion
21 Comments
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J Farrugia
Aug 23rd 2008, 10:45
@ P Busuttil - Your comment is out of point. - Hence, I find ....... comment not only ridiculous but disgusting. And equally disgusting is TT staff that allowed such a comment to pass through!
So says Franco Farrugia. Listen guy, who made you moderator of this comments page? The editor of the Times who is gracious enough to give us hospitality inthis website? Trying to ridicule those who oppose you. Who are to to brush aside the opinions of those who have a right to their views. Writing once, twice, as if you are the expert? Expert of what and in what? Can we have your CV to see by what authority you speak and dirt other people's opinions.
Raymond Sammut
Aug 23rd 2008, 07:26
@ Josephine Buhagiar
This is not an issue on whether people are alone or in some sort of company. This is an issue in regard to something that people very strongly identify with. MEPA needs to keep this in mind when considering the proposals of the Foundation.
Those who are opposed to these proposals are very much aware that if this project were to be approved by MEPA, the Saint John's will be irreversibly changed forever after 450 years of history. The Foundation continues to focus attention on the artifacts, but MEPA needs to focus attention on the Saint John's as a whole and on the impact the Saint John's has on the Maltese psyche.
The inevitable damage here would be not just physical, in the form of some crack in the walls of the Co-Cathedral, but also psychological. We as a people will no longer be able to look back at our history as it really is, but as it is dictated by a small elite to us ordinary citizens. Unless you are not one of the small elite, this dictation should be unacceptable to you as much as it is unacceptable to me.
Raymond Sammut
Aug 23rd 2008, 06:00
@ mark tanti
"Wahdi Nopponi Kollox"
Do you really think that you can oppose everything on your own. I think you are exaggerating.
"The Foundation should make sure that the best expertise, the most highly
technological equipment and most off all the most responsible workers are to
work on this delicate project."
A project is just that, Mr Tanti, a project. There is no such thing as a project which is "delicate". We are not talking confection here.
"The Foundation should keep the general public informed especially with
visual aids of this project to make people understand better."
The Foundation has already done what you are suggesting, and It does not like anyone to tell it what to do.
Raymond Sammut
Aug 23rd 2008, 05:43
@ G Caruana Dingli
You have raised the issue of the Sliema chapel several times. This type of potential damage resulting from the Foundation's proposals has already been addressed by the architect of the Valletta local council. Please refer The Times, Saturday, 9th August 2008, "Council architect advises against excavation of St John's Square".
There is no need to be repetitive. It would only cause confusion.
Raymond Sammut
Aug 23rd 2008, 05:31
@ P. Busuttil
"FAA should restrict themselves in saving whats left of Sliema."
One cannot take to liberty and dictate priorities to an organisation like FAA. One can express disagreement, but not dictate.
Please note that the issue here is Saint John's. Sliema is dealt with in other blogs.
Raymond Sammut
Aug 22nd 2008, 22:33
@ M Camenzuli
What has been "off-putting" in this debate are two things:
(1) your repetitive comparisons of Saint John's with museums that are in no way relevant neither to the Saint John Co-Cathedral nor to the two proposals in question,
(2) your repetitive attempts at discrediting the FAA who do what they do on a voluntary basis, and in a courteous and professional way (this on the basis of my own experience with FAA as a non-member and who got to know the FAA only as a result of this issue).
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2008, 22:24
@ Mr Tanti - Perhaps you should stop wearing blinkers and try to understand what an NGO stands for.
Yes, there are certain projects which are immediately condemnable.
St John's is one of them.
A Mistra development would be another one!
No need for further explanations would be necessary.
I think that in the circumstances, Ms Vella is better equipped with regard to names for her voluntary organisation!!!
Mr Tanti, therefore, should stick to what he is good at.
Francesca Meilaq
Aug 22nd 2008, 22:19
@ M Camenzuli, Your obvious hate campaign against FAA is nothing short of childish. You need to be reminded that Cologne, Vienna, Milan, Siena and Mdina are just a few of the Cathedrals with Museums much further away than is being proposed in this case. Also one can hardly compare L'Institution Nationale des Invalides to a cafeteria! I should also like to remind you that only recently the Vatican declared that development that goes against the environment is regarded as a modern day sin. Are you saying the Vatican is wrong too?
@ P. Busuttil, FAA do indeed campaign on other issues other than St. John’s as you very well know, and to say that they should restrict themselves to Sliema is just silly. By that way of thinking you are saying that it is okay to destroy the rest of Malta and Gozo so long as Sliema is looked after. It’s interesting that you refer to the old Chapel in High Str Sliema which has been closed for nearly 2 years since it sustained structural damages due to the building of a nearby Hotel. Do you want the same thing to happen to St. John’s?
mark tanti
Aug 22nd 2008, 20:53
Ms Vella would have opposed this project in all cases.
She opposes every thing proposed from a Pig Farm up to a such an
important and delicate project which should be handled with utmost intelligence
and care.
Ms Vella she should change the name of her NGO from FAA to WNK
meaning Wahdi Nopponi Kollox.
NGO's should not only critisise but should also be active. The Manikata NGO is a good
example how an NGO should operator
The Foundation should make sure that the best expertise, the most highly
technological equipment and most off all the most responsible workers are to
work on this delicate project.
The Foundation should keep the general public informed especially with
visual aids of this project to make people understand better.
G Caruana Dingli
Aug 22nd 2008, 18:24
Franco Farrugia missed the argument.
If Mr Busutiil is worried about the chapel in High Street which cracked from top to bottom because of nearby excavation he should be concerned that the same may happen to St John's if the square is excavated.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2008, 17:51
@ Mr Caruana Dingli and Mr P Busuttil - Sorry, I am in disagreement with you gentlemen. Why should FAA restrict itself to just Sliema problems and ignore the plight of St John's????? If FAA did not care tuppence for this issue, who would have brought it to the attention of the public???? Answers, please.
@ Mr C Aquilina - well done: good points. Where is the Archdiocese in this matter??????????????
Where are the Monsignors? Restricting themselvs to just parading their red cassocks and paraphernalia during liturgical services that are already dead and buried?
G Caruana Dingli
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:37
P Busuttil's comment is actually very much to the point!
One wall of the chapel near Stella Maris is cracked in two because of nearby excavation!
One hopes that the Cathedral will not suffer the same fate if they excavate under its foundations! Perhaps the council members of the St John's Foundation should pay this chapel a visit.
C Aquilina
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:32
!500 objectiors are few when we consider that we are discussing one of the biggest and richest peace of heritage art in Malta.
So I ask where is the Valletta Local Council, where is the Archbishop, the Monsinjuri tal-Konkadidral and the Curia, where are the religios and social clubs and people of Vallletta?
I remember few years ago the landfill project near Ħaġar Qim. Is it the same campaign level?
It is ignorance and insanity even to think to try to touch in any way this national monument.
Or is there someone prużuntuż u mingħalih bravu that he is trying to make a big bargain by his professional advices.
There are other knight's buildings near the konkadidral occupied by government dipartments that can be moved outside Valletta and the building may be used instead.
Please take of your hands from this national heritage and propose something more professional to the Maltese government and the intelligent poeple of Malta.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:31
@ P Busuttil - Your comment is out of point.
P. Busuttil
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:21
FAA should restrict themselves in saving whats left of Sliema. When they object to further development of Sliema, I am 100% behind them. The destruction of this once beautiful town is an ugly legacy for future generations. Unfortunately Sliema has not only been destroyed in regards to elegant and beautiful buildings but also in a community manner. No civic sense previals, no pride in keeping the place tidy and this is not only due to building sites, most of those who moved in are selfish and have no idea what was once this town. With an aging population Sliema is dying.
FAA instead of objecting about St. John, should raise awareness about the old Chapel in High Str Sliema which has been closed for nearly 2 years since it sustained structural damages due to the building of a nearby Hotel. This chapel is the oldest building that remains in Sliema, built by the first people to live in the area.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:19
I have no reason to support FAA because I am not one of its many members.
However, in a democratic society such as ours, I believe it is extremely essential and there is plenty of room for such an association as FAA to be allowed to work in peace!
Hence, I find Josephine Buhagiar's comment not only ridiculous but disgusting. And equally disgusting is TT staff that allowed such a comment to pass through!
As for M CAMENZULI, I have come to the conclusion that this man must have been somehow 'affected' by some FAA activity!
And as for J FARRUGIA, I have also come to the conclusion that he is against FAA and against anyone who does not share his own thwarted opinions.
In conclusion, I hope that FAA will continue with their work because it is essential for our country to halt this crazy pace of development, development, development without good reason!
s.bugeja
Aug 22nd 2008, 16:05
@ Josephine Buhagiar.
Astrid is far from lonely in this! If she were would the foundation's reaction be so vehement?
@ M.Camenzuli.
We are neither French nor English and we don't have to emulate any one when it comes to our Baroque capital city. let's be thankful that St. John escaped the devestation of war and the depredation of foreign rulers. Must we be the ones to vandalise it because that is what the envisaged plans ammount to.
@ J Farrugia.
we don't need building experts in this case. we need people passionate for their heritage. I'm sure a building expert is capable of building a 5 star hotel on Hagar Qim if he were commissioned to do so but does that make him a heritage lover?
Josephine Buhagiar
Aug 22nd 2008, 15:46
Astrid why are you so bitter are you lonely
J Gilson
Aug 22nd 2008, 14:50
Thumbs up for FAA. Keep it up!
M Camenzuli
Aug 22nd 2008, 14:15
This NO NO NO from FAA for anything that develops and enhances
anything has now become off-putting.
For people who have been to cutting-edge museums abroad
this is an excellent project that will put our Co-Cathedral Museum
on the map of world-class museums where it belongs.
We have this backward looking idea in Malta of
Don't Touch Anything - just like the lazy guy in the parable of the talents
who hid his talent and the Lord punished him and told him that
even if he had deposited it in a bank he would have got more.
For those saying this is a graveyard,
even the Co-Cathedral proper is a graveyard.
In the Co-Cathedral we even walk over the gravestones of the Knights.
In a related page, someone mentioned Les Invalides in Paris.
Even there they have a modern museum.
Les Invalides contains L'Institution Nationale des Invalides
which is a retirement home for war veterans,
with a hospital and surgical centre.
In Paris, you have Pei's Pyramid at the Louvre.
And in the British Museum, Lord Foster
has glazed over the Great Court.
But in Britain and France,
they celebrate such architects.
Here we have FAA to keep repeating NO.
J Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2008, 13:40
Astrid and FAA will you cut it out? Who made you building experts? Always jumping to unexplained conclusions! Civil society my foot!