Hands off Citadel - Wirt Għawdex
Gozo's heritage society Wirt Għawdex has expressed concern over a proposal aiming to grant Victoria council responsibility for the Citadel.
Wirt Għawdex strongly believes that national monuments should remain the responsibility of the government because they belong to the whole nation and remain above local interests. The proposal was made during a public consultation launched by Victoria council.
Wirt Għawdex does not believe that local authorities have the necessary funding and expertise required for the restoration, presentation and management of such monuments.
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Frans Sammut
Oct 6th 2008, 11:37
@ M. Tanti
I was aware YOU did. My snide remark was not aimed in your direction, but in somebody else's. I simply cannot stomach people who wallow in their rugged provinciality remaining unable to rise above it even when they grow old. Does one have to be from Rabat to make a comment on the wellbeing and embellishment of the Citadel (Gozo's Mdina)? When will some people grow up, I wonder?
James A. Tyrrell
Oct 5th 2008, 21:17
I agree here with what G J Grech has said but also what Frans Sammut is saying. I've been visiting Gozo for years now and although I keep hearing about the restoration work being carried out at the Citadel, apart from scaffolding I've seen very little evidence of change.
I fully concur with Frans Sammut that the best people to be in charge of these projects are the NGO's.
Ingrid Jones-cameron, I think 24 Euro per night per person is not a bad price and I fail to see what your complaint is. I'm heading to Gozo in three weeks time and spending almost twice that although I'm going to be in an old renovated farmhouse with a swimming pool. Perhaps you should make some local contacts on Gozo and get them to look for places for you.
m.tanti
Oct 5th 2008, 20:49
@ Frans Sammut
I AGREED WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ingrid Jones-cameron
Oct 5th 2008, 17:52
It is absolutely imperative to safeguard what is left of heritage in Gozo. While on this tune I wonder who is responsible in keeping Gozo (and Malta) competitive to holiday makers!!! I just tried to get a flat for a week and was disgusted as the lowest I could get was 170 euros for a week per person. So I will now pack my bags and go to Corfu for 350 euros at a 4 star hotel including breakfast and all fees and transfers!!!! How can a visit to corfu be much cheaper than a visit to Xlendi???? MTA take notice before it is too late.
Frans Sammut
Oct 5th 2008, 14:52
@ M Tanti
That is exactly what I inferred. Experience has led me to place greater trust in NGOs than in the central Government or the local councils. NGOs consist of well meaning persons who have no other interest than the aims and purposes of their organization. Now, honestly, can the rest be said of the other institutions?
Oi, am I talking to mature grown ups or what?
M Tanti
Oct 5th 2008, 14:30
I fully concur with Frans Sammut. we have seen enough damage done by local councils to several historical and cultural sites. I would go as far as to say that even in the hands of the central government some sites are not safe. on the other hand I would not think twice to trust such places in the hands of NGOs such as FWA. who are doing splendid work where restoration is concerned.
G J Grech
Oct 5th 2008, 13:10
@ Frans Sammut
Leave the Citadel in the central Government hands and it will continue to collapse. It is left to become a rubble site...nothing is being done to revive it. All the fuss about the maintenance done is PR. Restoration works take too long to complete with long periods in the year with no workers on site..This is what is being done by the Ministry.
Mr Sammut you are not a Gozitan nor a Rabti so you should not speak about this matter.
Frans Sammut
Oct 5th 2008, 10:56
With all the respect due to the Rabat local council, I would like to register my support for the stance adopted by Wirt Għawdex. I sincerely hope the proposal reportedly made during a public consultation launched by the local council will be shot down. Were such a proposal be endorsed, nobody knows what other local councils would propose next. I do not know about the funding but I certainly can imagine what expertise they have in such matters. I could mention examples in other localities by way of supporting my opinion but would not like to give offence without provocation.