Fort St Elmo has been the subject of several feature in The Times. The Valletta Alive Foundation (VAF) has been lobbying the government on much-needed projects in Valletta since its inception in 2005. In a memorandum submitted by the foundation to the government in April 2006, it had suggested the following for Fort St Elmo:
"The foundation suggests that Fort St Elmo becomes a complex of museums combined with catering outlets, specialised retail, a small hotel, a venue for open air concerts and limited leisure activities. An appropriate mix of uses will transform the fort into a major pole of attraction and a hub of activity. The foundation is aware that the main difficulty for the fort is finding long-term viable uses. It is felt that a mix of cultural and leisure uses as proposed should resolve this problem.
"Museums, which could be considered for the fort are a Museum of Fortifications, a Museum of the Mediterranean and an extension of the current War Museum. There is no better site for a Museum of Fortifications than Fort St Elmo, which is historically the most important fort and the one with the most important strategic location.
The Museum of the Mediterranean could present Mediterranean history and warfare through the ages from Phoenicians to the present day. It could place Malta in the forefront on matters related to the Mediterranean. The War Museum should be allowed to extend into other parts of the fort and made more interactive.
"The government should also seek the relocation of some of the small crafts from Ta' Qali to a regenerated Fort St Elmo, where they are more likely to attract clientele from visitors to the museums and the various other activities."
The memorandum was presented to the Prime Minister. The feedback received at the time was that the government felt that a complex of museums might not be the best option. It appeared that there were concerns on the financial viability.
In its reaction to the Grand Harbour Vision published by the government in September 2007, VAF had reiterated its suggestion for Fort St Elmo and argued that "Whilst commending the government's vision for the Grand Harbour, VAF is concerned that some of the projects being proposed could divert attention away from what the real priorities are, at least as far as cultural heritage and tourism are concerned. The rehabilitation and appropriate reuse of Fort St Elmo is long overdue".
When commenting on the Vision for St Elmo and Marsamxett Port, issued by the government in December 2007, the foundation argued that the proposal for Upper St Elmo for "public manifestations of a cultural and artistic nature" does not really capitalise on the immense potential that is offered by the location and the heritage value of the site. VAF reiterated its proposal made in April 2006 and argued that "A good mix of cultural and leisure uses in St Elmo, together with a hotel on the Evans site, should aim to make it a hub of leisure and cultural activity so as to act as a catalyst for the regeneration of lower Valletta".
In the seminar Valletta 450, organised by the foundation a few weeks ago, Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco argued that the rehabilitation of Fort St Elmo needs to be given priority. VAF fully agrees with what Dr de Marco said in a recent feature in The Times that action to save Fort St Elmo is needed now.
The model which Fort St Elmo could emulate is Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. The castle offers as many as 16 different sites, attractions and museums for visitors. With one single entrance fee of £12, visitors can see all of these attractions, not to mention the views of the city from the ramparts. Over one million people (paid admissions) visited Edinburgh Castle last year. A similar approach for Fort St Elmo could provide for a solution which is financially viable and long term, even if initial capital outlays from the government or EU sources would be required to get the project up and running.
The foundation commends the government's vision of having Malta and Gozo as a tourism destination of excellence. Even if Malta and Gozo boasts hundreds of sites well worth visiting, Valletta can and should take pride of place in Malta's drive to become a destination of excellence. Valletta is attractive not only because it is a historic fortified city with views over two harbours but also because of many interesting streets and piazzas and the numerous attractions to visit.
As far as tourism attractiveness goes, Valletta is like a jigsaw puzzle that is almost complete except for a few missing pieces. The two most important jigsaw puzzle pieces still missing are the rehabilitation of Fort St Elmo and the redevelopment of the opera house site.
Mr Zahra is chairman of Valletta Alive Foundation.