Strongest commitment towards Valletta (1)

The press conference held by the Prime Minister last week is the strongest commitment I have heard in so many years towards the real revitalisation of our capital city. I am convinced that finally these important projects will get done.

Of course we will have endless discussions and protests. Of course there are various conflicting opinions. I have written endless articles and letters on the matter and I have explained that what the Prime Minister proposed is the only possible solution.

Valletta should be primarily a heritage and cultural venue as a whole. We have to do all that is possible to have a jam packed cultural diary published a year ahead and exploiting all possible venues such as the Sacra Infermeria, the Manoel Theatre, the University Theatre, St James Cavalier and various prime sites of palaces and churches that are excellent for cultural activity. The only possible solution for Fort St Elmo is as our prime cultural centre with an open air theatre for spring and summer and various activity rooms, plus space for NGOs and small museums. There is no other solution for this fort.

Please remember that we had already issued a development brief for a National Arts Centre at the Opera House site and the results were that this site is far too small for a decent theatre. In fact St James Cavalier was created precisely to give future support to the NAC which, however, could never take off. Parliament cannot remain in the Palace which should be our main heritage site in Valletta, and surely no one can dispute that Parliament should be housed in Valletta. A decent Parliament house needs space. The Ministers' rooms at the Palace are simply unacceptable in most cases and the damage that has been done to the Palace is incredible. Some areas of the building can still house exhibitions etc.

Let us move ahead. Sixty-six years is too long a time to wait for something to happen. Way back in 1987 I proposed these solutions. It is high time they get done.

Let us be reasonable and move ahead. Valletta deserves a new gate. Valletta deserves not to be the only capital with a bombed out site from World War II Valletta needs oxygen before it is too late.