Strongest commitment towards Valletta (2)

The news that our capital will be restored to its former glory is most welcome indeed. Valletta, aptly referred to as a city built by gentlemen, for gentlemen, deserves the very best. The entrance to Valletta and the ruins of the Opera House will be receiving a well-deserved face-lift.

The Italian architect of international fame, Renzo Piano, who knows Valletta personally, has been commissioned to develop the two projects. Mr Piano's works of art are found all over the world. Browsing the internet, among his works are: the famous Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, France; the Aurora Palace in Sydney, Australia; the Kansai International Airport in Osaka; the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, USA and many more.

The government is committing itself to transform Valletta into a cultural and heritage centre of the Mediterranean to be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. It is also planned to completely regenerate Valletta by 2018 when our city will be nominated the European Cultural Capital of the year.

It is hoped that Mr Piano will move away from the Egyptian style of his former plan for the entrance to our city and give the old opera house the emphasis on culture that it deserves, without minimising the importance of a new Parliament building.