The Labour Party in a reaction to the unveiling of the Renzo Piano plans for the entrance to Valletta, said this evening that it was never involved in the planning but still intended to contribute positively.
Everybody had his views and preferences and not everybody could agree on everything, the PL said. Its view for Valletta extended beyond appearances and was a vision of and economic and cultural showcase.
The party called on the government to heed the people's views, to set and respect budgets and to say where the money would come from. It also insisted that the project should be completed within the established timeframes.
Earlier, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi described the Renzo Piano plans for Valletta as conveying dignity and a sense of history and identity.
Speaking at the unveiling of the plans for the entrance to the capital, Dr Gonzi said this was an event which should unite the people in pride of their idenity, forged in a long and rich history.
Valletta, he said, should be the expression of the people. Its streets should not only be beautiful, but they should also reflect the values of the people, particularly their hospitality and their respect for the dignity of man.
The streets of Valletta should also remind the people of their struggle for independence and freedom. It was in these streets that the people struggled for the formation of the first Parliament and for democracy.
These were streets which reflected the sense of history, but they should also showcase culture and the arts.
This, therefore, was a city which manifested the elements that formed the Maltese people.
The new projects which were now being unveiled, as well as others which had been made or were being planned, gave the dignity which the city, and the people, deserved.
Valletta was being renewed, its bastions no longer kept people out but invited people in. They were the guardians of the people's heritage, the custudians of its wealth.
Dr Gonzi thanked architect Renzo Piano, the people of Valletta, the business community and all those who had contributed in moving this new project forward.
His wish, the Prime Minister concluded, was that this project would make all the Maltese more proud of their country.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/revealed-the-new-face-of-valletta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/the-new-city-gate-and-parliament
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090622/local/renzo-piano-interviewed
The designs are available at:
www.opm.gov.mt/vallettaprojects