Voices of the people on the Opera House (3)

This present Opera Site saga cannot but bring to mind ex-Minister Lorry Sant, who unlike the present ado, without any fuss, transformed the Sacra Infermeria into the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The outside of this historic edifice was left untouched but inside was transformed into a veritable and working gem. If memory serves me well, no foreigners were involved and all the work was done by his Public Works Ministry.

Practically across the road lies St Elmo. Having the outside returned to its pristine glory, and modernising the beautiful internal areas can easily convert this extraordinary building into a House of Parliament to challenge Westminster! Very spacious, easily accessible along Marsamxett, with breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour, no parking problems, and without the restrictions and crowded atmosphere that is presently Freedom Square.

That, and the rebuilding of the Barry Opera House, would have returned the soul and spirit that Valletta sighs for and that has been lacking for a very long time.

I hope that because I mentioned Mr Sant, what could be good ideas will not be discarded outright. But are we that childish?! And I do not have red tinted lenses like I was accused of on one of the timesofmalta.com blogs recently! I wear glasses and they are white!

Finally, may I congratulate The Times and say thank you for giving people a voice which normally they would not have.

But are the comments that follow the stories in The Times read by the authorities? If not, why not? What do they have to fear? Does the DOI still read the papers and pass everything that appears to the ministries and departments concerned? It is much easier now with the miracle of cut and paste and e-mails!

If they do, it is there in black and white. The people, and prominent ones too, have voted and the majority are in favour of the rebuilding of the Opera House according to the original Barry plans. Why be obstinate?

Let no one forget that it is the citizen who will have the final say, and indeed the last laugh, when the time of judgment arrives! And it will arrive! June 6 is a harsh reminder!