Piano's plans for Valletta (2)

If you phrase a question in a certain way, you can be sure to get the answer you want. Any politician worth his salt knows this.

The question Renzo Piano was asked ensured he would design a new Parliament. He was also asked to spruce-up City Gate and do something about the Opera House ruins. That was what he was commissioned to do and that is what he did. And a fine job he made of it.

If, on the other hand, he had been asked to design a national theatre for the performing arts, for dance and for music, then I am sure he would have obliged in an equally magnificent manner.

So, clearly, those who are disappointed with the plans for Valletta should not vent their disapproval at Mr Piano. He was only doing the job he was paid for. Their fury should be directed at the person asking the question. Clearly, the question was too specific and was not what the population wanted or expected.

Had the question asked been to investigate the feasibility of a national theatre that would make Valletta an international centre of culture; a building that would seat up to 2,000; a building that would incorporate drama workshops, dance academies and even schools of music; a building with quality restaurant facilities on its roof with hospitality and banqueting suites that could be hired out by corporate and business bodies, and where distinguished visitors could be entertained, then perhaps an equally exciting design might have emerged.

It is unlikely that that question will ever be asked. There is a deadline for completion and the exchequer will not fork out another €80,000 for another try. The question now is, do the citizens of Malta roll over and accept what has been presented, or face the prospect of another 50 years deciding on something else?