Piano's Valletta project (2)

We are definitely not amused by Renzo Piano's magical dream to build an open air theatre which would not serve its purpose.

I have made it quite clear also with the Prime Minister, that we need a multi-cultural theatre, not just an opera house.

This idea had already been implemented by Augusto German and Mro Gardenio Botti in the years of the Royal Opera House management as far as July 20, 1923, so why does the present government keep on insisting that we want an opera house that is not the solution?

Other nations across Europe including Italy, who had four theatres burned down, did away with all their scars, re-built their treasures to the former glory giving them back to their respective countries and people.

In Malta's case we have been limping for 67 years. What a shame! Culture has never been respected by all our politicians across the line; the national interest has never been implemented.

There is no doubt Mr Piano is a world famous architect but he does not fit in with a city like Valletta. I am sure he would rather see his own plans on the ruins of the opera house than rebuild a complete replica that would create a conflict of interest with the original plans of Edward Middleton Barry who had also built the famous Covent Garden Theatre, smaller than the opera house and still in use today. Our new idol tenor Joseph Calleja recently sang there.

Mr Piano could go for the former splendour's outside shell, then make the necessary alterations inside that can house 1,200 seats as he mentions, plus all the necessary amenities for a multi-cultural venue that would be active all year round.

Finally, the people of Malta and Gozo should be given back what is rightfully theirs and have their final say on this agenda since it's their coffers that are being dug out on this new Valletta project.