Sette Giugno monument will not return to Palace Square

Joe Xuereb

Nov 27th 2009, 15:42

@ Paul Caruana. It is a pity you did not see this link before you compared our monument to those representing Stalinist triumphalism.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMementoPark

and

http://www.mementopark.hu/index.php?Lang=en

Our, my, monument represents not my people's triumphalism but their oppression by church and state and occupier then. And most unfortunately, still. So the symbol is current and relevant. No backwater for my memorial even if seen by some as a blot on the landscape of a refurbished pjazza.
On the same theme but relating to the recent furore about the Addolorata. I recently went to Budapest with a religious Maltese friend. We went to a cemetery that could have been mistaken for a park of erotic statuary. But such dignity with the dead squirming underneath. The statues were lascivious. And we behaved lasciviously. I 'corrupted' my friend but he was compliant. Now we laugh over the pictures we took. And nobody batted an eyelid. But then, Hungary is a Catholic country that suffered real oppression. Malta too of course. But its Catholicism is of the ultra type. So no comparison there. Malta does gothic. Age-old. Hungary does nudity. Most of it over 100 years old. So, modern. Not unlike the Vatican.

Kenneth Cassar

Nov 27th 2009, 13:00

@ Steven Camilleri:

"Mr Navarro , La Vallette , no Sir, wouldn't muslims and secularists be offended with that ?"

I'll only speak for the secularists: Why should we be offended with that?

Joe Xuereb

Nov 25th 2009, 13:55

2) As a child I remember entering my capital city through a small side door (Thank you A.Mizzi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portareale.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Gate_(Malta) - and, once through, and still holding my mother's hand, looking at the ramp to the right and looking back at that august bust high above. All that went the way of all things (this is Malta after all) and subsequent young children entering their capital city have been deprived of a wondrous experience. I guess children now are expected to get excited about other, lesser, things. Shame that.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 25th 2009, 13:49

1) @ Anthony Pace Gouder. Thank you for the link.
On a recent trip to Budapest I marvelled at the monuments and profusion to the great and the good. Not a monument to Stalin in sight. I understand he is languishing in some ignoble backwater together with all his friends. Time was when he glorified himself monumentally. Times changed and he was relegated to the rightful place. To compare a Stalin/Saddam Hussein with a monument erected to our nation fighting for its bread and butter - I cannot get my head round that. What amazes me is that it took x number of decades for such a searingly commemorative monument to materialise. I should be erected in a prominent place, making sure that the nation is appraised of its true significance. Collective memory as seen through modern eyes. I understand the refurbished St. George's Square is modern and magnificent. But to believe the re-instatement of a monument to such a momentous event in our history to jar with the new square is ridiculous. Truth, as a permanent state,- is more important than beauty,a mere passing fancy.
continued

Anthony Pace Gouder

Nov 24th 2009, 18:47

@ Stephen Borg Casrdona While thanking M . Magri and Galea L. , I wish to correct Stephen's remark that the square was never planned to have monuments littering it . This is totally incorrect , for practically in line but a few meters away from the ex-Sette Giugno site there existed a stately Fountain marking the "finale' (termination point) of the Water Supply from the Wignacourt Aquaduct . Then , practically a couple of Meters away nearer to the edge , stood a circa 50 FEET tall Column , commemorating some historic event . These are depicted in old 18th and 19th Century Paintings and engravings . See http://www.di-ve.com . Photo Galleries / St. Georges Square throughout the years.

Edric Micallef Figallo

Nov 24th 2009, 11:13

There were various groups protesting that day, from dockyard workers to University students. The increased price of bread due to British-imposed taxation, worker layoffs etc., were the flicker that burst the flame, at best. The merchants attacked were known anglophiles, enriched by their servilism to the Empire. Union Jacks were attacked, some taken off their masts, ripped and burned apparently, the offices of the pro-British Daily Malta Chronicle were attacked as well. Hunger definitely played apart, but it was a result of the general British Imperial policy which was being attacked.

The Assemblea Nazionale was also meeting on that day, with its representatives trying to calm down the crowds, not taking advantage of it. Self-government was already being sought by them and discussed with the Imperial Government.

Is Lord Gerald Strickland still lording on this paper? He wanted to downplay the political importance of those riots. He certainly didn't like any expression of anti-Imperialist sentiment Decades before he had enjoyed the beating of some protesting Maltese in the so called, forgotten yet infamous, Sei Maggio.

By the way, it is Sette Giugno, not Giugnio.

Finally, the moving of the monument is stupid.

Mark Galea

Nov 24th 2009, 10:29

@Galea. L
prosit tal-qawl dwar il-mizbla ... fakkartni meta kienu jidfnu fil-mizbla ...

Mike Magri

Nov 24th 2009, 09:57

Mr. A. Pace Gouder.. Agree with you 100%...

After all, WHY do we have to spend millions of euros to build a new parlament when this could be transfered to other places in Valletta, just the same, on a much cheaper budget...!!! What is SO Important for such a new building to be in such a strategic place on the entrance to Valletta....!!??!!??

A CRAZY DECISION as far as i am concerned...

Galea. L

Nov 24th 2009, 09:50

Anthony Pace Gouder
Excellent observation.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Nov 24th 2009, 08:21

The square was never planned to have monuments littering it. The monument looked out of place, it should have its own purposely designed space.

Victor Laiviera

Nov 24th 2009, 07:34

@ Mr C Cassar

Yes, yes, very interesting, no doubt. But you still failed to make any connection to the removal of tyhe Sette Giugno Monument.

Anthony Farrugia

Nov 24th 2009, 07:33

I cannot understand why the Government is still insisting on Piano's plans, when most of the people do not agree with it. Do we still say that the voice of the people (the voters) should be honured at all cost, or that applys during the elections only. Before starting this project a simple survay or even a national voting syetem should take place so that one will have a clear view of the public reaction regards Piano's designes. Why, for example at the Archeological Museum in Valletta where the project was displayed there was no visitors book so that one can put dow his/her comments.The Authorities are there not to do what they personally think, Malta is not theirs.They are there to serve and sadisfy the nation.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Nov 24th 2009, 03:00

How ridiculous, to excuse or justify the removal of this Patriotic Memorial with this new inappropriate theory, that it has to be complementary and attached to wherever Parliament is located ! had to hear this nonsense after 90 years ?
If that's the line of reasoning ,all the Monuments of Past Prime Ministers could follow suit !
To my knowledge , THE PALACE has always been Malta's Administrative Seat , from the time of the Knights, the colonial British Government and our Parliamentary Assembly. The Tapestry Chamber the undisputed venue, for hundreds of years .

It's also a mystery , that until to-day, nowhere and never was this monument ever mentioned in the Piano project. This is undoubtedly an afterthought .
Renzo could have made an effort to make a miniature and show it in HIS MODEL . Apparently, the only open space left in this controversial project is the STREET !!!

Adrian Borg Cardona

Nov 23rd 2009, 21:58

@ C. Camilleri: Sorry but I do not see the connection between the price of bread and wanting independence. In fact, the demostrators attacked the houses of the Maltese flour importers not any government building . Do you honestly believe that hungry people demostrate to obtain independence? I think it was just that some other people grabbed the opportunity and rode on their back to make demands for better governance, I think that makes more sense. Lets study facts not myths.

Galea. L

Nov 23rd 2009, 21:44

C Cassar
Taf x'jghid ukoll il-qawl Malti?

L "Min jichad l-art twelidu mizbla zibel lanqas tridu"

Galea. L

Nov 23rd 2009, 21:43

C Cassar
Jekk ma tafx grajjiet pajjizek grajjet min taf grajjet qaddisek?
Tal-misthija kif dak kollu li huwa tifkira tal-Maltin u s-sagrificcji li ghamlu tridu teqirduh.
Isthu jekk tafu tisthu.

C Cassar

Nov 23rd 2009, 21:35

@ Victor Laiviera: The removal of the "Stalinist" monuments signified the real and final end to the era of Soviet state communism. This was of far greater worldwide significance than a few monuments on a microscopic island such as Malta. That is fact and if one doesn't accept such facts then one can keep ones head firmly in the sand.

Malta is entering a new era. The younger generation are now regularly travelling within Europe and beyond. They will bring ideas from other nations that significantly improve the Maltese islands. That is the future and trying to resist it just emphasizes the stubborness and lack of vision of many of the older generation.

Victor Laiviera

Nov 23rd 2009, 20:50

@ Mr Paul Caruana By what bizarre stretch of the imagination do you equate the Sette Giugno Monument (which marked the star of Malta's road to independence) to a "Stalinist behemoth"? The mind, as they say, boggles.

c. camilleric

Nov 23rd 2009, 20:24

@ Adrian Borg Cardona. Yes the Maltese were after cheaper bread which the colonial masters failed to provide. After the riots Lord Plumer listened to the demands made by the Maltese representatives and the British Govt finally agreed to grant responsible govt to the Maltese. As you can see these poor people also want to Govern themselves. In fact this was the first step in the long struggle for Malta Independence. Pls have a look at Maltese history to avoid writing silly things. Please history before writing.

Adrian Borg Cardona

Nov 23rd 2009, 19:23

@ Tony Borg: "jibqa jikkomemora avveniment purament nazzjonalist - jigifieri ta grupp ta nies li riedu lil Malta indipendenti". Where did you get this idea from? Those poor people where just after cheaper bread, that's all. Punto e basta!

Gerard Cassar

Nov 23rd 2009, 19:11

The problem would not have arised had Parliament been programmed to be built in the area known as Main Guard, removing the U.K. or king's emblem from the facade.

C Cassar

Nov 23rd 2009, 19:08

@ Galea. L: They are all monuments no matter where they are. In fact the ones mentioned by Paul Caruana have far more worldwide significance and are a very good example of monuments that have been removed in order for a country to move ahead into the future.

Tony Borg

Nov 23rd 2009, 18:57

Bhala Nazzjonalist ma nistax nifhem kif festa bhal dik tas-sette giugno hallejnieha tahrab minn idejna u tispicca qisa monopolju tal-PL? Dawk l-incidenti kienu frott tal-erojizmu tal-PN. Mill-ewwel bdew jigu iccelebrati mill-partitarji tal-PN. Kienet il-gwerra li nessiet dan l-avveniment u kienu imbghad studjuzi nazzjonalisti li regghu qajmu l-interess. Huwa veru li dan il-monument minn flus il-poplu sar fi zmien l-era socjalista pero jibqa jikkomemora avveniment purament nazzjonalist - jigifieri ta grupp ta nies li riedu lil Malta indipendenti. Nahseb li l-gvern missu ra mill-ewwel li dan il-monument xoghol sabih ta skultur malti jiqieghed f'post prominenti. Ma nahsibx li ghandna nistenew il-bini ta parlament li ma nafux meta ser ikun lest. Ma ghandniex lanqas inhallu x'wiehed jifhem li x-xoghol artistiku jiddependi f'liema sena sar imma biss fuq il-valur veru tieghu.

Galea. L

Nov 23rd 2009, 17:55

Paul Caruana It's disgusting how you can equate a monument to Maltese patriots shot by the foreign colonizer with the Stalinist monuments. It simply disgusting beyond belief.

c.camilleri

Nov 23rd 2009, 17:47

I am sure that this Government will find better place for this Monument which surely will not be in harmony with the set up of the now renovated Square. St.Georges square has now been changed to a most beautiful place as befit the President's Palace. We must remember that the Sette Giugnio is fondly held by the Nationalist Govt because it was the first step on the long road leading to Independence. The two prominent members at that time were Enrico Mizzi and Filippo Sceberras the former being the leader of Giovine Malta where meetings of the National Assembly used to take place.Dr Mizzi organised a collection for the wounded and families of the victims and even paid for the Monument (at the Adolorata Cemetery) made by Russian sculptor Boris Edwads. Anything said which put a bad light on the Govt is purely conjecture.

C Cassar

Nov 23rd 2009, 17:38

@Victor Laiviera: Keep up at the back. If you read this very short article you would have realised that nothing has been discarded, simply put in storage until a more suitable location has been completed, which has already been planned: "The spokesman said that as previously announced, since the monument was linked to the history of Parliament, it would be incorporated in Renzo Piano's plans for the building of a Parliament House." The monument is not in fitting with the new design of the square. When the old square was originally designed, it was also new and replaced what was there before it. It's called progress and moving forward. If nothing changed, we would still have eyesores such as the huge ugly green kiosk in St Annes square, the ugly old Sliema promenade before it was refurbished and maintained, ugly old St Georges Bay which is now fantastic, ungly old Merchant's street before it was beautifully pedestrianised etc.

Paul Caruana

Nov 23rd 2009, 17:18

Victor Laiviera: you ask "which European City discarded major monuments in order to modernise [sic] its squares?" Most European countries that once were on the wrong side of the iron curtain have removed the triumphalist Stalinist behemoths that once defaced their public spaces. It's good to see we're doing the same with ours.

A. Mizzi

Nov 23rd 2009, 17:17

Hop it does not end up forgotten or mysteriously disappear like the two statues that used to adorn the old entrance of Valletta and seen on old pictures of the entrance to the City. One just wonders where those old or should I say historical statues ended up..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portareale.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Gate_(Malta)

Victor Laiviera

Nov 23rd 2009, 15:34

@ Mr C Cassar.

Could you kindly inform us which European City discarded major monuments in order to modetrnise its squares?

C Cassar

Nov 23rd 2009, 14:53

@Hilary Spiteri : I couldn't agree more. Why is it that so many Maltese want to stay in the past? Time moves on and we now have a beautiful new square that reflects the 21st century. Many cities in Europe have modernised their piazzas in similar tasteful ways.

The Maltese need to embrace change otherwise they will get left behind and the islands will become a stagnant museum.

Henry Galea S ouchet

Nov 23rd 2009, 14:38

For the n th time please stop the intended aggressive stupor of a City which was the most modern amongst other European cities at the time it was built. Why mess it up now ?
If all the insistence that Piano persists with his proposed intervention, is due to the dire need that our parliamentarians badly require a Parlament where to convene, what’s wrong in considering to extend the limits of Valletta to the limit of Balzunetta / Police Headquarters so as to incorporate the ex-Floriana Parade ground which has so far constituted a horrible eyesore to the viewer. I guess this area would provide an ideal place where Piano could go ahead and express his artistic solution to our Parliamentarians’ requirements.

Victor Laiviera

Nov 23rd 2009, 13:59

Naturally, this "spokesman" would not even dream of giving us the reasons why this fine artistic and historically important monument was removed. Probably because there weren't any.

The promise that it will be erected in the vicinity of the new Piano Parliament (if it ever gets built) is hardly credible. For one thing, it does not figure anywhere in the plans exhibited and, secondly, its style clashes completely with the projected gateless City Gate area.

One cannot escape the conclusion that the removal of this monument was simply and act of petty pique purely because it was erected by a Labour Government.

Nor the fear that it will be left to rot in some out-of-the-way store.

Galea. L

Nov 23rd 2009, 13:37

As always under a PN administration, everything that reminds them of the Maltese people is put aside.
This is apart from the arrogance displayed by Gonzi-Piano in continuing to go ahead against public opinion with a modern parliament which jars completely with the rest of the buildings in Valletta at an expense which we cannot afford and which as usual with all projects made under pn governments would cost several times the original estimate. Simply arrogance and bigheads that would put Humpty Dumpty to shame.

Franco Farrugia

Nov 23rd 2009, 12:46

Jaqaw nahsbu li l-Belt Valletta hi xi parti minn darna, il-hin kollu nippruvaw nimlew u nimlew b'xi affarijiet 'cheap' li nixtru minn xi bicca hanut?
@ Charles Grech - Tidher kemm taf fuq l-arkitettura! Qas jien ma naf xejn imma almenu nipprova nitghallem u f'dan l-ispirtu, il-faccata ta' San Gwann APPOSTA hi mibnija bi ftit dekorazzjonijiet. Dan huwa bini skont l-ispirtu tal-Kavalieri ta' San Gwann. Mela allura, l-faccata APPOSTA mhix interessanti, u nhallu l-affarijiet kif inhuma, jekk joghgbook, anke n-nicec vojta!

Hilary Spiteri

Nov 23rd 2009, 12:23

Something that fascinates me about Malta and the Maltese is that we suffer from the horror vacui syndrome: we want to fill all our public spaces and piazzas with monuments, with ornaments etc.

I believe that in such a country where everything is so densely populated we need a breath of fresh air. The Baroque and Neoclassical architecture surrounding Palace Square is already imposing and note worthy.

I agree with the reallocation of the statue but I disagree with the production of another statue in honour of La Vallette or any other personality.

I believe that the ultimate honour that Malta should give to La Vallette is not by erecting a monument. Instead, the Maltese should visit Valletta with different sight glasses: those which help us appreciate Valletta as an architectural monument and furthermore recognize the Baroque avant garde visions and projects of La Vallette.

salvu briffa

Nov 23rd 2009, 12:22

Can't really fathom why La Vallette desreves a recognition for biulding a city for the knightsa and their glory whilst our poor compatriots falling to he bullets of the colonisers have to wait for the biulding of parliament to have their monument relocated. Would nt it have been a good idea if it was in the meantime put up in a garden such as Hastings or upper barrakka. Besides commemorating the 1919 riots we should not forget it is the work of a greta scilptor of our time.
Mr Pullicino pls note!!

charles grech

Nov 23rd 2009, 11:37

Agree for a deserving monument to be built for Grad Master La Vallette.
Also, two niches on the front of Saint Johns con-Cathedral are empty.
What statues were in these? Can these be placed back or new once placed?
These should enhance the front and make it more interesting.

Steven Camilleri

Nov 23rd 2009, 11:34

Mr Navarro , La Vallette , no Sir, wouldn't muslims and secularists be offended with that ?

Christopher Mamo

Nov 23rd 2009, 11:34

@ John Carmel Navarro:

motion seconded

Joe Grima

Nov 23rd 2009, 11:32

John Carmel Navarro. Couldn't agree more. Most appropriate location for a La Vallette statue

John Carmel Navarro

Nov 23rd 2009, 11:11

It does seem that thinking behind incorporating the Sette Giugnio Statue with the new Parliament does make sense, however I do feel there is a great need for Grand Master La Vallette to be remembered in a prominent position. The newly refurbished Palace Square would certainly be an ideal venue for his statue; this shall adorn the area and serve a tribute to a great man who had the foresight to build a unique City which has and is still serving as a focal point to copious generations on our beautiful island.