'The past with a modern inspiration'

St George's Square, in Valletta has re-acquired its true function as the heart of the capital, six months after the last car parked in the "stolen" area that has now been returned to the public.

"A mirror of the past with a modern inspiration," the square was not just a piazza for parades but also for the people. It was not just a picture for postcards but has been brought to life, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said at the inauguration last night.

The new fountain and lighting in Valletta's embellished square were switched on in the evening's inaugural event that included an acrobatic show, based on the elements of light, water and space.

It was choreographed by Jochen Schweizer, also responsible for the celebrations marking the restoration of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, the opening of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Rockefeller Centre in New York.

The square has been repaved and refitted with lampposts, benches and water jets but, should the need arise, the street furniture can be removed and the fountains covered while wiring can now be routed through underground tunnels.

Dr Gonzi said the square witnessed important historical events and the creation of the Maltese identity throughout the ages, continuing to play a role in economic and social activity, tourism, politics and even family events.

St George's Square was a link in the chain that would see the President's Palace obtain the status it deserved and its transformation into a showcase of the Maltese identity and culture.

Finally, the full appreciation of the palace's architecture would be allowed and the jewel that was being restored would have a deserved entrance, Dr Gonzi said.

The embellishment project was an "investment in the past for the future," he said.

Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said the image of the 3,500-square metre piazza was completely transformed within six months. About 70 workers had been employed on the job.