Updated: Sette Giugno monument's removal goes against Mepa permit - PL

Buhagiar M

Dec 24th 2009, 19:40

Il-monument tas-Sette Giungio li jfakkar in-nies li mietu biex ahna l-Maltin ma nibqghux trattati ta Destroyer hemm postu fi pjazza San Gorg ghax hemm mietu dawn hutna u maghhom kien hemm ukoll feruti ohra. Jekk wiehed jara l- 10 liri li kellna qabel qlibna ghall-Ewro turi l-feruti tas- 7 Guingio mdahhla waqt l- Assemblea Nazzjonali u wiehed minn tal-Assemblea bil-wieqfa b'maktur f'idejh imcappas bid-demm ixejjru. Skond xi storici dan beda jghid "din hi l-bandiera tghana". L-iktar li nissugerixi hu ghaliex ma jitpoggiex fil-bitha tal-palazz li hu s-sede tal-president (flok il-ggant tal-werqa :) )?

Ludwig Flask

Dec 13th 2009, 08:20

I won't comment about the artistic and historical importance of the monument, or where shall it be put, but I find the Ministry's reaction a bit worrying, I fully comply with Mr Victor Laiviera's comment!

Oscar Cassar

Dec 12th 2009, 14:08

@ Galea. L

Regarding your statement:

“Would anyone in his proper senses think that the MLP was consulted during wartime by the British colonial government on those deported to Uganda for their political beliefs?”

You can look for the last contribution in Parliament of Dr Ugo Mifsud before suffering a heart attack in Parliament and dieing a few days later. If the MLP was not consulted by the British colonial autorities, MLP shurly tought of achieving a political advantage fro such a situation and with its silence was just a complicity and therefore part of such.

Oscar Cassar

Dec 12th 2009, 13:59

@ Galea. L

Yes it involved quite pain and tribulations for the Maltese people had to go through to get their freedom…. But such was achieved in 1964 with the birth of our nation as a sovereign stat with a voice in the UN etc. Other events just followed. What is called ‘freedom day’ was just the closure of Malta as a British Military base that according to previous agreements it hat to take place in 1974. Therefore what the MLP Government did to achieve ‘freedom Day’ in 1979 was just extending the contract from 1974 to 1979. Obviously the MLP Government had his reasons for acting in such a way, particularly because in those years, PM Mintoff had failed to create sufficient jobs for the Maltese people. BUT what must be remarked here is that ‘freedom day’ was blown out of its political proportion and significance in an effort to diminish our Independence. In such an euphoria, other important dates were also effected, in particular Republic day while ‘Sette Gugnio’ was projected as having connections with the MLP when it did not.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 12th 2009, 11:48

@ Anthony Mizzi --"Why is it always - What is Dr Joseph Muscat going to do about this monument?"

It has become clear that it's Labour who want this monument to be exhibited in a public place (more precisely in St George's Square). I find two ironies here.

First, this monument appeared in 1986 under the prime-ministership of Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and the presidency of the late Ms Barbara. This is ironical because it immediately followed a period of mob behaviour which started soon after the 1976 elections and went on until the mid-eighties. During this time, from memory, two died, one from each side of politics, along with large-scale destruction of private property.

Second, the June 1919 riots occurred soon after WWI, but more importantly, just three years before Mussolini became prime minister. This is significant because many Maltese in the Valletta area spoke Italian at that time. Also, their main target were the Daily Malta Chronicle offices in Old Theatre Street. Clearly there were Italian vested interests in the destabilization of the British administration.

Gonzi seems more than happy to get rid of this monument. It's up to Muscat to come to the table.

Galea. L

Dec 12th 2009, 09:25

Oscar Cassar
Borg Pisani did not die for Malta but because he believed in the pn dream of Malta being an Italian province. Would anyone in his proper senses think that the MLP was consulted during wartime by the British colonial government on those deported to Uganda for their political beliefs? I don't agree with their deportation, a despotic act by the foreign British colonial government on my countrymen and it is the British colonial government that should be blamed Cassar, not the MLP.

The removal of the 7 June monument is simply hatred for the Maltese patriots and the PL because the monument was made by a Labour Government.

Regarding the Freedom Monument the hill with a rough path signifies the pain and tribulations that the Maltese people had to go through to get their freedom. It is part and parcel of the whole monument so don't even think about the idea that it can be touched. Bombastic monuments? Gonzi-Piano Valletta monstrosity par excellence.

Anthony Mizzi The divide has been created by EFA and continued by Gonzi.

Paul Borg The Independene arena reverted to the British government on the following day

David Mizzi

Dec 12th 2009, 03:20

U ejja ... issa veru dal-gvern qabez kull limitu ta' tolleranza.... Nitlob 'l Alla li l-poplu ma jaqax ghal din il-provokazzjoni..... Dal-ftahir kollu fuq 'pjazza'... qisna hdimna l-monument tal-millennju ! Il-monument tas-7 Giugno nehha imma l-plakka b' ismu mnaqqax sabilha post.... basta jidher fuq il-kameras tat-TV jaqta z-zigarella ! Ara veru pajjiz tal-mikimaws !!!

Muscat Pat

Dec 12th 2009, 01:28

The Sette Giugni monument signifies the beginning of the long struggle for freedom; Malta has lost its soul under GonziPN. Flimsy decorations are more important than the symbols of Malta's martyrs.

Oscar Cassar

Dec 11th 2009, 21:51

@ Anthony Pace Gouder

Pls note that Anton Agius monument at Birgu (il-Munument tal-Helsien) are only the ‘life size’ figures on top of the ‘hill’ and not the ‘hill’. The ‘hill’ was an idea of PM Mintoff that tooked over a public space (zuntier). Therefore strictly speaking, adjustments can be carried out at any time.

anthony pace gouder

Dec 11th 2009, 21:41

The IDEA (sic) of placing the relavent MEMORIAL ( not monument) in THE CONTROVERSIAL so called City Gate ( Gone-d-zi Gate) Project, was definately an afterthought , as it has now (to-day) been so clearly revealed, in The Ministry's ( Resources min.?) Reaction .

Never was there a mention by R.Piano or anyone else, and totally missing in all the plans/ model etc.etc. until this outcry from those who really embrace Malta's History .

I regret to say that many have exposed their ignorance in Maltese History !

I was taken aback , to find ,that a friend of mine with University Degrees,and a NATIONALIST too , was happy of its removal as he thought that it was some LABOUR SHRINE !!!!

Without doubt ,those protesting on those days were Anti-British .THE Partito Nazzjonale (PN 1880) was already 39 years in the political field, resolutely anti-colonial in contrast to it's rival party and obvious that those rioting were of this inspiration . Hence this memorial has a unifying factor for the fact that it was erected by a Labour Administration and honouring an outstanding Nationalist historic episode .




































919

J Fenech

Dec 11th 2009, 21:35

G Frendo x qed joffri li gvern tieghek? Qaghad, gideb, gholi tal hajja, republika tal banana, tahwid bejniethom tal kabinett, NISTAQSIK X QED JOFFRI GONZI PN?
Almenu zmien EFA kien hafna ahjar u jekk xejn kellu kontroll fuq il ministri tieghu.

Oscar Cassar

Dec 11th 2009, 21:24

For what reason Mr Mario Gellel wrote “THE PN MOVED IT AWAY BECAUSE IT SHAMED THEM” ??? May I remind Mr Gellel that Dr Nerik Mizzi, a former PN’s PM and Guze Muscat Azzopardi a representative elected within the PN’s list at the time, were members of the Assemblea Nazzionale that called the meeting of 7th June 1919. Pls read about our history before writing such comments.

Do you know what is the real shame… That still today we do not have any monument commemorating those Maltese exiled to Uganda during WWII with the approval of the MLP and also a monument of Carmelo Borg Pisani that died for his political views of Malta.

Anthony Mizzi

Dec 11th 2009, 21:20

@Raymond Sammut (26 minutes ago)


Why is it always - What is Dr Joseph Muscat going to do about this monument? Has everyone lost hope in Dr. Gonzi’s administration in doing anything or take popular and not partisan decisions?

Doesn't anyone around know that it is Dr. Gonzi who takes the decisions or is everyone expecting Dr. Joseph Muscat to continue to set the agenda for this dormant, administration who seems to be just there to issue direct orders, and give out tenders with commissions and stamp mark dubious MEPA applications before their time runs out ?

Why create issues that divide the People and than expect to be believed tat one wants UNITY in a few days time under the Christmas tree when the country's Leaders give out their Christmas message…if they want to be believed and greetings given in good faith?

Oscar Cassar

Dec 11th 2009, 21:09

Trasformajna dan is-suggett f’ballun politiku. Irridu nammettu li fil-Belt, huma ftit is-simboli (Monumenti) Nazzjonali li jiprogettaw patrijotizmu. Jekk wiehed jelimina pratikament xi lapidi (mhux kollha) minn mal-faccata tal-Palazz tal-President u l-munument tal-Assedju, fil-Belt jibqa biss ir-Regina Vittorja. Hija redikolha li fit-triq principali tal-Belt, hemm sahansitra lapida li tfakkar r-rebh ta’ hames tazzi mit-tim tal-futbol tal-lokal... izda nehhejna munument b’konnessjoni ma Jum Nazzjonali li ma ghandu l-ebda konnessjoni ma Partit politiku partikolari. Probabilment din hija l-isfortuna ta’ dan il-Jum daqstant importanti ghalina bhala Pajjiz. Ghax ghall-Poplu Malti tal-lum, il-partiti (politici) saru ghandhom prijorita’ aktar minn dak li huwa Nazzjonali.

Jekk wiehed josserva x-xoghlijiet ta’ Anton Agius, malajr jinduna li fil-parti l-kbira taghhom huma xi ftit bombastici. Ezempju dak ta’ Dun Mikiel Xerri fi Pjazza Indipendenza, jfixkel l-andament tal-Pjazza (traffiku ecc). Bhekk jien kont nistenna li darba jigi pjanat xoghol gdid fi pjazza (S.Gorg), kull pjanar kellu jiehu in-konsiderazzjoni dawn l-aspetti. Bhekk fl-opinjoni tieghi, ghal ragunijiet storici u ghall-gid tal-hajja ta’ kuljum fil-Belt Kapitali, il-Monument ta’ Dun Mikiel Xerri kellu wkoll jitnehha mill-lokazzjoni prezenti u jkun inkorporat fi Pjazza S.Gorg, flimkien ma dak tas-Sette Gugnio.

Paul Borg

Dec 11th 2009, 21:08

this is what the new progressive labour party is good in....moaning........

Watch any news on super 1 and all they do is moan about the same things all over again.

Now they are trying to make an issue out of a monument temporary removal.........and when did the the PL start to be interested in national monuments....they didn't even celebrate the 21st sept. when they were in government many many years ago.......now they want to teach everyone on how to preserve national monuments:)

s.sammut

Dec 11th 2009, 21:06

......Having said that, a big clap to the workers and MALTESE architects who have been involved in the embellishment of St. George's Square. I am sure they could have done such a good job with Pjazza Helsien at a lesser cost than the one projected and to be entrusted to a foreign architect and can retain its features as a pjazza rather than the unsolicited and unpopular Parliament edifice to be imposed as dictated by the whims of one single person.

s.sammut

Dec 11th 2009, 21:05

Mr R. Sammut. What you conveniently call mob rule can be historically interpreted as popular insurgence. As usual history is distorted according to whims of the individual. I am sure that you can call the insurgences of the recent political history, the boycott campaign, the mass demonstrations, the passive resistance as sheer destabilising activity by the Opposing party while others will hail it as popular revolt for the sake of democracy. Is it now that you question the importance of the sette giugno event? Are you so biased that you condone everything that your government does even if it is a sheer contradiction of its own making. We all know that this government had promised to retain the Sette Giugno Monument precisely where the uprisal had taken place. It is a landmark in our history and no Raymond Sammut can distort that, try as he might. That phase of our history has not been disputed. It is the 60+ era that still awaits to be recorded in an impartial, objective and unbiased manner. Unfortunately I don't see any historians to qualify for that post.

A Cassar

Dec 11th 2009, 20:56

@ Mario Gellel "THE PN MOVED IT AWAY BECAUSE IT SHAMED THEM"

Why does it shame the PN? Were these people shot by during a PN government? Can you pls tell us why it shamed the PN pls?

Raymond Sammut

Dec 11th 2009, 20:43

@ Charles J. Buttigieg -- "The obvious place for the Sette Giugno Monument is in St. George's Square, where the victims fell." What has put it into people's heads that victims fell in St George's Square? Please look up the facts before jumping into conclusions. And why is mob rioting part of Malta's history? Mobs wrecking and burning buildings, and intimidating people minding their own business. This behaviour must never become part of Malta's history. This monument is a travesty of Malta's history. If Labour want it, they can put it in their HQ. They have no right to put it in a public space. What is Dr Joseph Muscat going to do about this monument? Is he going to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors? People should not to led to believe that rioting and incitement is part of Malta's history, let alone it should be commemorated.

joseph mifsud

Dec 11th 2009, 20:31

veru ma jisthix dan ilgvern is sette guinio gie jnehhih. Jien ghalija is sette giunio ghandha tkun il festa nazzjonali ta Malta mela jigi jnehhi dan il monument veru tal misthija.

Victor Laiviera

Dec 11th 2009, 20:22

@ Mr Wilfred Camilleri 1) The monument was in the right and proper place - the very spot where one of the martyrs died and in front of the palace that has symbolised the Maltese State ever since it was built. 2) After so many broken promises, we are convinced that the promise to erect the monument somewhere is just another one - more of the same.

J camilleri

Dec 11th 2009, 19:43

Ok... so with the goverments example I am writing to MEPA with my intentions to Build a restaurant on the granaries... and start building it! Thanks for the fine examples. Keep it Up dear Government

Walter Farrugia

Dec 11th 2009, 19:30

Sette Giugno is part of Malta's history and should be remembered as such, shame on the authorities to remove it

D. Bartolo

Dec 11th 2009, 19:24

Xi hadd qal li l-Pjazza San Gorg giet sabiha, sa hawn grazzi u prosit, qal ukoll li gergru u li kollox negattiv, l-ewwel haga milli jidher dan qatt ma hareg mid-dar u kif qal hu stess li quddiem parlamenti ohra , ikun hemm monumenti sbieh, qeghdin sew, U QUDDIEM IL-PARLAMENT MALTI, NEHHEW IL-MONUMENT LI JFAKKAR IT-TRIQ LI WASSLET GHAL ISTESS PARLAMENT. GRAZZI U AWGURI LIL KULLHADD.

Joe Bonello

Dec 11th 2009, 18:17

L-gheneb li ma tistax tilhaq qares gheziez dirigenti tal-PL

Anthony Pace Gouder

Dec 11th 2009, 18:13

@ Wilfred Camilleri "'The monument was out of place in St. Georges' Sq. to begin with'"...... By what Measure of REASONING ,have you reached this conclusion ? The Monument was never meant to be transferred anywhere, as the MEPA plans CONFIRM . Kawlata Ohra ? If EVER there is a Monument that needs be relocated as its very much OUT OF PLACE , is the Munument tal-Helsien at Vittoriosa (Birgu) Reasons ? Firstly ,due to its size - relation to the smallness of the square . Secondly , it rudely stands in front , blotting out the Historic (in itself a Monument ) St. Lawrence Church , which deserves much better . Wilfred , wouldn't removing this monument to Paola Square , be a better place as it would be more APPRECIATED !

Karen Magri

Dec 11th 2009, 17:49

Tal-misthija kif monument nazzjonali bhal dan spicca go bitha jaqla t-trab u nofsu zmantellat. Kieku thalla hemmhekk kien ikompli jsebbah il-Pjazza San Gorg wara li giet inawgurata. L-iskuza li dan se jsir f'Misrah il-Helsien hija biss weghda fierha meta ghad fadal biex jinbena l-Parlament il-gdid.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 11th 2009, 17:41

The obvious place for the Sette Giugno Monument is in St. George's Square, where the victims fell. Unless there are ulterior motives, we should have asked Sig. Piano to suggest a new Monument within his holistic plan to commemorate our first purpose built monument. This has got nothing to do with the PL being negative,it is giving due respect to our National Heroes for sacrificing their lives.

saviour darmanin

Dec 11th 2009, 17:40

Victor Laiviera may i remind you that in maltese there is a saying "Kull min ixomm taht idejh intiena ha jsib!" so dont think that "new" LP is better than the PN! I expect the same things will happen under Muscat! Or maybe you are one of those who sees everything negative the PN does in government & all good the LP does?

A.Busuttil

Dec 11th 2009, 17:39

I remember seeing documantaries and reading about the war, when comunist Russia took over the so called iron curtain countries and removed all monuments of the previous era. Same did Napoleon even when he was in Malta during the French occupation removed a lot of emblems one still can be seen on the facade of the Manoel Theatre. Remembering Mintoff regim covering the British coat of arms on the Libyan institute.But these are years ago not 15 days away from 2010. Very Simple this goverment does not want this monument in Pjazza San Gorg. They said it is related to Parlament so it should be next to the new parlament. But histroy was made in Pjazza San Gorg where l-Assembleja was meeting.This is an insult to the Maltese people. The scope behind this are 2. 1) they are trying to downsize 7Gunio so if one day it will be our National Day (at least both agree about it) this will be without signification 2) I am sure that when the Piano Project will be ready they will tell us it does not match and it will be put in the yard of St Elmo. POPLU IFTAH GHAJNEJK

G Frendo

Dec 11th 2009, 17:36

labour has nothing new to offer anymore!! how patetic to come up with such a story!!

Anthony Pace Gouder

Dec 11th 2009, 17:23

The government seems to be infatuated with St. Georges' Square , and the hype created about this project is exaggerated !!! Qiesa waslet l-Elezzjoni .. There were greater and more important Projects that were simply inagurated , with just the unveiling of a commemorative plaque! Others, which I wrote about yesterday,like the St.Julians'-Sliema promenade was not even inagurated . The extent of the works would have , by comparison to 1 WEEK , resulted in a Summer season of celebrations . If Dr.Gonzi AND SOME OTHERS are so much in Love WITH PALACE SQ. , I do not need recommending that they set up Parliament right there (Main Guard) and hence reinstate the SETTE GIUGNO MEMORIAL to its legitimate place .

J.Borg

Dec 11th 2009, 17:11

If i remember well on the day the feast is celebrated, that is 7th June the speaker used to gold a ceremony in front of this monument. So, can anyone tell us where this ceremony is going to be held now, or is this a sign of something else to come. @ M. Psaila ara veru tistageb mix-xejn.....mhux il=membri parlamentari KOLLHA gabuha fli stat li kienet....u issa jridu jballawilna li tawha lura lil poplu. Mela din il-pjazza kienet ta xi hadd, mhux tal-poplu kienet, jew GONZI PN irid jghid li l-affarijiet ta Malta huma tieghu!!!!!! About City Gate, why did the government invite the Maltese people to visit the plans. Wasn't it so that who wanted to pass comments in favour or against. Also, GONZIPN always stated that he will listen to the people. Has he taken this into account or is it that they are going to steamroll with this prject and ignore the people.

M.Pule'

Dec 11th 2009, 16:56

If the Sette Giugno monument shames the gov, the PL should hide in shame in front of the Maltese people who suffered from job transfers, istitutionalised corruption, violence galore, suspended constitutional court, biased broadcasting, lack of freedom, bulk buying, jobs for the red eyed boys ONLY, ...........the list is endless. Come on, let's have the Piano project moving and place the monument in a decent place.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 11th 2009, 16:55

@ Mario Ellul Who are "the first victims" you are referring to? Two were hit in Old Bakery Street, and a third was merely a bystander near the edge of the Palace Square and was hit accidentally from firing aimed at the Daily Chronicle building. The fourth victim had nothing to do with the 7th of June, and was never anywhere near the Palace Square. The mob rioting had nothing to do with "rights". The mob was exploiting a situation brought about by the high cost of flour. Why is Mr Galdes insisting on this monument to be brought back? This monument is a gross misrepresentation of what really took place in June 1919, and Mr Galdes should explain why it was put in a public space in the first place.

christian gauci

Dec 11th 2009, 16:54

I thought that the nation would have taken the opportunity to replace the Statute of Queen Victoria with the Sette Guigno monument. After all the soldiers of her majesty shot our brothers! This Nation really does not know how to appreciate the sacrifice of its people by adoring a queen of a foreign occupier and denigrating one of the rare events when our people were not boot lickers to the foreigners.

Anthony Mizzi

Dec 11th 2009, 16:10

If the monument is linked toParliament, as stated by the GOVERNMENT, why was it not left in its placed and than moved when the new Parliament is transferred to Freedom square?

Or better still it could have been incorporated into the design of this open space, not only as a tribute to the fallen of the 7 Giugno but also to the late well-known sculptor Anton Agius .

The Sette Giugno monument is no piece of furniture to be moved about, it is a National Monument and should be treated as such and given the dignity it rightly deserves.

Ernest Vella

Dec 11th 2009, 15:51

The opposition's point is correct because you cannot say you will do that but than you do as you wish...that's pure arrogance....because the argument is not the square itself but whether people are faithful to what they say...As I know no one can say something first but than because the authorisation is given...you do as you wish even change completly the same plan.

Wilfred Camilleri

Dec 11th 2009, 15:45

The monument was out of place in St. George's Square to begin with so the opposition should turn down the rethoric and politicing. The monument would be better appreciated if ti was at the entrance to Valletta anyway. So why all the fus abd bluster?

Victor Laiviera

Dec 11th 2009, 15:42

So the Hon Minister first infringes the conditions of the permits, and then writes to ask for permission.

What a wonderful example to give the people.

Jonathan Calleja

Dec 11th 2009, 15:32

This monument is one of the most beautiful that we have. It is a pity that it had removed.

N.Calleja

Dec 11th 2009, 15:27

Having nothing to criticise about the splendor of the Palace Square, Roderick Galdes and his fellow PL wanted to say something about the Sette Giugno Monument. I'm sure that he will get the answer when this beautiful monument will be placed where it belongs,infront of the new parliament building, for it to be appreciated by the same Mr.Galdes and his mates.

mario gellel

Dec 11th 2009, 15:22

THE PN MOVED IT AWAY BECAUSE IT SHAMED THEM.

Mario Ellul

Dec 11th 2009, 15:20

The rightful place for the 7th June Monument should be in St. George's Square - that's where the first victims fell and it's appropriate that they should be commemorated where they paid with their life for the rights which today we consider inalienable

Dylan Olliver

Dec 11th 2009, 15:16

Mr Galdes, it is so typical of Labourites, or Socialists, or whatever you like to call yourselves now, to just critiscise. Why don't you first congratulate the government on the excellent refurbishment of the square? No wonder you lose election after election.

A.Borg

Dec 11th 2009, 15:13

Yeah placed at City Gate, but when?? Most probably we'll have to wait another 5-10 years or so. Ideally the monument would have stayed at St.George's Square then moved to City Gate when that project is actually realised!

Victor Laiviera

Dec 11th 2009, 15:00

No wonder developers think they can ignore MEPA and do whatever they like - they just follow the government's example.

As we say in Maltese, "il-ħuta minn rasha tinten".

Roderick Peresso

Dec 11th 2009, 14:57

Let's face it, the Sette Giungno monument, although signifies an well known instance in Malta's history, aesthetically leaves much to be desired.

M PSAILA

Dec 11th 2009, 14:51

ARA VERA L-KAZ LI L-LABOUR MA GHANDU XEJN XI JGHID!

PJAZZA SAN GEORGE GIET PJAZZA MILL-ISBAH ... HADT LI-TFAL U HADU GOST U BHALI GHAMLU MIJIET TA FAMILJI

MORT F'PARLAMENTI OHRAJN U QUDDIEMHOM KOLLHA GHANDHOM MONUMENTI MILL-ISBAH!

LABOUR IS SO NEGATIVE THAT EVEN SOMETHING POSITIVE LIKE THIS SQUARE JRIDU JOHOLQU STORJA MINNHA!