James A. Tyrrell, Larne, County Antrim, N. Ireland
Of gift horses and white elephants
We have heard, not least of all from the Piano-Gonzi camp, that it is impossible to even contemplate a theatre with all the modern facilities on the site of the old Royal Opera House. According to them the footprint is just not large enough to accommodate such a project. But the truth of the matter is that Piano has been constrained by a budget of €8 million and that is why all the people are getting is a stone circle. Something to rival Stonehenge in England or the Ġgantija Temples on Gozo. Rather than taking a cultural leap forward, Lawrence Gonzi and Renzoi Piano are determined to plunge Malta into the past against the wishes of the Maltese people.
However, there is an alternative and one which the Maltese people really need to look at seriously. Italian architect Giovanni Trevisan has proposed building a fully roofed 1,600-seat theatre on this site with all modern facilities. His design has strong neo-classical lines and incorporates an exhibition hall and a rooftop restaurant. Mr Trevisan is not some new kid on the block. This Venetian architect has offices in Venice, Miami and Cyprus and specialises in urban restoration projects.
So why should the Maltese people and indeed the Maltese government be taking this proposal into consideration?
Well to begin with, as has been shown in every newspaper in Malta, the people hate the Piano design as it is nothing more than a compromise. Dr Gonzi wants a new Parliament, which the country doesn't need, and is spending over €90 million of public money to get it. To appease the Maltese people and help them accept this idea he's allowing them the great privilege of spending a further €8 million of their money on a useless white elephant. He's all heart. Mr Trevisan is not only offering to give the people a beautiful new theatre and exhibition centre but has also put together a cultural consortium which would pay the entire cost of the project in return for the government granting them a 30-year lease of the site. So my question to the Maltese government is a very simple one.
This proposal, which has been on the table now for five years, is a win-win situation for the government and for the public, so why is it not being considered?
In 1946 German prisoners-of-war offered to rebuild the theatre for a nominal charge. The government at the time declined to accept the offer due to pressure from the unions. Are the present authorities going down in history as another government that stared another gift horse in the mouth and said no?
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James A. Tyrrell
Apr 24th 2010, 21:34
@RJ Micallef. I think you will find that the 50% you refer to has diminished somewhat. The fact that you are looking forward to another 5 years of this Government proves that you are a glutton for punishment. You talk of lumbering the country with another empty theatre (wow, 1600, very impressive) at a huge cost. You appear to be confused. The theatre as designed by Giovanni Trevisan would not cost the Maltese people anything. Gonzi is the one who is spending your money on a stupid roofless theatre.
@Vincent Ciliberti. If Gonzi doesn't want a new Parliament then perhaps you should ask him why he's spending 90 million Euros on one. After all it's your money! You also refer to "a minor section of the locals". According to a poll run by this paper 80% of people are against it. Is that what you see as minor?
@J Martinelli. British not Irish, not that you would know the difference. Did you actually go to the Phoenicia hotel and see the plans? I didn't design the thing, Giovanni Trevisan did and according to the design it will accommodate 1600. It's not my credibility that matters; it's Gonzi's!
J Martinelli
Apr 24th 2010, 19:33
Just make up your mind, Tyrrell. Do you live in County Antrim or in Gozo? If you feel so much Irish, then don't meddle in anything Maltese. You are irritating, repetitive and bent on misinforming and twisting.
You obviously have no idea what size of site a 1600 seat theatre, with a decent stage area, would require, unless that's how they pack'em in Ireland!
You seem to always know a lot about not approving one single initiative the government takes
so, why not clear the air and confirm rumours about your candidacy, on the LP's ticket, for the next Local Council elections in your area?
You are wasting your time because your credibility equals that of the Labour Party.
Jean Azzopardi
Apr 25th 2010, 00:22
Ahem, I hate to point this out, but are you still loving in Canada?
Vincent Ciliberti
Apr 24th 2010, 14:23
Seems to me like J. Tyrrell assumes a lot.
Now why assume that Lawrence Gonzi and RENZO Piano "are determined to plunge Malta into the past, against the wishes of the maltese people" and "the maltese people hate the Piano design"
Likewise, what makes J.Tyrrell think that G. Trevisan's proposal has not been taken in consideration, and that "Dr Gonzi wants a new Parliament, which the country doesn't need".
Surely, there must be an agenda with such contributors, more so when they're not locals, and when it is obvious that he seems dead set at trying to appease a minor section of the locals.
Or is it an attempt at the old notion of "divide and rule", in which case, likewise, tongue in cheek, I would suggest to J. Tyrrell, to have an attempt a go at his homne country.
RJ Micallef
Apr 24th 2010, 13:46
@ J tyrrell
Immediately you decide to comment on whether our prime minister is all heart or not, you have lost the argument with at least 50% of the population. We elected our PM and his party to govern this nation until 2013 and there's a good chance we will do so again for 5 more years after that. We trust his and his cabinet's judgement not because we are blind to alternatives but because under his and his party's leadership this country with hardly any natural resources has enjoyed unprecedented growth and improvement in the standard of living.
If you wish to carry on wasting time in your efforts to lumber this country with another empty theatre (wow, 1600, very impressive) at a huge cost then fine, that's your prerogative. Rest assured however that the opposition to such a proposal would be much greater than you imagine.
veronica galea
Apr 24th 2010, 13:37
Your questions are well-placed, Mr Tyrrell. Really, it is a sad time for Valletta and for the many Maltese who have wished for something better. The Trevisan proposal is a plan with vision. Unfortunatley, there seems to be little vision from the side of the decision-makers and the Maltese Government is not prepared to do the right thing. The people of Malta deserve so much better than this.
James A. Tyrrell
Apr 24th 2010, 12:49
@Andrew Calleja. "Escape the past." Have you any idea what you are talking about or do you just like the sound of your own voice? Anyone who has an interest in the island of Malta has a right to express his or her opinion. The fact that their opinion does not tally with yours is neither here nor there. By the way are you the same Andrew Calleja who used to be Chairman of MEPA or is the name just an unfortunate coincidence?
j azzopardi
Apr 24th 2010, 19:26
and i could be Jerry Adams
Andrew Calleja
Apr 24th 2010, 11:56
foreigners should not comment on local issues. They should respect our modus operandi and if they dont like it, they can always take a return trip to their country of origin, unless off course they are trying to escape the past.
Lawrence Fenech
Apr 24th 2010, 13:08
You seem to forget that Renzo Piano is a foreigner or am I wrong? It is his finger he has placed on our native Island and on our Caplital City Valletta.
Eric Soames
Apr 24th 2010, 13:14
What a childish 'head in the sand' comment! A valid point remains valid whoever may be making it. As for the 'go home' crack, I see Mr Tyrrell's address is shown as being in Northern Ireland, so I presume he IS home.
Raphael Vassallo
Apr 24th 2010, 14:12
By your reasoning, foreigners shouldn't be engaged as architects for national projects either.
Astrid Vella
Apr 24th 2010, 19:29
What and insular and petty mentality. By this token, all the mega-projects you approved during your term of office as MEPA Chairman, would remain unsold and empty - why should foreigners, especially equal EU citizens, come to Malta and pay our taxes and then not be allowed to voice their opinions?
And these are the sort of people we appoint to top posts on this island?
n zammit
Apr 25th 2010, 15:28
I must agree with Astrid Vella on this point, anyway you were certainly one who voted for us to join the EU and become one big state.. so now you have to accept the interference of foreigners.. they have every right to!!!
you must respect the fact that these people are looking from a different persective.. they are in no way biased to any of our local parties and therefore are able to actually use their heads when they argue.. unlike most maltese who totally agree because they are nazzjonalisti or totally disagree because they are laburisti, while having no clue what the real happenings are!!!
I think everyone in this country needs to reverse their "brain-wash" and start using their own opinions for a change! that's what democratic citizens are meant to do!