It's all about culture

Joseph Calleja was in town recently performing the role of McDuff at the Bavarian State Opera House. The orchestra is the pride of Munich. Tax-funded institutions have their place in society. They perform both a social and cultural function. At a cultural level, such institutions instil an appreciation of a long-standing European musical heritage, while in their social function they may serve as an outreach to younger audiences.

Now, our own national orchestra is housed at the Manoel Theatre which really is not big enough to house a full orchestra. Maybe the opportunity is ripe to seize the chance to develop a cultural institution from the site of the former opera house, one that could house the national orchestra, and more as well. Earlier plans for the site drawn up by Giovanni Trevisan are inspiring because they take the needs of different groups into consideration. A theatre/concert hall with areas for exhibition space would cater for Malta's talent, for its musicians, performers, actors and artists. It would make us proud and we would have another tourist product with which to encourage visitors. A social and cultural function and a high quality tourist product.

In one breath, there could be new vision, new depth in the heart of the city. This is pride, and Malta needs it. Our future rests in nurturing our culture base. If we don't see this is where it's really at, then, in my opinion, we stand to lose our soul as a nation. Malta was devastated during World War II but the people never lost their spirit. If Phoenix is not allowed to rise from the ashes in the heart of Valletta then only we can be held responsible for it.