Jake Schembri
Sunbathing in the city
A lone sunbather, complete with a deckchair, beachwear and sun cream yesterday decided to soak up some rays in Republic Street, Valletta, causing quite a stir among passers-by.
After setting up his deckchair in front of Parliament and taking his shoes and socks off, Cedric Vella, of Iklin, sat back and appeared to doze off for a short while, until police turned up and ordered him to move on.
Undeterred, he moved a few metres down the street and set up again in front of the Law Courts, to the amusement of many. A crowd gathered and just stood and watched, not knowing what to make of Mr Vella's apparent desire to lap up the Mediterranean sun in the middle of the capital city's busiest street.
A few men started swearing at him and saying he should "go to the beach" rather than engage in such shenanigans in the middle of Valletta. They also said he should go "back to his own country", blissfully unaware Mr Vella was Maltese.
People watching him were also oblivious to the fact Mr Vella was merely performing for a prank video, which is intended to be put up on YouTube. It marks the first in a series of videos Mr Vella, and his friend Mauro Busuttil, of Attard, who was filming the whole charade incognito, intend to put up on the video-sharing website.
Mr Busuttil said: "We just decided earlier this week to make a few funny videos to put on YouTube. We've had a laugh doing this one so far."
Yesterday evening, reports came in that Mr Vella was seen the day before in Sliema, where the reaction was much cheerier. James Herrera, from Kappara, said: "People were pointing and laughing and taking pictures on their mobile phones. I can't understand the angry reactions he got in Valletta. I took it very lightly when I saw him."
9 Comments
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Shawn Xuereb
Sep 12th 2011, 10:11
Awesome. Thumbs up for Mr. Vella. Thumbs down for the ignorant who can't take a prank.
victor pulis
Jul 31st 2010, 19:15
Was he obstructing the pavement? was indecently dressed? was he asking for money like the buskers that throng Republic street? was he littering? No? then why the hell was he told to move off by the police? As for the idiots who swore at him. The penny has dropped. They thought he was a foreigner. That explains a lot.
judith desira
Jul 31st 2010, 17:56
o come on !!!! why are the majority of maltese people so so MOODY and unable to laugh.
It was a laugh ...so relax and laugh...laughter relieves tension . As far as i can see cedric and his friend were in no way rude or abusive to anyone, it was them who got the abuse thrown at them. for no apparent reason !!!!!
Claire Busuttil
Jul 31st 2010, 17:39
Just Silly !!!!
Karl Consiglio
Jul 31st 2010, 13:52
It doesn't count as sunbathing if he didn't take off his shirt, its just a guy sitting down.
Andrew Cachia
Jul 31st 2010, 12:23
why such a totally different reaction in Sliema which is less that 2km away as the crow flies.
Ramon Casha
Jul 31st 2010, 10:39
Interesting that the police told him to move off but apparently didn't do anything about the reported swearing.
On the other hand... white socks?! Maybe they had a point :)
Victor Laiviera
Jul 31st 2010, 10:18
"A few men started swearing at him and saying he should "go to the beach" rather than engage in such shenanigans in the middle of Valletta. They also said he should go "back to his own country", blissfully unaware Mr Vella was Maltese."
For heaven's sake - what is happening to the Maltese people? Why this intolerance and aggressive attitude? What harm was he doing to anybody?
Franco Farrugia
Jul 31st 2010, 10:09
Quote: 'A few men started SWEARING AT HIM and saying he should "go to the beach" rather than engage in such shenanigans in the middle of Valletta. They also SAID HE SHOULD 'GO BACK TO HIS OWN COUNTRY', blissfully unaware Mr Vella was Maltese.'
Do we need more proof how xenophobic we have become, as a people? This should be one of the main issue to be tackled by all those who think that they have a responsibility for the moral fabric of our society!
Swearing at him - oh yes! We are Maltese, and very good at that.
And this in Valletta! Who would you rather left the country? These couple of youngsters, or those many lay-abouts that one sees outside the Courts, in our city? These are the questions that come to mind.
Veru pajjiz tal-imsiken, sirna. Ma nafx kif l-UE ma taghtiniex daqqa ta' sieq 'l barra!