Anton R. Borg, Sliema
Desecration of Knight’s burial place
Amanda Ciappara’s letter (January 10) on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure in regard to the proposed use of the lower ground level of Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta for the extension to the theatre in Freedom Square is a disappointingly poor attempt at explaining away a pretty unpleasant and insensitive decision by the government.
She refers to Casa Lanfreducci somewhat sloppily as the “representative office of the Malta section of the Order”. It is actually the headquarters of the Maltese Association of the Order, the members of which have protected the human remains found there over the recent years.
The government appears to be happy to allow what is a burial site for Knights who fought for Malta to be desecrated and used for the convenience of theatre performers. This decision (apart from being crassly insensitive) is nothing short of disgraceful and should be reviewed with urgency. I find it extraordinary that anyone can possibly defend such a terrible idea. Part of Ms Ciappara’s defence of this decision appears to be based on the fact that (apparently) a barber leased the premises some 50 years ago. This is nonsense as the Knights’ remains, and therefore, the site’s historical and spiritual significance, had not been discovered at the time. It does not change the reality of the impact of the proposed “development”. What has happened to preservation of our heritage, and, incidentally, why have Din l-Art Ħelwa not commented as yet?
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Joe Xuereb
Jan 15th 2011, 18:42
Yes, a theatre of any size required can be built outside Valletta. I think the Government is too spineless to tell Piano to go away and come again another day. It's happened before. Why not again? It's all a power game.
Charles Caruana Carabez
Jan 15th 2011, 17:52
Nothing, but nothing, will stop the project. Your modern politician is ruthless and has few values. To turn such a place into a toilet is so gross, it is the ultimate offence to our history, yet the politician is not moved. And hired hands scribble daft defences. The order of the day is: let one mistake be covered by another, so that confusion thrives. Nothing, but nothing, is sacred now, except...... I'll ask a politician.
John Carmel Navarro
Jan 15th 2011, 12:42
I fully agree with Anton it does seem that the people responsible are playing down the importance, the letter on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure fell well short of giving any substantial evidence that this particular site is not important, to knowingly desecrate a burial place of the Knights of Malta who one could say made us what we are is scandalous. It is time for the Government to stop steam rolling projects and to take into consideration not just the public opinion but actual historical facts, by playing down the importance unfortunately highlights the fact that we are going through a somewhat shameful time, destroying what our forefathers fought for. I as well wonder where Din l-art Helwa and Malta Heritage stand on this particular issue, after it is all said and done surely in this day and age an alternative can be found to accommodate performers.