The controversial sculpture at Luqa roundabout is going to be restored, as it should be.

What I do not agree with is that it is going to remain where it is, even if the people of Luqa as well as many others who pass from St Thomas Street found its phallic shape offensive; they also feel embarrassed by it, especially when accompanying children.

The mayor, on behalf of the residents of Luqa, has been protesting against the monument since its unveiling in 2006. But, as usual, the authorities showed only arrogance and ignored the people’s wishes.

I respect all artists and their work, and I am certainly no prude, but this is not the point.

The people of Luqa are somewhat offended (even if they don’t have to be) and want the sculpture to be removed from there and placed somewhere else where perhaps it offends less.

People would have been much happier with something they could understand better (very few know that the controversial sculpture is called Colonna Mediterranea and it is the work of the respected artist Paul Vella Critien. A plaque should have been fixed underneath to explain this sculpture), a beautiful statue like the ones that embellish part of St Thomas Street.

One just cannot understand what the Government gains when it goes against the people’s wishes, as when it went ahead with the roofless theatre and Parliament House in Valletta. The Labour Party had erred gravely when it went against the people’s wishes on joining the EU.

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