Circus relocates next to cemetery
The circus, with the Addolorata cemetery in the background. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The circus is in town but it has had to relocate right next to the Addolorata Cemetery, on the outskirts of Paola, where it will stay at least until Tuesday when the court will decide whether it can move to Floriana.
Despite winning two cases before different tribunals, circus agent Johann Said was prevented by the police from setting up the Italian circus on the car park of the Granaries in Floriana, following an “arbitrary” Cabinet order.
However, the circus animals could no longer wait in cages till the promoter was allowed to pitch the tent on the Granaries. For the animals’ health and safety, Mr Said applied to set up shop in the limits of Paola, in the extended parking space of the Addolorata. He was granted a permit within three hours.
According to Mr Said, the delay, coupled with remarketing the relocation, was leading to a loss of about €10,000 a day.
He was insisting on his legal right to have the circus on the Granaries, as he has done for the past seven years.
“We are losing face with the Italians. Even the Italian Ambassador was concerned,” he said, referring to the fact that Circo Darix was Italian.
The police yesterday appealed the judgment of the Administrative Review Tribunal, which allowed the circus to set up on the Granaries.
Lawyers from the Attorney General’s office, who were appearing for the police, argued that the permit could never be issued because of parking problems. About 115 parking spaces would be lost to the circus at a time when Valletta was chock-a-block with Christmas shoppers trying to park.
The Court of Appeal, presided over by Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri, Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri and Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo, heard Mr Said’s lawyer, Sharon Mizzi, argue that the permit should have been refused in January when her client had applied for a permit, however, this was issued at the last minute.
The Paola local council was not amused by the decision of having the circus on the locality’s doorstep.
“We disapprove. We feel this is not an appropriate place to set up a circus and some people might find it offensive,” Paola mayor Roderick Spiteri said.
He insisted that, at Christmastime, the cemetery was visited by more people and this would, in turn, cause parking problems.
Despite the council’s objection, the police still issued the permit and the first show was held yesterday.
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22 Comments
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Mr Karl Ciarlo'
Dec 15th 2012, 20:50
This is indeed gross. Next to the cemetery with the parking taken up by circus vehicles and all the activities it entails next to the entrance. The circus should not have been brought over if the permits were not yet in place.
joseph saliba
Dec 15th 2012, 17:18
Passing by the circus, some commuters at the back of the bus were loudly playing their usual scruples and political complaints about the circus being set up near sacred grounds. Little did they notice that its the only locality where the neighbours do not object. It's the ideal place for a power station, abbatoir, liquid gas filling station etc etc.
Rosalind Agius
Dec 15th 2012, 16:57
Shame on the circus. No respect to anyone.
Mrs Joana Pura
Dec 15th 2012, 16:50
Why I never read concerns about the children that are living with their parents in circus caravans.Nobody is questioning about their education, or habits.But about animals everyone is concern. In the circus are strict rules about animals but no one is asking about the human effort for the performances in a show.On the other hand who wants simple things like a circus?Today kids are asking for iPads
Joanne Falzon
Dec 15th 2012, 15:44
just pack and go home!!!
S.M. Cuschieri
Dec 15th 2012, 15:22
U vera ta!!!! The circus is in town.......LOLOL!!! what the heck???? Near a bloody cemeery for christ sake??
What is wrong with Floriana? Veru we are a nation of funny guys.........LOLOL!!!!!
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 14:33
So long as the circus finds patrons it will continue to operate. Cut the demand and the supply will die a natural death. it's in our hands.
James Fenech
Dec 15th 2012, 17:36
Just becuase you don't approve, does not mean that most people don't.
With your reasoning, we should band people from having birds fish and reptiles as pets, after all they are kept in small enclosures
We should also ban people from owning dogs.
All this because some ( or many) circus owners don't take proper care of their animals.
By the way, do you eat meat?
J Cassar
Dec 15th 2012, 13:43
"However, the circus animals could no longer wait in cages" .... who put them there in the first place?
Corianne Farrugia
Dec 15th 2012, 12:21
I totally agree with Mr. Ivan Vassallo's comment, but I will also add that it is a complete abuse and an abomination of sorts to let those poor animals ourtside locked in cages and inhaling so many exhaust from such a busy road! This is a total abuse of animal rights! I always said and will continue saying NO TO ANIMAL CIRCUSES
Joe Spiteri
Dec 15th 2012, 14:52
What about those other animals tied to local karrozzini and also inhaling so many exhaust fumes from Valletta's busy roads, come rain or shine, while at the same time pulling their human cargo up some steep incline? Is this NOT a total abuse of animal rights? Do these same animals ever get a day off? Animal rights activists should start a local campaign to end the suffering of these animals too!
Corianne Farrugia
Dec 15th 2012, 19:56
I totally agree Mr Joe Spiteri!
Peter Midler
Dec 15th 2012, 11:45
M'hemmx rispett la ghal hajjin, la ghal mejtin u wisq inqas ghal annimali, l-aqwa li li nghamlu il-flus!!
Victor Borg
Dec 15th 2012, 11:45
If the owner is worried about the health and safety and wellbeing of the animals, he would not cage them in a prison all their life in the first place. We don't want your circus: why should I be deprived of public parking spaces so that someone can make money from using animals to do humuliating moves in a circus?
Edward Camilleri
Dec 15th 2012, 11:16
If you give permission for a circus to come to Malta, then they need a place to setup, and not leave the animals in cages. Though I do not agree with animals in circuses, now that they are here, do not make their life miserable by shoving them from one area to another.
The least they can do, is educate our children to appreciate more wildlife, by showing them the actual animals they read about.
Maria Williams
Dec 15th 2012, 16:12
The animals are kept in cages anyway for most of the time, only being let out to perform unnatural tricks in front of misguided(or uncaring)individuals who think it is ok for an animal to be abused for their entertainment. Did you think the animals are normally left to wander around as pets do, these are wild animals after all, their function in life is to earn money for the likes of Mr Said!
Ramon Casha
Dec 15th 2012, 10:51
Shouldn't organisers of all similar events get the necessary permits BEFORE bringing everything over?
fleur cilia buckett
Dec 15th 2012, 12:23
exactly!
Ivan Vassallo
Dec 15th 2012, 10:15
Locating a circus right next to a cemetery is not only offensive but almost sacrilegious. Whoever allowed this to happen along with whoever is involved should apologize to the hundreds of mourners who now have to go through a circus on their way to spend a few moments of quiet reflection at the graveside of their loved ones. A shameful debacle indeed
S. Azzopardi
Dec 15th 2012, 17:00
Agree 100%
Victor Vella
Dec 15th 2012, 10:01
Ma setghux sabu` post ahjar milli hdejn ic-cimiterju tac-Cirku, bhal per ezempju quddiem il-pjazza fejn hemm il-parlament. Gonzi kien ikun iktar qrib ghall-buzzulotti.
Tony Sciberras
Dec 15th 2012, 09:50
“We disapprove. We feel this is not an appropriate place to set up a circus and some people might find it offensive,” Paola mayor Roderick Spiteri said.
RIGHTLY SO
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