We refer to the letter ‘Two missing monuments’ by Albert Ganado (The Sunday Times of Malta, January 24). Dr Ganado expressed his disappointment that over the past 450 years many monuments and memorials have been established in Valletta save one to its architects and builders, Francesco Laparelli and Girolamo Cassar.

In our plans to commemorate the 100th year since the founding of Alf. Mizzi & Sons Ltd., our foundation identified this blatant lapse, or perhaps oversight, in recognising our fair city’s builders, the men who planned the layout of Valletta, its imposing fortifications and the construction of many of its finest buildings.

In close collaboration with Heritage Malta and under the patronage of the Prime Minister, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation proposed to fund a fitting monument to these two distinguished people. Following a public call for the submission of designs and their consequent judging, Gozitan artist John Grima was commissioned to create a bronze sculptor of Laparelli and Cassar.

We are extremely pleased and proud that this memorial will be unveiled in a central part of Valletta on or around the 450th anniversary of the city’s founding in March. We sincerely hope that Dr Ganado, who, as an eminent scholar has over the best part of these past 70 years contributed through his research and writings to Valletta’s history, will honour us with his presence on the day.