So much has been said in defence of keeping what is left of Sliema’s Maltese architectural character and Mediterranean skyline and so much has been disregarded by the authorities, who seem to have other priorities.

In the name of a false notion of progress (copying foreign impressions of high-rise towers to manifest prosperity in countries with little, if any historical heritage), many in control are showing scarce knowledge of cultural memory and identity built on centuries of cross-fertilised civilisations which these Islands were lucky to experience.

Breaking down the historical capital of Maltese communities around the harbour area – in itself a massive bonus for tourism – by denuding them of their traditionally built residences, disrupting their right to live in a hard-earned environment and lambasting them with artificial icon towers of economic strength in excess of requirement, they are risking not having an answer to what Pierre Vidal-Naquet, a scholar of contemporary history and author of Les assassins de la mémoire posits: can a country survive without history?

What strikes me during this regrettable demolition voracity (shame on participating architects) is the conspicuous silence we have had from elected MPs from both sides of Parliament who are supposed to represent the 10th   district as much as, if not more than the parish priests of this area.

Is it the long shadow of the commercial group proposing to build the 38-floor troll in Sliema that is keeping them silent? Which invites the next reflective interpretation: the same commercial group that has gained the respect of the inhabitants of these Islands by the sale of vehicular products for over a century now appears to pay back its loyal clients by ruining what should be preserved in their cherished habitat. Quite unfair, I would say.