Valletta does not need a monument at its entrance to remind us of its history, the city’s mayor said, amid growing opposition to a structure dedicated to the Knights of Malta.
According to mayor Alexiei Dingli, every corner in Valletta reminds people of the Knights of Malta.
“I think Valletta should be portrayed as a living city which respects its past, while looking towards its bright future as a modern European capital city,” said Prof. Dingli, when contacted for a comment. He stressed that the issue had not been discussed at council level.
The bas-relief monument of the Knights of Malta in bronze will be erected at the City Gate entrance, which is being developed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano.
The contentious monument had been commissioned by the Nationalist administration, according to Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation chairman.
Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that Gozitan artist John Grima had been commissioned with designing the monument by the Office of the Prime Minister under the previous administration.
“In January, the current government asked us to kick off the preparatory work to submit the application to Mepa,” he said.
A site was initially identified next to the St Catherine of Italy Church at Piazza De Valette, not far from where the current monument of Grandmaster De Valette stands. However, Mepa objected due to the historic wall which forms part of the church. Last month, an application was filed with the new site, opposite the new Parliament.
We have an obsession with the past without looking into the future
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi explained the idea of installing a monument of the Knights was bounced off Renzo Piano’s office last year. “We had spoken to Antonio Belvedere. The project wasn’t slated to be there in Piano’s designs so they weren’t enthusiastic. In any case, the proposal is still being considered by Mepa.”
The earmarked site currently hosts the temporary installation of the equestrian three-legged sculpture Żieme as part of the Valletta International Visual Arts Festival (VIVA).
Meanwhile, the bronze monument depicting a quartet of knights has been heavily criticised by practitioners in the arts scene.
Denouncing the concept as “mediocre”, cultural manager Toni Attard explained that the monument had no place among the contemporary Valletta designed by Piano. “We have absolutely no sensitivity to the contemporary work of a world-renowned architect. The Knights had nothing to do with the City Gate project – this is contemporary Valletta.
“Yes, Valletta was founded by the Knights. But homage to Grandmaster de Valette has already been paid. The city has evolved. We have an obsession with the past without looking into the future.”
The problem, he continued, was that the monument was politically commissioned.
Directly commissioned by the government, the monument cut a striking contrast with St James Cavalier, a government entity which commissioned thought-provoking works such as Żieme, he said.
Occasionally, there are exceptions commissioned directly by the government such as Pierre Portelli’s art installations marking Malta’s four big anniversaries this year or Austin Camilleri’s contemporary art to commemorate 40 years as a Republic.
But, he added, these were the exception and not the rule.
Theatre director and former St James Cavalier general manager Chris Gatt slammed the monument as “absurd” and “disgraceful”.
“Why do you need a monument to the Knights when the entire city stands as testament to them?
“How can you ever compare with their most beautiful monument, St John’s Co-Cathedral?”
“Instead of celebrating Maltese identity, we’re erecting a monument to our rulers.”