Renzo Piano’s City Gate project will this year serve as a backdrop to the annual festivities organised by the Nationalist Party to celebrate Malta’s independence.

PN general secretary Rosette Thake told The Sunday Times of Malta that the move away from the traditional spot at the Granaries in Floriana was the result of an effort to rebrand these activities. Instead the celebrations will be held around the new Parliament building and the open theatre.

“The area represents freedom, democracy and liberty – three rights which are fundamental for the PN,” Ms Thake said.

Activities this year, which will be spread over four days and kick off on September 17, include the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza which will be held in the open theatre.

Though PN leader Simon Busuttil will still be addressing the party faithful on the eve of Independence Day, there will be no mass meeting.

The area represents democracy and liberty

The new location will also mean that PN clubs will no longer be setting up food stalls as it was felt that these would blemish the €80 million Piano project.

Instead there will be new stalls which party sources said “would blend well with the surroundings”.

Meanwhile, the PN in the coming weeks will be launching a fundraising campaign to upgrade its television station facilities to HD quality. Part of these costs will be covered through the Lotterija Indipendenza.

The PN has been organising Independence Day activities since 1971, when the newly-elected Labour government decided to do away with the official celebrations.

Over the years, the event gained popularity, especially from 1982 onwards, when the Granaries became its home.

Malta achieved independence under a Nationalist government in 1964.