During the TVM news bulletin of October 5, which included extensive coverage of Notte Bianca the night before, the newscaster stated: "Spikkat l-indafa dalgħodu" (the cleanliness was very evident this morning). The audacity of that remark made me put pen to paper.
After a very enjoyable Michael Bolton concert at Ta' Qali we decided, out of curiosity, to see for the first time the goings-on of Notte Bianca in Valletta. On entering the city we were greeted by the sight of filth and huge amounts of litter everywhere.
Yet the crowds were not to blame for the situation because every bin was filled to capacity and every wall, window ledge and staircase was lined with plastic cups, bottles, takeaway containers, plastic bags and the like.
So the authorities and organisers have not 'learned' from the previous years yet; they all travel abroad yet they do not follow the example of other countries.
Never have we been abroad to large concerts, New Year's Eve celebrations, places like Disney World, which is packed with families and children, and Lourdes where thousands upon thousands are present, and seen overflowing garbage.
Garbage bags are replaced on cue, whether full or not, no excuses, and bins emptied every few minutes by people employed specifically to do these rounds with sweepers to pick any litter.
In Disney World even leaves from the trees are swept up immediately, lest the place looks shabby.
And then we wonder why tourists complain about the dirt when they visit Malta. My eight-year-old niece said it best when she visited Malta for the first time and was dismayed that every time she went out her shoes would be dirty. She complained to her mother: "Malta needs a big tidal wave to get it all cleaned up!" Out of the mouths of babes!
We were really expecting better from the new young and eager mayor of Valletta. And what about the loud music from the bands at 3.30 a.m., with no thought or respect for the residents to oblige the half dozen youngsters that were left?
Our city, our capital city, "built by gentlemen for gentlemen," deserves better than a 'Notte Sporca' .