From J. E. Pace

At last people have started voicing their opinion on that dreadful site in Valletta where the magnificent Royal Opera House once stood. I do not entirely agree with Mr Grima who said, “we should do something” but strongly recommend that we rebuild it like it was ASAP.

The Opera House building has been a priority since 1945 and I would even go further and say that it had priority over St James Cavalier.

I categorically disapprove that Parliament is housed within The Palace walls. I would prefer to have my eyes feasting on artefacts left by the Knights of St John rather than Parliament as it stands.

It is the people who should decide whether to rebuild it like it was or built to a different design and, if given the opportunity or perhaps the right to vote in a referendum, I am confident that the majority will want the recreation of the building as it once stood. The foundations are still there and the government should make good use of them by giving us back what we had before. There is always the internal area and underground level that can and may be utilized in whatever manner possible, but let us not deprive the people of something that belongs to them in its original form.

I am fully in favour of the Parliament option and, if the internal area is wisely designed, it will serve its purpose to the full and much more.

Let us not make a political issue out of it, but let us assist collectively so that the government will be in a position to hear and acknowledge our pleas.

I would expect that once this landmark building is completed and inaugurated, The Palace is fully reinstated as if no Parliament had ever existed within its walls. On the other hand, I would very much appreciate the opportunity of seeing the old Opera House building when I glance back as I walk through the old city gate on exiting Republic Street.

J. E. Pace

San Gwann