I believe it is clear to most right thinking people that we have managed to develop Malta in reverse. Millions have been spent to make the north of the island tourist friendly: hotels, promenades, roads, and beaches have been built. No effort has been spared to entice the lager lout to Malta.
The real, saleable Malta has been completely neglected. Valletta and Mdina, together with the Three Cities are the jewels in Malta’s crown. I am not counting the Hypogeum as this has been excellently preserved; on the other hand I have serious doubts about the way we are attempting to preserve Hagar Qim. The truth however remains that, with the exception of Mdina, Valletta and the Three Cities, together with most of the South, are knee-deep in filth and look neglected. What else can you expect from an area of Malta that has been made a dumping ground despite the wonderful heritage it contains and, even more, despite the political firepower in Parliament who hails from the South?
Perfectly cut jewels
Malta’s tourist product is crying for the refurbishment of Valletta and the Three Cities, which could easily become one of Europe’s most attractive historic landmarks possessing, as they do, the added attraction of the surrounding blue sea. Dubrovnik? If we had really been proud of our inheritance and guarded it jealously, Malta could easily have pushed the jewel of the Adriatic into the shade. But the quick buck that comes from rotten development has seemingly greater allure than safeguarding the jewels that have come down to us, jewels that are so perfectly cut and polished that it would be a crime to try and alter them in any way. All we need to do is restore their shine.
Commendable/condemnable
The attempt to restore Valletta is commendable. The way in which it is being done is condemnable.
There is clearly no master plan, because if there were it would have been exhibited long ago. Instead, what is now coming to light is the fact that the building of a parliament at the entrance to the city has been gestating for at least four years. This did not stop the government from inventing a plan for an underground museum in a city where auberges and palaces are crying out to be used.
It then scrapped whatever plans it had for Palace Square and is now busily carrying out what some have described as a cut and paste exercise. Despite all the pleas to save St Elmo, the government could only come up with the usual answer: another museum. Lower Valletta is not to rub shoulders with the elite.
A deep-rooted love
That the Valletta gate needed a total revamp is undeniable and, if anything, should have been demolished a long time ago. But building a House of Representatives on stilts will not enhance the city; neither will the complete covering of the majestic St James Cavalier. This plan, Renzo Piano notwithstanding, will simply go down in history as yet another PN folly. It must be kept in mind that, apart from the two-week daily budget debates, Parliament only meets three times a week. Will that draw the crowds that Valletta businesses need? Will that bring to the city the desperately needed post commercial-shutdown evening life that an active theatre would? Will the destruction of commercial outlets make Valletta vibrate more?
To what extent is this folly due to the superstitious belief, held by both parties, which states that whoever rebuilds the Opera House would lose the following election? Is this the reason for putting the iconic ruins of the Opera House inside a glass case as a perpetual exhibition for passers-by to enjoy? If, as the Prime Minister continually states, his is a government that listens to the people, cannot he hear the deafening shouts that what the people want is the truly iconic Opera House the city once had. People from all walks of life, people who, yes, will probably never attend an opera themselves, all feel that the Barry building should be restored. It is a profound love that the Maltese feel for that building, a love that, like all loves, cannot be logically explained. But it burns just as strongly nevertheless.
A World Heritage City?
Shifting Parliament away from the presidential palace in order to preserve it is a good move. But like all other moves, it is being considered in isolation. I personally like the alternative idea that has been proposed, that is to build Parliament where the Central Bank is. The latter corporation could easily find and restore an Auberge thus earning the grateful thanks of the nation.
But creating a beautiful, life-enhancing oasis in the midst of a desert is not enough. ALL of Valletta must be restored to its former glory. Why did the beautifying of the Co-Cathedral square not carry on into Zachary Street? Will the restoration of The Palace also spill over into Old Theatre Street and Piazza Regina, especially where The Palace meets the Bibliotheca? Does Old Mint Street deserve to be in the sorry state it is in? Walk down lower Republic Street, turn right to St Dominic’s, St Paul’s and St Ursula Street and then go up Battery Street to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the neglect is palpable.
Strait Street is begging for ideas that can resuscitate and rejuvenate it. The Gut could be turned into a hub of restaurants, attracting people and business back into what is now a blocked artery of the city. The whole of Valletta should be pedestrianised for both Maltese and tourists to enjoy in peace and comfort. Dr Gonzi should understand more than most what I mean.
True beauty needs no make-up
Valletta, together with the Three Cities, is a jewel without compare. Because our people have been brought up without a true appreciation of what we have inherited (and this applies to politicians), we are almost literally casting our pearls before swine. Our national duty demands that we, and that includes the politicians, restore this priceless heritage back to its original state. If we try to modernise it, we are simply killing the goose that could, with tender loving care, lay golden eggs for us all.
Leave Valletta and the Three Cities alone. Like a beautiful woman, they don’t need make-up.
Dr Muscat is the leader
of Azzjoni Nazzjonali