Artist Madeline Gera has often written about the need for a modern art museum in Valletta. The unfortunate death of Denis Vella, the main arts curator who had been insisting on such a museum for years, has at least re-ignited this discussion. The discussion needs a conclusion.

When I was in charge of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project, we had given it a lot of thought and I had made various proposals on the matter, all of which however have never been given political backing. I wish to mention three briefly.

The most obvious place for a museum plus studios for artists is Fort St Elmo. A section of the fort could easily be transformed into a sustainable area for artists. I have often written about this and I need not repeat myself. Not everyone was in agreement with me but the fort should primarily be used for culture and the arts. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

For years, VRP also moved on another fixation of mine that is to transform the old Biccerija, abandoned since 1989 when all the families were given alternative accommodation, into a living and studio space for young artists. We had, through an EU project called ENTRUST, worked on the possibility of a public private partnership for this. A lot of groundwork was done but everything remained pending.

I had also come up with the proposal to turn the market in Merchants Street into a Museum of Modern Art, plus space for exhibitions and a small performance theatre. The market has been allowed to self-destruct. It still has the original cast iron work in perfect condition and is ideal for such a use. Italian architect Anna Gallo, who was on an internship with VRP, had made an excellent proposal, which was presented to Heritage Malta at the time: nothing came of the proposal.

It is a pity that the present leadership at VRP has abandoned all my proposals on which we worked hard for so many years. Madeline Gera is right: Valletta desperately needs more attractions, more exhibition space, and the possibility of young artists living and working there. I cannot understand why it is so hard to accomplish these actions.

Ray Bondin

GHAJNSIELEM