I wish our Prime Minister would stop insulting the intelligence of the Maltese people, particularly that of our artistic community which includes two world-class artistes, and that of the Maltese theatre going – and paying – public.

Enough has been said about the inadequacies of the Manoel and the MCC – ie “rubbish” acoustics in the case of both, inadequate seating in the case of the Manoel and lack of back stage machinery and facilities in the case of both. Yet the Prime Minister is telling us that all the nation now needs as our additional theatrical venue is a roofless wonder and, furthermore, claims it was Renzo Piano’s ‘brainchild’.

Renzo Piano is not going to have to listen to petards, nor suffer the rain and humidity in an open-air theatre; nor will he have to endure the attendant noise, pollution and all the hazards the Maltese paying audiences undergo to attend open-air performances. Anyway, as the saying goes,“he who pays the piper calls the tune”. In this case, the Maltese taxpayer is paying the piper – ie architect Piano – and not Dr Gonzi or Dr Austin Gatt.

And, hey – since when has Minister Gatt become an Ambassador for Culture. Surely this Minister is more at home in a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid scenario?”

Please, Prime Minister, stop insulting the intelligence of your people.

Milica Micovic

SLIEMA