The Valletta Alive Foundation welcomes the inauguration of the new parliament building.  VAF urges government to make the best possible use of this important iconic building to further enhance Valletta's international image.  The city gate area is unique for many reasons.  The area is the entrance to a historic fortified city designated as a World heritage Site.   The area and buildings were designed by Renzo Piano a world renowned architect.  The symbolic meaning of the building is tremendous, it being the Parliament of the smallest member and democracy of the European Union.  

Using Renzo Piano's creation to enhance Valletta's image overseas benefits Malta in many different ways.  It adds value to destination Malta as it improves Valletta's attractiveness for visitors and adds a further place to visit.   International attention also benefits the cultural sector with greater potential for international visitors to take note of Maltese cultural activities and works.   The cultural aspect of the new parliament building and of the revitalised city gate area takes added significance in the context of Valletta 2018, European Capital of Culture.   Above all, it benefits Valletta as increased interest in the city could generate inward investment in the rehabilitation of its many historic buildings.

Internationally cities compete with each other to attract attention, for reasons of tourism and inward investment. They do this in many different ways including commissioning iconic buildings by world-renowned architects and staging major international events. Our national parliament building, in a World Heritage site, designed by a world renowned architect gives us an excellent opportunity to attract international attention to Valletta.  VAF hopes that the Maltese authorities will make the best of this opportunity.