Sunday, 28th June 2009
BUT I WANTED A TRAIN SET
OK, so the presentation was a bit annoying because someone's mobile phone kept interfering with the sound (Mr Piano must have left his phone in his pocket) and the people at the back couldn't really see the detail of the sketches.
OK, so the Minister, a City Boy through and through, had a (tiny weeny) lapsus and called Saint Elmo Saint Angelo, no doubt causing all manner of ructions in Heaven. OK, so the politicians did go on a just touch too much (they are politicians, after all) OK, so the project doesn't address the wishes, desires, aspirations, half-baked notions, perfectly formed concepts, objectives identified and gut reactions of every single individual inhabitant of, visitor to, transient through or user of Valletta.
So what?
We've had sixty-odd years of messing about trying to make our collective minds up about what to do with that hideous space between the bus terminus and the current real beginning of Republic Street, near Wembley Stores.
First, came that disgusting carbuncle of a gate put up during a Nationalist Administration, then those pretty horrible flats and shops around the edges of the open space. The worst excesses of crypto-fascist architecture found in some Italian cities (the ones that had been flattened by bombing) don't come close to the horridness of City Gate and Freedom Square.
Just as an aside, isn't it encouraging that finally, a political party in Government has decided to remedy a cock-up perpetrated by a previous manifestation of that same party in Government? Equally encouraging is the Labour Party's declaration yesterday that they don't want to politicise the discussion. Symptoms of some political maturity on both sides, and highly welcome it is to the rest of us, the great unwashed, for all that it leaves me with less ammunition.
Now we've got something concrete (and you'll excuse the lousy pun there, I trust) into which to get our teeth. I've no doubt that the misery-guts and the doomsayers will already be firing off missives denouncing Piano's ideas, dismissing him for a misguided foreigner or pooh-poohing the idea that we can have an outdoor performance space and so on and so forth.
So eager are people to carp and cavil that yesterday, before Piano had even got to the details of the Parliament Building, one whiner had already put up a Facebook status saying that the proposal was worse than she had feared. Actually, she wrote "wirse", twice, but that's by the by. And yes, I do have a bad habit of going online all the time: why do you think they call it the CrackBerry?
Incidentally, said whiner has about as many credentials to talk about architecture as I have to interpret Sanskrit. On the other hand, an architect I met after the presentation, for whose opinion I have enormous respect, was exuberant about the plans.
Of course everyone and his sister has the right to have opinions about whether she or he likes the ideas put forward, and to express them. But there's no way on God's green earth that there is going to be unanimity and it's in the nature of things that the people who stamp their foot and flounce about in disgust will get most of the attention.
I, for instance, might think that it might be a better ruse if Parliament were to relocate to the Mediterranean Conference Centre, though what do I know? There's not much administrative space there and it's already a pretty good performance venue (for all that it needs tweaking and improving) so that's probably a non-starter.
I do know, however, that Parliament just has to move out of the Palace once and for all, and there's not that much space in Valletta - no wisecracks about Saint Elmo, either please: that's a site with much more potential than that. And there's certainly no way Parliament should be outside town, obviously.
Then there's all the huffing and puffing about the ruins. I've said it before (echoing the missus, to give her all her dues), the site should be cleaned up and left as a memorial to the war-dead, to be used as a garden and performance space. I've been to quite a few pretty good shows there and they were using very rudimentary technology, so I'm really looking forward to what we're going to get when Piano works his magic.
And if it rains, well, they have Shakespeare in Regent's Park and the Globe Theatre in London, for Pete's sake, so let's get real here, shall we? This is the Southern Mediterranean, not London.
But the bottom line is quite simple: we have the opportunity to put something memorable on a site that is currently nothing short of a disgrace. Nothing will please everyone, but I, for one, am happy to trust the people who know their technical onions and who have a pretty good track record.
So, let's just go for it, now, maybe someday soon I can walk into town and feel exhilarated straight away.
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Comments
A few more months will probably turn into a few more years, a few more decades or a few more lifetimes! Mr. Buttigieg in his sly inimitable way, wishes that 'a few more months' stretch into a few more years...for obvious reasons.
He can quote Ragonesi as much as he likes and the only reason he does is because Ragonesi comes from the Nationalist camp. Buttigieg should also expand on Dr. Ragonesi's qualifications when it comes to his architectural skills.
All these 'instant' architects seem to want to challenge a master architect of world renown with an obvious splendid record, backed by local architects and who has taken enough care to reflect the old characteristics of Valletta in his entire plan.
It is so easy to sit back, and criticize.
I am "people" too and am talking and saying that Piano's proposals are fine in concept. So, sit back, relax and I guarantee that with a little effort on your part you will come to love the new building and the new entrance to Valletta.
My point is that all the people are talking and it’s not about having an opinion if one is a Labourite and an opposing opinion simple because the other supports the PN. Politicians are here today and gone tomorrow, whatever happens to this project will stay with us to adore or abhor.
For the sake of our Love and pride for our Country, let’s sit back, relax, review the situation and find an amicable solution. We have been waiting 60 years to give our city entrance its deserved dignity but now we are all determined to get there, a few more months that it may take could make an enormous difference.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Pull the other one..... u ejja .... please do so.
There are times when the Party must make decisions and this is one of them. What else, wait for another 60 years to arrive at a majority consensus?
It is time to broaden our minds, show some pride, and regard this as a USSR project, not Stalin’s
Maybe I erred in judgment exhorting minds to be broadened.
Some minds are so clamped shut, not even a jackhammer can penetrate them.
Prime example is yours.
'It is time to broaden our minds, show some pride, and regard this as a Malta project, not Dr.Gonzi's' ........ by J Martinelli
Thanks J Martinelli, I hope you'll lead the way by giving an example.
There are times when the government must make decisions and this is one of them. What else, wait for another 60 years to arrive at a majority consensus?
If we had to give the 66% an opportunity to design what they consider acceptable, we may end up with another Babel. Drs. Gonzi & Gatt, have not randomly appointed Renzo Piano. Negotiations with him started over 20 years ago and after other architects had submitted their ideas.
99.9% of the 66%, myself included, are not architects and very challenged when it comes to pass judgment on such matters, therefore I look at logical features of the package as a whole and leave technical matters to whoever has been universally acclaimed and recognized.
If the Chamber of Architects praised Mr. Piano's proposals, then that's enough for me since I trust their judgment far more than some political pundits who have had ample time and opportunity to proceed with their own creation. Thank goodness they did not otherwise the project would not have carried the stamp of Renzo Piano.
It is time to broaden our minds, show some pride, and regard this as a Malta project, not Dr.Gonzi's.
Poll
What do you like of Renzo Piano's plans for Valletta?
City Gate
Parliament House
the Opera House site
nothing
all
Poll by The Times.
What do you like of Renzo Piano's plans for Valletta?
nothing 43.7%
all 34.2%
City Gate 9.8%
the Opera House site 6.6%
Parliament House 5.7%
Total votes: 4088
You seem to have gone off at a terrible tangent.
As my final contribution on this topic, I will clarify as follows
Malta has failed to do what other developed societies have managed over the centuries, namely to develop a modern city to political, commercial and cultural impulses.
So let us take the delightful even if piece-meal 'Piano' plans forward as we resign ourselves to our present moldy and decrepit administration centre surrounded by moldy and decrepit houses.
We have failed to bring the historic centre to blend harmoniously with the extended city where political economic and cultural vibrations meet along leafy paved waterfronts brought alive by street performers flowers and portrait painters away from a Parliament built at centre stage close to modern office centres facing the sea. A wealth of museums, bars and shopping streets that makes the City the most beautiful place to spend any day of the week at any time of the day.
Now this may of course need some creative matter to visualize.
For your much-needed information, the patrol boat depot is in Pieta not Floriana. That is not the problem, however. The problem is the immaturity of those who show so much disrespect for parliament that they would physically marginalise it on the outskirts of a "Greater Valletta": St.Elmo, or the Sa Maison bastions. Or even underground.
Such people still have to start thinking like adults and put their priorities in order. For a country, parliament is a million times more important than a place to hang pictures or to sing.
It seems that I have to spell the point out.
The point is simple
a. A city develops according to needs and circumstances. Floriana is already a part of Malta's capital City. it is however a disjointed part and all development is unmanaged and amorphorous, even as its population melts away.
b. As the Valletta waterfront and the Valletta park and ride form part of Floriana despite their prominent Valletta role , there will be no problem for a Parliament site to be identified say at the Patrol Boat depot, which site can become part of Valletta. These are mere nit picking technicalities, that can, however, be easily converted into emotional issues by a don camillo/ peppino mentality that has the knack to condemn our nation to a perfect state of mediocrity.
Now please spare me the Florianiz xxukjat gnashing of teeth at the horrible thought of having a piece of land annexed to the City. I know the drill well enough.
i never wanted a reply from you so these phrase was out of place.sometimes you try to attack the pn on certain subjects but at the end the real abc comes out.you were born blue eyed,you are blue eyed and you will always be blue eyed.thats way you and me will never see eye to eye.
What's your point? do you want parliament to move to Floriana or not?
(no I have never talked about Floriana on this or any other website)
'A win-win situation for me and possibly a lose-lose situation for you.'
Having some doubts about PN's future in Government my distant friend.
I tend to agree with your missus... it would be lovely to have commemorative garden, either instead of the ruins or in Piazza Helsien. Gardens have a calming effect, are very welcoming and refreshing and contrast with all stones of the city.
The old age pensioner down the street does not pay taxes. Shall we tell him to shut up too? And there is that family whose father does not earn enough to qualify as a taxpayer. Oh, and then there's that separated woman bringing up her children on her own. She doesn't pay taxes either. I'm sorry everyone but Franco Farrugia does not recognise your right to express an opinion, so be silent.
By the way, Franco, thank you for standing up to ABC and for freedom of speech.
I do believe we had exchanged views on the matter in the past. It seems that in Malta's failure to l expand and develop a modern City beyond City Gate, the Floriana factor plays significantly on your mind.
I will therefore suggest to you a few facts.
The population of Valletta has shrunk from 20,000 plus to 6,000 plus and continues to contract.
The population of its Floriana suburb has shrunk from 6,000 plus to 2,000 and continues to contract at a noticeable rate.
Key Government Departments, ecclesiastical palaces, embassies, hotels, library and other cultural institutions, Business Group Headquarters, sea terminals, etc, all functions and institutions linked to a vibrant capital city, are all housed in the Floriana suburb,
All these constitute a critical mass that significantly outpaces its small population, yet have made no difference whatsoever to the Floriana brand.
Floriana has seen very little Government investment since the British stay in Malta (fact) -(Valletta waterfront and Valletta's park-and-ride excluded ) ...
It is evident that over many years, Government had no and continues not to have a holistic vision to the Capital City issue.
The statues of L'sle-Adam and De Valete that graced the entrance to Valletta did not dissappear during a PN Admistration when such the gate was pulled down! They were fragmented when a Nazi bomb exploded on the bridge in front of them and I myself saw their fragments in their niches and on the holed bridge. Don't waste your time looking for them in villas.
You may be right by Jove!
As a matter of fact, those two statues could be in someone's villa built some thirty years ago by someone who never had two pennies to rub together until his buddies gave him some new status and started wheeling and dealing in government lands and other assets. Thanks for reminding me.
One thing I am sure of, that those two statues could not possibly be in some Nationalist's villa because during the 16 years of Socialist maladministration, they would certainly have given an unforgettable lesson to the hapless person who happened to own them.
@ IM Dingli
So, what are you worried about? Why do my opinions pinch you so hard? Make sure you use your vote next election so that if you lose I can rub it in. On the other hand, if my favourite party loses, I can say that I had no part in the loss. A win-win situation for me and possibly a lose-lose situation for you.
@ Franco Farrugia.
Life is good but short,stop stressing yourself, start by ignoring me like I ignore you and two others.
@ Antoine Vella: This Project will be paid for from our taxes. Mr Martinelli is not a Maltese tax-payer.
Someone then came of with the story that these statues were burried in the rubble there.Do you condone this story or rather fabrication?
I bet that those 2 famous statues are at someone's villa, like many other national treasures.
Waiting for some kind of interpretion or 'predictions'.
Haga wahda jonqsok..... il-vot!
@Effie Carbonaro - not much to say to you that hasn't been said already, I'm afraid.
Don't get so worked up - bad for blood pressure you know. Are you suggesting that those who do not pay taxes have no right to comment and should shut up? Are you, at the same time, accusing others of wanting to "silence the rest of the citizens"? Unless someone else is posting using your name, you are hereby declared guilty of inconsistency with your goodself.
1. The project will not change significantly from the plans submitted by Mr. Piano.
2. The 80 million will be exceeded by around 10-15% due to the time factor and 'unforeseen' snags.
3. It would be completed on time unless obstacles are purposely thrown in the works.
4. Dr. Gonzi would put up a lapidary and rightly so because no Labour government dared to even think of restoring the bombed site even if it was handed funds to do so sixty years ago.
5. Joseph will contest the MEP elections of 2014, one year after Dr. Gonzi's government is reelected.
6. Dr. Muscat, although officially invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building, will instead take a trip to Sicily.
7. Jason Micallef will take a run at the LP's leadership.
8. By the next election campaign, the LP will have a new logo on its flag, six years in the making.
9. At the next election campaign, the LP will complain that computers still omit or unintentionally insert items but Spellcheck can be useful.
I will leave betting to those who afforded losses four out of five tries.
Even more importantly, may I remind Mr. Farrugia that I am as Maltese as he is and my passport is identical to his and I enjoy freedom of movement anywhere within the European Union and had I been interested in seeking work, I would have the same opportunity as him both in Malta and in 26 other European countries.
Mr. Piano has prepared a set of plans, explained them with passion and expertise, has the support of prominent Maltese architects, is an architect of international repute and managed to keep the project in architectural conformity to the rest of Valletta's four hundred year old edifices constructed by the Knights.
What else can one hope for? My opinion, for all its worth to Mr. Farrugia, is that Mr. Piano has surpassed expectations with an outstanding set of plans.
In a democracy, a government is elected by the people for the people, without any political distinction.
In a democracy, the opinion of the minority is as respected as that of the majority. Therefore, it stands to reason that regarding the Renzo Piano project, the casting vote is the government's and should ultimately translate into a win-win situation.
Maybe the government has at last learned that 65 years of ongoing debate, deferrals, indecision, political interference, was long enough and it is its responsibility to go forward with the project.
The government has the most important vote of confidence regarding this project - coming from a body of professional architects who know a bit more about such things, than those who merely click away at a keyboard, just like me. The only difference is that I respect the opinion of professional people like Richard England, a respected architect whose opinion carries considerable weight.
We should all act in a more mature manner, see things as they should be seen and respect the government's lead after 65 years of dilly-dallying.
And what do you want to mean by 'people like you'? Please enlighten me - the last time I looked in the mirror, there was nothing particularly wrong with me.
For, am I at fault in suspecting that there is an orchestration of four voices who, in the not so distant past, were so loudly and vociferously in favour of the St John's Museum saga, to now once again stand up in chorus, NOT ONLY to praise the Piano Project (nothing wrong up to there!) BUT ALSO to attempt to silence the rest of the citizens in this country (now that's very bad!)? No, certainly not my fault. At least, you should have camouflaged yourselves a tiny wee better.
Well, anyway, I would expect you to apologise to me over what you said, but perhaps, Valletta is not 'for' you as much as I thought.
NB: In another commentary, I am lambasted for being a 'PN apologist'. Oh, well - you cannot please everyone when you try to be balanced.
I have already told you that I am neither here nor there in this Piano business because I don't know anything about architecture but I know when something is beautiful or hideous, and when something is not quite right. The three comments I made re' Piano Project are comments that I heard from other sources here and which deserve thinking about - or should we be simply smitten because he's Piano? ....
"Our failure to develop a modern city in between city gate and il-Bombi ...."
Erm...ever heard of Floriana? As a Furjaniz I would welcome parliament moving to Floriana because my town would then become the capital of Malta and Valletta would be our suburb. I would love to see the look on the face of Beltin when they are told about it. Perhaps you would break the news to them yourself, Mr Attard?
The fact remains that this is a positive project that will eradicate once and for all the blot on our national landscape that is the neo-fascist gate and so-called square, more properly a make-shift parking lot.
I can't expect people like you to accept that, so carry on making your comments and showing yourselves up.
With all due respect, if we had listened to you four in relation to the St John's Museum saga, God only knows how it would have ended! So, please, can you respect the opinions of your fellow-mortals? Thank you.
Creativity can also feature in the financing of the project. Government should encourage public support in the form of bonds which can be perpetual, cultural (allowing participation privileges in kind) or fiscally incentivised by being tax free or even with enhanced tax deductions.
If we get into creative mood we will do far better. The trend to grumble and focus on the negative is a problem, keeping us back. We need to rise above it and this is a good place to start.
A lot of people are now wondering and worrying about the funding for this project. If as I believe, Valletta is to become the European City of Culture in 2018, this would go a long way to alley those fears. Just to go by our experience here in Liverpool which was European City of Culture in 2008, we have seen our City being transfored, cleaned up and made more liveable by a £bn that was spent on it over the last 10 years. Most of that money comes in form of grants and loans from the EU which uses this award to re-generate the great Cities of Europe. Valletta is worthy of such an award and I will not be surprised if something is already being formulated but cannot be announced.
Even you cannot deny that a hole in a wall is not inspiring ... no matter who your architect friend is his services are for the people not for his ideas to live in a bubble. So according to this article people should simply oooh and aaagh because some Architect with a capital A said it was fantastic.
80 million euros is not peanuts. Why have these plans not been chosen from a contest is beyond me. Paranoid me is already thinking that the recurring theme of having a new seat for mp's to warm may be just the reason why we are here again with Renzo. Maybe ... just maybe his seeming eagerness to endorse whatever the man with the purse says gives him the negotiating edge over all other possibilities.
As far as I am concerned:
1. It is a hole in a wall for a gate
2. Parliament building should be built somewhere else if the Gonz is so keen on it. I like the open space by the way, not necessarily the buildings.
3. I like the idea for the theatre
4. This is tax money and we have a right to reject or accept.
Let's all wait to hear every single opinion of every single Maltese citizen before we proceed with this cockamamie project.
Sixty-five years from now the foundation stone / brick / concrete slab will be laid / poured but immediately stopped because a poll showed that the reds outnumbered the blues by some 35,000 opinions making it necessary that the project be redesigned to the red's specifications.
During all this time, the bread / milkshake / pastizzi / hot dog vendors and disheveled bus drivers will remain the poster boys who have for years been the main attraction to tourists giving Valletta a certain flavour not experienced anywhere else in this world of ours.
Some tail-end comments
1. Quote: there's certainly no way Parliament should be outside town, obviously.
Wrong. That cities develop beyond their historical centre is normal fare. Our failure to develop a modern city in between city gate and il-Bombi means that Malta will continue to be served from old damp halls built to serve the island when the carriage and galleon was a principle means of transport; A reflection of our weak economy and weak intellectual energy
We are now well past this point so let's move on latest plans and let the development of a modern admin centre happen in some new era that is hopefully not too far away.
2. The St angelox2 gaff is nothing compared to the sight of so many Maltese gentlemen turning up in their black suits and ties on a sultry Mediterranean summer evening. Come on boys, smart casual. No wonder these lads keep insisting on damp rooms as Malta’s admin centre.
3. The project demands full and total transparency in the way money is spent ranging from consultancies to the final (energy saving) light-bulb.