Oh look, a sensible person they can't call a philistine
Monday, 22nd December 2008
The Times, 22 December
Letter to the editor:
Government, grand opera and common sense
Peter Apap Bologna, Sliema
The Prime Minister’s proposal to redevelop the old Opera House site so as to house our Parliament makes the most eminent sense. Let us put to rest, once and for all, the nostalgic desire to actually build an Opera House or something similar. Such an edifice would simply bankrupt the nation in the long run. I also think Parliament is totally out of place at the Presidential Palace, which is essentially a grand museum, suitable for ceremonials and exhibitions. It appears that probably the best place for Parliament is where the opera house once stood. Relocating it there would free up the magnificent old Armoury of the Knights and, consequently, would offer the besieged Foundation of St John’s a suitable venue to show their tapestries and other artefacts, rather than bury them in a bunker.
The opera site is suitable for Parliament and associated offices, for it is at the heart of government: Castille, many ministries, Central Bank, Stock Exchange, Belt-is-Sebh, and so on. If this were to happen, from then on down Republic Street beyond the Law Courts there would be mostly culture: Casino Maltese, Café Cordina, Piazza Regina, Biblioteca, the Manoel Theatre, the Presidential Palace, numerous restaurants, and so on down to Casa Rocca Piccola, The Hospital of the Knights, and St Elmo.
St Elmo is a post-mediaeval maze, and is simply not adaptable to modern bureaucratic use. Apart from which, it would be a pity to see it wasted as office space, when it has so much magic and history, and a fabulous scenic position. It would make a wonderful arts centre, with restaurants and cafés and so on. Imagine dining on those ramparts on one of our famous “balmy” evenings!
As an aside: I think our politicians do a good job on the whole and do not deserve the opprobrium some of our dear friends heap on them. I think they should be well-housed and well-served so they can govern better. We have a Prime Minister here giving a lead to resolve this interminable controversy. I think we should support him. I also believe this is the best opportunity to stop the tragedy that could be the redevelopment of St John’s.
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This letter is a disgrace! Well argued and written, sensible, and replete with informed observations. It has no place being published in The Times.
Yes, Mr. Peter Apap Bologna’s letter makes sense. Personally I can’t think otherwise, though I would venture to suggest that the new Parliament building would have, at least a neo classical shell.
I agree with Peter Apap Bologna’s views 100%. I also think that the new parliament building should have a neo-Classical shell – no problem having modern offices inside the actual building. Regarding St. Elmo, someone suggested that the Crafts Village at Ta’ Qali would be housed there. This is also an idea worth studying. (One should obviously ensure that the place does not end up giving the impression of a ‘bazaar’, of course). It would also been a good idea having restaurants, arts centre, etc. at St. Elmo – something on the lines of Covent Garden in London.
I know that it hasn’t got anything to do with this post, but this link is worth a look:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gay-And-Lesbian-Christians-Criticise-Pope-Benedict-For-Comments-On-Homosexuals-And-Transsexuals/Article/200812415192293?lpos=World_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_7&lid=ARTICLE_15192293_Gay_And_Lesbian_Christians_Criticise_Pope_Benedict_For_Comments_On_Homosexuals_And_Transsexuals
If that’s coming from the pope, then it’s no wonder that everyone else reasons the way they do.
I congratulate the author of this letter. I confess I was at times wondering about the idea Parliament being transferred to St Elmo without realising how unsuitable it is. Like many people I have never actually been into the fort.
What I think makes most sense is that St Elmo would be wasted if Parliament was relocated there. When you think of the potential it holds for a cultural centre with restaurants etc , you begin to realise how much more exciting it would be than having the centre on the old opera house site.
It could be like St James Cavalier but on a larger scale.
A unique centre that would attract residents and tourists alike.
There is a hitch in Mr Apap Bologna’s idea: St John’s and the tapestries are Church property.
Some churches which the knights built are government property: St James’ church, Jesuits church, Our Lady of Victory, Santa Caterina D”Italia and ta’ Lies immediately come to mind.
La Cassier put it in his will that if the knights left the island the church will inherit St John’s Cathedral. When someone tried to lay a foothold in this building the Maltese Curia was very assertive about its right of possession of the Cathedral of St John.
BTW St John’s was La Cassier’s ‘Gioia’ (Gift) to the order when he was elected Grand Master.
[Daphne – St John’s Cathedral is not clearly church property, which is why it is managed by a joint committee made up of representatives of the church and of the state. All property owned by the Order of St John became the property of every subsequent government or colonial administration of Malta for the simple reason that the Order of St John was the government and not the church.]
In his will La Cassier was specific , that he wanted to leave it to the Church.
@ Daphne:
There were various stories where the administration of the day tried to gain a foothold in the cathedral: colonial in the 19th century, Mintoff in the 1950s, Sceberras Trigona in the 80s come to mind.
The joint committee is there buona gratia of the Church.
In other words I don’t believe that the Church will let the tapestries and other treasures out of St John’s.
If the Church says NO it will be a definite NO. Leaving these treasures in the hands of civil servants is not ideal. Just go and have a look at the state of our National Library, and you will know what I mean.
True, re. Malta’s National Library. But then again, look at the state of Mdina’s Cathedral Museum.
Peter Apap Bologna thinks that our parliamentarians should be well-housed and well-served so they can govern better.
I’ve a better idea. Save 80 million euros and introduce, instead, time limits to their speeches. Hey presto, instant better governance. Just add a quorum here and there (might not be available in your area).