Local news
05 March 2010 12:40
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Roofless theatre decision in Piano’s hands, PM says
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The decision on whether or not to have a roofless theatre on the former opera house site will be taken by Italian Architect Renzo Piano.
The decision to have a roofless or a partially roofless theatre was harshly criticised by a number of artists, as well as by Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.
Fr Serracino Inglott warned that “the Prime Minister's failure to handle this small point is already leading to an anti-Piano reaction to the whole project.”
128 artists have signed a petition against the roofless theatre. "To say that Malta has no roofless venues and that this is a new concept is simply untrue and is causing many to reject the idea of having a foreign architect instead of one who understands the real needs of the Maltese," Fr Serracino Inglott told the Times of Malta.
On Friday, the Prime Minister said the decision on whether or not to have a roofless theatre, has been left in the hands of Renzo Piano.
The decision to have a roofless or a partially roofless theatre was harshly criticised by a number of artists, as well as by Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.
Fr Serracino Inglott warned that “the Prime Minister's failure to handle this small point is already leading to an anti-Piano reaction to the whole project.”
128 artists have signed a petition against the roofless theatre. "To say that Malta has no roofless venues and that this is a new concept is simply untrue and is causing many to reject the idea of having a foreign architect instead of one who understands the real needs of the Maltese," Fr Serracino Inglott told the Times of Malta.
On Friday, the Prime Minister said the decision on whether or not to have a roofless theatre, has been left in the hands of Renzo Piano.
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Comments
Joanne - 06 March 2010 10:58
Basically the people are there only to foot the bill right?
James - 06 March 2010 09:11
GONZI - just listen to the people and tell Piano to buzzzz offff and once at it you and cowboy austin must lead the way.
That is if you both are not going to pay for the disaster awaiting Valletta.
The people should come out and make a stand. The country is already in financial ruins - and we are made to pay for the incompetence. Now we have these two brilliant architects in conjunction with Piano ready to muck up our fortified city by opening a gash in its wall.
PN should make the honourable stand and STAND DOWN and call an early election -- dont wait for the Pope to come and do it after!!!
STOP TAKING US FOR A RIDE!
Mario PhiliAzzopardi - 05 March 2010 23:11
This can't be true. There must be some misunderstanding somewhere. The right thing to do would be for Renzo Piano to distance himself from this mess and resign. Please Mr. Piano, resign the commission. For your own sake. We the Maltese want a say in this. This subject is paramount in importance vis a vis our heritage, our aspirations, our artistic needs. We know them you don't. You have not consulted us and as such we cannot ever bring ourselves to accept your ideas, not after the catastrophe of the present design which obvioulsy was the result of budget and size. Dear Mr Piamno, with due respect, please cease and desist from this.
M Debono - 05 March 2010 22:24
The PM in open disagreement with his own party's strategic adviser, no wonder the mess we are in! The PM is shying away from confronting PSI, the intellectual who is very knowledgeable in the arts sector. And leaving it in Piano's hands. The reality is that "piano piano" this ship is going to sink as our captain has lost all his bearings.
FTM - 05 March 2010 20:45
Remember that when the theatre is built, the first stone will be laid by Gonzi and the last stone will have inscribed on it "Thatre as wanted by Gonzi P.N. prime minister on orders of Architect Renzo Piano" Not the other way round
charles azzopardi - 05 March 2010 19:57
Everybody expected a theatre with the old outer architecture style and a modern up to standard interior ... and now after all the pomp , we find a project destined to be a flop . Why all this intensity of projects in Valletta all at the same time ? When will they finish ? One project at a time would have been wise .. but construction businessmen can win an election as the last one proved ... so better to have more projects than one single good one ...
Eric Gahn - 05 March 2010 19:27
Issa naf x-xoghol ser jaghmel Lawrez Gonzi wara l-elezjoni. FATTIGA ghax vera jaf ifarfar. Nithajjar incempillu darba kull hmistax.
m. borg (slm) - 05 March 2010 19:21
PATHETIC, is the only way to describe Gonzi's latest utterings regarding the theater.
Since when has anybody let an architect build his house the way the architect likes, instead of the way he likes it.
It all comes down to commissions, the more Piano dabbles and turns the plans around the more money is needed, the higher the commissions.
Someone stands to gain from all this, who could it be.?
Paco Miraitur - 05 March 2010 19:15
Piano has numerous architectural masterpieces all over the planet but putting his signature on Valletta guarantees him immortality because our capital is no ordinary city. Any one, anywhere in world who has seriously study town planning or architecture is aware of the uniqueness of Valletta. Many famous and internationally renowned architects would want to leave their mark on Valletta and thus envy the position Piano found himself in.
Not only should there have been a competition to select the best design but the chosen company would have had to find sponsors from E U, UN etc, to finance part, if not all, of the project. Irrespective to what our prime minister might think, Malta is doing Piano a huge service and not the other way round. Typical of Mr Gonzi to turn his head away from responsibilities. However, surely many would agree that leaving the decision in Piano's hands means accepting what's best for him and not what's good for us, all the Maltese that love Valletta. It's logical, is it not? Please stop the insanity going on in this country.
M.C - 05 March 2010 18:50
"Ghandi nhalli f'idejh, f'idejn Piano". Ghal li jista jkun, forsi ma f'himtx sewwa Lawrence Gonzi, Piano ser jibni d-dar tieghek jew it-teatru taghna? U l-flus, min ser ihallsom int minn butek jew ahna mit-taxxi taghna? Kemm qedin sew, barrani jilghab bina. Imabghad Gonzi tisimghu jitkellem igiblek qalbek gunglina, "ahna ghandna fiducja shiha fil-Maltin" , "Il-kapacitajiet tal-Maltin ma ssibhom imkien". Il-paroli b'xejn u ma jiswa xejn.
Trid tfaqqar lill-Maltin Lawrence Gonzi biex thalli ismek fuq monument, meta tal kemm hawn familji li qed jitkissru i jbaghtu. Veru ghandek qalb u kuxjenza socjali. F'din id-dinja kulhadd jaghmel li jrid, imma fil-hajja l-ohra kulhadd irid ihallas t'ghemilu.
Taf kif inqisha din l-affari, bhal meta ghandek missier li jghakkes lit-tfal u l-mara biex hu jixtri karozza halli jiffanfra man-nies. Hekk qed taghmel int Lawrence.
GC - 05 March 2010 18:14
Hahaha, the more the cost, the more the commission.
Alex Tanti - 05 March 2010 18:06
seems that
Gonzi pn is more apt to
bi flus il-poplu, kollox possibbli.....
shoddy bridges/road works, road works, busses issue, erratic utility bills, etc,etc,....
where is the accountability we all voted EU for found/being applied?
Carmel Cilia - 05 March 2010 18:04
Not even the most incompopish of idiots would engage an architech and let him design a house that does not please the owner. This is not only unconvincing but to say the leastg suspicious.
This man does not even have the guts to tell Piano look my people want this and you should comply immediately with their wishes.
I now understand why in our foreign policy the present government never stands for our rights but is always towing other countries interest.
What a difference from the ex prime minister Dom. Mintoff.
LOL - 05 March 2010 17:03
'Judge me for what I do not for what I say' Do you remember these solemn words? The Maltese must be doing just that and taking account of all the systems Gonzi has mucked up. He has ruined the financial. educational and health systems. Now he is trying his mucking up the cultural system. Such incompetence. Surely, the PN would have made a better show if they had Dalli as a leader.
Robert Agius - 05 March 2010 16:22
That`s nice we pay and someone else dicides for us. Well done Mr. Gonzi. I suppose you do that at your own home.
PM - 05 March 2010 16:08
He who pays the piper calls the tune. So how come that such an important decision is being left to Renzo Piano. Who is running the country Renzo Piano or Prime Minister Gonzi? The vast majority of the theatre loving people want a proper venue covered and with all the facilities for the staging of opera, concerts etc. I would rather leave the site in its present state than see a roofless theatre instead.
PM - 05 March 2010 16:08
He who pays the piper calls the tune. So how come that such an important decision is being left to Renzo Piano. Who is running the country Renzo Piano or Prime Minister Gonzi? The vast majority of the theatre loving people want a proper venue covered and with all the facilities for the staging of opera, concerts etc. I would rather leave the site in its present state than see a roofless theatre instead.
A. Lector - 05 March 2010 15:31
I'm sure that the PM did not give Mr. Piano any 'professional suggestions' to help him in his decision...
Joseph Calleja - 05 March 2010 14:13
On Friday, the Prime Minister said the decision on whether or not to have a roofless theatre has been left in the hands of Renzo Piano. Does that mean that no matter what, the Maltese do not have a say so in this matter? It seems that the PM has his mind already made up and is ignoring the majority. Again he is saying, My way or the highway to the Maltese people.
James A. Tyrrell - 05 March 2010 14:05
"The decision on whether or not to have a roofless theatre has been left in the hands of Renzo Piano." So what the Maltese people have been waiting for since the war is going to be decided not by the people, not by their Government but by a foreigner? Perhaps Gonzi should consider calling on Robert Mugabe to sort out the problems with the economy.
il-hooligan - 05 March 2010 13:53
Incredible, the PM trying desperately to dodge responsibility. What pathetic weakness.