When it was first reported that Renzo Piano was appointed to design the City Gate and Opera House project, it was like Malta had witnessed an earthquake. It dominated most news articles for a good number of days, many letters were sent and facebook groups in favour and against were formed. The main sticking points were and still are the choice of a foreign architect as opposed to a Maltese one and Renzo Piano's (assumed) style and last but not least, the use of the old Opera Site... ideas floated include a Parliament and cultural centre (the official proposal as things stand), a theatre, an Opera House, a National Library amongst other varied points of view aired by all sundry; as the Maltese saying goes, 'mitt bniedem mitt fehma.' It is a good thing that the public is involved and airs its opinion but unfortunatly most of these opinions are not informed ones.
Before slandering the project, one should evaluate what Renzo Piano comes up with. After all one does not attain international fame and appreciation if one does not reach certain standards and leaves a mark in architectural history. Projects such as The New York Times building, Osaka international airport, the redevelopment of the Genova old harbour are only from his vast portofolio of major projects. It is a positive thing that he is going to visit the Valletta site, even just to get a feel of Valletta... the buildings and the history that transcends from our majestic capital city.
For the good of our country, let us all strive in a positive way to try and get this project done, making maximum use of it so that all the Maltese can benefit from it. At the end of the day, our capital city deserves a grand entrance to be admired by all on a local and international level !
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