Valletta 450 Seminar

Dear all,

The Valletta Alive Foundation is pleased to announce the "Valletta 450 Seminar" which is to take place on Saturday the 25th October at The Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, Exchange buildings, Republic Street Valletta between 9am and 1pm.

Click for Programme - Invitation

Everyone who has Valletta at heart is cordially invited to attend. Entrance is free to all.

The Valletta Alive Foundation announces 'Valletta 450'

With Valletta's 450th Birthday firmly in sight, this historic occasion forces us to take stock of the role that this City has played and will play in our every day lives as our capital city; our place of residence or work; and a part of our culture and historical heritage of world importance. How does this centennial living monument find its way and footing in the 21st century? What is its role? Will it turn 450 in good shape? How do we as custodians of this unique heritage wish Valletta to be in the year 2016?

All of this will be discussed and authoritative opinions voiced in a Conference organised by the Valletta Alive Foundation. A number of high profile speakers who have had to negotiate Vallettta all their lives have been invited to speak. Pencil in the Saturday morning of 25th October in your diary.

The Foundation will be formally announcing the speakers and papers submitted by them on the various aspects they will be tackling in their contributions during the conference by the end of July."

Pedestrianisation jeopardized.

The Foundation wrote to the Prime Minister urging government to safeguard pedestrian spaces by appropriate decisions and effective enforcement by the responsible agencies. 

The areas for pedestrians have increased substantially.  At this crucial stage, it is vital to ensure that pedestrian areas are truly safeguarded for pedestrians.  We need to avoid situations where these spaces are “colonized” by tables and chairs  in a manner which detracts their full appreciation by the pedestrian. 

Bov Streets Alive – what next?

VAF is discussing the future of this event.  It needs to be complimentary to, rather than compete with, events such as Notte Bianca.  For one thing resources for Streets Alive is substantially less, all derived from sponsors.

More importantly, the object of regenerating Valletta in the evening remains.  VAF is considering whether to change the dates either to May or late September.  In May or June more shops are likely to remain open till late,  whilst in September the events will be considered as leading to the Notte Bianca. The role of the retail sector needs also to be considered.  Admittedly, participation of shops in these events was very limited.   

Another issue is whether we need to focus the event in the core of Valletta or try to spread activities to different parts of the capital.  In the latter case, the concern is that resources will be spread so thinly, that the level of activity generated in the core would be limited.    Do you have any thoughts about the above?  If yes let us know.  We would be happy to hear from you.  

A Vision for the Grand Harbour

The Foundation has reviewed the proposed twenty projects for the Grand harbour and submitted its thoughts as part of the public consultation process.  An article by VAF Chairman Mr. Alfred Zahra was featured in the Times of Malta in October.

It is worth noting that in April 2007 VAF had submitted a  Memorandum to the Hon. Prime Minister in April 2007 with detailed proposal for projects and initiatives for Valletta.

The most relevant comments submitted to Government were:

• The regeneration of Ta' Liesse/Victoria Gate area providing an enhanced experience to those walking from the water front into Valletta.
• Fort St Elmo to be considered as a complex of museums combined with catering outlets, specialized retail, a small hotel, a venue for open air concerts and limited leisure activities. This will transform the Fort into an attraction and a hub of activity helping the regeneration of lower Valletta. Access to the Fort and to the Mediterranean Conference Centre can be improved by means of a multistorey car park on the Evans site as well as better public transport links
• The redevelopment of the opera house site.