VAF News Archive

Saturday Late Shopping in Valletta
October 2009

The Valletta Alive Foundation has taken an initiative aimed at promoting Late Shopping in Valletta on four consecutive Saturdays (28th November, 5th, 12th and 19th December).

Saturday Late Shopping will generate new interest in the City whilst promoting leisure shopping. Many participating shops will commit themselves to open on Saturday evenings until 9.00 p.m. A good number of catering establishments have also indicated their willingness to contribute for the adverts.

Adverts will be made by the Foundation against a small contribution from retail shops and catering establishments, to emphasise how easy it is to get to Valletta on Saturday evenings by public and private transport. (For more info on this contact pisben@gmail.com).

People coming to the City in the run-up to Christmas will avail themselves to the full compliment of shopping and entertainment that Valletta can offer. So pencil it in your diary. As from 28th November, shop and dine in Valletta on Saturdays in the evening.

Foundation urges expeditious development of Valletta lift
March 2009

The planned reconstruction of the Barracca lift is another welcome step forward for Valletta.  This was stated by Alfred Zahra, the Chairman of the Valletta Alive Foundation following the announcement of the project by the Minister for Infrastructure and IT.  The Foundation has long maintained that a proper connection between the cruise liner terminal and the centre of Valletta is a must.   The lift will make it easier for cruise liners passengers to access Valletta and will also ease some of the congestion around the cruise passenger terminal exits.   If and when an efficient ferry service is established, the lift and ferry will improve access to the capital and help ease some of the pressure on parking in and round Valletta.   

The Valletta Alive Foundation urged the Grand Harbour Regeneration Company and MEPA to expedite the development application process so that this important addition to Valletta can become a reality sooner rather than later.

The Valletta Alive Foundation meets the Prime Minister
March 2009

During a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Valletta Alive Foundation expressed its satisfaction on government’s decisions on the Opera/House City gate and Fort St. Elmo projects and augured that government will remain focused to ensure that the Opera House/ City Gate project will be completed within the timeframes set.     Care will need to be taken to minimize disruption of Valletta’s commercial and other activities during the works. 

The Foundation expressed concern about accessibility to Valletta, that whilst agreeing with the pedestrianisation of Valletta streets and piazzas, the Foundation noted that appropriate alternatives need to be found for loss of parking spaces as an outcome of these initiatives.   The Park and  Ride and the CVA provided partial solutions but more needs to be done to compensate for the continued loss of parking within the city . 

The Foundation, led by its Chairman Mr. Alfred Zahra, noted with satisfaction that Government has put Valletta further up in its list of priorities.    In particular, Mr. Zahra noted the transformation of Merchants street following pedestrianisation in 2007 and the upgrading of Valletta’s gardens in recent years. 

With Valletta being European cultural capital in 2018, the Foundation suggested the setting up of a committee within government to initiate the necessary preparations. 

During the meeting, the Foundation presented the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi with a copy of papers read at a seminar entitled Valletta 450, organised by the Foundation in October 2008.   The papers include a wide range of practical proposals relating to the diverse aspects of the City including residents, culture, heritage, tourism, economy, finance, transport and development.

VAF welcomes Government decision on  Opera House Site and City Gate  
December 2008

The Valletta Alive Foundation welcomes government’s decision to embark on the City Gate and the old opera house project.  VAF agrees that the opera house site is to house the new Parliament.  Moreover, the various activities organised throughout the year in Freedom square indicate a strong demand for popular cultural and educational activities in this strategic location of Valletta.  Hence, part of the volume of the opera house site especially at street level should be used as multi-purpose cultural space.   VAF also agrees that the Grandmaster’s palace should be for tourism and culture related uses, such as museums.

The Foundation appeals to civil society to debate the projects in a constructive manner.   Under no circumstance should decisions and actions be unduly delayed with endless debating of what should or should not be done. 

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