Two months on, artists still waiting to meet Prime Minister
The 128 artists and theatre practitioners who object to Renzo Piano’s plans for a roofless theatre in Valletta are still awaiting an appointment with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
In a statement issued yesterday, the artists confirmed that no date has been announced for a colloquy with the PM, despite a second request for a meeting sent two weeks ago, together with a list of 15 representatives, as requested by his office.
Last February the practitioners asked for a consultation meeting with Gonzi and Piano’s architects, as no major would-be stakeholders have to date been consulted over the plans.
“This is of particular concern, especially when, at €8 million, it will most probably be the largest cultural capital investment of the government since the creation of St James Cavalier 10 years ago,” they said.
In addition, since the government intends to launch the space in two years’ time, the practitioners are worried about how and by whom the venue will be run, as no plans have been presented yet.
“In the meantime, spurred on by the need to be better represented, the petitioners are in the process of setting up an association of performing artists in Malta,” their representatives said yesterday. “The aims of this association will be to act as a voice for performing artists but also to encourage the professionalisation of this sector.”
A meeting will soon be called for all those working and studying in the performing arts – includng backstage and front of house – in order to elect the first board of the association will be elected.
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