The Wonder Of Valletta
A good article about the capital of Malta - Valletta - appeared recently in the Daily Telegraph.
They comment:
Elsewhere, in the sunshine of Republic Square, Caffè Cordino’s waitresses ferry cappuccino while an enthroned statue of Queen Victoria looks on impassively. At the rear of the square the 18th-century Bibliotheca’s vaulted, book-lined reading room resembles a forgotten film set. Here, among the entire written history of the Knights of St John, is Charles V’s Deed of Donation detailing the Maltese falcon lease.
Crossing Strait Street, I note that the crumbling naval bars and dance halls, once Malta’s Red Light district, are deserted. A little farther though, at the 18th-century Manoel Theatre on Old Theatre Street – where else? – Josette Portelli is showing a group of Spanish visitors around the tiered Neapolitan-style auditorium – I tag along.
“Our season runs from September to May. We’ve had all kinds of performers, from Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja to percussionist Evelyn Glennie, to the National Theatre and the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and soprano Tatiana Lisnic arrives late this month. We’re the oldest theatre in Malta and the third oldest in Europe.” I’d like to chat longer but have an appointment with a cannon.
Just before noon, I am at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which overlook the Saluting Battery where at 12 o’clock sharp each day, 2lb of black powder is discharged from a British cannon – enough to produce a shocked smile on most faces. To read the full article click here
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