The public consultation will go on for six weeks. Photo: DOI/Jeremy Wonnacott

Where should the Sette Giugno monument be? 

Originally in St George's square, the monument languished in storage for some time before being moved to Valletta's Hastings garden in 2010, where it remains to this date. 

But the government is now asking the public to suggest where it should be permanently placed. 

The public consultation was announced by Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi at a press conference today. Mr Mizzi argued that, given the historical importance of the Sette Giugno uprising, the monument ought to be given prominence within Valletta.  

Mr Mizzi said it was a pity that embellishment works of St George's square had not included plans to return to the statue to its original site. He noted that a plan to place the monument alongside the new parliament building had been opposed by some quarters.

The public seemed inclined to return the monument to its original location, or else to have it placed in front of the old Valletta market on Merchants' street, the minister said. 

Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation chairman Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the the GHRC would be evaluating all proposals. He however urged the public to keep three key criteria in mind. The monument had to be:

• placed close to where the Sette Giugno uprising took place
• placed somewhere where annual official celebration could be held
• placed somewhere proportional to the monument's size

The public consultation will go on for the next six weeks. Anyone keen to share their suggestions with the GHRC should email ghrc@gov.mt or send a letter to Monument Sette Giugno, GHRC, Triq Antonio Maurizio Valperga, Floriana.