President says Valletta needs to be more 'liveable'

Valletta Day was commemorated by the Valletta Alive Foundation yesterday with a reception held at the Malta Stock Exchange.

In a short speech, President Eddie Fenech Adami spoke about how more and more Maltese were becoming aware of national heritage. Similarly, he said, there was an increased consciousness of the historic and cultural importance of Valletta.

The President also spoke about the need to make Valletta a more liveable city by the appropriate re-adaptation of buildings.

The president of the foundation, Alfred Zahra, referred to the encouraging number of persons and organisations who have become members since the foundation was launched six weeks ago.

Mr Zahra said: "Today we commemorate a city of significant historical, cultural, social, economic and commercial importance. Being a World Heritage Site, the city's cultural importance extends beyond our shores".

He listed five priorities which the foundation will work on in the coming months, namely to extend the membership base, to lobby for more investment in the city, to identify priorities for projects and initiatives, to instil an awareness and a sense of pride in the capital city and to encourage greater priority to be given to Valletta in tourism marketing initiatives.

Mark Guillaumier, chief executive officer of the Malta Stock Exchange, also addressed the gathering.

Valletta Day was also commemorated by the local council with the placing of wreaths and Holy Mass at the church of Our Lady of Victory.