Historic Valletta feast statue damaged days before Carmelite feast

A century-old statue and its historic pedestal in St George's Square, Valletta, were damaged during preparations for a film production just days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, prompting organisers to declare that enough is enough.In a strongly worded statement published on Saturday, the Għaqda Festa Madonna tal-Karmnu Valletta said it was considering no longer putting up the traditional street decorations after what it described as the latest in a series of obstacles faced by volunteers.The association alleged that equipment, machinery and trucks connected to a film being shot in Valletta caused damage to the more than 100-year-old statue and its pedestal. A police report has been filed.Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said he had been informed of the accident and that an agreement had been reached for the Malta Film Commission to cover all costs arising from the damage.All expenses related to the damages will be fully covered by the Malta Film Commission, the minister said, adding that any restoration works required would be carried out by a restorer chosen by the feast association.A spokesperson for the association said it was still too early to determine whether the statue could be fully repaired because of its age.The association said organising the annual feast had become increasingly difficult, arguing that traditional celebrations were repeatedly being forced to take second place.Valletta - and Malta - no longer truly belong to us, the statement said. To put up these decorations, which people describe as UNESCO-recognised heritage in words but not in deeds, we have had to overcome countless obstacles.It claimed that outdoor catering areas were often given priority over feast decorations and religious celebrations, while film productions were now creating further difficulties.The association also referred to disruptions caused by preparations for Isle of MTV, adding that trucks and cranes were now obstructing the route of the feast procession.Warning that it would no longer continue under such conditions, the association said there was no real protection for our traditions.The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be celebrated in Valletta on 16 July.The Prior of the Carmelite church, Fr Alex Scerri, appealed for calm, urging that we do not allow anyone or anything to rob us of the joy and love we have for the much-loved Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in our capital city.The Valletta Local Council said the city's heritage deserves to be respected and protected with the utmost responsibility, adding that it would continue monitoring the situation to ensure responsibility was assumed where appropriate and that the damage was professionally restored.