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I’d expect a tourist visiting Gozo, as the last thing to do before going back to his country, to compare the two islands of Malta and Gozo. I’d also imagine that the first stop would be entail visiting the capital city of Rabat.

Here is where all comparisons start to be drawn between Malta and Gozo. After seeing the social ambient of the very centre of Rabat a tourist would be led to visit the Citadella. Situated at the very heart of Gozo comparisons are drawn on the basis of historical value, scenery of the surrounding land and caretaking of this fortification.

From all of these a clear similarity can be seen with regards to the Maltese hilltop fortress of Mdina which is like Citadella situated at the very heart of the island and holds equal significance in Maltese history. Citadella is equal in the significance it holds to all those who live under its shadow. Yet one fact stands in contrast. That is the lack of care and money invested in this prime site.

Entering the fortified town one can sense the immense value it holds to historians and locals. From the cathedral to the inquisitor’s palace the picture is rosy for any tourist but thereafter only ruins stand in the way to the views available.

Ruins which stand not as monuments of the past but as evidence of the present disregard by the current government with regards to that which is of historical value in the centre of Gozo. Whether this is due to an inability to fund this site or a utilitarian objectivity stating that there is no perceivable monetary return for this investment it is subject to debate.

Photos I’ve taken show not only the deteriorating vacant old houses, but also the lack of restoration on the side entrance of this fort. My purpose is to support Victor Galea’s (AD-The Green Party) campaign for a well funded Gozo in a progressive ecological environment. The fight not to see the relentless development which took hold of Malta reflected on Gozitan soil. At the same time looking at the sustainability of such ideals, which are possible, but will need considerable backing and support by both the public and government entities. This cause will not succeed if the return is not effectively portrayed to the regional and central government.

My personal suggestion is very simply drawing a contrast between what seems to be the most clear comparison example that of Mdina/Citadella. This way the cause can be pushed further also on utilitarian basis where the costs can be subdued by the benefits incurred through tourism. On purpose I have excluded the social implications such as the strengthened national pride experienced by locals with the restoration of this site. This is since many a time such considerations have been reduced and marginalized. On such grounds the green cause in Malta should be fought on the utilitarian views in which our governmental policies and the public are becoming more and more inclined towards.

Joseph Caruana