A set of gates appeared in a construction site near the makeshift memorial dedicated to slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Valletta. However, a representative of Valletta 2018 has clarified what the newly-placed barriers are. 

“The structure is part of the preparatory works for the entrance to a system of underground cisterns as part of Dal-Baħar Madwarha, a multi-site visual arts exhibition that is set to open on Sunday,” said Josianne Micallef. 

“We are working on getting the stairs installed today; before it was just a hole in the floor, and we needed to make it accessible,” she said.

Some people had wondered what the point of the construction was, especially after temporary fencing had closed off the stairs to the memorial last night.

But seeing as the entrance to the cisterns is an open hole in the ground, the Valletta 2018 team legally had to have it enclosed as it is a safety hazard. 

They also wanted to shield the public from any debris and other materials flying around as they work on the entrance. 

The temporary gates have now been removed, thought parts of the construction remains, covering up parts of the memorial from the front.

One of the elements of the exhibition is a sound installation by Susan Philipsz, a Turner Prize-winning artist. Her ‘Who By Fire’ piece is set to be installed inside the underground cisterns.

Work on the installation had been going on for at least a year, ahead of this weekend’s opening.

What did you think the construction was for?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]