The statue of Queen Victoria outside the National Library in Valletta is to be replaced by one of Michelle Muscat, the wife of disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat.
The replacement of the statue was suggested by TV director, writer and human sprinkler-system, Mario Philip Azzopardi, following similar controversies in the US and UK.
“Michelle may no longer be our first lady, but she will always be Malta’s one true queen,” Azzopardi told at Bis-Serjetà.
“I’m sure that, like me, most Maltese people feel her absence from their lives. So instead of a statue of an ugly old foreign coloniser, we should have one of an elegant, beautiful and benevolent monarch who will rule our hearts forever.”
Azzopardi added that the statue, which he designed himself, will portray Muscat as a mermaid – in reference to her annual charity swims – looking down lovingly at a school of adoring fish, who represent the Maltese public.
The director added that the statue will also be interactive.
“When passersby press a button, the statue will say one of five pre-recorded phrases – four of which include the word ‘serene’ – so people can once again have Michelle’s silky smooth, sweet-as-honey voice gracing their ears.
The statue will cost €500,000, and will be paid for with a grant from the Malta Arts Fund.
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