
SUPPORTED BY

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"We will be creating three dimensional models of Valletta - from street level up and down - across the
years. The idea is to have layers of maps in different periods and people can pick an era and see what
Valletta looked like then," he said. For the past nine months a dedicated team has been working on the
project. The detailed 3D models of Valletta, that are in the process of being put together, are all to
scale and based on extensive research through hundreds of old paintings, plans and photographs of the
capital made available to the Old Valletta Project from public and private collections, he said.
All the money collected through the site and from the sale of DVDs will be in aid of the
YMCA Homeless Shelter - Dar Niki Cassar. Anyone who wishes to be part of this experience as a sponsor
or wants to be involved in the project, or who has material to contribute to the Website can send an
e-mail to info@ymcahomeless.org or call YMCA on 2122 8035.
The Royal Opera House was built
in 1866. In 1873, its interior was extensively damaged when a fire broke out but it was eventually
restored by 1877. The theatre, Valletta's most imposing landmark, was destroyed during an air raid
in 1942. Today it remains in ruins and, while in the past it was used as a car park, in the more
recent years it has served as a venue for performing arts. The site, and issues surrounding its
restoration, have also been a source of political controversy.
Catch a sneak
preview of this project on the
timesofmalta.com downloads section at www.timesofmalta.com/valletta3d.
Claudia Calleja
See the Old Opera House come to life
The Opera House will come to life thanks to projections from Nexos. The phantom of the Royal Opera House
will haunt the Valletta site, where it lies in ruins, during a magical night when the majestic building
will once again be visible for a few precious minutes. Lights and laser beams will project a
three-dimensional, lifesize image of the Opera House that will become visible as a ghostly mist is blown
over the area.
This event was originally planned for the 29th of February, but it had to be
postponed due to the various election activities. As soon as these are out of the way, the date will be
set.
"The idea is to create magic. We are creating a time machine that allows people present
to experience the phantom of the opera. All this is possible through Nexos Technology, our partners in
this event," explained Jean Paul Mifsud, the chairman of YMCA Homeless - the non-profit organisation
organising the event with the help of several other volunteers. On the night, the image of the old
Opera House, that was built in 1866 and bombed in 1942, will come to life, accompanied by music and
will remain visible for about 10 minutes. Freedom Square will be transformed into a sort of
'Valletta city-museum' where images of the capital across the eras will be projected and there will
be entertainment throughout the evening. Mr Mifsud explained that this event, aptly named 'The Phantom
of the Opera', is part of a bigger initiative - the YMCA Old Valletta Project - through which three
dimensional detailed models of Valletta across the centuries will be created and made available to
the public through an interactive website and DVD.
Browsers will be able to travel through
time, from their computer screens, by clicking on a specific period. They will then be able to go on
a virtual walk through of the city in that period.
We believe that we have to work to
create a trusting environment and we also have to help the person to discover what one really wants,
to reflect on what one is doing in the present and to create a new plan to fulfill what they want in
an effective way in the future and on a long-term basis.
YMCA VALLETTA, 178 Merchants Street, Valletta, Malta | (+356) 2124 0680 | | |