Roxy (c. 1931 - c.1986) is one of the many cinemas that used to operate on our island. Alas it has been closed for quite a while. Recently it was on social media, were a considerable number of people, including myself, were putting in objections with PA to stop the upcoming demolition. Loosing this gem of architectural value for to its Art Deco style construction, would be a great loss to our heritage, especially when the new proposal is none other than the usual block of offices that recently have invaded every little crook and nanny on our already over developed island. True one could argue the fact that it is vacant and abandoned, however there are other ways of developing a property other than demolition and build non-descript concrete buildings.

The choices are endless. It was a cinema so it could become a film school, or an acting place or even a museum showcasing all memorabilia from the past cinemas in Malta. One could hold workshops related to film and acting in such a place especially if its sensitively restored and preserved with any interventions done with a reversible approach. And don't give me the usual "the facade will be retained!". Retaining the facade is not really preserving anything. It is just a way of shutting up those who complain. An objection has to consider the whole building holistically, because a building is not only valuable from the outside, but also from the inside. I wish I get permission to shoot the interiors. From the few photos available online Roxy looks glorious from the inside too.

I long for the day when the nation wakes up from this hypnotic sleep we have been put into, or other succumbed to, and start uniting together and work to safeguard our heritage. This belongs to us, to the people, to the community. It might be developed by someone who bought the place, however such a remarkable building with significant historic and architectural value just can't be lost as if though it never meant anything.

When are we going to wake up and voice our concerns for real?

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