Vaclav Havel faces posthumous MEPA trial

An application to erect a monument to Czech dissident, playwright and former President Vaclav Havel in Hastings garden has ended up before the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's board, which is set to take a decision on it next Thursday.

In its last meeting a month ago, the Environment and Planning Commission, which deals with ordinary applications, deferred the case, asking the applicant to submit a justification for the location of such a monument in this particular garden.

It also added that the garden is presently devoid of monuments and placing one there would affect the "symmetrical balance of this particular area of the garden".

The application was recommended for approval by the case officer and also gained the clearance of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, which has made it clear that the monument will not have any negative impact on the fortifications or views of Valletta. The monument also has the seal of approval of the government, which is the owner of the site.

But in another twist, the Superintendence also pointed out that the application is sited at the same one earmarked for a sculpture in another planning application.

Tonio Casapinta, a former honorary consul for Malta to the Czech Republic, is proposing the monument to Vaclav Havel.

The Czech playwright and renowned dissident led his nation after the Velvet Revolution, which brought down the edifice of totalitarian rule in 1989. He died at 75 in December 2011.

Havel was an inspirational figure beloved for bringing 60s and 70s counterculture values to bear on the politics of his time.

He was also known for flying down the corridors of Prague Castle on a red scooter, and he hosted Frank Zappa, the Rolling Stones and Lou Reed as presidential guests. He also angered the Chinese government by befriending the Dalai Lama.

Vaclav Havel visited Malta in 2002 and was hosted by President Guido de Marco at San Anton.

During his time in San Anton, the bohemian Havel is said to have popped out of the president's palace to have a beer at the Zmerc pub down the road in Balzan.