The recent events in Valletta, once heralded as a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen, have thrown into stark relief a troubling degeneration that has been quietly brewing for years. The city’s transformation into a hub of burlesque and excesses at the expense of public peace, resident well-being, and religious traditions is not merely an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger societal shift.

For too long, concerns about Valletta’s direction have been dismissed under the convenient pretext of needing to be pro-business and keeping pace with the times. However, the recent hosting of a burlesque show mere steps away from a place of worship should serve as a wake-up call to all. It is unacceptable that such displays of vulgarity and indecency are allowed to take place in public spaces, regardless of whether they are considered “art” by some.

The argument that this was just a six-minute show, and a form of art is a feeble attempt to downplay the severity of the situation. How can it ever be deemed acceptable for individuals to be subjected to strip teases while going about their daily lives in a public place? What about the potential exposure of children or underage individuals to such explicit acts? And spare a thought for the residents whose homes are now besieged by an atmosphere more akin to a brothel than a place of tranquillity.

The hypocrisy is glaring. In a country where there are strict laws aimed at safeguarding young people from exposure to indecent material online, how can such blatant disregard for public decency be tolerated? The very fact that discussions are underway to ensure the smooth running of Holy Week activities in Valletta without disturbances speaks volumes about the deteriorating state of affairs.

Furthermore, the argument that this is a matter of religious tolerance is deeply flawed. Tolerance does not equate to the wholesale abandonment of values and principles that underpin a society. If we truly believe in a democratic society built on the rule of law, then what is happening in Valletta cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.

This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend towards the normalization of behaviours that are antithetical to the values we claim to uphold. The legalization of certain drugs under the guise of recreational use, the classification of porn as a form of art, and the push to expand human rights to include contentious issues such as abortion and euthanasia all contribute to an environment where boundaries are continually eroded.

It is time to reclaim the spirit of Valletta as a city of gentlemen, where respect for public decency and traditional values prevails. This will require a concerted effort from both authorities and society at large to uphold the principles that have long defined our identity. The alternative is a descent into moral and social decay that we cannot afford to tolerate.