Robert Samut

There is no doubt that Malta has honoured the composer of its national anthem. Suffice it to say that he is mentioned in the Constitution of the Republic and that in Floriana a plaque commemorates the place where he was born, while the square on which it stands is also named in his honour. There is also another street in his honour in Rabat.

The Robert Samut Hall seems to have fallen out of fashion with many activities being transferred to St James in Valletta. This is as might be as long as the hall will not be ignored completely.

But all this is irrelevant to the fact that his only known (oil) portrait has been relegated to near anonymity. Samut had served in the KOMR not as a soldier but as a medical officer. The officers' mess had commissioned his portrait which was eventually sold when the KOMR was wound up. This portrait, monochrome copies of which are occasionally printed and which was also included in the Independence Celebrations official brochure in 1964, is held at the War Museum. Samut never took part in any war although he had the command of the Forest Military Hospital in Limassol. He was first and foremost a doctor and therefore his portrait should not be kept in a War Museum. But even more so, any visitor to the museum will not find his name. The portrait is only described as "A Maltese Officer". That the said portrait depicts Prof. Samut cannot be disputed.

It is understood that the respective Ministry had also been offered a professional full colour copy free of charge for the War Museum, but the original should be removed to a better prominent place (and pending a National Portrait Gallery), probably at the Palace.

I hope that better judgement prevails and that the Ministry will accept the said offer which will thus not involve it in any expense.