Flying the flag

A strong touch of colour will now go off the face of Malta. A month of an island bedecked in foreign flags came to an end with last night's final of the 2006 World Cup jamboree in Berlin. The public manifestation of rival support for some national team or another was stronger this year, I felt, than in any other World Cup.

Family cars sporting not one but two small fluttering flags of the team supported by the driver, stuck to either side of the vehicle, became a common sight.

And not only when the preferred team won, or as horns blared in harsh enjoyment as a rival team lost, particularly when Portugal dumped out England. Mothers ferrying children to school were as much a part of the fun as youngsters crammed in cars yelling victoriously or to goad supporters of a losing side. Huge flags were hoisted on many a pole on rooftops all over the Maltese island, or smaller ones draped over balconies.

Flags usually colour the island in large patches during the summer festa season. The June/July colouring job reached the whole landmass. Aside from that old touch of xenomania, originating from eternal serious absence of Malta on the international football scene, flying flags in such profusion was a not unwelcome breeze.

Why don't we do it more often, as a people? Why is it that the Maltese flag seldom makes it up the flagpoles dotting our towns and villages? It is amusing that we speak of and demonstrate our support for foreign football teams with so much passion, and speak as if we know better than their coaches. For a small island that is not part of a big sports scene, other than on the billiards table, it is also understandable.

It does not excuse ignoring our own flag. Flying the Maltese flag regularly and with enthusiasm might help engender stronger self-awareness, a greater recognition that being citizens of the EU and of the world starts with being Maltese. Television generates interest and the sort of attitude shown during the World Cup. It also brings home living examples of standards that have to be targeted and achieved to excel beyond our shores.

Appreciating what others have to offer and learning from them, as we have done for so many years in literature, for example, is a positive input to national development. It can never be a substitute for it. The flag has to be flown, in our minds as well.

The last weekend of the World Cup coincided with a marvellous reminder that we Maltese do have a lot to be proud of. Thousands enjoyed a memorable experience on Saturday night at Manoel Island. Getting there was a chore, the event commenced 30 minutes late, and the sound faltered slightly at times. But who would have missed it! The classical concert organised by Renaissance Productions was all that it promised to be.

Plus quite a lot more. Soprano Tatiana Lisnic, mezzo-soprano Elena Zaremba and baritone Vittorio Vitelli sang near-faultlessly to the sublime music of the Liverpool Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Vasili Petrenko, who was himself a leading star of the night. It was an international evening and a huge part of it belonged to Malta's own tenor, Joseph Calleja. He must have worried the Midi investors who are rehabilitating Manoel Island with much diligence. They've built up a lot and there was Joseph, bringing the house down.

Joseph Calleja was part of a sharing with top professionals. But what a talent he is. Definitely a national icon, who delights his audience on stage and charms those who meet him. There is much to fly the Malta flag for, all the year round.