Tony Gatt, Marsascala
The Maltese cross is not Maltese (2)
I read with interest Carmel Meilak's letter regarding the Maltese Cross replacing the George Cross on the nation's flag. What many people don't realise is that the so-called Maltese Cross is really the cross of Amalfi in Italy, for it was merchants from that city who first financed the Knights, who adopted it as their emblem. So one cross is as foreign as the other.
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Iain Sims
Jun 6th 2009, 15:31
@J Martinelli
It is a sad thing that too many people know too little of the rich history of these islands. I for one always use the GC suffix when writing my address and will continue to do so.
J Martinelli
Jun 6th 2009, 13:29
"So one cross is as foreign as the other".
True statement, however one must add the fact that the George Cross was awarded specifically to ALL the people of Malta while the 'Maltese Cross' was inherited at best and not created or awarded for bravery exhibited by the Maltese helping the Knights at, say, 1565.
There is great a significant difference between the two crosses.
The George Cross must stay where it is - no more, no less. It has been earned and cherished over the years and it is a safe bet that no government will even have this proud identity's future on its agenda, not now, not ever.
The young who have not experienced the sacrifices our forefathers made, should get educated and maybe will better understand the significance of the GC on our flag.
Maybe the younger generation do not even know that for many years after WWII Malta was known as Malta GC. I would have thought that the GC designation after Malta would have carried on until the very last survivor of the war (veteran or civilian) passed on.