Why not the Neolithic temples on the flag?

Corinne Vella

Aug 2nd 2009, 20:03

Roger Vella Bonavita: "Why can't we leave it at that?" Because it seems that, to some, facts should not get in the way of one's whims.

Roger Vela Bonavita

Aug 2nd 2009, 14:21

I Galea,
The GC was added to the Maltese flag during the war following a resolution of the elected members in the Council of Government. This can easily be checked in the printed proccedings of the Council of Government. The colonial power did not impose the GC on Malta's flag. Why dont we leave it at that?

Joseph Vella

Aug 1st 2009, 18:49

In the never ending circuitous debate over the origination and legitimacy of the GC image being superimposed on Malta’s traditional red and white flag, folks have lost sight of the core issue(s) at stake, which should revolve solely around how it transpired that a national flag of 919 years in duration was unilaterally altered by an obscure British colonial governor, without due process of law, concurrence from its citizens, or their duly elected representatives. The why side of the explanation, which is alleged to reflect a genuine gesture of gratitude by Britain for Malta’s heroic resolve, shown in the face of adversity has never been contested. That be the case the matter of acknowledging the GC as a symbol of bravery becomes mote, needs no longer be debated ad nauseam. The one and only critical issue which remains, and should be resolved by the Maltese at large, is to ascertain the legitimacy of Lord Gort’s edict or lack thereof in enabling the change

Joseph Vella

Aug 1st 2009, 18:48

Few if any will deny that colonial Malta deserved due recognition for the sacrifice it paid in lost lives and property in defense of a foreign king and democracy, during the worldwide struggle against Axis powers in WWII. That the GC is a reminder of a time when the Maltese were treated as second class citizens in their own country by their alleged imperial protectors, is a secondary consideration, should hold no overriding weight in the accelerating battle over which version of Malta’s flag should win out. However bitter the history of a nation, which has suffered under colonial occupation, its sordid past can never be altered post facto, to neatly fit present sensibilities. Intellect and pride of independence and not rancor are all that matter. The diminution of past colonialism as a debating factor should simplify an already complex issue. The remaining nucleus question of legitimacy or lack thereof, displayed by Lord Gort action, is a far more valid reason in calling for redress thru a plebiscite.

Joseph Vella

Aug 1st 2009, 18:47

The greatest challenge in this battle for the redress of our national identity is to raise awareness of young people who have no living recollection of the Maltese flag of old, before it was anglicized in its current form. As a survivor of WWII, a reluctant ex-colonial subject by virtue of birth and not choice, I hope to see this blot settled thru calling for an initiative in favor of bringing back our nation’s proud traditional flag, as befits Malta’s place as an independent nation within the EU. Whatever the people of Malta will ultimately choose I will respect.

Of all the people who have written for or against the GC, William P Flynn is by far the most articulate in making his case for calling a referendum. His postings are always well researched in presenting historic facts, in his dedicated campaign to restore Malta’s traditional colors, as befits the oldest acknowledged flag in human history. Why a treasure of such irreplaceable magnitude should be allowed to make way for a modern version of dubious merit challenges rationality.

Daniel Russell

Jul 31st 2009, 13:24

@Joseph Aquilina
You hit the nail on the head! A perfect letter. That is what the GC is testimony to and credit to you for speaking out.
@William Flynn
SO are you Maltese of Irish descent?

Joseph Aquilina

Jul 31st 2009, 00:24

In answer to mr. Ken Wroe's letter (30th July), I am so annoyed to hear such disrespect for the George Cross. However, the George Cross does not represent a regime as described by Ken, it represents an honouring award and a reminder for those who lived during those war years and most of all for those who died for our country. They gave you freedom Ken, freedom from the infamous Nazis. So please have some respect towards them. That is what the George Cross represent.

Joseph Aquilina. Ontario, CANADA

William P Flynn

Jul 30th 2009, 23:39

@Josianne Cardona Gatt

Now imagine you are seeing a British foreigner with our traditional flag on a table and he takes a can of paint and starts putting graffiti on our 900 year old White and Red Flag.

Your words are probably spot on what every Maltese would say:

"I think the Maltese flag has a history of its own to tell and thus it should remain as it is".

(Some would be forgiven for indicating to him to where he should stick his brush).

You have just made the argument to remove the GC from the Flag. Please stay with it and tell your friends.

@KarlAxisa

Welcome to the debate. Yes I'm certainly Maltese. It is young people like you that I believe it is my civic duty to convince to get together and restore our ancient Flag.
The oldest Flag in the world is reputed to be that of Denmark going back to the 13th century.

Well our White and Red tradition is older than that(1091). Or was; until an Englishman(in1942) decided to paint a medal on it-against protocol,the law,the GCwarrants and wishes of his own king.

Look at past letters in The Times. Support your True Flag.

M.Degiorgio

Jul 30th 2009, 20:36

Nonsense, there is no confusion. Our flag does not need anything on it, plain white and red as it always was just and correct.

Corinne Vella

Jul 30th 2009, 18:56

The argument favouring the removal of the George Cross is an obstacle to replacing it with a symbol of the neolithic temples - the temples are not Maltese and symbolise a power which is not Maltese.

Judging by many of the comments made whenever this same dispute erupts, the best symbol to substitute the George Cross would be a big bunch of sour grapes.

v.pulis

Jul 30th 2009, 18:54

I have an idea. Why not remove the cross and leave a hole in the fabric like the Romanians did after they ousted Ceauşescu?!
the hole could also double as a pothole!!

Mario Borg

Jul 30th 2009, 16:05

Yes, let's also put in some prickly pears and a dghajsa....... Oh hang on, I think I'm having a deja vu! LOL

Stephen Vella

Jul 30th 2009, 15:46

A banana would more suitable; it will exhibit the present state of our republic

Karl Axisa

Jul 30th 2009, 15:39

I suggest one take a look at this short film on youtube: WW II BATTLE FOR MALTA 2 of 3 1941 RARE COLOR FILM . Part one which is interesting too.

I am sorry but I beg to differ with those who state that WW2 was not Malta's war. Survival was the game. Malta was sandwitched between two opposing forces. One way or the other our island was bound to end up under foreign rule. The British ensign with all the criticism there is to throw at, later on ceded independence (for better or worse ) to these rocks. As to the swastika, well I have my doubts whether this would have been achievable. As things turned out we are here bickering on a medal that was handed to defenders of the islands well before I was here. Through this short film that was shown to the rest of the world, there is the opinion of a foreigner on the medal. Through out the film there is only but praise for our elders. Yes I want the GC on the flag.

@Mr. W.P. Flynn for curiosities sake (for my own general knowledge that is nothing more nothing less)...are you Maltese?

Josianne cardona Gatt

Jul 30th 2009, 15:38

If anyone is querying from where we get our flag colours, then one would better go back to our history books, were it is very much recounted that tradition leads us to believe that the colours were given to us by Count Roger I on his arrival in Malta after liberating us from the Arabs. As for the George Cross, for many it is a colonial symbol, but for me it shows of what stamina the Maltese are, since it proves our bravery and our courage. I think the Maltese flag has a history of its own to tell and thus it should remain as it is. Removing it or even eliminating part of it, would be erasing part of our identity as Maltese. There is some proudness to be carried by us in recognising that we have been colonised for so many years by different ethnicities, but ultimately we remained Maltese!!!

J Martinelli

Jul 30th 2009, 14:58

@ Ken Wroe

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am afraid using Neolithic Temples on our flag may infringe the copyright of a television cartoon series called 'The Flintstones'

lgalea

Jul 30th 2009, 13:34

Roger Vella Bonavita
As far as I know the council you mention was made up of some 4 members appointed by the British Governor when Malta did not have a government after Mintoff resigned in 1958 and Borg Olivier did not want to be a puppet in the British Government's hands. If I remember correctly the council was very short lived and its members were called and considered as traitors and puppets by all sides of the political spectrum. The gorg cross was imposed upon us to be shown on the flag by the Colonial Office of the British Governemnt in 1964 when we got our Independence.

jcmicallef

Jul 30th 2009, 13:12

more ideas...instead of the GC we may put:

1. A No-Parking Sign
2. A residents-only parking sign (Ha!)
3. A tiny boat....preseumably coming from Africa....
4. A fireworks design....
5. A roofless theatre...(this is getting too much!)
6.A book...perhaps when our kids draw the flag they might get to love reading, 'cos the level of illiteracy and ignorance is getting dangerously high...

jcmicallef

Jul 30th 2009, 13:01

@Adrian Borg

I think you're right.

If we want to make Malta any better, the cross (or lack of it) won't make much difference.

It's our mentality that needs to change!

Well said.

Alex Ellul

Jul 30th 2009, 12:49

Imagine telling your 6 year old offspring to draw the Maltese Flag = White + Red + a neolithic temple drawn on the white section. This is becoming stupider and stupider. Could it be that some people are living on the other side of the looking glass?

When someone is awarded a medal, it is normal for this to be displayed on one's chest and not hidden in some mouldy old drawer to be forgotten. We are either proud of this well-earned symbol of great courage or we just send it back to the Queen of England and forget all about it. Removing the GC from our flag would be, in my opinion a great show of disrespect to all the Maltese (our parents and grand parents) who suffered death, injury, hunger and great mental stress between 1939 and 1946 so that we, today, will not be forced to wear a swastika on our sleeve.

This cross was put on our flag by the same people who suffered the Nazi onslaught. Ask the surviving octo-and-nonagenarians who served in the armed forces or worked in the docks etc, if they are proud of this symbol.

Adrian Borg

Jul 30th 2009, 12:10

Yeah ... why not put the Neolithic temples on the flag? Just to show that most of us still live in that era!

It's just a flag for God's sake. I don't think that changing it will bring more tourists or investment to Malta, or increase the quality of living! Neither will it solve our problems.

I thought people had better things to do and think about ... no wonder the national productivity is going down!

jcmicallef

Jul 30th 2009, 12:06

Other options:

A star nicked off the EU flag
A dog (Malta's fame in the treatment of animals comes second to none)
A bulldozer
A Shotgun
The international 'Female' Sign - given our notoriety for domestic violence (and women's tough task to make a career)

Any more ideas?

jcmicallef

Jul 30th 2009, 11:49

I think that all this debate and concern shows a serious problem - we have an identity crises.

We are failing to identify ourselves with the flag as it is (with the GC) while others believe that a flag without GC is missing something.

Mr. Nigel Lawrence is right, - imagine the Brits putting the Stonehenge on their flag.

Why don't we consider putting the Coat-of-Arms of the Malta Republic instead - bang in the middle of the flag, just like the old italian flag?

That's something that's truly ours.

Of course, both political sides must agree to stick to the same coat-of-arms...unless we want to change the national flag with every change in Govt!!

William P Flynn

Jul 30th 2009, 11:28

@Roger Vella Bonavia

Who were these Maltese members of the Council of Government? What year was it?

William P Flynn

Jul 30th 2009, 11:25

Stephen Spielberg accepted the honour but can never be called Sir Stephen as he isn't a British citizen. It would be tantamount to treason if MrSpielberg were to swear allegiance to the British Crown or any monarch. Guess why? The USA is REPUBLIC! (Hint!)

Some Maltese seem to have caught the graffiti disease; they see a white space they have this driving desire to paint something on it.

Our Maltese predecessors had brushes and pencils; but for 900 years they left the Flag pure and pristine. We should take a page from their book.

Roger Vella Bonavita

Jul 30th 2009, 11:15

As far as I know the George Cross was added to the flag of Malta by the Maltese members of the Council of Government. It was not 'imposed' on us by the colonial power. We are perfectly entitled to remove it if we so wish but I imagine that the vast majority of citizens of Malta are proud to leave it there as a witness to the bravery of the population during the 2nd World War. I cannot think why my friend Paul Calleja gets so hot under the collar on this matter.

Nigel Lawrence

Jul 30th 2009, 11:07

Why not the Neolithic temples on the flag?-----for the same reason the Egyptians don't have the pyramids on their flag!

wally vella-zarb

Jul 30th 2009, 10:51

The Flag of the Republic of Malta is set out in the Constitution and is described as consisting of two vertical stripes, White at the hoist and Red in the fly. This and ONLY this depiction is entrenched in the Constitution and its alteration would require a majority of two thirds of the Members of Parliament. The addition of an effigy of the George Cross is covered in a subsequent sub-clause BUT, contrary to popular misconception, this addition is NOT entrenched: a simple majority of the MP's is sufficient for its eventual removal.

It is interesting to note that BOTH major political parties in Malta show the traditional Maltese Flag as it should be, that is, just the White and Red, with no 'decorations'. Currently there is also some kind of national song competition ( organised, I believe, by one of the parties?) being advertised on TV; on the logo are shown the National Colours. Here again, just the White and the Red.

Our flag, set out in the Constitution and supported by centuries of tradition, does not need any 'frills' or 'decorations'. No crosses, no temples, no prickly pears - plain White and Red will do nicely.

Alan Vella

Jul 30th 2009, 10:42

D. Scerri said:
"I wonder if Stephen Spielberg KBE is as disgusted by his honorary knighthood being forced upon him by some repressive colonialist?"

The GC on our flag is equivalent to Stephen Speilberg putting his KBE on his family name coat of arms ... a very stupid idea! We are not disgusted that we were awarded the GC ... NO ONE is saying that. If you think so then you are simply not understanding the arguments against the GC on our flag.

I like the idea of the Neolithic temples. They are something truly unique and special to this island and it would make sense to put them on our flag.

D. Scerri

Jul 30th 2009, 10:33

I wonder if Stephen Spielberg KBE is as disgusted by his honorary knighthood being forced upon him by some repressive colonialist?

Daniel Russell

Jul 30th 2009, 10:08

KEN
A very interesting proposal and also re the Maltese cross!