In the glorious history of our islands, 1565, when the Great Siege took place, stands out as one of the most remarkable and outstanding years, a major turning point in Malta and in Europe.

In 2015, Malta could commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege. It is an anniversary that deserves our full attention, both because of its meaning for our nation’s history and because it is an occasion for celebration and reflection.

Four years may seem far off but, in fact, it is not. If we want to live this anniversary to the full, if we want this remembrance to have a long-lasting effect, we need to plan as of now.

Without doubt, 1565 is a turning point in Malta’s history. After the Great Siege, which ended with the departure of the mighty Turkish fleet from the island on September 8 that year, the Order of St John, which had arrived here in 1530, became tied to Malta.

The year after the siege saw the start of a massive building programme, of commissions of art and architecture of the highest standards, but also the start of Europe’s recognition of Malta’s strategic position.

Many Europeans heard of Malta for the first time in 1565. The greatness of the siege was recognised in literature, in paintings and in maps.

Malta was no longer a small, barren island but one that could resist the mighty Ottoman Empire, and thus save Europe.

Of course, the Knights of St John got almost all the publicity but they could not have won without the very strong backing of the Maltese themselves. The anniversary must therefore be the occasion to revisit the role of the Maltese in the Great Siege.

Research must start immediately to help us understand better, if possible, the Maltese contribution to this great victory.

We must also hear the other side of the story. The anniversary would also be an opportunity to get the full story from the Turkish side, and help us understand the real reason for the sudden departure of the Ottoman invaders. We need to go beyond the propaganda and set the story straight once and for all.

Only Arnold Cassola had done some research from the Turkish side but I am convinced there is more. We must collaborate with Turkish academics to get the other side of the story too. We must be able to tell and to write up this great Mediterranean drama in its entirety.

The anniversary must provide us with the opportunity to finally inaugurate a Great Siege Museum. This museum should be as attractive as possible. It must make use of modern audio-visual equipment.

The visitor must feel the tension, the fear, the heat, the stench, of the Great Siege – everything to make it a truly memorable experience. I have my own opinion as to where the museum should be located, but I do not wish to prejudice the discussion.

It must also be the occasion for a major exhibition of Albert Ganado’s maps that should find a permanent home, maybe in the same museum. It must also be an occasion to conclude important restoration jobs left in suspense.

I particularly refer to the incredibly important wall paintings of scenes of the Great Siege at the Palace by Matteo Perez D’Aleccio which, when I was in charge ofValletta’s rehabilitation, was restored only half-way by the late and excellent Heinz Leitner.

New colours, new scenes, new details were discovered. The other half was never completed after his death. This is an absolute must.

There is much more that needs to be done. This is an occasion we cannot downplay. On the contrary, we need to exploit it to the full.

We need to have meetings of academics. We need to publish the definitive book on the Great Siege.

It must be the occasion for a film or a television series. Surely, an opera should be written. Could we possibly recreate a galley of the Order and another of the Ottomans?

We must involve children and adults, and everyone who could possibly say or do something in this important story. We must involve the private sector and particularly cultural NGOs.

We must involve the Turkish government and the Order of Malta. This must not be only about Malta but rather Malta’s role in the Mediterranean.

There is a need for a strong ad hoc committee to prepare for this event. It needs to set out a programme and look for funding. It must sponsor research now.

Let us act fast to plan well an event that deserves our full attention, that will give our tourism and national awareness a tremendous boost.

ray.bondin@gov.mt

Ray Bondin is Malta’s ambassador and permanent delegate to Unesco.