Denis A. Darmanin, Valletta
Ignoring the British legacy
Like many others, I was delighted with the news of the restoration of the 18th century Lunette painting depicting The Visitation scene at the chapel of the beheading of St John in Siġġiewi.
As a person who holds dear heritage and national treasures, I support all professional restoration works that safeguard our patrimony and which will be enjoyed by future generations.
Recently, other to the restoration of the built-up heritage, there have been numerous others that involved paintings and murals in both churches and state property.
However, I find it painful that no one has bothered to consider restoring the British military murals within the former Main Guard in Valletta. These murals, which in their own way recall and depict the lineage of many British and colonial regiments while in Malta either in a heraldic mode or at times by just a caricature, have suffered much throughout the years. According to some sources, it is reputed that these murals were last restored by none other than Emvin Cremona when in uniform.
These walls have had scantlings nailed to them, been boarded up and allowed to dampen, have been chipped and damaged by the widening or opening of doorways and suffered other forms of defacing.
In the past, this fine building had housed the Guardia del Corpo del Gran Maestro, detachments from so many British regiments stationed in Malta that served as guards to the Governor and the Palace, including the two Maltese regiments: the Royal Malta Artillery and the King’s Own Malta Regiment, the latter even having their Officers’ Mess in the same hall.
So far, this hall and murals have not been mentioned as being included in any restoration programme, which leads me to believe that we’re once again concentrating our efforts on that which was left to us by the Order of St John and ignoring what was left by the British, which is still a major part of our history.
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Gerry Cowie
Feb 12th, 12:25
"Oh! But a warm welcome to all British paying tourists....on a temporary visa of course." (William Flynn)
What is a man domiciled in Australia doing acting as tourism minister in Malta? By what authority does he say this?
jerome Micallef
Feb 9th, 19:04
@ Wally Vella-Zarb
Thank you Wally for your contribution.
Regardless of age there are few of us who recall the days of the British Empire, something that has ceased to exist for a good number of years. If you can remember it I bow to you Sir as you will have reached a grand age.
The so called occupation of Malta by the British military is an insult to those countries who were properly occupied during WWII and on a number of occasions since. But make no mistake, Malta was not occupied.
Malta was used for military reasons by NATO with Britain as the negotiating partner. Britain paid cash to the then Maltese Government to retain a military existence on this island.
Following the reduction in military tensions and the request for several large increases in payment to the then Maltese Government The Brits packed up and left.
As far as I am aware there was no combat fighting between the British and Maltese, as there would have been if Malta was occupied.
I am though curious on what the Brits stole from Malta and where these stolen goods are now stashed?
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 10th, 10:00
@ Jerome Micalllef
Ask William- he knows!
John Neville Ebejer
Feb 9th, 13:11
I believe the subject Mr Darmanin has put forward, i.e. what choices should be made during restoration efforts, when confronted with such situations were you have ad-ons, alterations, additions, graffti etc on an earlier structure.
First of all I believe one should refer to the opinion of professionals in the field, seek out what choices were made in other projects.
From the limited knowledge I have on the subject my idea is that one should try to preserve as much as possible of what gives an insight of a sight or structure of the historic context/episodes it could represent.
When such parts, add ons alterations diminish the value of a more important aspect, than these themselves could represent, then a choice has to be made to preserve the more important ones. I beleieve we had an example of a good choice made when the storage facilities set up in Kalkara creek against part of the Birgu hornwork bastions were removed. But then it takes un-emotional/sentimental, educated objective judgement.
One hopes to see more of such comments rather than incorrect interpretation of history based on misconceptions. One of which most gross is that the Maltese invited over the British to colonise them. But then this does not have to affect such a choice of weather such murals should be restored and if so these would diminish or enhance the historic importance of such a building.
William Flynn
Feb 8th, 21:30
The comments of the Nazis are wheeled out every time the British occupation comes up in these columns.
The British didn't save Malta and us from the Nazis; we helped save them. They needed saving themselves by the US.
Operation Pedestal, the greatest British Naval Armada ever floated as at that time, never got to within 240 nautical miles off Malta at Cape Bon in North Africa.
The British had to retreat with massive losses including an aircraft carrier. So if the AXIS wanted to invade with the air and sea superiority they had, all Britain could do would have been to shake their fists from thousands of miles away.
The rock under our feet saved us and that's the stone end of it. And had we been invaded we would have been well treated as the Maltese caught in Italy and other occupied lands were.
The Maltese who were interned in North Africa were treated very well by the Fascists for Italy always treated Malta as an irredenta. Of the Maltese caught in Italy, I don't think they were even interned.
The internet is full of stories how interned Maltese were well treated by Germans in Italy as well. The only Maltese killed when interned were unfortunately killed when the British bombed their camp. The cruel ironies of war.
The cruelty and neglect we suffered at the hands of the British occurred soon after the war when the British forgot all our bravery and locked Malta out of the US Marshal Aid plan. This meant that Italy and Germany were rebuilt while quite a bit of Malta looked like a battlefield for 20 years after the war. The Opera House in Hamburg was rebuilt within a few years of war's end.
The British always augment a country by their leaving and almost every colonized country which saw their derrières sail away into the sunset flourished and prospered. This augers well for the EU at present with Britain threatening to hold its breath until it turns purple and storm out of the EU. And how long it can claim to be Britain I don't know with Ireland gone 80 years and Scotland about to break off; but that's another story.
I am a Maltese citizen, born, bred and educated. Where I choose to live is my business and circumstance and has absolutely nothing to do with the historical argument.
What I write is there to be challenged if anyone has the brains and the historical facts to challenge it with logic not fallacies and senseless "botti".
On second thought, I say let this crap at the Main Guard continue to rot. Like the British Colonialism it represents, good riddance for bad rubbish.
Oh! But a warm welcome to all British paying tourists....on a temporary visa of course.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 9th, 09:21
The Opera House was offered to be rebuilt by German prisoners but was refused by the Maltese government. You didn't wish for Malta to remain as a battlefield for 20 years after the war, but are resentful that Malta was shut out of the Marshall Plan (rather hypocritical I think). Countries which the British "sailed away from" were very prosperous under the British (particularly in Africa) - and received a good educational system and substantial profits (albeit there are bad things with colonialism as well). These countries (with some exceptions) have been anything but prosperous after the British left. I present these statements for people to weigh and make their own balanced judgements. I would prefer not to have become a province of Italy (and don't forget that the Germans occupied Italy and deeply influenced later treatment of those interned in Italy). Finally, please don't forget that the British were invited by the Maltese, the Labour Government under Mintoff actively sought full integration with the UK, and that English as a global language and Malta's abilities therein have made Malta a very good place for business and have substantially upped Malta's overall economy.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 9th, 10:32
Finally, the United States was deeply pacifist and isolationist up to and during the beginning of World War 2, despite having a far-sighted president. It is true yes, that the U.S. helped England substantially and that England needed the help - however, it is also true that the personal diplomacy and genius of Winston Churchill and his friendship with President Roosevelt was quite instrumental in getting the U.S. into the war (hopefully, youi're not resentful of that as well).
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 9th, 10:48
"Operation Pedestal, the greatest British Naval Armada ever floated as at that time, never got to within 240 nautical miles off Malta at Cape Bon in North Africa".
We've discussed this before, William. The idea was to get the convoy through, and especially the tanker Ohio, which it did.
I rather like the picture of the saucy lady- don't you?
William Spencer
Feb 9th, 11:19
Goodness me Mr Flynn.
Do try hard to remember that it the Turks, French, etc, that were uninvited guests, who tried to conquer and enslave the Maltese, it was your neighbours the Italians, and the Germans who tried to obliterate Malta and its people, NOT the British.
Hate is a terrible thing Mr Flynn, it makes people ill, ( physically and mentally ), you really must try to move on, and stop living in the past. Stop all your hate filled rhetoric towards anything British ( they could not care less how you feel about them ), find yourself a nice fulfilling hobby, and you will feel better for it. ,
Gerry Cowie
Feb 8th, 20:02
Well, even if they decide to paint over the little reminders of history, at least they will not be painting over the George Cross on the national flag of Malta!
Rod Enderby
Feb 8th, 18:39
Wasn't it the Maltese who asked the British to come and replace the French?
Britain may not have been "perfect" as a colonial power but there is some irony in the quote from Robert Mugabe "fortunately, we were colonised by the British".
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 8th, 22:02
No it was not! That is a myth that was perpetuated by pseudo history books that were commissioned by the administration of the occupiers. What the Maltese aristocracy wanted was a form of autonomy that was to be based upon a list of civil rights that they had drawn up in readiness for discussion. When the treaty that awarded the Maltese islands to Britain was signed there were no Maltese present. Malta and the Maltese were considered as mere chattels...and were subsequently treated as such. Second-class citizens in their own country!
As for your final quip, well, the less said about Robert Mugabe, the better don't you think?
William Flynn
Feb 9th, 00:42
Mr Enderby
The only thing the British were perfect at was plundering little unarmed islands and countries.
Whether the Maltese asked the British for help isn’t here or there. But when you are invited for dinner, do you then take over the main bedroom and the best parts of the house of your hosts, and banish them to the kitchen and the laundry so they can wait on you hand and foot, send them out to work for you to maintain your life style, refuse to leave, and involve them in your fights with their neighbours?
Oh! And when the neighbours get too hostile then offer to give your host’s house to the neighbours as appeasement, as the Brits did to Mussolini?
I don’t know how we, or anyone else, put up with British Colonialism, I honestly don’t. But the sun is shining and the birds are tweeting and the air is crisp and sweet and British Colonialism is gone for ever…well almost…except the Malvinas.
How sweet that is!
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 9th, 11:59
@ Wally Vella-Zarb,
Now we have a vertically-challenged Frenchman who thinks he is the re-incarnation of Napoleon trying to make second-class citizens of everyone except the French. Deja vu, if you'll pardon my French!
Denis A. Darmanin
Feb 8th, 18:04
All occupiers, rulers or whatever, everywhere, have always placed their own interests at top of the list and still happens today.
So, we should stop restoring our fortifications, Auberges, many churches, palaces, etc., or even bulldoze them according to some, as these were built by our former rulers for their own interests, not for ours.
On the same line of thought, all emigrants, settlers and descendants of former convicts, should leave their adoptive countries and return to their countries of birth as they also occupiers and usurpers of the natives' land. Just like I did when I returned from Australia to Malta, the country where I was born!
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 8th, 19:17
Mr Darmanin, "our fortifications, Auberges, many churches, palaces, etc.," have aesthetic merit besides the architectural. What you have portrayed are abusive graffiti that vandalised what was ours. By your same arguments should we have kept the frescoes that were painted over at Verdala on the whim of a governor's wife in their vandalised state?
Denis A. Darmanin
Feb 8th, 20:45
Heraldic emblazonments are artistic.
Even graffiti over 100 years old are considered historical by many leading heritage organisations and are classified, recorded and studied. One has just to see items though the proper perspective, not personal passion, otherwise no compromise or solution can be ever reached. The loss and defacing on many of the Order’s escutcheons was once justified, but now we know better.
On another note, Singapore and Hong Kong are now trying to restore and save whatever is left of their British historical buildings and traditions after nearly losing all. If not for anything, since history cannot be erased or altered to anyone’s whims and also as an important touristic venue. I rest my case.
William Flynn
Feb 8th, 10:59
Wow! A century and a half plus and they left some scratchings and a few caricatures. These must be ripped off wrapped in brown paper and sent to the British Foreign Office - marked collect - with a note saying, "You forget to take out your rubbish. And would you mind returning the ship load of patrimony your personnel loaded on to certain ships during the night in military lorries?"
Do I want to be reminded of intimidating hob-nailed boots and rifle butts slamming on the ground as a gesture of military occupation that could be heard from a block away to remind everyone who’s boss?
Martin Webster
Feb 8th, 12:27
Your comment would be more valid if we were still subject to those conditions. We are not - there was a peaceful handover back to self determination (a victory squandered in Europe, but that's another story). History is history, and there should be no scope for revisionists to eliminate it or introduce a particular bias.
jerome Micallef
Feb 8th, 13:04
I thought it was the Nazi’s who wanted to hob nail around our island using force to control us.
The over dramatic and theatrical response from Mr Flynn suggests we were under occupation, the good people of these islands ensured that did not happen alongside other allies.
I will agree that anyone walking along many streets of Malta can be heard a block or two away, no need for rifles or boots.
Whatever the Brits have left behind belongs to the islands and should not be sent to the UK FO or any other UK department. It now forms part of our history and should remain displayed here.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 8th, 16:50
Isn't colonialism somewhat of the same thing as someone constantly lecturing us about what we should or shouldn't do, or think or shouldn't think from Australia (of all places)?
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 8th, 17:38
Mr Micallef, I don't know how old you are but make no mistake about it: we WERE under occupation and, yes, loads of stuff was stolen from these islands. Out of all the governors that we had only two were civilians; the rest were military personnel so as to make sure that the military occupation was safeguarded - not in our interest but in the interest of empire, of course.
john vernon
Feb 8th, 18:23
Wow!!! Mr William Flynn, which part of the British Empire got your goat, obviously not the part that gave you your Maltese surname. Maybe your family came to these islands during the potato famine. Hence your hate of the O Empire.
Why cant folks on these islands and others be proud of their history, you don't see the channel islands wiping out all history of their occupation by the Nazi hoard, maybe you should have been left to your own devices and grown up with Italian or German surnames
Lets be proud of what is left and what we leave for future generations to enjoy, as i do when i walk these islands enjoying all history whether English, Maltese Arabic etc, at least it has some character unlike what you see being built in the concrete jungles of late.
Alan Quigley
Feb 8th, 18:57
Perhaps, Mr Flynn, you should also choose to repudiate another legacy left by the British - the English language, which you use so frequently, but with so little effect. Use another language, perhaps the language of the islands of which you are so proud but where, I understand, you choose not to live. Then you may express yourself with, maybe, greater fluency also and fewer people will understand - everyone's a winner!
Angus Mackinnon
Feb 8th, 23:57
I responded to your disappointing outburst earlier on today, perhaps too strongly since the T of M elected not to print my response, but generally I agree with other sentiments expressed herewith, i.e. you have a problem with the British period and the British in general .... nothing new there then. Unlike Mr Quigley, I happen to think you write very well, and your command of the English language is very good indeed, it's just what you believe and articulate that is delusional.