Brian May is one of the world’s top guitarists and song writers. He is also an active animal rights campaigner. He runs a group called Save Me which campaigns for the protection of all animals against cruel treatment, with a particular emphasis on preventing fox hunting and the culling of badgers.
His tour with British singer Kerry Ellis has been raising funds for international wildlife charity Born Free.
It was therefore not surprising that Dr May made an impassioned plea to the Maltese during his concert in Valletta on Saturday to vote down spring hunting – especially as he is known to have taken an interest in the subject.
For decades, artists have been using their celebrity status to spread a good message or raise money – Bob Geldof has raised millions for African poverty, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Springsteen campaigned actively for Amnesty International, Joseph Calleja has spoken out about irregular immigration, Bono speaks out about anything which bothers him. Just two months ago, several foreign athletes and artists used the Sochi Olympics to make a statement against Vladimir Putin.
They all had every right – and at times a duty – to speak out because we are meant to live in a democratic world where comment is free.
Several Maltese have objected to the Queen guitarist’s genuine appeal, and some have even responded with xenophobic ferocity. It is not uncommon. We love complaining about any local issues but we feel insulted whenever a foreigner “dabbles” in our affairs.
It was no surprise that the hunters’ federation took exception to Dr May’s comments and in a typical infantile statement they told the guitarist to keep his “hypocritical” views to himself. They are, after all, the ones who are fighting to retain a practice banned all across Europe. What is surprising – to put it mildly – is for Gavin Gulia, the chairman of our Tourism Authority, to speak out against Dr May’s very diplomatic message.
Doesn’t our tourism chief realise how out of place he is criticising someone who merely raised an issue which is hurting our tourism product?
Dr Gulia should be one of the main public officials lobbying behind the scenes to stop illegal hunting, but instead he is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
One thing in common between the FKNK and Dr Gulia’s messages was that they both cited the “Colonial” element.
This is a rather puerile accusation which unfortunately shows that the people that make it either have an inferiority complex or have failed to mature. Malta has been independent – and recognised as such – for the past 50 years. The majority of people involved in politics at that time have passed away. When visitors criticise us today, it’s not because they hark back to pre-independence days but because they are expressing an opinion which may or may not be accepted by the Maltese people.
That’s all there is to it, and we will not grow up as a nation until we all understand and accept this simple fact.
The irony is that while our tourism chief was criticising the guitarist, both Dr May and Ms Ellis were talking up Malta and the people’s hospitality on the internet. On stage last Saturday, Dr May spoke about how envious he is that this island enables people to force a referendum which can overturn government decisions.
Instead of revelling in this, some people get all touchy and can’t help trying to make fools of us as a nation.