Families are units made up of individuals with various inte­rests, inclinations, impressions and aspirations. As a micro-community these individuals nurture each other’s strengths, mitigate their weaknesses and strive to live harmoniously. The Nationalist Party is one such family.

There are specific times of day as well as several occasions throughout the year when families tend to come together, opening the doors of their homes to welcome those near and dear along with new acquaintances. For the Nationalist Party, no event brings people closer than the Independence celebrations.

In response to an overwhelming desire to bring something new to this year’s celebrations we looked no further than a stone’s throw away from the traditional Granaries in Floriana to the gem in the crown of a long series of achievements of Nationalist governments over the years – the Piano project, in a place restored to the glory it deserves and adorned with great devotion, our capital city Valletta.

Homes are littered with heirlooms, antiquities, artefacts of sentimental value and new acquisitions. Similarly, the Nationalist Party, with the benefit of a rich political history, understands the importance of bringing together the new with the old.

Neither are mutually exclusive and both are imperative in the quest to inspire and encourage progress.

While celebrating a historic 135 years since its founding, the Nationalist Party prides itself with having been the catalyst of our country’s holistic evolution, a change which defined us Maltese with a clear identity and purpose, solidified patriotic roots and placed us at the forefront of international politics.

These achievements include Malta’s Independence, joining the European Union, freedom in the wider sense, an overhaul in our education system, liberalisation and state-of-the-art healthcare, to name but a few.

In reality, whereas Malta’s Independence tends to be overshadowed by recent historic achievements, it has been, in fact, the principal and crucial pivot in ensuring that as a country we get to democratically elect our own representatives and determine our own future.

For the Nationalist Party, no event brings people closer than the Independence celebrations

Imposing heritage sites, complemented by contemporary architectural ventures, will serve as the home and backdrop for the Independence celebration activities taking place in Valletta between September 17 and 21.

Set at the majestic entrance to Valletta, which includes our stately Parliament, the area will become a dynamic space where hosts entertain their guests, starting with De Valette Square, which will be transformed into the main meeting point, and of course, Pjazza Teatru Rjal.

Beyond this, there will be secluded spaces for broader dialogues and observations, as well as a library and interactive information space.

The four-day celebrations will include a number of organised activities that will enhance dialogue and encourage considera­tion. Music will also play a key role in these activities, bringing the household together.

Ultimately, the celebrations will conclude with a speech from the household host himself – Simon Busuttil, during which guests, old, new, as well as those who have yet to enter this particular home, will rediscover a sense of belonging and kinship; a speech whose occurrence is rooted firmly in tradition and which will continue to reinstate the Nationalist Party’s campaign for good governance and honest politics.

This is the idea around which we have built the 2015 Independence celebrations.

The outstanding differences from previous years reflect the continuous changes, the dynamics and achievements within the party.

We are opening our doors to welcome you in our new surroundings during this week, and to open a dialogue on how we can work together, grow together and support each other.

It is only through this sense of together­ness that we can flourish as individuals and as a family.

Welcome to the 2015 Independence celebrations. Welcome home!

Rosette Thake is general secretary of the Nationalist Party.

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