Watching Joseph Calleja’s performance at the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall in London, one realises how great is his international contribution to the name of Malta. As a Cultural Ambassador he certainly fulfils that role with pride. Come to think of it, other idols, like Oreste Chircop and Joseph Calleia, his predecessors in the cinema world, had done credit to Malta as well.
Political leaders too had made an impact, with their intelligent strategies in convincing Britain to grant Independence to Malta. They brought to an end a century and a half of Britain’s colonialism. In these respective cases, the reasoned diplomacy of George Borg Olivier and the scheming powers of Dom Mintoff certainly raise these two people to foreign admiration and Maltese reverence.
In the modern era, Maltese representatives in Europe have constantly received adulation for unstinted efforts in ameliorating Malta’s position and of enhancing its name. Their regular attendance and direct participation have convinced their colleagues that they are a hard-working group. Their researched suggestions often stand to be noticed. In Europe, the name of Malta takes precedence over the party dichotomy or division in Malta.
Various sections of the population may laud the efforts of other Maltese stalwarts in jurisprudence, medicine, literature and other professions. They are all highly qualified academics. Many had emigrated “to seek pastures new”. They made their homes and work across the globe in far away countries like Australia, Canada but also in Europe.
Most of Malta’s University professors furthered their studies in foreign Universities, especially in Oxford and elsewhere in the UK. The successes of their academic rewards are an honour to Malta. A small island with a population of less than half a million inhabitants is proud of its educational system and its coterie of intelligentsia.
Unfortunately, the best human efforts are often left unsung. Many Church missionaries, helped by lay persons, have set up camps in foreign lands. Selflessly, they work in primitive conditions to alleviate poverty, hunger and disease in distant habitats of poverty-stricken lands. In many cases, the natural trait of the Maltese people’s charitable character sustains their projects with financial contributions. They shine among indigenous people much to the praise of their compatriots and the Church in Malta.
The traditional friendliness and hospitality of the Maltese people make foreign visitors and residents feel welcome. It is another ingredient that contributes to the success of tourism in Malta. It is also an admired quality among Maltese emigrants in the receiving countries. Such intrinsic traits are assets that raise Malta’s prestige among foreigners.
The human aspect that gives pride and honour to Malta is reinforced by mundane matters. Bronze and marble statues are reminders of men who engraved their names in Malta’s history. The Mall, in Floriana, Upper Barrakka Gardens and town and village squares display the effigies of patriotic people. Their past achievements are perpetuated by written scrolls that describe their philanthropic work. The names of Malta’s sons remain fresh in our memories.
The eight-pointed Maltese cross and the George Cross are well recognised internationally. They are reminders of the two sieges, one that saved Christianity in 1565 and the other in the defeat of the Axis in World War II.
However, what sparkles most is the courage and the resilience of our predecessors who outlived the life-threatening experiences of heavy bombardments, stark starvation and the fear of imminent invasion. Those still alive carry medals of their courage: these are proudly pinned on lapels at every public ceremony.
Yes, Malta’s contributions in world matters must be drummed in young people’s minds never to be forgotten.
Modern young people have been inducted into the learning process since infancy. They have absorbed and retained knowledge that teachers and books provided. It is now time that the authorities change this receptive trend in Maltese students.
They can now put their learning and their knowledge into a means of honouring Malta.
Their intellectual funds may be turned creative: they will then burst the boundaries of insular isolation; they will also spread their original works not only in Europe but worldwide; not only in English but in other languages too.
Their publications may introduce and emphasise Malta’s assets, its spectacular environmental locations as the backgrounds in plots and contents of their poetry, novels, short stories, dramas and documentaries.
Their research in the National Library, in archives and libraries uncovers a mine of unique information. However, in every creative work, Malta must take pride of place; it must be the centre of attraction. Thus, the sound of Malta’s qualities – geographical, historical, economic and social – may echo across the seas, spreading awareness of its importance.
The Maltese may feel proud of revealing their sympathies for Europe and its attractions. However, the danger that Malta may be subjected to overpowering demands and unpalatable controls might replace the old colonialism in a new garb. Yet, ancestral patriotism that had victimised so many martyrs lies deep in Maltese hearts. Ardent nationalism still thrives in Maltese hearts. They prefer to be Maltese first rather than confirmed Europeans. The creative writings that laud Malta will be proof of this.
With so many virtuous qualities trumpeted to the four corners of the world, Malta will gain the recognition it deserves. The young generation of men and women who inherits the spirit and dedication of Mr Calleja may follow in emulation the numerous ventures that the bright future holds for them.
The Government should invest in the minds of the growing young generation and provide the financial means for making this possible. By setting up a national foundation, the authorities will nurture a breed of prospective young minds of exceptional intelligence or of a high intelligence quotient. Thus, they will ensure that, in the near future, Malta will hold its name high even among intellectually-advanced countries.
Like their forefathers, like their parents, like Mr Calleja, they will be proud to be Maltese.