Frans Said’s letter on the above topic (The Sunday Times of Malta, February 2) must be the third or fourth appearing in Times of Malta alleging that World War I was not being ‘officially’ commemorated in Malta, and what a shame that is.

In fact, on January 17, I chaired a high-level and well-attended symposium, convened at the Central Bank of Malta in Valletta, which included an expert presentation about Malta’s more positive associations with World War I.

This was in connection with a €10 silver coin being issued by our Central Bank, in April, on the 100th anniversary of World War I.

The symposium also discussed, inter alia, the anniversaries of Independence (1964-2014) half a century ago and of Republic Day (1974-2014), in commemoration of which coins are similarly being minted. These will become available in September and in December respectively.

Although, strangely enough, it seems that no local newspaper deemed it relevant to carry a report about the event, it was covered by at least two national television stations during prime time.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil were both present for it. The proceedings, which I am editing, should become available within a few months.

Apart from the imposing monuments commemorating the war dead and the usual annual services, Radio Malta will also be broadcasting a series of programmes about Malta during World War I.