The Valletta market, known in Maltese as Is-Suq tal-Belt, was reopened on January 3 after great and many changes.This is the third restoration of this structure, which originally dates back to the British rule in Malta and was the first to be made of steel.

The second opening took place a few years ago after it was modernised and modified.

The event reminded me that, in the mind of Augustine, the market is a source of life. The network of the streets of Bone, today Annaba, joined the fields of corn and oil centres from Tebessa. They were about 150 kilometres from Annaba and from other villages. The market was enriched with fruit, vegetables, fish, woven drapery, tools, gold and silver works, among other things.

To have an idea of what was going on, Augustine at times used to visit the market, located near his basilica, amid the shouting of the salesmen and the parishioners. He used to hear the lamentations of the buyers and in his sermons used to admonish against dishonest earnings. He also insisted on charity when both buying and selling.