"Truly Mediterranean", as Air Malta describes Malta in one of its latest advertisements abroad, may have more than one meaning, particularly to the locals. To many, the country may have already lost a great deal of its Mediterranean character over the past years, particularly following the building boom that has disfigured for ever so many idyllic parts of the island, including long stretches of the shoreline.

Life and lifestyles have changed too; children, for instance, no longer play in the streets as they used to in days gone by. Excessive homework and the parents' dreams of seeing their children reach the pinnacle of their chosen professions have robbed many of their childhood. There are many other facets of life that have changed, not necessarily for the good, though all brought about in the name of progress. Indeed, some, like the taking of drugs, are doing untold harm to the growing generation. But there are still many positive aspects of life that we enjoy and that stand out, the first of which is the sense of personal security we feel when we are out in the streets. Solidarity is a strong characteristic. Life in Malta is slower than in so many other countries. Northerners classify us as laid back, but is not our relatively slow pace of life part of the equation that makes us Mediterranean? Some may well argue that even this is changing, but if it is, it is hardly perceptible.

Then there is a long list of negative features that mark us out as truly Maltese-Mediterranean; the infernal noise, from dawn to dusk (and in some particular places, to dawn again!); the seemingly never-ending ear-splitting sound of jackhammers everywhere, and the ghastly clatter of gas cylinders first thing in the morning; the dust - white or black, depending on where one lives - that never seems to go away; the rubbish we throw out into the streets and in the little countryside left; the blasphemy and rude manners that many think make them macho; the widespread indiscipline; and the generally bad behaviour displayed whenever Maltese people congregate, in Malta or abroad. These and so many other shortcomings and irritants are certainly not matters to be proud of, and were hardly what Air Malta must have had in mind when it ran the holiday advert in the British newspapers these past few days.

But, then, parts of the island still remain picturesque, with some places, like Marsaxlokk, being more so than others. A national festive air is greatly evident in summer as very elaborate and costly fireworks light up the sky in one village after another every weekend in celebration of their feasts.

Thousands spend the evening strolling on promenades in the evening. Life is hardly ever dull. Take these Past few days, for example: as an iguana escapes from its pen in Qawra, and then returns, we are told that several rare species of birds were seen breeding for the first time in a long while. Two pairs of Common Kestrel have bred for the first time in 15 years. And Maltese Bambinella pears are selling well at Marks and Spencer stores in Britain, very good news for the growers.

So, yes, despite the jungle of concrete we have built in so many places and the long, very long, list of shortcomings we have, all is not lost yet! As to whether or not we are truly Mediterranean, the matter is open to debate.