The Nationalist Party this evening celebrated the life of Eddie Fenech Adami through the launching of a 1,000 page publication featuring a collection of contributions on his long political life.
Called Inservi, the book has been published by PIN, the publishing arm of the Nationalist Party. It was authored by Michael Schiavone and Leonard Callus.
The party also went several years back in time when its guests gave a standing ovation and many shouted 'Eddie Eddie' as its former leader returned to the podium which he occupied for many years.
Dr Fenech Adami said that after having heard so many people praising him, his conclusion was that he had been lucky - lucky to have had the opportunity to serve the people.
"But I am only a product of the Maltese identity," Dr Fenech Adami said to applause. "Like me, there are many others, indeed, the majority of the people, who are proud to be Maltese, who live away from the limelight and identify themselves with the values that make us Maltese."
Dr Fenech Adami said he wished to thank all those who had worked with him and those who had forged the Maltese identity in the past, an identity based on values such as the family and the truth.
He urged all to remain true to their Maltese identity based on the values on which that identity had been built.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this publication was not just a homage to Dr Fenech Adami but also to the country.
The title of the book was a powerful message of what political life really was. It was also a word which distinguished the Nationalist Party and enabled it to achieve much for the country, because it viewed power as an instrument to serve.
Dr Gonzi also underlined the values which guided the party, including the common good, the family, and respect for the dignity of all persons, whoever they were, even if they came on cruise ships or dinghies. Just as important were the values of truth and that value which was the running thread of Dr Fenech Adami's political life - fiducja - confidence that the people on the basis of their values, would make the right choices for their future, Dr Gonzi said.
Among those who paid tribute to Dr Fenech Adami was former Italian Prime Minister and EU Commission President Romano Prodi, through a video interview.