In Gozo, where I grew up and still live it is very common that when somebody wishes to exhibit awe he or she will not say 'Oh Gosh !!!!' or something similar, but he or she reacts automatically by a high pitched 'ILLISTRINA !!!!'. I absolutely have no idea from where this method of exclamation has originated, all I know is that I use it  frequently.  It is also what I say each year when I hear the final sum of the  money collected in the annual event of 'L-Istrina' that is organized by the office of the President with the collaboration of Malta's TV stations and a massive number  of volunteers.

I am very privileged that for the last 4 years I have been part of the core team that organizes this event. So my ramblings about this event are from an 'insider', but they are also from the perspective of a doctor who sees over the year the fruit of the money so generously donated by the Maltese.

'L-Istrina' has developed a certain magic around it. It is now impossible to think of Christmas time in Malta without consciously or subconsciously including 'L-Istrina'.  When Peppi Azzopardi started this event 18 years ago I am sure that he did not imagine that it will become such an integral part of the Maltese life and that so many in need  will end up  benefiting  from it.

But in my opinion the benefit s of l-Istrina to Maltese society are beyond the financial and its direct use, since it also provides good nutrition for the health of the psyche of Malta as a nation.

We live on two small rocks in the middle of the Mediterranean sea and we do not count more than half a million. But despite this, the number of issues we find to divide us is amazing. The PN and PL division is obvious, and in a way a part of it is necessary for the life of the democracy. But then our villages divide themselves further on football teams, bands, saints, different versions of the same saint etc etc. But deep down what we have in common is much more than what divides us, and as a nation we definitely need events and occasions to let what we have in common come to the fore and we act on it. I am sure that we do not only deep down wish this, but we actually enjoy it. And ' l -Istrina' has become the main national event that is making this possible.

The unity and joy that there was at last Fun Run, that  initiated this year's 'L-Istrina'  is evidence of this.

So I invite all Maltese to happily accept President George's Abela invitation to again participate actively in this year's edition. Obviously donations are more than welcome, and let's hopefully collect an enormous sum of money, because the larger the sum the larger the material benefits for those in need.  But, in my humble opinion, more importantly, let's the coming 26 December we all join forces as one big extended family, which in reality is what the 'Poplu Malti' really is. And like all proper family events, let's this spirit remain with us much more beyond than  that day.  

And an enormous Happy Christmas to you all.