A commemorative plaque marking the birthplace of Manuel Dimech in St. John’s Street, Valletta, was unveiled today by the President of Malta. Dimech was born here on Christmas Day, 1860.

“We are not here to idealise Dimech,” said the President in his speech, “It would be wrong to do so or to romanticise him in an attempt to enhance his personality or make it more relevant.”

The simple plaque was unveiled where Dimech was born on Christmas Day of 1860.

“We must not associate Dimech with any particular political party,” said the President, “We have to recognise him beyond any partisan politics and beyond any particular ideology.”

The event was organised by SKS publishing house on the occasion of the official launching of the book Aphorisms: Wisdom of a philosopher in exile, edited by Mark Montebello and Francis Galea.