The Scottish independence referendum has predictably caused a major ruffling of the nationalistic nest spread out all over Europe. People, who have never felt comfortable within old unions and other disconcerting set-ups created and imposed inside the palaces of power centuries ago, are now clamouring for the right to go it alone. The Catalans, the Basques, the northerners of Italy, and even the Welsh - "Westminster isn't working for Wales" - have burst on the scene asking questions, making statements and generally revamping long-standing desires.

Is it a worrying time for those who prefer the status quo in a world that is in enough turmoil as it is? It is a valid question, but one that goes beyond the mere notion of stability. The Scots may have voted against leaving the UK, but is there really anyone who believes the issue is now closed and mothballed forever? Not bloody likely.

As we have seen in the immediate post-referendum debate, Scottish independence will continue to be a thorn in the UK's rusting rearguard. Only last week, Scotland's ex-First Minister, Alex Salmond, was lambasted by the leader of the successful "Better Together" campaign, Alistair Darling, a Westminster compromise if there ever was one. He was told: "You lost the argument, you lost the referendum, you have lost office and now you have lost the plot." And why? Because Salmond insisted recently there are a whole range of ways Scotland can improve its position in pursuit of its independence, adding: "I think that's going to happen. I mean when you have a situation where the majority of a country up to the age of 55 is already voting for independence, then I think the writing is on the wall for Westminster".

But Salmond caused tremors when he elaborated further in this way: "You establish a parliament, you establish successively more powers until you have a situation where you're independent in all but name and, presumably, you declare yourself to be independent. Many countries have proceeded through that route." He would have attracted less flak had he said they'll just appoint their own queen.

Is it not true that not a single ex-colony won its independence without pain, suffering and tears, and, in many cases, bloodshed? No new nation was ever created and presented on a silver platter, except, of course, those that were ideologically ideal to be used as pawns against old enemies and rivals, such as the Soviet Union and Tito's Yugoslavia, and the artificial creation of Israel after the horrendous events of WWII, a reality one accepts today.

We've also been celebrating Malta's 50th anniversary as an independent nation. Half a century ago, independence was also a tough, polarising issue among us. When Mintoff first mentioned independence, after the mid-1950s integration referendum's yes result was bluntly shelved by the British rulers, most of those who later claimed to have achieved independence for these islands had gone to hide away, cowering in a cosy corner with the bishops.

End of story. Today we rightly choose to celebrate the occasion together, though many would be interested to know what budgets have been allocated - and how fairly proportioned they have been - in connection with Freedom Day (last 31 March), and will be in connection with Republic Day (this 13 December). But whatever our personal views and the histories involved, it is always good to see our politicians preferring to forget the divisive past in the hope of forging a united future.

Then up comes Simon Busuttil, who as Opposition leader had just been rubbing shoulders with the Prime Minister at almost every official function, a scene we had hardly ever seen in the recent past, and lobs a political grenade into the whole snug scene. While still mouthing the need for national unity, he comes out insisting that Malta's national day should be one and only - 21 September. Slightly less than half the population no doubt agrees. The other, slightly bigger half is rightly taken aback. Weren't we supposed to discuss the issue at a high, academic level by way of finally reaching a decision on the way forward?

The way things stand, I can see only one compromise, whatever the legal and academic brains churn out - two national days, 21 September and 13 December and both celebrated together. Two out of the current crazy five is not bad. After all, we supposedly have two languages, two major islands, two major parties, two band clubs in almost every town and village, two soccer rivalries and, at least at this moment in time, two parliamentary venues both out of synch with their surroundings. Let's have tea for two on that.

 

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21st century realities

Many Maltese are understandably concerned about the issue of immigration, but this does not stop them from offering help and lauding the excellent service being provided by our armed forces and voluntary organisations.

The influx of people from other cultures and traditions is always a matter of much debate as many start feeling threatened by change. Much bigger and wealthier nations, like the French, the Italians, the Germans and the British, have seen their societies change drastically during the past 60/70 years. It is, really the price they have been paying for past imperial and colonial feats of conquest. But such 21st century realities are also facing smaller nations such as ours. We know, for example, that our educational authorities face a major challenge in tackling the problem of diversity in our schools. It has been good to see the minister making sure both the school authorities and teaching staff are contributing positively to create the right setting for a multi-cultural school population, as has already occurred in some parts of the island.

For many people, here and elsewhere, it is not an easy situation to fathom. An Italian mother, Eleonora Baccaro, has written to her city's mayor claiming her son is the only Italian out of all the 66 children at his nursery school. She added that integration has been reversed, with Italian children scarce among a large group of foreigners.

"To me," she wrote, "having a school with 65 foreign children and only one Italian seems like an educational and teaching mistake." It is not an odd occurrence. In many places all over Britain, France and Germany, schools have ended up exactly like that, so they now have State schools where the typical "native" schoolboy or schoolgirl is vastly outnumbered. It is a headache that is fast turning into a cerebral predicament.

Baccaro is very concerned about what's happening at Quadrifoglio pre-school in the city's Arcella area, which takes children aged three to six.  She said the ratio is so disproportionate. "We can't even talk about integration. Unless it's integration in reverse, with Italian children being among a large group of foreigners."

Baccaro made it clear she is not a racist and her concerns are not based on "intolerance towards those who come from afar", explaining that the question she poses is only from a cultural and pedagogical standpoint. "With so many children from a different cultural background, and having a different religion to ours, how can you arrange, for example, any kind of Christmas play inspired by our Catholic faith? This is not good."

You listen to such talk everyday in Malta, on radio and TV, you read it on Facebook, newspapers and blogs. 21st century realities. It is a comforting feeling to know our education authorities are not burying the issue until it is too late to do something about it.