Front Harsien ODZ posted on Facebook, a series of the latest souvenirs of Malta. They are quitecynical and include a crane, a cement mixer, a digger and a dead tree branch. Besides, there is also a range of T-shirts of the type “I went to Malta and all I got..”. Amongst this collection we have “I went to Malta and all I got was depressed” and other equally bleak comments. We can also look forward to the ones coming up on shooting of birds. Comments on the post include “tough”, “so apt”, “very sad” and “how true”.
Quite often, journalists and opinionists, or also ordinary commentators on Facebook or beneath an article, are told that they are boring and are failing to see or appreciate the good life we have here in Malta. That may be true but the reality around us often leaves no choice but to have to dwell on subjects and views that are not that funny or positive. In order to feel balanced, any person would be inclined to look on the bright side and find the good in everyone and anything. This new series of Maltese souvenirs is probably trying to do just that and put a humourous spin on what is really quite tragic and sad, as noted by the comments.
The fact is that we cannot remain silent just to be popular or not get under the skin of those who see nothing wrong in allowing ruin to stand freely around us. Another new Facebook group is called “This is why” and it posts many beautiful photographic and unusual scenes and natural beauty of Malta and Gozo. Indeed, we are reminded of the love we have for our country in the midst of all the cranes and cement mixers and cars and noise and shooting of flamingos.
So the reality is that a lovely picture on “This is Why” will show us the beautiful flamingos at Ghadira Bay and in the sky and another will show us the dead young flamingo covered in blood, shot down by possibly the same type of people who throw eggs at a woman and find it empowering or even funny.
In the meantime we are to censor our opinions and make them more palatable, more endorsing of the achievements around us. Similarly, MEPs David Casa and Roberta Metsola received endless criticism, some really vulgar and aggressive, even threats, because they were doing their job to fight corruption and to defend Malta and the Maltese from those who would make it their own and in their own impression, regardless of the consequences this would have on the whole nation.
But the important thing for those who choose the way of the Emperor, is that we stay silent if we cannot say anything good. Imagine the headache Daphne Caruana Galizia gave them, when she delivered the heavy goods on a daily basis. Daphne had her unique style with the wit and humour she brought to the most mundane observations. The fact is that many are still grieving the loss of her talent and the person she was. Her killing was a mark on our country’s history and cannot be undone and still has us under a pall.
Unfortunately, yes, things can be quite depressing around us. We don’t take pleasure in it. We are ourselves becoming more concerned, more sensitive and more inclined to have our spirit touched by events and images around us, in a way that we find ourselves expressing sad emotions. We try to create a better way of life and to offer a good future to our children and grand-children and so, mostly we teach them to love, to be kind and to be free and show them what it could be like to live in a good and healthy environment. Others teach them to be consumers from a very young age and to have little idea of what exists outside their mobile phones and I-pads.
Yes, I do love Malta and most often it is those who love it most and live and work here who are most grieved by the destruction of the trees, the natural spaces, the pollution and the senseless killing of birds. We are struck by the way women are poorly treated and our national flag is used as a banner. We are moved to speak out and to protest and to be as boring as Geremiah who was thrown into a well to be silenced because people had tired of his morose and accusatory prophecies.
Certain court verdicts are also resulting in a betrayal of justice and inflict a deep wound on the soul of the nation. Families remain without justice and their suffering is made worse whilst the spirit is demoralized at such an injustice and no civilized country should act in this way.
It is summer, it is just past Santa Maria, the regional road works have been completed and we can zoom home in 10 minutes. Buses are quiet. The Gozo Ferry did an amazing job and cleared the queues in Cirkewwa and Mgarr in good time. The fireworks were brilliant, the parties were plenty and the food was everywhere. Children enjoyed the sea and the holidays. People travelled on holiday to Europe and beyond enjoying their Schengen travel and Ryanair destinations. The government was generally Missing In Action, except for some under the radar PA permit or fish farm expansion near Comino and Gozo and handing out themselves increases in their salary. Joseph Muscat is still with us and Owen Bonnici is still painting by numbers. Ian Borg is filling in the blanks and the construction takes a bit of a summer break, here and there.
So, let us be happy and let us sing and cheer and look forward to a leafy Autumn and easy Winter, driving to work in our car and coming home to our 2-bedroomed flat. Christmas is just round the corner and we all know that family and friends is the best possible booster for the morale.
Maybe, you never know, there will be a new collection of souvenirs which says “I did not go to Malta and all I got was a good holiday”. Or a new political party with the kind of name that the boys had went they went on birthday pub crawls back when you didn’t have to spend a whole weekend in a luxury resort in order to celebrate.
Otherwise, those who get offended by critical opinions, get The Beano.