Europeans, But wholeheartedly Maltese

Malta Independent Sunday, 2 October 2005, 00:00 Last update: about 12 years ago

It comes from the bottom of their hearts, like a reaction against any kind of suppression. No, they are not Arabs. Europeans, maybe. But the deep feeling of being Maltese illuminates everything.

They do not like to be classified, although European holidaymakers have made it one of their favourite sports trying to put a stamp on the forehead of around 400,000 islanders. Since the beginning of May 2004 it seems that workers from England, housewives from Germany and students from Sweden would love to figure out whether the Maltese are already acting European or not. It should not be forgotten that trying to define themselves as Europeans overtaxes most foreign visitors. There is obviously just one fitting answer to the question “What is a typical European?” Typical European is in fact a great variety.

This variety can be found and seen in every corner of Malta. Just like the neighbouring island of Sicily to the north, it radiates fascination and a zest for life. A touch of Middle Eastern business activities probably comes from the south, from the opposite North Africa. And of course, the Brits have left an indelible impression of the British way of life: One drives on the left side like in the United Kingdom, but with the hand on the horn like in Italy, takes siesta like in Arabia and Spain and loves the sea like all the conquerors who for millenniums have shown a preference for strategically important rocky islands.

It is clear that some Maltese habits astonish foreign visitors. Not everyone can manage to adapt himself and realise that “being on time” is a synonym for being 45 minutes late and to notice that time-tables for buses are even missing at the bus terminus in Valletta. Compared with these facts, the almost daily fireworks cause a smile. They give other Europeans the feeling of experiencing new year’s day every day again. That Malta has more churches than supermarkets is not of great importance.

For all that nice mixture Malta radiates an admirable independence. An independence which not only express itself through the own language, but since 1964 through its independence of the republic and which first of all the women from Bugibba, the men from Mgarr and children from Sliema want to keep. Too painful the numerous suppressions of the past centuries and too big the worry of being swallowed by the giant Europe and the lashes from powerful tamers of the European Union (EU) circus who could take advantage of the island for their own purposes.

Like the yes for joining the EU should just be rated as a yes for an interchange with Europe instead of as a yes for a change in their own way of life. In comparison to its European neighbours Malta might be a dwarf, but it appears with such a proud swollen chest that even stop the putative giants. But this dwarf does not want to defeat the giant like David did Goliath, according to the Bible, it just expects that its voice will be heard and not be abused or smiled at in the huge round of the EU.

There is no doubt that everyone is invited to become Maltese while spending time on this lovely spot in the Mediterranean Sea, but European holiday-makers should accept the Maltese they may meet are in no way like the Maltese as the foreigners perceive them. There is no guarantee that they will get a satisfactory answer on whether the Maltese are typical European or not. And this for a simple reason: There is no

need trying to classify them. They are Maltese, in every

kind of way. Have a hobza biz-zejt!

Author: Felix Seidel, 23, studied journalism at the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen, Germany. From February to June 2005 he was in Malta as a Socrates student doing a semester in communications at the University of Malta. In Germany he works freelance for different newspapers, on-line magazines and radio stations.