It is a well known fact that the Maltese never refuse to donate money, especially for charitable causes. The Maltese are, per capita, the biggest benefactors in the world. But this year’s L-Istrina was not much of a success on various fronts.

In 2004, although the organisers had set Lm1 million as the target, this was not reached. Lm815,000 was collected that year, which is certainly not a small amount for a country the size of ours, especially considering that most of it was raised in just 13 hours.

The target was extended to the 2005 appeal, and the figure was reached – mainly due to the auction of the 59 BMW luxury cars used for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Malta in November that year. The sale of the cars yielded Lm590,000 so the Lm1 million target was easily reached. In fact, last year, Lm1,292,849 was collected.

This year, however, no target was set and although, as far as charitable organisations are concerned, every cent counts, when compared to previous years, the Lm500,000 collected was very little.

It could be argued that people in Malta already have too many expenses, and with the rise in the cost of living, they prefer spending the little they have on their family instead of donating money to charity.

Apart from this annual money-raiser for the needy, political parties also have their fund-raising activities, with the Nationalist Party and the Malta Labour Party holding their own events just two weeks before L-Istrina. This means that the three main appeals for money in any year are concentrated in a very short period of time, and there is a limit as to how much anyone can give.

And there was another setback for the annual fundraising event this year: Where’s Everybody?, the organisers of the event for the past couple of years, did not offer to organise it again this year, so the Public Broadcasting Services issued a call for offers from people who wished to organise the event to come forward.

But the call did not receive a good response. Although not awarded the job, just a few weeks before the set date, Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and Eden Foundation came forward as the new organisers, having been urged to unite for the event. Both organisations are among the 16 bene-ficiaries of L-Istrina.

Year on year, the number of prizes handed out to people who donate money has increased. The Lm140,000 worth of prizes in 2003 increased to Lm230,000 in 2004 and increased again to more than Lm250,000 in 2005 and 2006.

The venue for this year moved from a tent outside the PBS building in Guardamangia to the massive new tent that houses the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. Although bigger, the space was not used wisely, and confusion reigned there. Helpers, wearing their black L-Istrina tops, were not coordinated, and security was lacking.

Although with a pre-arranged schedule, singers and bands were left waiting before they could make their appearance. One specific band was delayed by more than one-and-a-half hours.

The presenters were not bad, on the whole and it was positive that presenters from all the television stations got together for the event, putting aside all political partisanship.

Many people have come to the conclusion that a L-Istrina that is not organised by Where’s Everybody is not a L-Istrina at all and that if it is not organised by WE, not much money will be collected. WE is probably expecting such a remark but will still stay out of organising it next year.

This year’s event went ahead because of a last minute change of heart on the part of representatives from Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and the Eden Foundation.

Will this be the last L-Istrina? Will the idea be abolished? Or will more organisations pitch in earlier in order to put on a well-organised show?

We will wait and see.