How often do we hear the expressions – “... because we Maltese”, “... because in Malta”, “these things happen only in Malta”?! And theses solemn declarations are very often made to the approval of those taking part in the conversation.

But, you may ask, “what are these things that happen only in Malta?” Sit down, close your eyes and try to imagine anything evil, anything negative and anything horrible. Anything, as long as it comes from the devil himself: a lost file or a cockroach in hospital, illegal dumping and littering, corruption and discrimination, escape from detention camps, prisons, abandoned historical buildings, collapsing buildings, vandalism, cruelty to animals and indiscriminate hunting, long waiting lists in hospital and at the law courts … the list is simply endless. But if you think that these things happen only in Malta it means that you neither watch any television nor do you read any foreign newspapers.

Try to watch the news on any Italian television station; watch Studioaperto or Striscia la Notizia or Piazza Grande … try to read some English dailies and you’ll soon regret that you had ever imagined “that these things happen only, in Malta”. These things happen all over the world. And how! In fact I should say that there are, yes, things that happen mostly, not only, in Malta, but these are certainly on the positive side of life – for example our generosity, our friendliness and our willingness to help anyone whatever their problem, our ability to communicate with foreigners whatever their nationality and very often going out of our way to help them, our still very strong family ties, the sometimes exaggerated care we take of our children… No, I am not ashamed of being Maltese. On the contrary I feel flattered.

I have just received a copy of the electoral manifest of the new party Azzjoni Nazzjonali. It is written in English! How funny … how very funny!

Giov. DeMartino,

Mosta