It is now time to discuss and solve this issue. No other country has all these so-called national holidays, so let us be mature enough to have a national day that brings unity to this country.

There is no doubt that 21st September is a very special day for us all.

For the first time we saw the Maltese flag in all government offices and other prominent buildings proclaiming our sovereignty.

Jum il Helsien for me was a dream that Mintoff wanted us to believe, that we were still a British colony. In my humble opinion this was just a show of force, which was very common in the days when Mintoff was in power. The British left our islands, but most of us, under Mintoff’s regime, were still not free to express our views, in other words we did not have helsien (freedom).

Republic Day was another Mintoffian ploy to scrap Independence Day that is costing our country thousands of euros,

Sette Gunio – 7th June is still a mystery as to what really happened on that day, and why those people were shot.

So, why not make 8th September our national day, and be truly united.

Both political parties can celebrate their independence, republic etc, but not as public holidays.

Maybe at last this tiny island will be like other major countries that have one national day celebrated by all their citizens.

Joseph Gaffarena

SANTA LUCIA