Those of us who are keen to learn more about our island’s past and contemporary history, on reflection, cannot but feel amazed and superbly proud of the intellectual and other achievements of a number of our compatriots throughout virtually all the periods of Malta’s development.
The fact that the Maltese population is hardly equal to that of a minor European town is truly significant and highly praiseworthy, as we have always managed to produce individuals of a special intellectual calibre who were on an equal footing with their peers in the equivalent field of human activity anywhere.
Without appearing disrespectful, or wanting to detract from the merits of equally worthy members for not being included, mentioned below are some of our recognised stalwarts in widely different professions.
The list should constitute sufficient proof and corroboration of our nation’s most solid contribution to the advancement of knowledge and professionalism in general benefiting humanity and in some instances easing the pain of the ever-present sufferers.
Among those deserving pride of place, mention should be made of the incisive and ultra-refined intellects engaged in the legal profession like the late Sir Anthony Mamo, Professor Caruana Galizia as well as Chief Justice Emeritus Prof. J.J. Cremona.
The medical profession too has contributed more than its fair share to the most noble of human activities through the efforts of internationally recognised and renowned specialists in their respective discipline like ophthalmic surgeon Sir Luigi Preziosi, surgeon professors P.P. and Joseph Debono, lateral thinking originator and author bearing the latter’s namesake, ophthalmic consultant Dr Censu Tabone, professor of chemistry, medical doctor and researcher Sir Temi Zammit, and the present renowned cardiac surgeon duo Fenech and Manche.
We have certainly neither lagged behind in the sphere of outstanding literature production and philosophical thinking and expression.
In this respect our standard bearers holding high the national flag are unquestionably headed by our unique national poet Dun Karm Psaila accompanied by others of high calibre like professor Joseph Aquilina, Dr Ruzar Briffa, the late lamented professor and all-rounder Peter Serracino Inglott and numerous other budding and highly promising personalities.
Also, our contribution to the artistic world has truly been most remarkable.
First and foremost in our historical past is the locally-adopted painting genius Mattia Preti followed much later by Joseph Cali, Michele Bellanti, the Apap brothers, E.V. Cremona and the superb sculptor Antonio Sciortino, highly revered and honoured wherever he left his works outside his island home.
The deceased sculptor Anton Agius from Rabat IS the latest one to grace the list.
In a completely different but also highly important field of activity, truly capable businessmen and speculators the likes of Gasan, Albert Mizzi, Alfred Pisani of the world-wide Corinthia Group, the Farsons conglomerate of companies and others have spread their effective and beneficial business activities not only locally but also overseas, facing cut-throat competition in hugely bigger territories.
On the architectural and civil engineering front, our renowned architects and builders start making an appearance long after the unique and incomparable buildings of Hagar Qim and Ggantija. Recent achievements date mainly from the Baroque period via superior architects and builders like Melchior Gafa, Cassar and others.
We are currently following the contemporary path with talented architects like Richard England and a host of young, highly promising practitioners who are producing architecture worthy of the name and its function.
It is worthy of note that, with the exception of just a few that can be counted on one hand, Malta has been the least impressive in the political sphere.
We hope that our contributions to progress serve as yardsticks and incentives to the rising generation worthy of emulation to make us feel prouder still of our small island’s disproportionate contribution to human advancement.
Edwin Calleja
BALZAN