The 21st edition of L-Istrina, the annual telethon to raise funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, will still take place on 26 December, despite the tense political climate, presenter Peppi Azzopardi told The Malta Independent.

Last year L-Istrina broke the previous year’s record by over a million, with funds amounting to €7,134,036.

The past two weeks have seen a number of civil society protests take place in Valletta, calling for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in the wake of developments related to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Many have called for peace and serenity during this time, and just Tuesday evening President George Vella addressed the situation on national television appealing for calm and respect and for Malta to go back to the road of normality.

With all going on, The Malta Independent spoke to Peppi Azzopardi and asked whether or not L-Istrina will take place this year. “Our message remains the same as previous years, to bring people together. Currently there is a lot of controversy happening right now, but I am convinced that L-Irstrina will bring people together to help one another,” explained Azzopardi.

He said that currently there are people whose attention is not on the political crisis, but are rather focusing on their loved ones who are suffering due to illness. “Their life is not focused on what is happening, but focused on the sickness they or their family are facing. Once a year we come together as a nation for these people, and help them.”