It’s funny how the speakers of the English Language have, at some mysterious point in history, “decided” to label the day coming straight after Christmas as Boxing day.

The word “Boxing” reminds me and probably a lot of other people of the physical sports where two people do their utmost to hurt one another, sparing no punches in the process.

Boxing day has nothing to do with that, but it has all the more to do with the direct opposite.  It is about giving, of showing care, love and affection to those most vulnerable and in need.

In Malta, Boxing day has evolved over the last two generations plus into a feast of solidarity.  Credit has to be given to the various Presidents who over time have turned the national telethon into a very rewarding experience for the whole of the country.

I remember a time when people were urged to donate in order to be able to win this or that prize.  That eventually was – and thankfully – dropped and yet the donations kept coming in.  It was clear that people were donating not in order to participate into some form of lottery but because they genuinely want to help the cause.

The people at large trust the Community Chest Fund and want to support it in the fantastic work that it does, year in year out, with the sick and vulnerable members of our society.

President George Vella and his wife Mrs Miriam Vella took charge of the Community Chest Fund during the last years which were marked by the challenges derived from the pandemic COVID-19.  Despite the difficulties which this cruel malady brought upon us all, it has to be remarked that President Vella and his wife soldiered on in the most admirable of ways, showing everyone that through sheer hard work, humility and a positive approach results can be achieved for the benefit of all.

In all, a total of €5,845,000 million was collected during the 12-hour marathon, which is more than the amount collected in 2020. It was clear from the word go that the people at large felt the need to provide their share of help and assistance to those in need and they did that in droves. 

I thank all the hardworking staff at the Office of the President, at the Community Chest Fund and the volunteers who dedicated their time and talents to make everything possible.

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I personally look forward to the festive period when the political arena takes a step backwards and the political boxing gloves are put to rest for a few days.

It has been a very busy year for our Ministry, and a lot of things have been done.  Cannabis reform will probably go down in history as the one which drew most focus and debate, but there were other important developments too.

I am very proud at the way the research sector is slowly but surely gaining more traction, priority and importance, as are our efforts to attract more young people to take STEM subjects and embark on a future career in the field of science and innovation.

I also believe that our message towards more equality in our island is gaining ground.  We are winning minds and hearts alike in our quest to make sure that independently of how one looks or whom one is in love with, independently of one’s religion or non-religion, each person is provided with the best possibility to take the best shot at making one’s life – the only life we have – an outstanding success.

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The year 2022 will be an election year.  People will be asked to go to the polls and choose whom they want to lead them for the next 5 years.

It is not the time to draw political points on the subject. What I want to say at this stage is that I honestly wish that the upcoming election provides an opportunity to the electorate to purge the political class from members who have decided to make it their mission to score political points through personal attacks, the throwing of mud and venom as opposed to healthy argumentation, exchange of ideas and persuasion.

We need to keep attracting the best and the brightest to provide their contribution towards the country through the political method.  Of course, politics is a rough and tough business, but I think we owe it to our electorate to keep rough and tough as needed but also decent at the same time.

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I took the opportunity of spending some lovely time watching, with my family, some of the latest movies in the amazing world of Netflix.  

Some time ago, I had also made a mental note to watch the new episodes of “Money Heist” and I absolutely have no regrets for doing that. 

This European series, based in Spain, is doing so well and I am happy to see such fantastic productions making it on the international sphere.  I was very keen to see how a post-Nairobi plus post-Tokyo scenario would work out and I am sure that even without those two characters, most viewers would agree that the story line was as robust and as exciting as ever.

The Professor is the crux of the whole show and it the way his background is peeled little by little is nothing short of extraordinary.  The flashbacks, although disrupting the flow of the present-day action at times, help to provide a very interesting context.  I found it really amusing that, as the story unfolds, the crafty fox of a Professor managed to switch onto his side not one, but two top-notch Inspectors (both female) who were investigating him and twice over came this close to bring him to justice.  Power of persuasion anyone?

It is all, in reality, an expression of a calculated rage against the machine, the collective showing of the proverbial middle digit to the establishment.  

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I truly wish a happy new year to the Editor, the staff at the Malta Independent and more importantly the readers who make everything happen.

May the new year 2022 bring joy, hope and happiness to all!