The latest events in Israel and Lebanon, coupled with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the bloodbath in Gaza, are of a serious threat to world order.
Israel eliminated the Hezbollah leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Ismail Haniyeh. The situation in Lebanon is of serious concern. Thousands of Lebanese families have fled their homes seeking refuge in newly set up centers that are running beyond capacity and are turning people back. Others are trying to cross into Syria, itself a war-ravaged country.
Iran, a long-time ally of Hezbollah, retaliated by firing scores of missiles into Jerusalem, most of which were intercepted. Israel vowed to hit back with Iran countering that it will not hesitate to attack Israel again. Millions of Iranians are concerned about their present and future. They are afraid that the situation might escalate into a full-blown war but there is little that they can do. The regime watches closely and does not tolerate dissent.
The United States of America, a few days away from a very important presidential election, whilst backing Israel in the face of adversity from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Iran, stated that it would not back Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear sites. As I write, the situation is anything but clear. Retaliation by Israel on Iran is a given, what that will entail is yet unknown.
In a rare public address, last week, Khamenei called for the belt of Muslim unity to be tightened. His call is expected to reignite the flames of extremism in the middle east, which will almost certainly have a direct effect on the western world.
In Gaza, the situation is getting worse by the day as the death toll rises with homes, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble.
If this situation persists, and all the indications are that it will, troubling times are ahead. Civilians are currently bearing the brunt with hundreds losing their lives and thousands of others displaced whilst stock markets, oil producing Gulf Arab states, and the world economy at large, watch nervously.
Notte Bianca
On a positive note, our capital city, Valletta, dazzled last Saturday as Notte Bianca, a vibrant festival full of colours, activities and art took centre stage.
There were 50 events involving over 250 artists. Local and international talent met to give new life to Valletta through an excellent expression of creativity.
It was a pleasure to meet and speak to so many families that flocked to Valletta in their thousands. They enjoyed the activities that took place all around the capital city and visited the majestic palazzos that adorn Valletta.
Notte Bianca highlights the beauty of our capital city, serves as an excellent platform for our local artists to demonstrate their skills and generates a robust commercial activity to the benefit of the enterprising commercial community that set up shop in Valletta.
A special thanks to Festivals Malta and all the organisers involved in the organisation of this mammoth task. It was a remarkable success.
URNA
Last Monday, I addressed a press conference in anticipation of the Malta Pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2025.
URNA is one of the most innovative art projects that I have ever inaugurated. The focus is on cremation. The young team behind it reflects the fact that younger generations are moving beyond tradition and are looking at cremation as a way that allows them the freedom to celebrate the life of the deceased in more personal ways.
The project proposes that after death, each body becomes part of one large and communal URNA. This overturn established methods of body disposition (primarily burial). The pavilion will include a visual and written research publication alongside a film that speculates on the possible future of ritual around the URNA.
The team made up of architects and designers Andrew Borg Wirth, Anthony Bonnici, Matthew Attard Navarro, Tanil Raif, Stephanie Sant, Anne Immelé, Thomas Mifsud, supported by the main sponsor Halmann Vella Ltd, uses a newly reconstituted stone material that uses limestone powder. In this way, the team is combining contemporary technological advancement from Malta, with urgent political and cultural themes.
Arts Council Malta, under the auspices of the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, has been entrusted to act as the Commissioner and the Contracting Authority of Malta's participation at the London Design Biennale in 2025.
True friends
It was my pleasure to accompany the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, during a four-day visit to mark the 60th anniversary of Malta's independence, to various historical locations around the island, some which reflected Malta's and the UK's long history and intimate relationship. It was a proud moment for me as a Maltese citizen, and as Minister responsible for national heritage, culture and local government, to show the Royal couple around key locations in which the government invested or shall be investing heavily.
We visited the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, where their Royal Highnesses met members from Armed Forces personnel and of the Maltese-UK Veterans' Association; the National Library to view artefacts which included a letter signed by Queen Elizabeth II inaugurating the first parliament in 1964; and Villa Guardamangia where, as Princess Elizabeth, the late Queen lived with the late Prince Philip between 1949 and 1951.
Even though we gained Independence from the United Kingdom 60 years ago, our nations, and their peoples remained close friends. That was made abundantly clear in the warm reception given to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh during their short stay in Malta.
A preferred destination
According to Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury travel magazine, Malta ranked fifth preferred European island amongst its readers - Crete, Sardinia, Sicily, Portugal's Azores and Malta in that preferred order.
This is a significant achievement for Malta, having managed to surpass world famous travel destinations such as the Canary Islands and the Greek island of Mykonos.
And it's not just sand and sea that we have to offer, though they are certainly an asset sought by many a tourist. Our rich cultural heritage, a vibrant arts scene, the Maltese village festa now inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and welcoming hospitality have made Malta a captivating island destination.
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards is regarded as one of the most respected accolades in the travel industry. Millions of readers worldwide vote to choose their preferred travel destinations.
Budget 2025
In preparation for my budget 2025 speech, we asked the various entities and agencies that are under the remit of my Ministry, National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, to compile reports about their activities in 2024 and their plans for 2025.
Although I have a hands-on-approach and am in constant touch with these agencies and entities, I was impressed by the work done and their ambitious plans for the new year.
Hundreds of men and women, from different background, of different skills, expertise and knowledge work, often silently, to achieve what at times could be considered as the impossible.
Their enthusiasm, commitment to their job and hard work, have enriched Malta's art and culture sectors, creating excellent opportunities for our local artists.
Within the local government sector, the initiatives that are happening daily, the renovation of key areas in our towns and villages, the restoration of Malta's unique fortifications, and the policies that are translated into concrete and tangible actions are making a positive impact of peoples' wellbeing. I am truly indebted to everyone within my Ministry. I salute their commitment to make peoples' lives better.