President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono said that the 50th anniversary of Malta becoming a Republic, which was celebrated Friday evening, should allow the country to reflect on the now and prepare for the future.

Malta celebrated the 50th anniversary of becoming a Republic on Friday, with an audiovisual spectacle in St George's Square titled "Our Story" (L-Istorja Ahna).

The façade of the President's Palace served as a modern canvas narrating the history of the nation, culminating in the commemoration of the Republic's establishment on 13 December, 1974.

On the occasion, speeches were delivered by the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, Prime Minister Robert Abela, and Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici.

Spiteri Debono referred to this year's theme, which includes all people and the history they are ready to write for Malta's future.

"The 50th anniversary should serve as an opportunity to honour those who came before us and the sacrifices they made to bring us to where we are today. It should also allow us to reflect on where we stand now and what we are prepared to do for those who come after us," she said.

The President said that social and international challenges are ever-present, and it is up to the people to find appropriate ways to address them.

She referred to material deprivation, social exclusion, the environment, development, air pollution, the effects of the pandemic, and population growth as relevant and pressing concerns, particularly for the younger generations.

Spiteri Debono continued to emphasize that we must wisely turn challenges into opportunities to use our resources, and leave our mark on an international level.

"However, as we demonstrated in the past, through dialogue and collective effort, we can overcome these obstacles," she said.

Spiteri Debono concluded her speech by urging everyone to pledge to continue the journey of Malta for the benefit of our children and grandchildren. "Each one of us must raise and uphold the name of our Malta," she said.

Abela emphasized that the country is celebrating its foundation, a foundation on which it will build a bright future for its people.

He paid tribute to all those who worked tirelessly to achieve Malta's sovereignty. Abela described the Republic as a significant achievement by the Maltese people, shaping the country's identity with strong family values.

"No people can forget where they came from. A sense of identity must also reach the generations to come," he said, highlighting the importance of passing on Malta's unique language and identity to future generations.

He added that Malta's sovereignty is based on its economic resilience.

"It is only through unity, hard work, and identity that we can take the Republic forward into the next fifty years," he said.

Abela also said that more democratic reforms must be implemented, and focus must be on the quality of life of the people in the country.

"We want to see our country at the forefront of the green energy transformation, at the heart of the digital shift, celebrating art, and proud of its artists' expressions," he said.

The Prime Minister said that in celebrating 50 years of the Republic, the people are renewing their dream for a better tomorrow.

Bonnici said that this day marks the true strength shown by Maltese and Gozitan people.

"This is a moment not only to celebrate what we have achieved but also to reflect on how we can continue building on this extraordinary historical heritage," Bonnici said.

He continued that together, the people can address every challenge and continue strengthening achievements for a Malta that truly honours our children and paves the way for the next fifty years.

The spectacle, organized by the government through Festivals Malta and the National Celebrations Foundation, involved more than 400 people working on an artistic production.