I shall never forget that special moment in London last week when Malta was declared the winner at the prestigious London Design Biennale 2025.
That was an extraordinary moment for Malta's creative sector. The URNA team that represented Malta at the Biennale, commissioned by Arts Council Malta, under the auspices of the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, made Malta proud.
As a Maltese and as the Minister responsible for Malta's art and creative sector, I couldn't be prouder.
URNA
The London Design Biennale is the Olympics of the art and design sector. There were 50 exhibitors at the iconic Somerset House, in London, of countries from across the globe.
The biggest names in art and design were there. Malta was there too with a team of young Maltese and international professionals, and their concept was an URNA, the subject cremation - but it goes beyond cremation. It turns the usual on its head, does away with it, and seeks a new way of doing things. A group of Maltese creators who dared to be different, who dared to dream, who had the courage to come up with something bold, new, innovative, and dynamic.
Innovative
I have the privilege of attending many art events. It is a daily occurrence - and each creation gives me joy because it is something unique and fresh. But the URNA concept gave more than just joy - a sense of purpose to our whole idea in promoting culture and the arts in Malta and beyond our shores.
For this is what we want, as a country, and as a government that strongly supports these sectors: We want artists, creators, and designers that are able not only to think outside the box but to dare to be different, shockingly, in a positive way, different.
We are investing heavily in culture and the arts. The Labour government affords to do so because we have the fastest growing economy in the EU.
Proud of you
Well done to the URNA Team: Andrew; Anthony; Tanil; Matthew; Anna; Stephanie and Thomas. And my sincere gratitude to Albert Marshall, Executive Chairman at Arts Council Malta and to all the hard-working team at Arts Council Malta.
An encouraging optimism
The latest State of the Nation survey, carried out by Malta's leading statistician Dr Vincent Marmara', reveals a 7% increase in peoples' personal optimism over the last year. A record 72.1% say they are happy with their lives, and 73.9% feel successful.
These are the highest levels recorded to date. Meanwhile, 47% believe they will be living a better life in a year's time. This high level of optimism is truly encouraging. It shows that despite everyday challenges; the Maltese are positive and happy with their lives. Positivity was highest among the 16-25 age group (79.1%). This contrasts with the false impression given by the Nationalist Party that the Maltese, especially the young ones, are leaving Malta.
Less interest in politics
The survey also reveals a substantial decline of peoples' interest in politics. This is the proverbial glass-half-empty-glass-half full perspective.
On the one hand, the fact that people are less interested in politics may be considered as positive, in that people are busy getting along with their everyday lives, are certainly positive and optimistic about tomorrow, as the survey confirms, and that they do not believe that there are any significant political causes that makes them be politically active.
On the other hand, it could also mean that people expect better from politicians or are at worse turned off by the unfortunate political bickering that frequently happens on our island to the extent that they switch off from politics. Whatever the case, this trend needs to be investigated and explored in greater detail. This trend is, however, not unique to Malta - peoples' lack of interest in politics is typical of many modern nation states.
High voting rate
However, despite a decline in peoples' interest in politics, Dr Marmara's survey reveals that three-quarters (74.8%) of respondents still intend to vote in the next general election. Compared to other EU states, this is significantly high and encouraging.
Not the same
The notion that "the two major parties are the same" was rejected by most of the respondents to the State of the Nation survey. They are right. The difference, especially now, can not be more explicit. The Nationalist Party is in a mess, as Bernard Grech's resignation clearly shows.
While Prime Minister Robert Abela is fully focused on delivering and leading the country, the Nationalist Party is in the state it is in today.
The problem for the PN is beyond the resignation of Bernard Grech. Since securing Malta's place in the EU, the PN has failed to identify what it truly stands for. It has lost its sense of purpose. It is negative, unable to provide sensible solutions and alternatives to peoples' needs and aspirations, and has had a leadership crisis at least since 2013. Not so the Labour Party, which has been winning one election after the other since 2013, and whilst it is busy governing, the party continues to regenerate itself and remain relevant to todays and tomorrow's challenges. People can clearly identify this huge difference between the PL and the PN - as confirmed by Marmara's survey.
Labour leads
A survey published on MaltaToday last Sunday shows Labour enjoying a huge lead over the Nationalist Party, the latter in free fall.
If a general election were to be held tomorrow, the survey claimed that Labour would win with a landslide.
Prime Minister Robert Abela dwarfs Bernard Grech, who is now officially on his way out, in trust ratings.
But there is no general election tomorrow, and surveys reflect the moment during which they were carried out.
A week is a long time in politics. The Prime Minister was right to state, in brief remarks about the survey, that Labour still has to implement 30% of its electoral manifesto, that there is much more work to be done and that Labour must listen even more to the people.
But it is heartening to see that the people are appreciating the work done by this government. Our commitment is to do even more - and even better.