One impact of the ever increasing number of foreign workers in Malta has been the opening of establishments selling Asian food in various areas of the island. It's not only immigrants who account for the increased consumption of Asian food. The demand for Chinese and Indian items is also coming from Maltese patrons.
As of now, a big portion of the indigenous Maltese demand is being met by takeaways delivered in homes. In this sector, it still is true that burger and pizza options dominate. But I've been told that requests for Indian and Chinese menus are being received in ever growing numbers, even if for long years Maltese people did not like them so much... But tastes are changing.
One imagines that in future, the appreciation for Asian food will continue to grow locally. The Maltese will not just consider it as appropriate for takeaways but as well for dining out socially with family and friends. It would be a curious development if the arrival of foreign workers manages to change radically our popular taste for food such that instead of preferring Italian menus we end up going for Asian ones, which to be sure, have a lot going for them.
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A NATIONAL STAND
Efforts made to sustain and reinforce a sentiment of patriotism among Maltese and Gozitan citizens are praiseworthy. We always had some in Malta to criticise such efforts on the grounds, they say... or used to say... that we shouldn't exaggerate and project for ourselves an inflated perspective about these islands. Actually, compared to the exercises that other countries (France, the US...) carry out to promote patriotism among their citizens, the local programme is minimal. Along certain directions, it can still be ramped up without our having to be apologetic about it.
What can be corrected however in the promotion of a greater national awareness is to make it more "modern" by way of using discourse, images, examples and ceremonies that are less grounded in the rhetoric and practices (not to say liturgies) of the last century and the one which preceded it.
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DEFENCE OF THE UKRAINE
The EU (or its member states in their large majority) has strongly backed the Ukraine following the Russian invasion of three years ago. It continued to do so even after the Trump administration in the US went cold in their support and even began to hint that the Ukraine had better give in. More than that, the US practically cut all its financial aid to the Ukraine, and in one way or another, the Europeans have intervened to further support that country financially.
The problem is: how much can they afford to pay in, and in what way? About this there has been no agreement. A proposal to post expenditures against the funds from Russia which were deposited in European institutions and which have been frozen, has not progressed because it is too risky by the country where most of these funds are located (Belgium). Other propsoals are being dreamed up as fast as possible.
It does not seem that any account has been given of where Malta stands in this ongoing issue and whether it will be exposing us to additional financial commitments.