Culture is not confined to museums, theatres, paintings or concerts. It is far more than that. Culture is the soul of a nation and the very essence of its identity. It is what gives us a sense of belonging, binds us together as a people, and passes our values from one generation to the next.
This is why we must ask ourselves a simple yet fundamental question: what is Malta today? What do we really mean when we say, "Int Malta?"
Malta is not merely defined by its borders or its buildings. It is our language, our literature, our music, our history, our churches, our faith, our village feasts, our temples, our architectural heritage, our traditions, our values and our collective memory. Together, these elements shape our national identity and define who we are as a people.
Yet Malta today is not the Malta of yesterday. This is a reality we cannot ignore.
Political philosopher David G. Miller defines a nation as "a community constituted by shared belief and mutual commitment, extended in history, connected to a particular territory, and marked by a distinct public culture." This definition reminds us that a nation is built not only upon its past, but also upon a shared commitment to its future.
For this reason, culture is neither a luxury nor merely a ceremonial celebration. It is the foundation upon which a country is built. We live it every day, and we all have a responsibility to protect it. When cultural heritage is lost, it is not only our past that disappears; we also jeopardise the future of our nation.
In this context, the vision of Mikiel Anton Vassalli remains as relevant today as ever. The father of the Maltese language understood that a people cannot truly be free unless they know who they are. For him, language was not simply a means of communication but the very heart of a nation's identity. When a people lose their language, they gradually lose the way they think, remember and understand the world around them.
Today we are witnessing a troubling reality in which the Maltese language is increasingly becoming a stranger in its own country, both in our schools and in our homes. The same concern is reflected in the writings of Oliver Friggieri, who described language as the spiritual home of a people. It is where we live, where we feel, where we remember and where we dream. If that home weakens, so too does the people who inhabit it.
A similar message resonates through the works of Dun Karm Psaila. Malta's national poet did more than write beautiful verses; he gave voice to the soul of the Maltese people. In the Maltese National Anthem we encounter a nation that looks towards God, values freedom, pursues the common good and faces the future with hope - united by shared values and a common identity.
This brings us to another important question: who is responsible for safeguarding our national identity? The answer is straightforward: all of us. Government, Opposition and citizens alike each have a vital role to play in ensuring that culture remains alive. A meaningful cultural policy cannot be detached from national policy or from education.
If Malta is to remain Malta, we must ensure that the Maltese people can continue to build their future in their own country. At the same time, those who choose to make Malta their home should be encouraged to integrate fully into our society, so that what belongs to us becomes theirs as well. A country divided between "us" and "them" is neither sustainable nor capable of building a strong future.
We need communities that remain vibrant, towns and villages that preserve their unique character, policies that protect quality of life, and opportunities that enable Maltese families to build their future at home. At the same time, we must foster a society that welcomes newcomers while encouraging genuine integration and respect for Malta's culture and identity.
Every nation has both the right and the duty to plan its development sustainably while protecting its identity, culture, heritage and patrimony. This is not an argument against anyone; it is an argument in favour of everyone. Nations do not disappear when their borders fade or their walls fall. They disappear when they forget who they are. That is the reflection Malta must confront today.
Ultimately, protecting the Maltese people remains the greatest guarantee of preserving Maltese culture. Without a people who live and cherish their culture, culture itself becomes nothing more than a beautiful memory of what once was.
The time has come for us to work together so that we leave future generations not only a stronger economy, but also a stronger nation, one in which the Maltese spirit continues to beat with confidence, every day and everywhere.
Justin Schembri MP is Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage.