A New Year

I hope you had a great Christmas and are enjoying a good New Years day, although I expect that you won’t actually be reading this today.

Over the next 12 months, I will tell you more stories about life in Malta, but as I’m sure that you will understand, Malta is a small island, so at some point, it is likely that I will run out of things to tell you about, so this is where I hope you will come in. If there is anything that you would like to know about the Maltese islands, then please ask your question by using the ‘comment’ button at the bottom of the newsletter and I will certainly answer it in a future newsletter. It will keep my brain active if I have to do some research about something!!!

I had a quiet Christmas, and although I had planned to go to a local restaurant for my Christmas dinner, I was unwell so didn’t make it. This is what I would have enjoyed and it looked like very good value at €29.50 (£25).

I made up for the Christmas Day disappointment, by going to the same restaurant on New Years Eve and had a very good meal of Fillet of Salmon with mashed potatoes and asparagus, washed down, by a couple of glasses of red wine, followed by an Irish coffee. Cost €33 (£28).

Post and Telephone Boxes

The history of post boxes and telephone boxes in Malta goes back to the period when Malta was a British colony. During this time, the British introduced various elements of infrastructure, including the installation of post boxes and telephone boxes. Both post boxes and telephone boxes became an integral part of the landscape of Malta, both during the British colonial period, and after Malta gained independence in 1964.

Post boxes, often referred to as pillar boxes, were red, and I’m sure that you don’t need me to tell you that they were collection points for letters, allowing people to send mail. In 1975 some post boxes had their royal ciphers officially defaced as an act to break away from past colonial ties, and as a result, all boxes were put under a protection order. There are still many types of ‘red’ pillar boxes in Malta which are still in use for the public to use, and as I have mentioned in a previous newsletter, MaltaPost is the company that runs the postal system in Malta.

Telephone and Post Box in Valletta

Wall Postbox (note the defaced royal cipher at the top of the box)

Similarly, telephone boxes, also known as phone booths or telephone kiosks, were also introduced across Malta during the colonial era. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the iconic boxes to make telephones more accessible to the public. Scott wanted to paint the boxes grey, but the British Post Office suggested using the colour red, for better visibility, and that is how they got their colour.

In the age of mobile phones, telephone boxes have lost their relevance, and public phones are becoming more and more of a rarity because of their lack of use. The Maltese government started to remove telephone boxes since they were no longer being used, but the local community protested and asked the authorities to preserve them. As a result, the authorities changed their mind and began reinstalling them. Most telephone boxes across Malta have had a new coat of paint, and some have been turned into mini libraries. They might not be practical in the modern age, but the boxes have become part of the Maltese heritage.

Malta and the George Cross

Malta was awarded the George Cross in recognition of its bravery and resilience during World War II. The George Cross was established in 1940 and is the highest civilian decoration for heroism awarded in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.

During World War II, Malta played a strategically important role in the Mediterranean region. Its location made it a crucial base for Allied operations and a thorn in the side of Axis powers, (the three principal partners in the Axis alliance were Germany, Italy, and Japan). These three countries recognised German and Italian dominance in continental Europe, as well as Japanese domination over East Asia. The island became a focal point of intense fighting and sustained heavy bombing and attacks.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta faced relentless airstrikes and naval bombardments as Axis forces attempted to gain control of the island. Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the Maltese people, alongside British and other Allied forces stationed there, displayed courage and determination.

The inhabitants of Malta endured extreme hardships, including severe shortages of food, water, and other essential supplies. The infrastructure of the island was severely damaged, and daily life became a struggle for survival. Despite these challenges, the Maltese people persevered, refusing to surrender and maintaining their resilience.

The extraordinary bravery and fortitude demonstrated by the people of Malta caught the attention of King George VI. In recognition of their exceptional heroism, he decided to award the entire island of Malta the George Cross.

On April 15, 1942, King George VI announced that he intended to confer the George Cross upon Malta. The citation read: "To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history."

The award of the George Cross to Malta was a significant morale boost for the island and its people. It recognised their sacrifices and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming adversity. The George Cross flag, bearing a silver cross on a red background, became the national flag of Malta, and the honour bestowed upon the island remains a source of immense pride for the Maltese people.

Receiving the George Cross also brought international attention to the situation in Malta and led to increased support and aid from Allied forces. Over time, the situation on the island improved, and the Axis attacks were eventually repelled.

To this day, the George Cross is proudly displayed on the Maltese flag and serves as a symbol of Malta's resilience and bravery during World War II. It stands as a testament to the spirit of the Maltese people and their enduring commitment to freedom and independence.

The A to Z of Malta

Floriana

Located just outside the capital city of Valletta, the origins of Floriana date back to 1634 when Grandmaster de Paule, sensing another attack by the Ottoman Turks, brought over an Italian engineer, Pietro Paolo Floriani, who built further fortifications in the town, and this is where Floriana gets its name.

Floriana was meant to be a suburb of Valletta, but it developed to be a town in its own right, and covers an area of 133 acres with a population of around 2,600 people. The town offers a rich history with a number of historic buildings, churches, gardens and monuments.

St Publius was the first bishop of Malta and the patron saint of Floriana. According to tradition, St Publius received St Paul while he was shipwrecked in Malta. St Publius is the first Maltese saint, and so the devotion of the Maltese towards him is great.

Floriana is primarily an administrative centre that contains the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Infrastructure, the Police Headquarters, The National Library, and many other public and private entities.

Gharghur (pronounced Argur)

This is a small village in the central part of Malta and situated on a hilltop, with views of the surrounding countryside and coastline. Gharghur is known for its peaceful and rural atmosphere, traditional Maltese architecture, narrow winding streets, charming houses, and quaint alleyways.

One of the notable landmarks in Gharghur is the Parish Church of St Bartholomew, which dates back to the 17th century. The church has a beautifully decorated interior and a stunning bell tower and is a focal point for the community and hosts various religious and cultural events throughout the year.

Gharghur is a residential village, and its population consists mainly of locals. The community is close-knit, and traditional values and customs are still prevalent. The village is surrounded by agricultural land, vineyards, and olive groves.

Ghaxaq (pronounced Ah-Shar)

Ghaxaq is another small village in the southern part of Malta, and is one of the smallest on the island.

The village is known for its rural character, surrounded by open fields and agricultural land. It has managed to retain a traditional Maltese village atmosphere, with narrow winding streets and charming limestone houses.

One of the notable landmarks in Ghaxaq is the Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, which dominates the village square. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and is an important religious and cultural centre for the local community.

Despite its small size, Ghaxaq has a history. The area has evidence of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times, with various archaeological discoveries made in the vicinity. The village's name is derived from the Maltese word "għaxaq," which means "ravine" or "narrow gorge," referring to a nearby valley.

Finally

I came across this recently and thought that I would share it. Apologies if you are not from the UK and have never seen the comedy series, Only Fools and Horses.

See you next month.