English - Doi-archived.gov.mt

PAJJIżNA
No.50

Our Flag
It could be just legend that Count Roger of Normandy gave us our flag as a piece of his red and white chequered
colours, when he came to our islands in 1090. What is fact however is that the Maltese people have always seen this
flag as a symbol of their identity, something which can be witnessed every time this flag is raised.
Upon Independence, the flag also started bearing the George Cross, a medal that King George VI awarded to Malta “…to
bear witness to a heroism and devotion…” that was shown by the maltese population during the Second World War.
The letter, handwritten by King George VI, which
accompanied the George Cross medal sent to Malta
The George Cross, the medal
awarded to malta during the
Second World War, on the 15
April 1942, as recognition for the
heroism shown by the Maltese
population.

Our Language
Maltese were the first words coming from your lips and Maltese you spoke oh smiling boy. And
that primary language grew with you and became one with your life...(translated from the poem
Ghaliex - Why Dun Karm Psaila.)
The Acts of the Apostles give a first inkling as to what the Maltese
used as a language. The Maltese who welcomed St. Paul on the
Islands were described as barbarians, which in those days meant
people who did not speak Greek or Latin. Most likely they spoke
Punic – that is to say Phoenician and Carthaginian. Hundreds of years
later (AD 832) under Arabic rule, the language imbued the Arabic
dialect. This was retained even after the expulsion of the Moslems
(but not the Arabs) back in 1249. From that year onwards however
one cannot refer to the Arabic articulated in Malta (like the Arabic
conversed in Tunisia or Egypt) but to the Maltese language itself. This
is the point in time where the Maltese language cut off its nexus and
began to reckon with southern Europe particularly Sicily and Italy.
Thus a language, in essence Arabic (having ties with Aramaic used in
Lebanon and Syria), became the parlance of a Catholic and European
community. Maltese continued to be influenced by Romance
elements and this infusion continued throughout the hundreds of
years to come.
The Language Dispute gave rise to a
contention whether Maltese should be
written in Roman letters or go it alone
and use different alphabetical letters.
A definitive resolution was given in 1924
by l-Għaqda tal-Kittieba Maltin (Maltese
Writers Association) in its publication
It-Tagħrif fuq il-Kitba Maltija (Facts on
Maltese Writing) based on rules worked
out by Mikiel Anton Vassalli in 1791.
Scholars felt the need to study and analyse the Maltese language. The
first study of its kind was published in 1750, Della Lingua Punica by
Ġan Franġisk Agius de Soldanis. The Mylsen, the first major grammar
on the language was published by Mikiel Anton Vassalli in 1791, who
also published the first ever Maltese dictionary, Ktieb il-Kliem Malti,
back in 1796.
In the mid-1900s, the first language groups came into being with the
best authors at that time giving their due to create the first literary
movement. Ludovik Mifsud Tommasi and Ġan Anton Vassallo were
among the first to delve into religious and patriotic poetry and gained
huge popularity.
The Language Dispute established Maltese and English as the official
languages in 1934. Maltese is now also one of the official languages of
the European Union.
Recently, mainly because of the interaction with the British
and as a result of modern day developments, English
words acceded into the Maltese language.
The Maltese Language Act (Chapter 470), enacted
unanimously by the House of Representatives in 2005,
set up the National Council of the Maltese Language with
the function and duty to update and promote the Maltese
language.

Malta’s Coat of Arms
Malta’s coat of arms is made out of a shield showing a heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta; above
the shield there is a mural golden crown with a sally port and eight turrets (only five are visible), which represent
Malta’s fortifications and indicate a City State; around the shield, there is a wreath consisting of two branches,
with an olive on the right and a palm on the left hand side, symbolising peace and traditionally associated with
Malta, all in their true colours and are joined at the base with a ribbon which is white on one side and red on the
other, on which there are the words Repubblika ta’ Malta (Republic of Malta) in black capital letters.
A Presidential Proclamation
showing the Seal
The National Coat of Arms which is to be found in Parliament
The Seal and the wax used by the Republic of Malta
The law (Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act, Cap. 253), establishes that
no one can make use, whatever the purpose, or incorporate in any design,
the Maltese Emblem, or any imitation thereof, without the Prime Minister’s
written authority. For administrative purposes, it is used in various colours on
official documents. If utilised by the President, then it is in its proper colours,
while the Prime Minister uses it in gold, when used in other instances such
as letterheads, it is is shown in dark blue, the same being used by Ministers.
The Speaker uses it in green. On Government Departments’ letters and
documents, only the black and white version is used.

Other Flags
Presidential Flag of Malta
The Presidential flag of Malta is made up of a blue background, with Malta’s emblem in the middle and Malta’s cross in
gold in each corner. This was introduced by a Proclamation of the 12 December 1988, which states that this flag should
be flown from the President’s office and official residences and on all other occasions attended by the President.
The Merchant Flag of Malta
The Merchant Flag of Malta is made up of a a white Maltese cross in the middle of a red background with a white
border. This flag has the same proportion of use of red and white as the Maltese National flag. All Maltese or
Maltese-registered ships fly this flag, and in fact, this flag proudly adorns the masts of more than 4000 sea vessels
that sail the seas around the world. Any ship entering Malta’s territorial waters should also fly this flag. The use of
this flag is established by law through the Merchant Shipping Act (Chapter 234).
The roundel which is displayed on
the wings and fuselage of military
aircraft of the Armed Forces of
Malta

Medals and Awards
There are many Maltese, who of their own accord, alone or together with others, work to increase general wealth
or to mitigate the suffering of their fellow countrymen. Malta recognises these efforts by awarding these people
the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika or the National Order of Merit, a system established in 1975 by means of an Act approved by
Parliament, and which was further reinforced in 1990.
The intention of these honours is not to create an elitist society. There is no special privilege or financial benefit
associated with them. The medals and awards are a symbolic way by which the nation openly acknowledges these
citizens’ merits and abilities in different aspects of life.
Appointments to the National Order of Merit and to the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, as well as the awards of the Midalja
għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika are made by the President of Malta on the written advice of the Prime Minister. The
appointment instruments, the emblems and medals are presented by the President in an investiture ceremony which
is held annualy on the 13 December. The names of those awarded are also published in the Government Gazette.
There are various grades and medals that are awarded according to the sector in which the individual or group of
people have contributed, but the aim is always one; that with a symbolic and ongoing way, the country publicly
acknowledges the citizens’ merits and capability in different walks of life.
The late Sir Anthony Mamo awarded the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika
Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika
The National Order of Merit -
Companion
The National Order of Merit - Official
Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika

The Maltese National Anthem
Amongst those symbols which identify our country and nation, we find the National Anthem. This Anthem is one of the most important national symbols our country possesses. In 1922, Colonel Robert Samut composed a short piece of music.
This piece of music fell into the hands of A. V. Laferla, who at the time was Director of primary schools, and who was thinking of appointing someone to write a short anthem for children to sing in government schools. When he heard Samut’s
music, he was touched and it was not long before he spoke to Dun Karm, who agreed to write the verses for this piece of music. This is how the Maltese National Anthem was born – a prayer to God composed of six verses of eleven syllables
each (hendecasyllabic). It was played for the first time on the 3rd of February 1923 during a musical-literary concert organized by the Ghaqda Kittieba tal-Malti in the Manoel Theatre. Further on, the same Anthem was arranged to be played by
a band, and the first band which played it was the Kings’ Own band of Valetta during the National Day in 1936. On the 27th of February 1941, it was officially declared as the National Anthem.
Professor Colonel Robert Samut was born in
Floriana on the 12th of October 1869. He studied
medicine and graduated at the Royal University
of Malta and the University of Edinburgh and was
also awarded a medal for his exceptional ability
in anatomy. He was a Professor of Physiology,
Bacteriology and Pathology at the Royal
University of Malta.
From a young age, he had shown interest in music and had also wished to
study music but his father did not approve and consequently he continued
with his career in medicine. Even though Samut did not study music
professionally, he was very good when it came to melody and composition.
He was a talented piano player and singer as well as a painter.
In 1922, Professor Colonel Robert Samut composed a short piece of music
which was to be the music for the Maltese Anthem.
It is a shame that Professor Colonel Robert Samut did not live long enough
to see the importance his composition achieved, because he died at the age
of 64 in 1934. He lies buried in the Portelli chapel at the Addolorata cemetry.
The Maltese Anthem
Guard her, O Lord, as ever Thou hast guarded,
this Motherland so dear whose name we bear:
Keep her in mind, whom Thou hast made so fair.
May he who rules, for wisdom be regarded,
in master mercy, strength in man increase:
Confirm us all, in unity and peace
Reproduction of a booklet containing the music and verses of the Maltese
National Anthem in Maltese and English
(Credit: http://schoolnet.gov.mt)
Dun Karm was born on
the 18th October 1871,
in Żebbuġ. When he
was 23 years old Dun
Karm was ordained
a priest at Saint
John’s Co-Cathedral.
After a few months
he began teaching
at the seminary in
Floriana and later on
in Mdina as well. He
taught various subjects
amongst which were
English, Italian and
Latin in the Minor
Seminary, as well as
the History of the
Church and Christian
Archeology to theology
students of the Major
Seminary.
In 1896 Dun Karm
published his first
collection of poems in
Italian, with the title
Foglie d’Allore. This
collection is made up
of 37 poems written when he was between 17 and 24 years of age.
On the 11th of January 1912, after discussions with Mons. Pawl Galea and
Ġużè Muscat Azzopardi, who shared with Dun Karm their idea of publishing
a periodical in Maltese which they were going to call Il-Ħabib, Dun Karm
published his first poem in Maltese. As he writes in this poem, he describes
himself kneeling in front of a figure of Our Lady which he had in his room at
his house in Valletta, and prayed with these same words ‘Dear mother, tell
me what to write; I wish to begin with a poem written for you’ This is how he
wrote the poem entitled ‘In front of figure of Our Lady’.
In 1921 he started to work as an Assistant Librarian in the National Library
at Valletta. Between 1922 and 1923, Dun Karm wrote the Maltese National
Anthem using the music which was earlier composed by Prof. Robert Samut.
Among his works, we find poems such as ‘The Me and beyond him’ (Il-Jien u
Lil hinn minnu) and the sonnet ‘To Dun Mikiel Xerri’ (Lil Dun Mikiel Xerr’). Dun
Karm also compiled a Maltese-English dictionary.
Dun Karm died on the 3rd of October 1961 at the age of 90 and is buried at
the cemetry in Żebbuġ.

National Days
A nation goes through various milestones which leave their mark on the lives of the people. As an individual
experiences important phases and predicaments throughout his life, so does a nation. This is why during the year, a
nation recollects those achievements and commemorates events pertaining to its journey in history.
Victory Day, 8th September, 1565,
commemorates the victory of the
Order of Saint John and Maltese over
the Ottoman Empire in the Great
Siege. Thanks to this victory, the
Knights remained on the island and
immediately afterwards began the
construction of a new city, Valletta.
The Sette Giugnio, on the 7th June
1919, four Maltese were killed during
riots in Valletta. As a result of this,
the Maltese regained the right to be
in charge of their own internal affairs
through deputies, who were elected
by the people in Parliament.
Republic Day, on 13th December,
1974, the Maltese cut off all remaining
ties with the United Kingdom with
the appointment of a Maltese Head
of State by means of Constitutional
amendments which made Malta a
Republic. Sir Anthony Mamo was
elected as Malta’s first President.
I n d e p e n d e n c e D ay, 2 1 s t
September, 1964 marks the
day when Malta obtained its
Independence from the United
Kingdom. According to the 1964
Constitution, Malta became a
parliamentary democracy under
the Commonwealth thereby
taking responsibility for the
direction and control of its national
affairs and international relations,
through a Cabinet of Ministers led
by a Maltese Prime Minister.
Freedom Day, 31st March,
1979. The contract permitting
the British to use Malta as a
military base expired and the last
members of the armed forces
based in Malta left.
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The Blue Rock Thrush
The blue rock thrush was declared the Maltese National bird in 1971 and is protected by law. This bird (Monticola
Solitarius), is one of the few birds which live and nest in the Maltese Islands, mostly on cliffs near the sea, as well
as in valleys and hills.
The male is of a shiny dark blue colour with wings and a tail which are almost black. The female is a bit smaller and
has a totally different colouring from the male, in fact it is grey with tints of brown on her upper side, with white
and grey stripes on her lower side.
These birds eat grasshoppers, snails, worms, beetles and small lizards and live in pairs in the same territory throughout
their whole life. They build their nests in a hole or crack on high cliffs using roots and thin twigs. They lay from four
to eight eggs once or twice a year. The eggs are of a dull light blue colour, at times with small red dots, hatching after
fifteen days. Blue rock thrushes are very wary of humans, whom they nonetheless enchant with their beautiful and
melodic singing.
The Blue Rock Thrush, Malta’s National bird
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The National Tree and Plant
The Juniper Tree
The Juniper tree is the Maltese National Tree, it is endemic
to Malta, even though it can be found in certain parts of
Spain and Northern Africa as well. It grows mostly in cracks
in cliffs and on barren land. It is not to be found in Gozo or in
Comino, but only in Malta, especially in the Northern part,
where we can find more then a hundred such trees and a
specific place named after it – San Ġwann tal-Għargħar.
It is very similar to the Cypress, is green all year round
and grows up to 15 metres height. The tree’s trunk is of a
reddish brown colour and has a sweet smell, with leaves
like matchsticks, small green and thick, and it produces
small nuts divided in four.
This tree, declared the National tree in 1992, became
protected by law one year later. The Council of Europe
counts it amongst the plants in its list of rare, threatened
and endemic trees in Europe.
The Maltese Rock-Centuary
As it does not grow in any other country in the world in the
way it grows in these islands, this plant was declared the
Maltese National Plant. It is also an endemic plant as it grows only
on these islands, on cliffs in the Southern parts of Malta and Gozo.
This is a plant which grows up to a height of one metre, having thick
long leaves with dark green rounded ends. In Gozo, the leaves are
serrated around the edges, like teeth. It is very abundant at its base
and produces purple flowers which come out of its long stalks from
April to September. During the other months, although it does not
flower, it remains green.
It was studied by Maltese academics Agostino Naudi and Stefano
Zerafa in a scientific manner after they discovered it in 1825. Today,
it is grown in many gardens so it may be enjoyed by everyone.
A Chameleon on a Maltese Rock-Centuary
plant. These animals were introduced in
Malta in the 19th century by protestant
ministers who brought specimens with
them from North Africa, then released
them in their gardens in Saint Julians, from
where they spread throughout Malta.
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Malta fl-Ewropa
As from the 1 January 2008, Malta became part of the euro zone, and the euro became Malta’s national currency.
The notes are all the same for all countries having the euro as their currency, and each note has a different colour.
On the other hand the coins have one side which is common for all countries, while the other face features the
respective country’s national symbols. The design of this face differs from one country to the other.
Malta underwent a consultation process, where the people were asked to choose designs representing Maltato
feature on the euro coin. Malta’s euros display three separate designs, one featuring the altar at Mnajdra temples
which is featured on the 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 coins, another one displaying Malta’s National Emblem on the 0.10,
0.20 and 0.50 coins, and another design with the Maltese Cross which can be seen on the 1.00 and 2.00. The
selection for Malta’s euro design was finalised by means of a public consultation, in two stages. In the first stage
of this public consultation, the Maltese public had the opportunity to participate in the process of choosing from
a total of twelve selections, categorised in 4 themes – Malta’s prehistory, Malta’s renaissance, Malta’s identity and
Malta’s archipelago. Each theme had three different selections to choose from.
The four final designs were sent to designer Noel Galea Bason. Mr Galea Bason structured the coins with these
designs, so the public would vote on the best three, and eventually Malta’s coins would be ready. In the second
stage, the public was asked to vote one more time. In this phase, Malta’s cross, Malta’s emblem and Imnajdra’s
altar were declared as the public’s preferred choice.
The Central Bank of Malta issued the final designs on 19 February 2007 and on the 23 October of the same year
the designs were published in the European Union’s official journal.
This is the European flag. It’s
the European Union’s symbol,
as well as a representation of
unity and Europe’s identity
in a wider aspect. The circle
with golden stars represents
solidarity and harmony
among Europe’s nations.
The number of stars does
not reflect the number of
Member States. There are
12 stars because the number
12 is a traditional symbol
of perfection, wealth and
unity. To this effect the
flag was never changed
with the European Union’s
enlargement.
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Saint Ġorġ Preca
Fr Ġorġ Preca, or Dun Ġorġ as he is affectionately known by all, was born in Valletta
on 12 February 1880. He studied at the Lyceum followed by the Seminary. He was
ordained as priest on 22 December 1906.
Even before his priestly ordination, Fr Ġorġ had felt that the people were in need
of Catholic instruction . Initially he was about to set up a society of permanent
deacons who would be able to help the bishops in the people’s Christian formation.
The Society of Christian Doctrine, mostly known by its motto, M.U.S.E.U.M was
initiated in the first months of 1907, in a small place in Ħamrun. It was quite a
novelty to have working lay people, in charge of the Bible and the theology, going
out in the streets and squares, proclaiming God’s word to everybody in public. After
25 years, Malta’s bishop approved Fr Preca’s society and its structure.
The MUSEUM’s centres (known as Mużew)
started opening around Malta and Gozo.
The need for people’ religious instruction
was greatly felt, since their Christian living
centred mostly on the sacraments and
devotions, without much depth in the
teachings of the Church. The children went
daily to Fr Ġorġ’s centres, since they found,
that apart from having catechists who
helped them in their formation, these were
also of help during leisure time.
From the very beginning, Fr Ġorġ instructed
his catechists to remain unmarried, and to
follow a daily one-hour formation together,
once they have finished instructing both
young and adults.
He also taught through his writings. In spite
of the rivalry between the Italian and the
English language, Fr Ġorġ taught and wrote
in Maltese, the people’s language, so that
everyone would understand.
Ninni La Tibkix Iżjed
The popular song “Il-Benniena ta’ Ġesu Bambin”, or “Ninni La Tibkix
Iżjed” as it is more widely known, has been penned by Indri Schembri,
a Jesuit monk, in 1864, for Maltese emigrants in Tunis. However, there
are some who think that there exists an Italian song whose music
bears a resemblance to the Maltese one. The song gained popularity
from the time when the Procession with
baby Jesus organised by the M.U.S.E.U.M
Society started to take place. The verses
are a sign of a great tradition which
is still currently alive, linked with the
knowledge of suffering found within
the Maltese Christmas, centred on
baby Jesus. An interesting thing to
note is the amalgamation between the
Maltese interpretation of humanity and
divinity, the same featured in the cribs
and/or Maltese grottos and in Maltese
Christmas legends.
Ninni la tibkix iżjed, ninni Ġesù Bambin,
ħallieh għalina l-biki għax aħna midinbin.
Ejjew ejjew ja Anġli mis-sema mija mija,
taraw li Ġesù twieled, Bambin ġewwa l-fisqija.
Ninu Ninu tal-Milied
Ommu tagħmel il-qagħqiet
Il-qagħqiet tal-qastanija....
Fr Ġorġ Preca worked hard in order to spread the devotion for the Incarnation
Mystery. He wanted that his members wear a badge with the words Verbum Dei
Caro Factum Est. Since 1921 he started organising a “Procession in honour of baby
Jesus” on Christmas Eve in every town and city. This procession ended up being
one of the traditions of a Maltese Christmas. His desire was that for Christmas
every child attending the Mużew would take home a crib with baby Jesus.
Fr Ġorġ passed away in Santa Venera, where he spent his last few months, on
26 July 1962. His mortal remains are preserved in the crypt at the Society’s
Headquarters in Blata l-Bajda.
The Cause for his beatification which initiated in 1975, came to fruition on
Sunday 3 June, 2007.
Unique footage of the last farewell given to this Maltese Saint in July 1962 (on
DVD) may be obtained from the Department of Information (www.doi.gov.mt),
3, Castille Place, Valletta, Tel: 22001701.
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Maltese....Too!
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition) 1991
15

Production: Publications Unit of the Department of Information
Photos: Photography Section of the Department of Information
Tel. 22001700; website: www.doi.gov.mt; e-mail: info.doi@gov.mt
Printed on chlorine-free paper at the Government Printing Press
© Department of Information - January 2009