Fellow citizens, Maltese and Gozitans, fifty years ago, our forefathers established the Republic of Malta. We are a docile race; however, we have a very fine streak of dignity etched in our psyche.
From early times, more than two thousand years ago, at the time of the Romans when St. Paul landed in our midst, Malta was considered by Rome, a Municipium; Foedarata Civitas, an ally, and an equal state. We were not a colony.
During the first century after Christ, Malta had its own senate, its people’s assembly, its own currency, and its own mint; even Gozo had its own mint.
During successive centuries, Malta was occupied by various powers, until slowly but surely, the Maltese started dreaming of self-rule.
After the expulsion of the French, it was our forefathers themselves who sought the protection of the British Crown. We were never conquered by the British. It was the Maltese themselves who on the 15th June 1802, presented a Bill of Rights to the British Sovereign, asked for his protection and entrusted Malta to the British, as long as the British Crown honoured the rights emanating from this Declaration.
Malta was considered a valuable asset; geographically, militarily and navally by the British, and hence it ended up sustaining the foreigner’s power in the face of other potent nations. From time to time, the British overlord used to grant certain administrative powers to the populace by virtue of Letters Patent, which however, were withdrawn when the powers granted did not coincide with his best interests.
Vassalli’s dream of a free Malta was taken up by intellectuals and the professional class. Manwel Dimech’s writings made the working class familiar with this line of thought, since by virtue of his writings he exhorted the Maltese to strive for self-determination, freedom of thought, and better conditions of work. His exhortation to Maltese women was “Maltese women, Malta also belongs to you!”.
The 7th June 1919 revolt, brought about by the scarcities after the First World War, Malta was granted self-government with its own legislative Assembly. Malta was subjected to heavy bombarding in World War II, and in appreciation of the sense of sacrifice and stamina, the populace was granted the George Cross, soon after a new Constitution was granted in 1947, which Constitution introduced universal suffrage and gave the vote to women.
The granting of independence gave Malta sovereignty, but it was the Republic which weaned Malta of the colonial symbol of a foreign Head of State, and at long last, the State was personified in the figure of a Maltese citizen, Sir Anthony Mamo, the first President of the Republic.
Independence and the establishment of the Republic were defining achievements of present-day Malta, a Malta with its distinct identity, its own language. In spite of its small size, Malta became a state equal to other nations.
The widespread acceptance that Malta has firmly established its role as a member of the European Union, is evidence that the population has aligned itself with the will of the majority as manifested in the 2003 EU Referendum and the subsequent General Elections.
The 50th anniversary of the Republic should serve as a tribute to those who preceded us and the sacrifices, they made which sacrifices result in our present situation. It prompts reflection on our current position and makes us focus on what we are prepared to do for those who will come after us.
The theme of this year’s celebrations, “You make History” in Maltese “L-Istorja Int/Aħna”, underscores both the collective narrative of the part that unites us and the future chapters we are ready to write for Malta.
Social and international challenges continue to persist, and it is our responsibility to determine how best to address them effectively.
Material shortages, social exclusion, environmental concerns, urban development, air pollution, and population growth remain pressing and concerning challenges, particularly for our younger generations.
We have wisely learned to transform challenges into opportunities, leveraging our resources to make a lasting impact on the international stage. As demonstrated in the past, through dialogue, collective action, and unity, we can successfully surmount these obstacles.
Owing to the initiatives we undertake as a neutral and sovereign state to promote peace and stability both within our region and on the international stage, our country’s potential and capabilities have been commended by nations far larger than ours.
Today, let us all together, unite and pledge to continue Malta’s journey for the benefit of our children, each of us committed to upholding Malta’s reputation, both now and in the future.
Long Live the Maltese and Gozitan people. Long Live Malta, the Republic we love.
