On September 21^st, we celebrate the Independence Day of Malta! We appreciate all our amazing team members from Malta and wish them a joyful day!

Join us in discovering some fun and interesting facts about this small, but very beautiful country, by courtesy of our Nobel Country Ambassador from Malta – Christian Gauci.

Did you know that?

• Malta obtained its independence on September 21^st 1964, after 164 years under the British Colony.
• It was no easy ambition to obtain independence and only after the Maltese persistence and some historical events, some even were bloody such as the Sette Giugno revolution (7^th of June 1919) that the Maltese were able to gain their independence. Even after the independence was granted, the head of state still remained the Queen. This situation persisted until Malta became a Republic country on 13^th of December 1974, where the President is now appointed by the Parliament for a 5-year non-renewable period.
• Malta’s flag is white and red. On the white part, the flag incorporates the George Cross, which was awarded to the Maltese people on April 15^th 1942 by King George VI for the heroism during World War II.  The George Cross contains the words “For Gallantry”.
• The National Anthem of Malta is a form of a prayer. It is possibly the only such anthem of its kind in the world. It was written by the national Maltese poet who was also a priest, namely Dun Karm Psaila.
• There are multiple interpretations as to the origins and meaning of the name “Malta”. The ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melitē) meaning “honey-sweet”, possibly for Malta’s unique production of honey. Another interpretation suggests that the word “Malta” comes from the Phoenician word Maleth, meaning “haven” or “port” in reference to Malta’s many bays and coves.
• Due to its strategic location at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Malta was attacked by the Ottoman Empire in an attempt to conquer it during The Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Led by the Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Vallette, the knights of Malta prevailed as winners on a day that is still celebrated today as National Day, known as Victory Day (September 8^th).
• The capital city of Malta, Valletta, was named after the Grand Master who successfully and heroically led the Maltese to victory.
• After the Great Siege was over, the capital city was destroyed and had to be re-built from scratch, including the fortifications, which still hold till today.   
• When visiting Malta, the Megalithic Temples are not to be missed. These majestic temples date back to around 4,000 years BC and are considered one of the earliest man-made structures still in existence till today.  These are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• With a surface of only 316 km² (122 square miles), Malta is the world’s tenth-smallest country in area and fourth most densely populated sovereign country.
• TheMaltese Islands are made up of an archipelago of small islands with Malta being the largest island. 
• There is Gozo, which is a smaller inhabited island mostly famous for its nature and a great destination for a short relaxing break.
• There is also the island of Comino,which is very popular during summer time for its beaches, mainly Blue Lagoon. 
• Filfla is a protected “rock” or small islet and nobody can go on it due to its environmental importance. Colonies of birds lay their nests there and other small reptiles live in that habitat.
• Probably one of the most famous Maltese personalities is the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja. He is internationally known and considered one of the best tenors the world has seen. Calleja sings along other great names in various prestigious locations around the world.
• Food has been important historically in the development of a national identity, in particular the traditional fenkata (stewed or fried rabbit). Pastizz, a typical Maltese snack, is a traditional savory pastry with ricotta or curried peas filling.

“I’m proud of my country because despite the small size of the island and the small population, Malta has its own identity. Malta has its own Maltese language which is a Semitic language with more recent influences from Italian and English. Malta has its own architecture like the traditional Maltese balcony and also the beautifully colored Luzzu, a traditional Maltese fishing boat.

Malta is also the smallest EU member state but has the rights like all other EU member countries. Malta had its own currency, Lira Maltija, until this was changed to Euro in 2008.” – Christian Gauci (Nobel Country Ambassador from Malta)