T'was on this day in 1964 that Malta gained independence from it's previous colonial occupiers, I would therefore just like to wish all our Maltese contributors and the good people of The Maltese Islands a very happy Independence Day 2006, but don't drink to much Cisk it's back to work tommorow, prosit kulhadd u viva il republikka ta Malta (congratulations eveyone and long live the republic of Malta)
Sliema2
Hi M&N, well spotted, now where did I leave my cyber scissors ? 
.
.
The George Cross issue is interesting - there have been alot of letters in The Times about it. On one side its a symbol of how brave the Maltese were in WW2. On the otherhand, why should a country display an award given to it by a foreign country on its national flag ? I go with the second, and say Malta should drop it.
Hi Mark, I agree that it is a interesting and very sensitive issue it is however a very prestigious honour for a very brave people, however I fully agree with the colonial bit who would want any sort of reminder about colonial occupiers on there flag I know I wouldn't 
, Malta was a very different country back then under very different circumstances, I personally think it should be for the Maltese people to decide perhaps by referendum, if that happened I think perhaps a majority of the older generation would want to keep it, the younger generation might not care less and the rest would want it removed, what do you think ?.
Regards
Sliema2
, Malta was a very different country back then under very different circumstances, I personally think it should be for the Maltese people to decide perhaps by referendum, if that happened I think perhaps a majority of the older generation would want to keep it, the younger generation might not care less and the rest would want it removed, what do you think ?.Regards
Sliema2
I agree - rather like the debate about Australia dropping the queen as head of state where there was a similar split between the old and the young.
As you say very prestigious, but if America (or any other country) awarded the UK its top award for bravery, would it go on the Union Flag ? - it wouldn't even be considered. In fact, if the George Cross wasn't on the Maltese Flag now, I can't see anyone suggesting it was put on now
As you say very prestigious, but if America (or any other country) awarded the UK its top award for bravery, would it go on the Union Flag ? - it wouldn't even be considered. In fact, if the George Cross wasn't on the Maltese Flag now, I can't see anyone suggesting it was put on now
Now you mention it Mark it is quite odd that it appears on the flag of a completely independent nation, when Malta first had the opportunity to create her own flag I wonder how it got on there in the first place and at who's behest ?.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Malta
Malta is the only national flag in the world bearing a decoration from another country, and it was adopted upon Malta's independence, on 21 September 1964 - nothing on why or by whom
Malta is the only national flag in the world bearing a decoration from another country, and it was adopted upon Malta's independence, on 21 September 1964 - nothing on why or by whom
http://fotw.vexillum.com/flags/mt.html
Take a look at history & flag Variants halfway down the page.
Take a look at history & flag Variants halfway down the page.
so it appeared on the flag first in 1943 ! I guess not surprising then, but why did it "survive" independence ???
Exactly Mark !
I'll bring it up for discussion in Rosina's Bar tonight - first comment will almost certainly be "Il Madonna !"
Ok Mark, let me know I'm going out supping real ale with the chaps :glynis.
so, I posed the question " do you consider the George Cross on your flag to be a compliment or an insult" - all the locals in Rosinas said they were proud of it - it is a symbol of Malta's bravery, and really nothing to do with the UK as such.They said very few Maltese wanted to get rid of it, either labour or nationalist, and its not a political issue apart from amongst the extreme right and left. I then asked about putting G.C. after Malta on addresses - they said they used to do it 20 years ago, but no longer.
Well, if they are happy with it, who am I to worry about it !
Well, if they are happy with it, who am I to worry about it !
Well said Mark, it's been a very interesting little discussion with all the unexpected quirks of a typical Malta / Gozo discussion, as you said in a previous post it's what makes our forum so special, many thanks to Graham also for his interesting input.
Regards
Sliema2
Regards
Sliema2
Very interesting debate, however I believe that the MLP have removed the George Cross from their flags. I wonder if they bothered to ask their members?
I agree that it is up to the people to decide what they want. As for the Kiwi's and the land of Oz, again it is up to them if they want the Union flag displayed upon their national flags. It is all down to history and how people value it.
Another debate would be to decide if the members of the EC would want a European flag to replace their own. But that is off topic!
I agree that it is up to the people to decide what they want. As for the Kiwi's and the land of Oz, again it is up to them if they want the Union flag displayed upon their national flags. It is all down to history and how people value it.
Another debate would be to decide if the members of the EC would want a European flag to replace their own. But that is off topic!
Must admit I think if I was Maltese I would be proud to have the George Cross on the flag, it just shows how heroic the country was in the face of a mighty enemy and I honestly think their effort changed the whole war to the final outcome and freedom that we all enjoy now.
Reading the history of Malta during the war and the immense hardship endured during that time is very moving and I honestly think that the award is as pertinent today to the small island and its very proud people as it was back in 1942 when it was awarded to the people of Malta.
Just my opinion of course, but I am very grateful for my freedom & thank the Maltese people immensely.
Reading the history of Malta during the war and the immense hardship endured during that time is very moving and I honestly think that the award is as pertinent today to the small island and its very proud people as it was back in 1942 when it was awarded to the people of Malta.
Just my opinion of course, but I am very grateful for my freedom & thank the Maltese people immensely.
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
-
My Malta holiday 2006
Posted by jothebookworm in Malta and Gozo Discussion Forum
-
Religious Feasts in Malta & Gozo 2006
Posted by Sliema2 in Malta and Gozo Discussion Forum
-
Independence from Greece?
Posted by rpbristol in Greece - Corfu Discussion Forum
- New review of Independence of the Seas available
- Independence of the Seas Questions