A message for Christmas.

As we approach what should be the festive season in a few weeks’ time, this world of ours seems to be hurtling towards an apocalyptic phase with wars and conflicts sprouting up on a daily basis around its four corners with an increasing tempo. The escalation in the conflict following the invasion of Ukraine by Putin, the atrocities being committed in the Middle East on a daily basis, uprisings and protests in many countries being quelled by violent reactions from the authorities, legitimate or otherwise, as well as an increase in natural disasters do not bode well for our coming season of good cheer and indeed for man’s collective long-term future. 

Be that as it may, we should not be deterred from putting our efforts into striving to hope and work for peaceful solutions to the many cases of injustices which are afflicting mankind at this juncture of history. 

Christmas is a time of reflection as well as measured celebration and we hope that those world leaders who seem hell bent on creating conflict and cruelty on mankind should pause and consider the hardship they are inflicting on millions worldwide simply to massage their ambitions and power mongering. 

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Amidst this somewhat gloomy world situation, Malta G.C. celebrated its 60th Anniversary of Independence on 21st. September in a dignified way. The visit soon after of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh served to further seal the connection with the Royal Family of the country which had graciously granted the George Cross Island full autonomy after a presence of 164 years. 

The Royals had a full programme of events in the four days they spent on the Island and the British High Commission , headed by Her Excellency , Ms. Katherine Ward LVO made sure that they had full access to the Maltese people through their many visits to historical sites, educational facilities besides the official functions that were organised. A King’s birthday Party in the gardens of the High Commissioner’s residence was the highlight of the visit where the representatives of many NGOs were invited to set up stands around the lawn which the Royals toured in the course of the evening. 

The Duke and Duchess showed great interest in Malta’s wartime history and visited a number of Museums notably the War Museum in Fort St. Elmo where the George Cross Medal is exhibited as well as the Maritime Museum where the connection with the Royal Navy is very evident.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to three of the events organized by the High Commission and had the opportunity to expound to the Royals on the history of that conflict in which Malta earned her collective award of the George Cross, the first and only time it had been given to a whole nation.