Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   It's Notte Bianca tomorrow in Valletta, and this year, it is more vibrant and inclusive than previous editions - all of which were extraordinary successes.   The streets of Valletta will be bustling with cultural and artistic creativity, offering quality entertainment for everyone. Valletta's majestic palaces and historical buildings will be open to the public. This year's event will feature 350 a

This week, Prime Minister Robert Abela took centre stage at the United Nations Conference in New York, and in front of world leaders, declared proudly and unequivocally that Malta was recognizing the State of Palestine. It was a historic moment in world politics, and for Malta, it was yet another confirmation that we stand on the right side of history. Bold step Since 1988, Malta has recognised Palestinian 'aspirations' for statehood, but it is the current Labour government,

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government)     "Our biggest regret is that he can never look in the mirror and see how good-looking he is. He will never be able to see his brother and sister, and the world around him."  This is what Karen and Johann Ellul told The Malta Independent on Sunday, in 2016, about their son Quiven, then a two-year-old, who a year before had been diagnosed with cancer in both eyes and, as a result, lost his sight. Fa

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Like an exhausted traveller, the Nationalist Party limps after 12 catastrophic years in opposition. Following the heavy defeat in 2013, the PN chose not to change - with fatal electoral consequences since then. Last week, Adrian Delia and Alex Borg debated each other on NET TV. It was almost a physical discomfort to watch them. The air felt heavy, and the atmosphere was tense - the vacancy for the

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   15th August 1942 - as Malta was on the verge of surrendering to the enemy, the people were famished and the country in ruins, and the embattled Ohio, having endured enemy fire, sailed into the Grand Harbour bringing much-needed supplies to Malta. With pride, Malta called it the Santa Marija Convoy, and 83 years later it remains a special occasion for Malta and the Maltese. Every year we celebrate

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Malta will not be alone in recognising the State of Palestine next September and will be joining another 10 EU member states who have already recognised the State of Palestine. Out of these ten States, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden had already recognised the State of Palestine generations ago when people my age were still in our childhood. Malta's decision to rec

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Adrian Delia and Alex Borg are vying for the top post at the Nationalist Party. Following the abrupt resignation of Bernard Grech, few were willing to throw their names into the hat, and only Delia and Borg came forward. Media reports said that there was a gentleman's agreement between Borg and his now former mentor, Delia, that the former will not contest against the latter. It was said that Deli

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of addressing a conference as part of the Mediterrane Film Festival. The setting was the majestic Fort Ricasoli, the location for some of Hollywood's greatest blockbusters, including Gladiator.  It was an occasion to look back, reflect and look forward and inspire.  I spoke about the need to nurture the thriving film-servicing industry and ensure a better trai

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   As I write, the Nationalist Party is in deep trouble. Bernard Grech resigned abruptly, leaving his party to pick up the pieces. Roberta Metsola, who many portrayed her as the new PN 'messiah' ended up choosing Brussels.   PN supporters are learning, at their own expense, that the portrayal of hope meant one thing and in reality was another, as Ray Bezzina in a not so subtle manner wrote in one of

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   This week, Prime Minister Robert Abela entrusted me with the Lands Authority in addition to my current portfolio, National Patrimony, the Arts and Local Councils.  This is a significant responsibility to which I shall give my very best.  I am honoured and humbled by the Prime Minister's decision. His trust in me shall be reciprocated by an unwavering commitment of hard work and dedication to our b

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   From the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where I accompanied Prime Minister Robert Abela on a state visit, I called Miriana Conte in Switzerland and on behalf of the people of Malta, and the government, I thanked her for the outstanding performance the day before. There was a chorus of approval on social media platforms that the young Malta's singer outdid herself. Malta got positive wall-to-wall cov

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Last week, the Labour Party organized a mass meeting in Merchants Street Valletta to celebrate Workers Day. It was an extraordinary success. The Labour Party has been celebrating Workers Day since its inception. There were times, particularly in the mid-1960s, when Labour faced fierce opposition from the conservative forces for celebrating Workers Day. Dom Mintoff, at the time leader of the Labour

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Election surveys are a snapshot of the current situation in which they are taken.  Nothing more, nothing less.   I describe them as a "weather report" and they should be kept in that perspective, and in no way do they indicate what would happen in a general election. But admittedly, surveys do give an indication of people's mood. Last Sunday, MaltaToday carried out an election survey, and the resu

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   It is often said that history repeats itself. Within the Nationalist Party, this is certainly the case. Last Sunday, Dr. Kevin Cassar, a failed PN election candidate and a hugely divisive political commentator, lashed out at PN MP Alex Borg, accusing him of being 'Labour's trojan horse'. Borg took offence and chided the failed politician Cassar on Facebook. He was joined by his fellow MPs Adrian D

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   As I write, EU leaders are preparing for an important Summit in Brussels. On its agenda, the war in Ukraine, the developments following the diplomatic incident between President Trump and President Zelensky at the Oval Office, the US suspension of military aid to Ukraine, and Ursula Von der Leyen proposal for a Euro 800 billion defence plan.  These are worrying times for world order. I have had th

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Last Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Abela and I met a healthy group of artists, creatives and cultural managers to discuss the role of our traditions in the shaping up of our identity. I couldn't be prouder. For more than an hour, we discussed the future of our cultural traditions, and there was widespread agreement on the vital role of culture in strengthening Maltese identity. As the Minister res

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   I was in Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine, last week - a country ravaged by war.  The Ukrainians have witnessed, and still do, the horrors of war. It has been three years since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Three years of unspeakable hardships for the Ukrainians. Their homes have been destroyed, livelihoods ruined, dreams shattered, future put on hold, and they have witnessed the death of their lo

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   The Malta Labour Migration Policy has been well received by employers, stakeholders, and the public at large. It is the result of a government that not only listens to peoples' concerns but acts.  Let's call a spade by its name. The large number of third country nationals (TCNs) working in Malta has become a cause of concern for many. I am not referring to the few whose concerns are driven by xeno

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   There was a time in Malta when Governments considered culture and the arts to be an afterthought or a political appendix to something else. There were many reasons for this lack of interest.  The country's economic situation at the time meant that money, or what was left of it, had to be allocated towards other areas, namely health and education - and even here, investment was meagre. But there wa

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.) Labour has always worn its social conscience on its sleeve. Budget 2025 is a clear demonstration of that. But it goes back a long way. During the holiday period, a friend of mine sent me links to mass meeting speeches by former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Dom Mintoff. Not only are they a textbook case of remarkable political oratory, but they show how the Labour Party has always prioritis