Politics, heritage, and identity

Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government

This evening, Prime Minister and Labour leader Robert Abela delivers his concluding speech at the Labour Party Congress. It was a week-long congress that saw the participation of many people across all ages and backgrounds. The purpose of this congress was to shape the next electoral manifesto of the Labour Party.

Starting in Gozo last Sunday and concluding today at Ta' Qali, the Congress was structured in a way to decentralise political discussion and bring decision-making closer to people across different communities. The remarkable thing about the Labour Party is that, despite being in government, it kept regenerating itself. This is a stark contrast to the Nationalist Party, which failed to identify its core mission following Malta's EU membership. There is widespread agreement that, having secured Malta's EU membership, the PN lost its way and is still going round in circles.

Back to the Labour Party congress. It was a healthy exercise in internal democracy where voices that are often outside traditional party structures were given a platform to be heard. NGOs, business leaders, young people, and Labour Party members joined forces in analysing the current trends of Maltese society and its booming economy and suggested how we can make Malta better. The Congress was a genuine attempt at engagement. The involvement of multiple stakeholders from civil society and the business community reinforces the Labour Party's commitment to broaden its consultative base.

The closing speech by the Prime Minister this evening will set the tone for how the collected ideas will be prioritised and implemented moving forward.

Main Guard

This week, I had the pleasure, together with my colleagues from Heritage Malta and the Valletta mayor, Olaf McKay, of announcing the completion of the restoration works on the façade and portico of the Main Guard in St George's Square, Valletta.

This project goes beyond the structural intervention that took place; it is a statement of the Labour government's commitment to safeguarding the heritage of Valletta, our capital city, while ensuring it remains alive, accessible, and meaningful for present and future generations.

The Main Guard is one of Malta's most well-known historical landmarks. It represents one of Valletta's most emblematic historic buildings. Its legacy dates to the late sixteenth century. It served as the Grandmaster's guardhouse from 1604.  Later adaptations under British administration reflect the layered history of Malta. Each phase of its existence has left a visible imprint, making it a living document of Malta's evolving identity.

Heritage Malta's restoration works repaired not only the substantial physical damage but also rediscovered lost layers of artistic and architectural heritage. The reintegration of the nineteenth-century colour scheme on the portico, alongside the careful conservation of wooden beams, stonework, and iron elements, demonstrates the depth of scholarly research and craftsmanship involved in this project.

Beyond conservation, this project is about transformation. The Main Guard, once again in full splendour, shall serve once again as a vibrant cultural space once the project will be completed by next year. It will be enjoyed by the public, accompanied by immersive digital experiences that will bring 8,000 years of Maltese history to life. Through this project, we have managed to bridge the gap between past and present, ensuring that heritage speaks directly to today's audiences.

Heritage Malta also ensured that, through these restoration works, accessibility and education are prioritised. This will allow visitors to experience this historic building safely and comfortably. At the same time, ongoing research and discoveries within the building continue to enrich our understanding of its past, revealing new stories hidden within its walls.

Labour is committed to ensuring that Valletta remains a dynamic, vibrant city rather than a static relic, as it had been for many years pre-2013. Valletta, as a World Heritage City, deserves continuous care and thoughtful regeneration that respects its authenticity while allowing it to evolve. The Main Guard project exemplifies this balance between preservation and innovation.

We have now ensured that through this unique restoration project, the Main Guard becomes not only a restored monument but a dynamic cultural attraction at the heart of our capital city.

As the Minister for Arts, Lands, and Local Government, I am deeply grateful to Heritage Malta, led by Mario Cutajar (Chair) and Noel Zammit (CEO), and its team of seasoned, hard-working, and passionate conservators, architects, and craftsmen whose expertise has made this achievement possible. Their expertise ensures that every intervention contributes meaningfully to Malta's unique heritage. The Main Guard restoration project is not an isolated effort. It forms part of a broader and wider vision by the Labour government to strengthen national identity and ensure that our heritage is preserved for generations to come.

For me, this project is a bridge between generations. It ensures that younger generations can engage with Malta's history in meaningful and interactive ways. In the meantime, Valletta continues to evolve as a capital city that respects its past while embracing innovation, and the Main Guard stands as a powerful example of this balance.

Isla or Senglea?

The Senglea Local Council has initiated an interesting discussion and is seeking its residents' opinion on restoring Senglea's official name in place of the widely used "Isla". Being more than a matter of semantics, but a reflection of how a community chooses to define itself, the Local Council did well to open a public consultation on this matter.

For generations, "Isla" has been the term used in everyday speech. As Emeritus Professor Stanley Fiorini notes, its roots stretch back centuries, derived from the Arabic "jazeerah," a reminder of Malta's layered linguistic and cultural past. To many, abandoning "Isla" may feel like losing a piece of that continuity.

Yet the argument for reinstating "Senglea" carries its own compelling significance. Bestowed by Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, the name marks a defining chapter in the city's history-its elevation to official city status and its resilience during pivotal moments such as the Great Siege of 1565.

Whether residents choose to embrace Senglea officially or retain Isla, this interesting discussion reinforces a shared sense of ownership over the city's past and future.

The Grand Mosque of Algiers

Amid the global chaos unleashed by the war on Iran, Pope Leo XIV's visit to the Grand Mosque of Algiers went largely unnoticed. It was a visit of great historical importance and a remarkable sign of fraternity between the world's two major religions. Welcomed by the Mosque's Rector, Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim, Pope Leo highlighted the site's spiritual significance and paused in silent meditation.

The Grand Mosque of Algiers was commissioned by former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as part of his vision of moderate religiosity. It is the third-largest mosque in the world, capable of accommodating up to 120,000 worshippers.

Let there be unity amongst people independently of their race, religion or creed.