It was a unique moment in the history of Maltese football when in Latvia last week, Hamrun Spartans became the first Maltese football team to reach the league stages of a European competition, the Europa Conference League.  

The Hamrunizi were jubilant as spontaneous celebrations took place on the streets of Hamrun at the final whistle. They had every reason to be so, but so were we. Hamrun shall now be playing at the top level of European football, in yet another clear demonstration that we, Maltese, can punch above our weight successfully, and in football too.  

Well done to the Hamrun Spartans team and its administration. You made Malta proud.

World class

Last week, alongside Film Commissioner Johann Grech, we had the pleasure of visiting the set of the new international, hugely popular production “Has Fallen,” which is currently being filmed in Malta.   Only a few days before, I visited another international production which was being filmed, amongst other places, in Fort Ricasoli – a docu-drama “Surviving Pompeii”. 

The film servicing industry in Malta has experienced significant growth over the past few years, creating a substantial number of new jobs and businesses that offer a diverse range of services to support this sector.  

The cash rebate that we offer has proved to be hugely successful in attracting some of the best global film productions to Malta, with the bottom line being that for every one Euro we invest we get three Euros back in the economy. In the first six months alone, the film servicing industry has injected EUR 100 million in our economy – and that does not happen by sitting down and doing nothing.

But we have an even stronger card – the outstanding talents of our workers and crew. As Russell Crowe rightly said, it takes a village to produce a movie and the Maltese are indeed superbly skilled and are doing a fantastic job. 

I am sure that together we will go from strength to strength.

I am truly proud of what we have achieved. Malta continues to shine as a world-class destination for filmmakers. 

Support local

Together with Dr Luke Dalli, Executive Chairman of the Malta Arts Council, that brilliant entity which is doing an impressively good job in supporting Malta’s arts and cultural sectors, we awarded an extra €860,000 in funding to 22 additional local film and audiovisual projects, under the Screen Support Scheme. This latest investment brings this year’s total investment to a staggering Euro 2.6 million. 

Since the scheme’s relaunch, earlier this year, the government has supported 55 local projects. This unprecedented investment has been directed towards projects that initially did not get financial support, but given their considerable potential, we are fully supporting them.

In the meantime, funding applications remain open for the ninth strand, dedicated to the international promotion of local productions – an additional €100,000 to support Maltese films reaching global audiences in the coming months. 

As we support the film servicing industry in attracting foreign production to Malta, in parallel, and with equal commitment and importance, we support local filmmakers to keep growing and reaching their full potential. 

Stronger safeguards

We have immediately acted upon a recommendation by the Court of Magistrates following the tragic death of Mirabelle Falzon in 2024, to establish a single central entity to receive reports on dangerous structures, whether government or private, ensuring immediate action in case of danger to the public. This entity will make it easier for the public to submit urgent reports. This is in addition to the current systems and the robust reform carried out in this legislature for better safeguards in the construction sector.

On behalf of the Government, I, once again, extend my deepest condolences to the Falzon family, especially her parents, Charmaine and Michael, following the tragic loss of their daughter, who died after being hit by falling rocks from the Għajn Riħama Battery, built on cliffs that are being eroded at a fast rate due to natural factors, in Marsascala, and salute their efforts to ensure better safeguards for the public’s safety. 

We support their endeavour, and that is why we shall lose no time to have this new entity in place to improve on what we have. 

A unique tradition

Recently, I met with the winners of l-Ghanja tal-Poplu 2025, a beautiful celebration of this genre of Maltese music and creativity. Over time, the storytelling, societal lyrics, and improvisation have evolved to reflect current times, but the authenticity of this genre remains the same, and it keeps attracting people of all ages and backgrounds.

Always a success

Malta’s Carnival had always been associated with the winter months – usually February, until we changed that and started to organise at the peak of summer too. This month’s events, in Bugibba and Marsascala, were another extraordinary success.

The people, Maltese, and tourists, just love it, which explains the sizeable crowds that turn up, unfailingly each year. A few weeks ago, I visited the workshops to meet the dedicated carnival enthusiasts who were busy bringing their colourful floats to life. These brave men and women have extraordinary talent and an impressive dedication to what is clearly their love and passion. Heartfelt thanks to the St Paul’s Bay and Marsascala Local Councils for making this year’s events another huge success. 

St Catherine

The feast of St. Catherine, in Zurrieq, has a unique tradition and is deeply rooted in Maltese culture. The St Catherine Musical Society of Zurrieq, with my Ministry’s support, took the excellent initiative of publishing a book, ‘Vetrina tal-Artigjanat’, that explains in detail the centuries of celebrations dedicated to the feast of St Catherine in Zurrieq, with a beautiful focus on the rich tradition of street decorations. I salute the St Catherine Musical Society for this welcoming initiative, which not only celebrates the past but also enables us to nurture these remarkable traditions for years to come.

St Nicholas

Not the patron saint of Siggiewi, the beautiful village whose patron saint is Malta’s most popular with children, especially at Christmas time, but the St Nicholas Fortifications between Bormla and Fgura, which we invested heavily in – Euro 650,000, to have them restored. Earlier this month, I visited the place to witness the beautiful job done by the talented employees within our restoration unit.

The Fortifications are now fully restored, covering an impressive 4,500+ m2. This is part of a broader cultural strategy to nurture Malta’s heritage whilst creating new opportunities for Maltese and tourists to experience Malta’s rich past.

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