Smart Learning

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

Some images and video that are relevant to the Republic of Malta plaque. Sources are clearly indicated.

Images held by the National Archives of Malta

These images are available to view at their Flickr gallery, and shown here via hyperlink embed. All images held by the National Archives are copyright protected.

Jum ir-Repubblika / Republic Day – 13/12/1974
Reference: PHO 4288

The day Malta became a Republic – Prime Minister Mr Dom Mintoff together with Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Anton Buttigieg and the President of Malta Sir Anthony Mamo saluting the crowd from the President’s Palace in Valletta.

Video

Malta Becomes a Republic – 1974 | Today In History | 13 Dec 17

Courtesy the AP Archive [information metadata]

Jum ir-Repubblika 1974 u gurament ta’ Duminku Mintoff ta’ Prim Ministru

Courtesy YouTube user Ghaqda Duminku Mintoff, under standard YouTube license

Sources
Featured: Open Clip Art Library, Wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Malta.svg
YouTube Licence terms & conditions, 8.1 & 8.2

Activity

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

Some images that are relevant to Malta’s independence. Sources are clearly indicated.

Images held by the National Archives of Malta

These images are available to view at their Flickr gallery, and shown here via hyperlink embed. All images held by the National Archives are copyright protected.

Oath of Office of Prime Minister Giorgio Borg Olivier during the Day of Independence on the 21 September 1964  Ref. NAM-OPM-996-1964

Jum l-Indipendenza / Day of Independence – 21/09/1964
Prime Minister Dr. Borg Olivier addressing the crowd. Reference: PHO 4283

Souvenir Malta Independence Celebrations cover

More Links

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140921/life-features/The-arduous-road-to-independence.536653

Sources
Featured: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AA_view_of_shops_with_anti-British_and_pro-Independence_signs%2C_possibly_on_Kings_Street%2C_Valetta%2C_Malta_(5074435957).jpg

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

The Context – The difficult times after WW1

After WW1, the Maltese colonial government failed to provide an adequate supply of basic food, imports were limited, food became scarce and the cost of living increased dramatically.

The wage of dockyard and government workers was inadequate to keep with the increase in the cost of food. The dockyard workers formed a union in 1916, and in 1917 organised a strike after being offered a ten per cent pay increase which was considered too small to keep up with the cost of living.

People believed that grain importers and flour millers were making excessive profits over the price of bread. Merchants controlling other commodities also made large profits from the war, in spite of price regulations.

On the political side the first meeting of the National Assembly, held on February 25, 1919, approved a resolution demanding independence from the British Empire.

This difficult situation gave rise to extremism. Crowds took to the streets attacking wealthy people perceived as close to the colonial government.

Significance of the 7th June Riots

Reverse 10 Lira bank note, Malta, 1989.

The resistance and support for the pro-Italian parties that had challenged the British presence on the island increased.

Considered as the first step towards Maltese Independence. In fact:

• The new Governor, Lord Plumer, recommended liberal concessions to the Maltese.
• The House of Commons of the United Kingdom stressed that Malta was to have “control of purely local affairs”
• The Colonial Secretary sent a detailed description of the proposed constitution to the National Assembly. On April 30, 1921, the Amery-Milner Constitution was proclaimed.
• Political censorship enforced after the uprising was repealed on June 15, 1921.
• The first election held under the new constitution was held in October 1921, with the Prince of Wales inaugurating the new representative chambers on November 1, 1921.

Honouring the Fallen

Addolorata Cemetery. By Frank Vincentz (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ] via Wikimedia Commons

On June 7, 1986 the Sette Giugno monument was inaugurated at St George Square (Palace Square), Valletta. The Maltese Parliament declared the day to be one of the five national days of the island, on March 21, 1989, with the first official remembrance of the day occurring on June 7, 1989.

Substantial parts of this text have been drawn from Maltese History and Heritage, a project by Vassalomalta.com. Usage permission TBC

Sources
Featured: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWorld_War_One%3B_wagons_for_disembarkation_in_Malta_Wellcome_L0064610.jpg
2nd image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malta_-_Paola_-_Addolorata_Cemetery_10_ies.jpg
Bank Note: Aquarell of Gianni Vella. On June 7, 1919, Vella was at the Circolo La Giovine Malta in St Lucy Street, Valletta, where the Assemblea Nazionale was discussing a course of action in its dealings with the British colonial government. Source: http://www.worldbanknotescoins.com/2015/05/malta-10-maltese-lira-banknote-1989.html

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

The Uprising

• The first spark of unrest centred on the Maltese flag defaced with the Union Jack flying above the shop “A la Ville de Londres.”  The death of the President of the Court some days earlier had required all governmental departments to fly the Union Flag at half mast, including the National Library buildings in Pjazza Regina, and the meteorological office.
• The crowd moved on to the meteorological offices, housed in a Royal Air Force turret. After breaking the glass panes, the mob entered the offices ransacking and destroying everything inside. Some individuals climbed onto the turret, removing the Union Jack and throwing it into the street. The crowd burned the flag along with furniture taken from the offices nearby.
• The mob then moved back to Palace square, where they began to insult the soldiers detached in front the Main Guard buildings. The officer that was responsible for the watch closed the doors of the building and those of the Magisterial Palace across the square.
• In Old Theatre street, the offices of the Daily Malta Chronicle were broken into. Pieces of metal were placed to jam the printing machines. Ten soldiers, led by Lieutenant Shields, approached the offices of the Chronicle. These were surrounded by a crowd which then began to throw stones and other objects at the soldiers.
• While this was taking place, other crowds were attacking the home of Anthony Cassar Torreggiani in Old Bakery street perceived as supporters of the Imperial government and profiteering merchant. Here six soldiers were trying to stem a crowd of thousands. They broke and opened fire killing the first victim of the uprising, Manwel Attard, fell in front of the Cassar Torregiani house.

• Meanwhile, in the Chronicle offices, an officer ordered his men outside, since there was an evident smell of gas in the building. To clear a way out, the officer ordered a soldier to shoot low, away from the crowd. This shot hit Lorenzo Dyer, who tried to run away.
• On 8th June the crowd attacked the palace of Colonel Francia, the owner of a flour-milling machine. The Royal Malta Artillery soldiers protecting Francia’s house were reluctant to use force against their own countrymen. The crowd forced its way in and threw furniture, silverware and other objects outside. In the evening, one hundred and forty navy marines arrived, clearing the house and street of crowds. Carmelo Abela was in one of the side doorways of Francia’s house, calling for his son. Two marines proceeded to arrest him, and when he resisted, a marine ran him through the stomach with a bayonet. Abela died on June 16.

The report of the inquiring commission then proceeded to state that a shot was heard from the direction of a window of the Cassar Torreggiani house. At face value, this gives the impression that the Maltese were the first to shoot during the uprising. At that moment, as eyewitnesses reported, one of the soldiers shot a round into the crowd, with the rest of the troop following. The first victim of the uprising, Manwel Attard, fell in front of the Cassar Torregiani house. Other individuals were injured. Ġużè Bajada was hit near Old Theatre street, and fell on top of the Maltese flag he was carrying. The officer in charge began shouting for the firing to cease. Meanwhile, in the Chronicle offices, Lieutenant Shields ordered his men outside, since there was an evident smell of gas in the building. Shields feared making the soldiers exit the office one by one, since the crowd outside would certainly attack them; on the other hand, they could not remain inside. To clear a way out, Shields ordered a soldier to shoot low, away from the crowd. This shot hit Lorenzo Dyer, who tried to run away. Since the injury was serious, he was lifted by the crowd and carried to Palace square. During this initial uprising, three died and fifty were injured.

List of persons that were wounded or killed during the riots of the 7th and 8th June 1919 (detail, part 1/3). Other images in this series are available from National Archves of Malta, used with kind permission.

Newspaper clipping of the time, linked from Maltese History and Heritage

The proceedings in the National Assembly were interrupted as persons injured in the streets were brought inside. Some of the delegates left the buildings, while others ran to the balcony. The Assembly passed a quick motion in order to have a resolution to present to the Imperial government. Count Alfredo Caruana Gatto then addressed the crowds, asking them to restrain themselves from further violence. The Assembly then sent a delegation to the Lieutenant Governor, asking for the troops to be removed for the crowds to retreat. The Governor accepted, and Caruana Gatto addressed the crowd again, which complied and began to fall back.

The day after the attack, censorship was reinstated for political articles. In the morning, flowers and other tributes were placed in the streets where the victims had died. The deaths and injuries of so many people did not halt the uprisings. Another group attacked the flour mills owned by Cassar Torreggiani in Marsa, while other trading houses were raided in the outlying villages.

Substantial parts of this text have been drawn from Maltese History and Heritage, a project by Vassalomalta.com. Usage permission TBC.

Links

• Malta Diary Sette Gungio 1919 – the Maltese rebel against British Rule and The Establishment (great images in this post): http://b-c-ing-u.com/2017/06/21/malta-diary-sette-gungio-1919-maltese-rebel-british-rule-establishment/
• An alternate view: “The Sette Giugno Myth”: https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170607/opinion/The-Sette-Giugno-myth.650126

Sources

https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/uprisings-revolts/
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-06-08/leader/the-story-of-sette-giugno-1778679808/

Featured Image: Sette Giugno, detail. By penworks CC BY SA

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

After WW1 the Maltese colonial government failed to provide an adequate supply of basic food provisions for the islands. With the dramatic increase in the cost of living and scarcity of food, civil unrest resulted led by the desire for independence.

Following months of unrest, on the 7th of June 1919 a crowd attacked the property of wealthy people perceived as close to the colonial government. First the house of a leading grain importer in Old Bakery Street was attacked. The next day a crowd attacked the palace of Colonel Francia (now known as Palazzo Ferreria), who also owned a flour-milling machine. The Royal Malta Artillery soldiers protecting Francia’s house were reluctant to use force against their compatriots. The crowd forced its way in and threw furniture, silverware and other objects outside. In the evening, one hundred and forty navy marines arrived, clearing the house and street of crowds. Carmelo Abela was in one of the side doorways of Francia’s house, calling for his son. Two marines proceeded to arrest him, and when he resisted, a marine ran him through the stomach with a bayonet. Abela died on June 16.

Think about: the wealth of the Francia family and its current history as Farsons; the colonial heritage, the palazzo’s modern role as the Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity

Sources
– The Malta Independent – Sette Giugno – Carmelo Abela
– The Malta & International Football Collection: Palazzo Ferreria (comprehensive information)

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

Palazzo Ferreria is the second biggest private family palace in the city after the President’s Palace and was built on the site of the former foundry of the Knights where armaments were manufactured and from which the name is derived. The building site was acquired from the government by Giuseppe Buttigieg and Giovanna Camilleri, both very wealthy, and they erected Palazzo Ferreria in the late 1800s – with the best skilled workmanship on the island.

The coat of arms of both surnames Buttiegieg and Camilleri are on the façade of the palace on Republic Street, Valletta. The palace was left to their daughter Teresa who married Col. John Louis Francia, a Spanish citizen from Gibraltar., who was here with the British army. The Palace was used and lived in by the family employing an in-house staff of around 25 persons until 1947.

In 1947 Valletta had been practically destroyed by World War II and the Labour government needed to rent the palace for the Public Works Department, to restore the city from the war ruins. The Francia family accepted the needs of the government and leased it for a good rent, while keeping the best part of the palace as an apartment.

In 1979 the palace was sold by the Francia family to the government by an amicable special agreement to pay a tax settlement on all the Francia estates for death and duties purposes.

Sources
– Times of Malta article
– Wikipedia Sette Giugno
– Featured Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palazzo_Buttigieg-Francia_02.jpg

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

Go to the other side of Republic street to view the parliament. The parliament building is made up of two massive blocks in stone that are balanced on slender columns to give the building a sense of lightness, the whole respecting the line of the existing street layout. The northernmost block is principally given over to the parliament chamber, while the south block accommodates members of parliament’s offices and the offices of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.

• Note the porous urban block at the forefront of the building.
• The two blocks are separated by a central courtyard, which also serves as the main entrance to the building.
• The courtyard is conceived in such a way that views through to St James’s Cavalier from Republic Street are not obscured.
• The new parliament building is detached from the St James’s Cavalier bastion, highlighting the latter’s structure and historic size as part of the city’s fortifications.

The parliament’s facades are finished in solid stone sculpted as though eroded by the direction of the sun and the views around it, creating a fully functional device that filters solar radiation while allowing natural daylight inside, all the while maintaining views from the building. Each of these blocks of facade has been sculpted by a numerically controlled machine. The result is a stone architecture that is fitting for its historic context but also the product of cutting-edge technology.

The ground floor was conceived as a flexible cultural space, fully fitted out with a full range of multimedia services. It is an ideal space for temporary or permanent exhibitions, all fully visible from outside the building, serving as a sort of cultural outpost at the entrance to Valletta.

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/632066/valletta-city-gate-renzo-piano
Featured Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parliament_House_(Malta).jpeg

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

The site presently occupied by the Parliament House was originally built up with houses, and later the Valletta Station of the Malta Railway. [Photo of Valletta Railway station – featured image at the top of this page].

The area was bombarded during World War II and the station and surrounding buildings were demolished in the 1960s as part of a project to redevelop the entrance to Valletta. The area was converted into an open space known as Freedom Square.

Though most of the square has been built up, part of it is still officially the Freedom Square, and is now in a rectangular form. The square now covers from the corner of Palazzo Ferreria to the first column across of the subjected parliament, and to the Spanish steps next to the City Gate.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_House_(Malta)

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

The timeline of the Maltese Parliament

Maltese constitutional development has had a rather turbulent history:

• Under the Order of St John, from 1530 to 1798, there was no democracy.
• The French period (1798 to 1800) was marked by an armed insurrection within months of its commencement. With the approval of the King of the Two Sicilies, whom the Maltese still recognized as their lawful sovereign, the British were invited in and the French eventually had to leave.
• Under the Treaty of Paris (1814) Malta became a British possession. Its first Constitution was granted in 1835. However, its Council of Government was by nomination.
• In 1887, Malta acquired the first representative government through a Council which was composed of a majority of Maltese elected Members.
• By 1900, the political situation became tense as the 1887 constitution was slowly dismantled until representative government was revoked altogether in 1903.
• In February 1919 a newly constituted National Assembly unanimously resolved to request the British government to grant a new constitution with full political and administrative autonomy.

On 7 June 1919 riots broke out as a result of which four Maltese were killed by British troops. This crisis paved the way for the formation of a responsible government through a new constitution, granted in 1921. Thus Malta had its first government composed of Ministers who were themselves Members of and responsible to a Legislature which the Maltese people elected.

From 1921 to 1976, the Parliament of Malta met in the Tapestry Chamber of the Grandmaster’s Palace, in Valletta. [Photo: Tapestry Hall –  see featured image at the top of this page]

Parliament meeting in Armoury

New Parliament Hall

In 1976, the former armoury of the same palace was converted into a new parliament, and meetings were held there until the opening of the purpose-built Parliament House on 4 May 2015.

Sources for this text are listed at the end of this page.

Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_House_(Malta)
https://parlament.mt/menues/about-parliament/how-parliament-works/historical-background/
Images
Featured: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APalazzo_del_Grande_Maestro.interno.jpg

This post is intended for use with the Maltese Democracy walking tour and smart learning activities.

Edith Wharton

In 1888 the 26-year-old American novelist Edith Wharton visited Malta as part of a Mediterranean cruise. Her expectations were somewhat dashed, as her record in The Cruise of the Vanadis (2003) suggests:

The Strada Reale … with its Opera house, its hotels and photograph shops, is provokingly British and modern; one has to wander into the side streets for picturesque effects. The people are dressed in everyday European clothes, and in fact the reign of the prosaic has settled down upon Malta. As to the Street of the Knights, it filled me with an unreasonable disappointment. I had forgotten that the famous Auberges were probably not built until the end of the 16th or the beginning of the 17th century, and was needlessly aggrieved by their florid, late Renaissance façades, without beauty of detail or dignity of general effect.

Links

• Rooms with ‘good bones’: Edith Wharton’s design legacy (From Independent.com.mt)
• The Cruise of the Vanadis (Google Books, link starts at chapter 2)

Activity:

What does this historical snapshot into Republic Street say about Maltese society then and now?

The name of ‘Republic Street’

Triq ir-Repubblika. Frank Vincentz. GFDL/CC BY-SA 3.0. Click to enlarge.

Republic Street (Triq ir-Repubblika) was referred to historically as Strada San Giorgio, Rue de la Republique, Strada Reale and Kingsway.

Links

Where the Streets Have Four Names (Times of Malta, 2015)

Activity: Discuss how the different names of Republic Street relate to the evolution of the democratic process in Malta?

Featured image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AEdith_Newbold_Jones_Wharton.jpg
Image ‘Triq ir-Repubblika’: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malta_-_Valletta_-_Triq_ir-Repubblika_01_ies.jpg