Malta - TV Tropes
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The Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a small Southern European island nation, located about 60 miles off the coast of Italy and consisting of the inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino and a number of uninhabited islands. Malta has historically been of enormous strategic significance. The Knights of St. John were resettled here after their original base of Rhodes was over-run by the Ottoman Turks.
During World War II, Malta was a British possession (following wars with France a century earlier) and a very useful air and naval base just off the enemy (Italian) coast. The Italian and German air forces made determined attempts to do something about this, but were held off by a bare minimum of British fighters. The people of Malta were considered to have conducted themselves so bravely during the bombardment that the entire nation was collectively awarded the George Cross (The United Kingdom's highest civilian award for bravery). In one of Europe's biggest post-war What Could Have Been's, Malta was shockingly close to becoming a full-fledged constituent of the United Kingdom itself during the 1950's; the proposal was approved in a 1956 referendum by 77% of voters, but the idea fizzled out shortly afterwards. Malta ultimately became a fully independent republic in 1974.
The Maltese language sounds very odd to English-speakers, being an Afro-Asiatic language of the Semitic subfamily (like Hebrew and Arabic) rather than an Indo-European one and something of a cross between Arabic and Italian. It is thought that it is descended from the form of Arabic spoken by Arab traders in Sicily during The Middle Ages. Its closest relative is Tunisian Arabic; a Tunisian who knows Italian or an Italian who speaks Tunisian Arabic should be able to get by.
When in Malta, it is worth being prepared.
Historically, Malta is known for its pre-historic temples and the ancient worship of the 'Fat Lady'. Over the ages the island exchanged hands, being ruled by Romans, Arabs, Knights of St. John, French, British and finally in modern times, the locals. Under the Knights, the island held its ground against a massive armada of the Ottoman Empire, and made quite a show during the Great Siege of Malta.
Public Transport
- When facing the primordial terror of a local bus (usually decorated inside with religious iconography), one must be aware of the 'bus driver'. This fat man will not look you in the eyes, but will instead stick a grimy hand out to you. You will be expected to pay about 47euro cents if it is a normal bus ride. He will press a tiny button and a ticket will pop out of the machine. You must take this ticket, and find a seat.
Filth Dispensers / Old Bars
- Aside from the usual peanut bowl which contains every disease known to man, entertain a bird's eye view of what the barman does with whatever is available. Usually, flesh eating slimes crawl amidst grime and other dangers to public health.
Wardens
- Every local hates the wardens. They seem to find every excuse to give you a ticket. So have your car keys on standby to make a runner if you see one charge from around the corner.
Doorstep Geriatrics
- Quite a few traditional, conservative Maltese tend to make it a personal crusade to ensure the cleanliness of their doorsteps, which they wash and hold small parties upon. Don't violate the sanctity of the Maltese doorstep, lest you invoke the wrath of the local.
Carriage Drivers
- Around the capital city of Valletta, you'll find plenty of carriages, their horses and of course the guys trying to make money off of the whole thing by offering tourists a small ride around town.
Despite all of this, Malta's climate (in spring and autumn, at any rate), and the fact that most of its inhabitants speak at least some English, make it a popular holiday destination with Britons.
Gladiator was filmed here; while it was being filmed, Oliver Reed died as a result of a heavy drinking-session in a pub in Valletta; said pub, which is actually called The Pub, has since become an attraction in and of itself, especially with British tourists. Popeye was also filmed here; the main set that portrayed the town of Sweethaven still exists as "Popeye Village", a museum and entertainment complex.
Final Justice was also filmed and set here. An episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was supposedly set here, but bizarrely and insultingly depicted the country as an isolated developing-world rogue state whose government was in the pocket of a millionaire Diabolical Mastermind. Michael Bay's 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi was also filmed here as a stand-in for Benghazi, Libya due to the area having a lot of Northern Africa-style architecture and also being a lot safer than Libya itself. Valletta also served as stand-in for late 15th century Spanish cities Granada and Seville in Assassin's Creed. * The rocky isle of Filfla in the South is often used as the fictional Isle of Monte Cristo in adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo (such as the 1998 miniseries, the 2002 film and the 2024 miniseries).
XTC's Andy Partridge was born in Malta, although he and the band are more commonly associated with Swindon. However, perhaps the most famous ethnic Maltese people in the world are second-generation members of the Maltese diaspora: Aussie comedian Shaun Micallef and American politician Peter "Secretary Mayor Pete" Buttigieg.
See also Maltese Media for works from this country.
Media set in Malta
Anime & Manga
Literature
- The Kappillan of Malta by Nicholas Monsarrat
Theatre
The Maltese flag
Red and white are traditional colors used by The Knights Hospitallers; at the canton is the George Cross, Britain's highest award for civilian gallantry (as well as military personnel engaged in non-military operations), conferred upon the entire nation by the system's founder, King George VI, to honor its heroic stand during World War II, showing a Greek cross, at the center of which is a medallion showing Saint George, patron of England, slaying a dragon, surrounded by a ring which reads "For Gallantry".
Coat of arms of Malta
The coat of arms was adopted in 1988 to replace its previous controversial coat of arms. It depicted a shield that contains the flag of Malta crowned with a mural crown (to represent Malta as a city-state). a palm leaf and an olive leaf (to symbolize peace) and a white ribbon containing the country's full name in Maltese.
The Maltese national anthem
Lil din l-art ħelwa, l-Omm li tatna isimha,
Ħares, Mulej, kif dejjem Int ħarist:
Ftakar li lilha bil-oħla dawl libbist.
Agħti, kbir Alla, id-dehen lil min jaħkimha,
Rodd il-ħniena lis-sid, saħħa 'l-ħaddiem:
Seddaq il-għaqda fil-Maltin u s-sliem.
—
Guard, Lord, forever, as you've done erst and ceasing never,
This land whose name we received, our motherly-named Mother.
On those who govern, sovereign God, bestow understanding,
Grant wellness to those who work, largesse to those employing,
Make firm, make just all our bonds, the peace we are enjoying.
Government
- Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
- President: Myriam Spiteri Debono
- Prime Minister: Robert Abela
- Deputy Prime Minister: Ian Borg
- Chief Justice: Mark Chetcuti
- Speaker of the Parliament: Angelo Farrugia
Miscellaneous
- Capital: Valletta
- Largest town: St. Paul's Bay
- Population: 514,564
- Area: 316 sq km (122 sq mi) (185th)
- Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
- ISO-3166-1 Code: MT
- Country calling code: 356
- Highest point: Ta'Dmejrek (253 m/830 ft) (188th)
- Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea (5,267 m/17,280 ft) (-)