The culture of Malta is a reflection of various cultures that have come into contact with the Maltese Islands throughout the centuries, including neighbouring Mediterranean cultures, and the cultures of the nations that ruled Malta for long periods of time prior to its independence in 1964. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...

The culture of prehistoric Malta

The temple complex at Mnajdra (4th mi-3200 BCE)

The earliest inhabitants of the Maltese Islands are believed to have been farmers who crossed over from nearby Sicily sometime before 5000 BCE. They grew cereals and raised domestic livestock and, in keeping with many other ancient Mediterranean cultures, worshipped a mother goddess, represented in Malta by statuettes of unusually large proportions. Pottery from the earliest period of Maltese civilization (known as the Għar Dalam phase) is similar to that found in Agrigento, Sicily. These people were either supplanted by, or gave rise to a mysterious culture of megalithic temple builders, whose surviving monuments on Malta and Gozo are now believed to be the oldest standing stone structures in the world.^{[1] [2] [3]} The temples date from 4000 - 2500 BCE, and typically consist of a complex trefoil (cloverleaf) design. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (460x631, 91 KB) Summary Mnajdra (detail) photo: -jkb- (1985) copy of cs:Soubor:Mt16 mnaj. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (460x631, 91 KB) Summary Mnajdra (detail) photo: -jkb- (1985) copy of cs:Soubor:Mt16 mnaj. ... (6th millennium BC – 5th millennium BC – 4th millennium BC – other millennia) Events 4713 BC – The epoch (origin) of the Julian Period described by Joseph Justus Scaliger occurred on January 1, the astronomical Julian day number zero. ... A Cucuteni culture statuette, 4th millennium BC. A mother goddess is a goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother, who serves as a general fertility deity, the bountiful embodiment of the earth. ... Għar Dalam (pronounced ar dàlam in Maltese and meaning Cave of Darkness) is an extraordinary prehistorical cul de sac containing the bone remains of animals that were stranded and subsequently became extinct on Malta at the end of the Ice age. ... San Lorenzo. ... Megalithic tomb, Mane Braz, Brittany A megalith is a large stone which has been used to construct a structure or monument either alone or with other stones. ... (5th millennium BC – 4th millennium BC – 3rd millennium BC - other millennia) Events City of Ur in Mesopotamia (40th century BC). ... (Redirected from 2500 BCE) (26th century BC - 25th century BC - 24th century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2900 - 2334 BC -- Mesopotamian wars of the Early Dynastic period 2494 BC -- End of Fourth Dynasty, start of Fifth Dynasty in Egypt. ...

Little is known about the temple builders of Malta and Gozo; however, there is some evidence that their rituals included animal sacrifice. This culture disappeared from the Maltese Islands around 2500 BCE. The reasons for the disappearance are shrouded in mystery, although historians and archeologists have speculated that the temple builders fell victim to famine and disease. War is unlikely to have been the cause of their disappearance, since archeological digs on Malta have yielded little or no evidence of weapons. A sheep is led to the altar, 6th century BC Corinthian fresco. ... (Redirected from 2500 BCE) (26th century BC - 25th century BC - 24th century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2900 - 2334 BC -- Mesopotamian wars of the Early Dynastic period 2494 BC -- End of Fourth Dynasty, start of Fifth Dynasty in Egypt. ...

The Maltese Islands were depopulated for several decades, until the arrival of a new influx of Bronze Age immigrants, a culture that is known to have cremated its dead, and introduced smaller megalithic structures called dolmens to Malta.^[4] The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... The crematorium at Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, England. ... T shaped Hunebed D27 in Borger-Odoorn, Netherlands, recent. ...

The development of modern Maltese culture

Main article: History of Malta

See also: Timeline of Maltese history

The culture of modern Malta has been described as a "rich pattern of traditions, beliefs and practices," which is the result of "a long process of adaptation, assimilation and cross fertilization of beliefs and usages drawn from various conflicting sources." It has been subjected to the same complex, historic processes that gave rise to the linguistic and ethnic admixture that defines who the people of Malta and Gozo are today.^[5] Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... This is a historical timeline of Malta Main article: History of Malta about 5200 BC: People first arrive on Malta. ... The Maltese people or Maltese are a nation and ethnic group native to Malta, an island nation consisting of an archipelago of seven islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. ...

Overview

Maltese culture has both Semitic and Romance origins; however, the Romance element is more readily apparent in modern Malta for several key reasons: (i) political and cultural affinities between the Maltese and their northern Mediterranean neighbours; (ii) the fact that Romance cultures have had more recent, and virtually continuous impact on Malta over the past eight centuries; and (iii) the religious beliefs, traditions and ceremonies that Malta shares in common with its Sicilian neighbour. The ascendancy of Romance influences over the Semitic origins of Maltese culture and folklore in latter centuries may also be an innate response to frequent national calamities - including loss of property, forced labour and enslavement - suffered by the Maltese from the 9th century through to the early 16th century due to piracy and raids of their islands, primarily at the hands of the Hafsids of North Africa and Turkish corsairs. The most recent, and arguably, most devastating such incidents occurred in 1551, when the Saracens, led by Dragut Reis, raided Gozo, taking almost the entire population of that island, some 5,000 inhabitants, away into slavery,^[6] and in 1565, when the Ottoman Empire again, led by Dragut, invaded and besieged Malta. Although the Knights and the Maltese were ultimately victorious against the Ottoman forces, victory came at a high cost: one third of the population of Malta is said to have perished in battle. In linguistics and ethnology, Semitic (from the Biblical Shem, Hebrew: שם, translated as name, Arabic: سام) was first used to refer to a language family of largely Middle Eastern origin, now called the Semitic languages. ... Latin Europe Latin Europe (Italian, Portuguese and Spanish: Europa latina; French: Europe latine; Romanian: Europa latină; Catalan: Europa llatina; Franco-Provençal: Eropa latina) is composed of those nations and areas in Europe that speak a Romance language and are seen as having a distinct culture from the Germanic and... This article is about maritime piracy. ... Flag of Tunis under the Hafsids according to the Catalan Atlas c. ...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa. ... The Moorish ambassador of the Barbary States to the Court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. ... Year 1551 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... For the rugby club Saracens see Saracens (rugby club) The term Saracen comes from Greek sarakenoi. ... Dragut Reis Turgut Reis (1514-1565) Ottoman, Turkish corsair and admiral, as well as Bey of Tunis. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... // Events March 1 - the city of Rio de Janeiro is founded. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... Combatants Ottoman Empire Knights Hospitaller Spanish Empire Commanders Lala Kara Mustafa Pasha Piyale Pasha Turgut Reis † Salih Reis Uluç Ali Reis Jean de Valette Strength 22,000-48,000 6,100-8,500 Casualties < 2,500 - 3,500 2,500, plus 7,000 civilians, and 500 slaves The Siege of...

These dramatic incidents remain etched in the collective memory of the Maltese, and are reflected in some Maltese superstitions, beliefs, sayings and proverbs.

Sources of Semitic influence

Ancient Phoenicians

The Ancient Phoenicians inhabited the Maltese Islands from around 700 BCE, and made extensive use of their sheltered harbours. By 480 BCE, with the ascendancy of Carthage in the western Mediterranean, Malta became a Punic colony. Traditional Maltese folklore suggests Phoenician origins for the Maltese people and their customs; however, modern scholars dispute whether any pre-Arab, Phoenician substratum still survives today in the language, culture and traditions of Malta.^[7] Algerian legend claims that the ancestors of the present Maltese, together with the first Algerians, fled from their original homeland of Aram, with some choosing to settle in Malta and others in North Africa, which would suggest that the prototypical Maltese culture had Aramaean origins.^[8] Another legend suggests that the Maltese are descended from shepherd tribes who fled Bethlehem in the face of an advancing enemy, set sail from Jaffa, and settled in Malta.^[9] There is also some evidence that at least one North African tribe, the Oulad Said, claim that they share common ancestry with the Maltese.^[10] Phoenicia (nonstandardly, Phenicia; pronounced [1], Greek: : Phoiníkē, Latin: ) was an ancient civilization centered in the north of ancient Canaan, with its heartland along the coastal regions of modern day Lebanon, Syria and Israel. ... ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 530s BC 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC Years: 485 BC 484 BC 483 BC 482 BC 481 BC _ 480 BC _ 479 BC... For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... The Punics, (from Latin pūnicus meaning Phoenician) were a group of Western Semitic speaking peoples originating from Carthage in North Africa who traced their origins to a group of Phoenician and Cypriot settlers. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Aramaeans. ... The Arameans or Aramaeans (also called Syriacs) were a Semitic, nomadic people who dwelt in Aram-Naharaim or Aram of the two rivers, also known as Mesopotamia a region including modern Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Iran that is mentioned six times in the Hebrew Bible. ... This article is about the city in the West Bank. ... For other uses, see Jaffa (disambiguation). ...

Arab conquest

A period of Arabization is said to have followed the conquest of Malta by the Arabs. However, it is difficult to trace a continuous line of cultural development during this time, since various historians have reported that the Maltese Islands were depopulated, or sparsely populated, following the Arab invasion of 870 CE. Some historians have speculated that the Maltese were decimated during the invasion, or carried off into slavery, or perhaps that they escaped to Sicily and elsewhere. According to the Rawd al-mi'ṭār fī khabar al-aqṭār ("The Scented Garden of Information about Places"),^[11] after the capture of Malta by the Aghlabids, the islands were left depopulated, wasted and abandoned ("khirba ghayr āhila"), visited by Arabs from time to time solely for the purpose of gathering honey and timber, and catching fish. Arabization is the gradual transformation of an area into one that speaks Arabic and is part of the Arab culture. ... Events February 28 - End of the Fourth Council of Constantinople. ... The Aghlabid dynasty of emirs ruled Ifriqiya (northern Africa), nominally on behalf of the Abbasid Caliph, for about a century, until overthrown by the new power of the Fatimids. ...

A small commune of Muslims from neighbouring Sicily refounded the city of Mdina in 1040. ^[12] Up to two hundred years after the conquest of Malta by Count Roger the Norman, there continued to be significant differences between the customs and usages of the inhabitants of Malta as compared to those prevalent in other parts of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies: "homines insularum ipsarum vivunt aliis moribus et constitutionibus, quam alii homines regni nostri Sicilie."^[13] The marble gravestone of an Arab girl named Majmuna (pr. My-moona), found in the Xewkija area of Gozo and dating back to 1173, confirms that Arabs were still present in Maltese society in the years following the Norman invasion. It should be noted, however, that the population of Malta at that time amounted to no more than 1,119 households, of whom 836 were described as "Saracens". Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... Not to be confused with Medina. ... Events March War of Independence of Western Xia occurred. ... Roger I (1031 – June 22, 1101), Norman ruler of Sicily, was the youngest son of Tancred of Hauteville. ... The Two Sicilies The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Italian: il Regno delle Due Sicilie) was the new name that the Bourbon King Ferdinand IV of Naples bestowed upon his domain (including Southern Italy and the island of Sicily) after the end of the Napoleonic Era and the full restoration... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... Canonization of Saint Thomas à Becket, buried at Canterbury Castle at Abergavenny was seized by the Welsh. ... For the rugby club Saracens see Saracens (rugby club) The term Saracen comes from Greek sarakenoi. ...

Arab influence is evident in traditional Maltese architecture, in the names of many Maltese towns and villages, and in the spoken form of the Maltese language. Maltese is the national language of Malta[1], and an official language of the European Union. ...

Slavery

Semitic influences over Maltese customs and traditions are now believed to have continued unabated during the 268-year rule of the Knights of St. John over Malta, due in part to trade between the Knights and North Africa, but primarily due to the large numbers of slaves present in Malta during the 17th and 18th centuries: upwards of 2,000 at any given time (or about 5 per cent of the population of Malta), of whom 40-45 per cent were Moors, and the remainder Turks, Jews and Africans. The slaves were engaged in construction, in shipbuilding and repair, baking, the manufacture of armour, cloth and rope and the transportation of Knights and noble Maltese by sedan-chair. They were also occasionally permitted to engage in their own trades for their own account, including hairdressing, shoemaking, woodcarving, as water vendors and cooks, which would have brought them into close, and frequent contact with the local population in towns and villages. Inquisitor Federico Borromeo (iuniore) reported in 1653 that: The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... For other uses, see moor. ... Languages Historical Jewish languages Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, others Liturgical languages: Hebrew and Aramaic Predominant spoken languages: The vernacular language of the home nation in the Diaspora, significantly including English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian Religions Judaism Related ethnic groups Arabs and other Semitic groups For the Jewish religion, see Judaism. ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... The Inquisition was an office of the Roman Catholic Church charged with suppressing heresy. ... Events February 2 - New Amsterdam (later renamed New York City) is incorporated. ...

"[the slaves] strolled along the street of Valletta under the pretext of selling merchandise, spreading among the women and simple-minded persons any kind of superstition, charms, love-remedies and other similar vanities."^[14] Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ...

A significant number of slaves converted to Christianity, were emancipated, or even adopted by their Maltese patrons, granted permission to marry, and essentially integrated into the Maltese population, which may have further entrenched their native customs and beliefs into Maltese culture.^[15]

Jews

Main article: History of the Jews in Malta

A number of Jewish families resided in Malta almost consistently from approximately 1500 BCE to the 1492 Edict of Expulsion, and again from the time of the Knights of Malta through to the present. This can be seen as yet another source of Semitic influence in Maltese culture. Jews have lived in Malta - though never in a number greater than 1,000 inhabitants - since approximately 1500 BC. Their presence probably dates back to the Hebrew seafaring tribes of Zebulun and Asher. ... (Redirected from 1500 BCE) Centuries: 17th century BC - 16th century BC - 15th century BC Decades: 1550s BC 1540s BC 1530s BC 1520s BC 1510s BC - 1500s BC - 1490s BC 1480s BC 1470s BC 1460s BC 1450s BC Events and Trends Stonehenge built in Wiltshire, England The element Mercury has been... Also film, 1492: Conquest of Paradise. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ...

According to local legend, the earliest Jewish residents arrived in Malta some 3,500 years ago, when the seafaring tribes of Zebulon and Asher accompanied the ancient Phoenicians in their voyages across the Mediterranean. The earliest evidence of a Jewish presence on Malta is an inscription in the inner apse of the southern temple of Ġgantija in Xagħra, which says, in the Phoenician alphabet: "To the love of our Father Jahwe". There is also evidence of a Jewish community on Malta during the Roman period, in the form of carved menorahs the catacombs in Malta. Members of the Malta's Jewish community are known to have risen to the highest ranks of the civil service during the period of Arab occupation, including the rank of Vizier. By 1240, according to a report prepared for Emperor Frederick II, there were 47 Christian and 25 Jewish families on Malta, and 200 Christian and 8 Jewish families on Gozo. Zebulon is a town located in Wake County, North Carolina. ... Asher (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ), in the Book of Genesis, is the second son of Jacob and Zilpah, and the founder of the Tribe of Asher. ... Ggantija temple Ä gantija (also Ggantia) is a megalithic temple complex on the Mediterranean island of Gozo (part of Malta). ... Ix-Xagħra (pronounced: shara) is built on a hill to the central north-east of the island of Gozo. ... For the Bronze Age culture, see Catacomb culture. ... ik ben jaaapie A Vizier (Persian,وزير - wazÄ«r) (sometimes also spelled Vazir, Vizir, Vasir, Wazir, Vesir, or Vezir - grammatical vowel changes are common in many oriental languages), literally burden-bearer or helper, is a term, originally Persian, for a high-ranking political (and sometimes religious) advisor or minister, often to... Events Batu Khan and the Golden Horde sack the Ruthenian city of Kyiv Births Pope Benedict XI Deaths April 11 - Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, also known as Llywelyn The Great Prince of Gwynedd Monarchs/Presidents Aragon - James I King of Aragon and count of Barcelona (reigned from 1213 to 1276) Castile... Frederick II (December 26, 1194 – December 13, 1250), of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, was a pretender to the title of King of the Romans from 1212 and unopposed holder of that monarchy from 1215. ...

Unlike the Jewish experience in the rest of Europe, throughout the Middle Ages the Jews of Malta generally resided among the general population rather than in ghettos, frequently becoming landowners. The Jewish population of Malta had flourished throughout the period of Norman rule, such that one third of the population of Malta's ancient capital, Mdina, is said to have been Jewish.^[16] For other uses, see Ghetto (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with Medina. ...

Alhambra Decree

In 1492, in response to the Alhambra Decree the Royal Council had argued - unsuccessfully - that the expulsion of the Jews would radically reduce the total population of the Maltese Islands, and that Malta should therefore be treated as a special case within the Spanish Empire.^[17] Nonetheless, the decree of expulsion was signed in Palermo on June 18, 1492, giving the Jewish population of Malta and Sicily three months to leave. Numerous forced conversions to Catholicism, or exile, followed. Evidence of these conversions can be found in many Maltese family names that still survive today, such as the families Ellul, Salamone, Mamo, Cohen, and Azzopardi.^[18] Location of the city of Palermo (red dot) within Italy. ... Also film, 1492: Conquest of Paradise. ... Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity, or a change from one religious identity to another. ...

A new, but much smaller Jewish community developed under the rule of the Knights of Malta, but this consisted primarily of slaves and emancipated slaves. During this period, the Jews were frequently ordered to reside in Valletta's prisons at night, while by day they remained free to transact business, trade and commerce among the general population.

Traces of a significant Jewish presence on Malta can still be found in local place names, such as Bir Meyru (Meyer's Well), Ġnien il-Lhud (The Jew's Garden) and Ħal-Muxi (Moshé's Farm).^[17]

Sources of Romance influence

Roman municipium

From 218 BCE to 395 CE, Malta was under Roman political control, initially as a praetorship of Sicily. The islands were eventually elevated to the status of Roman municipium, with the power to control domestic affairs, mint their own money, and send ambassadors to Rome. It was during this period that St. Paul was shipwrecked on the Maltese Islands. Few archeological relics survive in Malta today from the Roman period, the sole exception being the Roman Domus, just outside the walls of Mdina. From a cultural perspective, the Roman period is notable for the arrival in Malta of several highly placed Roman families, whose progeny form part of the Maltese nation today. These include the Testaferrata family (originally, "Capo di Ferro"), today one of Malta's premier noble families. (Redirected from 218 BCE) Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC - 210s BC - 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC Years: 223 BC 222 BC 221 BC 220 BC 219 BC - 218 BC... After the death of emperor Theodosius I, the Empire is re-divided into an eastern and a western half. ... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... A municipium was the second highest class of a Roman city, and was inferior in status to the colonia. ... A 19th century picture of Paul of Tarsus Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Saint Paul the Apostle (fl. ... Not to be confused with Medina. ...

Whether the origins of Maltese culture can be found in the Eastern Mediterranean or North Africa, the impact on Malta of Punic culture is believed to have persisted long after the Island's incorporation into the Roman Republic in 218 BCE: The Punics, (from Latin pūnicus meaning Phoenician) were a group of Western Semitic speaking peoples originating from Carthage in North Africa who traced their origins to a group of Phoenician and Cypriot settlers. ... This article is about the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For the state which existed in the 18th century, see Roman Republic (18th century). ... (Redirected from 218 BCE) Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC - 210s BC - 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC Years: 223 BC 222 BC 221 BC 220 BC 219 BC - 218 BC...

"...at least during the first few centuries of Roman rule, tradition, customs and language were still Punic despite romanization of the place. This is in agreement with what can be read in the Acts of the Apostles, which call the Maltese "barbarians", that is using a language that was neither Greek nor Latin, but Punic."^[19] For the literature genre, see Acts of the Apostles (genre). ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ...

With the division of the Roman Empire, in 395 CE, Malta was given to the eastern portion ruled from Constantinople, and this introduced several Greek families to the Maltese collective, who brought with them various superstitions, proverbs, and traditions that linger within Maltese culture today. After the death of emperor Theodosius I, the Empire is re-divided into an eastern and a western half. ... This article is about the city before the Fall of Constantinople (1453). ...

Catholicism

Main article: Religion in Malta

The dome of the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist dominates the skyline of Xewkija, Gozo

It is said that in Malta, Gozo, and Comino there are more than 360 churches, or one church for every 1,000 residents. The parish church (Maltese: "il-parroċċa", or "il-knisja parrokjali") is the architectural and geographic focal point of every Maltese town and village, and its main source of civic pride. This civic pride manifests itself in spectacular fashion during the local village festas, which mark the feast day of the patron saint of each parish with marching bands, religious processions, special Masses, fireworks (especially petards), and other festivities. In the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. ... Image File history File links Malta_25_Gozo. ... Image File history File links Malta_25_Gozo. ... Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) presiding at the 2005 Easter Vigil Mass in place of the dying Pope John Paul II. Mass is the term used of the celebration of the Eucharist in the Latin rites of the Roman Catholic Church. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ...

Making allowances for a possible break in the appointment of bishops to Malta during the period of Arab rule (869 to 1127 CE), the Maltese Church is frequently referred to today as the only extant Apostolic See, other than Rome itself. According to tradition, and as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, the Church in Malta was founded by St. Paul in 70 CE, following his shipwreck on these Islands. The earliest Christian place of worship in Malta is therefore said to be the cavern on the north-east of Malta, now known as St. Paul's Grotto, where St. Paul was reputedly imprisoned during his stay on Malta. There is evidence of Christian burials and rituals having taken place in the general vicinity of the Grotto, but these date back to no earlier than the 3rd century CE. Further evidence of Christian practices and beliefs during the period of Roman persecution can be found in the many catacombs that lie beneath various parts of Malta, including St Paul’s Catacombs and St Agatha’s Catacombs in Rabat, just outside the walls of Mdina. The latter, in particular, were beautifully frescoed between 1200 and 1480, although they were defaced by marauding Turks in the 1550s. There are also a number of cave churches, including the grotto at Mellieħa, which is a Shrine of the Nativity of Our Lady where, according to legend, St. Luke painted a picture of the Madonna. It has been a place of pilgrimage since medieval times. Events Western Emperor Louis II allies with eastern Emperor Basil I against the Saracens. ... Conrad III establishes the Hohenstaufen dynasty when he is crowned antiking to the Holy Roman Emperor, Lothair II. First coalition of the Norman princes against Roger II of Sicily. ... In the several centuries following the founding of Christianity, five particular cities and centers of Christianity were considered to be Apostolic Sees. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... For the literature genre, see Acts of the Apostles (genre). ... Paul of Tarsus (b. ... This article is about the year 70. ... // Overview Events 212: Constitutio Antoniniana grants citizenship to all free Roman men 212-216: Baths of Caracalla 230-232: Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east 235-284: Crisis of the Third Century shakes Roman Empire 250-538: Kofun era, the first... For the Bronze Age culture, see Catacomb culture. ... Rabat (or Ir-Rabat) is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. ... Not to be confused with Medina. ... Events University of Paris receives charter from Philip II of France The Kanem-Bornu Empire was established in northern Africa around the year 1200 Mongol victory over Northern China — 30,000,000 killed Births Al-Abhari, Persian philosopher and mathematician (died 1265) Ulrich von Liechtenstein, German nobleman and poet (died... Events March 6 - Treaty of Toledo - Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain recognize African conquests of Afonso of Portugal and he cedes the Canary Islands to Spain Great standing on the Ugra river - Muscovy becomes independent from the Golden Horde. ... Events and Trends Categories: 1550s ... The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa (Maltese: Il-Madonna tal-Mellieħa) is a Marian shrine in the village of Mellieħa in Malta. ... Luke the Evangelist (Greek Λουκας Loukas) is said by tradition to be the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, the third and fifth books of the New Testament. ... Virgin and Child Surrounded by Angels (c. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ...

The writings of classic Maltese historian, Gian. Francesco Abela, are in large part responsible for the widely held belief that following their conversion to Christianity at the hand of St. Paul, the Maltese somehow retained their ancient Punic language and their new Christian religion, despite 258 years of Moslem rule.^[20] This was the dominant myth of Maltese identity, which survived largely unscathed until the 1960s. It is now recognized that Abela's writings were in part designed to assist the Knights of Malta in their efforts to win the hearts and minds of the Maltese, by demonstrating that Malta had been ordained by God as a "bulwark of Christian, European civilization against the spread of Mediterranean Islam."^[21] Modern historians now accept that Christianity largely disappeared from Malta under the Arabs and did not resume its role as the religion of the majority of Maltese until Norman rule over Malta brought mass immigration to Malta from Italy in the 12th and 13th centuries. A 19th century picture of Paul of Tarsus Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Saint Paul the Apostle (fl. ... The Punics, (from Latin pūnicus meaning Phoenician) were a group of Western Semitic speaking peoples originating from Carthage in North Africa who traced their origins to a group of Phoenician and Cypriot settlers. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ...

For centuries, leadership over the Church in Malta was generally provided by the Diocese of Palermo, except under Charles of Anjou, who caused Maltese bishops to be appointed, as did - on rare occasions - the Spanish and later, the Knights. This further enhanced Malta's cultural connections with Sicily and Italy, and may have contributed to the entrenchment, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, of Italian as Malta's primary language of culture and learning. Since 1808 all bishops of Malta have been Maltese. Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ... Location of the city of Palermo (red dot) within Italy. ... Charles I (March 1227 - January 7, 1285) was the posthumous son of King Louis VIII of France, created Count of Anjou by his elder brother King Louis IX in 1246, thus founding the second Angevin dynasty. ... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Year 1808 (MDCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

As a result of the Norman and Spanish periods, and the rule of the Knights, Malta became the devout Catholic nation that it is today. It is worth noting that the Office of the Holy Inquisitor had a very long tenure in Malta following its establishment in 1530: the last Inquisitor departed from the Islands in 1798, after the Knights capitulated to the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... This article is about one of the historical Inquisitions. ... June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... Year 1798 (MDCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français...

The Normans

Under Roger II, King of Sicily, Arab influence over Malta was virtually eliminated

The later years of Norman rule over Malta brought massive waves of immigration to the Islands from both Sicily and from the Italian mainland, including Sicilian and Southern European clergy and notaries. Sicilian became the sole written language of Malta, as evidenced by notarial deeds from this period, but this was eventually supplanted by Tuscan Italian, which became the primary literary language, and the medium of legal and commercial transactions in Malta. A large number of Sicilian and Italian words were adopted into the local vernacular. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (736x705, 314 KB) Roger II of Sicily From: from the Liber ad honorem Augusti of Petrus of Ebulo, 1196 File links The following pages link to this file: Roger II of Sicily ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (736x705, 314 KB) Roger II of Sicily From: from the Liber ad honorem Augusti of Petrus of Ebulo, 1196 File links The following pages link to this file: Roger II of Sicily ... Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... Sicilian (, Italian: ) is a Romance language. ... Italian ( , or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people,[4] primarily in Italy. ...

Traces of Siculo-Norman architecture can still be found in Malta's ancient capital of Mdina and in Vittoriosa, most notably in the Palaces of the Santa Sofia, Gatto Murina, Inguanez and Falzon families.^[22] Palazzo dei Normanni, the palace of the Norman kings in Palermo. ... Not to be confused with Medina. ... For the early state in Chad, see Birgu Kingdom. ...

Spain

The wooden balconies and wrought-iron railings of Valletta

Traces of the ascendancy of the Crown of Aragon in the Mediterranean, and Spanish governance over Malta from 1282 to 1530, are still evident in Maltese culture today. These include culinary, religious, and musical influences. Two examples are the enduring importance of the Spanish guitar (Maltese: il-kitarra Spanjola) in Maltese folk music, and the enclosed wooden balconies (Maltese: gallerija) that grace traditional Maltese homes today. It is also possible that the traditional Maltese costume, the Faldetta, is a local variation of the Spanish mantilla. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (480x640, 261 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Malta Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (480x640, 261 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Malta Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Coat of arms of Aragon, 15th century The Crown of Aragon is a term used to refer to the permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... classical guitar A classical guitar, also called a Spanish guitar, is a musical instrument from the guitar family. ... The Maltese Faldetta, now seen only in vintage postcards. ... The Countess of Fernán Núñez wearing the mantilla, portrait by Goya The 13th Duchess of Alba wearing a mantilla, portrait by Goya A Mantilla is a triangular headscarf made of cloth or lace previously worn to cover the head of Catholic women while attending certain religious ceremonies in...

The Spanish period also saw the establishment of the Maltese nobility, with the creation of Malta's oldest extent title, the Barony of Djar-il-Bniet e Buqana and numerous others. Under Spanish rule Malta developed into a feudal state. From time to time during this period, the Islands were nominally ruled by various Counts of Malta, who were typically illegitimate sons of the reigning Aragonese monarch; however, the day-to-day administration of the country was essentially in the hands of the local nobility, through their governing council known as the Università. The Maltese nobility consist of those titles of nobility recognised by the British and those titles never presented to, or failed recognition by, the Royal Commission, even though the titles were of historical relevance. ...

Some of Malta's premier noble families including the Inguanez family, settled in Malta from Spain and Sicily during this time. Other Maltese families of Spanish origin include: Calleja, Alagona, Aragona, Abela, Flores, Guzman and Xerri.

The period of Spanish rule over Malta lasted roughly as long as the period of Arab rule; however, this appears to have had little impact on the language spoken in rural Malta, which remained heavily influenced by Arabic, with Semitic morphemes. This is evident in Pietro Caxaro's Il-Cantilena, the oldest known literary text in Maltese, which was written prior to 1485, at the height of the Spanish period. Arabic redirects here. ... In Linguistics, a morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit in a given language. ... Il Cantilena is the oldest known literary text in the Maltese language. ... Year 1485 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar). ...

The Knights of St. John

The population of Malta increased considerably during the rule of the Knights, from 25,000 in 1535 to over 40,000 in 1621, to over 54,463 in 1632. This was primarily due to immigration from Western Europe, but also due to generally improved health and welfare conditions, and the reduced incidence of raids from North African and Turkish corsairs. By 1798, when the Knights surrendered Malta to the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte, the population of Malta had increased to 114,000. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... pie is nice Year 1535 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... 1621 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Year 1798 (MDCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français...

The period of the Knights is often referred to as Malta's Golden Age, as a result of the architectural and artistic embellishment of the Islands by their resident rulers, and as a result of advances in the overall health, education and prosperity of the local population during this period. Music, literature, theatre and the visual arts all flourished in Malta during this period, which also saw the foundation and development of many of the Renaissance and Baroque towns and villages, palaces and gardens of Malta, the most notable of which is the capital city, Valletta. This article is about the European Renaissance of the 14th-17th centuries. ... For other uses, see Baroque (disambiguation). ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ...

Contact between the Maltese and the many Sicilian and Italian mariners and traders who called at Valletta's busy Grand Harbour expanded under Knights, while at the same time, a significant number of Western European nobles, clerics and civil servants relocated to Malta during this period. The wealth and influence of Malta's noble families - many of whom trace their ancestry back to the Norman and Spanish monarchs who ruled Malta prior to the Knights - was also greatly enhanced during this period. Grand Harbour (in Maltese: Il-Port il-Kbir) is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. ... The Maltese nobility consist of those titles of nobility recognised by the British and those titles never presented to, or failed recognition by, the Royal Commission, even though the titles were of historical relevance. ...

Maltese education, in particular, took a significant leap forward under the Knights, with the foundation, in 1530, of the Collegium Melitensæ, precursor to today's University of Malta, through the intercession of Pope Clement VIII. As a result, the University of Malta is one of the oldest extant universities in Europe, and the oldest Commonwealth university outside of the United Kingdom. The School of Anatomy and Surgery was established by Grand Master Fra Nicolas Cotoner at the Sacra Infermeria in Valletta, in 1676. The Sacra Infermeria itself was known as one of the finest and most advanced hospitals in Europe. June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution in the Republic of Malta. ... The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution in the Republic of Malta. ... Clement, in the monument in Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, erected by his Borghese heirs Clement VIII, born Ippolito Aldobrandini (March 1536 - March 5, 1605) was pope from 1592 to 1605. ... Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head (in some national orders below the Sovereign Head of state) of various orders of knighthood, including military orders, various religious orders, and some sectarian orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Events January 29 - Feodor III becomes Tsar of Russia First measurement of the speed of light, by Ole Rømer Bacons Rebellion Russo-Turkish Wars commence. ...

Sicily and the Italian mainland

Located just 60 miles to the north, Sicily has provided Malta with a virtually continuous exchange of knowledge, ideas, customs and beliefs throughout recorded history. Many modern Maltese families trace their origins to various parts of Sicily and Southern Italy. The geographic proximity has facilitated a considerable amount of intermarriage, cross-migration, and trade between the two groups of islands. It is likely that this was just as true during the period of Arab domination over Sicily as it has been since the Norman liberation of Sicily in 1060 CE. Accordingly, it is difficult to determine whether some of the Semitic influences on Maltese culture were originally imported to Malta from North Africa, or from Sicily. Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... Ruins of a temple at Solunto. ... Ruins of a temple at Solunto. ... May — The Norman leader Robert Guiscard conquers Taranto. ...

The Sicilian influence on Maltese culture is extensive, and is especially evident in the local cuisine, with its emphasis on olive oil, pasta, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables (especially the tomato), traditional appetizers such as caponata (Maltese: "kapunata") and rice balls (arancini), speciality dishes such as rice timbale (Maltese: "ross fil-forn"), and sweets such as the cassata and cannoli. Maltese cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the Islanders and the many foreigners who made Malta their home over the centuries. ... Classical Arancini Arancini from Ragusa zone (South-Eastern Sicily) Arancini are a typical speciality of Sicilian cuisine. ... Jodie and Gemma made a cassata once. ... Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts. ...

Sicilian influence is also evident in many of the local superstitions, in simple children's nursery rhymes, and in the devotion to certain saints, especially St. Agatha. Centuries of dependence on the Diocese of Palermo brought many Sicilian religious traditions to Malta, including the Christmas crib (Maltese: "il-presepju"), the ritual visiting of several Altars of Repose on Good Friday (Maltese: "is-sepulkri"), and the graphic, grim realism of traditional Maltese religious images and sculpture. Superstition is a set of behaviors that may be faith based, or related to magical thinking, whereby the practitioner believes that the future, or the outcome of certain events, can be influenced by certain of his or her behaviors. ... A nursery rhyme is a traditional song or poem taught to young children, originally in the nursery. ... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... Saint Agatha (died 251) is a Christian saint. ... A traditional nativity scene from Naples, Italy A nativity scene, also called a crib or crèche (meaning crib or manger in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. ... Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. ...

Ironically, despite Malta's rapid transformation into a strategic naval base during the British period, the influence of Italian culture on Malta strengthened considerably throughout the 19th century. This was due in part to increasing levels of literacy among the Maltese, the increased availability of Italian newspapers, and an influx of Italian intelligentsia to Malta. Several leaders of the Italian risorgimento movement were exiled in Malta by the Bourbon monarchs during this period, including Francesco Crispi, and Ruggiero Settimo. Malta was also the proposed destination of Giuseppe Garibaldi when he was ordered into exile; however, this never came to pass. The political writings of Garibaldi and his colleague, Giuseppe Mazzini - who believed that Malta was, at heart, part of the emerging Italian nation - resonated among many of Malta's upper- and middle-classes. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... The culture of Italy can be found in the Roman ruins remaining in much of the country, the precepts of the Roman Catholic Church, the spirit of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, the architecture. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The notion of an intellectual elite as a distinguished social stratum can be traced far back in history. ... Italian unification, also known as Risorgimento (resurrection), was a historical process by which the Kingdom of Sardinia (ruled by the Savoy dynasty with Turin as its capital) gradually conquered the Italian peninsula, including the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Duchy of Modena, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy... Also see:  Early Modern France The House of Bourbon is an important European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty. ... Francesco Crispi (October 4, 1819 – August 12, 1901) was a 19th century Italian politician. ... Giuseppe Garibaldi (July 4, 1807 – June 2, 1882) was an Italian patriot and General of the Risorgimento. ... Giuseppe Mazzini (June 22, 1805 – March 10, 1872) was an Italian patriot, philosopher and politician. ...

French Rule

French rule over Malta, although brief, left a deep and lasting impression on Maltese culture and society. Several of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta had been French, and though some French customs and expressions had crept into common usage in Malta as a result (such as the expressions "bonġu" for "good day", and "bonswa" for "good evening", still in use today), Napoleon's garrison had a much deeper impact on Maltese culture. Within six days following the capitulation by Grand Master Hompesch on board l'Orient, Bonaparte had given Malta a Constitution and introduced the Republican concept of Liberté, Egalite, Fraternité to Malta. Slavery was abolished, and the scions of Maltese nobility were ordered to burn their patents and other written evidence of their pedigrees before the arbre de la liberté that had been hastily erected in St. George's Square, at the centre of Valletta. A secondary school system was established, the university system was revised extensively, and a new Civil Code of law was introduced to the legal system of Malta. Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head (in some national orders below the Sovereign Head of state) of various orders of knighthood, including military orders, various religious orders, and some sectarian orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... A civil code is a systematic compilation of laws designed to comprehensively deal with the core areas of private law. ...

Under the rule of General Vaubois civil marriages were introduced to Malta, and all non-Maltese clergymen and women were ordered to leave the Islands. A wholesale plundering of the gold, silver and precious art of Maltese churches followed, and several monasteries were forcibly taken from the religious orders. The Maltese were scandalized by the desecration of their churches. A popular uprising culminated with the "defenestration" of Citizen Masson, commandant of the French garrison, and the summary execution of a handful of Maltese patriots, led by Dun Mikiel Xerri. With the French blockaded behind the walls of Valletta, a National Assembly of Maltese was formed. Petitions were sent out to the King of the Two Sicilies, and to Lord Nelson, soliciting their aid and support. The French garrison capitulated to Nelson in Grand Harbour, on September 5, 1800. Dun Mikiel Xerri (Żebbuġ, 29 September 1737 - 17 January, 1799) was a Maltese Patriot. ... The Two Sicilies The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Italian: il Regno delle Due Sicilie) was the new name that the Bourbon King Ferdinand IV of Naples bestowed upon his domain (including Southern Italy and the island of Sicily) after the end of the Napoleonic Era and the full restoration... Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, KB (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British admiral famous for his participation in the Napoleonic Wars, most notably in the Battle of Trafalgar, a decisive British victory in the war, during which he lost his life. ... Grand Harbour (in Maltese: Il-Port il-Kbir) is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. ... // ON MAY 5 1853 MR.FADER HAD SEX WITH A MAN NAME MR WIEN THEN THEY HAD SON NAMEDMRS COTURE AND MR MANOOGIAN WENT INTO MRS HASKELLS OFFICE NAKED AND DANCED AROUND AND MASTERBATED ON HER CHEST AND SHE LICKED IT OFF THEN THEY HAD ORAL SEEX WITH NAPLOEAN OF...

British Malta

British rule, from 1800 to 1964, radically and permanently transformed the language, culture and politics of Malta. Malta's position in the British Empire was unique in that it did not come about by conquest or by colonization, but at the voluntary request of the Maltese people. Britain found in Malta an ancient, Christian culture, strongly influenced by neighbouring Italy and Sicily, and loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. Malta's primary utility to Great Britain was its excellent natural harbours, and its strategic location, and for many decades, Malta was essentially a "fortress colony". Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... // ON MAY 5 1853 MR.FADER HAD SEX WITH A MAN NAME MR WIEN THEN THEY HAD SON NAMEDMRS COTURE AND MR MANOOGIAN WENT INTO MRS HASKELLS OFFICE NAKED AND DANCED AROUND AND MASTERBATED ON HER CHEST AND SHE LICKED IT OFF THEN THEY HAD ORAL SEEX WITH NAPLOEAN OF... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...

Malta was an important link in Britain's naval routes across the Mediterranean

Throughout the 19th century, Malta benefited from increased defence spending by Britain, particularly from the development of the dockyards and the harbour facilities. The Crimean War and the opening of the Suez Canal further enhanced Malta's importance as a supply station and as a naval base. Prosperity brought with it a dramatic rise in the population, from 114,000 in 1842, to 124,000 in 1851, 140,000 in 1870, and double that amount by 1914. Malta became increasingly urbanized, with the majority of the population inhabiting the Valletta and the Three Cities. Ironically, Malta's fortunes waned during times of peace in the early 20th century, and again after World War II, leading to massive waves of emigration. Image File history File linksMetadata HMS_Alexandra_at_Malta. ... Image File history File linksMetadata HMS_Alexandra_at_Malta. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Suez (disambiguation). ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... A memorial statue in Hanko, Finland, commemorating the thousands of emigrants who left the country to start a new life in the United States Emigration is the act and the phenomenon of leaving ones native country or region to settle in another. ...

Although Malta remained heavily dependent on British military spending, successive British governors brought advances in medicine, education, industry and agriculture to Malta. The British legacy in Malta is evident in the widespread use of the English language in Malta today. English was adopted as one of Malta's two national languages in 1936, and it has now firmly replaced Italian as the primary language of tertiary education, business, and commerce in Malta. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Year 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Parish Church of Sta. Marija Assunta (Mosta Dome)

The British period introduced the Neoclassical style of architecture to Malta, evident in several palaces built during this period, in the Greek revival portico of the parish church of Sta. Marija Assunta in Mosta, and in the soaring spire of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral which, alongside the massive Baroque dome of a nearby Catholic church, dominates the Valletta skyline. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 647 KB) Mosta Dome Author: Väsk Date: December 2004 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Malta Rotunda of Mosta Metadata This file contains... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 647 KB) Mosta Dome Author: Väsk Date: December 2004 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Malta Rotunda of Mosta Metadata This file contains... The Cathedral of Vilnius (1783), by Laurynas Gucevičius. ... Personal residence of Catherine the Great Greek Revival was a style of classical architecture which became fashionable in Europe in the 18th century, and in the United Kingdom and United States in the early 19th century. ... Categories: Architectural elements | Stub ... The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta is found in Mosta, Malta and was designed by Girogio Grongnet. ... Mosta (or Il-Mosta) is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. ... St Pauls Anglican Cathedral is a Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, commissioned by Queen Adelaide during a visit to Malta in the 19th Century, when she found out that there was no place of Anglican worship on the island. ...

Neogothic architecture in Mdina

Neogothic architecture was also introduced to Malta during this period, in the Chapel of Santa Maria Addolorata at Malta's main cemetery, and in the Carmelite Church in Sliema. Sliema itself, which developed from a sleepy fishing village into a bustling, cosmopolitan town during the British period, once boasted an elegant seafront that was famed for its Regency style architecture, that was strongly reminiscent of the British seaside town of Brighton. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (461x631, 84 KB) Mdina Palác v Mdině (Malta) A Palace in Mdina (Malta) Ein Palast in Mdina (Malta) photo: -jkb- (1987) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (461x631, 84 KB) Mdina Palác v Mdině (Malta) A Palace in Mdina (Malta) Ein Palast in Mdina (Malta) photo: -jkb- (1987) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not... Neo-gothic architecture is an American branch of the Gothic revival style that was imported from England in the 1830s. ... Water front of Sliema, with the Portomaso tower in the background Sliema (or Tas-Sliema) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. ... The Regency style of architecture refers primarily to buildings built in Britain during the period in the early 19th century when George IV of the United Kingdom was still Prince Regent, and also to later buildings following the same style. ... For other places with the same name, see Brighton (disambiguation). ...

Impact of World War II

Perhaps as an indirect result of the brutal devastation suffered by the Maltese at the hands of Mussolini's Reggia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe during World War II, the United Kingdom has arguably replaced neighbouring Italy and Sicily as the dominant source of cultural influences on modern Malta. The George Cross was awarded to the people of Malta by King George VI of the United Kingdom in a letter dated 15 April 1942 ^[23] to the island's Governor Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie, so as to "bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people" ^[24] during the great siege it underwent in the early parts of World War II. The George Cross is woven into the Flag of Malta and can be seen wherever the flag is flown. Benito Mussolini created a fascist state through the use of propaganda, total control of the media and disassembly of the working democratic government. ...   (German IPA: ) is a generic German term for an air force. ... Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration of the Commonwealth of Nations. ... George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions from 11 December 1936 until his death. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir William Dobbie, during World War II, was a Lieutenant General, of the British Army, who served as the military governor of Malta. ... The Island of Malta The Siege of Malta was a significant military event in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II that occurred between 1940 and 1943 on the island of Malta. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Flag ratio: 2:3 Civil ensign; Flag ratio: 2:3 The Flag of Malta is a basic bi-colour, with white in the hoist and red in the fly -- the banner of the arms of Malta. ...

The "culture clash" between pro-British and pro-Italian elements in Malta reached its apex in February 1942, when British Governor Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie ordered the deportation of 47 notable Maltese, including Enrico Mizzi, leader of the Nationalist Party, and Sir Arturo Mercieca, Chief Justice of Malta, who were suspected by the Colonial authorities of being sympathetic to the fascist cause. Their exile in Uganda, which lasted until March 8 1945, was and remains a source of controversy among the Maltese. Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir William Dobbie, during World War II, was a Lieutenant General, of the British Army, who served as the military governor of Malta. ... Dr. Enrico Mizzi - Prime Minister of Malta (1950) Born in Valletta (Malta) on the 20 September 1885, Dr. Enrico Mizzi popularly known as Nerik Mizzi, was the son of Fortunato Mizzi (founder of the Nationalist Movement) and of Maria Sofia Fogliero de Luna. ... The Nationalist Party (PN, Maltese: Partit Nazzjonalista) is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Malta Labour Party. ... Arturo Mercieca was born in Rabat, Gozo, Malta, on June 14, 1878. ... Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, was the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

British traditions in modern Malta

British traditions that live on in Malta include a relatively efficient civil service, a military that is based on the British model, a Westminster-style parliamentary structure, and a governmental structure premised on the rule of law. Another British legacy in Malta is the widely popular annual Christmas pantomime at the Manoel Theatre. Most Maltese families have adopted turkey and plum pudding as Christmas treats in place of the more traditional Maltese rooster and cassata. The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, in London. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      The rule of law, in its most basic form, is the principle that no one is above the law. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Pantomime (disambiguation). ... Manoel Theatre auditorium, viewed from the stage. ... Christmas puddings are often dried out on hooks for weeks prior to serving in order to enhance the flavour. ... For other uses, see Rooster (disambiguation). ... Jodie and Gemma made a cassata once. ...

Due to Malta forming a part of the British Empire in the 19th and 20th century, and a considerable amount of intermarriage having taken place during that time period, the existence of English surnames is increasingly common. Examples include: Atkins, Crockford, Ferry, Gingell, Hall, Hamilton, Harmsworth, Harwood, Jones, Mattocks, Moore, O'Neill, Sixsmith, Smith, Strickland, Turner, Wallbank, Warrington and Woods. ^[25]. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ... A century (From the Latin cent, one hundred) is one hundred consecutive years. ... This article is about the English as an ethnic group and nation. ...

The impact of migration

Malta has always been a maritime nation, and for centuries, there has been extensive interaction between Maltese sailors and fishermen and their counterparts around the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic Ocean. More significantly, by the mid-19th century the Maltese already had a long history of migration to various places, including Egypt, Tripolitania, Tunisia, Algeria, Cyprus, the Ionian Islands, Greece, Sicily and Lampedusa. Intermarriage with other nationals (especially Italians and Sicilians) was not uncommon. Migrants would periodically return to Malta, bringing with them new customs and traditions that over time, have been absorbed into mainstream Maltese culture. Tripolitania is a historic region of western Libya, centered around the coastal city of Tripoli. ... The Ionian Islands (Modern Greek: Ιόνια νησιά, Ionia nisia; Ancient Greek: , Ionioi NÄ“soi) are a group of islands in Greece. ... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... The Mediterranean island of Lampedusa ( ) belongs to Italy and is the largest of the Pelagie Islands, situated 205 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. ...

The extensive impact of migration on Malta is illustrated by the following statistics: in 1842, the total number of Maltese emigrants was estimated at around 20,000, or 15 percent of the population of Malta. These numbers increased steadily throughout the 1800s. The Maltese were distributed as follows: 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

However, these early migration patterns were unstable, and repatriation occurred frequently. For example, many Maltese emigrants rushed back to their homeland due to an outbreak of plague in Egypt in 1835, and again in 1840 during the Anglo-Egyptian crisis (see: London Straits Convention).^[27] According to Pullicino: This article is about the capital of Algeria. ... Annaba (ِArabic عنّابة, formerly Bône) is a city in the north-eastern corner of Algeria near the river Wadi Seybouse and the Tunisian border. ... Bubonic plague is the best-known manifestation of the bacterial disease plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... In the London Straits Convention concluded on 13 July 1841 between the Great Powers of Europe at the time - Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Austria and Prussia - the ancient rule of the Ottoman Empire was re-established by closing the Turkish straits of Bosporus and the Dardanelles (which linked the...

"in spite of a certain amount of isolation there must have been a measure of adaptation by Maltese emigrants to local customs, food and dress. Besides, the frequent comings and goings of the Maltese in the 19th century must have facilitated the assimilation of at least some folklore material from North Africa that still needs to be identified."^[28]

There was heavy migration from Malta in the early 20th century, and again after World War II until the early 1980s; however the destinations of choice during this period tended to be more distant, English-speaking countries rather than the traditional, Mediterranean littoral. Over 10,000 Maltese settled in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States between 1918 and 1920, followed by another 90,000 - or 30 percent of the population of Malta - between 1948 and 1967.^[29] By 1996, the net emigration from Malta during the 20th century exceeded 120,000,or 33.5% of the population of Malta.^[30] (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The 1980s was the decade spanning from 1980 to 1989, also called The Eighties. The decade saw social, economic and general upheaval as wealth, production and western culture migrated to new industrializing economies. ... A littoral is the region near the shoreline of a body of fresh or salt water. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1995, a section of Toronto's Junction neighbourhood was given the name "Malta Village" in recognition of the strong Maltese community that remains to this day. [2] It is believed to be the largest Maltese community in North America. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Junction, is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that derives its name from a junction of four railway lines in the area known as the West Toronto Diamond. ...

Familiarity with the English language assisted Maltese migrants to assimilate in their adopted countries, and the incidence of intermarriage with foreigners is reputedly higher among Maltese emigrants than other ethnic communities. Extensive interaction between Maltese emigrants in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, and their relatives in Malta, has further "westernized" Maltese culture. Many Maltese emigrants and second generation Maltese-Australians, Maltese-Americans and Maltese-Canadians returned to their homeland in the 1990s, and recent years have seen an increase in the number of foreign expatriates moving to Malta, especially British retirees. This has created an increasingly cosmopolitan environment in the towns and villages of Malta. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

The impact of telecommunications

Main article: Communications in Malta

The advent of radio and television, and the steady increase in the availability of foreign newspapers and magazines throughout the 20th century has further extended and enhanced the impact of both British and Italian culture on Malta. Globalization and increased Internet usage (approx. 78.1% of the population of Malta as of Sept. 2005) is also having a significant effect on Maltese culture. As of December 22, 2006, Malta had the fourth highest rate of Internet usage in the world.^[32] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Education

Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 years. While the state provides education free of charge, the Church and the private sector run a number of schools in Malta and Gozo. Most of the teachers' salary in Church schools is paid by the state. Education in Malta is based on the British Model. Catholic Church redirects here. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... Education in the United Kingdom is organised separately in each of the countries of the United Kingdom. ...

Religion

Main article: Religion in Malta

Today, the Constitution of Malta provides for freedom of religion but establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion. Freedom House and the World Factbook report that 98 percent of the Maltese profess Roman Catholicism as their religion, making Malta one of the most Catholic countries in the world. However, the Sunday Mass Attendance Census 2005 commissioned by the Church of Malta reports that, as of 2005, only 52.6% of the population attended religious services on a regular basis. In the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. ... The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen guarantees freedom of religion, as long as religious activities do not infringe on public order in ways detrimental to society. ... South America Europe Middle East Africa Asia Oceania Demography of religions by country Full list of articles on religion by country Religion Portal         Nations with state religions:  Buddhism  Islam  Shia Islam  Sunni Islam  Orthodox Christianity  Protestantism  Roman Catholic Church A state religion (also called an official religion, established church... Freedom House is a United States-based international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. ... The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ...

Languages

Main article: Maltese language

The national language of Malta is Maltese. The Maltese alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet, but uses the diacritically altered letters ż, also found in Polish, as well as the letters ċ, ġ and ħ, which are unique to Maltese. The official languages are English and Maltese. Italian, French and German are also widely spoken and taught in secondary schools, though the latter two less so. Maltese is the national language of Malta[1], and an official language of the European Union. ... The Maltese alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet with the addition of some letters with diacritic marks and digraphs. ... Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz redirects here. ... Example of a letter with a diacritic A diacritic or diacritical mark, also called an accent, is a small sign added to a letter to alter pronunciation or to distinguish between similar words. ... When used as a diacritic mark, the term dot is usually reserved for the middle dot ·, or to the glyphs combining dot above ̇ and combining dot below Ì£ which may be combined with some letters of the extended Latin alphabets in use in Eastern European languages and Vietnamese. ... When used as a diacritic mark, the term dot is usually reserved for the middle dot ·, or to the glyphs combining dot above ̇ and combining dot below Ì£ which may be combined with some letters of the extended Latin alphabets in use in Eastern European languages and Vietnamese. ... When used as a diacritic mark, the term dot is usually reserved for the middle dot ·, or to the glyphs combining dot above ̇ and combining dot below Ì£ which may be combined with some letters of the extended Latin alphabets in use in Eastern European languages and Vietnamese. ... Ħ (minuscule: ħ) is a letter of the Latin alphabet, derived from H with the addition of a bar. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Literature

Main article: Maltese literature

Maltese literature refers, generally speaking, to written or literary works produced in the Maltese language, particularly by citizens of Malta. ...

Diglossia

The development of native, Maltese literary works has historically been hampered by the diglossia that has characterized the culture of Malta throughout its history. For many centuries, Maltese was the language of the kitchen and the workshop, while Italian was the language of learning, literature, the arts, law and commerce.^[33] Hence, until the early 20th century, the vast majority of literary works in Malta were written in Italian. In early Maltese history, diglossia manifested itself in the co-existence of an ancient Phoenician language, and the language of a series of rulers, most notably, Latin, Greek, Arabic, Sicilian, French, Spanish and Italian, and from 1800 onwards, English. The Maltese language today is heavily overlaid with Romance - and now, English - influences as a result. Look up Diglossia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Phoenician was a language originally spoken in the coastal region of what is now Lebanon. ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... Arabic redirects here. ... Sicilian (, Italian: ) is a Romance language. ... // ON MAY 5 1853 MR.FADER HAD SEX WITH A MAN NAME MR WIEN THEN THEY HAD SON NAMEDMRS COTURE AND MR MANOOGIAN WENT INTO MRS HASKELLS OFFICE NAKED AND DANCED AROUND AND MASTERBATED ON HER CHEST AND SHE LICKED IT OFF THEN THEY HAD ORAL SEEX WITH NAPLOEAN OF... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Romance languages (sometimes referred to as Romanic languages) are a branch of the Indo-European language family that comprises all the languages that descend from Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

According to Prof. Oliver Friggieri:

Maltese writers developed an uninterrupted local "Italian" literary movement which went on up to about four decades ago, whereas Maltese as a literary idiom started to coexist on a wide scale in the last decades of the 19th century. Whilst Maltese has the historical priority on the level of the spoken language, Italian has the priority of being the almost exclusive written medium, for the socio-cultural affairs, for the longest period. The native tongue had only to wait for the arrival of a new mentality which could integrate an unwritten, popular tradition with a written, academically respectable one.^[34] Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The emergence of Maltese literature

The oldest known literary text in the Maltese language is Pietru Caxaro's poem, Cantilena (circa 1470 to 1485) (also known as Xidew il-Qada), followed by Gian Francesco Bonamico's sonnet of praise to Grand Master Nicolò Cotoner, Mejju gie' bl'Uard, u Zahar (The month of May has arrived, with roses and orange blossoms), circa 1672. The earliest known Maltese dictionary was written by Francois de Vion Thezan Court (circa 1640). In 1700, an anonymous Gozitan poet wrote Jaħasra Mingħajr Ħtija (Unfortunately Innocent). A Maltese translation of the Lord's Prayer appeared in Johannes Heinrich Maius's work Specimen Lingua Punicæ in hodierna Melitensium superstitis (1718). A collection of religious sermons by a certain Dun Ignazio Saverio Mifsud, published between 1739 and 1746, is now regarded as the earliest known Maltese prose. An anonymous poem entitled Fuqek Nitħaddet Malta (I am talking about you, Malta), was written circa 1749, regarding the uprising of the slaves of that year. A few years later, in 1752, a catechism entitled Tagħlim Nisrani ta' Dun Franġisk Wizzino (Don Francesco Wizzino's Christian Teachings) was published in both Maltese and Italian. The occasion of Carnival in 1760 saw the publication of a collection of burlesque verses under the heading Żwieġ la Maltija (Marriage, in the Maltese Style), by Dun Feliċ Demarco. Pietru Caxaro was a Maltese poet. ... Il Cantilena is the oldest known literary text in the Maltese language. ... Events May 15 - Charles VIII of Sweden who had served three terms as King of Sweden dies. ... Year 1485 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ... The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. ... Year 1718 (MDCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... // About the number 1739 1739 is the smallest integer that can be written as sum of three perfect cubes, in two ways. ... // Events Catharine de Ricci (born 1522) canonized. ... Events While in debtors prison, John Cleland writes Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure). ... 1752 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Codex Manesse, fol. ... Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta Malta) has had an important place on the cultural calendar for just under five centuries, having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535. ... Year 1760 (MDCCLX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Burlesque (disambiguation). ...

A child of the Romanticism movement, Maltese patriot Mikiel Anton Vassalli (1764-1829) hailed the emergence of literary Maltese as "one of the ancient patrimonies...of the new emerging nation," seeing this nascent trend as: (1) the affirmation of the singular and collective identity, and (2) the cultivation and diffusion of the national speech medium as the most sacred component in the definition of the patria and as the most effective justification both for a dominated community's claiming to be a nation and for the subsequent struggle against foreign rulers. ^[35] Romantics redirects here. ... Mikiel Anton Vassalli (March 1764 in Żebbuġ, Malta - January 12, 1829) was a Maltese writer and linguist. ... 1764 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Between 1798 and 1800, while Malta was under the rule of Napoleonic France, a Maltese translation of L-Għanja tat-Trijonf tal-Libertà (Ode to the Triumph of Liberty), by Citizen La Coretterie, Secretary to the French Government Commissioner, was published on the occasion of Bastille Day. Year 1798 (MDCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... // ON MAY 5 1853 MR.FADER HAD SEX WITH A MAN NAME MR WIEN THEN THEY HAD SON NAMEDMRS COTURE AND MR MANOOGIAN WENT INTO MRS HASKELLS OFFICE NAKED AND DANCED AROUND AND MASTERBATED ON HER CHEST AND SHE LICKED IT OFF THEN THEY HAD ORAL SEEX WITH NAPLOEAN OF... This article is about the French holiday. ...

The first translation into Maltese of a biblical text, the Gospel of St. John. was published in 1822 (trans. Ġużeppi Marija Cannolo), on the initiative of the Bible Society in Malta. The first Maltese language newspaper, l-Arlekkin jew Kawlata Ingliża u Maltija (The Harlequin, or a mix of English and Maltese) appeared in 1839, and featured the poems l-Imħabba u Fantasija (Love and Fantasy) and Sunett (A Sonnett). The Bible (From Greek βιβλια—biblia, meaning books, which in turn is derived from βυβλος—byblos meaning papyrus, from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported papyrus) is the sacred scripture of Christianity. ... The Gospel of John, (literally, According to John; Greek, Κατά Ιωαννην, Kata IōannÄ“n) is the fourth gospel in the canon of the New Testament, traditionally ascribed to John the Evangelist. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The first epic poem in Maltese, Il-Ġifen Tork (The Turkish Caravel), by Giovanni Antonio Vassallo, was published in 1842, followed by Ħrejjef bil-Malti (Legends in Maltese) and Ħrejjef u Ċajt bil-Malti (Legends and Jokes in Maltese) in 1861 and 1863, respectively. The same author published the first history book in the Maltese language, entitled Storja ta’ Malta Miktuba għall-Poplu (The People's History of Malta), in 1862. In mathematics, see epic morphism. ... Portuguese caravel, adorned with the Cross of the Order of Christ. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about 1862 . ...

1863 saw the publication of the first novel in Maltese, Elvira jew Imħabba ta’ Tirann (Elvira, or the Love of a Tyrant), by the Neopolitan author, Giuseppe Folliero de Luna. Anton Manwel Caruana's novel, Ineż Farruġ (1889), was modelled on traditional Italian historical novels, such as Manzoni's I promessi sposi. Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Novel (disambiguation). ... A Neapolitan is a resident of Naples, Italy or the language of Naples and the surrounding region of Campania. ... Alessandro Manzoni (Francesco Hayez, 1841, Brera Art Gallery). ... I Promessi Sposi (English The Betrothed) is an Italian historical novel by Alessandro Manzoni. ...

Notable Maltese writers

Dr. Rużar Briffa (1906 - 1963) was a Maltese poet and dermatologist, and a major figure in Maltese literature. ... Anton Buttigieg (1912 - 1983) was a Maltese political figure and poet. ... It has been suggested that Ray Buttigieg/Cykx be merged into this article or section. ... Pietru Caxaro was a Maltese poet. ... ANTHONY (NINU) CREMONA Category – Maltese Author and Grammarian EARLY DAYS Born on the 27th May 1880, Anthony, or better still using the name he preferred, Ninu, or Is-Sur Nin as he used to be called during his life, was the son of Feliċ and Margaret nee Pace. ... Maltese dramatist and novelist Francis Ebejer was born on 28th August 1925, ad-Dingli and he died on 10th June 1993, at St Julians. ... Prof. ... Guze Galea Guzè Galea (1901–1978) is one of the best Maltese authors. ... Emilio Lombardi (1881-1956), a Maltese author. ... GIOACCHINO NAVARRO (1748-1813), was the Convential Parish Priest of the Order of St. ... Dun Karm Psaila (October 18, 1871 - October 13, 1961) was a Maltese poet. ... FRANS HENRY SAID Maltese Broadcaster and author FRANS HENRY SAID (born 16th September 1932), a broadcaster and prolific writer in both the Maltese and English languages, had a chequered career but is best remembered for his pioneering work in Children’s Programmes and Christmas activities for needy children. ... Frans Sammut (Malta, 1945 - ) is considered one of Maltas foremost literary persons. ... Mikiel Anton Vassalli (March 1764 in Żebbuġ, Malta - January 12, 1829) was a Maltese writer and linguist. ...

Notable writers of Maltese descent

• Trezza Azzopardi

Trezza Azzopardi is a Maltese-Welsh writer. ...

Visual arts

Theatre in Malta

The theatres currently in use for live performances in Malta and Gozo range from historic purpose-built structures to modern constructions, to retrofit structures behind historic facades. They host local and foreign artistes, with a calendar of events that includes modern and period drama in both national languages, musicals, opera, operetta, dance, concerts and poetry recitals. The more notable theatrical venues include:

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... // Events March 1 - the city of Rio de Janeiro is founded. ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... Year 1574 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... Year 1592 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Manoel Theatre auditorium, viewed from the stage. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 23 - First performance of Handels Orlando, in London June 9 - James Oglethorpe is granted a royal charter for the colony of Georgia. ... Water front of Sliema, with the Portomaso tower in the background Sliema (or Tas-Sliema) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. ... Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Victoria (also called Rabat) is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Victoria (also called Rabat) is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Art and Sculpture

The neolithic temple builders 3800-2500 BCE endowed the numerous temples of Malta and Gozo with intricate bas relief designs, including spirals evocative of the tree of life and animal portraits, designs painted in red ochre, ceramics, and a vast collection of human form sculptures, particularly the Venus of Malta. These can be viewed at the temples themselves (most notably, the Hypogeum and Tarxien Temples), and at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. (40th century BC - 39th century BC - 38th century BC - other centuries) (5th millennium BC - 4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC) // Construction in England of the Sweet Track, the Worlds first known engineered roadway. ... (Redirected from 2500 BCE) (26th century BC - 25th century BC - 24th century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2900 - 2334 BC -- Mesopotamian wars of the Early Dynastic period 2494 BC -- End of Fourth Dynasty, start of Fifth Dynasty in Egypt. ... The Holy of Holies, Hypogeum, Malta The Hypogeum in Hal-Saflieni, Paola, Malta, is an subterranean structure excavated c. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ...

The Roman period introduced highly decorative mosaic floors, marble colonnades and classical statuary, remnants of which are beautifully preserved and presented in the Roman Domus, a country villa just outside the walls of Mdina. The early Christian frescoes that decorate the catacombs beneath Malta reveal a propensity for eastern, Byzantine tastes. These tastes continued to inform the endeavours of medieval Maltese artists, but they were increasingly influenced by the Romanesque and Southern Gothic movements. Towards the end of the 15th century, Maltese artists, like their counterparts in neighbouring Sicily, came under the influence of the School of Antonello da Messina, which introduced Renaissance ideals and concepts to the decorative arts in Malta.^[36] Not to be confused with Medina. ... For the Bronze Age culture, see Catacomb culture. ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Romanesque St. ... Southern Gothic is a subgenre of the Gothic writing style, unique to American literature. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Portrait, called the Condottiero, dated 1475 (Louvre). ... This article is about the European Renaissance of the 14th-17th centuries. ...

The artistic heritage of Malta blossomed under the Knights of St. John, who brought Italian and Flemish Mannerist painters to decorate their palaces and the churches of these islands, most notably, Matteo Perez d'Aleccio, whose works appear in the Magisterial Palace and in the Conventual Church of St. John, and Filippo Paladini, who was active in Malta from 1590 to 1595. For many years, Mannerism continued to inform the tastes and ideals of local Maltese artists.^[37] The Knights Hospitaller (also known as the , Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Knights of Malta, Knights of Rhodes, and Chevaliers of Malta; French: Ordre des Hospitaliers) is a Christian organization that began as an Amalfitan hospital founded in Jerusalem in 1080 to provide... Mannerism is the usual English term for an approach to all the arts, particularly painting but not exclusive to it, a reaction to the High Renaissance, emerging after the Sack of Rome in 1527 shook Renaissance confidence, humanism and rationality to their foundations, and even Religion had split apart. ... The siege of Malta - Arrival of the Turkish fleet The siege of Malta - Capture of St. ... The Grandmasters Palace is a palace in Valletta, Malta, currently housing the House of Representatives of Malta. ... St Johns Co-Cathedral. ... Bold text{| align=right cellpadding=3 id=toc style=margin-left: 15px; |- | align=center colspan=2 | Years: 1587 1588 1589 - 1590 - 1591 1592 1593 |-vdsf gno[gldw[pvkijxaiamknn csogfhbvdowkhbfkqhjkhrjkhwgfhbjkpnkfokfgok3pkpk9pjhkt9erktyujkip9kijker9thhrkg9hkitr9gtkih9t0ykltk[u0jo0iey9uhyit90ertyhige9rity9riyh9ujirtyuhjnh-4e9tyigh9thiuy0h8tyh34tu8uy8u8u8u8rtu5y8ru8thu0tru0ut0rhutuh0trhu0hseogtrhr8uyhju8t89er9te9r8fy8shit ass dick bitch fuck | align=center colspan=2 | Decades: 1560s 1570s 1580s - 1590s - 1600s 1610s 1620s |- | align=center | Centuries... Events January 30 - William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is performed for the first time. ...

The arrival in Malta of Caravaggio, who painted at least seven works during his 15-month stay on these islands, further revolutionized local art. Two of Caravaggio's most notable works, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, and St. Jerome are on display in the Oratory of St. John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta. His legacy is evident in the works of local artists Giulio Cassarino (1582-1637) and Stefano Erardi (1630-1716). However, the Baroque movement that followed was destined to have the most enduring impact on Maltese art and architecture. The severe, Mannerist interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral was transformed into a Baroque masterpiece by the glorious vault paintings of the celebrated Calabrese artist, Mattia Preti. Preti spent the last 40 years of his life in Malta, where he created many of his finest works, now on display in the Museum of Fine Arts, in Valletta. During this period, local sculptor Melchior Gafà (1639-1667) emerged as one of the top Baroque sculptors of the Roman School. For other uses, see Caravaggio (disambiguation). ... Oratory is the art of eloquent speech. ... St Johns Co-Cathedral. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... Gregorian Calendar switch: Year 1582 involved conversion to the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 3 - Tulipmania collapses in Netherlands by government order February 15 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor December 17 - Shimabara Rebellion erupts in Japan Pierre de Fermat makes a marginal claim to have proof of what would become known as Fermats last theorem. ... Events February 22 - Native American Quadequine introduces Popcorn to English colonists. ... // Events August 5 - In the Battle of Peterwardein 40. ... For other uses, see Baroque (disambiguation). ... St Johns Co-Cathedral. ... Mattia Preti (1613-1699) was a Italian Baroque artist who worked in Italy and Malta. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... Melchiorre Cafà (in Italy also known as Caffà, in Malta as Gafa, Gafà, Gaffar or Gafar; 1636-1667) [1] was the greatest sculptor ever born in Malta, and set out for an enormously promising career in Baroque Rome which was cut short by a premature death following a work accident. ... Events January 14 - Connecticuts first constitution, the Fundamental Orders, is adopted. ... // Events January 20 - Poland cedes Kyiv, Smolensk, and eastern Ukraine to Russia in the Treaty of Andrusovo that put a final end to the Deluge, and Poland lost its status as a Central European power. ...

Throughout the 18th century, Neapolitan and Rococo influences emerged in the works of Luca Giordano (1632-1705) and Francesco Solimena (1657-1747), and local artists Gio. Nicola Buhagiar (1698-1752) and Francesco Zahra (1710-1773). The Rococo movement was greatly enhanced by the relocation to Malta of Antoine de Favray (1706-1798), who assumed the position of court painter to Grand Master Pinto in 1744. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Neapolitan may refer to: Neapolitan, a resident of Naples, Italy Neapolitan language, a language of Naples and environs in southern Italy Neapolitan ice cream, a mixture of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream side-by-side in the same container Neapolitan chord, in music, is the first inversion of a... A style of 18th century French art and interior design, Rococo style rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. ... The creation of man, fresco in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi in Florence, 1684-1686. ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... // Events Construction begins on Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England. ... Solimenas magisterial self-portrait, 1730 Francesco Solimena (Canale di Serino, near Avellino, October 4, 1657— Barra, near Naples, April 3, 1747) was a prolific Italian painter of the Baroque era, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen. ... Events January 8 - Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February - Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. ... Year 1747 (MDCCXLVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Events January 4 - Palace of Whitehall in London is destroyed by fire. ... 1752 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... // Events April 10 - The worlds first copyright legislation became effective, Britains Statute of Anne Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713) Births January 3 - Richard Gridley, American Revolutionary soldier (d. ... Year 1773 (MDCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1706 (MDCCVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1798 (MDCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... // Events The third French and Indian War, known as King Georges War, breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia The First Saudi State founded by Mohammed Ibn Saud Prague occupied by Prussian armies Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Births January 10 - Thomas Mifflin, fifth President...

Neo-classicism made some inroads among local Maltese artists in the late 18th century, but this trend was reversed in the early 19th century, as the local Church authorities - perhaps in an effort to strengthen Catholic resolve against the perceived threat of Protestantism during the early days of British rule in Malta - favoured and avidly promoted the religious themes embraced by the Nazarene movement of artists. Romanticism, tempered by the naturalism introduced to Malta by Giuseppe Calì, informed the "salon" artists of the early 20th century, including Edward and Robert Caruana Dingli. Neoclassicism (sometimes rendered as Neo-Classicism or Neo-classicism) is the name given to quite distinct movements in the visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... -1... Romantics redirects here. ... Giuseppe Calì (Valletta, August 14, 1846 - Valletta, March 1, 1930) was a Maltese painter, born of Neapolitan parents and educated at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Naples under Giuseppe Mancinelli. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

A National School of Art was established by Parliament in the 1920s, and during the reconstruction period that followed the Second World War, the local art scene was greatly enhanced by the emergence of the "Modern Art Group", whose members included Josef Kalleya (1898-1998), George Preca (1909-1984), Anton Inglott (1915-1945), Emvin Cremona (1919-1986), Frank Portelli (b.1922), Antoine Camilleri (b.1922) and Esprit Barthet (b.1919). The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually when speaking about the United States. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Nightlife in Malta

The long, warm summer nights of Malta lend themselves to a vibrant nightlife, which is at odds with Malta's traditional conservatism and the staunch Catholicism of older generations. Clubbing and pub-crawling - especially in the traffic-free zones of Paceville near St. Julian's, and Buġibba - is a rite of passage for Maltese teenagers and young adults, which tends to prevail well into their 30's and 40's. Evenings start late, and for many clubbers the festivities last into the late hours of the morning. Clubs frequently have large outdoor patios, with local and visiting DJs spinning a mix of Euro-beat, House, chill-out, R&B, hardcore, rock, trance, techno, retro, old school, and classic disco. Pubs, especially Irish pubs, are often the meeting place of choice for the start of a night of clubbing. Portomaso, a luxurious residential development in Paceville Located west of St. ... St. ... BuÄ¡ibba is a small town situated adjacent to Qawra and forming part of the local council of St. ...

Laid back wine bars are increasingly popular among young professionals and the more discriminating tourists, and are popping up in the kantinas of some of the more picturesque, historic cities and towns, including Valletta and Vittoriosa. They typically offer a mix of local and foreign wines, traditional Maltese appetizer platters, and occasionally, live entertainment. Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... For the early state in Chad, see Birgu Kingdom. ...

Despite rapidly increasing tolerance and acceptance of alternative lifestyles, Malta offers its gay and lesbian locals and visitors less nightlife options than other Southern European destinations. With the exception of one or two staple bars, gay bars in Malta have a tendency to pop up, relocate, and disappear from one summer season to the next. However, the local gay population is usually very much in evidence - and welcome - at the mainstream clubs of Paceville and elsewhere.

Folklore and traditions

Maltese folklore, traditions and legends still live in the minds of the older-generations, and these are slowly being studied and categorized, like any other European tradition. A number of national and international folklore festivals are undertaken on an annual basis, some of which are under the patronage of the National Folklore Commission and the Ministry for Culture and the Arts. Notably, every December the Malta International Folk Festival is staged in Valletta, with delegates from countries around the world. A festival or fest is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some theme, sometimes on some unique aspect of the community. ... A ministry is a department of a government, led by a minister. ... Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ...

Festas

Local festivals, similar to those in southern Italy, are commonplace in Malta and Gozo, celebrating weddings, christenings and, most prominently, saints' days, honouring the patron saint of the local parish. On saints' days, the festa reaches its apex with a High Mass featuring a sermon on the life and achievements of the patron saint, after which a statue of the religious patron is taken around the local streets in solemn procession, with the faithful following in respectful prayer. The religious atmosphere quickly gives way to several days of revelry, band processions, fireworks, and late night parties. For other uses, see Festival (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wedding (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Christian religious act of Baptism. ... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... For other uses of Mass, see Mass (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Prayer (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ...

In the weeks leading up to a local festa, the main streets around the parish are richly decorated, with brocade banners, ornate religious sculptures mounted on pedestals and, all around the zuntier (parvis) of the parish church, hawkers set up stalls stocked with traditional Maltese food and the local variety of nougat. The parish church itself is typically illuminated at night, although the fjakkoli (flaming lanterns) of yesteryear have been supplanted by bright-coloured electric bulbs. Parvise or Parvis may refer to: A room over the porch of a church—quite often found in Norman churches in England. ... Nougat is a term used to describe a variety of similar confectioneries made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios or hazelnuts are common, but not peanuts) and sometimes chopped candied fruit. ...

Several festi take place in different towns and villages across Malta every weekend in the summer. Some of the seaside towns feature a unique and popular medieval game known as the ġostra. Although the word itself is derived from the Italian giostra, Maltese ġostra has little in common with medieval jousting, and is in fact derived from the Neapolitan game of the Cockaigne pole. It involves a 10-metre long greased pole, mounted on a barge out in the bay, perched on a precarious angle out over the sea. Competing youths scramble up the pole, in an attempt to snatch a pennant, flag or other trophy from the top of the pole. Pieter Bruegel the Elders „Das Schlaraffenland“ (The Land of Cockaigne), painted in 1567. ...

The Catholic Church in Malta has frequently expressed its disapproval of the excessive (and often, underage) drinking, and parochial rivalry, that have come to be associated with festi.

Band clubs

Virtually every parish in Malta has a band club (Maltese: il-każin tal-banda), and in some cases, two. The musicians are generally a lively combination of dilettantes and volunteers, with a sprinkling of professional or semi-professional players. The bands typically consist of woodwind and brass instruments, and percussion. They are feature performers in the village festa, accompanying the statue of the parish's titular saint with celebratory music. Their music is very similar to their Sicilian and Southern Italian counterparts. A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument in which sound is produced by blowing through a mouthpiece against an edge or by a vibrating reed, and in which the pitch is varied by opening or closing holes in the body of the instrument. ... A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose tone is produced by vibration of the lips as a player blows into a tubular resonator. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ...

Although drums and flutes are known to have participated in religious processions in Malta as early as the 16th century, today's Maltese band clubs are in fact a more recent introduction to Maltese culture, c. 19th century, at the height of British rule over Malta. The village bands were in part assembled in response to, and heavily influenced by, the marching bands of the British military. However, throughout the 1800s, Malta experienced a steady influx of Sicilian and Italian refugees and immigrants, fleeing from civil war or under sentence of exile, who stimulated and popularized the concept of a village band. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... A marching band performs in a parade A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who generally perform outdoors, and who incorporate movement – usually some type of marching – with their musical performance. ... // Invention of the Jacquard loom in 1801. ...

Weddings

Traditional Maltese weddings featured the bridal party walking in procession beneath an ornate canopy, from the home of the bride's family to the parish church, with singers trailing behind serenading the bride and groom. Curiously, the Maltese word for this custom, il-ġilwa, corresponds with an identical Arabic word, which is used to refer to a gift presented by a husband to his spouse. For other uses, see Wedding (disambiguation). ...

This custom along with many others has long since disappeared from the Islands, in the face of modern practices. Today's couples are married in churches or chapels in the village or town of their choice. The nuptials are usually followed by a lavish wedding reception, often including several hundred guests. Occasionally, couples will try to incorporate elements of the traditional Maltese wedding in their celebration. A resurgent interest in the traditional wedding was evident in May 2007, when thousands of Maltese and tourists attended a traditional Maltese wedding in the style of the 16th century, in the Village of Żurrieq. This included il-ġilwa , which led the bride and groom to a wedding ceremony that took place on the parvis of St. Andrew's Chapel. The reception that followed featured folklore music (għana) and dancing. Å»urrieq (or Iż-Å»urrieq) is one of the oldest towns in Malta, and has a population of 9,816 (Nov 2005). ... For other meanings: see Ghana (disambiguation) Għana is the term given to a specific type of traditional Maltese folk music. ...

Birth and childhood

Traditional Maltese proverbs reveal a cultural preoccupation with childbearing and fertility: "iż-żwieġ mingħajr tarbija ma fihx tgawdija" (a childless marriage cannot be a happy one). This is a belief that Malta shares with many other Mediterranean cultures, most notably, Israel, Palestine and Morocco. In Maltese folktales, the local variant of the classic closing formula, "and they all lived happily ever after" is "u għammru u tgħammru, u spiċċat" (and they lived together, and they had children together, and the tale is finished).^[38] A 2003 satellite image of the region. ...

Rural Malta shares in common with Sicily, Morocco and traditional Jewish society a number of superstitions regarding fertility, menstruation, and pregnancy, including the avoidance of cemeteries during the months leading up to childbirth, and avoiding the preparation of certain foods during menses. Pregnant women are encouraged to satisfy their cravings for specific foods, out of fear that their unborn child will bear a representational birth mark (Maltese: xewqa, literally "desire" or "craving"). Maltese and Sicilian women also share certain traditions that are believed to predict the sex of an unborn child, such as the cycle of the moon on the anticipated date of birth, whether the baby is carried "high" or "low" during pregnancy, and the movement of a wedding ring, dangled on a string above the abdomen (sideways denoting a girl, back and forth denoting a boy).

Traditionally, Maltese newborns were baptised as promptly as possible, partly out of fear of limbo should the child die in infancy, and partly because according to Maltese (and Sicilian) folklore an unbaptised child is not yet a Christian, but "still a Turk". Traditional Maltese delicacies served at a baptismal feast include biskuttini tal-magħmudija (almond macaroons covered in white or pink icing), it-torta tal-marmorata (a spicy, heart-shaped tart of chocolate-flavoured almond paste), and a liqueur known as rożolin, made with rose petals, violets and almonds. This article is about the theological concept. ...

On a child's first birthday, in a tradition that still survives today, Maltese parents would organize a game known as il-quċċija, where a variety of symbolic objects would be randomly placed around the seated child. These may include a hard-boiled egg, a Bible, crucifix or rosary beads, a book, and so on. Whichever object the child shows most interest in is said to reveal the child's path and fortunes in adulthood. For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Crucifix (disambiguation). ... Our Lady of Lourdes - Mary appearing at Lourdes with Rosary Beads. ...

The items generally mean:

Money - A rich future. Book - Intelligence and a teacher. Pencil/Pen - A writer. Bible/Crucifix/Rosary beads - A priest/nun. Hard-boiled egg - Long life and a lot of children. Scissors/Needle/Thread - A knitter. Calculator - An Accountant. Wooden Spoon - A Cook.

The weather

In rural parts of Malta and Gozo, locals engage in a curious form of weather forecasting in the days leading up to Christmas: from St. Lucy's Day, December 13, to Christmas Eve, December 24, cloud formations and weather conditions on each successive day are said to presage or approximate the weather conditions of one specific month of the following year. The signs observed on these twelve days are referred to as "the rules" (Maltese: l-irwiegel). In this instance we can drawn an immediate parallel with a local Sicilian tradition and proverb: "Di li carènnuli si canusci l'annata - Li dudici misi di l'anni novu si cumincianu di li dudici jorna prima di Natali". Variations of this customs also appear in Normandy and in other parts of Northern Europe.^[39] For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ...

Mnarja

Mnarja, or l-Imnarja (pronounced lim-nar-ya) is one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national festival dedicated to the feast of Saints Peter and St. Paul. In fact its roots can be traced back to the pagan Roman feast of Luminaria (literally, "the illumination"), when the early summer night of June 29 was illuminated by torches and bonfires. A national feast since the rule of the Knights, Mnarja is a traditional Maltese festival of food, religion and music. The festivities still commence today with the reading of the "bandu", an official governmental announcement, which has been read on this day in Malta since the 16th century. Originally, Mnarja was celebrated outside St. Paul's Grotto, in the north of Malta; however, by 1613 the focus of the festivities had shifted to the Cathedral of St. Paul, in Mdina, and featured torchlight processions, the firing of 100 petards, horseraces, and races for men, boys and slaves. Modern Mnarja festivals take place in and around the woodlands of Buskett, just outside the town of Rabat. Saints redirects here. ... According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down, as shown in this painting by Caravaggio. ... A 19th century picture of Paul of Tarsus Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Saint Paul the Apostle (fl. ... This article is about the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For the state which existed in the 18th century, see Roman Republic (18th century). ... is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Events January - Galileo observes Neptune, but mistakes it for a star and so is not credited with its discovery. ... For other uses, see Cathedral (disambiguation). ... Paul of Tarsus (b. ... Not to be confused with Medina. ... Image:Buskett-woodland. ... Mausoleum of Mohammed V through mosque ruins NASA image of Rabat Rabat (Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ), population 1. ...

It is said that under the Knights, this was the one day in the year when the Maltese were allowed to hunt and eat wild rabbit, which was otherwise reserved for the hunting pleasures of the Knights. The close connection between Mnarja and rabbit stew (Maltese: "fenkata") remains strong today. In 1854 British governor William Reid launched an agricultural show at Buskett which is still being held today. The farmers' exhibition is still a seminal part of the Mnarja festivities today. For other uses, see Hare (disambiguation). ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... This article needs cleanup. ...

Mnarja today is one of the few occasions when participants may hear traditional Maltese "għana". Traditionally, grooms would promise to take their newly- or recently-wed brides to Mnarja during the first of year of marriage and, for luck, many of the brides would attend in their full wedding gown and veil, although this custom has long since disappeared from the Islands. For other meanings: see Ghana (disambiguation) Għana is the term given to a specific type of traditional Maltese folk music. ...

Carnival

Main article: Maltese Carnival

Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta' Malta) has had an important place on the cultural calendar for just under five centuries, having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535. It is held during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, and typically includes masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colourful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical floats presided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ir-Re tal-Karnival), marching bands and costumed revellers. Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta Malta) has had an important place on the cultural calendar for just under five centuries, having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535. ... For other uses, see Carnival (disambiguation). ... Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head (in some national orders below the Sovereign Head of state) of various orders of knighthood, including military orders, various religious orders, and some sectarian orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... pie is nice Year 1535 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. ... A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. ...

Holy Week

Main article: Holy Week in Malta

Holy Week (Maltese: il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa) starts on Palm Sunday (Ħadd il-Palm) and ends on Easter Sunday (Ħadd il-Għid). Numerous religious traditions, most of them inherited from one generation to the next, are part of the paschal celebrations in the Maltese Islands, honouring the death and resurrection of Jesus. This December 2006 does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For the book by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. ... Easter (also called Pascha) is generally accounted the most important holiday of the Christian year, observed March or April each year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead (after his death by crucifixion; see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year, almost two... This article is about the Christian festival. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ...

Arts and Crafts

Lace making

Traditional Maltese lace (Maltese: bizilla) is bobbin lace of the filet-guipure variety. It is formed on a lace pillow stuffed with straw, and frequently features the eight-pointed Maltese cross, but not necessarily. Genoese-style leafwork is an essential component of the traditional designs. Nowadays, Malta lace is usually worked on ivory-coloured linen, although historically it was also worked on black or white silk. It is typically used to make tablecloths, placemats and serviettes, and is periodically featured in couture, and in traditional Maltese costume. For other uses, see Lace (disambiguation). ... Valenciennes Mechlin Lace Bobbin lace is a delicate lace that uses wound spools of thread (the bobbins) to weave together the shapes in the lace. ... Filet lace (also known as Embroidery on Knotted Net, Lacis, Filet Brodé and Poinct Conté) is a Needle lace created by darning on a ground of knotted net or netting. ... This article is about the symbol. ... Torn linen cloth, recovered from the Dead Sea Linen is a material made from the fibers of the flax plant. ... For other uses of this word, see Silk (disambiguation). ...

Lace making has been prevalent in Malta since the 16th century, and was probably introduced to the Islands at roughly the same time as in Genoa. Lace was included with other articles in a bando or proclamation enacted by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful in 1697, aimed at repressing the wearing of gold, silver, jewellery, gold cloth, silks and other materials of value.^[40] (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... For other uses, see Genoa (disambiguation). ... Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head (in some national orders below the Sovereign Head of state) of various orders of knighthood, including military orders, various religious orders, and some sectarian orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order. ... Fra Ramon Perellos de Rocaful was the Grandmaster of the Order of St. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher...

There was a resurgence of lace-making in Malta around 1833, which has been attributed to a certain Lady Hamilton-Chichester.^[41] Queen Victoria is said to be particularly fond of wearing Malta lace. In 1839, Thomas McGill noted in A Handbook, or Guide, for Strangers visiting Malta, that: Year 1833 (MDCCCXXXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

"the females of the island make also excellent lace; the lace mitts and gloves wrought by the Malta girls are bought by all ladies coming to the island; orders from England are often sent for them on account of their beauty and cheapness."

Malta lace was featured in The Great Exhibition held in London in 1881. Lacemaking is currently taught in Government trade schools for girls, and in special classes organized by the Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Lacemaking is essentially a cottage industry throughout Malta and Gozo. The Great Exhibition in Hyde Park 1851. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Filigree

Filigree work (Maltese: filugranu) in gold and silver flourished in Malta under the rule of the Knights. This included gold and silver ornamental flower garlands (Maltese: ganutilja) and embroidery (Maltese: rakkmu). Filigree items that are ubiquitous in Maltese jewellery stores and crafts centres include brooches, pendants, earrings, flowers, fans, butterflies, jewelboxes, miniature dgħajsas (fishing boats) and karrozzini (horse-drawn cabs), the Maltese Cross and dolphins. The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... This article is about the symbol. ...

Sports

Throughout the 1990s, organized sports in Malta experienced a renaissance through the creation of a number of athletic facilities, including National Stadium and a basketball pavilion in Ta' Qali, an Athletic Stadium and Tartan Track for athletics, archery, rugby, baseball, softball and netball at Marsa, the National Swimming Pool Complex on University of Malta grounds at Tal-Qroqq, an enclosed swimming pool complex at Marsascala, a mechanized shooting range at Bidnija, and regional sports complexes on Gozo, and in Cottonera and Karwija. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... TaQali Stadium is the national stadium of Malta. ... Ta Qali is a wide open space in the middle of Malta where you can find the Maltese National Stadium, the Maltese National park and a National vegetable market which is locally known as the Pitkalija. ... Marsa is a town south of Malta. ... The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution in the Republic of Malta. ... The Parish Church in Msida, dedicated to St. ... ° Marsaskala or Marsascala or Wied il-Għajn . ... An outdoor shooting range with a sheltered shooting stand and several other unsheltered stands. ... Bidnija is a rural village in Malta, and home to fewer than 360 people. ... Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

In 1993 and again in 2003, Malta hosted the Games of the Small States of Europe. Since 1968, Malta has also hosted the annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The race consists of a 607 mile route that starts and finishes in Malta, via the Straits of Messina and the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Member countries The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) (Jeux des Petits Etats dEurope, Giochi dei Piccoli Stati DEuropa, Smáþjóðaleikar Evrópu, Juegos de los Pequeños Estados de Europa) is a biannual multi-sport event, that has been organized by the National Olympic... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The date of the first establishment of the Royal Malta Yacht Club has not been ascertained, although there are rumours as to the existence of a Yacht Club in Malta as far back as 1835. ... Satellite photo of the Strait of Messina, taken June 2002. ... Pantelleria (or Pantalaria, Pantellaria, etc), the ancient Cossyra, is an island in the Strait of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Sicily and just 70 km (43 mi) east of the African coast. ... The Mediterranean island of Lampedusa ( ) belongs to Italy and is the largest of the Pelagie Islands, situated 205 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. ...

Football

Main article: Football in Malta

Malta's "national" sport is football. Many Maltese avidly follow English and Italian matches. Malta also has its own national team; however, every four years the World Cup typically sees Maltese loyalties divided between the teams of England and Italy, and a victory by either of these two teams inevitably leads to spontaneous, and very boisterous street parties and carcades all over the Maltese Islands. The sport of association football in Malta is run by the Malta Football Association. ... Soccer redirects here. ... The English football league system, otherwise known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in England (although for historical reasons a small number of Welsh clubs also compete). ... The Italian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for football clubs in Italy. ... First international Malta 2 - 3 Austria (Gżira, Malta; February 24, 1957) Biggest win Malta 5 - 0 Azerbaijan (Ta Qali, Malta; April 19, 1994) Biggest defeat Spain 12 - 1 Malta (Seville, Spain; December 21, 1983) The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled... First international Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Biggest win Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882) Biggest defeat Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First in...

Boċċi

Another common sport in Malta is a local variety of the game of bocce or boules (Maltese: boċċi). In Malta, the game is played on a smooth surface covered with coarse-grained sand, with teams of three players. Boċċi clubs are common throughout Malta, but also among the Maltese emigrant communities in Australia, Canada and the United States. Bocce players scoring Bocce is a precision sport closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire. ...

Waterpolo

Passion for waterpolo runs high in Malta and Gozo throughout the summer months. Prowess in this particular sport was the impetus for the foundation, in 1925, of a local Amateur Swimming Association, and Malta's first participation in the Olympic Games, at the IXth Olympiad in Amsterdam, 1928.^[42] Water polo is a team water sport, which can be best described as a combination of swimming, football (soccer), basketball, ice hockey, and wrestling. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... The Olympisch Stadion in 1928 The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, were celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Horse racing

Horse racing has a long tradition in Malta. The popular, bareback horse races that take place annually on Saqqajja Hill, in Rabat on June 29 date back to the 15th century. These races form part of the traditional celebrations of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (il-Festa tal-Imnarja), and were greatly encouraged by the Knights of Malta, especially during the reign of Grand Masters de Verdalle and de Lascaris-Castellar. The Knights took these races very seriously: Bonelli records a proclamation issued by the Grand Masters of the era, which threatened anyone caught interfering with or obstructing a racing horse with forced labour on board the galleys of the Knights.^[43]The tradition was revived and strengthened after the First World War under British Governor, Lord Plumer. The racecourse at Marsa, which was founded in 1868, boasted one of the longest tracks in Europe, at one and three quarter miles. The first Marsa races were held on April 12 and 13, 1869.^[44] Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... Rabat (or Ir-Rabat) is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... The Knights Hospitaller (also known as Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta, Cavaliers of Malta, and the Order of St. ... This is a list of Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller. ... Fra Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle was a Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller at Malta from 1581 to 1595. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Herbert Onslow Plumer, 1st Viscount Plumer (1857–1932) was a British colonial official and soldier. ... Marsa is a town south of Malta. ... Year 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Malta

Car ownership in Malta is the fourth highest in Europe, given the small size of the islands. Like in the UK, traffic drives on the left. Railways: 0 km Maltese bus Buses: The Malta Bus Service in Malta comprises 508 buses, all of which are privately owned, in most cases by the drivers themselves. ...  drive on right drive on left Driving on either the left or the right side of the road reduces the incidence of vehicles being involved in head-on collisions with each other. ...

The old Maltese buses, formally ex-British Armed forces vehicles, are Malta's main domestic mode of transportation. There has also been a railway in the past between Valletta and the Mtarfa army barracks. Valletta (Maltese: , commonly referred to as Il-Belt - The City) is the capital city of Malta. ... Mtarfa (or L-Imtarfa) is a small town close to Rabat and Mdina in the north of Malta, with a population of 2,396 people (Nov 2005). ...

A regular ferry system connects the two main Maltese islands, via the harbours of Ċirkewwa and Marsamxett in Malta, and Mġarr in Gozo. There are also regular ferry services between the Grand Harbour and neighbouring Sicily. A busy cruise liner terminal has been developed on the Valletta side of Grand Harbour; however, Malta's primary connection to the outside world is its airport at Luqa. ÄŠirkewwa, is a harbour in the nothernmost part of Malta. ... Marsamxett Harbour is the northern of Vallettas two natural harbours on the island of Malta, separated from the southern one (Grand Harbour) by the Valetta peninsular. ... Grand Harbour (in Maltese: Il-Port il-Kbir) is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. ... Luqa or Ħal Luqa (meaning poplar in Aramaic) is a village located in the south east of Malta (Europe). ...

See also

Pages in category Maltese architecture There are 9 pages in this section of this category. ... For other meanings: see Ghana (disambiguation) Għana is the term given to a specific type of traditional Maltese folk music. ... Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven . // Further information: Timeline of Maltese history about 5200 BCE: Earliest settlers arrive on Malta. ... This box:      // Freemasonry in Malta began in 1730 when Parfait Harmonie, the first warranted lodge, was formed under the Marseilles (France) masonic jurisdiction. ... Malta is the country with the most holidays in the European Union. ... Maltese is the national language of Malta[1], and an official language of the European Union. ... Myths from Malta. ... The Maltese people or Maltese are a nation and ethnic group native to Malta, an island nation consisting of an archipelago of seven islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. ... The Maltese Italian Enrico Mizzi (1885-1950), former leader of the Nationalist Party and Prime Minister of Malta Maltese Italians are the people of Malta who wanted the unification to Italy of the Maltese islands, following the Italian Irredentism ideals. ... While Maltese music today is largely western, traditional Maltese music includes what is known as għana (pronounced as aana). ... Politics of Malta takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Malta is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

References

1. ^ Old Temples Study Foundation (OTSF)
2. ^ Aberystwyth, The University of Wales
3. ^ David Trump et al., Malta Before History (2004: Miranda Publishers)
4. ^ Daniel Cilia, "Malta Before Common Era", in The Megalithic Temples of Malta. Accessed January 28, 2007.
5. ^ J. Cassar Pullicino, "Determining the Semitic Element in Maltese Folklore", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, Malta University Press (1992), p. 68.
6. ^ See: Turgut Reis. The subsequent repopulation of Gozo, undertaken by the Knights of Malta between 1565 and 1580, had a lasting impact on the unique culture and history of the sister island.
7. ^ J. Cassar Pullicino, "Determining the Semitic Element in Maltese Folklore", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, Malta University Press (1992), p. 70
8. ^ E. Magri, Ħrejjef Missierijietna, Book III: Dawk li jagħmlu l-Ġid fid-Dinja, no. 29 (1903), p. 19
9. ^ L. Cutajar, "X'Igħidu l-Għarab fuq Malta", Il-Malti (1932), pp. 97-8.
10. ^ G. Finotti, La Reggenza di Tunisi, Malta (1856), pp. 108-9.
11. ^ Ibn 'Abd al-Mun'im al-Himyarī, ed. Iḥsan 'Abbās (Beirut, 1975), cited in J.M. Brincat, Malta 870-1054: Al-Himyarī's Account and its Linguistic Implications, Malta, 2d. rev. ed. (1995)
12. ^ D. Cutajar, "An Overview of the Art of Malta"
13. ^ E. Winklemann, Ex Act. Imperii Ined. seculi XIII et XIV, tom. I, pp. 713 et seq. (1880) Innsbruck; cited by J. Cassar Pullicino, in "Determining the Semitic Element in Maltese Folklore", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, (1992) Malta University Press, p. 71.
14. ^ A. Bonnici, "Superstitions in Malta towards the middle of the Seventeenth Century in the Light of the Inquisition Trials," in Melita Historica, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1966, pp. 156-7.
15. ^ G. Wettinger, cited by J. Cassar Pullicino, in "Determining the Semitic Element in Maltese Folklore", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, (1992) Malta University Press, pp. 71 and 72.
16. ^ Godfrey Wettinger
17. ^ ^{a b} Tayar, Aline P'nina: "The Jews of Malta". Accessed January 5, 2007.
18. ^ E. Ochs and B. Nantet, "Il y a aussi des juifs à Malte"
19. ^ Università degli Studi di Roma, Missione archeologica italiana a Malta: Rapporto preliminare della campagna 1966, Rome (1967), p. 133.
20. ^ G.F. Abela, Della Descrittione di Malta, (1647) Malta.
21. ^ A. Luttrell, The Making of Christian Malta: From the Early Middle Ages to 1530, Aldershot, Hants.: Ashgate Varorium, 2002.
22. ^ Victor Paul Borg, "Architecure," in A Rough Guide to Malta and Gozo (2001). Viewed online on February 10, 2007.
23. ^ BBC:On This Day. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
24. ^ Merlins Over Malta - The Defenders Return. Retrieved on May 22, 2007.
25. ^ [1], Family names
26. ^ Source: Mgr. Philip Calleja, Statistics and History of Maltese Migration Movements, Study Session I of the Maltese Migrants' Convention (Malta), 1969.
27. ^ Mgr. Philip Calleja, Statistics and History of Maltese Migration Movements, Study Session I of the Maltese Migrants' Convention (Malta), 1969.
28. ^ J. Cassar Pullicino, "Determining the Semitic Element in Maltese Folklore", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, Malta University Press (1992), pp. 73-4.
29. ^ The Multicultural Canada Project
30. ^ Source: The 1996 CIA World Factbook page on Malta
31. ^ Source: Malta Migration Museum Committee
32. ^ International Telecommunication Union
33. ^ Lawrence Attard Bezzina, "Maltese and Hebrew: Two Cases of Cultural Survival"
34. ^ Prof. Oliver Friggieri, "Main Trends in the History of Maltese Literature"
35. ^ Prof. Oliver Friggieri, "Main Trends in the History of Maltese Literature"
36. ^ D. Cutajar, "An Overview of the Art of Malta".
37. ^ D. Cutajar, "An Overview of the Art of Malta".
38. ^ Pullicino, supra, at 208-9.
39. ^ J. Cassar Pullicino, "A New Look at Old Customs", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, Malta University Press (1992), p. 44-5.
40. ^ Ġużé Cassar Pullicino, "Bizzilla: A Craft Handed over by the Knights", in MALTA - This Month (September 1997).
41. ^ Mincoff and Marriage, Pillow Lace (1907)
42. ^ L. Portelli, "The Foundation of the Malta Olympic Committee", visited January 6, 2007.
43. ^ L. Bonelli, "Il Dialetto Maltese," in Supplementi periodici all'Archivio Glottologico Italiano, Dispensa VIII, 1907, p. 16. Cited by J. Cassar Pullicino, in "Animals in Maltese Folklore," in Studies in Maltese Folklore, supra., at pp. 195-6.
44. ^ Malta Racing Club - A Brief History, visited January 6, 2007