Malta - a place where people live long and happily

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 4 photos

Malta is a popular tourist destination, known mainly for its perfect weather, clear blue water and hospitality of the Maltese people. Fortunately I had a chance to spend there more than just short holidays - I stayed there three months doing an internship in local media institution. It did not take me long to realise that I had arrived to one of the happiest places I have ever been to. And it was not for the sun or the blue water – it was for the people. Always helpful, with a wide smile on their faces and with a strange calmness shining from their faces, they made me wonder where does this happiness comes from. Having spoken with many Maltese and having observed their every-day life, I found out where the recipe for their „calm happiness” comes from. The value of the biggest importance for the Maltese is the family. They work for their families, talk about their families and spend all their time with the families, having a barbeque on a beach or on their local „festa” organized by their local church to celebrate their patron saint. In a country where 95 % of its population claims to believe in God (the highest number in the European Union) and for less than 450 000 citizens there are 359 churches, the connection with christian values seem obvious. It is the only country in the EU which prohibits the divorce. Still, even though some people get divorced abroad, most of the Maltese stay together till the end of their lives. In the evening one can see elderly couples chatting on a bench or watching a sunset in a car. Also local communities stick together, gathering on the benches laughing and chatting, as there is always a topic to talk about.