Culture of Malta

The culture of Malta is diverse and reflects various influences of different countries, including Italy and the United Kingdom, which ruled Malta until 1964. The Maltese are overwhelmingly Roman Catholic and the influence of the Church is strong, with divorce, but especially euthanasia and abortion still being banned by law. 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.

The use of Italian has declined as a result of British influence and official anti-Italian policy, with English becoming the official language of education, along with Maltese in 1934. However, television from Italy is widely watched in Malta, having been available before the country introduced its own service in the early 1960s. Consequently, Italian television has brought about a comeback for Italian in Malta. Local festivals, similar to those in southern Italy, are commonplace, celebrating weddings, christenings and, most prominently, saints' days.

On saints' days, or festas, the ceremonies start with religious prayers and are followed by, usually, three days of band processions, fireworks, and stalls. On the final day a statue of the religious patron is taken around the local streets with the faithful following in respectful prayer.

British influences remain strong. Many Maltese avidly follow English football matches, even though the Italian Football League is also followed. Malta also has its own national soccer team. The old Maltese buses, which in reality were ex-British Armed forces carriers, were pressed into public transport as long ago as the early 1950s. Nowadays, though, these have been replaced by the proper thing. The buses used to be color coded, according to their routes. Now they are all dark yellow, with a band of orange.

Roman Catholicism is the official state religion of Malta. However, full liberty of conscience and freedom of worship is guaranteed. An estimated 90% of the population is Roman Catholic, though only 60% practice the religion. Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English, but Italian is also widely understood.