Description
While the Knights governed the Maltese archipelago with dedication, commitment and frequent extravagance – it too being their own residence – the British administered the island from the Empire’s remote metropole, not concerned with the needs of the population, if not to keep them meek and submissive.
Since Independence, while the Maltese to their credit, reversed some colonial negative effects like forced emigration – today Malta imports foreign workers – and isolation from the rest of Europe – now enjoying full membership of the EU – they found it more difficult to shed the colonial mentality that lingers on.
After almost sixty years since Independence, Maltese society, not surprisingly, is still living its postcolonial period. If it is to decolonise its mentality, in search of identity, it needs to recognise and own its past and then stand up to the challenge of change.
