2007: a year in review
The year 2007 was quite eventful. It was a year of transition in some aspects while providing the setting for controversial issues that came unexpectedly to the fore.
The most memorable and historic event was the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca in June, an event that gripped the Maltese imagination and united the population under the banner of the first Maltese saint. At the same time the new Archbishop of Malta was installed in January and quickly set himself up to meet the challenges of an ever changing society, garnering the support and sympathy of many.
However the general unity over religious matters soon evaporated by summer as the political parties starting to gear up for the general elections that are expected in the first half of 2008 but could have well taken place in late 2007.
Perhaps Malta's changeover from the Maltese Lira to the Euro on January 1 2008 was a significant factor in the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's deliberations over when to hold these elections. Preparations for the changeover were constantly in the news throughout 2007, epitomed by the premier's 'biting' of the first Maltese Euro coin minted.
The year 2007 was quite eventful. It was a year of transition in some aspects while providing the setting for controversial issues that came unexpectedly to the fore.
The most memorable and historic event was the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca in June, an event that gripped the Maltese imagination and united the population under the banner of the first Maltese saint. At the same time the new Archbishop of Malta was installed in January and quickly set himself up to meet the challenges of an ever changing society, garnering the support and sympathy of many.
However the general unity over religious matters soon evaporated by summer as the political parties starting to gear up for the general elections that are expected in the first half of 2008 but could have well taken place in late 2007.
Perhaps Malta's changeover from the Maltese Lira to the Euro on January 1 2008 was a significant factor in the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's deliberations over when to hold these elections. Preparations for the changeover were constantly in the news throughout 2007, epitomed by the premier's 'biting' of the first Maltese Euro coin minted.
Another European Union-related major development was Malta's accession to the Schengen area in December, effectively pulling down the last barrier hindering the free movement of Maltese citizens across the Europe Union. The Budget 2008, presented very early in mid-October in view of a possible snap election, turned out as expected, as another trump card in the Prime Minister's hands in the run-up to the electoral appointment. The year also saw the hype on the erection of SmartCity at Rinella, Kalkara becoming reality with the official signing of the agreement in April and the start of the demolition works. Apart from politics there were serious social matters that made headlines. The several deaths caused by explosions in fireworks factories reminded all and sundry that a heavy price is being paid for the spectacular pyrotechnics enjoyed in feasts and other special occasions. The issue of illegal immigration also continued to be at the top of the country's agenda, with the Maltese government sticking to its policies on detention and a report after another by international agencies calling for a better treatment of these illegal immigrants that once again ended up in the Maltese Islands in their hundreds during the year. The Eurovision Song Contest in May brought yet another, though unexpected, nasty result as Malta's entry, sung by Olivia Lewis, did not make to the final to the dismay of the fervent Maltese supporters. Conversely, alternative music lovers were delighted with another year of abundant releases from their favourite Maltese acts. Sadly, the year ended on a bum note with the early death of Dr Ġorġ Mifsud-Chircop, the eminent folklorist who helped popularized Maltese għana in the last couple of decades, especially as artistic director of the National Festival of Folk Singing since 1998. On a more positive note, once again MaltaMedia was a finalist in the Malta Journalism Awards. Pierre J. Mejlak's blog was awarded for the best use of the Maltese language in a ceremony held in October. Mejlak's blog also received second place in the e-Journalism category. Meanwhile, the launch of low-cost airlines on operating to and from Malta resulted in a good summer for tourism, taking the industry out of the doldrums of the last few years. The last major event of 2007 related to the Leader of the Opposition and MLP Leader Dr Alfred Sant undergoing major surgery at Mater Dei Hospital two days after Christmas. The first medical bulettins said the operation was a success as expected but he needed much rest. Photo captions (top to bottom): Archbishop Pawl Cremona was installed as the new Archbishop for Malta in January; Dun Ġorġ Preca became the first Maltese person canonized to sainthood by the Vatican; Olivia Lewis won the Malta Song for Europe and represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest; final preparations fo Malta's change over to the Euro dominated the commercial sector and everyday life; Queen Elizabeth II visited Malta with her husband for their 60th wedding anniversary in November; eminent folklorist Dr Ġorg Mifsud-Chircop died aged 56 in December. |  |
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