During my recent travels across several Eastern countries, including Russia, I was taken aback by the intensity with which their National Monuments are protected. Guarded round-the-clock by the military, these monuments are revered with an almost sacred devotion.
Contrast this with the turmoil in Turkey, where waves of protests flooded the streets following the arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekram İmamoğlu, on terrorism charges—a move that sparked international outrage.
While avoiding the political nitty-gritty, I must highlight the striking reverence shown by the Turkish people towards their National Monuments, akin to their counterparts elsewhere. The tight security encasing these historical landmarks stands as a testament to their profound national significance, safeguarded by governmental and security forces as though they were untouchable sanctuaries.
Juxtaposed against this backdrop, I find myself reflecting on the situation back home in Malta. The Great Siege Monument, a majestic symbol of our resilient history crafted by Antonio Sciortino and unveiled in 1927, has become a battleground of political debacle and disgrace. Since Judge Joe Zammit McKeon’s appalling decision in October 2017, the monument has been mistreated, turning our beloved country into a mockery—a Banana Republic.
Astoundingly, the Maltese government chose to cower instead of mounting a defense against this cultural vandalism. In any truly civilized nation, such a scandal would be unthinkable, yet here, in Malta Repubblika, it’s a grim reality. An entire nation finds itself at the mercy of a mere dozen extremists because of the government’s cowardice.
Joe Zammit McKeon
This audacity of Former Judge Joe Zammit McKeon and his despicable ruling cannot go unnoticed. It’s a travesty that should compel Labour MEPs to bring this national shame to the fore at the European Parliament, prompting scrutiny into whether another European monument has suffered such hijacking by a minuscule clique of radicals.
Tragically, my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. I trust that with enough uproar, we can unite and rally against this national disgrace. Zammit McKeon’s infamous ruling has ushered in nothing but scandal, inducing widespread scandal and fury.
Our campaign, “The Monument of the Great Siege Is Ours,” will not falter. Daphne’s extremist clique should brace themselves; our commitment to this cause is unwavering. If freedom of expression is their battle cry, we will wield it with equal vigor. The quest is to harmonize this fundamental right with the critical protection of our cherished national monuments, icons of unity and heritage.
