Modern Malta

Modern Malta

An important secondary angle into a state's national identity, is its more recent, contemporary culture (Oxford Dictionaries). Acting as a juxtaposition to ancient history, contemporary ethnic relations of a specific region can be used to establish a working definition of how a country currently is identified. Modern ("post modernity") era is going to be used within this examination as a post-classical period, so following the 19th century and into the late 20th (Oxford Dictionaries).

In the case of the Maltese islands, this time period held an array of new developments, as well as setbacks in both culture and history. This modern era begins in a time of British rule and ends with the final amendment to the nation's official flag. Malta was a stop for Britain's prized trade relations in India. Malta was recognized as the "Nurse of the Mediterranean" for helping wounded soldiers in World War I, and was used as a listening post with a submarine base by the British during World War II. After Malta's noted "bravery" during the Siege of Malta military campaign, King George IV of Britain awarded the nation with the George Cross on April 15th 1942. This cross was later added into their national flag, in the upper-left hand corner (Maltese Parliament) for; "witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history".

Below is the Maltese flag fit with the George Cross, as well as the British fleet installment on Malta during WWII, courtesy of TBI Vision and World Atlas.

Malta had officially adopted its own form of European identity, from its civil bravery and convenient use for the British during WWII. Afterwards, Malta would be admitted into the United Nations in 1964, European Union in 2004, and the Euro zone in 2008 (European Commission). This European and Mediterranean identity is one of Malta's strongest characteristics, with influence coming from immigration as well; “The Malta Labour Party (2003) sees itself as a Maltese, Mediterranean, and European (Abela, 11)”.

Spanish, French, and Italian immigration and traffic through the Maltese islands is very common even today, solidifying this Western European attribute. With that being said, religious or ethnic affiliation that differs from that of Roman Catholicism within Malta, would be seen as "Other". Xenophobia and racism can prove this point, a recurring issue from the Maltese people directed “towards legal migrants” and residents of Malta (University of Malta).