Lil tal Belt

Lil tal Belt

Far away trumpets can be heard. As we approach the sound grows and colorful lights approach us. A carnival of balloons greets us and snow falls all around us. Confetti of white and blue create a soft surface on the ground as local kids build confetti-men out of the fallen snow-like papers. Men and women jump up and down in sync, cheering as fans would do a victory, cheering the freedom and the beauty of the local festa’.

A marching band approaches, splitting the public like a river as it passes through the scores of smiling locals, each wearing a proud face chanting in praise. Following the crowd is a huge statue, making its way through the streets of the capital, resting heavily on the shoulders of eight strong men, dedicated to the cause. St. Dominick is to be hoisted in front of the cathedral as the final piece of the puzzle.

As it is hoisted up in front of the Cathedral, the people cheer as Brazilians did when Dunga won the world cup, lifting the trophy is as special as lifting the statue to these people. The pride, the passion and the belief that these people are free.
The people of Valletta are proud; this is their day, their moment, and their celebration. The religious views of the feast are hardly observed today, as foul language can still be heard among the locals, and copious amounts of alcohol is served to each punter at the local bar. Still it’s all part of the fun, and ancient city going back to its roots in the most modern way possible. This is their evening; many have emerged in fancy night dresses to commemorate the occasion, the celebration of Malta’s oldest basilica.

They have prepared for months for this night, saving up paper cut outs to make confetti, stocking the bars with local brews, decorating the glorious wide streets with traditional colors and materials which hang from one roof to the other. The band goes through its paces, and the locals like what they are hearing as they sing with pride. These citizens are privileged. They belong to Malta’s capital city, and are the children of hard working men and woman, descending from years and years of more hard work. This is Malta’s capital, and these are Malta’s people. Our capital was built as a result of hard working locals who hauled massive bricks to form great barriers which kept us safe from foreign strange invaders. Many emperors desired Valletta, but few could be so privileged. Her people are her emperors, and in their hands our city is safe. Traditions will always be observed and churches will always be respected. It was these locals who drove the French our according to legend, and it was these locals who helped the British keep the Nazi’s at bay in the 20th century.

Battle scars still remain visible, but serve as a testament to those who lost their lives fighting to save our capital. Valetta has seen many a terrible day as bombs fell from the skies, but tonight all of that can be forgotten. The victory was ours, and the locals have earned their right to party the night away and enjoy their traditional celebrations. The Valletta locals are like no other. You can smell their pride and can tell they are honored to live in Valetta by the way their heads are held up high. Many fled the City in times of peril, but many stayed on to fight for freedom. Even in modern day economic battles, many still flee the expenses of the city, but those who stay know they simply cannot abandon ship. The City needs them, and they need the City.

Valletta’s football badge symbolizes the city’s pride. A lion on a red background indicates pride and passion, while a golden crown shows the fact that the citizens are the kings, and no government or invader can ever take that away. This is Valletta, our capital city and it must be respected. Lil tal Belt, hadt ma jista’ ghalik.