Language courses in Malta
Many children and young people take English language courses in other European countries during their holidays. But there are some among them who would rather spend their language holidays under palm trees and in the sun than, for example, in rainy England.
Malta offers this possibility. In the meantime, language schools have even become a branch of the economy in their own right. Studying English in the morning and enjoying the beaches of Malta in the afternoon or exploring the neighboring islands: no wonder that language courses in Malta are so popular.
Seniors in Malta
Anyone traveling to Malta will likely notice that the Maltese islands are home to many elderly people. This is because many Maltese go abroad to work after completing their training or studying and then come back home as retirees. Malta itself offers many jobs and most people have jobs, but the variety of job opportunities is much greater across Europe. Most Maltese come back to their beloved home islands on public holidays and on time for retirement.
Film set Malta
Have you never seen anything from Malta? For sure? You may be more familiar with the Maltese countryside than you think! Because the Maltese islands have already been chosen as play sets in many famous films. Parts of the film “Troy”, for example, were shot on the island. And Malta is a talented actress, because the country has already played the role of Greece, southern France, Peru and Italy.
As a country located in Europe detailed by neovideogames, Malta is also displayed as a magnificent backdrop in the films “Popeye”, “Gladiator” and “Alexander”. Recently you can even marvel at Malta in the famous TV series “Game of Thrones”. The country has really earned the nickname “Mediterranean Mini Hollywood”!
Celebrations and Holidays
In Malta, Catholic holidays are the main celebrations, after all 98 out of 100 Maltese are Catholics. As a tourist, regardless of religion, or as a Maltese of any other faith, you are always invited to join the party!
The festa season
Each parish in Malta has its own patron saint, a saint who the residents believe will protect the village. In his honor a festival is celebrated in every village. These mostly week-long festivals take place during the festa season from May to September.
The villagers start to decorate the houses and especially the churches in their own village weeks before the festa and to really spruce up their village. When the time comes, street stalls with delicious Maltese food will be set up everywhere. Qubbajt, which is delicious Maltese nougat, is particularly popular at this time.
With live music, under balloons and garlands, the Maltese celebrate their village saint for a week. A festa week ends with a procession through the streets of the village, during which a statue of the celebrated saint is carried around and confetti is thrown. Afterwards there is an elaborate fireworks display, also an important part of Maltese festival culture.
Christmas in Malta
Because so many people in Malta are Catholics, traditional Christian holidays naturally play an important role in Malta’s everyday life and are accordingly celebrated extensively. The Maltese decorate houses and churches with garlands and fairy lights at Christmas time. Christmas carols like “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” can be heard through the streets. The text means “I dream of a white Christmas”. You won’t find a snow-white Christmas in Malta, but the atmosphere is no less Christmassy.
Under the palm trees, the Maltese nibble on Il-qaghaq ta ‘l-ghasel, a ring-shaped pastry with citrus fruit, spices, honey and orange blossom water. You can visit huge nativity scenes in which real people and animals re-enact the Christmas story or simply enjoy the splendor of the streets shrouded in lights. There is really something going on in Malta at Christmas!
