A product of history: recollecting popular stories and figures about Malta
While not as popular as other Mediterranean countries such as France, Italy, and Tuscany, Malta is one of the more culturally diverse countries in the Mediterranean Sea. This is something very few people know about Malta, since what they know about Malta is limited to what popular culture gives and presents them. This is rather curious while Malta and, consequently, things related to Malta have been the subject of several shows, books, movies, among others, very few is popular known about Malta. What very few know about Malta is its reputation as a top tourist spot. Its Mediterranean charm coupled with the relic left by its rich past made Malta a wonder to behold and explore.
Sadly, what people know about Malta are not enough to establish the country as one of the world’s foremost tourist spots. What is even more unfortunate is that, while many do know something about Malta, these things are often untrue or inaccurate. Again, this is due to popular culture’s alteration of reality. Malta is often presented as an exotic country. But Malta is far from what exotic implies. The country is somewhat archaic due to the presence of relics and historical artifacts, but it is in no way “exotic” which sometimes implies backward or even uncivilized.
One of the popular products of popular culture that is about Malta is the novel The Maltese by Dashiell Hammett. But, of course, the Maltese falcon does exist. Its real name is the Peregrine Falcon. This falcon is the rent or gift given to Charles V by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Charles V donated Malta to the knights and, in return, he required the falcon as the annual payment. What many know about Malta is usually limited to the Maltese Falcon, although very few have connected this figure to the Mediterranean country. In fact, very few people know it actually exists.
Another popular figure known about Malta is the Maltese Cross. Today, this symbol is used everywhere. However, this symbol obviously originated from Malta, as the symbol of the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Knights of Malta. The cross has eight points and resemblances popular images of a star. These points represent respect for the church, being helpful to the sick and the poor, contempt of death, honor and glory, bravery, frankness, piety, and loyalty. These are the so-called eight points of courage. Today, the Maltese Cross remains to be the symbol of Malta’s military order.
Lastly, the megalithic temples are what people are most familiar about Malta. These temples are the Ggantiha, Hagar Qim, Tarxien, Mnajdra, among others. Popular culture have presented these places as some sort of place of mystic, giving the country yet more false images of exoticism. However, the purpose of these megalithic temples is still unknown, hence the debate as to why these structures as even called temples.
The popularity of these figures only proves that Malta is popular and has the potential to be even more popular. Of course, Malta is more than these, as the country has a lot of things to offer for tourists and locals alike. |
