Maltese Leaders Spend Morning Together at Caritas Christmas Lunch for Those in Need

Dec 26 2024

This Christmas morning, Malta’s leaders came together to celebrate the season of giving at the 10th edition of the Caritas Christmas Lunch, held at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana. Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and his wife, President Emeritus Myriam Spiteri Debono, HE The President of Malta, the Archbishop, and the Auxiliary Bishop joined nearly 600 attendees for a heartfelt gathering dedicated to those facing loneliness or financial struggles.

The event saw one of its largest turnouts to date, supported by approximately 100 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the day special. Among the attendees were residents from Caritas Malta’s Prison Inmates Programme and San Blas Therapeutic Communities, accompanied by their dedicated staff.

The festive atmosphere was enriched with acts of generosity. Toys were distributed to children, traditional sweets were donated by the Kitchen of the President of Malta, and all the food was provided by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation. The logistics were supported by the St Peter’s Foundation, while XTEND delighted guests with lively entertainment, continuing their long-standing tradition of adding joy to the occasion.

The event highlighted the power of community and compassion, reminding everyone of the importance of unity and care during the festive season.

#MaltaDaily

Malta Almost Had a White Christmas

Dec 26 2024

On Christmas Eve, Malta experienced an unusually cold night, coming just a few kilometres away from waking up to a white Christmas. According to the popular local weather page Aġġornament tat-Temp, certain areas in Sicily were blanketed with significant snowfall, while parts of Malta saw a light sprinkling of sleet.

The wintry weather came tantalisingly close—just 22 kilometres off Malta’s coast—where a cold air system combined with strong northwesterly winds created the perfect conditions for snow. However, Malta narrowly missed out on a full white Christmas.

Temperatures remained chilly on Christmas Day, with highs of 14°C and lows dipping to 6°C, accompanied by partly cloudy skies.

While it wasn’t quite a white Christmas, the cold spell served as a festive reminder of winter’s magic, with Sicilian snow-covered scenes offering a glimpse of what might have been.

#MaltaDaily

The History and Origins Of Boxing Day

Dec 26 2024

One mystery that has puzzled millions around the world is the true meaning of Boxing Day and why it is called so.

To begin, Boxing Day has no connection to the sport of boxing, despite the common assumption many might have had at some point.

Celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas, Boxing Day is widely observed in Commonwealth countries like Malta, the UK, Canada, and other Western nations.

The origins of Boxing Day are debated, but the most widely accepted theory dates back to 17th/18th century Britain.

At that time, servants of wealthy families were given the day off on the 26th to spend with their own families after working hard on Christmas Day.

As a gesture of appreciation, their employers would present them with a ‘Christmas box’—a box filled with gifts, bonuses, and leftover food. This is believed to be the origin of the name “Boxing Day.”

In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Boxing Day is widely recognized as a major shopping holiday, highlighted by extensive sales and significant price cuts from retailers.

In addition to shopping, Boxing Day has become synonymous with football, particularly in England and Italy. On December 26th, Premier League and Serie A teams draw massive crowds to their stadiums for a day of festive matches.

In Malta, the charitable spirit of Boxing Day remains strong through the annual ‘L-Istrina’ marathon, held the day after Christmas. This event raises millions of euros to support those in need, with last year’s marathon collecting an impressive €5.27 million.

#MaltaDaily

Bernard Grech And Wife Visit Elderly Home On Christmas Eve

Dec 25 2024

On December 24, 2024, Anne Marie Grech, wife of the Leader of the Opposition, joined her husband in visiting elderly residents at a local care home. The visit aimed to spread holiday cheer and emphasize the importance of community support during the festive season.

Mrs. Grech, a primary school teacher and active community member, has a history of engaging in social initiatives. She serves as President of LIGHT and Vice-President of Arthaus.mt, organizations dedicated to cultural and social causes.

This visit aligns with Mrs. Grech’s ongoing commitment to social causes. In October 2024, she celebrated her birthday by organizing ‘Tlaqna L-Belt,’ an event aimed at raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness.

#MaltaDaily