Over the past two years, the Embassy of Malta in Qatar has actively promoted cultural diplomacy through a series of engaging exhibitions, performances, and collaborations. Beginning with the Muslim Faith in the European Union photo exhibition (March/April 2024), the Embassy helped highlight the diversity and shared values within European communities. This was followed by the National Dress: Source of Pride and Heritage exhibition in May 2024, which celebrated traditional attire as a powerful symbol of cultural identity.

In November 2024, Malta participated in the Coin and Stamp Exhibition during the GDPNet Cultural Festival, in collaboration with Heritage Malta, offering a unique glimpse into the country’s historical narrative through philately and numismatics. That same month, through assistance from ScreenMalta, the Maltese short film Alicia was screened at the 1^st EU Youth Short Film Festival, organized by the EU Delegation in Qatar, further promoting Maltese storytelling and youth creativity on an international platform.

The Embassy’s cultural engagement extended into December 2024 with a live performance by renowned Maltese artist Warren Galea at the 8^th Katara-European Jazz Festival, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, an event that showcased Malta’s contemporary music scene within a broader European context.

This year, Malta will continue its cultural outreach in Qatar by participating in Verses Across Borders, a poetry exhibition, organized by EUDEL and Katara. Represented by Dr. Charles Daniel Saliba, Malta contributes a literary voice to this celebration of European poetic expression. These sustained efforts reflect the Embassy’s commitment to cultural exchange, enhancing Malta’s visibility abroad while deepening the cultural ties between Malta, the European Union, and the State of Qatar.

Dr. Saliba’s submission “Int min int?” (translated as “Who are you?”) reflects on identity, heritage, and the intimate yet universal dimensions of motherhood. Written in Maltese, the poem is presented alongside English and Arabic translations, ensuring accessibility to a broader audience while emphasizing the value of linguistic and cultural diversity. For this renowned Maltese poet, this opportunity to address ‘motherhood’ as a central theme was a great opportunity not only to explore universal human experiences but also to reflect on his personal identity and heritage. This was also a golden occasion to promote the Maltese language and culture and, thus, cultural diplomacy.

This latest participation in a series of cultural initiatives supported by the Embassy of Malta in Qatar, continues to reaffirm its commitment to promote Maltese arts, language, and heritage abroad while fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening ties between Malta, the European Union and the State of Qatar.

To listen to the poem being read in Maltese with English and Arabic subtitles, please visit: youtube.com/watch?v=k4d5tjC490g&list=RDk4d5tjC490g&start_radio=1