The Consul General of Republic of Malta to Canada, Dr Raymond C. Xerri presided over seven events of Malta Day Canada 2021 to mark the 57th Anniversary of Malta’s Independence. These events took place on Saturday, 18th and Sunday, 19th September 2021 starting on Saturday evening with two Maltese Citizenship Certificate Ceremonies at the Maltese Canadian Museum, Archives and Visitation Centre at St Paul the Apostle Maltese Canadian Parish Auditorium, in Toronto, Canada.

The ceremonies commenced with a prayer by Assistant Pastor, Fr Ivano Burdian MSSP followed by a few words delivered by Joe Sherri, President of the Maltese Canadian Federation. Consul General of the Republic of Malta to Canada, Dr Raymond Xerri then distributed all the Maltese Citizenship Certificates to recipients and concluded each ceremony with a speech, highlighting the privileges of having obtaining a European passport.

On Sunday morning commenced with the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony at Malta Park, located in Malta Village, City of Toronto, Province of Ontario in Canada. The Ceremony commenced with a prayer by Fr Giovann Tabone MSSP and the President of the Maltese Canadian Federation, Joe Sherri delivered a few words emphasizing the importance of Maltese community unity and solidarity. Then, Federation President Sherri raised the Canadian flag and Consul General Dr Xerri raised the Maltese flag whilst both national anthems were song by Maltese violinist James Zammit.

This ceremony ended with the traditional annual speech delivered by the Consul General, Dr Xerri who stated, “Dear Maltese Canadians – I can comfortably hold my head high and speak with pride about the very good life you have managed to create for yourselves and your families here in Canada … Malta is proud of your extraordinary achievements … you are exemplary citizens and ambassadors of both Malta and Canada.” The Federation, two clubs and a number of associations attended with their respective flags or banners.

Immediately after the Flag Raising Ceremony, all present attended the traditional Maltese Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at the St Paul The Apostle Maltese Canadian Church, to mark the 57th Anniversary of Malta’s Independence celebrated by Fr Giovann Tabone MSSP.

At the beginning of the Mass, Dr Raymond C. Xerri, Consul General of the Republic of Malta to Canada lead a procession of the community leaders with flags and banners to the altar where he presented a bouquet of flowers to the parish. After mass, Dr Xerri delivered another speech where he emphasized the importance to support all that is Maltese in Canada to be able to transmit Maltese culture to our future Maltese Canadian generations.

After Mass, Consul General Dr Xerri in the presence of Pastor Giovann Tabone MSSP officially inaugurated three exhibitions; ‘Portraits of Prominent Maltese,’ a 64 photographic-portrait exhibition of presidents and prime ministers of Malta, judges, authors, actors, people of sports, artists, comedians and other categories. All the portraits are photographed by renowned Maltese photographer, Tony S. Mangion.

The second exhibition was, ‘Traditional Maltese Wicker Tools’ – an exhibtion of 11 very different Maltese and Gozitan traditional wicker tools which are no longer used by Malta’s population today, mostly replaced by plastic and steel items. It consisted of a wicker-bottle for olive and/or vinegar, hay wicker basket, Gozitan fisherman’s Pot, fishmonger’s wicker, grape wicker basket, fruit and vegetable wicker basket, egg wicker basket, wool and sick bobbin wicker basket and a robust wicker basket.

The third exhibition; ‘Traditional Maltese Balconies’ by Maltese Canadian, Michael Andrew Camilleri consisted of a number of miniture Maltese traditional balcones of different designs and colours expressing the craftsmanship of Mr Camilleri.

Bags stocked with traditional Maltese food and drink was the cherry on that day’s cake! A very much welcomed idea by all. Pastizzi, qassatat, imqaret, honey rings, kinnie, galletti, kunserva and more in the absence of a reception due to COVID19 restrictions. This traditional food reminds us that this food is ours, therefore special for us, its gives a sense of one community, one identity, one people and one nation – Malta and Gozo.

In the evening an additional two Maltese Citizenship Ceremonies were organised on the same format as the ones organised the previous day. Due to COVID19 restrictions, only 100 out of 750 Maltese Citizenship Certificate recipients could attend one of the four ceremonies.

All the above events were made possible thanks to funding provided by the Ministry for Foreign & European Affairs, the National Archivist of Malta, photographer Tony S. Mangion, violinist James Zammt, Michael Andrew Camilleri, the Maltese traditional foods stores in Toronto and the Governing Board of the Maltese Canadian Museum, Archives and Visitation Centre.

Consul General Dr Xerri whole heartedly thanked the Consulate staff, the many volunteers of the St Paul The Apostle Maltese Canadian Parish Church for their cooperation in making the events of Malta Day Canada 2021 a success story.