On the 25th and 26th of September, the Embassy of Malta in Berlin participated in events marking the European Day of Languages. Representatives from the Embassy took part in a number of information sessions about Malta and the Maltese language in two state libraries, situated in Spandau and in Ahrensfelde, Berlin.

The school children attending the events were presented with many different aspects of Malta such as Malta’s historical timeline and the effects that foreign powers left in Malta, especially on the Maltese language. Rose Ann Buhagiar, First Secretary at the Embassy, introduced some Maltese words and explained how the Maltese language is the only semitic language that is written using the Latin alphabet. The students were very keen on pronouncing words in Maltese and try to make up a few sentences in Maltese.

The Embassy representatives also highlighted some interesting aspects about life in Malta, Maltese traditions, and culture. The children were eager to learn about Malta, the many days of sunshine, the beaches and the way of life of the Maltese people.

The language courses for Berlin school children, which have become an annual tradition, are organised in cooperation with the Association of European National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC), the Representation of the European Commission in Berlin and the central and state libraries of Berlin.