On Tuesday 24th September 2024, the Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, H.E. Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, hosted a National Day Reception in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Malta’s Independence.

Around 180 high-level dignitaries and Representatives of the Council of Europe, its bodies, Member States and Observer States, and the European Court of Human Rights attended this celebration, including  the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovili, the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Mr Marko Bošnjak, the Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Mr Mathieu Mori, and the Director and Secretary of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (better known as the Venice Commission), Ms Simona Granata-Menghini.

The Permanent Representative, Ambassador Camilleri Vettiger, delivered an opening speech in which she commemorated some of the main historic events which led up to this year’s 60th Anniversary of independent Malta and contributed to solidifying its standing on the international stage. In that respect, she proudly commented on the unique dual role for Malta as OSCE Chair-in-Office and an elected member of the United Nations Security Council. She also evoked Malta’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and the country’s continuous active role in the Council of Europe, including as Presidency of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre which focuses on promoting dialogue and fostering greater cooperation and solidarity.

The Ambassador reflected on the significant anniversaries being celebrated this year by Malta, and that next year’s Presidency of the Council of Europe will coincide with another significant milestone – the 60th Anniversary of Malta as a proud member of this “European leading Human Rights Organisation”. 

Malta’s Honorary Consul for the Grand-Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Mr Eric Mayer-Schaller, also addressed those present, stating that ”Malta can pride itself on its 7000 years of history”, recalling Malta’s rich and complex history throughout the centuries and the plethora of foreign rulers who governed its islands. He also underlined the country’s treasures adorned with a baroque style from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries, earning Malta three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Guests were taken on a gastronomic journey through a delicate Maltese menu from the French period as crafted by Taste History’s Chef Malcom Baldacchino and eloquently presented by Senior Curator Liam Gauci. Furthermore, the display of an exhibition of original manuscripts from that period, complemented by an acapella choir performance by KorMalta, entertained the guests and showcased Malta’s artistic talent in addition to promoting its rich historic and culinary heritage.

For the first time, the event was also filmed by Malta’s prime-time TV programme ‘Malta u lil Hinn Minnha’. 

The holding of this event was kindly supported by : the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade particularly through its Cultural Diplomacy Fund, the Malta Tourism Authority, Heritage Malta, Arts Council Malta, BOV, tal-Massar Winery, Farsons, Mediatheque Library, and also by a part-sponsorship from Maypole and Attrans.