In celebration of the 89th anniversary since Maltese was declared an official language in Malta, the National Archives of Malta shared a downright historic image of some of the country’s best-known and most iconic literary geniuses standing right next to each other.

The icons pictured – all of whom were also major promoters of the Maltese language in the 1930s – include national poet Dun Karm Psaila, Ġużè Briffa, Ġorġ Pisani, Anton Buttigieg, and Dun Karm Farrugia.

Thanks to these individuals, the Maltese language took its first major step in earning some well-deserved respect in various sectors of society.

Prior to this point, Maltese largely considered as a lower-class language, with the higher classes speaking in Italian or English.

The change celebrated in 1934 was also the result of tireless work put in by Gian Francesco Agius de Soldanis and Mikiel Anton Vassalli who recognised the Maltese language’s value as far back as the 18th century.

By 1924, the ‘Ghaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti’ (The Organisation of Maltese Writers) was formed. All those pictured in the National Archives’ photo were a part of said organisation which worked towards giving the language some prestige.

When, decades later, Malta earned its independence, not only was Maltese recognised as an official language of the islands, but also a national language.

Facebook/ The National Archives of Malta