A chat with the President! George Vella reveals what he loves most about Malta & Gozo
He’s lived in the same Zejtun street all his life, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
President George Vella was sworn in as Malta’s 10th president last April, and having recently been given the rare chance of an audience, I couldn’t help but ask about his local favourites!
Alan Carville
Formerly a family doctor and foreign minister, President George Vella has been described as a good, hardworking man by colleagues and locals of his beloved hometown of Zejtun, where he has lived his whole life.
You’re originally from Zejtun, which is a beautiful village with strong heritage and history…
“Zejtun has got a lot of character – it has featured historically, even before the Turks arrived in Malta. It’s overlooking Marsaxlokk Bay and St Thomas Bay, and it’s also the site which housed the Temple of Juno in Roman history. The people from the Zejtun area are also known to have participated in the rebellion against the French occupation – it’s a historical place.”
What do you like most about it?
“The core of the village is very characteristic of local village life, which I really like. In village cores, there are certain practices and people come together very often – they’re often on first name terms. This is in sharp contrast to life in big cities like Brussels and London, where everybody is anonymous. It’s nice that you can go out in the street and people say, ‘Good Morning’… it would be sad if that culture were to change, and we are losing a bit of it.”
Yes, traditional village life is changing. Why do you think that is?
“It’s especially due to the bigger mobility of young couples moving to other villages, buying old houses and bringing them back to their pristine beauty – not that they don’t mix, but growing up in the same village or town is different. I was born in the same street I’ve lived on for all these years – and what’s funny is that even the cemetery is up the same street, so it’s going to be one address my whole life!”
What a thought! What are some of your favourite local traditions?
“Even though I’m not a big fan of festas, I feel that they add a lot of character to our culture. I also really like the way we celebrate Christmas.”
How about local dishes?
“I enjoy what you call the ‘seefood diet’ – you see food and you eat it, but really, I’m actually on a diet at the moment. Everybody likes rabbit, octopus, pasta dishes – but those are for when you aren’t minding your cholesterol and girth! And a bit of good wine to go with them…”
We all love a bit of wine with our meals! How about your favourite places to visit?
“Gozo to start with… I like Gozo a lot. But there are so many beautiful places, it would be an injustice to mention ones over others! It depends on the season, and even the mood. If you want to relax in Wied iz-Zurrieq, it doesn’t mean that you prefer that to Ghajn Tuffieha, or to Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo, or the cliffs of Sannat. It’s all over, and I can’t single any out!”
We couldn’t agree more, Mr President!