New & now
Malcolm Galea: “Making Maltese friends is the best way to enjoy the islands”
Writer and actor Malcolm Galea explains why ‘fartas’ (bald man) is his favourite Maltese word.

Rebecca Anastasi

Malcolm Galea

Malcolm Galea / Facebook

What is your most vivid childhood memory in Malta?

Taking the bus with my parents to go to the beach. Both were adventures in their own right.

What is your favourite…

Malcolm Galea

Malcolm Galea / Facebook

Local dish: So much to choose from! I’d say fried rabbit from Mġarr – but no heads please…

Beach or swimming spot: Rinella Bay in Kalkara – although Pretty Bay in B’bugia is a close second since the kids love it.

Activity to do in Malta: Watching a play at the Manoel Theatre.

Family tradition: Big, loud, family weddings featuring fancy cocktails, long-lost cousins from Australia, and regrettable selfies.

Maltese word: Fartas (a bald man – pronounced ‘fart-arse’)

Landmark: Not sure if you’d call it a landmark but I love Victoria Gate in Valletta.

Festa food: I don’t know what they’re called. They’re cylinders of nougat covered in rice paper and wrapped up in brightly coloured foil. You can get them from every nougat stand and you usually buy them in sets of five. Before I had kids I would eat them all myself. Now I have to share…

Local smell: The sea.

View: The three cities and Grand Harbour as you’re walking down from Castille Square to Floriana or taking the lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Town/village: Valletta

Malcolm Galea

Jonn Galea / Instagram

What do you like on your ħobża?

Tomatoes, oil, capers, olives, tuna and (if I’m feeling brave) one of my father-in-law’s ġbejniet (cheeselets - grated and spread evenly because if you get too much in a single mouthful your oesophagus will catch fire).

How stressed do you get when driving in Malta, from 1 (it’s like being in a spa) to 10 (I’m literally about to kill everyone)?

Driving in Malta is essentially queuing in your car. If you have plenty of time and have a good audio book playing, it can be quite relaxing. If you’re in a hurry and are faced with a never-ending line of traffic, then it’s quite close to being a 10.

What is the one tip you’d give to a visitor?

Make some Maltese friends. It’s the best way to enjoy the island.

Either or…

Malta or Gozo? Both!
Sand or rocks? Sand
Summer or winter? Summer


Rebecca Anastasi
Written by
Rebecca Anastasi
Rebecca has dedicated her career to writing and filmmaking, and is committed to telling stories from this little rock in the Mediterranean.

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