Let's Party?

Who doesn't love a good party? No, seriously! Even if you are more on the introverted side, who wouldn't love a good party?

Their ain't no party like a Maltese Party - sorry, Kid Rock.

Credit: Malta.com

Before we get into that, we need to talk about Catholicism - right, I know two completely different things - or are they? 

Unlike America, in Malta there is no such thing as separation of Church and State. The two are very much intertwined. Each village has their own patron saint, and they have a large feast in their honor each year. Picture a large carnival for at least a week, it's crazy, really!  With lots of food trucks, face painting and merchants selling their homemade goods. 

Streetview of Haz-Zebbug Credit: Ami Z

Fire works before they go off Credit: Ami Z

These festas have the most amazing fireworks, and have the tradition of the strongest men in the village carrying around the patron saint of their village - which is a very high honor. The fireworks are a pyro's dream - as Malta does not have any type of restrictions on fireworks and they can get very creative as well as sometimes dangerous. 

My favorite part of the festa is seeing how the village comes together, and how people from other villages share in this tradition. It's something we in the U.S could really learn from is the community togetherness, even if it is just for one week! 

Maltese outside of Malta

So now that we have established where Maltese people are from, where outside of Europe have they migrated to? Why did they migrate?

Well, our little Malta because of it's location, small size and small military was often taken advantage of. In WWII, Malta was bombed by Hitler. This was a key stronghold in which Hitler could use to sustain their North African campaign and eventually attack Italy. My nannu and nanna (grandparents) were part of this awful time, and often had to hide or live underground for long periods of time.

There are actually more Maltese people living in Australia than there are in Malta (of course, this includes the Maltese decedents - 2nd and 3rd generation). There is a large population of Maltese people in Detroit as well that migrated during when the auto industry started to boom. In Michigan, there are two clubs - The Maltese American Community Club located in Dearborn, and The Maltese Benevolent Society located in Detroit. These clubs were originally established to help Maltese immigrants come together and make the transition from Malta to The United States.

Maltese Club in Dearborn. Photo Credit: Phil Cini

Maltese Club in Detroit. Photo Credit: Mark Vella

These clubs are still around today and are open to everyone, it does not matter if you are Maltese or not. Each club has their own events to celebrate the culture, and in some cases to participate it is encouraged that you be of Maltese decent. A few examples of these events include the Miss. Malta Pageant where young women between the ages of 16-25 compete for a plane ticket to Malta. The winner receives the plane ticket, and the 1st runner-up receives beautiful jewelry. There is also the Grech-Cumbo Family Foundation Scholarship given to the student who has provided outstanding service to the Maltese American Community.  This year has been a blessing for me personally as I have been able to win both. 

Pauline Bynum and Myself (L to R) Photo Credit: Lori Bynum

While our community is very small in stature, the passion for it in the small group is quite large. Leave any comments, questions about events, etc. below! 

Don't Read if you're on a Diet!

WARNING: This post contains elements that are guaranteed to cause weight gain if created. May make your taste buds throb and crave more. If you are on a strict diet, I encourage you to come back and read after your diet is complete.

Who doesn't love food? One of my favorite past times weather it'd be family, friends or maybe just at a cocktail party discussing food recipes or modifications to recipes that have already been tried.  

In my previous post, we discussed the different aspects and similarities between Italian and Maltese culture which included family structure, environment and food. The food between the two cultures have vast similarities with a few different twists. Both countries have a similar high carbohydrate, lots of meat and large portions of food. Pasta is a huge must with every meal (yes, even breakfast!). It is not uncommon to have four course dinners. But what differs Maltese meals and foods from Italian Foods and meals? 

In my opinion, the Maltese took from the Italians and made it better. So, what is typical Maltese Food?

Octopus

This is different from calamari (or fried squid) as it is usually more in it's natural form. Octopus is used to make stew, used as a flavoring in spaghetti and also is a good snack.

Pastizzi

This is pronounced: PAH-Stit-Zi.



While I have been saying that the Maltese took from the Italians and made it better, they took from the French on this one and gave it their own kick. In short, this popular treat among all Maltese people is similar to a croissant with it's flaky texture. However, on the inside it can include meat, cheese or peas depending on what you savor.

Maltese Easter Biscuits (Figolli)



This delicious treat is common at Easter time (I say Easter because Malta is 98% Catholic). This is a great challenge for those wanting to bake, or try cookies with a little bit of a different spin on it. The recipes main ingredient is a lemon zest with almonds.

These are just three foods of Malta's very diverse array of delicious foods. I could go on and on about Malta's foods. If you want to learn more or have any favorites, let me know in the comments below!

What is Malta?

Take a moment to close your eyes and think about your favorite travel destination. Maybe you consider this a place away from home. Maybe it is a common destination among various individuals. Maybe it’s not well known at all. I personally am the latter, as my favorite travel destination is known as Malta.

What/Where is Malta?

First, and foremost – Malta is NOT a part of Italy. This is a common misconception among individuals not familiar with Malta or Europe. Often, this is due to its small size and the similarities in culture but Malta is a separate country from Italy.

Malta is located just 58 miles south of Sicily:

What is Maltese Culture like?

While Malta is not apart of Italy, it's awfully similar in it's culture and traditions. Maltese families are typically large, loud, and very close. The grandmother (or Nanna as it is referred to in Maltese) is seen as the matriarch and is often the Alpha of the family. Lots of gatherings, large parties and lots and lots of....Carbs.

What language do the Maltese people speak?

Maltese people are commonly multi-lingual and speak multiple languages; however, the official language is Maltese. Maltese is the only semetic language use in the EU, and it has similarities  as Arabic languages.

What is the climate like in Malta?

The climate in Malta is very similar to if Arizona had an ocean surrounding it. Dry, but with a touch of humidity.

Throughout this blog I am going to discuss my own experiences in Malta, different parts of the culture and the Maltese culture in America specifically in Detroit.