LIST THE GRAND MASTERS OF THE ORDER OF ST JOHN OF
JERUSALEM 1530 - 1797
MALTESE PERIOD
Phillipe Villiers de l’Isle-Adam -
France 1530
Pietro del Ponte- Italy 1534
Didier de Saint-Jaille - France 1535
Juan d’Omedes - Aragon 1536
Claude de la Sengle - France 1553
Jean de la Valette-Parisot - Provence 1557
Pietro del Monte San Savino - Italy 1568
Jean l’Eveque de la Caissiere - Auvergne 1572
Hugues Loubenx de Verdala - Provence 1582
Martin Garzes - Aragon 1595
Alofe de Wignacourt - France 1601
Louis Mendez de Vasconcelles
Castille, Leon, Portugal 1622
Antoine de Paule - Provence 1623
Jean-Paul de Lascaris-Castellar -
Provence 1636
Martin de Redin - Aragon 1657
Annet de Clermont-Gessan - Auvergne 1660
Raphael Cotoner - Aragon 1660
Nicolas Cotoner - Aragon 1663
Gregoire Carafa - Italy 1680
Adrien de Wignacourt - France 1690
Ramon Perelles y Roccaful - Aragon 1697
Marc Antoine Zondadari - Italy 1720
Antoine Manoel de Vilhena -
Castille, Leon, Portugal 1722
Ramon Despuig - Aragon 1736
Manuel Pinto de Fonseca -
Castille, Leon, Portugal 1741
Francisco Ximenes de Texada - Aragon 1773
Emmanuel Marie de Rohan-Polduc- -France 1775
Ferdinand von Hompesch - Germany 1797
CIVIL COMMISSIONERS 1799 -1813
Captain Alexander Ball 1799-1801
Major-General Henry Pigot 1801
Sir Charles Cameron 1801-1802
Rear-Admiral Aleaxander Ball 1802-1809
Lieutenant-General Sir Hilderbrand Oakes1810-1813
GOVERNORS 1913 -1824
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Maitland 1813-1824
General theMarquess of Hastings 1824-1826
Major-General Sir Frederic Ponsonby 1827-1836
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Bouverie 1836-1843
Lieutenant-General Sir Patrick Stuart 1843-1847
Richard More O’Farrall 1847-1851
Major General Sir Wuilliam Reid 1851-1858
Lt-General John Gaspard Le Merchant 1858-1864
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Storcks 1864-1867
General Sir Patrick Grant 1867-1872
General Sir Charles Van Straubenzee 1872-1878
General Sir Arthur Borton 1878-1884
General Sir Lintorn Simmonds 1884-1888
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Torrens 1888-1890
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Smyth 1890-1893
General Sir Athur Freemantle 1893-1899
Lieutenant-General Lord Grenfell 1899-1903
General Sir Mansfield Clarke 1903-1907
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Grant 1907-1909
Gnberal Sir Leslie Rundle 1909-1915
Field-Marshal Lord Methuen 1915-1919
Field Marshal Viscount Plumer 1919-1924
General Sir Walter Congreve 1924-1927
General Sir John du Cane 1927-1931
General Sir David Campbell 1931-1936
General Sir Charles Bonham Carter 1936-1940
Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie 1940-1942
Field Marshal Viscount Gort VC 1942-1944
Lieutenant-General Sir Edmond Schreiber 1944-1946
Sir Francis Douglas 1946-1949
Sir Gerald Creasy 1949-1954
Major-General Sir Robert Laycock 1954-1959
Admiral Sir Guy Grantham 1959-1962
Sir Maurice Dorman 1962-1964.
GOVERNORS-GENERAL 1964 - 1971
Sir Maurice Dorman 1964-1971
Sir Anthony Mamo 1971-1974
The Governor-General were representatives of the British sovereign in
Malta. Constitutionally the sovereign was recognised as Malta’s Head of
State.
PRESIDENTS OF MALTA 1974 -
Sir Anthony Mamo 1974-1976
Dr Anton Butigieg 1976-1981
Dr Albert Hyzler (Ad Interim) 1981-1982
Hon Agatha Barbara 1982-1987
Mr Paul Xuereb (Ad interim) 1987-1989
Dr Censu Tabone 1989-1994
Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici 1994-
Presidents have a maximum term of office of five years.
PRIME MINISTERS 1921 - 1997
Joseph Howard Unione Politica Maltese 1921-1923
Francesco Buhagiar Unione Politica Maltese 1923-1924
Sir Ugo P Mifsud Nationalsi Party 1924-1927
Sir Gerald Strickland Constitutional Party 1927-1932
Sir Ugo P Mifsud Nationalist Party 1932-1933
Sir Paul Boffa Malta Labour Party
and later Malta Workers Party 1947-1950
Dr Enrico Mizzi Nationalist Party 1950
Dr Giogio Borg Olivier Nationalist Party 1950-1955
Mr Dom Mintoff Malta Labour Party 1955-1958
Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier Nationalist Party 1962-1971
Mr Dom Mintoff Malta Labour Party 1971-1976
Mr Dom Mintoff Malta Labour Party 1976-1981
Mr Dom Mintoff Malta Labour Party 1981-1984
Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Malta Labour Party 1984-1987
Dr Eddie Fenech Adami Nationalist Party 1987-1992
Dr Eddie Fenech Adami Nationalist Party 1992-1996
Dr Alfred Sant Malta Labour Part 1996-
MALTESE LABOUR GOVERNMENT - CABINET
Malta is a parliamentary democracy with the legislative power in the
hands of the House of Representatives which currently has sixty-five
members elected from the two major political parties. Executive power
is exercised by the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Malta' President
fills the role of titular Head of State and is appointed by the House of
Representatives.
Prime Minister - Hon ALFRED SANT
Home Affairs, Police, Immigration, Security, Prisons, Passports,
Identity Cards, Armed Forces, Citizenship, Oil Exploration, Public
Service, Information and Information Technology, Broadcasting, Gozo,
Women's Rights, TeleMalta Corporation, Drydocks and Shipbuilding.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment - Hon GEORGE VELLA
Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs, Relations with the European Union, Bilateral
Relations, Relations with International Institutions, Parliamentary
Affairs, Environment, Planning Authority.
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance - Hon LINO SPITERI
Economic Development and Public Finance Policy, Inland Revenue, Customs
and Excise, Central Bank, Audit, Accountant General's Office,
Statistics, Public Lotto, Malta Financial Services Centre, Government
Investments, Malta Freeport Corporation, Industrial Relations.
Minister of Education and National Culture - Hon EVARIST BARTOLO
Education, Libraries and Archives, Museums, Science and Technology
Policy, the Arts and Culture in the Maltese Communities, Youth, Sport.
Minister for Commerce - Hon LEO BRINCAT
Imports and Domestic Commerce, Exports, Regulation of Free and Fair
Competition, Consumer Protection, EneMalta Corporation, Self Employed.
Minister for Tourism - Hon KARMENU VELLA
Tourism, Air Malta, Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Minister of Justice and Local Councils - Hon CHARLES MANGION
Attorney General's Office, Courts of Justice, Notary to Government,
Public Registry, Local Councils.
Minister of Industry - Hon JOHN ATTARD MONTALTO
Industry, Malta Development Corporation.
Minister for Transport and Ports - Hon JOE DEBONO GRECH
Civil Aviation, Malta International Airport Limited, Maritime Authority,
Public Transport Authority, Traffic Planning, Vehicle Licensing and
Inspectorate, Postal Services.
Minister of Public Works and Construction - Hon CHARLES BUHAGIAR
Lands, Land Registry, Major Government Construction Projects, Ongoing
Management of Government Construction Projects, Water, Drainage, Public
Cleansing and Waste, Private Buildings, Roads.
Minister for Health, Care of the Elderly and Family Affairs - Hon
MICHAEL FARRUGIA
Health, The Elderly, Family Affairs.
Minister for Social Security - Hon EDWIN GRECH-
Social Security, Employment and Training Corporation, Labour Policy.
Minister for Housing - Hon FREDDIE PORTELLI
Housing, Joint Office
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries - Hon NOEL FARRUGIA
Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Aquaculture.
Minister without portfolio in the office of the Prime Minister - Hon JOE
MIZZI
Parliamentary secretary for youth, sports and the arts in Education
Ministry - Hon JOE CILI
Parliamentary secretary for Gozo in Prime Minister’s Office - Hon ANTON
REFALO
Parliamentary secretary for care of the elderly in Health Ministry - Hon
LOUIS BUHAGIAR
Parliamentary secretary for women’s rights in the Prime Minister’s
Office - Hon HELENA DALLI
Parliamentary secretary for self-employed in Ministry for Commerce - Hon
GAVIN GULIA
OCTOBER 1996 ELECTION RESULTS
Registered voters 271 746
Votes cast 264 037
First count votes
Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) 3820 1.46%
Number of Candidates elected 0
Nationalist Party (NP) 124 864 47.8%
Number of Candidates elected 34
Malta Labour Party (MLP) 132 497 50.7%*
Number of Candidates elected 31
Malta Labour Party was allocated four additional Parliamentary seats to
the already 31 elected, in accordance with the Article 52(1) of the
Constitution of Malta, since the Malta Labour Party obtained more than
50%+1 of the total number of votes but gained a minority of
Parliamentary seats.
Therefore, the Malta Labour Party has 35 seats while the Nationalist
party has 34 seats in Parliament. The additional four candidates who
have been returned to Parliament under Article 52(1) are: Dr Jose
Herrera (District1) Mr Carmelo Abela (District 3) Mr Joe Farrugia
(District 5) Dr Gavin Gulia (District 7)
CALENDAR OF 'FESTI' FEAST-DAYS - 1997
Every town and village in Malta and Gozo being a strong Catholic country
celebrates one or two feasts every year in honour of their patron
saints. The 'festa' is characterised by church and street decorations,
procession with the statute, band marches, vendors of all sorts of food
and sweets, general merry-making and colourful and noisy fireworks! The
Maltese people often hold open-houses and entertain friends and
relatives lavishly on feastdays.
January 26 Conversion of St. Paul - Malta Cathedral.
February 10 Shipwreck of St. Paul - Valletta.
28 Jesus Nazarene - Sliema
March 19 St. Joseph - Rabat, Malta.
April 13 St. Publius - Floriana.
May 4 St. Augustine - Valletta.
19 Lady of Fatima - G'Mangia.
25 St. Paul - Munxar, Gozo.
25 Holy Trinity - Marsa
June 1 The Annunciation - Tarxien
8 Jesus Saviour - Ghasri, Gozo.
8 St. Philip - Zebbug
15 St. Catherine - Zejtun.
15 Our Lady of Lily - Mqabba.
15 Heart of Jesus - Fontana, Gozo.
22 St. John the Baptist - Cathedral, Malta and Xewkija,
Gozo.
22 St. Joseph the Worker - Birkirkara.
29 St. Peter & St. Paul - Cathedral, Malta
Nadur, Gozo.
29 St. Nicholas - Siggiewi.
29 St. George - Qormi.
29 Immaculate Heart of Mary - Burmarrad.
July 6 Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Fleur-de-Lys.
6 St. Paul - Rabat, Malta.
6 St Joseph the Worker - Birkirkara
6 St. Andrew - Luqa.
6 Immaculate Conception - Hamrun.
6 Sacro Cuor - Sliema.
13 Our Lady of Carmel Gzira and Fgura.
13 Our Lady of Help - Kercem, Gozo.
13 Annunciation - Balzan.
13 St. Joseph - Kalkara.
16 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - Valletta.
20 St. Joseph - Msida.
20 St. Sebastian - Qormi.
20 St. George Martyr - Rabat, Gozo.
27 St. Margaret - Sannat, Gozo.
27 Christ the King - Paola.
27 Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Balluta.
27 Our Lady of Sorrows - St. Paul's Bay.
27 St. Anne - Marsascala.
27 St. Venera - Santa Venera
27 Our Lady of Mt Carmel - Zurrieq
August 3 St. Dominic - Valletta.
3 St. Peter - Birzebbuga.
3 Our Lady of Lourdes - San Gwann.
3 St. Joseph - Qala, Gozo.
3 Our Lady of Pompeii - Marsaxlokk.
6 The Saviour - Lija.
10 St. Lawrence - Vittoriosa, San Lawrenz (Gozo)
10 St. Gaetan - Hamrun.
15 The Assumption of Our Lady - Attard, Gudja, Ghaxaq
Mosta, Imqabba, Qrendi, Tal-Griegi(Valletta), Cathedral
(Gozo).
17 Our Lady of Lourdes - Rahal Gdid
17 St Mary - Dingli, Mgarr (Malta).
21 St. Pius X - Santa Lucia.
24 Stella Maris - Sliema.
24 St. Helena - Birkirkara
24 Mary Queen - Marsa.
24 St. Mary - Zebbug, Gozo.
24 St. Bartolomew - Gharghur.
24 Conversion of St. Paul - Safi.
24 St. Joseph the Worker - Manikata.
31 St Julian - St Julians
31 Madonna of Loreto - Ghajnsielem, Gozo
31 St Gregory - Sliema
31 The Queenship of Mary - Marsa
September 7 St Catherine - Zurrieq
8 Marija Bambina - Naxxar, Senglea, Mellieha
14 Our Lady of Grace - Zabbar.
21 St. Leonard - Kirkop.
November 16 St. John of the Cross - Ta' Xbiex.
December 8 Immaculate Conception - Bormla, Qala (Gozo).
8 Mother of Church - St. Andrews.
The week before start of Lent - Maltese Carnival
(St Peter and St Paul) - Imnarja - 29 June
Remembrance Day - 2nd Sunday of November
CALENDAR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
IN GUARDIA HISTORICAL PARADES AT ST. ELMO
During these parades, held throughout the year, around ninety officers
and men-at-arms in period costumes will perform a series of military
drills in the eminent fort's "Place of Arms". The ceremonial will
include marching, changing of the guard, manning of posts, orders of the
day, musketry and gunnery drill, parade fall-in, presentation of arms
and colours. "Feux de Joie" together with noon day, or evening cannon
shots will add to this unique spectacle.
Dates of parades are as follows: 2 & 26 February 1997, 2 & 16 March
1997, 6 April 1997, 4 &18 May 1997, 1 June 1997*, 6 & 20 July 1997 *, 10
& 24 August 1997*, 7 & 21 September 1997*, 12 & 26 October 1997, 9 & 23
November 1997, 14 & 28 December 1997*. Commencement of parades:
11.00hrs, where marked* 20.00hrs.
MALTA INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE FESTIVAL: February
Once again, players from all over Europe and other countries
participate in this event held at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema. World
class players rub shoulders with ordinary local club level players,
compete for trophies and sponsored prizes as well as a minimum prize
pool of $ 20,000.
12th EDITION OF THE MALTA MARATHON: February
Since the first marathon in 1986, this event organised by the Malta
Marathon Organising Committee, has become an established event on many
athlete's calendar. The marathon sets off from Saqqajja Square at Rabat
to reach the finishing line at Sliema. Covering the classic 26.2 mile
distance with a concurrent Half Marathon of 13.1 mile, this event is
held in February with the temperature around 15.5 - 19 deg. C, making it
ideal running weather.
MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW: March
This yearly event is held at the Vittoriosa Jetty, under the massive
walls of the historic Fort St.Angelo. This 4th Edition of the Boat Show
is spread over an impressive area of 20,000 sq. metres and attracting up
to 20,000 visitors in its duration. On display are various yachts, both
ashore and afloat, and all marine related accessories offered by some 60
exhibitors.
HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES IN MALTA
Holy Week starts a week preceding Good Friday when the Statue of Our
Lady of Sorrows is carried in procession through the streets of Valletta
and many towns and villages in Malta and Gozo. Further celebrations
leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday are indexed on the 'Holy
Week' leaflet issued by the National Tourism Organisation and available
from all Tourist Information offices. Good Friday this year falls on the
28th March 1997, Palm Sunday falls on the 23rd March 1997 while Easter
Sunday falls on the 30th March 1997. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
will be held on the 21st March 1997. Last Supper Table
Displays are normally held between the Wednesday preceding Good Friday
and the morning of Good Friday in many towns and villages in Malta.
Good Friday pageants are held at about 1700 hrs in 14 different towns
and villages in Malta and Gozo. During these pageants, a number of
life-size statues depicting scenes from the passion and death of Jesus
Christ are carried shoulder high in procession along the main streets of
the particular locality. Men and women personifying Biblical characters
from the Old and New Testament and dressed in period costumes, take part
in the processions.
Easter Sunday. Early morning processions with the statue of "the risen
Christ" held high, take place in various towns and villages.
Particularly interesting are those held at the three harbour towns of
Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, where the statue bearers actually run
with the statue. It is still customary for children to have their
"figolla" (an almond-based Easter cake) blessed by the "Risen Christ"
during these processions.
VALLETTA HISTORY & ELEGANCE: April
This festival of History, Heritage, Pageantry and Dance is organised by
the National Tourism Organisation of Malta. The main features of the
festival include a series of concerts throughout the day and night, band
marches through the city, lunch-time recitals, street walk-abouts with
actors in period costumes, re-enactments of the Grand Master's entrance
into the city, daily street and corner performances by folk groups and
musicians, and animated guided tours of Valletta's churches and chapels.
MALTAFEST - MALTA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL:
June/July
Starting at the end of June, and running into July, is a month of open
air cultural activities with the participation of local and foreign
artists. This is by far one of the most important cultural events on the
Malta calendar, mainly due to the variety of performances ranging from
orchestral concerts, recitals, films, open-air theatre, ballet, art
exhibitions and jazz performances.
MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL: July
Jazz and music lovers alike can look forward to the 7th edition of this
high-flying event. Top musicians in the field ranging from Chick Corea,
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al di Meola, the Crusaders and other award winning
soloists, have all performed at past festivals and have contributed to
the quality standing that the festival enjoys today. The historical
location at Ta’ Liesse with a view of the Grand Harbour, and the summer
ambience contribute towards making this a festival that simply cannot be
missed.
BIRGU FESTIVAL: October
In October, the National Tourism Organisation Malta will be organising
the 3rd edition of the Birgu Festival. The event's main features will
once again centre on the sea and land pageantry which made this Festival
such a success in 1995. The re-enactment of the solemn entrance of the
Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem will, this year,
start from the town of Cospicua. The neighbouring town of Vittoriosa
meanwhile, will see the re-enactment of the parade with the
participation of over 300 actors. Visitors to the Birgu Festival will be
able to follow guided tours to the maritime city, where they can see,
and mix with actors in authentic period costumes strolling through the
narrow winding streets of the city.
MALTA OLYMPIC DISTANCE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON
October
This event organised by the Malta Triathlon Association consists of
1500m sea swim, followed by a-40km cycle and a 10km run. This year's
event will be held on 5 October, with a start and finish in Qawra. This
triathlon has attracted top foreign triathletics in the past years. The
Association also organises other events, amongst which is the Middle
Distance Triathlon. This event will be held on 5 April 1997 starting
from Golden Bay. The event will consist of a 3000m sea swim, followed by
a-80km cycle and 25km run.
MALTA AND GOZO LOCAL COUNCILS
A form of Local Government known as the Università existed in the
Maltese Islands between 1397 and 1819 when it was abolished by the
British authorities. The 19th century saw a number of attempts to
introduce non-representative Local Councils but they did not prove
successful. A Local Government system operated in Gozo between 1961 and
1973. The Local Councils Act, 1993 regulates the sixty seven Councils
which now handle basic services within all local communities. Elections
are held every three years with a third of the Councils facing elections
each year.
The Council elects the Mayor from among its members. The Council
Secretary, who is appointed by the Council, is its senior executive,
administrative and financial official. Councils have the right to raise
revenue by enacting bye-laws.
LIST OF LOCAL COUNCILS
Attard Balzan Birgu Birkirkara Birzebbuga Bormla Dingli Fgura Floriana
Fontana Gudja Gzira Ghajnsielem Gharb Gharghur Ghasri Ghaxaq Hamrun
Iklin Isla Kalkara Kercem Kirkop Lija Luqa Marsa Marsascala Marsaxlokk
Mdina Mellieha Mgarr Mosta Mqabba Msida Munxar Nadur Naxxar Paola
Pembroke Pieta Qala Qormi Qrendi Rabat (Ghawdex) Rabat (Malta)
Safi San Giljan San Gwann San Lawrenz San Pawl Il-Bahar Sannat Santa
Lucija Santa Venera Siggiewi Sliema Swieqi Ta' Xbiex Tarxien Valletta
Xaghra Xewkija Xghajra Zabbar Zebbug (Ghawdex) Zebbug (Malta) Zejtun
Zurrieq.
MALTA'S PARLIAMENTS SINCE 1921
1921
Unione Politica Maltese 14(1)
Constitutional Party 7
Labour Party 7
Partito Democratico Nazionalista(1) 4
1924
Unione Politica Maltese(1) 10
Constitutional Party 10
Labour Party 7
Partito Democratico Nazionalista(1) 5
1927
Constitutional Party 15
Partit Nazzjonalista 14
Labour Party 3
1932
Partit Nazzjonalista 21
Constitutional Party 10
Labour Party 1
1939
Constitutional Party 6
Partit Nazzjonalista 3
Labour Party 1
1945
Malta Labour Party 9
Jones’s Party 1
1947
Malta Labour Party 24
Partit Nazzjonalista 7
Democratic Action Party 4
Gozo Party 3
Jones’s Party 2
1950
Partit Nazzjonalista 12
Christian Workers’ Party 11
Malta Labour Party 11
Constitutional Party 4
Democratic Action Party 1
Independent 1
1951
Partit Nazzjonalista 15
Christian Workers’ Party 7
Malta Labour Party 14
Constitutional Party 4
1953
Partit Nazzjonalista 18
Malta Workers’ Party 3
Malta Labour Party 19
1955
Malta Labour Party 23
Partit Nazzjonalista 17
1962
Partit Nazzjonalista 26(2)
Malta Labour Party 16
Democratic Nationalist Party 3
Christian Workers Party 4
Progressive Constitutional Party 1
1966
Partit Nazzjonalista 28
Malta Labour Party 22
1971
Malta Labour Party 29(3)
Partit Nazzjonalista 26
1976
Malta Labour Party 34
Partit Nazzjonalista 31
1981
Malta Labour Party 34
Partit Nazzjonalista 31
1987
Partit Nazzjonalista 35(4)
Malta Labour Party 33(5)
Independent 1(5)
1992
Partit Nazzjonalista 34
Malta Labour Party 29(6)
Independent 2(6)
1996
Malta Labour Party 35(4)
Partit Nazzjonalista 34
1. The Partito Democratico Nazzionalista and Unione Politica Maltese
later merged to form the Partit Nazzjonalista.
2. Following the move of one MP from the Christian Workers Party to the
Partit Nazzjonalista.
3. Following the move of one MP from the Partit Nazzjonalista to the
Malta Labour Party.
4. Following the addition of four seats to give the Party winning a
plurality of votes a Parliamentary majority.
5. From October 1989 as one MP was expelled from the Malta Labour Party
but retained his seat independently.
6. From May 1995 as two Malta Labour Party MPs resigned the Party Whip.