Rarely have I been guilty of contributing a piece of writing for the Maltese Herald in any other language than our beloved Maltese. There are times however, when as a Maltese, born and bred in the three cities of Cottonera, I feel a great sense of pride, not only of being Maltese, but a strong desire of sharing who I am - warts and all - with people of other nationalities. Many of these visit Malta on my recommendation, and invariably fall in love with the place.
Just recently this strong feeling was stoked up by a new book publication, which I read in one sitting, namely, Malteasers for the Visitor…. Hence the result of this article…in English!
Yes Malteasers for the Visitor is one of those books you cannot put down without finishing.
This is a work that saves me the trouble of articulating what I describe above, about my Malteseness, because it has been written by a wordsmith, who is one of Malta's top journalists. He is an author, a poet, a lyricist and has embraced many a responsible role in the Maltese print/electronic media and is none other than Charles Flores.

Many remember Charles for his humorous self-examining approach to National topics in his regular column in the Times of Malta. To many of us, these were a "must read" especially when on holiday in Malta.
This publication is delivered in the same literal style and is aimed at the many tourists who visit our Islands every summer season in search of the clear blue sea and the ever present Mediterranean sunshine. The author, issues an invitation to the visitors to Malta, to break free from the rigid schedule of the packaged tour and inject a bit of adventure in their holiday by getting to know the trends and customs of the people.
He invites, or maybe even challenges the visitor to try the Maltese cuisine. To join in the festivities, which are so much part of the Maltese way of life. But most off all, he prompts the visitor to generally arrange the itinerary in a way, which helps him get more in the spirit of things the way the locals see them.

Charles paints a picture of the Maltese character and its lovable idiosyncrasies through chapters such as "The Language", "The gastronomy", "The Holidays", "The Humour", "The Celebrations" and others, which introduce the visitors to the locals with a spoonful of honey. But do not get too comfortable because Flores is not afraid to expose the native's contrasting qualities and extremes of character. This can be hilarious in parts, yet the truth about the Maltese is introduced in such a way, it issues a challenge to the visitor, to discover the colour and the nuances of the islands and its inhabitants. The alternative is to sit by the hotel pool basking in the sun, till the time for the excursion is up.

I suspect the Maltese reader living in Australia will identify with many a description that Charles skillfully articulates with the obvious skilled pen of the seasoned journalist. Remarkably the author reflects on situations, which to us, are everyday life, in spite of the many miles that separate us. Yet we are who we are, wherever we are, and never the twain shall meet.
I suggest this book should be read by second and third generation Maltese who have not yet visited the Islands and the place of origin of their parents. It is also "a must" for those who are married to non-Maltese or our non-Maltese friends to whom we recommend Malta as a special stop-over while travelling through Europe.
Malteasers, is an ideal insight to us Maltese, or as we ourselves admit with pride or otherwise, "Maltin Ahna".
Do not be alarmed, or get the impression that this is an exercise in ridiculing the Maltese. In fact it is the very opposite, because as much as the author "tells it like it is", our character still emerges as a unique and indomitable spirit whose independence in thought and action, are inspired by its brave and colourful history. In fact it leaves the Maltese reader with a defiant pride in who they are.

Malteasers for the Visitor is easy to read and coloured by the drawings of Charles Flores own talented daughter Davida, who not only compliments Charles brand of humour, but also helps illustrate the situations Charles writes about, brilliantly.
Davida who makes her media debut as an artist in this publication also designed the cover.
This publication is under a hundred pages and should be in the library of every Maltese home, especially those, whose children are born here and identify Australia as their place of birth. It should also be a standard, library issue for all teachers and students of the Maltese language, as well of all Maltese businesses and institutions particularly Travel Agents.

The book is published by Book Distributors Limited (BDL), who are located at Hamrun. (Tel. no. 242443, mobile: 0949 - 4952) and printed by Gutenberg Press, Hal Tarxien.
Charles Flores can be contacted by e-mail on cflores@vol.net.mt.

Manuel Casha - July 2001