A world of many languages- Malta & Barbados

Malta-
Malta é um arquipélago situado na região central do Mediterrâneo, entre a
Sicília e a costa do Norte da África. O país é conhecido por locais históricos
relacionados a uma sucessão de governantes, entre eles os romanos, os
mouros, a Ordem Soberana e Militar de Malta, os franceses e os britânicos.
Malta conta com um grande número de fortalezas, templos megalíticos e o
Hipogeu de Hal Saflieni, um complexo subterrâneo de corredores e câmaras
funerárias que data aproximadamente de 4.000 a.C.
Capital: Valeta
Idiomas oficiais: Maltês, Língua de sinais maltesa, Inglês
Continente: Europa
População: 518 536 (2021) Banco Mundial

Cuisine-
There are a number of junctures in which development in Maltese cuisine
related to issues of identity.
The most significant example is the traditional Maltese stuffat tal-fenek(rabbit
stew), often identified as the national dish,
The dish was to become popular after the lifting of restrictions in the late 18th
century (and by which time the indigenous breed, the Tax-Xiber rabbit, had
multiplied and prices dropped) and the domestication of rabbits, a technique
which could have been imported from France thanks to the French Knights.

Folklore-
Maltese folklore is the folk tradition which has developed in Malta over the
centuries, and expresses the cultural identity of the Maltese people. Maltese
folklore, traditions and legends still live in the minds of the older-generations,
and these are slowly being studied and categorized, like any other European
tradition. A number of national and international folklore festivals are
undertaken on an annual basis, some of which are under the patronage of the
National Folklore Commission and the Ministry for Culture and the Arts.
Notably, every December the Malta International Folk Festival is staged in
Valletta, with delegates from countries around the World.

Other festivities-
Carnival-
Maltese Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta' Malta) has had an important place on
the cultural calendar for just under five centuries, introduced to the Islands by
Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535.[8] It is held during the week leading up
to Ash Wednesday, and typically includes masked balls, fancy dress and
grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colourful, ticker-tape
parade of allegorical floatspresided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ir-Re tal-
Karnival), marching bands and costumed revellers.

Music-
Għana is the traditional folk music of Malta.
Malta organises its own Malta Song Festival yearly since 1960.
In 1971 Joe Grech was the first singer to represent Malta in the Eurovision
Song Contest.
Andy Partridge from XTC (Eglish Rock band) was born on Malta in 1953. Later,
Thea Garrett won the Malta Song for Europe 2010 called My Dream.
Lynn Chircop is an infamous Maltese singer who represented Malta at the
Eurovision 2003 with a beautiful pop song called "To Dream Again".
It was sung in Riga with 5 additional backing singers on the stage. Chircop got
4 points at the end of voting process.
Morena is another artist who is a winner of Malta Song for Europe 2008 called
VODKA. Klinsmann participated in Malta Song for Europe in 2007 [She Gives
me Wings] and 2008 [Go finalist song].
Claudia Faniello was the second runner up in Malta song for Europe 2008 who
participated with the songs Caravaggio and Sunrise. Chiara represented Malta
in Eurovision a total of 3 times, 1998, 2005, 2009.
Gaia Cauchi represented and won for Malta in the Junior Eurovision Song
Contest in 2013. Gianluca Bezzina represented Malta in 2013. Destiny
Chukunyere represented and won for Malta in the Junior Eurovision Song
Contest in 2015.
Chukunyere represented Malta at Eurovision 2020 after winning the Maltese
version of X Factor.

Tradicions-
1) BOĊĊI
The word boċċi means marbles, but in Malta this refers to an old street game that is
played with wooden balls in various sizes. This is a game for all seasons, and there is also
a national league with different village clubs. In summer boċċi is a popular pastime, to be
played with neighbours, usually in the evening and mostly near the sea. There are a
number of courts all around the islands, where you can see people practicing and playing
this game.
 2)FESTA

The Maltese festa or village feast is the main event of the year in many communities.
More than just a religious procession, these local feasts are a celebration and
demonstration of pride, with villagers lavishly decorating their church and streets and
organising various festive events throughout the feast week. It is also an opportunity to
visit the churches, as many cultural treasures are usually on display. The Feast of St
Lawrence is celebrated on the 10th of August, with the city decked out with banners,
flags and other street decorations. A must-see.

3) FESTA FIREWORKS
No Maltese feast is complete without a proper fireworks display. They usually start one
week before the feast day and continue to increase in volume and output throughout the
week, with the main event taking place on the eve of the feast day. This is held late in the
evening so everyone can enjoy the colourful display. The fireworks at Mqabba are
particularly impressive.

4) MNARJA FOLK FESTIVAL

A traditional summer feast that has its origins in rural communities, where they
celebrated summer and a good harvest. The feast is held in a woodland area called
Buskett Gardens where the activities kick off on the eve of the 29th June. During the
evening and throughout the night, people have a good time, eating the traditional rabbit
stew and washing it down with local wine while singing folk tunes. The following day, a
public holiday, there is an agricultural show and competition, with bareback horse races
in the afternoon. A typical agricultural feast.

5) STATUE BEARERS
The main attraction of any religious feast is a large statue of the patron saint, borne on the
shoulders of eight or ten strong men. The statue is usually lavishly decorated, and heavy
as well. The islanders sometimes fight for the honour to be one of the statue bearers and
in one of the villages there is even an auction to determine who may carry the statue. The
proceeds are usually donated to charity. In some towns, the title of statue bearer is handed
down from father to son. It takes a lot of dedication and devotion to be a statue bearer.
Religion-
Catholic

Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Malta. The vast majority of Maltese
are nominally Catholic (over 90% of the population), but just over half practise
their faith, particularly among the younger generation.