Moving to Malta in 2022 part 2 – Part one is here.
Overview of Maltese Cultures and Traditions
Maltese culture is heavily influenced by its Catholic faith. Many of the country’s traditions are tied to religious holidays and ceremonies. Maltese people are known for their hospitality, and they take great pride in their culture and heritage.
There are many small villages on the island where residents still maintain traditional lifestyles. In fact, Maltese cuisine is based on Mediterranean flavors and features a lot of seafood. However, the country’s most famous dish is rabbit stew, which is prepared in various ways. Without further ado, below are the 5 things to know about Maltese culture and tradition.
Maltese Culture Is Heavily Influenced By Its Catholic Faith
Malta is a predominantly Catholic country, and the Church plays a central role in Maltese society. Many of the country’s traditions are tied to religious holidays and ceremonies. For example, on Good Friday, Catholics commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion by participating in processions called “The Way of the Cross.”
Maltese people are also known for their piety and devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Many shrines are dedicated to her throughout the country, and Catholics often pray to her for help.
Maltese People Are Known For Their Hospitality
Maltese people are renowned for their warm hospitality. They always go out of their way to make guests feel welcome in their homes and restaurants. In fact, the Maltese word for “guest” is “frendi,” which also means “friend.”
Maltese people take great pride in their culture and heritage. They are also very proud of their country’s independence, which they won after a long struggle with the British. Maltese people generally like foreigners, and many will be happy to tell you about themselves or show you around if given a chance.
The Island Of Malta Is Home To Many Small Villages
Malta is a small country, and most of its population lives in villages. There are more than 300 villages on the island, and each one has its own unique culture and traditions. In fact, Maltese cuisine is based on Mediterranean flavors and features a lot of seafood.
However, the country’s most famous dish is rabbit stew, which is prepared in various ways. Villagers typically lead traditional lifestyles, and many still farm their food or raise livestock. Villages are also home to various religious and cultural ceremonies, such as Festa.
The Village Festa Is an Important Tradition in Malta
The village Festa is a religious festival that celebrates the patron saint of each village. These festivals are very popular, and they draw thousands of people from around the country and beyond. They include processions, fireworks displays, concerts, and carnivals.
Each year, there are over 100 village Festas in Malta and Gozo. The festivals typically occur during the summer months, although some are held in September to coincide with the harvest season.
Maltese People Are Great Dancers
Maltese people love to dance, and they are very good at it. In fact, the Maltese folk dance is considered one of the most difficult dances in the world. It involves intricate steps and complex formations. Maltese people typically dance at weddings, religious ceremonies, and other social gatherings.
They often perform traditional dances, such as the Sword Dance and the Għana. However, they also enjoy dancing to modern music.
Malta Is a Bilingual Country
Malta is a bilingual country, and Maltese and English are the two official languages. Malta’s Constitution guarantees the right of Maltese citizens to use their mother tongue in all spheres of life. English is the language of business and government, while Maltese is used for everyday conversation and in the media. Some people speak both languages fluently, while others use only one language.
Malta Is Known For Turnaround Bad Luck
Maltese people are known for their belief in superstition and their ability to turn around bad luck. They often perform rituals or wear talismans to protect themselves from evil spirits. One of the most popular Maltese superstitions is the Evil Eye. This curse is said to be cast by someone who covets something belonging to another person.
To ward off the Evil Eye, Maltese people wear a blue eye charm known as “mettina tal-għajn.” They also use other amulets and perform rituals to protect them from evil spirits. Maltese people believe in many myths and legends passed down from generation to generation.
Malta Is a Secular Country
Malta is a secular country, and the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Maltese people are Catholics, but there is also a large Protestant population. Other religious groups include Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Sikhs.
There is no state religion in Malta, and all religions are treated equally. The Catholic Church has considerable influence on public life, however, and many schools are run by the church or religious orders.
7 Best Location for Expats in Malta
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It’s a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers, including the Romans, Moors, Knights of St. John, French, and British.
It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples, and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground complex of caves and passages. The main island is Malta which is where the capital Valletta is located. The country has two other inhabited islands, Gozo and Comino, both of which are much smaller than Malta.
In this section, we will walk you through the best location for expats in this country. Without much talk, check the following to know the best cities, towns, or villages suitable for expats in Malta.
1. Valletta
Valletta is the capital city of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located in the central-eastern portion of the island, with around 6315 people. The town was named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, who laid its foundation stone in 1566.
It has been described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. It has numerous tourist attractions, such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral, built by the Knights Hospitaller, Grandmaster’s Palace, National Museum of Archaeology, and many others.
Valletta is very safe for expats because it is considered to be one of the safest capitals in Europe. Expats can get around using buses and water taxis and on foot. The city is small, so it’s easy to walk from place to place.
2. Sliema
Sliema is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. It’s a popular tourist destination and a major commercial center with over 10,000 people. The town has beautiful beaches such as St. Thomas Bay, Tigne Point, Exiles beach, etc.
The city also offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Sliema is also a great place for expats because it’s very safe and many English-speaking people live here. Sliema is well connected to Valletta by bus, so it’s easy to get around. The town is also home to the Malta Stock Exchange, which means it’s a great place for expats to find work.
3. Birkirkara
Birkirkara is a town located in the central part of Malta with an estimated population of 21,775 people. It’s one of the oldest towns on the island, and it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The city was founded by Phoenician settlers from Tyre in Lebanon around 700 BC and named it B’ir ir-Kura, which means “well of the vineyard.”
It’s known for its beautiful churches, such as St Helen’s Basilica (built-in 1493), St John’s Co-Cathedral, and others. Birkirkara is a great place to live if you’re looking for something close to the city. The town is also well connected to other parts of Malta by bus.
4. Bugibba
Bugibba is a town located on the north coast of Malta with an estimated population of around 27,000 people. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malta, and it has many hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc. The city was founded by Phoenicians around 700 BC and later became part of the Roman Empire.
Bugibba is a great place for expats looking for a fun and lively city to live in. The town is also very safe, and it’s easy to get around using buses. Expats will also find many English-speaking people living here.
5. Nadur
Nadur is known as the 2nd largest city in Gozo. It’s a town located on the north coast of Malta with an estimated population of around 14,000 people.
Nadur is a great place for expats looking for something more relaxed and less touristy than other parts of Malta, such as Valletta or Sliema. The city also has many beaches such as Ramla Bay, Xlendi Bay, and others. Nadur is also well connected to other parts of Malta by bus.
6. Marsaskala
Marsaskala is a town located on the south coast of Malta with an estimated population of around 9298 people. It’s known for its beautiful beaches such as Bezzina Bay, Rinella Bay, and others. The city also offers many restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs popular among expats in Malta.
Marsaskala is a great place for expats looking for a place to relax and enjoy the sun. The town is also well connected to other parts of Malta by bus.
Conclusion
Moving to Malta is always a good decision, but it’s better to understand what moving to this country entails. As said above, there are many things to do and enjoy. That’s why you need to follow this platform for more information.
