VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An Italian student has launched a campaign to reinstate Italian as one of Malta’s official languages, alongside Maltese and English. The petition, set up by Gabriele Bini, has already drawn 7,800 signatures. It cites Article 5 of the Maltese Constitution, which allows for the introduction of additional official languages. Bini argues that Italian remains widely spoken on the island, aided by geographic proximity, television broadcasts, and its inclusion in school curricula. He claims 41.34% of Maltese people speak Italian fluently, while other surveys suggest up to 86% have some level of proficiency.
Italian once held official status in Malta under the Knights of St John but was dropped in 1936 by the British to curb Italian influence. Since then, Maltese and English have been the official languages. The petition highlights cultural ties, noting that public signs and menus often appear in Italian, while the national holiday Sette Giugno commemorates Maltese resistance linked to Italian culture. Until 1964, the Government Gazette was also published in Italian. Bini points to Malta’s Italian surnames, historical migration, and ongoing cultural institutions, such as the Italian Cultural Institute and the Dante Alighieri Society, as evidence of enduring ties. Supporters can sign the petition online.
– photo IPA agency –
(ITALPRESS).
