The BELT VALLETTA Facebook Page and the undersigned followers, urgently call on the Malta Government and the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and the Local Government to take decisive action in safeguarding the religious culture and traditions of Valletta which are currently facing serious issues.

Over the past few days, many people have expressed their trouble on Social Media about the disrespectful conduct exhibited by certain pubs, eateries, and entertainment venues in Valletta during the Holy Week events. Many have expressed how these establishments have displayed a disregard for the significance and solemnity of the religious rituals by continuing with their regular business activities, including playing entertainment music and setting up tables and chairs along the streets, showing a lack of sensitivity and reverence towards the occasion and the surrounding community. Some have disrupted functions within places of worship, further compounding the community’s concerns.

The religious culture and tradition of Valletta, including its places of worship, hold immense significance to our heritage and identity. These volunteer-driven events are a source of pride for the locals and are often featured in campaigns promoting Malta as a tourist destination, as visitors seek to experience the distinctive culture and long-standing traditions. Therefore, it is only natural that behavior which disregards and disrespects these traditions not only undermines the dedicated efforts of volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve and promote local customs, but also mocks the faith and beliefs of the local community and discourages their participation in these meaningful religious practices. Allowing such behavior to continue could have catastrophic consequences in various ways.

We highlight the inherent significance of the spiritual aspect and the role of places of worship in the life of any community. Religious practices and places of worship have long held and continue to hold great importance for the community of Valletta. They provide nourishment for the soul and emotions, foster community cohesion, offer moral and ethical guidance, provide support systems, create opportunities for education and skill development, and play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage. These are crucial elements in the social fabric as they contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of the community.

Urgent and tangible measures must be taken to draft, compose and enforce regulations and guidelines that prohibit eateries, entertainment spaces, and pubs from obstructing or showing disrespect towards religious processions during Valletta's Holy Week rituals, and from creating disruptive noise near places of worship. We call upon the Malta Government to collaborate closely with local authorities, community organizations, and religious leaders to raise awareness among the business community about the significance of preserving and promoting Valletta's rich culture and tradition. The active involvement of the police is crucial in ensuring the compliance of regulations and guidelines during the Holy Week celebrations, and they should proactively monitor and intervene as needed.

Similar issues are also faced during local parish festas and other religious initiatives in Valletta, and the government should extend its efforts to address and prevent disrespectful behavior during these events as well, as they are significant expressions of our local culture and tradition.

It is imperative that we take immediate action to safeguard and protect these cherished traditions. We strongly urge the Malta Government to take decisive action without delay.