EC Malta English Language School

Malta achieved its independence on the 21 September 1964. This was the first time since prehistory that Malta was governed by its’ own inhabitants. Previous to this Malta was ruled under various countries, the last one being Britain. Queen Elizabeth II was still Head of State until 1974 when Malta finally became a Republic. September 21st is now a Public Holiday where a number of activities take place to commemorate this date. The main event is a Pontifical Mass and a concert with the National Orchestra of Malta held in Valletta at the St. John’s Cathedral. Other activities include a military parade in Valletta and another with bands and a concert in Victoria (Rabat) on the sister island of Gozo. Wreaths are also laid at the Independence Monument in Floriana.

EC Malta together with Tokens organised a Maltese Folklore Day at the school on Wednesday 16th September for all EC Students. Students had the opportunity to watch traditional craftsmen create jewellery and other traditional items as well as taste some local delicacies prepared by EC Staff while listening to Maltese Folk Music.

An opportunity not to be missed!!
DAVID GUETTA and other international DJ’s Playing live in concert all night long at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali!

Get your special student ticket NOW from the EC Reception for ONLY Eur 15 !!!

This Saturday 19th September… surely a night to remember!

St. George, Patron Saint of England
The battle between St George and the dragon
By students Alvarez Marta and Hasler Cecile

St George was a Roman Soldier in the Guar of Diocletian. He was born in 280 AD in a Christian noble family in Nicomedia, Turkey and died in Lydda, Palestine. He is one of the most venerated saints in the Roman Catholic Church.

Saint George was a brave man with a strong personality. Records describe him as tall in stature and very handsome. Among his men, he gained a reputation for being fair and chivalrous.

In the year 302 A.D. Diocletian issued an edict that every Christian soldier in the army should be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Pagan gods. Diocletian attempted to convert George, even offering gifts of land, money and slaves if he made a sacrifice to pagan gods, but George never accepted.

After various torture sessions, including laceration on a wheel of swords, George was excluded by decapitation on April 23, 303 A.D. Before the execution, George gave his wealth to the poor and prepared himself. A witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become Christians as well, and so they joined George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honor him as a martyr.

Saint George is said to have appeared to the Crusaders before a major battle at Antioch. Word of this alleged miracle assured his place as a revered saint.

In the fully-developed Western version, which developed as part of the Golden legend, a dragon makes its nest at a spring, that also provides water for the city of “Silene” in Libya. The citizens tried to dislodge the dragon from its nest in order to collect water. To do this, they offered it a sheep or if a sheep can’t be found, then a maiden was offered instead. The victim is chosen by drawing lots. One day, this happened to be the princess. She was offered to the dragon, but St George faced it and rescued the princess. The grateful citizens abandoned their ancestral paganism and convert into Christianity.

This is a metaphor that shows how it’s possible to defeat the evil (represented by the dragon) with the Christian faith. It’s a classical legend similar to other historical ones in which good and evil meet face to face.