Maltese ambassador speaks of links between Laois and Malta
Malta’s Ambassador to Ireland Fiona Jayne Formosa was welcomed to Co Laois by Fine Gael councillor Barry Walsh.
Malta’s Ambassador to Ireland Fiona Jayne Formosa was welcomed to Co Laois by Fine Gael councillor Barry Walsh, yesterday Thursday 8 October.
As a part of the current EU presidency, which Ireland is hosting in its role as a member state of the bloc until the end of the year, each county in Ireland is being paired with one of the other member states of the EU for cultural exchange events.
In this event, which took place in Portlaoise library, harpists from Music Generation Laois provided musical accompaniments throughout the morning, while the event concluded with a performance by Camross National School Choir, which is also a part of the Music Generation Laois group. The choir performed three songs for the audience, including staple of the county Lovely Laois.
Ambassador Formosa and the Irish Ambassador to Malta Caroline Whelan also recited one of Seamus Heaney’s most celebrated poems Beacons at Bealtaine to celebrate Ireland and Malta’s enduring connection. It was written and first presented on 1 May 2004 when Seamus Heaney was commissioned by the Irish government to compose a poem for the EU enlargement (day of welcomes) ceremony in Dublin's Phoenix Park, marking the accession of ten new member states, including Malta, to the European Union.
The event also saw members of the Maltese community in Laois â Marvic Thompson, Romina Roe and Suzanne Tuomui â speak to Laois county librarian Bernie Foran about why they relocated to Laois from Malta, discussing the differences and similarities between the two places.
Addressing those in attendance, Ambassador Fiona-Jayne Formosa said: “I am delighted to be here with you in Portlaoise today celebrating this pairing between Malta and Co Laois. Malta and Co Laois seem quite an unlikely match due primarily to our geographical differences, but beyond geography, one may also find similarities. Malta and Laois have a unique and checkered history, dating back to prehistoric times and both have an open and welcoming society with a keen sense of identity.
‘‘It comes as no surprise that a number of Maltese have chosen this county to make their home away from their Mediterranean home. I believe that today’s celebration is a true testament of the Irish presidency’s official slogan – ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’, there is no strength without unity – I’m sure that today will be another step towards strengthening people-to-people contact and taking this forward in other areas – business, culture and tourism.” After the event, Dr Jean Claude Cachia, Maltese academic and senior lecturer at the University of Malta's Institute for European Studies, delivered a workshop with the students in attendance, which explored the connections between Ireland and Malta as two small island nations with a strong European identity.
