Portal:Malta/Showcased article/16

L-Innu Malti is the national anthem of Malta. It is written in the form of a prayer to God; it was composed by Robert Samut and the lyrics were written by Dun Karm Psaila.From the mid nineteenth century up to the early 1930s, Malta was passing through a national awakening. With the increased national awareness, it was felt by many thinkers that Malta should have its own National Anthem. In 1850 Ġan Anton Vassalli composed Innu Lil Malta, which used to be played during many Maltese political manifestations and meetings. In 1922, Professor Mro. Robert Samut composed a short melody. A year later, Dr A.V. Laferla, Director of Primary Schools in Malta, obtained possession of this composition, as he wanted to have a hymn which could be sung by students in Malta's schools. Laferla asked Dun Karm to write lyrics that would fit with Sammut's short and dignified melody. The poems of Dun Karm are well known for their religious and patriotic currents, and so are the verses written for Samut's anthem. (more...)