L-Innu Malti


"L-Innu Malti" ("The Hymn of Malta") is the national anthem of Malta. It is written in the form of a prayer to God. Officially adopted in 1964 upon independence from the United Kingdom, it was composed by Robert Samut, and the lyrics were written by Dun Karm Psaila.

From the mid-19th 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 Vassallo composed "Innu Lil Malta", which used to be played during many Maltese political manifestations and meetings. In 1922, Robert Samut composed a short melody. A year later, A.V. Laferla, director of primary schools in Malta, obtained possession of this composition, as he wanted to have an anthem that could be sung by students in Malta's schools. Laferla asked Dun Karm to write lyrics that would fit with Samut's short melody. The poems of Dun Karm Psaila are well known for their religious and patriotic currents, and so are the verses written for Samut's anthem. The hymn was already being sung in December 1922, mostly in governmental schools. The first time it was heard in public was on 27 December 1922 and again on 6 January 1923, during two concerts at the Manoel Theatre. However, during its two first appearances, someone had changed some verses from the first stanza. This angered Dun Karm, who protested by writing an article in a local newspaper. Since then, the lyrics have remained unchanged. On 3 February 1923, another concert was held at the Manoel Theatre, performed by children from Sliema, with Dun Karm's original verses. The hymn was played by the Duke of Edinburgh's Band, of Vittoriosa.[1]

The Maltese government declared the anthem as the official Maltese anthem on 22 February 1941. In 1942, it was printed for Piano e canto with an English translation by May Butcher. This publication helped spread its popularity.[2] The 1964 Independence Constitution confirmed it as the National Anthem of Malta, which is today one of the symbols of Maltese identity.[1][3][4]

El 25 de marzo de 1945, en el estadio de Gżira , se disputó un partido de fútbol entre el XI de Malta y el Hajduk Split , equipo de Yugoslavia. En ese momento, Malta todavía estaba bajo dominio británico y el gobernador británico estaba presente. Antes del partido, la banda tocó el himno de Yugoslavia , y luego tocó el de Gran Bretaña , debido a la condición de colonia de Malta. Cuando el gobernador se disponía a sentarse, los asistentes al estadio se levantaron y cantaron el himno maltés. El gobernador, aunque avergonzado, también se puso de pie hasta el final del himno. [1] [4] [5]

El himno se toca durante todos los deberes oficiales del Presidente de Malta , el Primer Ministro de Malta y otras personalidades gubernamentales importantes. Se juega durante todas las actividades nacionales importantes. [1]

I
Lil din l-art ħelwa, l-Omm li tatna isimha,
Ħares, Mulej , kif dejjem Int ħarist:
Ftakar li lilha bil-oħla dawl libbist.

II
Agħti, kbir Alla , id-dehen lil min jaħkimha,
Rodd il-ħniena lis-sid, saħħa 'l-ħaddiem:
Seddaq il-għaqda fil-Maltin u s-sliem.