Seven weeks since Daphne’s funeral – justice and peace

In the gardens of the Hotel des Invalides, in Paris, there is a statue that is not beautiful, but very poignant. It is not meant to be beautiful. It is meant to shock, to make the viewer reflect on man’s atrocities and the necessity for justice to be done

The statue, by Nicolas Alquin, is that of a headless woman, holding her head on a tray. It is dedicated to the victims of terrorism. According to President Jacques Chirac, who inaugurated it, it is meant to represent victims beyond their death, and to remind us all that all the perpetrators of terrorist acts must be prosecuted and condemned according to our democratic principles. Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder may be considered as bad as a terrorist attack. It was carried out coldbloodedly, by cold-blooded criminals who were probably paid to do this by someone who has still not been identified, but who must be brought to justice.

Readers of Taste and Flair know that Daphne gave importance to Christmas. Her magazine was full of good ideas, lovely recipes, and articles about making a house look beautiful. In this festive season, where everything calls out for people to be merry, Daphne’s family is not only having to come to terms with losing a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and relative, but on the week leading up to the holy day of Christmas, they had to sit in court to hear how her barbaric murder was probably planned and carried out. Her husband, Peter, was called up to give testimony in a case where common sense should have prevailed. Her family had to watch two magistrates recuse themselves in order that justice may be delivered. They had to experience the narration of the shocking, evil methods employed to kill her.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit has ruled that there is enough evidence for three men to be sent to trial. The police have manifestly done a good job in the compilation of evidence against them. Let us hope they manage to do an even better one and discover who was behind these criminals. My heart goes out to Daphne’s family who, undeservedly, are spending the worst Christmas of their lives. I wish them solace and comfort in the fact that her spirit is still very much present in her readers’ minds, and many in Malta are behind them in demanding justice. I wish them peace and serenity in the difficult times they are going through.

Let us hope that the Christmas spirit will make all those who gloated over her death, all those who said the unacceptable word: ‘Ħaqqha!’ (She deserved it) think again about their stupidity and callousness. No one deserves an atrocious death, not even our worst enemies. Daphne was no one’s enemy. She had a mighty pen, an inquisitive mind, and zero intolerance towards those who thought that the rest of the population could be fooled. She had her faults, and they have been amply listed elsewhere, often by people who would do better to examine their own defects and styles of writing before indulging in insulting criticism. Let us hope that this hate-speech and hate-feelings – for which much of the blame may be attributed to our political parties, who generate this hate and hate speech for their own interests – will cease, and people may start to criticise each other severely, yes, but within the bounds of reason and decorum.

This week, another person, dear to many, has passed away. He was not in the public eye in the way Daphne was, but he was known to the theatre-going public for his beautiful voice. Ralph Mangion was a loving husband and father who delighted many audiences year after year with his lovely singing. Those who knew him backstage appreciated his gentleness and good spirits. He leaves a great void not only in the theatre world, but in the hearts of many of us.

I would like to end my writing on a note of thanks. There are many in Malta, whose kindness and generosity is to be seen in little, unacknowledged gestures, which might seem trivial but make a huge amount of difference – helping an old person cross the street or assisting them in the rain, helping someone in difficulty with young children, or even shopping bags… little everyday gestures which make the world a better place, but which due to self-centredness, many forget to do. This week, one gentleman actually stopped his car or motor bike to help my old mother, who was being blown away by the wind on her way to church. I would like to thank each and every one of these caring people, and wish them the blessings of the little Lord Jesus, whose birth we celebrate next Monday.

May all readers enjoy a Christmas of peace, tranquillity and happiness.

Readers of Taste and Flair know that Daphne gave importance to Christmas. Her magazine was full of good ideas, lovely recipes, and articles about making a house look beautiful.