Mary Poppins returns with an antidote to melancholy

With less than a week before Christmas comes a collective desire to enjoy the Yuletide in peace, forgetting the spin, smoke and mirrors that usually bombard our TV screens by orators hoping to retain our partisan support.

On reflection, let us all thank heaven for our blessings and rejoice that another year is nearly over and try to spread some cheer amongst this homogenous nation of ours. This means that we have survived the digital age, mastered 4.5G bandwidth driving our smartphones at breakneck speed and have been warned about the arrival of robots that will lord over our paramedics and help deliver the right medication to bedridden patients. There is surreal sight for those walking through our villages, where families have adorned windows and balconies in a kaleidoscopic display of Christmas lights that twinkle silently late into the night. So, you can believe me when I say that it is, indeed, picturesque and I wish one can prolong the blissful feeling into the New Year (forgetting for a moment the news about the fires that rage through the streets of Paris by the gilets jaunes protests –the latest manifestations of the growing divide between Paris central regions and its outclassed banlieues in the periphery).

The Economist recalls the pangs of nostalgia felt by the world today. It predicts that large majorities of the population in rich and developing countries believe that robots and automation will increase inequality and harm employment. In 2017, a poll of 28 countries found that over half of respondents expected their living conditions to stagnate or worsen. Back home, feeling contrite, we lift our hopes high and enjoy every minute of the so called ‘two-week’ break. Some meditate on the latest Netflix original serial movie that is fast becoming a popular way to escape reality. Others flock to the cinemas to watch Mary Poppins Returns (see picture). The film is acclaimed for its musical score, visuals and deep sense of nostalgia. Sadly, towards the end of this holiday, the future beckons: we are all invited to a circus of political animals parading for our attention, promising heaven on earth and conjuring up images of futuristic seabed tunnels linking the islands, or the creation of little islands in a furtive land reclamation dream. Such political wizardry is conveniently wrapped in nicely packaged promises.

The illuminati feel it is a Quixotic dream – that is unless you are one of the inner circle of political acolytes who were anointed and look forward to wallowing in the rich pickings of the State. For the rest of us mere mortals, we pray that the economy continues to grow and the cost of living index remains bearable – particularly for pensioners, families on low incomes and single mothers. Two years ago, we were shocked to read Daphne’s blogs about three Panamanian companies registered for top Cabinet members and the chief of staff. Recently, more speculation was fired when a leaked email written by a tax partner at Nexia Bt contemplated a €2 million annual contribution from ‘17 Black’ to populate the Panama bank accounts. No prize for guessing that ‘17 Black’ is a company owned by a member of the consortium owing the State electricity generating plant.

Other hot topics steal the limelight in family discussions, alternating between Brexit, traffic congestion, gender inequality or immigration. Even over pre-Christmas drinks – as the wine flows – the mention of such topics fray tempers. Realistically, we are fed up with partisan gossip in an island where everyone knows everyone else. The lighter side of life reminds us of good and gentle intentions among friends and acquaintances. This is happiness. Such cheerfulness cannot be measured by the number of hampers received from corporate entities or the lavish dinners that send you home feeling exhausted and obese.

Search deep in our souls and there is a fire that kindles nostalgia for yuletide blues. Up the tempo and try singing along to the tune of ‘Oh Come, all ye faithful and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. It feels good, and it comes as a relief to some of us who, on returning from work, pledge to leave their worries at the doorstep and join in the festive chorus. Others, not unlike the Grinch, (who stole Christmas) get caught in the commercial side of a pagan feast and excel in working their fingers to the bone – eager to earn the extra euro to match the expectations in a race to beat their neighbours. Yes, it takes all kinds – but let us give the devil our hindmost and during this short spell focus on how to fight the humbug in our souls and share our joys and blessings with our nearest and dearest.

To conclude, let us pray for a mild winter, with no storms or flooding and that we are spared fatal driving accidents, so that we can truly enjoy the tinsel, the cribs and the street decorations and lights while a few may be tempted to join in carol-singing in the ghostly ruins of our roofless theatre in Valletta - who knows? The Christmas spirit has been revived with more villages pompously competing for the best flashing decorations. Uncork the champagne and let us drink to a prosperous new year. Forget the melancholy attributed to Christmas as being the holiday with a reputation for ending in an emotional minefield. It is true that Elvis sang Blue Christmas, about the sadness of Christmas without a loved one, while readers may have often felt the paroxysm of melancholy that arises when we recall how the citizens of Yemen, Syria and Palestine are still fighting for their rights.

Hurray! Visit your favourite cinema and forget the blues; feast your eyes on the bigger than life latest Mary Poppins’ film, which returns to the silver screens to spread joy to those of good spirit.

A Merry Christmas to all readers.