Raising the dead to praise the living
(Hamrun Local Council / Mayor Peter Attard / unveiled this plaque / in remembrance of the Hamrun townsfolk who died / through enemy action / during the Second World War)
The above is a plaque that can be found on the Hamrun parish church’s facade. Ostensibly it was unveiled to commemorate and honour all the townsfolk who died during the Second World War. A worthy act, is it not?
Not.
Highlighting the plaque, both by position and larger-sized lettering, is the name of the local council and it’s (then) mayor. Lower down and in a smaller typeface is the reason for its affixing.
This, therefore, is not a matter of “who is commemorating what” but “what is commemorating who”.
