Standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, you can’t miss the vibrant, eye-catching murals adorning the walls of the old Parliament building. But look closer, and you’ll notice something else: a subtle yet powerful political statement. The phrase ‘Of Course This is Political’ is painted in bold, unmissable letters, a stark reminder that politics is not just confined to the halls of power, but is woven into the very fabric of our daily lives.

This street art, created by local artist and activist Manuel R. Desantis, is more than just a catchy phrase. It’s a rallying cry, a call to action that encourages us to question, to engage, and to participate in the political process. It’s a reminder that politics is not something that happens ‘out there’, but something that happens right here, in our streets, our communities, our everyday lives.

Malta, with its rich history of political activism and engagement, has always been a place where politics is personal. From the anti-corruption protests of the 1980s to the recent protests against the Three Cities project, Maltese people have always been ready to take to the streets to make their voices heard. The ‘Of Course This is Political’ mural is a testament to this spirit, a symbol of our collective commitment to democracy and accountability.

But the political is not just present in our streets and our protests. It’s also present in our art, our culture, our everyday conversations. It’s in the plays we watch at the MADC theatre, the books we read at the Valletta Literature Festival, the music we listen to at the Isle of MTV. It’s in the way we talk about our schools, our hospitals, our environment. It’s in the way we dream of a better future for ourselves and our children.

Art and culture have always been powerful tools for political expression. They allow us to explore complex ideas, to challenge the status quo, to imagine alternative realities. They give voice to the voiceless, they amplify the marginalized, they inspire change. In Malta, our rich cultural heritage is a testament to this power. From the Caravaggio paintings in St. John’s Co-Cathedral to the traditional Maltese folk music, our art and culture are deeply rooted in our political and social history.

But perhaps the most powerful reminder that ‘of course this is political’ comes from our everyday lives. The decisions we make, the choices we make, the actions we take – they all have political implications. Whether it’s the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the way we commute, every aspect of our lives is political. Every time we vote, every time we protest, every time we engage in our communities, we are making a political statement.

This is the beauty and the power of democracy. It’s not just about electing leaders every five years. It’s about the everyday, the mundane, the seemingly insignificant. It’s about the way we live our lives, the choices we make, the values we uphold. It’s about the ‘Of Course This is Political’ mural on the wall of our parliament, but it’s also about the ‘Of Course This is Political’ in our everyday lives.