Malta’s Migrant Story: A New Memoir

From Valletta to Vancouver: A Maltese Migrant’s Tale

In the heart of Valletta, at the bustling Strada Reale, you’ll find the historic Auberge de Castille. It’s here that Malta’s Prime Minister’s Office is housed, a stark contrast to the humble beginnings of one of its former occupants. Meet Joseph Xuereb, whose new memoir, “From Valletta to Vancouver: A Maltese Migrant’s Tale,” is not just a personal journey but a testament to the resilience and spirit of Maltese migrants worldwide.

Malta’s Emigration Story

Malta’s emigration story is a tale as old as the island itself. From the Great Depression to the post-war era, Maltese people sought better lives elsewhere. According to the National Statistics Office, around 100,000 Maltese-born people live abroad today. Xuereb’s story is a microcosm of this larger narrative.

Xuereb’s Odyssey

Born in the 1940s, Xuereb grew up in a modest home in Birkirkara. His father, a docker, and mother, a seamstress, struggled to make ends meet. In 1967, at the age of 19, Xuereb decided to follow his elder brother to Canada. With just £10 in his pocket and a heart full of dreams, he boarded the SS Italian Princess in Grand Harbour, leaving behind his family and the only life he knew.

Xuereb’s memoir chronicles his life in Canada – from working menial jobs to becoming a successful businessman, from learning English to raising a family. It’s a story of hard work, perseverance, and the indomitable Maltese spirit. But it’s also a story of loss and longing, of homesickness and the struggle to belong in a new land.

“I remember standing on the deck of that ship, watching Malta disappear into the horizon,” Xuereb recalls. “I was both excited and terrified. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew I had to make the most of it.”

Back to the Motherland

After decades in Canada, Xuereb decided to retire and return to Malta. He now lives in a quiet apartment in Sliema, overlooking the Mediterranean. His memoir is not just a personal account but a tribute to the Maltese diaspora, a reminder of the sacrifices made and the dreams realized.

“Malta is changing,” Xuereb observes, looking out at the bustling Sliema promenade. “But some things remain the same. The spirit of resilience, the sense of community, the love for our island. That’s what I wanted to capture in my book.”