Mintoff and the National Interest – is the title of the next Saturday morning public lecture at Il-Hagar Museum in Gozo.

Professor Joseph M. Pirotta has an established reputation for scholarship, objectivity and flowing style. He will be offering a preview of his new book “28 April 1958: Mintoff and the National Interest,” signed copies of which will be available on the day.

On the 30th of December 1957 the Legislative Assembly unanimously approved a Break with Britain Resolution moved by Prime Minister Mintoff, the reason being that negotiations over his plan to integrate Malta into the United Kingdom had stalled – and finally broke down by the end of March 1958.

The uncertainty concerning the future of the Naval dockyard was a further problem, culminating in the Government’s resignation. On the 28th of April, the General Workers Union called a protest strike in solidarity, marked by violent incidents and serous property damage.

Who was behind the mayhem? Were the day’s incidents the spontaneous reaction of an angry population? What was Dom Mintoff’s role? What were the political results and consequences?

These are some of the questions that Professor Pirotta, winner of the National Book Council’s Prize for Biographical and Historiographic Research, seeks to answer while exploring Mintoff’s political mission, his attempts to fulfil it, his modus operandi and his conception of the national interest.

The public lecture will be taking place next Saturday, the 23rd of September, starting at 11am.

Admission is free of charge, but seat reservations are recommended to events@heartofgozo.org.mt

The museum is located in St George’s Square, Victoria.

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