If the end of the pandemic in sight, we show what it could look like. Return in the normal and we visit those who are finding it difficult to success in our weekly coping 19 special every thursday on d w. Ah, ah, the mediterranean was once a major crossroads at the heart of the ancient world. Today it has become a barrier separating europe from africa. Is there anything left of a past one share and what do todays distinct cultures have in common . Journalists xena l mos rock and joe are due corinne, travel the coast of the mediterranean in search of answers. Do you see yourself with all the rights and responsibilities . How can you afford to see these animals . God help join us to get to know the people and their dreams. He mediterranean. Ah, with today were going to europes 5th smallest country. Its a sunny place with a multi cultural heritage. Its been a while. Im on malta admit to match an island in the mediterranean sea, located north of libyan tunisia and south of sicily and rising for its a multicultural melting pot from our deal. The romans, the arrows, the british, and the french were all here at one time or another, the architecture shout sick to about from what its reflected in the people to, im not, im excited about what awaits me here on climate m, multis capital. The letter is so beautiful that its been named the unesco World Heritage site. The republic of malta is made up of the islands of multi gozo, and camino, as well as a number of other uninhabited islands. The 316 square kilometer territory is home to about half a 1000000 maltese the name malta is said to meet refuge. Its the 5th most densely populated country in the world. The crusaders built the capital, the letter as a bastion of christianity. It has recently undergone extensive restoration and generation architect conrad boyar has played a key role in this process. Hes managed to meld old architecture with new with now were walking a side to parliament and youre part of designing the part of it, right . Yes, we worked. We had rental piano, who were commissioned by the government to who builds the building and that we were his local architects. The whole building is built health local stone. Oh, you know, whats really interesting, although this one is an old though they yes. And this one is a new bit of it. Yes. But they somehow fit together. Yes. I think thats. Yeah, thats was the idea. So mission, completely. Marina and you can see the light and shade on the facade. Yes. Gives a feeling of corroded the way the ways it all the way on the other side. And all i get in more of it on the scale is similar to the lines on the top. So this triangular courtyards very seldom i continue like that. A structure we see there, yes, is actually deflecting this one, but this is in a modern way. Yes. Okay. So it creates a continuity between old and new wherever you look who figure in stevenville, let us crumbling beauty a facelift. Even the ruins of the former while opera house have been integrated into an open air theater after which participates in the life of the city. So when the performance is taking place of business and funny concept, the, the sound spills out into the streets. So it may, every one knows, Everybody Knows people sometimes stand on the edge and watch even though theyre not inside to theater. It says its very impressive because its open here. And when you look at the, at the building behind, it looks as if its the back facade of fits, right . Yes. In fact, the choice of the green was from, inspired by the green of the balconies. So when its at dark and its all, its up, that facade gets closer to the interior, and it feels like what used to be the elevation of the of the old theatre. Ah conrad book yard is convinced that the letter can only retain its vitality if its past is integrated into the present. The citys history should enrich rather than limit it. He shows me the enchanting boy from the upper barocha gardens. If you look at this, you dont have to say anything any more. This garden was built on the highest bastion of the landward fortifications. Originally, multi landscape was 3 full maximum stories height like this. Its low and horizontal in 5 years ago. The opportunity to Start Building high buildings, Old Buildings was allowed. So now a lot of buildings not being built which are 30 or 40 stories high. Youre a fan of it. No, im not a fan of it because the traditional landscape is going to obviously change. However, progress is relentless, its not something you can really control. And i dont think one should be scant of change. It might. Malta is a place of tradition and modernity ramp and construction boom here. Tranquil beaches and lagoons their time with nation is trying to negotiate the middle ground between the needs of tourism and maltese residents. The small fishing Village Commercial truck is the home of the typical maltese wooden boat called a lute. So its idyllic. Now im traveling further south here on the main island to a place where a very exclusive multi specialty awaits me. Its been, its in that and now in the jewish me voted, as im told, the germans have sausages in the italians pizza and the maltese, the cd to so theyre like, its meant to be very tasty. Or im looking forward to eating something to s. C j which is 10 kilometers from the capital here. The slogan is blubaugh day it be to to, to work and virtue i meeting Marty Lou Vela the founder of boss ditzy gourmet. Hello your mary lou. I am the must it through of a yes. Nice meeting you same. Welcome to my house. Thank you so much. Ready to make busted. See. Im ready to cook for the 1st time. Kaiser. Good. Because so into the kitchen. Mary lou is an institution in st. Louis. Shes the queen of baking. The pastries that are mult has favorite snack. And the one i met here is talking about for c t c. And you have to, even for city, he, after he countable it or you have to eat busted seat or have them for breakfast for lunch, for a t k. Then if you really dont feel like cooking, you have them for dinner as well. So its good. And theyre fast, you know, you find them everywhere in every town village. You make different kind of proceed. See whats, whats the actual thing about you all proceed. I make massive see without lied for the traditional wise. And the made them with lied with point fact. And so i try to made to make an alternative beginning vegetarian yes. Yes. Yes it is. Is the traditional this traditional food in malta . Is it . Is it vegan veneer . You know, its quite me. The best the most most popular with these dish is in fact rabbits. Meets rabbit . Yes, fried rabbits with garlic with ive heard there are some similarities between maltese and arabic languages. So im going to do a little test. Ah, what do you call this in martinez . In arabic, we say i seen. Yes. And what is called a gina . I its almost the same. Yes it is because i was tow martis language is very close to arabic. Language like a gina. You say i seen the semitic language, in fact a, its 66. The present of it comes from are and they can because were ruined by the arabs for a very long time. So we talk now arabic. When i say key fig dba, you say hi yes. Is this a new normal . Not is language anytime. Yeah. And this one, the pie, the green a p thing. No, that comes from italian personally. Bizarrely thats come by we say mozilla. Oh yes. So, so was yes, in the same you will say for a knife sticking the same after the language lesson, the cooking lesson continues. Shall we get the the feeling . Yes. Lets get the filling this out here very. Were prepared that he caught that i got the on the p, and they say any one whos been to molto once always returns for the food alone. The dishes are unbelievably tasty. Fantastic. Especially pos, tsetse made using money loose recipe. And i didnt do a bad job making them either. Did i good often. Yeah. Okay. Well the pos tsetse are baking marty lou shows me around the small town of sir jr. We are stroll, takes us to the church of saint nicholas. Malta is predominantly catholic. What influence does the church have here . She tells me the country is one of the most conservative in europe. I love melissa. Otherwise i would have faith. But i think there is the risk of more is i losing it . Okay. Oh, with the new high rise buildings, thats where i get a and some people i way to conservative. How does effect on you so on young people and especially women for example, abortion is not legal here. Abortion is not legal. So that creates quite of problems because then only, you know, rich people who can afford it can get it because they can go abroad to other countries or as they go to black markets. Okay. So, and even, even when you want to divorce it, its in you yellow toys until you is around 6 years ago. Something like that, 67, and 4 that you good for that . No, there was no the voice in the morning when, when a wonderful aroma entices us back to the kitchen, where my very 1st batch of self made must eat see awaits us. But it is already. Oh, they look so good. Golden brown does gordon brown. I think they are very crispy, so i try the one with the cheese. Okay, this one . Yes. Its so good. Good. Its so good. It so good. Its really good. I rarely have best on their threshold. Yes, yes, yes. Yes, its a really good i can say the whole day. Now you think them, sir, its really a taste good. You know, at the beginning, when you look at them and say, whats special about it. But now you can see how, how good its, it tastes. Its mess so its, its worth it. Im glad you like them, with the island nation has been a member of the European Union since 2008. And in this tax haven, people like to show off what they have. Its a popular place for wealthy english people to retire to for example, its a paradise for car lovers. Im surprised to stumble across a vintage car rally and the letter but malta has its dark sides to in late 2017. An assassination shook the countrys political elite and sparked a national crisis. Journalist daphne cutter, one ago elisia, was investigating a high level corruption scandal. When she was murdered in a car, bombing the attack shocked the country and led to the resignation of top politicians. October 5000. 00 zips it would it be in october 2017. Galka journalist Daphne Galindo was murdered just a short distance from her home on deck. Either ill buy dealer investigative work focused on political and financial corruption and malta motto, constantly it, and me, it is important to me as a journalist that i come here to make a point where owned and science. I believe a democracy must guarantee freedom of opinion and the media and on a democratic if after all, malta is part of the e at mandatory. So a all and i expect that freedom of speech should be a cornerstone in such a country gornstein with fun. So on and london, the country mourned the journalist and demanded an end to corruption and lies. Ah, now malta has to prove it, can implement the rule of law and respect the freedom of the press. So as to ensure daphne caught one ago, you did not die in vain. Ah, were leaving the main island and taking the ferry northwest via me. Its not that were heading for gozo. Were going to visit the city of victoria. Hi victoria, its a small city. It has to offer houses opened or the question is, why to why i go 0 is the 2nd largest island in the multi archipelago. Its only 14 kilometers long and just over 7 kilometers wide. Ah, most of goes over 31000 residents live in the iowa capital victoria. Its a bit quieter here than it is on the main island. Ah, im most interested in the 2 opera houses, the aurora, and the t or through astra. Here i meaning the director, john goliath, the 2 buildings are just 300 meters apart and i came to go here and i have one question. Why do you need to approach here on a very small island . Its because theres this rivalry between the 2 ban clubs in victoria. The other band club has also the out or our open house. And theres this at the out to us, which is the seat of oper as well. And out of sheer artistic rivalry but, but in a good sense of the competitive says, how is the competition affecting on the quality of the productions youre doing of you see, and there will be a much more engagement and commitment by the members of the opera astra. Who are actually engaged to promote the highest artistic level person. Mm. Both oper houses were built at the end of the 19 sixties and they have been vying with one another since been visitors. Do they go to both or for us . Or if you have the feeling some i really loyal to one or pro, some of the support as may be that its like youve done. Why arent you . Yes, yes. Yes. Its always like good little club. It is, it is. But i mean, as a sense of maturity, lets was that way. Weve gone from strength to strength and though people are going over to each other theaters and 1st of all, also to see the, the 11th the so that the Competitive Edge is always there. It is a very much like a mac golf artistic activity. Ah, yet the island nation is surprising. In another aspect, in 2017, the Maltese Parliament voted overwhelmingly to legalize same sex marriage. Since then goes all wedding planners, jewels wiltshire and catherine goods have almost had more homosexual than heterosexual customers. Business is booming, extraordinary. Why do you which sounds kind fact just bringing round you would face some facing each other and the readings, your bowers and everything in the exchanging of rings will be done here. All your guests will be seats aid on the terrace looking out this way. So obviously with mm. Back in the letter, im amazed at how progressive catholic malt as approaches to transgender and homosexual issues in the spartacus gay travel index, the island is ranked as one of the most l g b, t friendly countries in europe. I meeting clayton mer chica and l g b t i q Community Organizer to find out more see, Catholic Church is very influential here on walter. How is that affecting on edgy b t i q writes, i would say since the 2011 ford is referring to them and show that people want to move on and have the rights to do for us. Its kind of changed the mentality even for the church to not to be so focused on, on person and freedom of what people wanted to choose. Im fortunate to sit at an issue of control over women. And when it comes to arise reproductive rights in mind, that is quite lagging behind. But when it comes to a g, b t i q, right . So yeah, thats the context here in mind that we have in disparity. Whereas vicky writes are far ahead. I would say in the world, in general, we dont hear about aggression or homophobia directly to where our community is such. But yes, with cases the sierra for example, towards the trans women. Oh, faith, physical and online abuse. And so that was quite shocking for us. Clinton organizes the annual multi pride week in pride. March clayton, you worked for an organization that takes care of t v i t q writes here on mata. And what do you do except even though was very small. I was didnt face a lot of isolation and the fact that we dont have a lot of eligibility places where to go to was always based on events. And i think thats one of the things that were doing and g o, a lightning will communities to, to create that sort of sense of belonging and community for, for our eligibility kind. Malta has many facets. Most people only know the place as a beautiful holiday island, but its also become one of the truck hotspots, the refugee crisis. Again and again, thoughts that have pulled survivors from the sea put into port here. Malta location, 350 kilometers from the libyan coast is the primary reason for that. More than 15000 people have died in recent years trying to reach europe via the mediterranean sea. I meeting some survivors who made it as far as malta. While im to i, yes, when did you arrive here . Is it the owner ahead of the 2018 and they were found out really by libya across the see across the significant thought he should can. How was that journey and what problems did your limit that . Well, if we came in a small boat, sammy called the boats of dad where they were water for any of that. Could i get him and you either live or die 11 . Hes i go home. Salam to the how you laugh about it now. And so it was tough, right. The minutes of the aisle begin. It was time we were at sea for 7 days. I know for 7 days we were on a ship, a contact in different countries, not at all, but no one wanted to take us. But, and then the United Nations decided that we should come here to molten my data and deeply moved by their fate. What will happen to them . How many will get stranded on this island in the future . When will the e, you find a collective solution to the problem . This im speaking with, darrens ahmed. Loopy. The maltese photojournalist has captured scenes from the refugee drama. One place. What does that military onion see to day mean to you . Or, to me personally, to law face. Its my home. For starters, i bought what we have seen over the toss 20 years or so. Its also a graveyard. The huge numbers of people crossing from africa trying to get to europe. Im most of the, most of the departures tend to be from libya and the number of fatalities law enormous. For darrens accounts shocking. He shows me photographs of rescue missions that hes witnessed or. 2 2 to have been times when i, i put down the cameras and helped outs that i had taken enough pictures anyhow, so theres no point to leg will. Can we click so his photographs are a stark reminder of what many dont want to excel. Humanoids are at stake here. This is a guy that had just been rescued. Obviously. Sh, wendys people dont know if theyre going to nipple dye. Once they realized stiff survived, its a very you, for a property Emotional Experience for their emotional. And if you that i think they dont really be, i mean yeah, im some break down in tears. Some sort of celebrate and saying and pray. But theres a lot in a lot of crying. Theres one rescue mission that darren will never forget the most dramatic weekend for me was easter of 2017 where several people fred into the sea. That was mad. Struggle for them. How does this have an impact on, you know, you get to luckily, these passive images fashion back to your minds which do not go away. They say sometimes come back to you at the most. The unexpected moments was ann. Yes. Think about the hundreds he saved in the same rescue the same weekend. Think about the, the baby whose life was life he saved. What policies should change from the european perspective, according to your opinion. And i would love to see a more solidarity between the def, until you opinion countries, you know, when it comes to creating a you a wide policy on how to, how to share these people out amongst themselves. The fact that all countries have to agree on this, i mean, that is obviously a problem because, you know, unfortunately though awesome e u Member States which are adamantly against having refugees on there. So as long as europe fails to open up or to help. And as lon