My Maltese hero is...

In a recent survey published by MaltaToday on Maltese identity, tenor Joseph Calleja came out on top as the island's best representative in the world, curiously followed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and a number of Eurovision singers.

A line in German poet Bertolt Brecht's play Life of Galileo goes something like "Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes," however apart from a handful of 20th century politicians, contemporary pop artists and athletes, Malta lacks a pantheon of heroes or icons who have captured the imagination of the country or who can boast of an army of followers.

In truth, very few can stake this claim, and the only genuine contenders from our past which come to mind are social reformer Manwel Dimech, philosopher priest Mikiel Anton Vassalli and author Juan Mamo.

MaltaToday has turned to a number of personalities who were asked to name anyone, dead or alive, whom they consider to be a Maltese icon or a hero.

Here is who they chose...

Manwel Dimech - Patriot and philosopher (1860-1921) and Immanuel Mifsud - author (1967- )

Joseph Calleja represents a vibrant, cultural Malta, that is not just about sun and sea and temples squeezed in between. If I were to choose a figure from the past that I'm proud of for being Maltese, someone with character, ideals and a fascinating (if tragic) story, I would choose Manwel Dimech. I'm aware that his personality and social commitment are not appreciated by all Maltese, that some people think he was simply a criminal on an ego trip. But that, in itself, is revealing. I don't want to be represented by some figurine.

From the present I would choose Immanuel Mifsud. Not because he is a writer and academic. But because he loves and respects his country in a critical way and always has something interesting to say. Because he is open to the world, to different colours and creeds and stories. He is also the winner of a European award with an outstanding book that is both very Maltese and very - dare I say it? - universal.

By Adrian Grima, an author, poet, lecturer and an activist

Julian Manduca - environmentalist and journalist (1958 - 2005)

Julian Manduca. Julian was one of the persons who I looked up to in my youth, back in the 1990s when I co-founded Moviment Graffitti. I actually got to know him some years prior, during a party at my parents' place, which would usually be attened by bohemian intellectuals and artists. Before Julian joined Malta Today to become one of the prominent critical journalists in Malta, I remember him as a charismatic left-wing environmentalist, a liberal on civil rights, and a committed activist who formed part of the alternative cultural scene. Julian spoke on many issues, especially environmental ones, ahead of his time, and we worked together in campaigns such as the Front Kontra l-Hilton and the victorious Front Kontra l-Golf Kors. It is no understatement to consider Julian to be a main influence on the 1980s and 1990s young generation of in left wing and environmental groups, beyond partisan dogma and careerism, and strongly believing that another world is possible.

By Michael Briguglio, a sociologist, drummer, activist and  local councillor

Antoine Camilleri - Artist (1922 - 2005)

Artist Antoine Camilleri is my Maltese icon. Anyone even remotely aware of modern Maltese art in the latter half of the 20th century knows what a significant figure he was within that sphere of activity. Many contemporary Maltese artists count him as their main master and his work is treasured by anyone who owns it. I have seen his work in both North America and Australia, so I have a feeling that it's also present in other countries around the world. I am very lucky to have a small number of his works in my own house. If you have a modern artistic sensibility, you cannot but recognise that his work is that of a brilliant master, who has perfected his own, instantly recognisable style. While his work is not featured along with that of other prominent Maltese artist in the hundreds of churches across the Maltese islands, I have been most spiritually touched by his works on sacred subjects, ranging from Christianity to ancestral worship of mother earth and female goddess from Neolithic times. His crucifixes are simply superb. My favourite is the one called Kristu x-Xandar (Christ the Broadcaster), which has a rough Christ-like figure crucified to a large television antenna, and considered blasphemous by those who don't see that this is work of true artistic genius. It also embodies the stark contrasts in the Maltese way of looking at everyday life, where the sacred and the profane are enmeshed into a hybrid cultural identity that is certainly more Maltese than the George Cross on our national flag or even the so-called Maltese cross. Aside from all this, I am very pleased to say that we were also very close friends for many years, and I miss his friendship even more than I miss his art marking. If Malta had a strategic way to promote Maltese art and culture, I'm sure that Antoine Camilleri's work would also be acquired by some of the world's most prominent museums of modern art, as he would clearly be recognised for the Maltese icon that he is.

By Toni Sant, a lecturer, radio and television presenter, producer and music journalist

Elia (anonymous)

Elia, best of all represents Malta: rustic intelligence, urban 'flâneur' who died planting flowers and trees in all asphalted and massacred spaces. He should be considered THE icon because he succeeded in making the invisible visible by hiding himself and his words of cynical but profound wisdom behind the 'hitan ta' sejjieh' (rubble walls) dating from pre-historic times. His acuteness, wittiness, logic, balanced with his unbelievable Ali-babian rich knowledge of the Maltese language with its archaic labyrinths and culture are enough elements for me to comfortably name him as the best representative of Malta. His un-academic quotidian philosophy could have easily paired with that of Heidegger and Wittgenstein, whilst his downtrodden engraved hands and soil-etched feet were so much more beautifully graced than those of the Milos' Venus or that of Urbino: his scent of field manure, urban medieval dampness and greasy dockyard oil with that of all the perfumes of Arabia.

(NB: Elia is a real person, in fact my son Ilya was named after him).

By Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, an artist, author, lecturer and former ambassador

Dom Mintoff - politician (1916 -2012)

Unhesitatingly, I say Dom Mintoff. Not because I happen to have sympathies with him but largely because wherever one goes, whether in Europe or anywhere else in the world, the moment one says that one is from Malta, very often the answer back is, "Ah, Malta ... Mintoff". I believe that his and Malta's names became almost synonymous for reasons other than that of frequently making it in contemporary newspapers around the world, reasons which might be considered psychological. The man personified the Davids of the world before the mighty Goliaths. In his inimitable way, Mintoff revealed tiny Malta's great potential strength amongst commanding power brokers. Though at the time he represented an impoverished country with little to no resources, he had a significant hand in the political games of countries rich and great. Furthermore, together with other leaders, he drove home how pivotal a place the Mediterranean occupied, as a major political theatre, in maintaining world peace and the balance of power. No other Maltese personage, dead or alive, accomplished as much or, perhaps, ever will.

By Fr Mark Montebello, a Dominican friar, philosopher, activist and lecturer