At the opening of the Fondazione Falcone’s Malta office in Siġġiewi on Sunday, Maria Falcone spoke candidly about the impact of her brother Giovanni Falcone’s assassination, saying it profoundly changed her life “both as a sister and an Italian citizen.” “I could have chosen to keep my grief as a sister private,” she shared. “But the pain I felt as a citizen demanded that I act.”
The Fondazione Falcone was established to honour the legacy of Giovanni Falcone, an anti-mafia judge assassinated in 1992 for his fight against organized crime. Led by his sister, Maria Falcone, the foundation works to inspire future generations to stand against corruption and organized crime. Through advocacy and educational programs, it promotes justice, integrity, and a culture of legality, focusing especially on educating young people about the importance of rule of law. The foundation works internationally, fostering collaborations to strengthen anti-mafia efforts across borders. Its work is a tribute to all who have sacrificed in the fight for justice.
In her address Maria Falcone reflected on the devastating history of anti-mafia advocates who lost their lives fighting organised crime, including Piersanti Mattarella–Sicily’s regional governor and brother of Italian President Sergio Mattarella–who was killed in 1980, and Carabinieri General Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa, murdered two years later. She noted the many others–judges and journalists–who, like Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, were targeted for their courageous work. Driven by a determination to ensure that her brother’s death was not forgotten, Maria Falcone gathered his friends and colleagues to establish the Falcone Foundation. Her mission: to honour Giovanni’s legacy by strengthening the fight against organised crime and fostering a culture rooted in justice and integrity.
Speaking at this landmark event, the Fondazione Falcone Malta representative Robert Aquilina, recalled how, in 1992, the murders of anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino shocked Italy–and young Maltese citizens felt the impact despite the physical distance. However, tragedy struck closer to home on the 16th of October in 2017, with the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, echoing the brutality seen in Sicily decades earlier.
Aquilina explained that Daphne’s death became a catalyst for change, sparking efforts to address corruption and build a culture that values integrity, justice, and truth. Through connections with the Fondazione Falcone, Maltese advocates found common ground with Italians who had faced similar challenges, recognising shared obstacles and a need for united action. The new Malta office will mirror the work of Fondazione Falcone in Italy, aiming to foster a culture of legality and civic responsibility.
This partnership seeks not only to hold abusers accountable but also to create a national climate of trust and justice. Robert Aquilina emphasised the crucial role of government institutions in supporting these efforts, highlighting Italy’s example, where law enforcement and educational institutions back the foundation’s mission.
As Malta embarks on this path, the presence of the nation’s President at the inauguration signals high hopes for unity in promoting justice. The office aims to bring Maltese citizens together in rejecting impunity and creating a culture of transparency and accountability.
Addressing the event, the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, explained how the opening of the Fondazione Falcone’s new office in Malta marks a significant milestone in fostering grassroots collaboration between Sicily and Malta, aimed at embedding values of legality and justice among future generations. Spiteri Debono recalled how in her recent address, Maria Falcone, emphasised her brother’s belief that societal change begins with the youth. Falcone’s vision was echoed in Malta, where the Fondazione’s new office will work closely with local schools and youth groups, supporting initiatives that build character, foster integrity, and champion human rights.
President Spiteri Debono also observed how the Foundation’s expansion into Malta comes at a time when journalists and activists across Europe face increasing threats and violence, highlighting the urgent need for reinforced protections for free speech and the media. Referencing figures like Daphne Caruana Galizia and numerous others who paid with their lives for exposing corruption, Maria Falcone underscored the dangers faced by those fighting for transparency and accountability.
Spiteri Debono emphasised the Foundation’s mission is a call to action: to establish an enduring culture of legality where each generation renews the fight for fairness, justice, and the moral obligations of those in public office. It is a journey without shortcuts, requiring continual vigilance and commitment, but one the Fondazione Falcone believes is essential to creating a society that honours the memory of those who stood for justice at all costs.
Mgr Paul Carmel Vella attended the event and blessed the premises on behalf of Archbishop Charles Scicluna who was indisposed.
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