Dr Lydia Abela, the Prime Minister’s wife, launched the seventh edition of Kartolina Milied, inviting children to create the artwork and messages for Christmas cards sent by the Office of the Prime Minister.
The initiative is open to pupils in Years 1 to 6 at all primary schools in Malta and Gozo. Prizes will be awarded for the best design and best written message in each of two age groups, Years 1 to 3 and Years 4 to 6.
The selected cards will be sent to families and organisations in Malta and Gozo, as well as to prime ministers and other dignitaries abroad.
At the launch at Auberge de Castille, Dr Abela said she was pleased to see pupils from several schools bring their energy and enthusiasm to the event. She also thanked educators for their role in shaping children’s character.
“It is a time when the smallest things bring the greatest excitement, and when a simple drawing or a short message can carry real meaning,” Dr Abela said.
She said hundreds of children take part each year, putting their imagination on paper. Their entries, she said, reveal what they think, feel and dream about, shaped by their own experiences. She encouraged pupils to take part and said they were all winners for sharing work that came from the heart.
Arts Council Malta Executive Chairman Luke Dalli said introducing children to the arts early helps them develop their creativity and talents and gives them the confidence to express themselves freely. He said initiatives such as Kartolina Milied allow more children to explore their artistic abilities.
“At Arts Council Malta, we believe that culture is everyone’s right and that every child should have equal opportunities to take part in cultural life. By investing in arts education from an early age, we are nurturing more creative generations and laying the foundations for a society that recognises and appreciates the value of art,” Dr Dalli said.
How to enter
Children can send their cards by post to the Office of the Prime Minister, Auberge de Castille, Valletta, or by email to [email protected]. The deadline is Monday, 23 November 2026.
Once the official cards have been selected, all the children’s artwork will go on public display in Castille Square.
Photo: DOI/OPM
