Outgoing President Eddie Fenech Adami urged Malta to live up to its identity and cherish the family because it was the key to the island's economic progress.
As he looked forward to end his term on April 4, to be able to spend more time with his family and 10 grandchildren, Dr Fenech Adami said this value was crucial to face the challenges, and not simply from a Christian point of view.
Dr Fenech Adami and his wife Mary were last night being hosted to a farewell dinner at Auberge de Castille, Valletta, by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate, which was attended by bishops, ministers and the island's top brass.
The first couple arrived at 8.08 p.m., and the sound of trumpets reverberated across the damp chilly archways of Castille, as gale force winds lashed the window panes.
Mozart's buoyant Divertimento No.1 added a sliver of warmth to the atmosphere as the ladies, dressed in flimsy evening gowns, dared to remove their coats.
After mingling with the guests, who toasted his health at a pre-dinner reception, Dr Fenech Adami, Dr Gonzi and Labour MP Charles Mangion (who attended in place of Labour leader Joseph Muscat who is abroad) addressed the media.
Dr Gonzi said it was no coincidence that Dr Fenech Adami through his five-year term had accompanied the island through its important milestones - from EU membership to the euro changeover, and more recently the challenges of the global economic climate and immigration.
Throughout all this, he said, Dr Fenech Adami offered the island a symbol of unity that helped to anchor the people to the values of solidarity and humanity that gave Malta its identity.
"No doubt that as a result of the growing immigration concerns our traditional values are being tested.
"Today, more than ever, we need to remember this value, and cherish humanity no matter who or where people come from," he stressed.
Dr Mangion paid tribute to Dr Fenech Adami's career that spanned more than 50 years and said that despite coming from the opposing political camp it was impossible not to recognise and appreciate the contribution he made to push Malta forward.
"He has elevated the presidency to bring about unity among the Maltese; elements we have to appreciate," Dr Mangion said. Both Dr Gonzi and Dr Mangion praised Mrs Fenech Adami for the personal sacrifices she made and for standing strong. Dr Fenech Adami thanked them for the kind words and said his presidency had passed "like a thunderbolt". There were no surprises, because as past presidents, he humbly tried to live out his role as a symbol of unity.
"I tried to be close to the people and because of this I admit I accepted practically every invitation whenever there was a public function... I will not be disappearing, but I hope to leave the limelight and be a citizen like everybody else."