Racist graffiti and racial slurs have returned to playground equipment at a popular Gozitan playground, a year after they were removed.
The graffiti, spotted by a mother who frequents the Victoria playground, features racist slurs such as the N-word and "I f**k you".
Francesca, who regularly visits the playground with her toddler, said that while she discourages the racist graffiti, she was also upset at the poor state of the playground.
"It's the main playing area in Victoria, in the centre of Gozo that is frequented by many children, youths and parents," she told Times of Malta.
She said the playground was in a state of "despair".
"If you don't take care of the playground, which has so much potential to be a safe space for different ages, then it will be treated badly."
Last year, Times of Malta reported how racist graffiti, including Nazi symbols and racial slurs, were found on the playground equipment. The graffiti featured swastikas and phrases such as "I hate [N-words]" and "Middle school is racist to Maltese."
At the time, the town's mayor said he believed the slurs were the work of children and assured the graffiti would be removed.
Another mother, Jasmine, who often frequents the park with her two children, said the racial slurs have been popping up on the playground for years.
She said much more needed to be done than simply "scrubbing the equipment" of the park. She added that the playground was very popular with locals and tourists.
"It is upsetting to think that children from all around the world come to the playground and see such messages," she said.
"Unfortunately, it's become normalised to see such messages, and if they are written by children, it's very concerning."
Jasmine said that just like several other non-Maltese residents in Malta, she has been told it is important for foreigners to integrate into society: "When we parents see such phrases, it feels that some people do not want us to become part of this society."