An Evaluation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in

2015 Page 3 An Evaluation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malta

Contents: • National Strategy for Cultural Heritage; • Craft Villages; • Traditional Maltese Crafts; • Religious Heritage.

This brief report aims to provide a general overview of Maltese intangible cultural heritage with particular focus on lace making, filigree and Easter Week celebrations. The information has also been included in The Summary Report about Intangible Cultural Heritage which was developed as a product of The Living Heritage project and includes reports about aspects of intangible cultural heritage in partner countries, namely Latvia, , The Netherlands, Poland, Greece, and Malta.

Sources: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/holy-week-and-easter http://www.maltainsideout.com/16784/easter-in-malta-quick-guide-to-holy-week-2014/ https://sites.google.com/site/maltesetraditions/maltese-easter-traditions https://sites.google.com/site/maltesetraditions/traditional-lenten-celebrations https://sites.google.com/site/maltesetraditions/lenten-sweets---quaresimal Page 5 National Strategy for Cultural Heritage

The Maltese Cultural Heritage Intangible cultural values provide social-economic developments. Act 2002 introduces the concept the spirit and soul of heritage, Other conspicuous elements of of intangible cultural heritage into which would otherwise become the intangible heritage are seen in the national legal framework. In inanimate physical relics of our Malta’s ancient landscape and the many ways, culture and cultural past. The range of Malta’s intangible Baroque skylines that characterize heritage carry with them intangible cultural heritage is varied. The this landscape. The aesthetic elements. The value of heritage is more attractive elements are qualities of these elements provide in itself only partly monetary. The visible in traditions, customs, iconographic identity to the non-physical gains of heritage are narratives and the various skills archipelago. certainly broader than such values. and crafts that have molded earlier Craft Villages In 2012 the Ministry for Tourism, Ta’Qali, Malta : Located in a Culture and the Environment former RAF wartime air-field, this published a document specifying is a popular tourist attraction objectives of the governmental where sculptures, stones, ceramics, policy on the macro and local furniture and famous Maltese lace level regarding invaluable Maltese made by local artists are gathered heritage. The need for long- term together. It is the best place to actions was finally noticed and watched skilled craftspeople at raised in the document. Not only work. socio-political frameworks of the Cultural heritage were highlighted Ghajnsielem, : There is but also the economic aspect. The other craft village in Gozo and two national strategy claims that the main centers, the Crafts Centre in key to managing Maltese heritage the Citadel of Rabat and Ta’ Dbiegi is “Diversity through broadened famous for the designated Crafts. stakeholder participation”. The These are places where foreigner Government emphasized the can see the local traditions at its uniqueness of Malta and Gozo best. among other Mediterranean islands which brings thousands of tourists every year to experience interesting traditions and visit beautiful places marked by history.

Page 4 Page 7 Traditional Maltese Crafts Lace-making lace making art alive in a way that The Lace Making Programme short courses to Summer School The Maltese lace competition can be enjoyed by a wide audience. and Gozo Lace Day for international lace makers. This is held annually at Casa Rocca There are some places where Since the practice of lace-making will ensure that this important Piccola in . This event brings it’s still possible to watch this dying is no longer widely practiced Maltese craft does not cease to together lace-makers, collectors art though, aside from the streets across the Maltese Islands, it is exist. Every year the University and other enthusiasts to celebrate in Gozo. The best options are the increasingly important that the of Malta (Gozo campus) holds the talent, originality and skill craft villages on each island. history and skill requirements of the ‘Gozo lace day’. The event has been organised for 17 years of Maltese lace-makers. The The practice continues to some this craft and are not only well- competition includes a Children’s document but continue to be and it usually takes place in April. extent on Gozo to this day and The schedule includes exhibitions Category for participants under one might well be lucky to catch taught extensively. An important the age of 16. The competition initiative in this context is the Lace of lacework and textile crafts. a glimpse of this historic tradition Another result of the Lace Making is a place where those who are while strolling through some of the Making Programme taught since not familiar with lacework can 1996 at the University of Malta, Programme was the formation villages on the island. The women of the lace co-operative, called watch displays, compare various here sit in the shade near their Gozo Centre. techniques, materials, types of “Koperattiva Għawdxija tal-Bizzilla front door and charm tourists with The program is quite successful u Artiġjanat.” The co-operative clothing and other artefacts. These their nimble finger work. and its goal is to provide lace- types of initiatives help to keep was launch in 1996 to keep up the making knowledge at high name and high standard of Maltese academic level. There are a variety lace. It specializes in made to order of options in the program including projects.

Page 6 Page 9 The Malta Lace Competition other artefacts. These types of Silverware and Filigree jeweller this delicate and fascinating The Maltese lace competition initiatives help to keep lace making The creation of unique Maltese process is worth watching. is held annually at Casa Rocca art alive in a way that can be silverware and filigree dates back Piccola in Valletta. This event brings enjoyed by a wide audience. to the times of the Knights of St. together lace-makers, collectors There are some places where Johns of Jerusalem which used and other enthusiasts to celebrate it’s still possible to watch this dying silverware extensively in the newly- the talent, originality and skill of art though, aside from the streets built baroque churches and palaces. Maltese lace-makers. in Gozo. The best options are the Nowadays, the distinctive creation The competition includes craft villages on each island. of Maltese Silverware and Filigree a Children’s Category for continues in small workshops participants under the age of 16. across the Islands. However, it is The competition is a place where important that these workshops those who are not familiar with are provided with the necessary lacework can watch displays, incentives that will make silverware compare various techniques, and filigree economically profitable materials, types of clothing and or else this traditional craft will seize to be produced. While filigree can be purchased at most jewellery shops around Malta and Gozo, the experience of watching the jewellery being made there and then is not one to be missed. Whether at the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, or at any obliging

Page 8 Page 11 Ganutell You can see the old arrangements according to the sizes of the petals The craft of Ganutell, which is in churches around the Island twisted. The petals can be made of enjoying a revival in Malta but is of Malta, especially during the different patterns. Besides, sequins, little known in other countries, feasts when the churches beads and small pearls could also consists of making decorative are decorated up to the hilt with be inserted within each petal to flowers using silk thread, beads, precious art collected over the offer a richer looking flower. and metal wires. years. The word ganutell is derived Ganutell is an old and unique from the Italian cannotiglio and Maltese Art which has just recently in fact this craft, which can also been revived. be considered to be an art, was Ganutell flower making consists “imported” to Malta during the of first and foremost twisting silver eighteenth century from mainland or gold plated thin wire with thread. Europe.Typical ganutell wires Thin thread of various colours is made of different wires and spun used to produce different colour together to form a rope, which is schemes. Soon after assembling then used to make artificial flowers the wire and thread, this is twisted and embroidery. over a slightly thicker silver/gold It was originally used to plated wire to produce petals. decorate churches and statues and After creating a number of petals, nowadays is also used in wedding these are assembled around a bead bouquets, tiaras and other fashion or pearl so that a flower is shaped. accessories. Different sizes are produced

Page 10 Page 13 Religious Heritage is an important ashes on the head of the faithful, as churches. And some churches are Another sweet which was feature in the Maltese culture. a sign of penance and repentance. In also draped in black damask. permitted during lent and which The main is Maltese the word ‘head’ is used to A traditional sweet eaten during is still made today is one made Roman Catholicism, in fact, most signify the beginning of something lent is ‘Kwarezimal’ which is an from carob syrup, known locally as Maltese claim to be Catholic and very important. This day is marked almond and honey cake. The word ‘karamelli tal-harrub’. Traditionally participate in Catholic religious by fasting, penance and usually kwarezimal refers to quaresima, this sweet is sold on Good Friday, services. The penitential pilgrimages with the literally the quadragesima, the during the afternoon processions. also establishes Catholicism as the statue of Christ the redeemer i.e. forty days of Lent. , however freedom Christ carrying the cross. Today, Ash of religion is guaranteed as a Wednesday is still a school holiday constitutional right and is generally for all children and students on respected. There are a number of the Maltese islands. Until recently, religious festivities and cultural throughout the Lenten period, the events that take place annually on interior of Maltese churches would the Maltese islands. be draped in purple, with statues Maltese Easter Traditions and paintings covered in mourning crêpe. As with any other major feast in Easter time is a great time Malta, Lent and Easter have their Lenten sermons (eżerċizzji), to be in Malta since it is a very own traditional sweets and cuisine, meant to bring about reconciliation traditional festive season . In many savoured exclusively during this between man and his Creator, villages and towns, you can find time. beautiful exhibitions of decorated are held in all in Malta church models as well as miniature and Gozo over a number of days, Good Friday statues. In addition, generally in the evenings. The many localities have interesting traditional Way of the Cross is displays. Many another popular tradition during drama groups organize dramatic this period, with the faithful representations of the Passion meditating at the fourteen Stations of Christ. These representations of the Cross (Via Sagra) relating are done in Maltese and are very various episodes of the Passion popular with the locals. and of Our Lord. Lent A number of penitential pilgrimages are also held, and Qaghaq tal-Appostli (Apostles’ bread rings) is a special type of bread Lent starts on Ash Wednesday statues depicting scenes from the prepared for the Lenten period and sold mostly on Maundy Thursday with the blessing and imposition of Passion are venerated in several and Good Friday. Page 12 Page 15 Holy Week sees crowds slowly and mournfully Nowadays they take a mobile bedecked. Some parishes will stop The celebrations of Holy Week following the statue of ‘Our Lady’ in audio system so that all the people their bells on Holy Thursday to and Easter are primarily of a solemn procession. Valletta has the in the street will hear clearly the replace the regular ringing with religious character, taking place in most notable id-Duluri procession. never lasting prayers. a Ċuqqlajta, a clattering wooden churches where the faithful gather Maundy Thursday - the eve of Another particular tradition is ‘gong’ which sounds like a giant in large numbers to commemorate Good Friday - commemorates the the replica of the apostles’ table football rattle. Zebbug and Siggiewi the passion, death and resurrection Last Supper and is the start of the during the first Eucharist celebrated tend to do this, as do other more of Christ. period of mourning. On Maundy by Christ. Lots of parishes create tradition-loving or rural parishes. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Thursday people throng to visit representations of Week, which culminates in the the ‘seven churches’ (‘seba’ vizti’). and/or the entire Easter story in Easter Triduum i.e Holy Thursday, Christians kneel, reflect and pray model form. It is a tradition on this Good Friday and Holy Saturday beside the tomb of Christ. They day for people to visit them as they that lead to Easter Sunday, the pass from one church into another. do their tour round the islands of biggest feast of the Church, The religious confraternities ‘Altars of Repose’. These Altars commemorating Christ’s victory usually take great care to organise are elaborately dressed up for the through his passion and death on these visits well. They take out a occasion with white flowers – the the cross. The week before Good large cross accompanied by two Cathedral altar is particularly Friday is called id-Duluri, or the lanterns. feast of our Lady of Sorrows, which

Page 14 Page 17 Good Friday walk barefoot as a personal act of Good Friday is the official day penitence toward God or cover up of mourning and is the big day their faces with pointed hoods and of processions. Malta has some white cloaks to pay for the grace spectacular, lengthy and large they received. processions involving casts of Especially Xaghra in Gozo is hundreds. Some have become very famous for its extravagant main tourist attractions in recent procession reconstructing ‘Passion years, with public address systems of Our Lord’ by the Għajnsielem broadcasting a commentary in Drama Group. The procession is Holy Saturday by flickering candle lights. Finally several languages. usually accompanied by funeral there is an ‘explosion’ of light On Holy Saturday in the evening, where churches are suddenly The Good Friday processions marches played by the local bands. around 8pm, there is a special illuminated with candles, depict the entire Passion of Christ celebration to commemorate chandeliers, bulbs, floodlights etc. with several statues representing Christ’s rising from the dead. This Bells toll happily as they break the different stages of The Passion celebration heralds the Easter night’s normal silence in order to and Death of Christ being carried Festivities in honour of The Risen announce Christ’s central event by the faithful. The statues are Christ. - resurrection, exactly when the usually made by local artists and Celebrations start in pitch singing of the ‘Glorja’ commences. draped in real vestments. No darkness. They are then illuminated Normally baptisms take place. masses are celebrated on this day. In Malta these processions are held in , Bormla, Ghaxaq, , , , Paola, , Rabat, , Valletta, Zebbug and Zejtun. In Gozo the processions take place in , Victoria (St. George and Cathedral), Xaghra and Zebbug. Though, the processions have a religious nature they have over the years also become a tourist attraction when the faithful dress up as a Romans, Jews and other characters from the bible. Some people carry heavy weights and

Page 16 Page 19 Easter Sunday There are moments during the Celebrating Holy Week in The mood changes totally on Easter Sunday procession when Malta Sunday, when the ringing of church the bearers of the statue of the The number of visitors that bells announces the Resurrection Risen Christ break into a run. choose Malta as their travel of Christ. The Easter Sunday This is an old Maltese tradition destination for Easter has been procession is a very colourful one. especially in the three Cities, increasing for years. And for good Vittoriosa, and Senglea. reason too, because Easter in Malta During this procession you A visit to any locality where this can see many kids carrying their will invariably mean warm weather Easter celebration takes place is (compared to other European ‘figolla’ because it is customary for very rewarding. them to have their figolla blessed countries), a very good peak into during this event. This figolla is a Maltese culture and traditions and typical Maltese sweet associated a time for celebration on Easter with Easter. Maltese figolli are Sunday. baked sweet pastry cut in different shapes (ranging from butterflies, fish, sirens to lambs, etc) filled with almonds. They are coated with icing sugar and colorfully decorated with chocolate and Easter eggs.

The events which take place during Easter week include: • Last Supper Displays; • Live re-enactments of the Last Supper; • Exhibitions of Decorated Church Models; • Miniature Statuary Exhibition; • Easter Children’s Funfair; • Interactive theatre performances of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Page 18