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An Evaluation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malta

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An Evaluation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malta An Evaluation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malta 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, Italy, 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, Gozo: 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 Valletta. 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, parish 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 Religion 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 religion in Malta 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 Constitution of Malta 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. state religion, however freedom Christ carrying the cross.
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