Engagements and Weddings in Gozo Past from the Deposits at the National Archives

Home , Notarial Archives, Saverio Cassar, Siege of Malta (1429)

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 1

JOSEPH BEZZINA

ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

EXHIBITION CATALOGUE

Sponsored by

2 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

The exhibition delineates Engagements and Weddings in Gozo Past in two sections – each of which is made up of 24 items commemorating the 24 years of the NAG. The first consists of related documents; the second compliments the sources by a number of engravings and paintings related to the subject. This second section includes a full collection of the paintings depicting the Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph and The Wedding at Cana in all Gozo Churches.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, known or yet to be invented, for any purpose whatsoever, without the written permission of the National Archives (Gozo Section) and the author, which permission must be obtained beforehand.

Acknowledgements

• DR JOSEPH BEZZINA, Assistant National Archivist, wishes to thank Toni Calleja (Għasri), a former Archives Assistant, who came up with the idea of this exhibition and provided the references to many documents.

• Special thanks are due to Charles J. Farrugia, the National Archivist; to Francesco Pio Attard, Paul Falzon, and MaryAnn Curmi, Archives Assistants at the National Archives (Gozo) for their unstinting help.

• Thanks are also due to George Cassar, Officer-in-Charge, and to all the staff at the National Library (Gozo) – with which the National Archives shares the premises – for their collaboration throughout the whole year.

• My appreciation for their collaboration also goes to John Cremona, Ministry for Gozo; Anthony Zammit, Director EcoGozo–Regional Development, who sponsored the prints; Maroma Camilleri, National Library of Malta; Kenneth Gambin, CEO Heritage Malta; Sandro Debono, Curator National Museum Fine Arts; Nicoline Sagona, Manager Gozo Museums and Sites; the Bishop of Gozo; the Cathedral Chapter, the archpriests, parish priests, and rectors of Għarb, Għasri, Qala, St George Parish, Ta’ Pinu, Ta’ Sannat, and Xagħra.

• A word of appreciation is due especially to Mr Patrick Fenech, Branch Manager Victoria, HSBC • Gozo, whose support and sponsorship made possible the publication of this catalogue.

Printed and bound in Malta PLAYPEN, Triq Taħt Putirjal, Victoria-Gozo. VCT 1346 (+356) 2156-1107

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 3

JOSEPH BEZZINA ENGAGEMENTS AND MARRIAGES IN GOZO PAST FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ▪▪▪ GĦERUSIJIET U TIĠIJIET F’GĦAWDEX TAL-IMGĦODDI MID-DEPOŻITI FL-ARKIVJU NAZZJONALI

CATALOGUE OF AN EXHIBITION HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE TWENTY FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO SECTION (1989-2013)

OPENED BY DR ANTON REFALO MINISTER FOR GOZO 29 NOVEMBER 2013

4 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

NATIONAL ARCHIVES (GOZO) EXHIBITION CATALOGUE • 13

1 • A sample of documents of the history of Gozo from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, Gozo 1989. 2 • A sample of documents of the history of Gozo from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, Gozo 1994. 3 • The Region of Gozo – Ir-Reġjonalità ta’ Għawdex, Gozo 2004. 4 • Gozo, a historical glimpse, Gozo 2005. 5 • Saverio Cassar (1805–2005), Gozo 2005. 6 • Religious aspects of life in Gozo, Gozo 2006. 7 • The Citadel – the crown of Gozo, Gozo 2007. 8 • The coastal defences of Gozo, Gozo 2008. 9 • Herbs, health, and hospitals of Gozo past, Gozo 2009. 10 • Gozo domestic architecture – a dwindling heritage, Gozo 2010. 11 • Fiftieth anniversary from the foundation of the Gozo Civic Council, Gozo 2011. 12 • Città Victoria – one hundred twenty five years a city, Gozo 2012. 13 • Engagements and Weddings in Gozo past, Gozo 2013.

Some of the above catalogues are still available at the NAG•National Archives (Gozo) • tel: 21558833.

A souvenir postcard (No 7) – available at the NAG•National Archives (Gozo) – has been issued for the occasion.

Abbreviations

ACG ARCHIVUM CATHEDRALE GAUDISIENSE AEG ARCHIVUM EPISCOPALE GAUDISENSE APS ARCHIVUM PAROECIALE SANNATENSE ASG ARCHIVUM PAROECIALE SANCTI GEORGII CG CURIA GUBERNATORIALI [COURTS OF GOZO] NAG NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO SECTION NAM NATIONAL LIBRARY MALTA NAV NOTARIAL ARCHIVES, VALLETTA-MALTA UG UNIVERSITAS GAUDISII

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 5

NAG • The National Archives (Gozo Section)

The NAG – the National Archives (Gozo Section) – serves as the deposit for the records produced or received by Government entities in Gozo in the transaction of their affairs. It is housed in a purposely built hall adjacent to the Public Library of Gozo. The ball was set rolling on 1 August 1989, when the Ministry for Gozo engaged Joseph Bezzina, an archivist by profession, to set up the archives. The first documents to be moved in were the registers of the former Universitas Gaudisii – a regional government founded around 1350 to manage the island and defend local interests. Only 260 registers, dating from 1560 to its suppression in 1818, are still preserved. The NAG was officially inaugurated on 24 November 1989 – twenty four years ago – by Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, then Minister of Education, and Anton Tabone, then Minister for Gozo. This was over two months before the Malta Parliament, on 30 January 1990, enacted the Act to regulate the National Archives. The NAG was conceived as the public record office for the documentation produced and received by past and present Government departments and establishments in the islands of Gozo and Comino. In 1991, the Staff Development Organisation of the Office of the Prime Minister clearly laid down that “Records originated by the Ministry for Gozo, Gozo sections of government departments, and by public bodies established for Gozo should be deposited at the Gozo Section of the National Archives which has been set up adjoining the Gozo Public Library” (Circular OPM/E/82/83 [July 1991]).

The NAG has twenty-seven different FONDS, deposits coming from an equal number of entities. Each fond is divided into as many SECTIONS as is deemed necessary to reflect the various responsibilities or activities of the entity. It is possible

6 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

that a particular single office produced records related to various activities. In that case each activity is considered a separate section and numbered accordingly to avoid the splitting of sections into sub-sections. Every single ITEM in each section is given a consecutive number. The fonds in the alphabetical order of the cataloguing code with the period covered are the following:

AG National Archives (Gozo Section) 1989+ CA Civil Abattoir 1891 – 1986 CC Civic Council 1959 – 1973 CG Curia Gubernatorali (Courts of Law) 1609+ CI Charitable Institutions 1859 – 1947 CP Circulars and Posters 1814+ DF Documentaries and Films 1988+ GB Malta Government Savings Bank 1853 – 1978 GL Ġurdan Lighthouse 1877 – 1981 GM Ġuljana Masini 1554 – 1930 HI Hospitals and other Institutions 1841+ IR Inland Revenue 1903+ LC Local Councils 1993+ MG Ministry for Gozo 1987+ MH Medical and Health Department 1875 – 1970 MP Monte di Pietà 1817 – 1979 PA Photographs. Albums 1945+ PD Police Departments 1889+ PM Plans and maps 1860+ PO Passport Office 1988+ PW Public Works 1840+ SG Secretariat to the Government 1803+ SN Street naming 1987+ SS State Schools 1845+ ST Statistics 1667+ UG Universitas Gaudisii 1560 – 1819 ZM Miscellanea 1575+

Records are catalogued in a four-level system – a system that most clearly reflects the workings of each entity. Level 1 is the depository (NAG); level 2, the fond or entity (UG); level 3, the section (section 1 in this fond or entity, being Acta et Negotia); and level 4, the single item (for example, volume 1).

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 7

ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

A love story in bygone years often began with the planting of a pleasant smelling shrub in a flower pot. A mother who had a marriageable daughter planted and tended with care a plant of ħabaq, or merqtux, or nagħnigħ; basil, or sweet marjoram, or spearmint. When the plant matured and filled the air with its sweet smell, she placed it on the ħarrieġa, a stone jutting out about a span from the wall of a house beside a window, to attract the attention of marriageable young men. Marriage customs vary greatly from one culture to another, but the importance of the institution is universally acknowledged. In some societies, community interests in the children, in the bonds between families, and in the ownership of property established by a marriage are such that special devices and customs are created to protect these values. Wedding day itself is the most important event in the life of many people. Customs related to the ritual vary greatly, but it is everywhere celebrated with some pomp. This was even so in the past when cash and capital were not as readily available. Besides a sweet smelling plant, some parents of the bride-to-be also placed a dussies on the window sill. This spindle used in weaving cotton conveyed a clear message to the bridegroom-to-be: the young woman is a hardworking person who will never fail to do her part in the upbringing of the family. The young men who were attracted by the plant and the proposal it conveyed did not approach the father in person. Instead they sought the services of a ħuttab or ħuttaba, a marriage broker. A very successful broker at Victoria, Gozo, was Ġanni x-Xuxi (Grech), but there were others of both sexes. He or she would meet the father of the bride-to-be and convey to him the list of those interested in his daughter together with vital information on their families and background. At this

8 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST point, the broker could play a most decisive role, for he could extol someone to the detriment of the other. These recommendations depended on many factors, but personal sentiment and promises of rewards were not foreign to the business. A successful brokerage could yield good cash. It was however the father who, after deliberations with his wife, with close relatives, and, sometimes with the parish priest, decided on the best suited contender. The knowledgeable parish priest knew his parishioners better than everyone else and his judgment carried great weight. After taking a decision, in which the bride-to-be had slightly any say, the father informed the broker, who in turn conveyed the good news to the successful suitor. The acceptance by the suitor was confirmed when he sent his bride-to-be a prized fish with a ribbon tied around its neck and the engagement ring balanced in its mouth. The engagement took place some weeks later in the presence of the brothers and sisters of the couple. The mothers of the couple prepared a special sweet cocktail made up of aromatic herbs and honey. Its ingredients were a guarded secret. The ring, iċ-ċurkett tar-rabta, consisted of two clasped hands – a sign of unity and uprightness. The bride gave the bridegroom some lace handkerchiefs trimmed with a ribbon, a sign of the marriage union. After the engagement, the couple hardly ever saw each other again and they only spoke to each other mill-wiri, by sight. She would glimpse out of a window on the first floor, while he remained in the street. The most romantic would also take a guitar with him and sing a song of love to his beloved. The marriage ceremony was alike for rich and poor, but there was a notable difference in the clothes of the bridegroom. The poor bride wore a petticoat of plain dark cotton and covered her head with the traditional għonnella, a head-dress made of imported black silk. The petticoat of the rich bride

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 9 was of silk embroidered with silver or gold. A pleated skirt flowed to the ground and guests sometimes pinned their silver gifts onto its pleats. The jacket was of the same material and colour of the skirt and it had a pane or flat surface on its front embroidered with precious stones that flowed from half the breast to a pointed end beneath the waist. Over all she wore a silken shawl with lace fringes that covered the upper part of her breast, as well as a lace veil over her head. The bridegroom dressed in a white shirt and wide tie and a silk trousers that reached beneath the kneels. He also wore a silk waistcoat with silver buttons and, over all, a long tight jacket with silver buttons on the front, the sleeves, and pockets. He also placed a bright coloured sash doubled and wound several times around his waist and a tres picos, a three peaked hat. The bridegroom with the ħaddara, the invited guests, walked to the bridegroom’s house. Thence they proceeded together to the church under a silk and velvet canopy. A singer in front extolled the beauty of the bride and the prudence of the bridegroom. He was accompanied by four musicians playing a violin, a guitar, a rustic bagpipe, and a drum. Family members and guests threw sweets and nuts to those who lined the streets to watch the procession. As they reached the village square, the church bells pealed joyously. The parish priest blessed the marriage and their rings, which the couple put onto each other’s fingers. A reception usually took place in the house of the newly-weds. On their way back, people showered the newly-weds with grain and rice wishing them a happy life ever after.

10 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

GIANNI VELLA (1885-1977), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1916) Cathedral main nave [Photo: Gerald Abela]. FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 11

DOCUMENTS

01 25 DEC 1556 THE EARLIEST WEDDING REGISTRATION IN GOZO AEG, Acta Parœcialia, Eccl. Cath., 01 • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2175 As a result of the siege of July 1551, the island of Gozo was depopulated; about 5000 were dragged into slavery. The repopulation was slow. The regeneration is best borne out by the first wedding in Gozo after the catastrophic siege; it took place at the Matrice on Christmas Day 1556 and it was registered by Don Leonardo de Cace, archpriest of the Matrice, in the earliest Register extant in Gozo – a list of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and deaths. The witnesses were two priests. It is recorded thus: Fu fatto matrimonio per verba de presenti infra Ioannes Curmi et Angela figlia di Ioanni Muscato presenti Dominus Laurentio Apapis et Dominus Iacobo d’Avola – inguagiati et sposati ▪ a wedding took place and is confirmed by the present [writing] between Ioannes Curmi and Angela, daughter of Ioannes Muscat; the witnesses being Don Lorenzo Apapis and Don Iacobo d’Avola – inguagiati, without impediments (from Sicilian ngagghia, impediment) and sposati, duly married.

02 1565 C FOUNDATION OF THE SANTA MARIJA WEDDING DOWRY NAG, UG, 01/14, 10r-v The dowry, id-dota – the bride’s family gift to the bridegroom – was indispendable for a wedding to take place in Gozo and in many other communities. It consisted of a present in kind, an amount of money, or property. In many instances, young marriageable women were held from marrying as a dowry was lacking. The most coveted dowry was id-dota ta’ Santa Marija. This dowry, it is confirmed by this document, was founded by the Universitas, the regional Government of Gozo during the Knights of Saint John. This was done in fulfilment of a vow to the Blessed Virgin for the liberation of Gozo from the infidels ▪ per l’adempimento del voto

12 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

fatto alla Beatissima Vergine per la liberazione di quest’isola dagl’infedeli (10v). To be eligible, the bride (1) had to be born in Gozo; (2) at least eighteen years old; and (3) hailing from a poor family. Prospective contenders to the dowry had to hand in their request to the Universitas a year in advance. The name was drawn by secret ballot at the Matrice on 8 September, feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – known in Malta as Il-Vitorja, in remembrance of the end of the Great Siege of 1565 and the victory of the Knights and the Maltese, on the feast of the Nativity. From this fact, it would not be farfetched to conclude that la liberazione di quest’isola dagl’infedeli refers to the Great Siege of Malta of 1565, when Gozo was spared another Muslim (infedeli) attack. The lucky bride had to marry at the Matrice on 15 August of the following year – feast day of Santa Marija, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, to whom the Matrice is dedicated. The document records the ballot of 8 September 1707, when the lucky bride was Maria Serafina, daughter of Antonio Zammit. It was however soon found out that, first, she was not born in Gozo, she was not a patriotta di quest’isola; and that she was under age, di minor età. By a magisterial decree of 20 September 1707, the ballot was declared null and a second ballot had to be taken. The lucky winner was Barbara, daughter of Domenico Pisano and Angelica from Xewkija.

03 1707 BALLOT PAPER FOR THE WEDDING DOWRY NAG, UG, 01/14, between 9v-10r One ballot paper used in the drawing of lots on 8 September 1707 has survived. It carries the name of one of the contenders and her parents – that of Caterina, daughter of Giulio Falson and Geronima. She had no luck. At the time many families lived on the brink of poverty and so they could ill afford a dowry. Moved by the plight of these poor, the Santa Marija dowry and other similar foundations by philantrophic individuals somehow eased the problem.

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 13

04 1703 THE SANTA MARIJA WEDDING DOWRY: SCUDI 24, TARÌ 5 NAG, UG, 01/13, 304r Id-dota ta’ Santa Marija was the most coveted for a simple reason. The lucky bride was handed a dowry of 24 skuti u 5 rbgħajja, Scudi 24 and Tarì 5 – equivalent roughly to a salary of five months at the time. The income for this foundation came from the payment of the emphyteusis on property owned by the Universitas and another source. The emphyteusis, in Roman Law is the real right charged on productive real estate, the right being coupled with the enjoyment of the property on condition of taking care of the estate and paying taxes, and sometimes a small rent. In the year 1703, the income for the dowry came from five different persons: • Alessandro Farrugia di Giulio per censo emphitetico della clausura ta’ Siech ettargia [Sieq it-Tarġa]: scudi quattordici. • Antonio Stellini deve per censo emphitetico delle terre ta’ Sannat: scudi sei e tarì sei. • La moglie di Mastro Domenico Galia, successione di Gio Maria Bonnici, deve per censo emphitetico d’una casa nel Rabbato: scudo uno e tarì otto. • Gio Maria Xerri di Stefano in loco di Domenico Attard per censo d’una casa nel Rabbato: tarì tre. • Carlo Camilleri di Domenico per censo bollare di scudi venticinque capitale per otto per cento deve: scudi due. The income for the dowry was derived from emphyiteusis and rent of property at Sieq it-Tarġa, limits of Wied il-Għasri; at Ta’ Sannat; and two houses in Rabat. Another source was a censo bollare, the annual income from a fund; in this case, the eight per cent interest on a loan of twenty five Scudi made by the Universitas to an individual.

05 30 JUN 1594 A WEDDING DOWRY BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION NAG, UG, 01/02, 231v Another well-documented dowry of Gozo past was one amassed annually by public subscription. People who had some income were invited to make a donation to gather a dowry for a deserving poor girl of Gozo. The practice had been established for years in 1594.

14 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

The document states that in the past and for a number of years, as a result of a vow made by the people of Gozo, it was an annual tradition to make a collection so that, with the proceeds, a dowry could be offered to a poor virgin of this island ▪ per il passato et da molti anni in qua, per voto fatto da questo populo Gaulitano, sempre era solito di cogliere ogni anno elemosina et con quella collocare in matrimonio una povera vergine di questa isola ogni anno. This was done as an ex-voto, as a votive offering to God or to a saint in fulfillment of a vow – from Latin ex voto suscepto, from the vow made – in gratitude for favours received. The reason behind this ex-voto is not stated. The collection was supervised by two procurators chosen purposely by the Universitas. In 1594, the procurators were the Honorable Matheo Haber and Andrea Cas[sar]. The choice for this dowry had been made in January of that year. Through this document of 30 June 1594, the Universitas authorizes the procurators to pass on the collection, without specifying the amount, to the chosen bride Agnese, who in the meantime had already married Ioannes Spiteri. The donation of the dowry was registered by Notary Paolo Pontremoli who was attached to the Universitas.

06 15 AUG 1665 SIX WEDDINGS ON 15 AUGUST 1665 ACG, Libri Baptismorum, 02 • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2176 The year 1665 marked the first century of the victory of the Great Siege of 1565. No less than six weddings took place at the Matrice early in the morning of 15 August 1665, feast of Santa Marija – all six brides received a marriage dowry from pious foundations. ▪ The first wedding was between Caterina Camilleri, daughter of Giuseppe and Margherita with Francesco Mercica, son of Andrea and Grazia; they benefited from a dowry provided con l’elemosina della Matrice. ▪ The second, between Veronica Greg, daughter of Paolo and Giovanella with GioMaria Mizzi, son of Domenico and Maria; also benefited from a dowry provided con l’elemosina della Matrice. One of these two weddings, or both, benefitted from the Santa Marija dowry. ▪ The third, between Dominichella Galia, daughter of Salvo and Giovanella with Gregorio Vella, son of Giorgio and Angelica; benefited from a dowry provided con il legato del del Signor Dottor Marcello Frendo.

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 15

▪ The fourth, between Maria Camilleri, daughter of Agostino and Isabella with Alessandro Galia, son of Pietro and Geronima; benefited from a dowry provided con il legato del Refalo. ▪ The fifth, between Vittoria Galea, daughter of Mario and Cecilia with Grazio Bonello, son of Lazzaro and Giacoma; also benefited from a dowry provided con il legato del Refalo. ▪ The sixth, between Theresa Mercica, daughter of Gio-Paolo and Grazia with Domenico Sammut, son of GioMaria and Grazia; benefited from a dowry per conseguire l’elemosina di Isabella Frendo.

07 21 NOV 1615 FOUNDATION OF THE REFALO MARRIAGE LEGACY AEG, Bona Temporalia, 27/140 • NAV, R444/06 • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2177 Magnificus Salvatore Refalo amassed a fortune by running a properous business in the agricultural sector. He had a large farm with swine, cows, and sheep, as well as many fields. He employed a number of workers to carry out the work. He is one of the first and best examples of Gozitan entrepreneurship after the desolation and destruction of post-1551 Gozo. At the point of death, he directed his wife Catherina to provide marriage dowries to a number of young girls, tot puellarum virginum, from the income accruing from this property and business. Salvatore died in 1615 and was buried in the private chapel of Santa Luċija adjoining the Matrice. It is this legacy that is referred to in the weddings registrations at the Matrice on Santa Marija 1665.

08 25 JUL 1706 A WEDDING CERTIFICATE NAG, UG, 01/13, 529r • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2178 One of the earliest preserved wedding certificates was issued by Don Lazzaro Camilleri, first parish priest of Ta’ Sannat (1689-1709). It states: Io sotto scritto f[acci]o fede qual[is]c[umqu]e: Matthio Stillini e Domitilla, coniu[g]ibus, miei parrochiani, furono sposati da me sotto scritto al dì 25 luglio 1706 in presenza di Ippolito Incontri e Lorenzo Tabuni, nella Chiesa Parochiale di S[ant]ae Margarita. In fede. Lazzaro Camilleri, parroco.

16 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

To whom it may concern. I, the undersigned, attest that: Matthio Stillini and Domitilla, my parishioners, were married by the undersigned on 25 July 1706 in the presence of Ippolito Incontri and Lorenzo Tabuni, in the Parish Church of Saint Margaret. So I attest. Ippolito Incontri, one of the witnesses, known from other sources, was the castellan of the tower at ix-Xlendi. The reason why the Universitas requested this certificate is not given.

09 25 JUL 1706 THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION APS, Libri Matrimonia, 01 (1689-1786) • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2179 The wedding of Matthio Stillini and Domitilla is duly registered by Don Lazzaro Camilleri, the parish priest of Ta’ Sannat, in the first marriage register of the Saint Margaret Parish.

10 1760S IL-QARĊILLA – THE MOCK WEDDING DURING CARNIVAL NAM, Bibl, 143, 287 r-v • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2180-2181-2182 The revelry during carnival included a mock wedding ceremony, known as il-Qarċilla. Gozo historian G.P.F. AGIUS DE SOLDANIS, Damma tal Kliem Kartaginis mscerred fel fom tal Maltin u Ghaucin, describes it as: giuoco di gente contadina che usasi in Carnevale, ed è figura di un altro scenico degli antichi Gentili ... Si forma una sposa di pasta dell’altezza di tre o quattro palmi in circa, ben omata e vestita. Vi si pone dentro un cestello, il quale vien posto sul capo d’un mascherato con in mano una grande collura o cerchio di pasta pura; costui viene accompagnato da un popolaccio, tra questi chi suona, chi balla, chi canta, quindi dopo un gran giro fatto per Ie pubbliche vie, si ferma ne’ cantoni delle stesse strade e chi la fa da notaio leggendo un giocoso ed inventive atto matrimoniale a favore della sposa ivi collocata di pasta a vista di tutti formato in rima maltese, burlesco e ridicolo, e chi prende altro giocoso uffizio, dopo vari giri, molte ciarle, più cicalate camivalesche, si mangia la stessa sposa di pasta, indi ubbriacati col vino, si da fine al giuoco della Karcilla. That is “a game by country people that takes place during Carnival... a sweet pastry bride doll is made to the height of three or four palms (about 1 metre tall; one palm = xiber = 12-il pulzier =

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 17

26.194 cm), beautifully adorned with fine clothes. It is placed in a basket and poised on the head of a masked man carrying a large cake (M. kollura) or ring bread. He is accompanied by a swarm of people. Some play rustic instruments, some dance, and others sing; then, when they have gone round the streets, they stop at a corner where it is customary for one of them to impersonate a notary by composing a burlesque and mocking wedding contract in Maltese rhyme in favour of the bride in pastry... after ludicrous imitations by other people and more rounds, the bride is eaten by those present who then get drunk with wine.” The centrepiece of today’s wedding table in Malta and Gozo – the multi-tiered wedding-cake with a ceramic topper representating the bride and bridegroom in formal wedding attire – may have originated from il-Qarċilla [Photo: NLM/Maroma Camilleri].

11 08 OCT 1777 A WEDDING AT THE INQUISITOR’S PRISON NAG, GM, 01/43, 44v On 8 October 1777, Grazzja Zerafa married Salvatore Tabone from Xagħra. The wedding took place at the prison of the Inquisitor, Vittoriosa (Birgu). Later that year, it was found out that Grazzja and Salvatore were related – consanguineous in the fourth grade – and so their marriage was declared null. After seeking and obtaining a dispensation from Rome, they married again on 26 June 1778 at the Xagħra Parish Church. A year earlier, on 8 November 1876, Salvu Tabone, also from Xagħra, married Marija Sultana at the same prison.

12 1757–1804 MARRIED FOUR TIMES – THE GOZO RECORD NAG, CG, 04/326, 231v The record for the number of weddings by the same person in Gozo is probably held by Maria Micallef, daughter of Angelo Micallef and Grazia Grech, born in Rabat-Gozo, on 17 February 1738. During her lifetime – as evinced from this family tree presented in a lawsuit at the Courts of Law – she married four times. It must be noted that the

18 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

weddings are enumerated in reference to the matrimonial bed: primo letto, secondo letto, terzo letto, and quarto letto. She first married Michele Grech on 29 April 1757, when she was just past her nineteenth birthday. After being widowed, she married again on 17 August 1780 to Michele Farrugia. Widowed again soon afterwards, she married Giuseppe Pace on 17 July 1785. She once again survived her third husband and married, for the fourth time, to Gio-Maria Azzopardi on 19 May 1804. She was sixty-six years old.

13 24 JAN 1834 A MARRIAGE ALLA GRECA OR ALLA ROMANA NAG, CG, 04/375, 18r The wedding of Marianna Zammit, daughter of Grazio and the late Anna with Antonio Zammit, son of Giuseppe and Maria took place according to the law commonly known alla Greca or alla Romana. Such an agreement excluded the communione dei beni or Community of Acquest – that is, all of the property brought in by the spouses during the marriage did not fall into one estate. On the other hand, when there was a Community of Acquest, the spouses administered the goods composing such estate jointly. In this case, in a formal agreement between the spouses in front of Notary Giovanni Xuereb, it was clearly laid down that their respective properties present or obtainable in the future would never be put together as one whole – mai si confonderranno ne confusi s’intenderanno.

14 1837 A MALTESE MARRIAGE SERENADE – MUSIC SCORE NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2183 The music score with lyrics of a Maltese marriage serenade, part of an engraving executed by LUIGI BROCKTORFF (d.1857) and published in the book by GEORGE PERCY BADGER, Description of Malta and Gozo, Malta 1838, between pages 84-85 [Photo: NLM/Maroma Camilleri].

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 19

15 1837 A MALTESE MARRIAGE SERENADE – LYRICS NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2184 The lyrics of a Maltese marriage serenade reproduced in the book by GEORGE PERCY BADGER, Description of Malta and Gozo, Malta 1838, pages 85-86 [Artwork: Paul Falzon].

16 13 JUL 1843 DECLARATION OF STATO LIBERO OR FREEDOM TO MARRY AEG, Acta Matrimonialia, 35/01, no 1 • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2185 From the second quarter of the nineteenth century, many young men of Gozo emigrated to countries on the Mediterranean littoral in search of work. When they returned home to marry, they had to make a declaration under oath of their stato libero or freedom to marry. The declaration, that they had not married anyone while abroad, had to be attested under oath by two witnesses who were migrants in the same country. The declarations contain a wealth of information on the life of emigrants at that time. The first declaration of a stato libero at the AEG-the Bishop’s Archives of Gozo is by Michele Vella, who had been away for four years. He intended to seek work in Algiers, but a severe storm during the journey, constrained the ship’s captain to seek refuge in a port of Sardegna, where he eventually stayed nine months. After that long stay, he boarded a cattle carrier to Algiers. The carrier berthed instead at the port of Orano and, it carried cattle, he was enforced to make a three-month long quarantine. After that he travelled to Algiers, where he stayed two and half years. The witnesses Francesco Spiteri and Paolo Attard confirmed his version and that he had not contracted any marriage during that period. Spiteri attested that Michele worked as a gardener with the British consul in Algiers.

20 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

17 07 FEB 1844 WEDDING BY PROXY ASG, Libri Baptismorum, 05 • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2186 At a time when travelling was treacherous and time-consuming, emigrants abroad desirous to marry a Gozitan lady resorted to wedding by proxy. A proxy wedding is one in which the bride or groom is not physically present for the wedding ceremony and was represented instead by another person. On 7 February 1844, Maria Anna, daughter of Ignatio Mizzi and Maria-Paula Buttigieg, married at her parish of Saint George, Rabat- Gozo, to Filippo, son of the late Maximillian Perini and Benedict Casha, who hailed from the parish of Saint Domenic, Valletta. The wedding was blessed by Don Placido Mizzi and the witnesses were Tomaso Pace and Giuseppe Cutajar. Giuseppe Perini, a doctor, stood on behalf of Filippo, who was a compounder, in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Archpriest Fortunato Cutajar gave his assent to the wedding by proxy after checking, amongst other things, an authorization for Giuseppe Perini to stand as proxy, by the British High Commission in Alexandria, issued on 6 November 1842. It must be noted that though the Church recognises the validity of wedding by proxy, they are not legally binding in many countries.

18 27 APR 1864 FOUR LOVE LETTERS NAG, CG, 04/231, 228r-233v Accepting an engagement is a huge step in a relationship — and breaking one off is just as monumental. The registers of the Courts of Gozo conserve many interesting lawsuits on engagements that were broken off. One such lawsuit, between Marta Garroni, daughter of a late magistrate, and Giovanni Xuereb, a lawyer, is full of fascinating information on social life in Gozo in the mid-nineteenth century. Among the documents deposited in court by Marta to prove their stable relationship, there are the act of donation by an aunt of hers of the house Piazza Reale, 1, intended as their home; a wedding dispensation from Rome due to their consanguinity; a list of gifts that

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 21 she had received from her suitor; and four love letters, the first of which follows. Giovanni seemingly broke off the engagement when Francesca, sister of Marta, contracted an illness.

Alla Stimatissima Signorina, la Signorina Marta Garroni Valletta, 27 Aprile 1864 Diletta mia Marta, Mi sento sommamente angustiato, conoscendo l’afflizione e il dispiacere che voi provate, non vedendomi. Ma sappiate che io assolutamente non poteva venire, siccome voleva subire un’esame. Avrei voluto, e bramato vedere l’angelico aspetto vostro, e udire la dolcissima vostra favella. Ma mi sarebbe trovato assai discaro, se avessi perduto un tale esame. Bramerei molto sapere chi è stato colui, il quale vi disse che io non sono venuto appunto perchè temetti da mio padre, anzi è tutto l’opposto. Mio padre mi volle venire ed egli è conscio di tutto, e vi posso liberamente affermare che egli è contento si di voi, che di me, e sarà come vostro padre, come sarà mia la vostra madre; vorrei pure sapere colui che vi disse che io sto [de]leguare, perchè voi siate mostrando l’anello. Marta, sappiate non è vero, sono bugie inventate da quella che ci odia, e che ci voglia a ogni costo separare. Ma niuno forchè la morte ci possa separare, soni io vostro, e siete voi la mia Cara e Diletta Marta. Voglio che voi la portiate sempre in dito. È mio piacere che lo vede colei, che l’ha preteso, e che sta facendo ogni sforzo per separarci. Marta, perchè mi lasciate cosi privo dei vostri riscontri, da me tanto desiati, e da momento all’altro aspettati, e non ci pare forse un affanno il non vedervi, e il non parlarvi, perchè mi vogliate aggiungere quello di non scrivermi, unica mia consolazione. Sono capace di sacrificarmi per voi, e voi non potete sacrificarvi un momento per vergarmi due linee. Perchè siete cosi ingrata con me, Dolce mia Marta, che sempre vi amai, e ogni bene vi desiderai. Scrivetemi vi prego, e datemi di tutto un ragguaglio. Se vi necessita qualche cosa, sono pronto a scrivervi. Abbracciandovi, e teneramente baciandovi, mi segno per sempre. Vostro Umile Servo, Giovanni I miei complimenti a Francesca, scusate la fretta

19 14 SEP 1875 SEEKING PATERNITY FOR A BABY BOY NAG, CG, 04/274, 196r Marianna Farrugia became pregnant after a relationship with Gio-

22 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

Maria Mangion, a police constable resident on the island of Comino. During their relationship, she claimed, he had promised to marry her. Now that she was pregnant with his child, he had declined to carry out his promise. She sought redress in court so that he is legally declared father of her child and to provide her with the necessary subsistence. The child was born at the Gozo Civil Hospital on 27 September 1875 and christened that same day as Giovanni at the parish of Saint George, Rabat-Gozo. The parish priest registered him ex ignotis parentibus – born of unknown parents.

20 03 OCT 1891 AN ENGAGEMENT RING AND A HANDKERCHIEF NAG, CG, 04/345, 18r Margerita, mother of Ursola Vella, attested in court that after her daughter got engaged with Giovanni Portelli, she bought an engagement ring and handerkerchief to the bridegroom. The ring cost fifteen shillings (€1.63), while the handkerchief cost two shillings (€0.23). At the time, a labourer’s wage averaged one shilling (€0.12) per day (see Blue Book of Statistics [1891] R3). The handkerchief was of white or red silk trimmed with Maltese lace and a red ribbon. The bridegroom used to pass beneath the window of the bride with a red carnation balanced on his right ear and the handkerchief on his shoulder and tight in his mouth from one corner.

21 17 NOV 1892 THE COSTS OF A MARRIAGE BROKERAGE NAG, CG, 04/249, 278r Michele Sultana of Għasri acted as marriage broker between Bernard Saliba of Għasri and Grazia Vella. The couple eventually married and Michele expected a reward. As he received none, he instituted a lawsuit against Michele requesting the sum of thirteen shillings and eight pence (€1.60) for his services. An amicable solution was eventually reached.

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 23

22 13 MAR 1896 THE MALTA MARRIAGE QUESTION NAG, CP, 02/04 The validity of marriages, even as a legal contract, was in Malta based on Canon Law as enacted in the Council of Trent. Malta was then a Crown Colony and the Colonial Office showed concern that marriages between two Catholics or between a Catholic and a non- Catholic would only be valid if celebrated according to the rites of the Tridentine Decrees. So it decided to settle the qustion by specific legislation binding all colonies. On 27 June 1892, the Foreign Marriage Act declared valid those mixed marriages contracted under certain conditions. Priests and people considered the enactment defiance to papal authority. Nothing happened initially but, on 6 March 1896, the Governor informed the Archbishop that local legislation concerning the Act would soon be enacted. Malta was ablaze. Three mammoth meetings of protests were organised on 8, 15 and 22 March 1896. On 13 March, Bishop Giovanni-Maria Camilleri of Gozo published a pastoral letter on the sanctity of marriage and outlined the reasons of the Church’s aversion to the proposed legislation. The British began to fear that the agitation would endanger public peace and the matter was allowed to drop.

23 22 MAR 1902 BRIDEGROOM OFFERS DOWRY TO BRIDE NAG, CG, 04/470, 10r-v A month and a half before their wedding, Carmelo Pace, farmer, son of Michelangelo, and Clara Grima, daughter of Salvatore, another farmer, drew up an agreement on the wedding dowry. This was deposited at the Public Registry (Insinwa) on 2 March 1902. Carmelo agreed to give to his daughter Clara two tumoli of land in an area known as Ta’ Ġulin, limits of Għajnsielem, worth seventeen pounds sterling and four shillings (€40.08). The bridegroom promised fifty pounds sterling (€116.50) to the bride – a rarity that a bridegroom also offers a dowry. The spouses eventually got married on 15 April 1902; they were consanguineous in the third grade (second cousins).

24 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

24 1556–1934 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MARRIAGES FROM THE ĠULJANA MASINI NAG, GM, 01/16, 406-407 Ġuljana is the name commonly given to a collection of data of the acts of the civil status, that is births, weddings, and deaths. The Ġuljana Masini – made up of eighty eight manuscript volumes of various sizes – was acquired in Gozo in the 1950s by Dr Francesco Masini (1894-1962) from the heirs of the late Pietro Attard (1836- 1916), known as Tal-Ispettur, who had in turn inherited it from his father Notary Felice Attard (1802-1874), its original compiler. It was continued by Pietro Attard and, after his death, by an unknown person or persons since the records proceed up to the 1930s. The collection was donated to the NAG by Franco, son of Dr Masini, his wife Manola, and their two daughters. This volume contains an alphabetical list of weddings for those whose surname begins with M -N-O-P-Q-R. It runs from 1556 to 1934.

ENGRAVINGS AND PAINTINGS

25 1887 A TRADITIONAL MALTESE WEDDING PROCESSION NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2151 An engraving of a typical Maltese wedding executed by GIUSEPPE BROCKTORFF (d.1894) and published by P.P CASTAGNA, L-Istorja ta’ Malta bil-gżejjer tagħha, I, Malta 1888, between pages 360-361.

26 1920 A WEDDING PROCESSION NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS – VALLETTA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2152 A Wedding Procession, 82x105 cm – an oil on canvas by GIANNI

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 25

VELLA (Bormla, 09 May 1885 – Buġibba, 03 Sep 1977) [Inv. No 5861-2]. It is reproduced in the book Gianni Vella, Maltese artist painter, edited by Aldo Vella, Malta [1979], page 16 [Photo: Heritage Malta/Sandro Debono].

27 1972 A TRADITIONAL WEDDING PROCESSION PRIVATE COLLECTION – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2153 A scene of A Traditional Wedding Procession – an oil on canvas by VINCENZO CORDINA (Victoria, 28 Jan 1904 – 10 Jan 1992); painting donated by the artist to a couple on their wedding day, 22 October 1972.

28 1739 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH PATRONAGE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – WIED IL-GĦASRI-GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2154 PIETRO-PAOLO ZAHRA (L-Isla, 30 Jun 1685 – 09 Sep 1747), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1739) ▪ Pendent by main altarpiece. This is the earliest preserved painting on the subject in a Gozo church [Photo: Toni Calleja].

▪ The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph is not mentioned in the canonical Gospels but is referred to in several apocryphal sources. The feast of the Desponsatio Beatae Mariae Virginis came into being due to the initiative of Pierre d'Ailly (1351-1420), Chancellor of the University of Paris, and his famous disciple, Jean Charlier de Gerson (1363-1429), the first energetic propagators of the devotion in honour of Saint Joseph. The first proper feast of the Desponsatio is recorded in the diocese of Arras, capital of the Pas-de-Calais Department in northern France, on 23 January 1556. In the following decades, the feast became popular in other countries and was kept on the same day. In Gozo, the feast is celebrated at the National Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu. In art, the subject is covered by several different scenes, the most common being the betrothal of Mary with Joseph’s blossoming rod. The apocryphal narrative recounts that Mary had many suitors and that each was given a dry rod with the understanding that the suitor whose rod flowered miraculously would be the God-chosen spouse.

26 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

29 1750c THE WEDDING AT CANA NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN PARISH CHURCH – XAGĦRA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2155 ANON, The Wedding at Cana (c 1750) ▪ Church main vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

▪ The Wedding at Cana is mentioned only in the Gospel of John (2, 1-11). There was a marriage feast at Cana and Mary and Jesus and His disciples were invited. During the feast the wine ran short. Mary sensing this knew how embarrassing it would be for the bride and groom. She said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” Jesus then said to her, “Woman, what is that to me and to you? My hour is not yet come.” Mary then turned to the waiters and said, “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.” Jesus then told the waiters to fill six empty jars with water. The waiters filled them to the brim. Jesus then said to them, “Take some out and bring it to the chief steward of the feast.” The chief steward tasted the water that had been made into wine. He did not know where it came from. The chief steward called the bridegroom and said, “Every man first puts out the good wine and when the men have drunk it they then put out the worst wine. But you saved the best wine for later.” This first miracle Jesus performed in Cana, identified – according to a tradition dating back to the eighth century – with the modern Arab town of Kafr Kanna, about seven km northeast of Nazareth, Israel.

30 1850c THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN PARISH CHURCH – XAGĦRA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2156 SALVATORE BARBARA, The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (c 1850) ▪ Church main vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

31 1916 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH THE CATHEDRAL – VICTORIA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2157 GIANNI VELLA (1885–1977), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1916) ▪ Cathedral main nave [Photo: Gerald Abela].

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 27

32 1927 THE WEDDING AT CANA CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH CHURCH – GĦASRI • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2158 RAMIRÒ CALÌ (Sliema, 07 Sep 1881 – 23 Jun 1945), The Wedding at Cana (1927) ▪ Lateral painting in choir [Photo: Toni Calleja].

33 1932 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN PARISH CHURCH – XAGĦRA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2159 VIRGINIO MONTI (Genzano di Roma, 12 Sep 1852 – Roma, 14 Feb 1942), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1932) ▪ Pendent by main altarpiece [Photo: Shaun Sultana].

34 1932 THE WEDDING AT CANA NATIVITY PARISH CHURCH – XAGĦRA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2160 VIRGINIO MONTI (1852–1942), The Wedding at Cana (1932) ▪ Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Light ▪ Lateral chapel small dome; the painting is directly on the ceiling [Photo: Shaun Sultana].

35 1948 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH SAINT JOSEPH PARISH CHURCH – QALA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2161 GIANNI VELLA (1885–1977), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1948) ▪ Church main nave [Photo: Paul Falzon].

36 1950s THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIONAL SANCTUARY BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2162

28 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

GIUSEPPE BRIFFA (Birkirkara, 12 May 1901 – 13 Jan 1987), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1950s) ▪ Church Museum/Vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

37 1950s THE WEDDING AT CANA NATIONAL SANCTUARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2163 EMVIN CREMONA (Valletta, 27 May 1919 – Ħ’Attard, 27 Jan 1987), The Wedding at Cana (1950s) ▪ Church Museum/Vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

38 1950s THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIONAL SANCTUARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2164 EMVIN CREMONA (1919–1987), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph, 97.5x302 cm (1950s) ▪ Church Museum/Vestry [Photo: Daniel Cilia].

39 1950s THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIONAL SANCTUARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2165 EMVIN CREMONA (1919–1987), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph, 97.5x302 cm (1950s) – mosaic executed by Ferrari & Bacci, Pietrasanta, Italy ▪ Frieze main nave [Photo: Daniel Cilia].

40 1950S JESUS DISTRIBUTING COMMUNION TO NEWLY WEDS PRIVATE COLLECTION – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2166 MARIO CAFFARO-RORE (Torino, 26 Feb 1910 – Monte dei Cappuccini, 15 Jun 2001), Jesus distributing communion to newly weds, 150x192 cm (1987) ▪ Private Collection [Photo: Paul Falzon].

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 29

41 1963 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH SAINT JOSEPH PARISH CHURCH – QALA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2167 RAPHAEL BONNICI-CALÌ (Tarxien, 07 Jun 1907 – 06 Aug 2002), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1963) ▪ Corridor leading to Church main vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

42 1969 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH GĦARB COLLEGIATE CHURCH MUSEUM – GĦARB • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2168 GIAMBATTISTA CONTI (Roma, 12 Dec 1878 – 26 Jun 1970), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1969) ▪ Ecclesia Mater Museum [Photo: Paul Falzon].

43 1969 THE WEDDING AT CANA GĦARB COLLEGIATE PARISH MUSEUM – GĦARB • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2169 GIAMBATTISTA CONTI (1878–1970), The Wedding at Cana (1969) ▪ Ecclesia Mater Museum [Photo: Paul Falzon].

44 1970 THE WEDDING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO SAINT JOSEPH NATIONAL SANCTUARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2170 NINU APAP (Xagħra-Gozo, 16 NOV 1928–), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph, ▪ Church Museum/Vestry [Photo: Paul Falzon].

30 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST

45 1987 THE WEDDING AT CANA NATIONAL SANCTUARY TA’ PINU – GOZO • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2171 GEORGE FENECH (Mellieħa, 03 Jan 1926 – 21 Aug 2011), The Wedding at Cana with Mellieħa bay in the background, 150x192 cm (1987) ▪ Chapel in the Retreat Wing [Photo: Joseph Bezzina].

46 1990 THE WEDDING AT CANA SAINT JOSEPH PARISH CHURCH – QALA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2172 RAPHAEL BONNICI-CALÌ (1907–2002), The Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Joseph (1990s) ▪ Parish House [Photo: Paul Falzon].

47 2013 THE WEDDING AT CANA SANTA MARIJA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY – L-IMQABBA • NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2173 PAUL FALZON (Xewkija-Gozo, 11 Apr 1982–), The wedding at Cana, 180x120 cm (2013) ▪ Painting for a decorative banner for the festa of Santa Marija, L-Imqabba. Falzon is an employee of the National Archives Gozo [Photo: Paul Falzon].

48 29 NOV 2013 ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO – EXHIBITION POSTER NAG, PA, 01, 33, no 2174 The traditional Maltese wedding by GIANNI VELLA (courtesy National Museum of Fine Arts – Valletta) with the Matrice registration of the earliest wedding record in Gozo (courtesy AEG) [Artwork: Paul Falzon].

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 31

32 ● ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS IN GOZO PAST