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STORIES FROM MALTA eBook 2013

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What does Malta ’ s European Cultura l Heritage mean to you?

The Temple of Hagar Qim Student: Larkin Attard School: St Clare College Secondary School, Pembroke

Ħaġar Qim was used as a temple. Ħaġar Qim was discovered in the year 1839. It was found by Maltese archaeologists. In Ħaġar Qim archaeologists found statues of fat ladies. People say that the fat lady was the god of the people who used Ħaġar Qim as a temple. The first people who came to Malta built Ħaġar Qim. It was built in the year 3600 B.C. The people who built Ħaġar Qim took a lot of time and they suffered a lot because in that time they did not have mechanical things like cranes. I think that if they had cranes this job would have been much easier and faster. In those times the tools were made out of stones. Next to this temple there is another old temple called Mnajdra. This temple is smaller than Ħaġar Qim. These two temples are found on a high ground of the Maltese south coast. In the year 2009, who was in charge of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra decided to put tents on these two old temples. These tents on Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are used to protect these temples from wind and rain. This is a very nice place to visit because it shows how people built in the past and it shows that people never gave up on themselves. Even if it was a very hard task they still tried very hard and succeeded in building a magnificent building. Creator: Starke Werner Provider: Saxon State and University Library, Dresden / Deutsche Fotothek Image Link: http://bit.ly/1aYeuUV

The Maltese Luzzu Student: Sally Belhadg School: Verdala International School, Pembroke

A luzzu is a traditional fishing boat used in the Maltese islands. These boats brightly painted in shades of red, yellow, blue and green and the bow is normally pointed with a pair of eyes. These eyes may be the modern survival of an ancient Phoenician custom. The luzzu has a double-ended hull and it is built of wood. The luzzu has survived because it tends to be a sturdy and stable boat even in bad weather. Originally, the luzzu was equipped with sails although nowadays almost all are motorised, with onboard diesel engines being the most common. It is believed that the design dates back to hundreds of years. The town of Marsaxlokk is especially famous for the large numbers of luzzu. In the old days, it was much smaller and had sails. Nowadays, these boats are much larger. Every Sunday my family and I go to Marsaxlokk to buy some fish. It is near the sea, so I always admire the luzzu, and it makes me go back in history. I see this boat a very special one because it is different from the other boats. It means that the luzzu is a symbol of Malta. Creator: Kevin Casha Provider: AcrossLimits Image Link: http://bit.ly/1dHdgzH

Eyes on the Water Student: Gabrielle Bezzina . School: St Monica School, Gzira

Hello my name is Liz and I am a Maltese ‘luzzu’. I am a traditional fishing boat that is found in the waters around the Maltese islands. I am very colourful and very well known for my eyes, the eyes of Horus or Osiris. The eyes are painted on my bow. Many of the tourists that come to Malta never miss the opportunity to go for a ride on me, I am also loved by the Maltese people! The Phoenicians gave me birth. I sail around in brightly painted shades of yellow, red, green and blue. I am a good sailor and no matter what weather conditions I sail in, I live up to my name and my reputation for being sturdy. Gone are the days when the wind blew into my sturdy white sails. What memories! But now the sails have gone and the whoosh of the flapping sails have been replaced by the chugging of diesel powered engines. Those were the days…. Nowadays some of the luzzu boats have been changed into tourist attractions but some are still used as fishing boats, as I am. Marsaxlokk, Malta’s biggest fishing village is adorned by my mates and I, however, you can see us also in Isla, Birgu, Wied iż-Żurrieq, Marsascala, St Paul’s Bay and all along the coast. You can even find us in Imġarr, Gozo. Why are my big large eyes, with long eyelashes so striking? The eyes are believed to protect the fishermen while fishing. Osiris was the Phoenicians’ god which protected them from evil. The Maltese are superstitious as well, and the eyes are there to guard them from evil and to protect the little boat. This traditional boat surely is one of the reasons that make Malta a very interesting place to go fishing or for a boat ride. I have taken people all around the island and although nowadays they prefer going on speedboats or high power boats they will never beat me in their colours… Mine are the best! Creator: Kevin Casha Provider: AcrossLimits Image Link: http://bit.ly/1dHdgzH

Sorrowful Celebrations Student: Jon Ryan Calleja School: St Clare College Secondary School, Pembroke

There are many processions with bands and statues in Malta, but Good Friday is very different; it is very subdued. In the mornings many people go to visit the churches, which are stripped of all ornaments, to pray at the stations of the cross, which represent the passion of Christ. On this day many Catholics all over the world like to fast by not eating any meat or poultry. They also do not eat between meals, together with other sacrifices people choose to make. During the morning you can see various different plays or exhibitions commemorating the last supper or Jesus’ passion. At 3 o’clock a function is held in churches to remember the death of Christ. The passion is read out and people also kiss the cross as a sign of love and respect. At around 5 o’clock processions in 21 different localities across the Maltese islands take place. Many men, women and children, some very young dress up as Biblical characters from the Old and the New Testament. The statues are carried by pallbearers in an organized and very solemn procession. These processions are usually accompanied by band members playing funeral marches that reflect the serious nature of the processions. As well as people dressed as biblical characters, you often see people wearing white robes covering their faces, carrying a cross on their shoulders and sometimes have heavy chains tied round their feet as a sign of penance. The crowd of people, the funeral marches played by the bands, the elaborate costumes and the detailed statues depicting the Passion and death of Jesus, there is nothing that quite compares to the experience of attending a Good Friday procession in Malta.Good Friday is a special day for all Catholics to reflect about their lives until Easter Sunday, when it is time to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death. Creator: Kevin Casha Provider: AcrossLimits Image Link: http://bit.ly/1az83Lx

The Silent City Student: Clayton Camilleri School: St Augustine College, Pietà

I am a member of the scouts group and one of the activities when we went to a cultural heritage place, Mdina. When we arrived to our destination, we walked across a bridge over a dry moat to reach the main gate which is a wonderful example of Baroque gateway that shows strength and elegance. The scrolls at the top bear the arms of Malta and of Grand Master, De Vilhena. It was designed by François de Mondion in 1723 and the statues of the three patron saints of Malta, Saint Publius who was the first archbishop of Malta, Saint Paul who was the man who told us of Jesus Christ religious, and Saint Agatha who had made a miracle in the Great Siege of Malta that the Muslims were going to surrender and the Maltese will be victorious. Together with the arm of the Inguanez family, the governors of Mdina for many years in medieval times. Mdina is the old capital of Malta until 1571 when Valletta took its place. It proudly stands on a hilltop. Then we went to the Natural History Museum in Vilhena Palace, built in 1730 by François de Mondion. Our leader told us that in the past the building incorporated the Courts of Justice and was used as a hospital. The museum contains a collection of fossils, shells, insects, butterflies and birds. Then we came to a small square that includes within it three important old buildings: the Xara Palace hotel that was once the seat of the Noble Moscati Parisio family; the Herald’s Loggia from where the official proclamations were read out to the people; and the Courts of Justice.Then in a spacious square, there is the Saint Paul’s Cathedral which has one of the most beautiful church facades in the Maltese islands. Our leader told us that its architect was Lorenzo Gafà. We stopped for lunch and a cool drink then we enjoyed walking through the quiet, narrow and mysterious streets. We stayed there until dusk when this quiet, romantic city was lit for all to enjoy, with its beautiful views of the rest of the island, from its bastions. These provide hours of enjoyment for Maltese and tourists alike. Photographer: Hildebrand, Gustav Creator: Aubignè de Tignè, Louis F. d’ (Militärarchitekt, Ingenieur) Aufnahme-Nr. C 444.227 Stadtbefestigung, Mdina (Malta) Provider: Athena Image Link: http://bit.ly/HBC4ym

The European City of Valletta Student: Alexander Cortis School: St nicholas college Secondary School, Naxxar

At school I have friends who live in the Maltese capital city of Valletta. They told me several times what a beautiful place it is and had been asking me to visit for quite some time. Yesterday, I decided to ask my mother whether I could go to visit my friends over the weekend. She said that I could go only if I did some research before visiting. She didn’t want me to get lost like I did when I went to Birgu. At first I thought that it was going to be boring finding information about our capital city, but I was wrong. Valletta had so much history that I never knew about. Full of excitement for the following day, I went to sleep dreaming that I was a knight walking along the streets of Valletta. I could see Gerolamo Cassar, the architect of Valletta, a number of sculptures decorating the various Auberges, and other knights from different nationalities, all friends even though they spoke different languages. I woke up looking forward for the day ahead. I rushed through my breakfast and caught the earliest bus towards Valletta. After I entered the newly built entrance of Valletta, I felt like I was going back in time as I saw the majestic buildings that still stand today from the time of the knights. I met my friends and like the knights in my dream we walked through the straight roads of Valletta. We visited the different Auberges which housed the knights from different nationalities and we also visited St John Co cathedral. As we stopped for a break in front of the Grand Master’s Palace, I saw many tourists passing by freely. I realised that like the knights, different people mostly from European countries still visit this majestic place today. Malta was the heart of European nationalities during the time of the Knights and is still like that today. Valletta was like a hub of a united Europe like today’s European Union. Right there, I felt proud and happy that I was Maltese but most of all that I was a European citizen. Creator: Kevin Casha Provider: AcrossLimits Image Link: http://bit.ly/1aXd9zE

Valletta – The place to be! Student: Damian Cutajar School: The Archbishop’s Seminary, Rabat

I chose this picture because for me Valletta represents the Maltese history, culture and authority. Its narrow roads take you back in time where you could easily imagine yourself wearing the heavy Knights’ armour as you go down the many steps, one by one. After the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights of the Order of St John built the new city of Valletta. The architects, Francesco Laparelli and Gerolamo Cassar designed the city both as a fortress to defend Christianism, and as a cultural masterpiece. I really enjoy visiting its historical sites. My favourites being the Cathedral of St John, a feast of gold, with chapels each dedicated to the patron saint of the eight sections of the Knights; the Presidential Palace with its armoury which symbolises the past glories of the Order; and the War Museum. Valletta is surrounded on three sides by the sea. The peninsula is fed by two major, natural harbours – Marsamxett and the historic Grand Harbour. Hence, its importance with trade has been strong from early times. These harbours were always busy with visiting ships. This, as one expects, has made Valletta a multi-cultured city. Every ruler we have had since the Knights has left his mark, being it in architectural buildings, food, or traditions. Today, the port is visited by many cruise liners bringing thousands of tourists each year. During the day, the city is very busy as it is one of the most sought-after shopping areas in Malta. The core of the Maltese administration is also located in the heart of the capital, primarily with the Parliament located inside the Presidential Palace. Valletta has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2018. I am really looking forward to this special event which will surely make us Maltese stand out and be proud to be part of Europe. Creator: Kevin Casha Provider: AcrossLimits Image Link: http://bit.ly/1aXd9zE

Valletta: A Window To Europe Student: Courtney Ekezie School: Mater Boni Consilii, Paola

After the end of the Siege of Malta in 1565, the Order decided to found a new city on the Xebb ir-Ras peninsula to strengthen the Order’s position in Malta and bind the Knights to the island. The foundation stone of Valletta was laid on 28th March 1566 by the Grandmaster of the Order, who in that period was Jean Parisot de La Valette. Valletta was built in a different way from how it was originally supposed to be. The new projects, influenced by Italian design, included widening gates, demolishing and rebuilding structures, widening newer houses over the years and installing civic projects. Today, Valletta is a unique modern city which holds living memories of the past. Valletta is a place which reminds us of all the battles our ancestors had to fight to give us a one-of-a kind place like Valletta. When I was younger, I used to go the capital city and think only about shopping or about having fun, but there is more to Valletta than that. Valletta is a treasure for us Maltese people because it represents our culture, heritage, history, religion and style. It means a lot to have fantastic churches, fortifications, palaces and auberges, gardens, different styles of balconies, theatres, architecture and also a unique harbour that bathes the shores of the old Three Cities. This has resulted in Valletta bidding for and winning the “European Capital of Culture 2018” together with Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. In fact, this honour has made all the Maltese citizens and residents proud, especially those who treasure history and culture. Creator: Unknown artist, 19th Century Data Provider: Heritage Malta Provider: Athena Image Link: http://bit.ly/HBCgxC

Playing Fields Student: Francesca Grima School: St Clare College Secondary School, Pembroke

How many times have you seen a small cottage in a field enclosed by a rubble wall and just passed it by without considering how people used to live there and how they enjoyed countless hours of fun? Well, I tried to imagine this. Sometimes I just wish that I am in the fields running wild without a care in the world…and once… my wish came true! I was zapped to the past somehow! I found out I was running in the fields, the grass tickling my ankles and laughing as hard as I could! It was just as I had imagined… grass everywhere, an old farmer and his wife and scruffy children who were only my great-great-granddad and grandma and my great aunts who were harvesting potatoes, cabbages and marrows. An old rubble wall separated a field from another with snails living in it and lizards basking in the sun. A tiny, cute house on two floors stood in the shelter of an old carob tree. Pigs, cows, sheep and a horse dwelled in the ground floor. They were the best bunch, although they smelled a little! On the first floor, there was an old-fashioned kitchen, a room with a low ceiling for a bathroom, and two tiny bedrooms with squeaky iron beds and bedside table. I must admit that this bedroom was not what I was used to! But still, what do you need more in a bedroom? Anyway, when my grandma and I stopped playing tag and hopscotch in the fields, we rode bareback on Rita. That required a lot of balance and strength, but it was a blast! Then it was getting late, so my grandma and I lay together in the field under the stars eating Maltese bread seasoned with sundried tomatoes, capers and olive oil. It was so relaxing! I realised that I hadn’t thought about my modern life for just one minute! I hadn’t missed my mobile phone, my laptop and my computer games! I was so serene! However, as all good things come to an end, I felt a strange sensation going through my arms. I was mysteriously zapped back to the present. So, now I am more appreciative of our cultural heritage and I wish that I could enjoy such a healthy life in the outdoors! Data Provider: Heritage Malta Provider: CARARE Image Link: http://bit.ly/1cGXuDZ

Our Great Victory Student: Amra Ryazapova School: Verdala International School, Pembroke

Come closer, come closer don’t worry I won’t bite well if you don’t make me irritated. Now here we are in Mdina. Do you know how many people walked around here, how many stars were here; ooh that reminds me of a story. Let me tell you it. It was a long time ago, I wasn’t there on this day but it has been retold to me by my father whose father told him. It was that day when the knights of Malta strode through these streets. People were cheering at them it was a time of celebration, they have won, and the French were kicked out of Malta. All the families were overjoyed. Until he came to Malta, he was tall and proud. He had broad shoulders and a cruel face, no one knows where he came from or who he is, some say he came from the North, others say other things. He came and declared to have Malta’s riches. The Knights refused and he gave a deadline till the 7 May or else… The Maltese thought about this but not for long, they were not going to give all their belongings to a stranger. When he came they offered him to live in Malta in harmony and peace but he refused, he left Malta and everyone thought he was gone for good. One day he came back with the Turks, they came and went from house to house, people were dying and the Knights fought bravely. Finally they won but the Turks didn’t leave, they stayed in Malta moving around disguising themselves as Maltese. The Knights found this out and banished the Turks from Malta, after that people had festivals and rejoiced their victory. The End. Yes it is a great story, the Maltese fought bravely and hard, well now you know something, this isn’t just any street; this is where the battle was. Creator: Starke Werner Provider: Saxon State and University Library, Dresden / Deutsche Fotothek Image Link: http://bit.ly/1czeu2Q

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