Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517369
NEWS 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MARCH 2024 HERITAGE Malta has just launched a publication offering unique insight into one of Malta's most iconic industries - the Mal- ta Dockyard, through its famed skilled craftsmen's own words. Over the past four years, more than 200 hours of memories from ex-Dockyard workers have been carefully documented by Heritage Malta's Digitisation Unit, as part of the agency's biggest intangible heritage project to date. The first 100 recordings are now being pre- sented in this publication, entitled 'The Dockyard from the Workers' Perspective - 100 Interviews'. Its contributors have poured their hearts out in these recorded narrations of their days working amidst the clamour of the work- shops and in the depths of the docks, as part of a whole com- munity of men with skills of every shape and form, who challenged death daily. Snippets from each interview, which can also be en- joyed fully by scanning a QR code, interlaced with a myriad of do- nated precious photos and other national collection items, intro- duce the reader into the Dockyard world, welded by a deep sense of brotherhood. The book, however, has much more in store. Lesser known facts, such as that women too walked the Malta Dockyard's grounds, and quirky curiosities drawing a common line between seeming- ly unrelated cohorts such as the cast-iron lamp posts at Castille Square and Senglea's beloved Je- sus the Redeemer statue, amongst others, promise a tantalisingly en- joyable experience whilst flipping its pages. The publication was launched during a special private event at the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, in the presence of the inter- viewees. The museum is currently housing an extensive display on the Malta Dockyard as part of its recently launched state-of-the-art, immersive exhibition 'An Island at the Crossroads', confirming intan- gible heritage as no less of a treas- ure trove than tangible heritage. Anthony Cassar, Head of Her- itage Malta's Technology and Experience Development Unit, remarked that digitising cultural heritage ensures preservation and accessibility, as it safeguards both tangible and intangible artefacts for the future, and the use of dig- ital platforms enables remote ex- ploration, fostering appreciation across diverse communities for continued relevance. Joseph Meli, a dedicated Herit- age Malta volunteer and former Malta Dockyard commercial manager, mentioned that the aim of Heritage Malta's Digitisation Unit is to extend beyond the 100 interviews conducted which, al- though worthy, represent only a small sample of the many workers still alive from the Dockyard. The milestone aimed for is 200 inter- views. Kenneth Gambin, Heritage Malta's Chief Operations Officer, quoted and stressed that he fully agrees with the words carved on a memorial at the entrance to the Dockyard: "The worker who through work creates, never dies", because when people take their last breath and become part of history, they leave behind a legacy – not only of objects, but also the intangi- ble value of remembrances. This Heritage Malta project is intend- ed precisely so that these memo- ries are never lost. New Heritage Malta publication offer insight into Malta Dockyard through interviews with former workers THE Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has unveilled the eagerly awaited 2024 edition of the Malta International Fire- works Festival. Synonymous with the month of April, this cultural extrava- ganza full of vibrant colours, lights, and sounds promises to captivate audiences from around the globe. Scheduled to illuminate the Maltese skies from 20 to 30 April, with a special pre-festival night on April 13th at the Granaries in Floriana, this year's edition promises to be an unforgettable expe- rience. Celebrating Malta's rich history and tradition of fireworks, the festival pays homage to centuries-old customs integral to local festivities. Other loca- tions include Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Na- dur and Mellieħa, with the grand finale taking place at the Grand Harbour on the last day of the month. Featuring competitions among fire- works teams from various localities in Malta, the festival adds an element of excitement and camaraderie as partic- ipants vie for awards based on creativ- ity, colour, music synchronization, and technique. With events spread over ten days, at- tendees will have ample opportunities to explore the island and witness spec- tacular displays against iconic Maltese landmarks. From mechanical ground fireworks displays to showcases in harbours, tra- ditional village festivals with local band marches and delectable Maltese cui- sine, the festival offers a diverse array of experiences for all ages. The grand finale promises entertainment for the whole family, ensuring an unforgettable conclusion to this cultural celebration. Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo said that fireworks are part of the Mal- tese identity which should be cherished. He added that the Fireworks Festival is held not only for tourists but also for the benefit of Maltese and Gozitan fam- ilies and is also an example of a diversi- fied tourism product. MTA CEO Carlo Micallef said that the Fireworks Festival is now one of the key events in the Maltese Islands calendar bringing magnificent shows to differ- ent localities on seven different nights. MTA's investment in the Fireworks Festival is ensuring that Maltese tradi- tions are preserved and promoted along with the Islands rich cultural heritage, beautiful climate and diverse tourism product. The Fireworks Festival is pro- moted overseas around Europe and the rest of the world, and it attracts a lot of attention as few other destinations can offer such fireworks displays of high quality. It is also an opportunity for vis- iting tourists to mix and enjoy the show with the locals, taking home beautiful memories of their time in our Islands. Festival details can be obtained by fol- lowing the social media channels of the Malta International Fireworks Festival, as well as those of the Malta Tourism Authority and Visit Malta. Malta Fireworks Festival returns between 20 and 30 April The festival offers a diverse array of experiences for all ages