Традиције на Малти сачуване на време и спремне за уживање

Традиције на Малти сачуване на време и спремне за уживање
Luzzu’s in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in Malta

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta, has always been rich with traditional local crafts. These crafts are highly valued in the local culture of the Maltese Islands. Some crafts, such as lace making and basket ware, have been around in Malta for thousands of years. 

Weaving, embroidery and lace-making were often encouraged by the Church. Life in Gozo, one of Malta’s sister islands, and much of rural Malta was relatively harsh and craft industries became a main source of income for rural families. A craft that flourished under the Knights was gold and silverware. Malta’s most precious production is filigree and jewelry. Today, Maltese goldsmiths are thriving, their work often exported to major cities abroad.

Традиције на Малти сачуване на време и спремне за уживање

Оплести

History of Lace Making

Back in the 16th century, pillow lacing was invented in the city of Genoa, Italy. In 1640, the Order of St. John introduced lace to Malta. A significant increase in lace makers was needed due to the high demand by Knights, clergy and members of the Maltese aristocracy. It continued to prosper until the end of the 18th century, when the Maltese islands were conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte. During this time, lace making nearly died out. But thanks to Lady Hamilton Chichester, who took an interest in Maltese lace, revived lace making. During the 19th century, a piece of lace from Genoa was given to a Gozitan woman by a clergy member, she studied the lace pattern and did her best to copy it. She taught herself, her sisters and friends in order to birth the skill of lace making in Gozo. It became popular among Gozitan women and girls, as well as clergy members. The lace they made was used to enrich the sacred vestments and church decor. During the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, Maltese lace was first exhibited. At this event, Prince Albert showcased an assortment of artistic and scientific interests from all over the world. 

Since Maltese lace was exported across Europe, as far as India and China, mothers, daughters and all other family members, including boys, mass-produced lace on commission for both the local and foreign industries. 

Maltese Lace 

Maltese lace, or “il-bizzilla,” is one of the oldest and most esteemed traditions in Malta. Though it is made typically from Spanish silk, the symbolic Maltese cross embedded into the lace pattern is what makes it unique. Maltese lace is the name of a continuous technique called “bobbin lace” or “bobbin lace making,” which refers to how the Maltese lace is made by using bobbins, which are small wooden “sticks” made typically  of fruit tree wood. Visitors should not miss out on the opportunity to see these local lacemakers when strolling through the streets of Gozo or visit Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, which has become an important tourist attraction. 

Традиције на Малти сачуване на време и спремне за уживање

Filigree Jewelry sold at Artisan Market

History of Filigree

A craft that really flourished under the Knights was gold and silver ware. Malta’s most precious production is filigree and jewelry. Filigree is a delicate adornment in which thin threads of gold or silver are twisted into a design and then are patched onto the jewelry. The craft of filigree traces all the way back to ancient Egypt and the Phoenicians spread this technique to Malta and throughout the Mediterranean.

Filigree in Malta 

Local Maltese craftsmen have made filigree their own by using the eight-pointed cross, a notable symbol found in different variations, with gems, gold or silver, and on bracelets, rings, and earrings. Most jewelry shops around Malta and Gozo sell filigree, but experiencing the craft made in person right then and there is an enchanting process to watch.  Visitors should not miss visiting the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, for an opportunity to purchase a piece of Maltese heritage.  

Луззу

Fishermen still use the colorful wooden Maltese boats called “Luzzu.” У сваком luzzu there is an engraved pair of eyes on the front of the boat. These eyes are believed to be a modern survival of an old Phoenician tradition and normally referred to as the Eye of Osiris, the Phoenician’s god of protection from evil. 

The picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk is famous for its harbor filled with Luzzu’s, great seafood restaurants, and for the Sunday Fish and Souvenir Market. Луззу are also available to take visitors out to explore more of Malta’s historic coastline as well as go deep sea fishing

О Малти

На сунчаним острвима Малте, усред Средоземног мора, дом је најневероватније концентрације нетакнутог изграђеног наслеђа, укључујући највећу густину места УНЕСЦО-ве светске баштине у било којој националној држави било где. Валета коју су изградили поносни витезови Светог Јована једна је од знаменитости УНЕСЦО-а и Европска престоница културе за 2018. године. Властелинство Малте у камену креће се од најстарије самостојеће камене архитектуре на свету, до једне од најстрашнијих британске империје одбрамбених система, а укључује богату комбинацију домаће, верске и војне архитектуре из античког, средњовековног и раног модерног периода. Уз изузетно сунчано време, атрактивне плаже, успешан ноћни живот и 7,000 година интригантне историје, постоји много тога за видети и урадити. За више информација о Малти посетите ввв.виситмалта.цом.

Још вести о Малти

О аутору

Аватар Линде Хохнхолц, уреднице еТН-а

Линда Хохнхолз, уредница еТН-а

Линда Хохнхолз пише и уређује чланке од почетка своје радне каријере. Ову урођену страст применила је на местима као што су Хавајски пацифички универзитет, Цхаминаде универзитет, Хавајски дечји центар за откривање и сада ТравелНевсГроуп.

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