Since 2024, the Malta Public Abattoir, the Notarial Archives Foundation, Xirka and world-renowned parchment expert Dr. Jiří Vnouček from the Royal Library of Denmark have been collaborating to revive the craft of parchment-making in Malta, potentially bringing this skill back for the first time in centuries. This crucial initiative has now been awarded a two-year EU fund under the project name Ġilduża, which will support the continued development of this traditional craft and its integration into Malta’s cultural and educational landscape. Notably, this project promotes core sustainability principles by utilising animal skins that would otherwise be discarded, and it directly supports the indispensable work of the Notarial Archives Foundation’s Conservation Department.

As part of our successful initial phase, we worked closely with the Public Abattoir and Dr Vnouček to test skins from local goat and sheep breeds for parchment production. As part of our community outreach, we showcased the craft at Festa Laħam at the Public Abattoir in May of 2025, engaging with the public and sharing the story behind this initiative. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in uniting skill, sustainability and innovation, promoting the recycling and reuse of materials while ensuring that these lost skills are both honed and preserved for future generations.

Watch this space for updates about this exciting project.