BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Notarial Archives Foundation - ECPv6.15.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Notarial Archives Foundation
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://nafmalta.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Notarial Archives Foundation
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Rome
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20270328T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20271031T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260429T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260429T210000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260415T195407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T131406Z
UID:5341-1777485600-1777496400@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:The Secrets of Parchment: Exploring Research and Craftsmanship through the Ġilduża Project
DESCRIPTION:Overview \nTitle: The Secrets of Parchment: Exploring Research and Craftsmanship through the Ġilduża Project\nDate & Time: Wednesday\, 29 April\, 2026 | 18:00\nLocation: Notarial Registers Archive\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta \nBringing together leading experts\, the seminar will examine parchment from multiple perspectives\, from traditional craftsmanship to scientific research. At the centre of the seminar is Ġilduża\, a project working towards the revival of parchment-making in Malta through collaboration between artisans\, conservators\, historians\, scientists\, and farmers. Ġilduża\, co-funded by the European Union under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)\, is a collaborative project between the Notarial Archives Foundation\, the Malta Public Abattoir\, and Dr Jiří Vnouček. \nProgramme and Speakers \n18:00\nWelcoming addresses and introductions \n\n18:40\nParchment making in Malta: towards a revival: The Ġilduża project bringing together artisans\, conservators\, historians\, scientists\, and farmers\nDr Jiří Vnouček\, Senior Researcher\, The Royal Library Copenhagen\n& Chanelle Mifsud Briffa\, Head of Conservation\, Notarial Archives Foundation \nAbstract \nThis project brings Malta’s traditional craft of parchment-making back to life\, exploring its history\, techniques\, and cultural significance. In the process\, a new training centre is being set up to pass on this knowledge through hands-on learning. This project brings together participants from various fields. \nThe initiative uses locally sourced animal skins that would otherwise go to waste\, promoting a sustainable approach to craft and supporting local communities. Collaboration between multiple institutions ensures the revival is socially\, culturally\, and ecologically responsible. \nLooking ahead\, the project also aims to incorporate the study of Maltese livestock genetics to help understand historical parchment production\, distinguish local from imported skins\, and fill gaps in knowledge of Malta’s material history. \nBio-notes \nJiří Vnouček studied conservation in Prague. In 1992/93 he was an intern with Christopher Clarkson at West Dean College\, England. In 2010 he obtained a Master’s degree in conservation in Copenhagen\, Denmark. In 2019 he completed his doctorate at the University of York (Centre of Medieval Studies and the Department of Archaeology) in England. From 1984 to 1991 he was a paper and book conservator at the Strahov Library in Prague and from 1993 to 2005 head of the Conservation Department at the National Library of the Czech Republic. He has been employed at the Royal Danish Library as a conservator since 2005 and as a senior researcher since 2024. His research combines methods of visual assessment of parchment in medieval manuscripts with experience from his own experimental parchment making and manuscript conservation. He regularly organizes workshops\, lectures and publishes articles on these topics. From 2019 to 2024 he participated in the ERC research project Beast to Craft and from January 2025 he is a member of the research team of the ERC project Insular Manuscripts in the Age of Charlemagne. \nChanelle Mifsud Briffa is Head of Conservation at the Notarial Archives Foundation. In 2020\, she was awarded a warrant as a book and paper conservator by the Bord tal-Warrant tar-Restawraturi. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Malta\, where her research focuses on the discolouration of 18th-century documents through non-invasive analytical techniques. \n\n19:10\nParchment: Layers of Meaning – The Biomolecular Adventure Hidden in Every Document\nProf. Matthew Collins\, Professor of Palaeoproteomics at the University of Cambridge and Professor of Bioarchaeology at the GLOBE Institute\, University of Copenhagen \nAbstract \nBefore any word was written\, a document had a biography. The parchment on which a notary’s hand moved was once a living animal whose skin was soaked in lime\, stretched on a frame\, and scraped to translucency. For centuries\, scholars have read what is written on these pages. We can now read what is written in them. \nEvery sheet of parchment is simultaneously a legal record\, a biological archive\, a chemical time capsule\, and an environmental diary. Using techniques drawn from ancient DNA analysis\, protein fingerprinting\, and stable isotope chemistry\, we can now recover the species and geographic origin of the animal\, the season in which it was slaughtered\, the diseases it carried\, the climate it lived through\, and the hands that handled the finished document across generations of use. \nBio-note \nMatthew Collins is Professor of Palaeoproteomics at the University of Cambridge and Professor of Bioarchaeology at the GLOBE Institute\, University of Copenhagen. Together with Sarah Fiddyment\, he developed the non-destructive electrostatic extraction technique that allows protein and DNA recovery from medieval manuscripts without damaging the object\, enabling investigation of parchment production\, species identification\, and the use of exotic materials in bindings. He co-developed ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry)\, now widely used in heritage science. He is a co-investigator on the CODICUM ERC Synergy Grant\, an interdisciplinary project applying biomolecular methods to Nordic manuscript fragments. He is a Fellow of the British Academy\, the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters\, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences\, and a recipient of the Pomerance Award for Scientific Contributions to Archaeology. \n\n19:35\nPox in the parchment: What can we learn about ancient animal diseases from parchment\nDr Kevin Daly\, Assistant Professor at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science\, University College Dublin \nAbstract \nIn addition to their use in manuscripts\, parchments represent the preserved tissue of animals that may have lived over a thousand years ago. DNA preserved in these materials can recover information about the animal itself\, as well as the pathogens that may have affected them. \nThis presentation will describe the recovery of the sheeppox virus from medieval European parchments made from a range of species. From 21 ancient virus genomes\, spanning from the Bronze Age to Early Modern Europe and recovered from both parchment and skeletal remains\, we learn how this highly lethal animal disease evolved alongside human civilisation. \nThese findings demonstrate how animal diseases have shaped human history\, and how parchment represents a rich biological archive of our past. \nBio-note \nKevin Daly is an Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science\, University College Dublin. A trained geneticist\, Dr Daly’s research has focused on the domestication of small ruminants (sheep and goats). From March 2026\, he will lead the European Research Council-funded project “HERDPATH”\, exploring how livestock and pathogens have coevolved since the beginning of livestock keeping. \n\n20:00\nMetagenomics and the Study of Parchment Purple Spot Damage\nDr Ana Catarina Pinheiro\, Senior Technician\, Biology\, Analytical Laboratory\, José de Figueiredo Laboratory \nAbstract \nParchment biodeterioration\, particularly the formation of purple spots associated with collagen fibre degradation\, remains an important challenge in manuscript conservation. This study reviews recent advances in the field and presents metagenomic data obtained from medieval codices with different preservation conditions. \nDNA extracted from samples collected from a heavily affected manuscript and from a comparatively well-preserved codex was analysed through Illumina sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA V3–V4 region for bacteria and ITS markers for fungi. The results support the currently proposed microbial succession model\, in which halophilic microorganisms introduced during brining are followed by environmental bacteria and fungi. \nThe predominance of Actinomycetota\, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the analysed samples is consistent with later stages of this process and reinforces the relevance of manufacture and use-related contamination in the biodeterioration of parchment. \nThese findings confirm the value of metagenomics for investigating parchment degradation while also underlining the need for broader comparative studies and refined methodologies. \nBio-note \nCatarina Pinheiro is a pharmacist and conservator-restorer with a PhD in Conservation Science. Her research has focused on microbiology applied to cultural heritage\, with work carried out at the University of Coimbra\, NOVA University Lisbon\, and the University of Évora. She currently works at the José de Figueiredo Laboratory (Museus e Monumentos de Portugal)\, Lisbon\, where she is responsible for biological analysis and co-coordinates integrated pest management across a network of 37 museum institutions in Portugal. \n\n20:30\nConcluding Remarks \n\n20:40\nDrinks & Nibbles \n\nRegistration \nFree entrance. Seating is limited.  Registration now open . \nOther useful information: \nThere is no need to print tickets once order is confirmed. \nSeating is limited. Once the event starts\, all unoccupied seating will be given to walk-ins. We encourage you to be on time as seat availability is on a first-come\, first-served basis. \nThe seminar will be photographed and filmed for documentation\, and use in media and reporting. \nThe lift is currently unavailable. Access through staircase only (2 floors).
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/the-secrets-of-parchment-gilduza/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Parchment-Seminar_Gilduza.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260416T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260416T200000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260326T131453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T132151Z
UID:5312-1776362400-1776369600@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Ejja Nagħmlu Festa bil-Kantilena
DESCRIPTION:Taħdita speċjali għall-anniversarju tal-iskrizzjoni tal-Kantilena fir-Reġistru tal-Memorja tad-Dinja tal-UNESCO. Bi sħab mad-Dipartiment tal-Malti fl-UM. \nKelliem: Dr Olvin Vella \nTaqsira: \nNitolbukom taqraw il-Kantilena minn qabel\, jekk qatt ma qrajtuha. U mbagħad ħalluna nġorrukom aħna u nsemmu l-karigi politiċi fil-Medjuevu\, kemm waqa’ bini għax ma kinux jagħmlu t-testijiet tal-blat\, x’erba’ espressjonijiet kellhom\, kemm il-kliem jibdel it-tifsira tiegħu\, kemm il-ħoss tal-Malti kien ferm differenti minn tal-lum\, u kemm daħqitilna xortina meta xi ħadd\, forsi bi żball\, illega manetta kważi vojta mal-bqija tal-manetti li kellhom il-kuntratti u t-testmenti. \nId-dħul huwa bla ħlas\, iżda l-postijiet huma limitati. Reġistrazzjoni meħtieġa. \n\nLadarba tirreġistra\, m’hemmx bżonn tistampa l-biljett.\nNitolbukom taslu ftit qabel. Hekk kif tibda t-taħdita\, siġġijiet mhux okkupati se jingħataw lil min jattendi mingħajr prenotazzjoni.\nIt-taħdita se tiġi fotografata u rrekordjata għal skopijiet ta’ dokumentazzjoni\, arkivjar u midja.\nIl-lift bħalissa mhux qed jaħdem. Aċċess bit-taraġ biss (żewġ sulari).
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/ejja-naghmlu-festa-bil-kantilena/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ejja-naghmlu-fest-bil-Kantilena.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260326T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260326T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260311T000042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T100931Z
UID:5285-1774519200-1774526400@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Putting Arms to Paper: Fighting Manuals as Pedagogical Texts in Italy and Germany\, c. 1380–1700
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Adam Peter Fretwell\nLanguage: English \nSummary: \nThis lecture examines European fighting manuals produced between approximately\n1380 and 1700\, focusing on Italian and German traditions and treating these sources as\npedagogical artefacts rather than merely repositories of technique. Beginning with late\nmedieval manuscript traditions – most notably Fiore dei Liberi’s Fior di Battaglia and the\nJohannes Liechtenauer’s Zettel – the talk traces how embodied martial knowledge was\nstructured and transmitted across both handwritten and printed media. Particular\nattention is given to the role of illustration\, verse\, and diagrammatic sequencing in\ncommunicating complex physical actions\, as well as to the interpretive limits imposed\nby their inherent abstraction. \nThe lecture then follows the transition into the early modern period\, where figures such\nas Achille Marozzo\, Joachim Meyer\, Ridolfo Capoferro\, and Francesco Antonio Marcelli\nincreasingly employed print culture and systematisation to address changing social\ncontexts of education in violence. Through comparative manuscript analysis\, including\ndirect engagement with original sources where possible\, the talk highlights both\ncontinuities and significant pedagogical shifts between medieval and early modern\nfencing literature. \nThe lecture will also offer a measured critique of modern engagements with these\nmanuals\, particularly within Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). While\nacknowledging the movement’s success in recovering and popularising neglected\nsources\, it argues that contemporary reconstructions often under-theorise issues of\npedagogy\, visual rhetoric\, alongside textual transmission\, treating manuals as\ntransparent technical guides rather than culturally situated teaching tools. By reframing\nfighting manuals as deliberate instructional compositions shaped by medium and\nintent\, this lecture advocates for a more historically grounded and critically reflective\napproach to their study and modern practice. \nAbout the Speaker:\n\nAdam Peter Fretwell is currently studying History and English at the University of Malta and is studying in Italy to become a Maestro d’Armi in the field of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). With a passion rooted in both academic inquiry and practical experience\, he has been actively involved in HEMA since 2007—beginning with archery in the UK\, and then in 2008 joining Show of Arms\, a School of Arms in Malta\, and currently is the head instructor teaching various techniques and weapon systems from 12th to 19th Century\, which he has also put to the test in various tournaments around Europe and the UK. In his free time\, he works in translating manuscripts from this historical timeframe into English. His interest lies in interpreting historical fencing manuals through the lens of modern body biomechanics\, offering fresh perspectives on how martial culture and technique have been informed by\, and adapted to\, the human body over time. His work invites readers and practitioners alike to embrace alternative views as a gateway to rethinking historical combat traditions. \nImportant Information \nEntrance is free but booking is required. Kindly book through this Eventbrite link.\nOnce you have successfully booked\, your name will be added to our guest list. There is no need to print your ticket(s). \nAttendees are kindly asked to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. As the event is free and seating is limited\, any unoccupied seats may be offered to walk-ins once the lecture begins. \nPlease note that\, due to ongoing repairs to the lift\, the lecture hall is currently accessible only via three flights of stairs. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. \nPlease also note that our lectures are photographed and may be recorded for documentation\, archival\, and media purposes. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/putting-arms-to-paper-fighting-manuals-as-pedagogical-texts/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PublicLecture_AdamPeterFretwell_Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260305T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260305T100000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260220T095433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T101042Z
UID:5299-1772704800-1772704800@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:The Militia List (1419/1420): some considerations about its toponymic and onomastic content
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Simon Salafia\nLanguage: Maltese \nSummary: \nWettinger’s Militia List (published in 1969) provides a valuable sample of the personal names and surnames of people living in Malta in the early fifteenth century. While family names have been analysed by several local scholars\, including Wettinger himself\, the personal names of our ancestors living in Malta some 600 years ago never appear to have been examined in detail. The aim of this lecture is to present a comprehensive analysis of this corpus of personal names in order to propose more plausible interpretations of local toponyms. Moreover\, from an onomastic perspective\, these given names reveal Sicilian and Catalan influences inherent in the inventory. \nEntrance is free\, however registration is required. Please follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983613099177
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/the-militia-list-1419-1420-some-considerations-about-its-toponymic-and-onomastic-content/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Simon-Salafia_banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260219T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260219T113000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260212T140657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T140446Z
UID:5279-1771495200-1771500600@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Il-Kumpless Storiku ta’ Sant’Agata: Il-Ftit li Nafu ... u Ftit mill-Ħafna\, li ma Nafux
DESCRIPTION:Kelliem: Raymond Saliba\, Kuratur tal-Kumpless ta’ Sant’Agata\nLingwa: Malti \nSommarju: \nIl-kumpless storiku ta’ Sant’Agata\, jikkomprendi (i) Il-Knisja prinċipali; (ii) Mużew b’riperti arkejoloġiċi\, ġejoloġiċi\, artistiċi u folkloristiċi\, fost oħrajn; (iii) firxa kbira t’Ipoġej\, Puniċi\, Pagani/Rumani u Kristjani; (iv) żewġ Knejjes sotterranji; (v) Shelters tat-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija u (vi) Il-Kunvent MSSP u l-Kulleġġ SPCM. Hawn qed insemmu l-akbar kumpless mibni u skavat tal-gżejjer Maltin. Mhux ċajta! Ir-relevanza storika\, arkejoloġika u soċjali ta’ tali kumpless\, għadha trid tiġi magħrufa u valutata\, biex tkun apprezzata kif jixirqilha. Dak li ser nagħmlu f’din it-taħdita hu eserċiżżju ħafif biex biex nevalwaw dan il-patrimonju mportanti\, bħala parti min strateġija ħollistika għal manteniment xieraq tiegħu\, flimkien m’għarfien mill-Maltin u l-barranin li jżuruna. \nDħul b’xejn. Reġistrazzjoni meħtieġa. Segwi din il-ħolqa: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/il-kumpless-storiku-ta-santagata-raymond-saliba-tickets-1982877710610?aff=oddtdtcreator
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/kumpless-storiku-ta-sant-agata/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Raymond-Saliba_Lecture_banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260129T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20260129T113000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20260112T064931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T070137Z
UID:5274-1769680800-1769686200@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Women in Maltese Photographic History
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr Charles Paul Azzopardi\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nThe male-dominated business history of Maltese photography until now states that photography had no female protagonists in Malta until the Second World War\, with the first Maltese female photographer\, erroneously deemed Carmela Meilak\, in Gozo. This is a significant lacuna\, as new research has shown the presence of several other important female exponents in Maltese photography history. The role of women in photography is not limited purely to the role behind the camera but also in important roles such as the provision of the studio location\, the financial clout to set up a photographic business as happened to Lucrezia Preziosi née Metropoli with her husband\, Leandro Preziosi\, Alphonsa Ellis née Curmi with Malta’s foremost Victorian-era photographer\, Richard Ellis\, as well as Giuseppa Cali née Grech Cumbo\, who inherited her father’s photographic business as her wedding dowry and lent her name to the studio of G. G. Cumbo. This presentation aims to correct the historical inaccuracies regarding the apparent lack of female participation in Maltese photographic business history and to document\, for the first time\, the burgeoning women involved in photography\, thereby providing a more holistic account of female involvement in the early history of Maltese photography. \nAbout the Speaker: \nDr Charles Paul Azzopardi is a Maltese photo-historian whose research expertise delves into the photographic practices of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Malta. He is a doctoral candidate at the Photographic History Research Centre at De Montfort University\, Leicester. He has made significant contributions as a curator and photographic cultural heritage consultant at the National Archives of Malta and the Richard Ellis Archive. Azzopardi’s research and photography have been published in over forty monographs\, further solidifying his standing in photography and publishing. He is also the founder of the Malta Image Preservation Archive (MIPA)\, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving and digitising Maltese photographic cultural heritage and serving as a lobby group advocating for the development of a museum of Maltese photographic history and a national photographic collection. \nBooking is required. Tickets can be obtained here. Following the lecture\, we invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/women-in-maltese-photographic-history/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lecture_DrCharlesPaulAzzopardi_-Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251204T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251204T100000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20251201T084141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T084241Z
UID:5032-1764842400-1764842400@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:The Brocktorffs\, Composers and Society in 19th-century Malta
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr Anna Borg Cardona\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nThe 19th century was a time of significant change and innovation. Lithography was introduced into Malta and embraced by local artists\, including the Brocktorffs. Improvements in the pianoforte led to the impressive increase in music outlets in Valletta\, and the growth of the amateur performer. At the same time composers recognised an opportunity to publish their own music for the growing local market. They chose the Brocktorff Press. Nothing could provide a more fascinating mirror of the age\, or better expose the influential individuals in Malta’s society\, than this salon music intended largely for local consumption. \nAbout the Speaker: \nAnna Borg Cardona\, Ph.D Music (University of Southampton\, 2018)\, author of A Musical Legacy: Malta-related music found in foreign libraries (2002)\, Daqq Għana u Żfin Malti (2007)\, Musical Instruments of the Maltese Islands (2014)\, Musical Culture and the Chitarraro Mattheo Morales in Seventeenth-Century Malta (2022)\, Music Printing by the Brocktorff Lithographers 1832-1893 (2025). Curator of several exhibitions\, including the Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti exhibition Music in Malta: From Prehistory to Vinyl (2019). Contributed several entries to the second edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments (2014). Founder of the Ġukulari Ensemble that performs Malta’s music\, placing it within its historical and social context. \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/brocktorffs-composers-society-malta/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FB-Banner_ABC.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251120T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251120T100000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20251112T131515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T131515Z
UID:4971-1763632800-1763632800@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:In Search of Corsairs at the Notarial Archives: My Journey
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Liam Gauci\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nJoin Liam Gauci this November as he takes you on a journey through the Notarial Archives of Malta. What began as a serendipitous discovery in 2009 soon turned into a quest through centuries-old\, uncatalogued documents\, covered in dust and bearing the marks of history. Some pages were stained with ink from shipboard writing\, while others bore traces of 18th-century quarantine fumigation. Through these fragile\, forgotten manuscripts\, Liam uncovered the human stories of corsairs—adventurers who roamed the Mediterranean\, leaving behind tales of daring and heartache. This lecture promises to reveal a hidden chapter of Maltese history that was once believed to be lost\, but thanks to the NAF these have been preserved for generations to come. \nAbout the Speaker: \nLiam Gauci is a historian and author whose work has helped uncover Malta’s maritime past through the fragile pages of forgotten archives. His books\, Morte o Fortuna and In the Name of the Prince\, bring to light the world of Maltese corsairs—men who sailed under letters of marque and whose lives were entwined with empire\, trade\, and survival. \nLiam spent 18 years at the helm of the Malta Maritime Museum\, where he curated international exhibitions and collaborated with artists\, curators\, and institutions across the globe to tell Malta’s maritime story in compelling new ways. \nToday\, he serves as Senior Asset Development Manager at Heritage Malta and is the founder of Taste History\, a unique initiative that fuses food history with archival research to recreate the flavours of the past. \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/in-search-of-corsairs-notarial-archives/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Liam-Gauci_FB-Event.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251030T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20251030T100000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20251112T130146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T130152Z
UID:4968-1761818400-1761818400@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:The Earliest Human Presence on Malta: Views from the Latnija Cave (Mellieħa)
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Prof. Eleanor Scerri & Prof. Nicholas Vella (University of Malta)\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nLast April\, the announcement of the results of archaeological excavations at the Latnija Cave received acclaim for rewriting the narrative about the earliest human presence on Malta. This lecture will consider the evidence uncovered by an international team of archaeologists working at Latnija since 2019\, drawing on a suite of scientific analyses to identify the nature and extent of human activity in the cave. The findings shed light on the challenges and opportunities of small-island settlement in the Mesolithic and the ramifications of some of the longest sea crossings in the Mediterranean during this period. \nAbout the Speakers: \nProf. Eleanor Scerri is an archaeological scientist based at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany\, where she is the head of the Human Palaeosystems Research Group. Her research seeks to uncover the nature of the origin of our species\, our global spread\, and our interactions with the environment – with the implications for present day challenges. To do this she combines archaeology with climate science\, genetics and computational methods. She has authored over 75 publications on this subject including in the top scientific journals in the world. In doing so\, she has achieved global prominence for formulating the dominant models of recent human evolution and driving key breakthroughs in palaeoanthropology. Most recently\, she is the Principal Investigator of the European Research Council funded ‘IslandLab’ project\, a 1.5 million euro project which is re-writing the prehistory of the Maltese Islands and more broadly\, the entire Mediterranean region. She has held positions at the University of Bordeaux and the University of Oxford before joining the Max Planck Society. \nNicholas Vella is Professor in the Department of Classics and Archaeology\, University of Malta\, which he joined in 1999. He writes on Mediterranean history and archaeology\, with a focus on the ancient Phoenicians and the history of archaeological thought and practice. He has co-directed numerous excavations on multi-period sites in the Maltese Islands as part of research-led fieldwork teaching and training for students. He is Co-Investigator of the ‘IslandLab’ project for which he co-directs the fieldwork at Latnija. He has been Rome Scholar at the British School at Rome\, Getty Villa Scholar in Los Angeles\, and Research Associate at the American University of Beirut. He has led the Department of Classics and Archaeology (2011/19) and the University of Malta’s Doctoral School (2017/25). \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/earliest-human-presence-latnija/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FB-Banner_2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251016
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250510T180025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T080315Z
UID:4143-1760486400-1760572799@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Inter Insulas: Archives as Bridges Between Malta and Sicily
DESCRIPTION:Overview\nThe Notarial Archives Foundation is proud to announce the upcoming Malta-Sicily archival symposium.Title: Inter Insulas: Archives as Bridges Between Malta and Sicily\nDate: Wednesday\, 15 October 2025\nLocation: Aula Magna\, University of Malta\, Valletta Campus | Online (Zoom) \nThis one-day Malta-Sicily symposium marks the first formal collaboration between the Notarial Registers Archive in Valletta and the Archivio di Stato di Palermo. This is an important step towards fostering cross-border partnerships between Malta and Sicily\, especially because both institutions share a commitment to preserving\, studying\, and promoting the cultural and documentary heritage of the islands. \nProgramme and Speakers\nThanks to the generous support of the HSBC Malta Foundation and The Alfred Mizzi Foundation\, we are gladly welcoming a multi-disciplinary panel of experts from Malta\, Sicily\, and beyond who have contributed to the study of Malta–Sicily connections across archival science\, conservation\, community engagement\, and cultural history. \nJoining the panel are also Maltese and international professionals and scholars who have contributed to the study of Malta-Sicily connections across archival science\, conservation\, community engagement\, and cultural history. \nFull programme available here.\n \n\n09:30–10:00Palermo State Archives’ Heritage in the Service of the Scientific\, Civic and Economic CommunitiesDr Francesca Di Pasquale \nAbstractThe first part of the lecture will present the formation and history of the State Archives of Palermo\, one of the last major state archives to be established in the Mediterranean. In particular\, the process of creating such an institute of concentration will be analysed. \nIn the second part\, the Institute’s heritage mediation activities will be illustrated. After providing an overview of the Italian organisation of the State Archives network\, the lecture will examine the ways in which the Palermo Archives guarantee access to heritage\, considering their dual role as both guardians of rights and a resource for researchers and citizens alike. \nFinally\, drawing on recent reflections on the economic value of archives\, Dr Di Pasquale will discuss how accessibility to archival heritage can act as a driver for economic and social development in the communities it serves. \nBio-noteFrancesca Di Pasquale is an archivist and historian (PhD in African History\, University of Pisa\, 2007). She currently works at the Archival Superintendence for Sicily – State Archives of Palermo. Her research interests lie in archives\, citizens’ rights\, colonial history\, and the history of punishment. From 2008 to 2011 she led the scientific project for the recovery and enhancement of the Libyan Historical Archives (Centre of National Archives and Historical Studies\, Tripoli – Libya). From 2014 to 2017 she was postdoctoral researcher at the NIOD (Amsterdam) within the project Four Centuries of Labour Camps. \n\n10:00–10:30Apologia Pro Vita Mea: A Labour of Love Called Archival ResearchProf. Stanley Fiorini \nAbstract \nThis presentation offers a personal account of Prof. Fiorini’s life-long engagement with archives\, both in Malta and abroad. He will reflect on the motivations that inspired his pursuit of archival research\, the challenges encountered along the way\, and the outcomes of his work — not only in terms of publications\, but also as enduring lessons for life. \nBio-note \nStanley Fiorini is Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow of the University of Malta\, and former Head of its Mathematics Department. His interest in Maltese history has led to a number of publications of sole or joint authorship\, including Mdina. The Cathedral City of Malta (1996)\, Tristia ex Melitogaudo: Lament in Greek Verse of a XIIth-Century Exile on Gozo (2010)\, and The Parchments of the Mdina Cathedral Archives\, Malta: 1420–1959 (2019). He also initiated the series Documentary Sources of Maltese History\, contributing to its first eighteen volumes\, and has edited numerous publications of the Malta Historical Society\, of which he was Honorary President. \nHis involvement in archival management includes serving as Archivist of the Maltese Jesuits’ Provincial Archives (2000–2024)\, membership of the Cathedral Archives Managerial Board (2004–)\, and as a founding member of the Notarial Archives Foundation in 2004. \n\n☕ Coffee Break \n\n11:00–11:30Exploring Sicily through the Hospitaller Lens: Maltese Archival Encounters and Research Pathways Beyond Mediterranean ShoresDr Valeria Vanesio \nAbstract \nThis presentation investigates Sicily’s historical ties with Malta through the lens of the Order of St John through the extensive Hospitaller archival collections preserved in Malta. Drawing on a variety of sources\, it offers a fresh perspective on the Hospitallers’political\, cultural\, and social engagements with Sicily across the early modern period. By placing the mapping of these primary sources at the centre of the discussion and looking at archival connections beyond the two islands\, the talk highlights the value of archival research and history for reconstructing trans-Mediterranean networks and sheds light on previously overlooked aspects of the Order’s role in shaping Sicilian affairs. \nBio-note \nValeria Vanesio is a lecturer in the Department of Library\, Information\, and Archive \nSciences at the University of Malta and an international associate of the Malta Study Center at Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (MN\, US)\, where she leads research and cataloguing projects. She holds a PhD from Sapienza University of Rome and two specialisation degrees in archival science from the State Archives of Rome and the Vatican Apostolic Archive. She was previously a postdoctoral researcher and archivist at the Malta Study Center and directed the first three-year project to reorganize the historical Magistral Archives of the Order of St John in Rome. \nShe is the coordinator of the Hospitaller Archival Studies School\, held annually in different international venues\, and the founder of the Hospitaller Research Forum. In 2025\, she was awarded the prestigious Waldo Gifford Leland Award by the Society of American Archivists and elected to the Executive Committee of the International Council on Archives’ European Regional Branch (EURBICA) for the 2025–2029 term. \nShe has published extensively in the field and co-edited The Land and the Cross: Properties of the Order of St John between Centre and Periphery (16th–18th centuries) (2025). \n\n11:30–12:00Engaging Communities\, Building Networks: The Palermo State Archives and the Challenges of ParticipationDr Floriana Giallombardo \nAbstract \nThe lecture will introduce the Palermo State Archives focusing on its relationship with the urban context and its various target audiences. Following a brief presentation of the two locations situated in the historic centre of Palermo\, the ongoing promotional activities—both in-person and digital—will be illustrated\, aimed at addressing the cultural and educational needs of the different communities in the area. In the second part\, in particular\, the focus will be on examining the ways in which diverse audiences are engaged through the implementation of participatory processes. \nBio-note \nFloriana Giallombardo is an art historian and received her PhD in European Cultural Studies in 2016 from the University of Palermo\, with a thesis on “Agostino Scilla (1629-1700) e la cultura visuale della Historia\, fra antiquaria e storia naturale” (supervisor Prof. Michele Cometa). After her doctorate\, she conducted research as a fellow at several cultural institutes\, being interested in topics of visual culture and history of science (Warburg Institute\, London; Scaliger Institute and Naturalis Biodiversity center\, Leiden; German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina\, Halle -Saale). Serving at the Italian Ministero della Cultura since 2018 as a Promotion and communication officer\, since 2021 she has been working at the Soprintendenza archivistica per la Sicilia-Archivio di Stato di Palermo (SAAS-SIPA). She graduated as Archivist Paleographer at the Scuola di Archivistica\, Paleografia e Diplomatica of the same Institute\, at which she currently teaches Communication and Enhancement of Archives as part of the two-year specialization course for archivists. \n\n12:00–13:00Medieval Malta’s High Languages: The Transition from Chancery Sicilian to Italian as Witnessed in Notarial and Administrative DocumentsProf. Joseph M. Brincat (Keynote) \nAbstract \nIn medieval Malta the earliest documents were in Latin\, as in Italy\, where local varieties were spoken and came to be written rather late. In Sicily the volgare appeared in poems around 1250 and later in the chanceries. In Malta correspondence with parts in Sicilian began in 1345\, but the acts of the Mdina Universitas increasingly turned to Sicilian\, besides Latin\, in the 15 th and 16 th centuries (Wettinger 1993). The Church followed suit in practical writings as early as 1473 (Fiorini1992). I outlined the local linguistic situation in the XIIIth to the XVIth centuries in chapters 3 to 6 in Maltese and other languages (2011¹\, 2021²). Recently\, a detailed phonetic and grammatical analysis of the language used in Malta has been published by Davide Basaldella (2024)\, while Mario Pagano scoured Maltese documents in the compilation of ARTESIA (Archivio Testuale del Siciliano Antico)\, a corpus of words in their original context. These studies are indispensable to Maltese scholars reading our medieval documents. \nBio-note \nProfessor Joseph M. Brincat specializes in Historical Linguistics\, the Romance element in Maltese\, Onomastics\, and Film dubbing. He holds degrees from the universities of Malta\, London and Florence\, read papers in conferences held in Italy\, Germany\, France\, Spain\, England and the USA\, and has delivered courses and seminars in various European universities. His main publications are Giovan Matteo di Meglio\, Rime\, Olschki\, Firenze 1977\, La linguistica prestrutturale\, Zanichelli\, Bologna 1986\, and the linguistic history of Malta published in Maltese (2000\, 2005²)\, in Italian (2004) and in English (Maltese and other languages\, 2011\, 2021²). He edited the proceedings of six conferences held in Malta and abroad\, and is on the editorial board of various journals. He is an elected member of the Accademia della Crusca (Florence)\, of the Centro Studi Filologici e Linguistici Siciliani (Palermo)\, the Centro Internazionale sul Plurilinguismo at the University of Udine\, and has been \nhonoured with the title of Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana for scientific merits. \n\n🍽️ Lunch Break \n\n14:00–14:30Palermo State Archives Collection: Conservation Issues and Future ChallengesDr Sophie Bonetti \nAbstract \nThe lecture will introduce\, in the first part\, the variety of materials forming the archive\, in terms of different types of paper\, manufacture\, binding\, sizes\, and their interaction with the environment; the most prominent issues in terms of conservation will be analyzed. In the second part there will be a focus on our present effort to face this challenge: an immense amount of material in an historical building; this will include the new approach in the care of the archives\, with planning of regular maintenance and long term projects. \nBio-note \nSophie Bonetti is a conservator and art historian (Opificio delle Pietre Dure\, Florence 1997). She currently works  in the Conservation Lab at the Archival Superintendence for Sicily-State Archives of Palermo\, where she takes care of the archival materials\, with a particular focus on the notary. Before moving to Palermo\, she worked in the U.S. (Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York\,  J. P. Getty Museum in Los Angeles)\, and in Syria  (archaeological expedition 1998-2003)\,  as well as in Axsum – Etiopia\, and in Florence (Villa la Pietra)\, a NYU campus. In Palermo she has been teaching conservation courses at the Art Academy\, and has been a consultant for the City of Palermo\, for the restoration of its cultural  heritage. \n\n14:30–15:00Parchment Making in Malta: Towards a Revival?Dr Jiří Vnouček with Chanelle Mifsud Briffa \nAbstract \nThe first parchment-making trials in Malta were initiated in 2024 through a collaboration between the Notarial Archives Foundation (NAF)\, the Biċċerija\, and parchment expert Jiří Vnouček. Using locally sourced sheep and goat skins\, these experiments explored the practicalities of production and also highlighted the sustainable potential of reviving this dying craft. \nThe question mark in the title underscores the unresolved issue of whether parchment making was ever firmly established in Malta\, or whether current initiatives represent the introduction of a practice previously absent. In this light\, the study engages with historical references and archival evidence to consider whether parchment was produced locally or sourced through Mediterranean trade networks. \nLooking ahead\, the Biċċerija has secured EU funding\, with NAF as partners and Jiří Vnouček as the expert\, to develop further experimental work on historical methods of skin preparation and finishing. These efforts aim to expand knowledge of parchment making in Malta\, while also opening the craft to the international community through courses and workshops\, ensuring both historical insight and contemporary relevance. \nBio-notes \nJiří Vnouček studied conservation in Prague. In 1992/93 he was an intern with Christopher Clarkson at West Dean College\, England. In 2010 he obtained a Master’s degree in conservation in Copenhagen\, Denmark. In 2019 he completed his doctorate at the University of York (Centre of Medieval Studies and the Department of Archaeology) in England. From 1984 to 1991 he was a paper and book conservator at the Strahov Library in Prague and from 1993 to 2005 head of the Conservation Department at the National Library of the Czech Republic. He has been employed at the Royal Danish Library as a conservator since 2005 and as a senior researcher since 2024. His research combines methods of visual assessment of parchment in medieval manuscripts with experience from his own experimental parchment making and manuscript conservation. He regularly organizes workshops\, lectures and publishes articles on these topics. From 2019 to 2024 he participated in the ERC research project Beast to Craft and from January 2025 he is a member of the research team of the ERC project Insular Manuscripts in the Age of Charlemagne. \nChanelle Mifsud Briffa is Head of Conservation at the Notarial Archives Foundation. In 2020\, she was awarded a warrant as a book and paper conservator by the Bord tal-Warrant tar-Restawraturi. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Malta\, where her research focuses on the discolouration of 18th-century documents through non-invasive analytical techniques. \n\n\nParticipation & Tickets\nThe symposium offers a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and dialogue\, and is open to both professionals and the general public. \nTicket prices: \n€15 for in-person participation (includes coffee break and light lunch)\n€10 for online participation \nRegister here. \nPayments methods:\nBank transfer or BOV Mobile Banking\nBank details here.\nPlease include “Symposium” in the payment note for easy tracking. \nIn-person attendance is limited. Reserve your place early and complete payment to secure your spot.Deadline for registration: 7 October 2025 \nLet’s build bridges through archives!
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/inter-insulas-archives-as-bridges-between-malta-and-sicily/
LOCATION:Aula Magna\, UM Valletta Campus\, University of Malta\, Valletta Campus\, St. Paul's Street\, Valletta\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Malta-Sicily-Symposium_Web.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Rome:20250910T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Rome:20250910T200000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250902T142641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T083156Z
UID:4785-1757530800-1757534400@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Serata ta' Qari b'Solidarjeta ma' Gaza
DESCRIPTION:Serata ta’ Qari b’Solidarjetà ma’ Gaza\nL-Erbgħa\, 10 ta’ Settembru 2025\, 7:00 PM\nL-Arkivju tar-Reġistri Nutarili\, 217 Triq San Pawl\, il-Belt Valletta \nFid-dawl tal-vjolenza u l-għaks li għadhom sejrin f’Gaza\, qed norganizzaw serata ta’ qari b’solidarjetà ma’ Gaza u ħutna Palestinjani. Se jinqraw siltiet minn kitbiet ta’ awturi Palestinjani tradotti għall-Malti\, kif ukoll riflessjonijiet minn awturi Maltin dwar l-atroċitajiet li qed iseħħu. L-għan tagħna huwa li noħolqu spazju għall-ilħna Palestinjani\, biex flimkien inkunu xhieda favur l-umanità kollettiva quddiem dak li hu inaċċettabbli. \nIl-qari għal din is-serata qed jiġi organizzat bi sħab mad-Dipartiment tal-Malti fl-UM. \nId-dħul huwa bla ħlas. Se nkunu qed niġbru donazzjonijiet b’risq familji Palestinjani li jgħixu f’Malta u li qegħdin fil-bżonn. Minbarra flus kontanti qed niġbru ukoll vouchers biex ikunu jistgħu jixtru ikel u prodotti essenzjali. Kull donazzjoni mis-serata se tkun qed tmur għalihom. Min jixtieq jattendi jista’ jibgħatilna fuq ou******@******ta.org. Min ma jistax jattendi u jixtieq jgħin xorta\, jista’ jikkuntattjana fuq l-istess indirizz elettroniku. Kull ftit jgħin – ejjew ningħaqdu flimkien b’solidarjetà. \n________________________________________ \nSolidarity Reading in Solidarity with Gaza\nWednesday\, 10 September 2025\, 7:00 PM\nNotarial Registers Archive\, 217 St Paul Street\, Valletta \nIn light of the violence and suffering still unfolding in Gaza\, we are organising a solidarity reading with Gaza and our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Excerpts from works by Palestinian authors translated into Maltese will be read\, together with reflections by Maltese writers on the atrocities taking place. Our aim is to create a space for Palestinian voices\, so that together we may bear witness to our collective humanity in the face of what is unacceptable. \nThis reading is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Maltese at UM.\nEntrance is free. We will be collecting donations in aid of Palestinian families living in Malta who are in need. Alongside cash contributions\, we are also collecting vouchers so that they may purchase food and essential products. All donations from the evening will go directly to them. Those who wish to attend may contact us at ou******@******ta.org. Those who cannot attend but would still like to help may also reach us on the same email address. Every contribution helps – let’s come together in solidarity.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/serata-ta-qari-bsolidarjeta-ma-gaza/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/542105451_1214589260696863_2269573897285272121_n.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250522T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250522T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250508T095326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T121717Z
UID:4116-1747908000-1747915200@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:L-Ilsien Malti tan-Nutara u tal-Komunità Medjevali – Dr Olvin Vella
DESCRIPTION:Ingħaqad magħna għat-taħdita ‘L-Ilsien Malti tan-Nutara u tal-Komunità Medjevali.’ \nKelliem: Dr Olvin Vella\nLingwa: Malti \nDwar it-Taħdita:\nMinħabba li n-nutara ma kinux jitgħallmu l-Malti fl-edukazzjoni formali tagħhom\, ilsienna kienu jiktbuh fonetikament u bis-saħħa ta’ hekk l-ilsien Malti tan-Nutara miktub jwasslilna tagħrif imprezzabbli. Ngħidu aħna\, nafu fiċ-ċert li kellhom regoli tal-pronunzja differenti minn tal-lum\, u xi konsonanti li aħna niktbu (allavolja tlifniehom\, bħall-għajn u l-akka)\, huma kienu għadhom ilissnuhom. Dan u aktar f’din it-taħdita. \nDwar il-Kelliem:\nDr Olvin Vella jgħallem l-istorja tal-lingwa fl-Università ta’ Malta. Jirriċerka d-dokumenti qodma u x-xogħlijiet tal-awturi ewlenin tas-seklu 18\, jiġifieri De Soldanis u Vassalli. Bħalissa qed jikkoordina l-ġabra tal-eqdem kliem bil-Malti\, li se tkun online fix-xhur li ġejjin\, u li hija proġett ieħor tad-Dipartiment tal-Malti. \nDan l-avveniment qed jiġi organizzat b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Fondazzjoni Alfred Mizzi. \nEnglish Version:\nJoin us for ‘The Maltese Language of Notaries and the Medieval Community.’ \nSpeaker: Dr Olvin Vella\nLanguage: Maltese \nAbout the Lecture:\nSince notaries did not learn Maltese in their formal education\, they wrote our language phonetically. As a result\, they have passed down invaluable knowledge. For instance\, we know with certainty that they had pronunciation rules different from those of today. Furthermore\, some consonants we write (even though we have lost them\, like the ‘għ’ and ‘h’) were still pronounced. \nAbout the Speaker:\nDr Olvin Vella teaches the history of the Maltese language at the University of Malta. He researches old documents and the works of the main Maltese authors of the 18th century\, namely\, De Soldanis and Vassalli. Currently\, he is coordinating a compendium of the oldest words in Maltese\, which will be available online in the coming months. This initiative is part of another project led by the Maltese Department at the University of Malta. \nThis event is being organised in collaboration with The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/ilsien-malti-nutara-komunita-medjevali-olvin-vella/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FB-Banner_DrOlvinVella.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250410T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250410T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250328T134103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T134914Z
UID:4108-1744309800-1744317000@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Highlighting a National Treasure – Marie Louise Kold
DESCRIPTION:Join us for Highlighting a National Treasure – an event celebrating the national treasure\, the Kantilena\, and the bespoke artwork created by Marie Louise Kold. \nSpeaker: Marie Louise Kold\, Metal Artist\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture:\nMarie Louise Kold will share the creative journey behind her bespoke artwork\, designed as a pedestal for the Kantilena volume – Malta’s oldest known text in Maltese and a true national treasure. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti commissioned the piece for the Notarial Registers Archive. \nDuring the event\, Marie Louise will speak about the inspiration that guided her\, the challenges she faced\, and the breakthroughs that shaped the final artwork. She collaborated closely with the staff of the Notarial Registers Archive. Moreover\, she carefully documented the process with photos taken in her studio and lab in Sweden. \nAs Malta’s oldest known text in Maltese\, the Kantilena holds deep cultural significance. This unique collaboration brings together art\, history\, and language in one powerful installation. Through her vision\, Marie Louise Kold celebrates this national treasure in a new and enduring way. \nAbout the Speaker:\nSince 1997\, Marie Louise Kold has worked with patinated and etched copper\, brass\, and bronze. She is internationally recognised for transforming bare metals into emotionally powerful works of art. Her pieces are found in private and corporate collections worldwide\, including the Swedish Royal Court and the European Parliament in Strasbourg. \n🔗 Visit her website: mlkold.com \nRSVP: Please email ou******@******ta.org to register for the event.\nFollowing the lecture\, you are warmly invited to enjoy light refreshments in the courtyard. \nLearn more about the Kantilena: nafmalta.org/treasures\nVisit Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti’s website: patrimonju.org
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/national-treasure-marie-louise-kold/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MLK_FB-Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250327T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250327T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250313T112444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T112444Z
UID:4102-1743069600-1743076800@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Lost Fashion Shops of Valletta: the Untold Stories
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Caroline Tonna\, Dress Historian\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nFashion shops reflect the spirit of their time\, embodying societal aspirations and shaping our social and cultural identity. Lost Fashion Shops of Valletta: The Untold Stories delves into the commercial activities of 19th- and early 20th-century fashion retailers in Valletta\, drawing from notarial archive documents. This research presents a compelling narrative of Valletta’s fashion history\, highlighting its influence on evolving consumption trends\, the decline of local craftsmanship\, the rise of imported ready-made goods\, and the dramatic transformation of the city’s streetscape. \nAbout the Speaker: \nCaroline Tonna is an art and dress historian and former curator at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum\, Mdina (2018–2023). She holds degrees in Anthropology and Art History\, as well as a Master of Arts in Art History. Specialising in 19th-century dress history and photography\, she is the author of Fashion Society in Malta: The Portrait Photography of Leandro Preziosi 1830–1869 (Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti\, 2022)\, which won the National Book Council Prize 2023 for best publication production. Caroline has extensive experience in publishing\, as well as in cultural productions for radio and television. \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/fashion-shops-malta-valletta-history/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PublicLecture_CarlineTonna_FB-Bannerv2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250213T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250213T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250127T095901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250127T112757Z
UID:4053-1739440800-1739448000@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Malta in c. 1480: Art\, Architecture\, and the Cultural World of the Kantilena
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Professor Charlene Vella\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture: \nMalta in the fifteenth century stood at a cultural crossroads\, reflecting a rich interplay of artistic\, architectural\, and linguistic influences that shaped its identity. This lecture delves into the island’s vibrant art and architectural landscape\, with a special focus on the period in which the Kantilena was penned\, the earliest known literary text in the Maltese language\, by Pietru Caxaro\, a nobleman residing in Mdina. \nThe lecture will explore the palaces of the sophisticated noble families who resided in Mdina\, or the Civitas\, where Latin was predominantly used in administration and culture\, juxtaposed with the vernacular architecture of structures like the Church of the Annunciation in Ħal Millieri\, Żurrieq\, consecrated in 1480\, where the native Maltese language was spoken. Despite the prevalence of Latin among the nobility\, Caxaro’s choice to compose the Kantilena in Maltese underscores the complex linguistic dynamics of the period. It highlights the emerging significance of the vernacular language. This is similarly reflected in art and architecture. \nThe lecture will also examine the Mediterranean artistic interactions that influenced Malta’s visual arts\, including the impact of two Sicilian artistic workshops that introduced Renaissance ideals to the island at the same time. This talk aims to comprehensively understand Malta’s cultural milieu in the mid to late fifteenth century\, highlighting the island’s role as a melting pot of Mediterranean and European influences. \nAbout the Speaker: \nCharlene Vella is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Malta\, specializing in Medieval and Renaissance art\, with a particular focus on Mediterranean artistic interactions during these periods. She earned her B.A. (Hons) and M.A. in History of Art from the University of Malta\, achieving a Distinction for her master’s degree with her tutor being Professor Mario Buhagiar. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Warwick\, supported by a full scholarship\, under the supervision of Professor Donal Cooper. \nProfessor Vella has authored several publications\, including The Mediterranean Artistic Context of Late Medieval Malta 1091-1530 (Midsea Books\, 2013) and In the Footsteps of Antonello da Messina: The Antonelliani in Sicily and Venice in the Late Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Centuries (Midsea Books\, 2022). \nHer research interests encompass the works of Antonello da Messina and his followers\, Eastern Sicilian and Venetian Renaissance art\, gender issues in art\, and the dynamics of Mediterranean artistic interactions during the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance. She also leads research projects involving diagnostic testing\, conservation\, and restoration of Late Medieval and Renaissance artworks. \nIn recognition of her contributions to art history\, Professor Vella was awarded the Premio “Antonello da Messina” for the section Studi Antonelliani on 14 April 2023 by the Associazione Culturale Antonello da Messina. \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/maltainc1480artarchcultkantilena-profcharlenevella/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Prof-Charlene-Vella_Lecture.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250123T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250123T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094145
CREATED:20250120T125536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T125720Z
UID:3947-1737626400-1737651600@nafmalta.org
SUMMARY:Numbers in Aid of History: Numerical Solutions to Some Historical Problems
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Professor Emeritus Stanley Fiorini\nLanguage: English \nAbout the Lecture:\nMalta’s rich archival repositories offer a fascinating lens into the unique historical events that require investigation below the surface to bring out a clearer picture of the event and its context. Some\, particularly issues of a demographic nature (but not only)\, benefit from bringing to bear on them a mathematical treatment. Among these topics\, which will be treated in the lecture\, are the ransack of Gozo in 1551\, the census of 1241\, the crisis of the 1480s\, and the exile of Muslims to Lucera ca. 1245. \nKindly RSVP by emailing ou******@******ta.org. Following the lecture\, we warmly invite you to the courtyard to enjoy some light refreshments. \nThis lecture is kindly supported by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
URL:https://nafmalta.org/nafevent/numbers-in-aid-of-history-numerical-solutions-to-some-historical-problems/
LOCATION:Notarial Archives Foundation\, 217\, St Paul Street\, Valletta\, VLT 1227\, Malta
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nafmalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-17-at-09.16.39_f5d076cf-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR