“Folklore in the Maltese Islands” is a new publication on the initiative of the Qala Local Council for dealing with folklore in the Maltese Islands. The book, by editor Euchar Mizzi, was published in full collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Consumer Protection, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Consultation.

The publication is a follow up to the international conference on folklore held in 2009 as part of the fourth edition of the International Festival of Folklore organised by the Qala Local Council. This conference was attended by more than 100 people, including 90 from abroad. During this conference studies were presented from leading scholars on the subject, Mr Charles Coleiro, Mr Anton F Attard and Dr Joe Zammit Ciantar.

These presentations are now compiled in the publication “Folklore in the Maltese Islands” and have therefore became accessible to everyone, while it will continue to serve as reference for anyone wishing to enter deeper into the subject.

During the launch of the publication, the Parliamentary Secretary, Chris Said, commended the initiative of the Qala Local Council for not only organising the annual international folk festival which has now entered the cultural calendar of Gozo, but also seeing what emerges from this activity is not lost and remains a point of reference for the future.

Chris Said went on to say that the Government supports such initiatives because it believes strongly that the folklore is the mirror of the island’s identity and identity is the main attraction in the localities. The Parliamentary Secretary announced that next September there will once again be the International Folklore Festival in Qala and again the Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for Local Councils will assist financially in organising the festival. He also said that the national conference this year will deal with crafts in Malta and Gozo. These will also be shown at international exhibition to show the identity of the islands.

To further complement these initiatives, the Qala Local Council is working to establish a museum of folklore to serve as a showcase of the local identiy. Chris Said said that the Government will continue to help financially to make this project a reality.

Chris Said concluded by thanking the Local Council and the community of Qala for their work to strengthen the identity and location of both the community and country.

Permalink: Folklore in the Maltese Islands publication launched in Qala