Bread plays a fundamental role in Maltese historical consciousness, forming an integral part of Maltese cultural tradition. Despite changing eating habits and a drop in the local consumption of bread, the Maltese still consider themselves to be mainly ‘bread eaters’ – very similar to the people of eighteenth-century Malta.

This intriguing lecture by Dr Noel Buttigieg will explore how, in the eighteenth century, managing bread and bakers was more than just a political and economic exercise.

The process of control was shrouded in a symbolic system and its importance went far beyond food and nutritional values, reaching out into socio-cultural experiences in its symbolic significance.

Through an exploration of the criminal records of the Knight’s Magna Curia Castellania [civil court of justice] the audience will discover the intrigues associated with the distribution, processing and consumption of grain and bread supplies in the harbour area. This promises to bring to light important historical information on Malta’s early modern bread culture.

The lecture organised by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar in conjunction with Slow Food Malta and the International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta, will be illustrated by photographs, some to be published for the first time, and most being the work of distinguished photographer Daniel Cilia.

Buttigieg, Noel – Graduated with a PhD (2014) from the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture of the University of Malta, Dr Buttigieg has published a number of scholarly papers mainly about the culture, gender and history of food in Malta and the Mediterranean.

He co-authored the book Storja tal-Kultura ta’ l-Ikel f’ Malta and is currently researching food and gender identity during the Second World War. Known for his fascinating lectures in food history and anthropology, Dr Buttigieg’s main interest is in memory, gender and identity.

He is Hon. Secretary of the Malta Historical Society and committee member of The Sacra Militia Foundation Malta. Dr. Buttigieg is also the current Chairperson of Slow Food Malta.

The lecture is taking place next Wednesday, the 17th of June, between 6.00pm and 8.00pm, at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

To book a place please go to https://ticketengine.faa.org.mt/ or www.faa.org.mt

A 5.00 euro donation is kindly solicited.

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