The first Wirt Ghawdex lecture for 2016 is entitled :Waking the dead: 19th century obituaries as a mirror of Maltese social class" and will be delivered by Dr Michael Refalo.

Do we believe what is written about the dead in obituaries? How relevant are they as a historical source? Through the exaggerated praise for deceased individuals in 19th century Maltese newspapers, it is possible to discern the values, virtues and qualities which were treasured by Malta's 'respectable' classes. (This talk is part of a larger study currently being researched by the lecturer).

Dr Michael Refalo graduated in Laws in 1980 and obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Malta in History (2009) with the thesis entitled The Maltese Commercial Class 18701914: Business, families, Networks, which was subsequently published by the University of Pisa.

He has published various papers of historical interest in local and foreign publications. His book entitled The Maltese Nineteenth century Notary and His Archives has won the National Book prize, 2015.

Dr Refalo's latest publication is Slavery, The Malta Connection which deals with the transhipment of Ottoman slaves through Malta during the late 19th century.

The lecture is scheduled for Friday, the 22nd of January, at the Santa Cecilia Chapel starting at 6:30pm. It will be delivered in English and is open to the general public.

Requests for seat reservations can be made on membership@wirtghawdex.org or through the website www.wirtghawdex.org.

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