https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136002 2026-04-13T03:25:26Z 2026-04-13T03:25:26Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144606 2026-03-04T14:31:47Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Street decorations in the Maltese festa : the feast of Saint George in Qormi as a case study Abstract: The Maltese festa is a major cultural and religious celebration that blends devotion, community participation, and artistic expression. A notable example is the Feast of Saint George in Qormi, celebrated on the last Sunday of June. Central to the event is a solemn procession in which the statue of the saint is carried through the town’s streets, symbolising Catholic devotion in community life. Historical records from 1575 identify Qormi as an active parish, and over time, the town developed a tradition of honouring its patron saint through annual celebrations that have grown in scale and complexity. To coordinate the festa’s external activities, the Kumitat Festi Esterni San Ġorġ Martri Qormi (KFESĠMQ) was established in 1919, assuming responsibility for planning, fundraising, logistics, and volunteer coordination. This dissertation explores the historical development, organisational structure, and strategic operations of the KFESĠMQ, with a focus on street decorations as expressions of cultural identity and artistic heritage. Using a qualitative case study approach, it examines how the committee responds to contemporary challenges, including demographic change, rising costs, urban development, and regulatory demands. While festa committees preserve Malta’s intangible cultural heritage, the future of these celebrations depends on adaptability. This research highlights both the resilience and limitations of the KFESĠMQ, concluding with strategic recommendations aimed at ensuring the feast’s continuity, particularly through the preservation of street decorations. Description: M. Malt. St.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144605 2026-03-04T14:29:03Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Monsignor Edgar Salomone : his pivotal role in the community of Mġarr Abstract: This thesis explores the significant contribution of Monsignor Edgar Salomone to the village of Mġarr. Serving as parish priest throughout much of the early 20th century, Salomone’s influence reached far beyond religious duties. He played an active role in shaping the village’s social life, improving education, supporting healthcare, and driving local development. When Salomone arrived, Mġarr was a small and poor village. Over time, he helped change it into a more organised and active community. Using letters, church documents, interviews, and other records, this study shows how Salomone helped build the parish church, supported education, gave medical help when no doctor was available, and looked after the people during World War II. He also worked closely with British officials to get help for the village. Salomone’s story shows how a parish priest could be a strong and caring leader in a small village. Today, many people in Mġarr still remember him with respect and affection. This research helps us understand how religion, leadership, and community life were connected in Malta during this time. It also shows the lasting effect one person can have on a whole community. Description: M. Malt. St.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144603 2026-03-04T14:26:23Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Adapting to change in Maltese viticulture Abstract: This dissertation explores how Malta’s viticulture sector is adapting to a combination of environmental and socio-economic challenges, including climate change, land scarcity, demographic shifts, and economic pressures. Despite its relatively small scale, the sector holds significant cultural, historical, and economic value. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws on semistructured interviews with fifteen key stakeholders, including vineyard owners, wine producers, agricultural consultants, and policymakers, to examine how adaptation is taking shape across the industry. The findings reveal that while Maltese viticulture faces systemic constraints such as fragmented landholdings, a rapidly ageing farming population, and the erosion of traditional knowledge, it also demonstrates notable adaptive capacity. Producers are investing in sustainable agricultural practices, such as precision irrigation, biodiversity integration, and organic fertilisation. The preservation and commercial revival of indigenous grape varieties, particularly Ġellewża and Girgentina, feature prominently as both a cultural and strategic priority. Some wineries are experimenting with vitivoltaics, combining solar energy generation with vineyard shading, as part of broader sustainability efforts. Technological innovation remains uneven, largely due to high costs and small plot sizes; however, initiatives such as sensor-based soil monitoring and mechanised pruning are gaining traction. Cultural branding and storytelling have also emerged as powerful tools, helping producers differentiate Maltese wines in competitive markets. Additionally, policy incentives and EU funding schemes have enabled investments in training, land rehabilitation, and modernisation, though access remains inconsistent. This research contributes to the broader understanding of agricultural resilience in small island contexts by offering a grounded, sector-specific case study. It concludes with practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term viability of Maltese viticulture through coordinated investment, education, and cultural preservation. Description: M. Malt. St.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144602 2026-03-04T14:22:47Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The educational role of Maltese band clubs : Soċjetà Mużikali Beland of Żejtun as a case study Abstract: Band clubs have been integral to the Maltese feast since the 19th century, participating in religious processions and celebrations honouring village patron saints. Although occasionally criticised for encouraging rivalry and excess during external festivities, these organisations continue to serve as vital pillars of community life. In addition to offering free music instruction, band clubs provide members with opportunities to acquire diverse skills, including event organisation, artisanal craftsmanship, and cultural production. This dissertation explores the educational role of Maltese band clubs, with a particular focus on the Soċjetà Mużikali Beland of Żejtun, one of Malta’s oldest band clubs, established around 1861. It examines how this organisation operates not only as a centre for musical instruction but also as a cultural and social hub that nurtures individual growth and community engagement. Employing a case study methodology that includes semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and the analysis of both primary and secondary sources, the study explores how the Soċjetà Mużikali Beland contributes to the development of transferable skills among its active members and investigates its function as an educational platform within the community of Żejtun. Description: M. Malt. St.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z