https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/38441 2026-04-09T06:00:14Z 2026-04-09T06:00:14Z Wyatt, H. V. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18110 2023-01-23T11:32:17Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The strange case of Temi Zammit's missing experiments Authors: Wyatt, H. V. Abstract: Sir Thernistocles Zammit is one of the most distinguished persons: as doctor, scientist, politician, archaeologist and author, yet his reputation rested mainly on his early career as a doctor and medical scientist. It is easy to see the archaeological excavations or pictures of them, but to see his scientific work one must find his original papers in libraries or discover his restored laboratory in an unmarked government office which few people will ever see. 1 A recent biography of Zammit is most welcome,2 but it is very difficult to appreciate his early achievements, especially as his famous experiments are absent. His medical and research career is split in several sections: VoL I (386 pages) at 221- 235,251-256 and 259, voL II (484 pages) at 36-59, 69-115 and 121-166. There is no subject

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Buttigieg, Lydia https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18109 2017-05-30T14:31:33Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Origins and development of a contemporary Maltese orchestra : the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Authors: Buttigieg, Lydia Abstract: Although there has been a long tradition of western art music in Malta since the Middle Ages, it has always been rather restricted in nature. First of all, the population of the island was relatively small and it was geographically isolated on the periphery of Europe. During previous centuries this meant that the kind of patronage that existed for classical music in other countries was much less widespread in Malta. Maltese musicians could only develop their musical tastes for a number of reasons: Firstly, the island was predominantly Catholic, and the church was the only significant patron of music, so the majority of the local composers wrote extensively for ecclesiastical or sacred purposes. Secondly, up to the Second World War the two main types of classical music performed in Malta were Italian opera (due to the strong Italian cultural influence on the island) which was performed either at the Royal Opera House or at the Manoel Theatre Valletta; and British ‘light music’. Maltese audiences displayed little interest in other kinds of classical music, such as orchestral and chamber music. Thirdly, there were very few performing groups (which were mainly small chamber ensembles) with whom Maltese composers could arrange to have their orchestral works performed. Consequently, very few Maltese composers wrote compositions specifically scored for large ensembles or orchestras. Given that the musical infrastructures in Malta were so underdeveloped in comparison to most other European countries, it was several decades into the twentieth century before a reasonably sized standard orchestra was established. The audience for any other form of classical music other than opera and church music remained stubbornly small, and the audience for new music was smaller still. To further a better understanding of the musical infrastructures developed throughout the centuries in Malta, the first half of this paper will present a brief historical background of the musical ensembles that performed sacred and secular music from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. In the second part, it focuses on the historical development of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, from the early twentieth century to the present day.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Camilleri, Jonathan https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18101 2017-05-30T14:31:56Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Maltese industrial development, 1933 – 1939 Authors: Camilleri, Jonathan Abstract: Research on economic aspects of inter-war Malta has been mostly subsumed in broader political historical narratives, especially for the years leading up to the Second World War when British colonial rule was re-established after a short stint of Maltese self-government. This paper attempts to address this by focusing on industrial development in the years 1933 to 1939, taking also into consideration recent historiography on the subject. This period coincided with the ebbing of a major world depression whose effects could still be felt on Malta. The British administration, sensitive to the implications of growing uncertainty in the Mediterranean and the need for security locally, shifted their policy to protect local industry. At the same time economic diversification by way of creating new industries was highlighted by some local groups. Yet notwithstanding these developments, industrial production was held up for a number of reasons, not least since the timing was not ideal, but also due to the persistence of traditional habits and challenges.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Raskin, Richard https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18065 2017-05-30T14:32:03Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Five explanations as to who named Malta’s Gloster Gladiators Faith, Hope and Charity in 1940-1941 Authors: Raskin, Richard Abstract: One of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War concerns the role played by a small number of obsolete biplanes that took to the skies over Malta in June 1940 and engaged wave after wave of modern Italian fighters and bombers. Malta’s outdated Gloster Gladiators, flown by volunteer pilots with little or no fighter experience, came to be known as Faith, Hope and Charity. But who gave them these names and when were they widely known? Each of a number of commentators suggests one and only one possible explanation as to the origin of the names. The purpose of the present article is for the first time to assemble and discuss five explanations that have appeared in the literature as to how and when Malta’s legendary Gladiators were christened.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z