https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91670 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:52:45 GMT 2026-04-26T16:52:45Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95410 Title: The Casino Maltese : a socio-historical and artistic overview of Malta’s premier gentlemen’s club, with a focus on the first century of its existence Abstract: When Professor Henry Frendo approached me to write about the Casino Maltese I was at first somehow hesitant. Eventually, I decided to give it a try, and this, primarily, because of my deep respect towards him. In time I realized that there was a need for such a compilation even to satisfy a broad sense of inquisitiveness in club life in Malta. My essay would delve into club life with a particular emphasis on the Casino Maltese. This would be the first holistic work on this specific subject. The journey was long and daunting for more than one reason. This case study focused on the Casino Maltese which saw its birth in the early nineteenth century in the heart of Valletta. The period of my study fell mainly between 1852 and 1953. The worst problem encountered was the dearth of information at hand. To date, no comprehensive literature has been dedicated to the study of social life and customs at Clubs situated in Malta. Foreign literature is also limited. The study was based initially on archival material housed at the Casino Maltese which comprised solely of minutes taken during Committee meetings dating back from the year1887. This left a hiatus from the year of inauguration of the Casino Maltese; which is generally assumed to have been the year 1852. Much of what was not irretrievably lost is trivial and therefore other sources such as diaries and biographies had to be tapped to incorporate into a general survey. Since Clubs frequently were the target of much gossip, periodicals, especially those with a satirical edge, were examined. I spent long months reading daily newspapers through deficient microfilm machines and much to the detriment of my eyes. Since local newspapers reported whenever special events unfurled within the Casinos, it was at least fruitful in this respect. I was lucky enough to interview surviving Casino Maltese members and also an employee to get a wider feel from various sides of the spectrum. In the meantime, a three month full-time study of archival files belonging to La Borsa, the present Chamber of Commerce in Republic Street, served another function. Here I studied not only minutes of Committee meetings but also correspondence files incorporating both outgoing and incoming letters. These uncovered actual events that transpired within their walls: insights into real life situations. The archives at La Borsa are very vast and well-kept, although the presence of wood worm was not lacking. The earliest documents I investigated date to 1852 which coincide with the inception of the Casino Maltese group. Through this study I discovered that members at the Casino Maltese were also members at La Borsa, which had its own Casino and aptly named Casino della Borsa. These people were therefore sharing the same premises, especially so, when the Casino Maltese actually moved its seat to La Borsa whilst the venue at No 247 was being utilized as The Grand Hotel. The Borsa also hosted the Casino Maltese members whilst No. 247 was being reconstructed in the early 20th century and after World War II. The historical chapter therefore includes a finely interwoven mesh of anecdotes that help construct and shape a more tangible idea of Club life in Malta during the British period. Though my work is all-inclusive it is not definitive, for there is much documentation that has been lost. Besides, there may be other scholars who will follow up with new facts, still to be unearthed, which might give dissimilar insights to mine. Description: M.MALTESE STUD. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95410 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95407 Title: Development of human rights in Malta with a particular focus on gender Abstract: Malta is in the process of strengthening its structural mechanism in the field of human rights. This was clearly declared in The 2014 Budget Speech which highlights government’s intention to widen the scope of the Commission for the Promotion of Equality so that this becomes a Commission for Human Rights and Equality. For this reason, in 2014, the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties initiated a scoping consultation on the White Paper that was launched to serve as a basis for the setting up of the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality. It was in this context that the field of human rights was chosen as the topic for my dissertation. This study explores the development of human rights with a special focus on gender limiting this work to equality between women and men. The reason for this focus was mainly in order to remain within the length limits imposed on such a dissertation even though in recent years significant legal and administrative developments have been made in the field of gender identity, sexual preference, sex characteristics and gender expression. Malta cannot boast of a human rights commission as none exist to date. However, Malta can boast of having two equality bodies. In fact, Malta is one of the 31 members of the European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET). Malta lists the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) and the Kummissjoni Nazzjonali għall-Persuni b’Diżabilitὰ (KNPD) as the two national equality bodies. Countries, like Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have an entity specifically working on fundamental human rights. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) declare that they have an equality and human rights commission. Malta is working on developing the same mechanism as Ireland and the UK. The objective of the NCPE is to work towards ensuring that Maltese society is a society free from any form of discrimination based on sex/gender and family responsibilities, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, racial or ethnic origin, and gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics in employment; banks and financial institutions, as well as education; and on racial / ethnic origin and gender in the provision of goods and services and their supply. Therefore, although the Constitution of Malta protects the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, no specific national mechanism, in the form of a commission or an ombudsman, has ever been set up and given the responsibilities to promote and safeguard these rights. Thus, as stated above, the aspirations of the Maltese Government in this regard are to include human rights in the remit of the NCPE. It is in this context that this dissertation is being developed. The objectives are to understand and record the development and progress made on the international level in a historical context; to contextualise these developments in the national climate; to analyse the progress made; how national identity and political discourse defined the process of these developments in Malta and finally to propose the way forward to strengthen human rights instruments for the Maltese citizen. Description: M.MALTESE STUD. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95407 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95405 Title: Perceptions and causes of adult illiteracy in Malta Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to determine reasons behind the difficulties which eventually result in illiteracy. Hopefully, the information derived would help in building proposals for ways to eliminate any educational methods that do not work, while improving the present good practices. Despite the implementation of literacy programmes, global illiteracy is still prevalent (Unesco, 2014). The literacy rate in Malta is rather low, despite free education for all since 1946 (NSO, 2014). Interviews were conducted with persons from different sections of society to determine the reasons for their lack of literacy. These interviews asked the opinions of persons who lack basic literacy skills, adult education tutors, and employers from established industrial concerns. Later, a small sample from the group of persons who lack basic literacy skills were interviewed further. This was done in order to explore deeper problems which might have been overlooked in the previous interview. Causes of the lack of literacy, emanating from this study, have proved to be the low socio-economic background of these persons, as well as the low literacy skills possessed by their parents. Linked to this is the lack of involvement by their parents in school work or activities. The persons lacking literacy skills had not shown any aspiration for educational achievement. This was demonstrated by the fact that school assignments were mostly done in noisy and other inadequate environments. Bullying and truancy play a role as causes for dropping out of school, while indications point at absenteeism from school as a direct outcome of lack of comprehension of lesson explanations. Description: M.MALTESE STUD. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95405 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95403 Title: Festa celebration in a typical Gozitan village : the festa of Santa Marija in the village of Żebbuġ, Gozo Abstract: The ritualistic versions of festa are described by various anthropologists and today form an integral part in the ethnography of Maltese festa. This study is about the development and escalation of festa celebrations in the village of Żebbuġ Gozo. This escalation is strongly conditioned by the overarching power of the festa dilettanti who are committed all year round to the organisation and manufacturing of festa decorations for this grand village event. ‘Briju’ is thus the extravagant event in every village festa, but in the village of Żebbuġ it signatures a ‘revival’ of religious belonging and a strong participation in village social life. Thus, the escalation of festa was mainly resulted by the social rise of different voluntary groups of dilettanti. As a matter of fact, the position of dilettanti in the village is the most valid significance for the success of festa celebrations. Upon reflection, it becomes clear that the meaning of festa in Żebbuġ, is mainly associated with the level of voluntary work. The evidence of this is seen in the active life and full service of every dilettant. Commitment is their code of ethics to manifest their ‘devotions’ and honour ‘Santa Marija’. Their ‘religiousness’ is not a ‘metaphysical one’, but a clear mission to place their festa event in the mainstream of Christian celebrations in Malta and Gozo. Their solidarity reinforces their community and through their innovative aspects of festa they reformulate the idea of escalation year after year. This study would not have been possible without the help and assistance of various individuals. First of all I would like to thank Prof Henry J. Frendo, Director of the Institute for Maltese Studies, for his continuous academic support and for enlightening me with his critical feedback and inspired my research journey with his dynamic and academic spirit. I would also like to express my gratitude to Rev. Dr. Joseph Bezzina and Professor Dr. Horatio C. R. Vella who helped me in deciphering the primary historical sources. A note of thanks goes also to the Archpriest of Żebbuġ Can. Reuben Micallef for his constant moral help. I would like to thank Fr. George Vella who provided me with important information about important events in Żebbuġ during the last sixty or seventy years. I am grateful also to Fr. Geoffrey Attard for his help and support. Moreover I would like to show my gratitude to Dr. Ray Debono Roberts for his helpful measure and for his essential source of inspiration regarding the anthropological aspects of festa. I would like to mention also the people who accepted to be interviewed and were kind enough to give me their feedback during the stages of research. Description: M.MALTESE STUD. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/95403 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z