Priests and politicians : an iconography of public monuments and statues in Żabbar

Abstract

This dissertation explores the lasting value of public monuments, focusing on a set of seven statues and busts located in Żabbar, a town in Malta. The study clarifies the dynamic character of monument symbolism by examining the original intent behind these monuments and exploring how their meanings evolve through time. Data collection involved informal conversations conducted in the streets of Żabbar with the locals and interviews with key stakeholders including the mayor of Żabbar and the Żabbar parish priest. The findings reveal that monuments undergo meaningful transformations over time, representing modern values while preserving ties to the past. These changing interpretations emphasize the diverse reactions evoked by these timeless symbols and provide insightful information about the complex interaction between monuments and their audiences.