Seminar Series
Work in Progress in the Social Studies (WIPSS): 2018/9
22nd Year
15 May
Paul Portelli
Insects and other Invertebrates in Maltese Culture and Tradition
This paper explores how insects are culturally embedded and human relations with them are charged with emotionality. This emotionality determines the concepts of and relations with nature and the environment as well as the use of insects as a resource. The paper argues that emotions also determine the way that insects are aestheticised and used in literary and popular writings, as well as in artistic creations.
Paul Portelli is a graduate in communications and anthropology and holds a Masters in Maltese Studies. He is presently finalising his PhD thesis within the Institute of Maltese Studies on human/insect relations in Malta, a multidisciplinary research, which is to be submitted at the end of May. He has published a book and hundreds of articles and papers on the fauna and flora of the Maltese islands. He is presently the Curator of Għar Dalam Cave and Museum, Heritage Malta.
Wednesday 15 May, from 18:00 to 19:00, followed by discussion. In Faculty of Arts Library, at the end of the corridor on the third floor. Students are encouraged to attend. The public is cordially welcome.
Convenors: Prof. Paul Clough (Anthropology), Prof. Peter Mayo (Education), Dr Michael Briguglio (Sociology)