Wirt Għawdex will be organising the second talk in its lecture series on Friday, 30 January 2026, at 6:30pm, at St Cecilia’s Chapel, Għajnsielem. The talk, which will be delivered in Maltese by Alda Buġeja, will focus on the tradition, history, and cultural heritage of weaving, and is titled “Ix-Xoqqa f’Moxtha – The Tradition of Weaving.” 

Alda Bugeja is a weaver and expert in woven textiles and other crafts related to weaving. She is well known for her skill in weaving, both in practice and in teaching. She began weaving at a very young age, when she was just five years old. Throughout her life she has continued to use traditional tools and techniques, and since 1999 she has been teaching this craft to others. While she still uses traditional methods, she adapts them to modern times to encourage young people and children to take up weaving. She enjoys using locally sourced materials such as sheep’s wool, cotton, and cane. In the year 2000, she was awarded the first of several honours, the National Award for Achievements in Industry.

Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in Malta, and for centuries it was a primary source of income for rural families in both Malta and Gozo. Many households owned a wooden loom at home to weave their own clothing and bedding.

Unfortunately, today weaving is no longer as popular as it was fifty years ago. It involves a long, time-consuming process that requires great patience. Alda is a weaver who still uses the old loom machines she used in her childhood to create unique products. The loom is used for many items, including rugs, shawls, blankets, and clothing, among others. Each product can be designed and made to suit individual tastes. In her shop, Alda displays a variety of loom-woven works that she produces herself. At the same time, she offers courses for both adults and children to learn the craft of weaving. It is important that crafts like these are not lost, and Alda works tirelessly to preserve and pass them on to others.

After the talk, there will be time for questions from the audience and discussion. We thank APS Bank for sponsoring these talks and Delicata Winery for sponsoring the refreshments after the lecture.

Seating is limited and places are not guaranteed. Priority will be given to those who have registered.

Wirt Għawdex is a voluntary non-governmental organisation founded in 1981 with the aim of fostering awareness of our heritage at all levels of society, and works to safeguard the natural, archaeological, historical, and anthropological heritage of the islands of Gozo and Comino. This is the first in a series of monthly talks covering a variety of themes related to Gozo. The general public is invited to attend.