‘Collective Memories of an Island - Identities in a Changing World’ is the seventh edition of the Public Lectures Series organised by the National Library of Malta. Coordinated by André P. DeBattista and Mevrick Spiteri, in collaboration with Professor Carmel Cassar from the Institute of Maltese Studies of the University of Malta, this lecture series is intended to present aspects of Malta’s collective memories and identities. Such collective memories often underpin and shape the different identities coexisting in a particular society.

This series will also pay tribute to Professor Henry Frendo’s academic contribution. A distinguished professor, prolific researcher, and writer, Prof. Frendo distinguished himself in various fields. His academic career is unparalleled – in addition to being the founding Director of the Institute for Maltese Studies at the University of Malta and Professor of Modern History at the same University, he also taught at La Trobe University in Victoria. He was elected Life Member of Clare College at the University of Cambridge, where he served as a visiting fellow.

Prof Frendo argued that Malta was moulded ‘by history, geography, and ethnic admixture – the Arabic of the Moors, corsairs, and slaves, together with accretions from several northern and southern European races – from Normans to Aragonese. Malta then passed under the Knights of St John, the French, and much more importantly, the British.’ This was supplemented by migration, ‘first to the Mediterranean littoral and then to the English-speaking world, and, later, return migration.’ The lecture series aims to explore some of these elements, including the role of Christianity, popular culture, educational initiatives, and economic policies in fostering collective memories and identities, as well as the role of the diaspora in shaping such memories.

Four lectures were held in the previous months; Prof Carmel Cassar looked at the ‘Ottoman Turk in Maltese Collective Memory, André P. DeBattista at the role of ‘Public History’ in Post-Colonial Malta, Charles Xuereb at the lingering manipulated perception of ‘France in the Maltese Collective Memory’, and Sergio Grech on Archbishop Michael Gonzi’s changing views on identity.

The remaining lectures continue to focus on different aspects of Maltese identity. Prof Mario Cassar gives an overview of the ‘Cognominal Kinship’ between Malta and Sicily. He argues that there is a high number of Sicilian surnames in Malta and Maltese surnames in Sicily, noting that this cross-fertilisation of family names was a two-way affair. This link will be examined in this lecture to be held on the 18^th of February.

On the 25^th of March, Noel D’Anastas will deliver a lecture on popular music as a ‘testimony of national identity’ in post-independent Malta. He will explore the relationship between popular music and society as a barometer of social change and the changes brought about by various exogenous factors, including the Second Vatican Council and the boom in travel and tourism.

On the 25^th of April, Mario Xuereb will explore expressions of identities and the Maltese diaspora in the early 20th century, focusing on the Maltese Tripolini. His lecture seeks to demonstrate how the multiplicity of identities was a perceptible reality among all the constituent elements of the Maltese diaspora across the Mediterranean, whether they resided in French Algeria or Tunis, Turkish Izmir, or Greek Corfu.

The final lecture, to be delivered by Daniel Borg on the 23rd of May, looks at Malta’s role between 1917 and 1919 in the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Following the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, Malta served as the base for the 2nd Special Squadron of the Imperial Japanese Navy. His lecture will delve deeper into this period, exploring the military endeavours and the relationships between the Japanese sailors and the locals and the significance this period holds for the Japanese people.

The general public is invited to attend these lectures, all of which start at 6.30 PM and will be followed by open Q&A sessions and one-evening-only exhibitions of rarely-displayed items from the National Library of Malta’s collection. Entrance to these lectures is free of charge, and no prior booking is required. For more info and to receive news of upcoming Malta Libraries events, email [email protected] or visit the National Library of Malta Facebook page.

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