Maltese clock

Maltese clock

This traditional clock which forms part of our Maltese folk dates back to the 17^th century, Apart from the normal use of a clock this particular clock is also to décor houses especially with houses of a traditional style and look.  This clock was only hung in wall of corridors or halls and also in use of corridors in public places as well they were found in some Maltese churches.

Usually this clock can be defined as a true and not a replica by seeing the carving on the wooden frame and the high quality machinery inside the clock. There is need of 2 people to finish this product a clockmaker ,carpenter and the gilder painter, the carpenter takes care of finishing the wooden case the clock maker takes care of the machinery and the glinder painter takes care of the finishing of the clock. The Maltese clock is also know as ‘tal-lira’ which is named after our previous Maltese currency the ‘lira’ this name took place also because this clock was being sold for just only a ‘lira’ which didn’t really make sense knowing the fact that 3 qualified artisans contributed for a very small amount of money. This name is said to be labelled to our famous clock by our ancestors which would call it ‘tal-lira’ clock not because of the expense or cost of the Maltese clock.  The Maltese clock is so beautiful because of his characteristics such as the wooden frame the two doors we find both in and outside this clock and the famous traditional clock face. On the face of the clock you find only two hands for the hour mark and the minute mark this clock does not have the second hand on it’s face which was made by a purpose to keep the traditional look from it’s face. What is interesting as well in this clock is that you find the corners usually decorated with floral painting and patterns with gild. This clock was not mass produced by real artisans but only produced this to their customers, customers had different quires on how they would like their clock to look but even if this clock changed a bit for certain customers it usually changed in colour not design so to keep the tradition going.

In the middile of the hands dial you usually find a small hand painting which their you usually find a landscape of our attraction villages in Malta such as Marsaxlokk, Mdina or Valletta. This clock’s face has a part which is inspired by the Romans and us the Maltese decided to include the Roman numbers to a very important area in our traditional clock.

Nowadays these clocks are very popular but also very expensive to find many replicas are still being crafted today, the charateristics of this clock is what makes it unique and I hope we keep this tradition going cause it is a big hounor for us to have our own Maltese clock.



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References:
https://artofgilding.wordpress.com/malteseclock/

Maltese Clock | The Art of Gilding. 2015. Maltese Clock | The Art of Gilding. [ONLINE] Available at: https://artofgilding.wordpress.com/malteseclock/. [Accessed 16 May 2015].

The Maltese bus

The Maltese Bus.

Traditionally the Maltese bus started out as a public transport back in the day, but a few years ago this famous bus that had carried out a lot of unique Maltese history it was replaced by the Arriva that is now used for the same purpose as a public transport for citizens. The Maltese traditional bus was a very attracting bus not only cause of the eye catching design but also the type that in written on these buses usually using an inspiring quote for the owner of the bus.

Unfortunately Malta in my opinion has lost one of the best tourist attraction  and also I am gutted because of the loss of the unique history that was lost with it, Local Maltese owners of this traditional bus were also hit drastically by this decision as cruising the Maltese island from their daily routes to transport people from one place to the other was their job. On the other hand now after using the Arriva for up to 4 years Malta has stood up to keep our rich traditions alive, At least we can see our traditional buses featured as show cases or even also they are being used as wedding transport. This Maltese bus was used up to 90 years this traditional bus started cruising our beautiful island at the year of 1920,    This is one of Malta’s first bus which as you can see is very different then the usual image that comes to mind when mentioning the Maltese traditional bus, this bus had less capacity of carrying people and also has a very beautiful traditional design to this public transport, this is still used today as a tourist attraction. In the 1970’s  bus operation were centralised because of the damage was done by these busses to our air with fuel. After this traditional Maltese bus the Maltese government had made a decision to design and produce to the public a very different style of the Maltese bus this was called the visit Malta bus  This was the bus all of us knew well ‘The shining chrome bus’.

Inspirations from this bus: Now in Malta we often see the Maltese sight seeing bus for tourist to cruise the Maltese island in this bus decker which was inspired from our own traditional bus, The shape and style of the traditional Maltese bus gives you indication of the similarities of the London bus which is found and still used in the capital of England.

Our Maltese bus is part of our rich culture and will hope to see it integrate more in our lifestyle to keep the tradition alive and also to show off our very luxurious culture for such a small island.

  
The Malta sightseeing tour bus. http://www.visitmalta.com/en/tour-buses

. 2015. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/tour-buses. [Accessed 02 May 2015].


London bus http://imgkid.com/london-red-bus.shtml

References: http://www.publictransport.com.mt/home?l=1
Malta Public Transport - Home . 2015. Malta Public Transport - Home . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.publictransport.com.mt/home?l=1. [Accessed 02 May 2015].

http://website.lineone.net/~alan.c.edwards/maltabus.html
Malta and Gozo Route Buses. 2015. Malta and Gozo Route Buses. [ONLINE] Available at: http://website.lineone.net/~alan.c.edwards/maltabus.html. [Accessed 02 May 2015]

Maltese Feasts

Maltese Folklore
Feasts

Every single city in Malta Annually celebrates their parish patron saint, there are some cities that have more then 1 feast a year which this causes more rivalry in which whom will celebrate their feast the best way possible. These feasts contribute in forming part of the Maltese culture, Naturally these feasts are celebrated by beautiful designed fireworks and also air fireworks and people gathering in the square of their hometowns to celebrate.

The people who take part in the fireworks section can tell you the dedication and the number of hours and money yearly needed to form this beautiful event. The fireworks are mainly worked from 2 club bands that would be the rivalry of each other and the street decorations are usually done by the churches workers or helpers. Every section is key to operate perfectly to co ordinate this big and very awaited by numerous both local and foreign people. These events are carried out through the cities all over Malta during the summer period so apart from the huge attraction the beautiful island of Malta brings during summer this also is a huge attraction to foreigners to come and visit this island and see our unique culture at it’s prime. Throughout this week you also find brass band cruising the city and making beautiful music behind the patron statue. This is the opportunity for people from the village to catch up at their square and talk about recent activities, the weakly feast also attracts families to meet and have the opportunity to appreciate the city that would come to life for that week which is special but the feast is mostly known for teenagers or people of a younger age which they express their youthfulness in this special week where everyone is dancing with their favourite brass band and making music which salutes their respectful patron. One of the most known feats in Malta is of the Our Lady of Victories which celebrates the defeat of the Turks at the end of the Great Siege in 1565.

Undoubtably the village’s feats is one of the main things in our culture which contributing in one week by food stands that sells traditional food, fireworks brass bands the gathering of the public and the most important the respectful message shown to the home tow’s patron saint. At that week apart from all being sad above the attractions in focused on the luxurious decor of the church both inside out which is the main importance. From the inside of the church you would find hand made beautiful red damask (Because the black damask is used on the great Friday) and the outside of the church with all beautiful bright bulbs are turned on at night.

These Feasts carry out passion and a lot of hard work yearly which is all produced in that week so apart from the natural respectful aspect there is also passion and determination to a lot of people and that is why in my opinion this is such a beautiful and important culture for Malta.


https://www.maltaproducts.com/Folklore--Traditional_Maltese_Feasts.html




References: https://www.maltaproducts.com/Folklore--Traditional_Maltese_Feasts.html
Traditional Maltese Feasts | Made in Malta Products. 2015. Traditional Maltese Feasts | Made in Malta Products. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.maltaproducts.com/Folklore--Traditional_Maltese_Feasts.html. [Accessed 21 April 2015].