Скачать или смотреть Traditional Trades in our Homes - The BOV Calendar 2016

Snajja’ ta’ Dari fi Djarna

The BOV Calendar has now become a collector’s item that puts an aspect of our rich heritage under the spotlight every year. The theme for 2016 hits home. The home was always the pride and joy of us Maltese and this year’s calendar makes the traditional home of our forefathers as its point of departure. It showcases the typical Maltese craftsmen who had an important role to play in the creation of the Maltese traditional homes.

This is what the BOV team working on this year’s calendar discovered. The calendar reveals gems of the quaint Maltese home that for some of us might come as a surprise. The people who still make a living from these trades are few and far between, with small workshops tucked away in the heart of old villages, like the remnants of an old fairy tale.

This calendar pays tribute to our forefathers, giving us the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the figures and trades that remain an integral part of what we are today, though we risk losing them in our past. Speaking to these people, one realises that there is a golden thread that runs across all of these tradesmen – the love and passion for the craftsmanship that was handed down to them from their own parents and grandparents, the art that emanates through their work, whether it finds its shape in stone, wood or iron.

Every month is dedicated to a feature in the old Maltese home. Some may still look or sound familiar like the colourful patterned tiles that evoke such a Mediterranean atmosphere, or the typical shrine that was a must in every home, or the Maltese balcony made of either stone or wood. Then there is the old stone staircase, and the whole spectrum of stone designs that were used to decorate and embellish the Maltese home, or the more humble lock (serratura) that may seem obvious but is definitely synonymous with the old Maltese home.

Every feature has a story to tell, as do all the craftsmen met on this journey. They tell a story of heritage, and passion for the craft that was handed down to them, along with a world of traditions.

Bank of Valletta chose to pay tribute to these tradesman through its calendar, because it feels that being the Maltese Bank is a matter of pride and responsibility. For the past four decades, Bank of Valletta has evolved and continues to grow hand in hand with the local communities in which it operates. The Bank will continue to invest in being the lifelong financial partner for both its personal and business customers, by harnessing the latest technological innovations to ensure a customer-driven strategy.

Bank of Valletta would like to thank the craftsmen who welcomed its team in their workshops and homes, and spoke so candidly about their craftsmanship.

The photos used in the BOV 2016 Calendar may be viewed online at bov.com.