As part of its biggest intangible heritage project to date, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to a series of talks by former Dockyard workers, set to take place between April and October 2024.
Building on its recent launch of The Dockyard from the Workers’ Perspective – 100 Interviews, a publication offering unique insight into the identity-forging national industry of the Malta Dockyard through its skilled craftsmen’s own words, as well as the ongoing exhibition ‘An Island at the Crossroads’ at the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, the agency is now offering the public the opportunity to meet the protagonists themselves and delve deeper.
Starting on April 28, the first public talk, entitled ‘From Schoolboy to Tradesman’, will explore the apprenticeship system implemented in the Malta Dockyard throughout the years. Following the Dockyard’s construction by the British Admiralty in the mid-1800s, a carefully planned training programme was created, to mould individuals at tradesmen level into the backbone of this new industry, which introduced the latest ship repair and maintenance techniques of the era.
This talk will be held at the Malta Maritime Museum, starting at 10:00 and finishing around 11:30. Attendance is free, but booking on https://heritagemalta.mt/store/e1409/ or from any Heritage Malta museum or site is required, as seats are limited. The session will be conducted in Maltese.
Further talks will be taking place in May, September, October and November 2024. Visit www.heritagemalta.mt/whats-on for further information and follow Heritage Malta’s social media channels to stay updated.
