Friends of the National Archives of Malta
EVENTS / NEWS
On 19 July 2019, the recently elected committee of the Friends of the National Archives paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr George Vella, President of Malta, at the Palace in Valletta. The President, who is also patron of the organisation, was briefed about the important role this NGO has been playing for the last twenty years from its foundation. The President praised the work of so many volunteers who give their time and energy to safeguard the collective memory of the Maltese nation.
National Book Festival 2014
In 2014 The Friends of the National Archives was again present with a stand during the National Book Festival that was held on 12-16 November at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
This stand was information point about our organisation and the ongoing activities of the National Archives of Malta. A number of publications were available for sale from our stand including exclusive items such as the 2014 issue of our journal Arkivju and the new publication issued by the National Archives of Malta - The Salter Album - Encounters in Malta's Prisoner of War Camps 1914-1920.
Visit of the committee members to the President of the Republic of Malta
On the 15 December 2014 the committee members of the Friends of the National Archives met with H.E. Dr. Marie Louise Coliero Preca, the President of the Republic of Malta. During the meeting the President accepted and confirmed that for the coming years she will be the patron of the Organization. Various issues which directly or indirectly concern the Archives and the work of the voluntary organization were discussed. H.E.Marie Louise Coliero Preca promised all her support to the Organization.
Digitisation of the Leli Muscat Għana Collection
Members from the Committee of the Friends of the National Archives Committee have recently visited Lito's Sound Studio in Floriana to be briefed about the current process of conversion of folk music reels from analogue to digital. Sound Engineer Manolito Galea explained the documentation process on the Leli Muscat Folk Music collection. Each reel is in the process of conversion to digital and all documentation on content is being noted. Followiing this process, decisions have to be taken on prioritization for sound restoration if needed.
Mr Max Farrugia, President of the Friends Committee thanked Mr Galea for the professional job being done. He also thanked all those who have helped through ideas, sponsorship or voluntary work to make this process possible. To view and listen to this digitization process click here:
General Elections 2017. The Friends of the National Archives have contacted all the political parties contesting the 2017 general elections to include in their respective electoral manifesto the following proposal:
To build as soon as possible a modern National Archives building that caters for all the current and future needs of this institution. This building would enable the National Archives to centralise all the resources and services, and implement innovative measures that link present and future historical material of all formats. Thus, apart from being the custodian of our collective memory, the National Archives can also serve as a center of learning for people from all walks of life.
On the 16 October 2017, the committee of the Friends of the National Archives led by its President Max Farrugia had a meeting with the Minister responsible for the National Archives Hon. Evarist Bartolo. The meeting with took place on Monday 16 October 2017 focused on the current government's electoral manifesto promise to build a state of the art national archives for Malta. The Committee of FNAM offered all its support to such a proposal and further emphasized the catastrophic future for the sector if this project is not accomplished in the coming years as the current repositories are full to capacity putting at risk the natural process of accessions. The Minister promised the full commitment towards this capital project.
Digitisation of the Leli Muscat Collection
27 October 2014, on the occasion of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, the National Archives of Malta and the Friends of the National Archives launched a project for the digitisation of the Leli Muscat Collection.
The Leli Muscat collection contains around 400 hours of għana that Leli Muscat recorded in various locations around Malta in a span of 20 years, from the 1960s onwards. One of the most important values of this collection, is the fact that the recordings were done live in bars, pubs and għana events. Apart from that, this collection includes the għana from different folk singers and musicians.
The first phase of the process is the transferring of the recordings from analogue magnetic tape to a digital format. After the delictae and time consuming transferring process, every track will be saved individually. This way these recordings will be saved from the further deterioration of the magnetic reels that they were originally recorded on. The next step will be the sound restoration and re-mastering. At the same time every track will be catalogued and eventually made available for research by the general public.
Mr Charles Farrugia, the National Archivist, thanked the Friends of the National Archives for their help and contribution in purchasing and conserving the Leli Muscat Collection. He also thanked Mr Steve Borg, who was instrumental in the discovery of this collection. Mr Farrugia concluded by saying that “the project which is being launched today is another step in the mission of the National Archives to preserve and access the national memory”. To view the TVM news feature about this project click here:
National Book Festival 2013
The Friends of the National Archives had a stand at the Malta National Book Festival, held on 13-17 November at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
Our stand was an information point about our organisation and the ongoing activities of the National Archives of Malta. A number of publications were available for sale from our stand including exclusive items such as the 2013 issue of our journal Arkivju and the new publication issued by the National Archives of Malta - Valletta; Porta Reale and its Environs.
Donation of conservation equipment by the FNA to the National Archives (16/10/2013)
The Friends of the National Archives have donated conservation equipment and materials to the National Archives Conservation Laboratory. During the presentation President of the Association Mr Max Farrugia said that through this donation the Friends will continue fulfilling their mission of supporting the National Archives. National Archivist Charles J. Farrugia thanked the Friends organisation for this kind gesture. The Head of the Conservation Laboratory Mr Mario V. Gauci said that the equipment will facilitate further the work of the laboratory and make it possible for more tasks to be carried out. The equipment donated included a guillotine, heat set press, nipping press, gilding tools and various kinds of bookcloth.
The members of the executive committee of the Friends of the National Archives for the term 2021-2023 (from right to left)
Secretary: Dr Evelyn Pullicino,
Volunteers Officer: Martin Hampton
International Relations: Marica Camilleri
Public Relations Officer: Doris Zammit
President: Max Farrugia
Vice-President: Dr Charles Farrugia, National Archivist
Assistant Secretary: M'Anne Farrugia
Treasurer: Dott Gerald Bugeja
Education Officer: Prof. George Cassar
Membership Secretary & Web Content Officer: Ivan Ellul