Malcolm Schembri has just edited and published his fourth edition of what has now become a very welcome and lavish series of books regarding the historical and cultural aspects of Zabbar. This edition, once again profusely illustrated, kicks off with an editorial by Mr Schembri himself, and then a message from Quinton Scerri, mayor of Zabbar.  

This follows the third part of Zabbar throughout the centuries written by Paul Pace and an extensive profile about Mons. G. Zarb, former parish priest of Zabbar, a century after his birth. This is complemented with more on Mons. Zarb in an article written by Michael Buhagiar. A poem, Xmara ta’ Grazzji by Mary Grace Caruana, provides a delightful pause to the next item in the book: The Statistical Survey on Sunday Mass attendance in Zabbar compiled by Paul Xuereb, to be followed by a profile on Patri Felicjan Grech O.P. by Eman Bonnici. Another poem X’hallejt warajja by Mary Grace Bellia provides another literary interval. This follows more literature: an extensive write-up by Dr Charles Briffa about Dr Carmel Mallia’s colossal triptych: Il-Baruni ta’ Hal-Qormi, L-Irvell tal-Qassisin and Dell Napuljun fuq Malta (2012), which is complemented by another write-up in English by Alfred Palma. Mr Xuereb writes a hugely informative essay about the frequent  troubles between the Maltese and the British soldiers. Follows George Cilia with a general account about  windmills in Malta (particularly Zabbar) and Gozo. A  write-up on bees and their cultivation by Karina Fiorini, provides a delightful contrast. The more so when the following subject (highly researched by Michael Buhagiar) relates the tragic  events of the 1813 plague in Malta. Dr Grazio Ellul’s article, forwarded from Ireland, deals with Zabbar in the latter 50 years of the last century. More literature: an appeal by Charles Flores to all of us to safeguard our national language. Then Malcolm interviews Baritone Alfred Camilleri who speaks about the miniature church he built at his Zabbar home.  Ms Bellia again takes over with a short account of the graces she received from Our Lady during various phases of her life.

The book ends with a veritable tour de force essay about the commemorative slabs which cover the pavement of the Zabbar parish church and a nostalgic little account by Grace Pace, chairperson of the Zabbar Civic Council, who relates a visit (way back in 1954), which she says she’ll never forget.

This 2013 edition of  Storja u Kultura Haz-Zabbar sports a beautiful photo of the Zabbar Sanctuary Museum on the front page. It is elegantly printed on glossy paper and is a must not only for the locals but also to those who love and cherish  Malta, its history and its culture.

To receive a copy, free of charge, one may email the author on [email protected] or phone on 9987 9497. 

Storja u Kultura  Haz-Zabbar by Malcolm Schembri 2013: 136 pp., 2013