The exhibition, held at Palazzo Ferreria, Republic Street Valletta, was inaugurated by Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina and includes a display of colourfully weaved items such as bags and bed spreads.

Ms Cristina praised the refugees for the work they had on display and thanked Fr Mintoff and the Peace Lab volunteers for their work. She added that they are showing solidarity with those who need it most.

Fr Mintoff explained that this sort of weave is literally handmade as no weaving tools are used.

The artefacts are the product of an “empowerment” project that the Peace Lab carried out with a group of refugees. “These people are detained for long periods of time,” Fr Mintoff said, “in this way we helped them to make use of this time in a positive way.

“Creativity is one of the most important human characteristics because it enables us to see the human face of the emarginated through the emotions and thoughts that are reflected in the work presented.

Among the refugees that took part in this programme, Fr Mintoff said, there was one with a particular talent for music which helped cheer all his friends with typical African choir music.

He also mentioned a refugee with a knack for painting who helped organise painting classes for a group. However the weaving was the activity to attract the largest group.

The artefacts on display are only a small representation of the work done by the refugees. The Peace Lab had called for donations in the form of used clothes which were then shredded and reworked with this traditional African weaving technique.