I have recently discovered that there is a beautiful romantic tradition around the world to declare the ever lasting love for one another by literally locking love forever. This tradition is not only used by couples in love but also by close friends and even family relatives to seal their special bond forever. Usually a padlock with initials on it is placed on a chain or on a railing along a wall or a bridge wall. After placing the lock the keys are thrown away thus sealing the love and the relationship forever. There are many creative ways that are seen around the world. Some engrave their initials or names, some make a simple painting on a lock with nail polish, but others go so far as decorating the lock with crystals.

It is difficult to trace the exact origin of the tradition. Some say that it originated from China. There are locks found along the Great Wall and at some sacred temples. The locks of love can be found now in Japan, South Korea, USA, Italy, Hungary and Russia and probably many other places in the world. In Hungary, the love locks appeared in the early 1980s near cathedrals and around public squares. In Italy, the love locks were first noticed in Rome and then spread to other cities. Along the Ponte Vecchio in Florence the locks are found on the bridges and all around the town. In Moscow, Russia, the love locks are placed by dozens daily on the Luzhkov Bridge. Many municipalities try to restrict this declaration of the ever lasting love but the new love locks seem to appear at a faster rate than the old ones are removed. The first place that was used for such seal of a special bond in Malta is at the Tigné Point bridge in Sliema. Let us hope that the tradition continues and locks us close together with those special to us forever.

John Mizzi

Sliema