Arriving into the hilltop town of Caltagirone in Sicily had taken me through some impressive scenery.

I had picnicked in the shade of a roadside olive tree under the forever watchful gaze of the smoking Mount Etna. Here in the cobbled streets I am in the home town of Majolica, a worldwide known name of the special colourful some may say garish ceramics commissioned by the Knights of Jerusalem and later by The Grand Masters based in Malta in the XV century. Vilhena, Carafa and Perellos, names so familiar to us all had their coats of arms etched into Caltagirone clay. Trade across the Sicilian channel saw fashion changes with floral designs on a deep blue glaze predominate.

I had come to scale the famous tiled steps to the parvis of the 12th century Santa Maria del Monte and marvel at ‘qal’at-al-jarar.This is the Arabic name meaning ‘the castle of the pottery jars’. Where the Arabian settles built their castle in 1030.

These artisan skills have endured to this day at the Instituto Statale d’Atre per la Ceramica, founded in 1950 by Don Luigi Sturzo and still helping the modern day artisans on their way to studios. This city like Napoli is skilled at crib making. Everywhere there were brightly coloured cribs of all sizes. Every figurine needed from sheep to baby Jesus’ lined the shelves. In the run up to Christmas this is the place to visit to get into the real Christmas spirit.

The master of ceramics is Mario Di Liberto who for the past 40 years has honed his skills and specializes in the restoration of ceramics but also creating new pieces at his Caltagirone workshop. Inspired by his city’s art from the age of fifteen he has since been a man of clay. Renowned for reusing old designs that may have been lost we are lucky enough to be able to see his work in the heart of Malta

‘His favourite colour?’ I asked.

‘Blue, as used in the ancient times.’ Was Mario’s reply.

‘My passion for my city is transferred to the clay through my hands.’

Inaugurated on 8th August at the Italian Institute of Culture in St. George’s Square in Valletta, the event is hosted jointly by the Italian Embassy and the Institute of Culture. The exhibition showcases majolica works from the 15th and 16th century, apothecary jars and vases from the 18th C right through to personal pieces created by Mario Di Liberto.

Running until the end of August the aptly named title of the exhibition is Un ponte secolare di arte cultura e tradizione fra Sicilia e Malta.

So after attended the exhibition I suggest a trip to Caltagirone, climb those ceramic steps and marvel at the city of majolica, as I have done. Visit the museum of ceramics and the studios of the artisans and bring a little of their work home. Care for it and love it and it may be worth a fortune in fifty year.

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