It is very easy to get to Trapani from Malta these days, and relatively inexpensive if you can successfully out-manoeuvre the Ryanair website. It brings to mind the eternal question: what did we do in the old days? How did we manage before colour TV, mobile phones, microwaves, Ryanair? My children struggle to imagine a world without instant communication; but then, many years ago, I struggled to imagine a world where my Dad’s first speeding ticket was for “furiously galloping a horse” on the Castlereagh Road.
My short answer is that I don’t really remember; we just did.
The question came to mind a few weeks ago, having talked to Professor Arnold Cassola about his upcoming visit to Dr Anna Porcheddu’s Magic Box at the Italian Cultural Institute. He was to address the subject of The Maltese in Trapani; 1418-1455. Now I had once struggled with the concept of speeding on a horse in 1928; but five hundred years earlier? How did they travel, communicate and do business? To me it is a fascinating question, so I had to attend his talk.
When I arrived at the Italian Cultural Institute it was clear that it is a fascinating question to many others. Dr Schirmo and Dr Porcheddu were beaming with delight again. Again the quality of the event was rewarded by a great turnout.
Prof Cassola is a very well known figure in Maltese political and academic life, being a Professor in Maltese and Comparative Literature at the University of Malta. He has been Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the European Green Party, has served in the Italian Chamber of Deputies and is an international electoral observer. He has published many books and academic papers and in 2003 he was made Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. An impressive CV indeed! And if his teaching style matches his talk that evening his lectures must be very interesting. He treated the subject in a very relaxed and entertaining style; the stories told in a series of very amusing anecdotes.
The first question he answered was: why so many Maltese in Trapani, so far from Malta? Some of them left Malta because they had debts to pay. He quoted from a document going back to 24th April 1481, found in the Archivum Cathedralis Melitae in Mdina “In view of the threatened invasion of Malta, the Viceroy [of Sicily] Gaspar Despes orders that all Maltese in Sicily, and especially those at Palermo, Agrigento, Trapani and Marsala, be sent back to defend the island. In order to encourage this return, he grants a moratorium of one year on the payment of all debts by those that had left the island to avoid paying taxes” (Del Amo Garcia-Fiorini-Wettinger 2001: 34).
He told us of the first notary document which mentions a person originally from Malta, written by notary Scannatello on 14 October 1419. A man called Julianus de Missina, resident in Trapani, sold a 3-year-old colt (young horse) to Honofrio Maltensis (a Maltese national), also resident in Trapani, for 16 tari. The Maltese were involved in the wine trade and dealt in cheeses, horses and donkeys: even coral which brought them into contact with the wealthy Jewish community in Trapani, some of whom actually originated in Malta and Gozo. He regaled us with further references from notaries and archives about the Maltese intermarrying with the Trapanese and buying houses; many becoming quite wealthy.
One particular anecdote involving the Slave Trade amused the audience greatly. We heard of a Maltese man captured into slavery “in terra barbarie” (Barbary Coast). To obtain his freedom his wife was forced to indenture their ten year old son Petruccus to “Magistro” Antonius Chipullina in Trapani. He would work for four years for the salary of 10 tari for the first year, 14 for the second, 18 for the third and 22 for the fourth. The wife of another man taken on the Barbary Coast didn’t seem quite so keen on returning her beloved to the bosom of his family; the poor man remained a slave.
On finishing he was treated to rousing applause followed by a lengthy discussion on the topic in hand. But Prof Cassola is an old hand at these type of evenings and knew exactly when to call time on the official talk. The hot food had arrived from Lo Spuntino. As ever their offering was exceptional and the discussions continued eagerly, Focaccia in one hand wine in the other.
I cornered the Director after Prof Cassola had left. Another successful evening Dr Schirmo? “Yes, very much so. The great response that we get, really makes the effort worth it” grinned Salvatore. Anything new in the pipeline at the Institute? “Well we are looking at initiatives with the young people. In fact next week we are having a treasure hunt here in Valletta, in conjunction with six schools, for children studying Italian. Ask Anna about it; she’s the organiser.”
Well Dr Porcheddu? “We feel it is important to reach out and help them become our future adult audience” enthused Anna. “The response we are getting is very heartening and we hope to do more” That is good to hear; I think we all know the importance of engaging young people.
And how is the programme for Magic Box 2014 progressing Anna? Were you not to drop a few hints tonight? I was treated to a knowing grin; “Now that would be telling.” After much arm twisting I was rewarded with: “Well, let me just say that if you like football you’ll be very interested in a spring offering.” Interested in football? All of Malta is interested in football! I look forward to seeing the 2014 programme; I hope I can reserve seats for that night.
So another very successful night at the Magic Box, and again we must all say a huge “thank you” to the Institute, Dr Schirmo and, particularly, to Dr Anna Porcheddu for all her efforts. I’ve consulted the November programme and it’s Mro John Galea and tenor Charles Vincenti performing at the Magic Box: a definite “must hear”, so see you there.
And for those of you as curious as myself and as useless on Google Maps: the Castlereagh Road is a very busy trunk road in south east Belfast. See my problem? Perhaps it would be much easier if you knew that in 1928 it was a small country lane.