Philip Farrugia Randon

If anyone somehow doubted whether Peter Calamatta was the king of horticulture in Malta, this 216-page book certainly quells any doubt and crowns him. Dedicated to Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, the larger-than-life personality behind the Millennium Chapel in Paceville and the satellite services it offers to the needy, this book is published in aid of this chapel, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

This book brims with interesting detail. Landscape architect Janice Vella, has done a great work through her research and technical data, while Robert Camilleri's excellent photography raises the standard of this book to a very high one indeed. One cannot but sincerely praise Maria De Gabriele's professional design and layout. Her typical fresh and attractive style and approach strongly enrich and embellish this publication.

Peter Calamatta has been yearning to publish such a book for many years, in fact since he worked in a kibbutz in Israel way back in 1996. His mentor, Avigdor Carmi, an army general and expert in horticulture, introduced him to a book on plants in the Bible. At long last Peter has managed to finalise this work, researching Maltese plants mentioned in the Bible. And we are indeed most grateful for this. In his own words, he wants "to uncover the background of these plants and habitat... and inspire the reader to get closer to nature, so richly described in the Bible". The beauty of nature, of which flora forms such an important part, is proof of God's love. And our care for the habitat should likewise be a prayer, praising this Godly exuberance.

Fr Stefan Attard inserts a very interesting study on Jesus of Nazareth and the plants around him, where he describes the Lord's rural setting and his manner of speech referring to plants, seeds and grass, naturally using these as symbols. We all remember Christ's reference to mint, dill, cumin, mustard, grains of wheat, weeds and figs. The sower, the vinedresser and the farmer gain a different meaning when referred to by the Lord in his parables.

Richard England includes an inward search and reflection on the making of the WOW Biblical Garden in the Millennium compound. WOW is the acronym for Wishing Others Well, which is the moving intensity behind this most praiseworthy initiative.

The book, Maltese Plants in the Bible, contains a list of 40 plants, each subdivided under Botanical Characteristics and Biblical Context. The former naturally contains technical information, which is, however, far from dry data but is explained in very colloquial terms while retaining certain technical terminologies and names. The Biblical context places the particular plant in its biblical setting, framework and background. 

A couple of examples would help you appreciate what I mean. The Acacia: the author describes its distinctive structure, life span, blossoms, its common existence in Malta and whether they do cause asthma. Its wood is the shittim wood referred to in the Book of Exodus, and which was used for the construction of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, to house the Ten Commandments. No wonder this was the wood used. In fact it survives in barren landscape and it was thus probably one of the very few materials available to the Jews, wandering in the desert.

Another example is the Punica Granatum, which for lesser mortals like me simply means pomegranate. After delving into a detailed assortment of characteristics, the author introduces us to the biblical context. The pomegranate was one of the most common fruit trees in Israel. It was, and still is, a symbol of lush and abundance (Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy) because of the abundance of seeds it contains. We call it rummien in Maltese. In Hebrew the wood for punica was rimmon. Some even believe this was the fruit on the prohibited tree in the Garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve helped themselves to. If so, they had a lot of seeds to spit! In art it is not at all rare to see a Madonna with the child Jesus holding a pomegranate.

I do believe that all knowledge is one. Art mixes with horticulture, which threads with the Holy Bible, which in turn enriches us with the history of religion, culture, politics, war, peace and which introduces us to human frailty, vices and glorious talents, which then tie up with the scientific and philosophical evolution of man's quest. All is one. I recall the words of T. S. Eliot: "And the fire and the rose are one." The plants and the Bible are no exception.

I must say this book is attractively produced, very well researched and written. It was a great pleasure reading it and will certainly offer you long hours of entertainment.

Well-done Peter Calamatta!1