The boxes are cluttered, filled with a seemingly random assortment of objects: old photos, children’s toys, small mementos and traditional crafts. Taken together, however, the story the objects tell is anything but random.

In recent months, a number of elderly people have created these ‘memory boxes’, filled with small possessions that capture the most important moments of their lives, as part of an ongoing project at the elderly day centre in Dingli.

Black and white photos tell the story of children and first loves, small mementos from Australia recall a mother who died too young, and a 100-year-old typewriter the pride of a former typing tutor who won 22 medals for her skills.

“More than a box, for me it’s a treasure trove of my dearest memories,” said one participant, who created his memory box with his wife of more than 50 years, filling it with the first photos they ever exchanged as a young couple and snapshots at various milestones in their relationship.

“It's the story of our life, from beginning to end,” Mario said. “Although these are old photos, and there’s much more sophisticated technology today, my memories are there and remain alive.”

It took me back to when I was a girl. I was very interested in sewing and used to fix buttons and small things like that

For Carmen Agius, another one of the participants, the memory box was an opportunity to work her mind and reconnect with her childhood. Her collection includes marbles and beads, the toys she would play with as a child, as well as one of her very first school books.

“It took me back to when I was a girl,” she said with a smile. “I was very interested in sewing and used to fix buttons and small things like that. I remember that I used to love it when my teacher praised me for it.”

The memory boxes form part of a creative initiative by the Critical Institute, coordinated by theatre practitioner Charlotte Stafrace, exploring the narratives of a group of older adults together with members of the local Filipino community in a bid to discover common themes. Over a period of nine months, Ms Stafrace ran sessions including physical movement to create mobility, improvisation for focus and spontaneity, and reminiscence sessions to create a space for dialogue and share memories.

“I think it’s nice for someone to look back at a long life; it’s a form of celebration,” Ms Stafrace said.

“At any stage of life, but particularly later on, I think it’s satisfying to reflect on having lived a long and full life, meeting different people and doing different things. The themes that emerged – family, community, work, religion – are all very important in life.”

Through discussion, the sessions also captured commonalities between the Maltese and Filipino participants, as well as local memories that have now all but vanished: from rural life in Dingli and Rabat to the sound of air raid warnings on the old Rediffusion radio systems.

The project, which was supported by the Creative Communities fund within the Malta Arts Council and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Active Ageing, will now culminate with an exhibition opening today at Palazzo Ferreria in Valletta.

Memory box: “It’s the story of our life, from beginning to end.”Memory box: “It’s the story of our life, from beginning to end.”

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