A book by Arnold Cassola called I Maltesi di Vittoria e Scoglitti (1628-1846), published by Morrone Editore, will be launched tonight at 6.30pm at the Faculty of Arts library, University of Malta Msida Campus.

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On November 18, 1610, Marietta Bonello, with her four siblings Giovanni Paolo, Bartolomeo, Angelica and Annetta, and Imperia Camilleri, together with her son Michele, received the Grand Master’s licence (patente) to be able to travel to Santa Croce Camerina in Sicily. One asks what pushed these two women to go to Santa Croce with their respective children.

It was probably a case of family reunification. The wives and children were travelling to Sicily to join their respective husbands and fathers, Zeylo Bonello and Genny.mo Camilleri, who could have been among the first inhabitants of the newly established town of Vittoria, founded by the noblewoman Vittoria Colonna as recently as 1607.

In his new book, based on research work at the Parochial Archives of Vittoria, Cassola, in collaboration with Salvatore Palmeri di Villalba, uncovers the names of over 300 Maltese who were buried in Vittoria and its neighbouring seaside town, Scoglitti, in the course of two centuries – from 1628 to 1846. 

Most of these Maltese migrated to Vittoria and Scoglitti, either permanently or temporarily, for economic reasons, since work opportunities – especially among the trading or fishing communities – were easier to come about in those towns.

From the data gathered, one can conclude that, at least until the mid-19th century, migration from Malta was still quite common and, although having been integrated for years in the daily life of Vittoria, the Maltese community did not renounce its original ‘Maltese’ identity.

Even if ‘vittoriesi’ by birth or adoption, the Maltese did not divest themselves completely of their ‘Malteseness’, which distinguished them from the other Sicilians with whom they shared their daily lives.

The event is free of charge.

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