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Three Maltese artisans – Nico Conti, Tess Ebonie Sammut, and Lucentini – are being assisted by the Malta Crafts Foundation to showcase their creations at the Ceramic at the Palace: Contemporary Visions on the European High Artistic Craftsmanship exhibition currently being held at the Palazzo del Podestà in Faenza, Italy. The exhibition is organised by…

To finish off the second season of Meet the Artisans in style, we visited local weaver Antoine Vella at his workshop on the limits of Rabat, who is a familiar sight with his loom among those who visit our artisan markets. During the session, participants not only had the opportunity to learn more about the…

To the tunes of Tikka Banda marching around the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village and Kantera playing on stage, and between one laugh and another in the company of Danusan, this year’s edition of Festa Lwien once again attracted adults and kids alike, all keen to enjoy a celebration reminiscent of the typical Maltese Night so…

For our latest session of Meet the Artisans, we visited the Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village in Gozo to meet Mary, David, and Rodney Debono at The Leatherhouse, who went through the process they employ to create a variety of products using leather sourced sustainably. From restaurant menus, handbags, briefcases, boardroom and desk sets, to wallets,…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is proud to have placed second and also got an honorary mention at the National Supporting Business Awards 2024 organised by the Commerce Department within the Ministry for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects for two of its initiatives, the training sessions for artisans MCF Learns, and the Meet the Artisan sessions.…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship’s network – a non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, which promotes contemporary craftsmanship worldwide. The Michelangelo Foundation is particularly renowned for its Homo Faber initiatives, namely the Homo Faber International Biennial Celebration; the Homo Faber Online Guide;…

The Awards ceremony for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2023 was held at the Lower Barrakka Gardens on July 3rd, 2024, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the sector. The winners and runners-up for this edition are: Category 1 – Artisanal Products Textiles Winner: Janine Cardona – Ganutell: ‘A Twist to…

The latest session of Meet the Artisans got us even more intrigued in the craft of book binding – an aspect of book production that perhaps many of us ignore in our daily lives, despite the many books that we read for our entertainment, work, or studying. Glen Calleja, whom we visited at his workshop…

The Malta Crafts Foundation attended the WCCE General Assembly and Annual Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, this year under the theme “The State of Crafts” and with the aim of planning the strategic direction for the crafts sector in the coming years. Particular focus was given to sustainability and innovation as two of the most…

The myriad of initiatives undertaken by the Malta Crafts Foundation to support the crafts sector in Malta were shortlisted among the ten best or most unique practices in Europe to support craftsmanship by the Ministry of Economy in Belgium. The shortlisted was the culmination of an extensive research across all Member States within the framework…

The first series of beginner courses offered by the Malta Crafts Foundation in ceramics, filigree, macramé, and weaving commenced over the past weeks. Master artisans, namely Joan Haber along with the ceramists at Alka Ceramics, Kevin Attard, and Alda Bugeja are working with different sets of enthusiastic students, all eager to learn more about some…

The People’s Choice Award for this year’s edition of the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti is now open – Vote for your favourite masterpieces created by our local artisans through this link: https://maltacrafts.org/poll/premju-gieh-l-artigjanat-malti-2023-peoples-choice-award. Voting is open until 23:59h on June 30th, 2024. While clicking on the photos within the poll will display larger images, this year’s…

What better way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather that the Maltese islands enjoy thanks to their geographical location, than to spend a day in the countryside and indulge in the sweetness of honey? For our latest Meet the Artisans session we thus visited Nicholas Zammit in Fawwara, limits of Siggiewi, who spoke about the…

Artisans are – by their very own nature – creative people. While they excel on the artistic side, it is not uncommon for them to get entangled with the business and administrative side of their enterprise. With this in mind, the Malta Crafts Foundation invited Lynn McCormick, CEO of McCormick Payroll & HR, to deliver…

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Malta Crafts Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pledging a collaborative relationship to enhance the awareness of traditional artisan trades and to strengthen the education provision of skills involved in the innovation of these crafts. The agreement was signed at the College’s Institute…

Around 50 local artisans have set up their stalls around Pjazza Tritoni just outside the capital city, Valletta, for this year’s edition of Blooms, the spring artisan market organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation. Apart from showcasing their beautiful creations, ideal for that last-minute Mother’s Day gift too, the artisans were also giving live demonstrations of…

The Malta Crafts Foundation hosted Business First employees for a half day meeting that provided them with an opportunity to discuss their internal procedures within an informal setting, and which also served as a team building activity. The session furthermore served as a platform for the employees to learn more about the schemes offered by…

If you’re only one pair of shoes away from a good mood, then you should have come to our latest Meet the Artisans session, for which we visited shoemaker Rebecca Grech of BX Design at her workshop in Attard! One of the very few local artisans who practice this craft, Rebecca walked participants through the…

The Malta Crafts Foundation took part in the second transnational meeting of the ‘NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe’ project, which was held in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. With the direct participation of youths from across the partner countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, and Malta) and local authorities,…

Within the context of World Creativity and Innovation Week, during these days the Malta Crafts Foundation welcomed students from Stella Maris College in Gżira; St Benedict College, Helen Keller Resource Centre in Qrendi; and St Ignatius College, Ħandaq Middle School in Qormi, who got a little creative by participating in pottery workshops held at the…

The Easter Eggs contained a nice surprise for Jean Spiteri and Giannella Casha, who were randomly drawn as the winners of our first edition of the Easter Egg Hunt among those who found all the Eggs at the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village and the Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village in Gozo. Jean and Giannella were both…

Want to try your hand at a craft, but are still undecided which one? Then why not visit the first edition of the Wanderlust Festival, being held this weekend at the Picnic Area in Ta’ Qali, where a variety of artisans are offering a wide range of workshops and demonstrations – all from the Art…

Within the context of Malta’s second participation in the European Artistic Crafts Days (EACD), various artisans around the Maltese islands held workshops open to the general public, especially for the younger generations. Taking place every year during the beginning of spring, the EACD were first launched by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA) in…

And it’s on! Our first Easter Egg Hunt at the Artisan Villages in Ta’ Qali and Ta’ Dbieġi is under way! Hop over to the artisan villages and enter the chance to win one of two sets of €100 vouchers to be redeemed from participating artisans in each respective village, simply by finding as many…

Glass products are most probably found in every household, whether practical items such as plates and bowls, or creative artistic pieces used to decorate our homes. For our latest session of Meet the Artisans we visited Mdina Glass, where Olivia Said described the technique of glass blowing which their artisans use to create beautiful, colourful…

Kicking off its local activities within the context of its participation in the “NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe” project, the Malta Crafts Foundation visited the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts in Mosta and met with students following the journalism course. After an overview of the Foundation’s initiatives to…

Are you between 15 and 30 years old? Then we invite you to participate in an anonymous questionnaire that will help gather valuable insights to enhance the impact of the “NEXT – Young NEETs Shaping Expectations for the Future of Europe” project, which the Malta Crafts Foundation is taking part in. Co-funded by the European…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is taking part in the “NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe” project, which involves partners from eight EU countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, and Malta) and foresees nine transnational events combined with activities and workshops at a local level in each country. With…

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all often do judge a book by its cover. It was therefore time to discuss the packaging that is used to house and sell local artisanal products. For our latest MCF Learns session we thus invited artisans for an interactive workshop in relation to branding and…

If the sense of smell evokes very powerful memories, then our last session of Meet the Artisans is certainly going to be one of the most memorable! Perfumer Claire Falzon went over the process she uses to create her lovely scents, and also assisted participants in creating their own, personalised perfume to take home with…

Conscious of the importance of keeping traditional crafts alive as an integral part of local culture, heritage, and national identity, the Malta Crafts Foundation is offering Beginner Courses in Traditional Crafts for people of all ages, especially students and young people. The first series of Beginner Courses in Traditional Crafts – which is intended as…

The expression of love takes various forms. During our event to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village, it took the form of artistic creations that our master artisans helped visitors to craft as unique gifts for their loved ones through dedicated workshops on filigree, macramé, perfume-making, and pottery.

The festive colours of carnival adorned the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village for this year’s edition of Carnival Creations – a celebration of the artisanal skills and talents that are expressed in the carnival floats, grotesque masks, costumes, and so many other things associated with carnival! While artisans showcased their creations in their workshops and along…

For our latest Meet the Artisans session, we visited the only artistic bronze foundry in the Maltese islands to meet bronzesmith Christopher Chetcuti, who described the intriguing process behind bronze casting – the pouring of molten bronze into a mould to create a sculpture or object.

To highlight new opportunities and provide a platform for new connections, the Malta Crafts Foundation invited local artisans at its premises within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, spurring them to learn more about each other’s crafts and explore possible collaborations. The activity was preceded by an information session on this year’s edition of the Premju…

The generosity of Maltese people was once again evident during this year’s edition of Rigal bi Mħabba, held in Castille Square between December 20th and 21st, as gifts for those children whose parents or carers cannot give them any keep pouring in. Our local artisans have also lined up their stalls around Castille Square not…

Yummy treats started early this Christmas, as we visited Diar il-Bniet for our latest session of Meet the Artisans to see how some of the seasonal delicacies are made! And while we were there, Godwin Mercieca guided us as we also got busy making our own Christmas treats that have certainly opened up our appetite…

Under the watchful eye of the lighted ferris wheel just outside the city of Valletta, the magical village of Fairyland has come to life with Christmas-themed entertainment for people of all ages and an artisan market that also provides visitors with the opportunity to get handmade gifts for their loved ones. Make sure you visit…

The elves were pretty busy, so our artisans at the Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village joined Santa’s Workshop to offer a helping hand in creating those special gifts for the festive season! We would like to thank not only all the artisans, but especially all those visitors who joined us for this year’s edition of Santa’s…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is receiving applications for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2023, in recognition of the excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the local artisan sector. Submissions and nominations are to be made by Monday, March 11th, 2024. Some categories’ eligibility criteria require registration with the Registrar of Crafts. If…

The Malta Crafts Foundation, together with Malta Enterprise, is assisting a number of local artisans to take part in the L’Artigiano in Fiera, one of the biggest showcases for artisanal products held yearly in Milan, Italy. Attracting the participation of over 2,000 artisans from all over the world, this year’s edition is open between December…

While many of us are familiar with the struggle of finding the perfect gift for our families, friends, or colleagues, perhaps we are less aware that the solution may be found closer to home – the amazingly talented artisans based around the Maltese islands craft the perfect gifts for any occasion, and especially more so…

Incorporating centuries-old artisanal traditions such as ganutell into novel and contemporary creations is not an easy feat, but in the latest session of Meet the Artisans participants could witness how Janine Cardona is managing to blend the old with the new in her jewellery collections. During the session, which was again held within the Malta…

The Malta Crafts Foundation took part in the World Crafts Council Europe 2023 Knowledge Exchange Programme in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Building up on the Annual Conference held earlier this year in Malta, the short residency programme provided participating delegates the opportunity to gather and further engage on a variety of topics – particularly on education…

With the aim of assisting artisans to gain a stronger hold on the financial aspects of their business, the Malta Crafts Foundation organised training on Friday on a financial modelling methodology that is specifically geared towards the complexity of creative businesses. The training was provided by Gill Thewlis and Ellen O’Hara from ModFin Systems Ltd,…

Who said November is all doom and gloom? Let us all colour the month in blue and in so doing unite with the rest of the world to mark #Movember, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about mental health, suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Just as we had done last month for Pink…

The second session of Meet the Artisans certainly got us wrapped up in the craft of gilding! Held within our workshop within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, the session was led by master gilder Pawlu Borg Cardona, who described the various techniques he uses to applied thin sheets of metal to a surface in order…

Joining in to give a warm welcome to new students at the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts in Mosta, the Malta Crafts Foundation took part in Freshers’ Week as part of its efforts to highlight opportunities within the artisan sector among the younger generation. The Foundation also called on the assistance of some artisans,…

With thousands of people entering Valletta to experience the spectacular night that is Notte Bianca, the artisan market set up by the Malta Crafts Foundation in Castille Square once again attracted flocks of people all eager to see the amazing talents of local artisans.

The Malta Crafts Foundation took part at the Startup Festival organised by Malta Enterprise at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) and the adjacent park in Ta’ Qali between October 5th and 6th, with the aim of supporting creative individuals who want to start-up their own artisan business, but are not sure how to…

As the month of October starts, we join the rest of the world in marking #PinkOctober to raise awareness about breast cancer, spreading a message of hope and courage, whilst at the same time encouraging regular check-ups that may lead to early detection and, ultimately, saving lives! Various artisans responded to our invitation to help…

The craft of Maltese bobbin lace making has been passed on from one generation to another, ever since it was introduced to Malta in the first half of the 19th century and it was encouraging to witness an active, keen interest among the participants of our Meet the Artisans session in this beautiful tradition. Held…

The first season of Meet the Artisans came to an end with an informal networking session which once again brought participants who took part in at least one session, with the artisans who opened up the doors to their workshops throughout the past months. The session, which was supported by the World Crafts Council Europe…

Around 30 artisans took part in an online information session organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation during which representatives from the Tax and Customs Administration – specifically from the Customs Department and VAT Office – fielded queries about the regulatory framework and procedures that artisans have to adhere to, which quite often may seem daunting…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has signed an MOU with the ETAR Regional Ethnographic Open-Air Museum in Bulgaria with the aim of collaborating towards presenting in greater detail the wealth of the intangible cultural heritage in the respective countries, thereby contributing to the preservation, development, and promotion of Maltese and Bulgarian traditional crafts. Signed by the…

The final episode of our first Meet the Artisans season was yet another hit, and leaves us all looking forward to the next season! Greeted by Joan Haber and her team at Alka Ceramics, located within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, participants were given an overview of the techniques used for clay modelling and particularly…

Thousands of people flocked to the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village for the second edition of Festa Lwien: a celebration of Maltese culture and heritage including food; traditional games and a kids’ area; entertainment from Danusan, Bernie & Pod, and Ta’ Verna Folk Band; and above all artisans showcasing their amazing talents in their workshops and…

The art of jewellery making comprises various techniques, with the artisans adopting one or the other depending on the type of materials they are using, as well as the design of their creation, among other variables. For our latest session of Meet the Artisans we met Antoine Debono, the jeweller behind House of Gems within…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is supporting a number of artisans to set up their stalls at the Farsons Beer Festival, which is currently ongoing until the coming August 5th at the picnic area in Ta’ Qali. Being held every evening from 20:00h onwards and with a free entrance, the Farsons Beer Festival has a programme…

Offering a taste of some of the world’s best cuisines, this year’s edition of The Malta International Food Festival will also provide a taste of some local artisans’ creativity who have set up their stalls around the Tritons’ Fountain just outside Valletta. The Malta International Food Festival is currently ongoing until July 25th, every evening…

The beautiful creations crafted by our local artisans are treasures in themselves, and a treasure hunt for schoolchildren around the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village thus seemed apt to educate them about the hidden gems one can find in the artisans’ workshops and introduce them to the crafts skills. A group of children from St Edward’s…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has been accepted as member of the European Route of Ceramics Association. A Council of Europe-certified cultural route since 2012, the European Route of Ceramics promotes the cultural heritage of ceramic production and its traditions, offering sustainable and competitive tourism beyond just artistic productions and collections, but also the cultural and…

The Awards ceremony for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2022 was held at the Upper Barrakka Gardens on July 6th, 2023, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the sector. The winners and runners-up for this edition are: Category 1 – Artisanal Products Sub-Category A – Textiles: Winner: Rebecca Grech – The…

The Malta Crafts Foundation hosted the World Crafts Council Europe (WCCE) General Assembly and Annual Conference between July 4th and 6th – the first time these events were held in Malta, with around 40 delegates from all over Europe taking part, and more joining for the sessions online. The first day of the General Assembly…

Our exhibition showcasing all the submissions for this year’s Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti, including the actual products contesting for the Category 1 sub-categories and for the coveted People’s Choice Award, is now open at the Valletta Local Council! Don’t miss the opportunity to view the magnificent talent and creativity of our artisans! The exhibition will…

Participants in our latest Meet the Artisans session were sure happy to get their hands dirty and perhaps be a bit messy as they tried their hand at clay modelling! After an introduction by one of the artisans behind Bristow Potteries within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, Mark Grima, Marica Lewis then walked through the…

Voting for this year’s edition of the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti – People’s Choice Award is now open! Visit our website: https://maltacrafts.org/poll/premju-gieh-l-artigjanat-malti-2022-peoples-choice-award and vote for your favourite artisanal products! Only one vote per device is allowed, with each voter having to choose one preference in each of the six sub-categories. An exhibition of the artisanal products…

Whether floral, fresh, fruity, or anything else, fragrances have a powerful impact on the way we experience the world and the people around us. For our latest session of Meet the Artisans, we visited The Perfume Studio within the Ta’ Dbiegi Artisan Village in Gozo, where we learnt more about the process behind the creation…

The Malta Crafts Foundation along with the Registrar of Crafts within the Commerce Department and the Malta Intellectual Property addressed students at the MCAST Institute of Creative Arts to bring them up to speed with the services they offer and which they could benefit from. In particular, the Malta Crafts Foundation highlighted the opportunities for…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is taking part in the Public Service Expo, where visitors can learn more about all the Public Service under one roof. Open until May 12th at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, the Public Service Expo comprises a full lineup of conferences, workshops, and exhibitions that will help you learn more about…

With the countryside blooming in spring, the timing was perfect for a visit to local honey producer Charles Zammit, who gave an overview of the processes applied to collect honey and beeswax. The products are synonymous with Malta – with the very name of our country originating from the Greek word “meli”, meaning “honey” –…

More than 35 local artisans have lined up along Pjazza Tritoni, at the entrance to Valletta, offering their beautiful handmade creations during Blooms, yearly spring artisan market organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation. Ta’ Verna Folk Band entertained those present or simply walking by with their typical Maltese folklore sound with performances in the morning…

Against the backdrop of the beautiful fireworks displays, the Malta Crafts Foundation is assisting a number of artisans to set up their stalls and contribute to the festive feeling of the Malta International Fireworks Festival organised by the Malta Tourism Authority. Taking place between April 24th and 30th in different localities around Malta and Gozo,…

The Malta Crafts Foundation teamed up with The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking & Innovation within the University of Malta and the Valletta Design Cluster to organise the Creativity and Innovation Days, a series of talks and workshops aimed at highlighting the innovation that creatives in Malta implement in their day to day.…

While local artisans excel in creating wonderful artisanal products, some find it challenging to capture the beauty of their own handmade creations in photographs that they could then use for promotional purposes. The Malta Crafts Foundation thus teamed up with experienced photographer Kevin Casha, who provided training on the principles of photography, thereby helping artisans…

Around 60 artisans opened their creative spaces to the general public between March 27 and April 2, 2023 during the European Artistic Crafts Days (EACD), in which Malta was taking part for the first time. The theme for this year was: ‘Elevate the Everyday’, with the aim of encouraging people to explore the streets of…

In the latest Meet the Artisans session, we visited mosaic artist Ray Aquilina, who explained the process he goes through to create his beautiful works by placing one colourful piece of glass next to the other. While mosaic has been practised in Malta for centuries, some artists such as Ray are bringing in innovative elements…

The San Klement Park in Zabbar was an idyllic backdrop for artisans who took part in the ‘Niltaqgħu fil-Park’ activity, with the assistance of the Malta Crafts Foundation. The activity was an opportunity for the artisans to showcase their handmade products as well as their talents and skills, with some artisans even giving the opportunity…

The process to create products from leather was described by the artisan behind Captain’s Cut, Keith John Caruana, during the latest session of Meet the Artisans. Leather products are very common in our daily lives, from clothes to a variety of accessories such as bags, belts, shoes, wallets, laptop carriers, and so much more.

The Incubation Centre within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, which among other facilities will also be housing the new offices of the Malta Crafts Foundation, was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri. The Centre is also equipped to facilitate the provision of workshops, thereby encouraging more people…

Representatives of the Malta Crafts Foundation attended a residency in Granada organised by the World Crafts Council Europe, which highlighted how accreditation of crafts and crafts people is carried out in Spain. Besides the schools where crafts are taught and the workshops full of equipment, participants were also shown how the skills and expertise of…

The colourful creations of carnival took over the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, with carnival floats, maskeruni, and dancers’ costumes creating a beautiful atmosphere among the artisans within the village and in the stalls aligned along the streets. A heartfelt thanks goes to those who visited, and especially all those who took part or supported the…

Despite the stormy weather of the previous days, creativity was flowing during Express Your Love, a Valentine’s-themed event held at the Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village. Artisanal food and products were a hit throughout the day, with some people not being shy to express their love by joining some of the workshops organised by the local…

The Malta Crafts Foundation attended the Knowledge Exchange Programme organised by the Creative Futures Academy and World Crafts Council Europe in Dublin. Among others, participants visited the National College of Art & Design, which starts its courses in subjects such as digital art, fashion design, jewellery and objects, glass and ceramics, textile, and surface design…

The manner in which natural stones such as minerals, gems, and fossils are handcrafted and transformed into semi-precious jewellery and decorations was described by local artisan Reuben Schembri during the first session of Meet the Artisans of the year. The session – which was held at his workshop, Malta Stone, within the Ta’ Qali Artisan…

The laborious filigree process can lead to the creation of some beautiful, intricate artefacts. Local artisan Kevin Attard spoke about this process at the The Phoenicia Malta in Floriana, where he was also exhibiting a skull made from 300g of silver filigree in resin, and a functional filigree puzzle as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The latter…

In the first MCF Learns session of the year, artisans were guided to analyse what they could do within their own craft to become more sustainable, and how they could apply the principles of a circular economy to their own production processes. The session, which was delivered by Dr Margaret Mangion, Director and Senior Lecturer…

With the aim of spurring collaboration between local artisans, the Malta Crafts Foundation organised a networking activity that helped participants to get to know each other and learn more about each other’s crafts and possible opportunities. The activity was preceded by an information session during which details were provided about the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti…

While the lighted ferris wheel along the Valletta skyline can be seen from far, far away, a closer look at the magical village of Fairyland will shed light on some beautiful creations available from the artisan market that would make for ideal gifts. Make sure you visit, and enjoy the fun activities and Christmas-themed entertainment…

Gifts for those children whose parents or carers cannot give them any kept pouring in at Rigal bi Mħabba, once again showing the generosity of the Maltese people. The artisan market around Castile Square helped in enhancing the Christmas spirit, giving an opportunity to artisans to showcase their beautiful creations, and visitors to buy those…

The World Crafts Council Europe (WCCE) has launched two calls for applications from artisans, namely for participation in a Creative Exchange Residency programme, and an exhibition at the international biennial of crafts and creation. Malta-based artisans can also avail themselves of these opportunities as a result of the Malta Crafts Foundation’s membership in the organisation.…

Flickering candles create a warm atmosphere, especially at Christmas-time. For our fourth session of Meet the Artisans we thus went to candle-makers NemNem within the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, where artisan Joe Galea guided participants through the process involved in the production of their beautiful wax creations. The session was also an opportunity for participants…

The Christmas spirit took over Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village during Santa’s Workshop, which attracted a large number of visitors who also had the opportunity to visit the artisans around the village, watch them at work, and maybe even get that special gift for their loved ones! Workshops with the artisans proved to be very popular;…

Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village welcomed a group of students attending Sir Michelangelo Refalo Sixth Form together with students from Zespół Szkół Technicznych i Ogólnokształcących, Katowice, Poland, who visited the village to learn more about Gozo’s traditional and contemporary crafts and to meet the makers that create these products. Such outings form part of an Erasmus+…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is receiving applications for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2022, in recognition of the excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the local artisan sector. Building up on the success of the revamped Award launched in the past year, the coming edition will also coincide with the World Crafts…

Seven local artisans are being assisted by the Malta Crafts Foundation and Malta Enterprise to take part in L’Artigiano in Fiera in Milan, Italy – one of the main fairs for artisans from all around the world which started this weekend and will be running until December 11. Around 2,350 artisans from 84 countries are…

For the second year running, the Malta Crafts Foundation is launching the #ChooseLocal campaign in the run-up to the Christmas festivities to generate more awareness about local handmade products passionately created by our artisans, which would make for ideal gifts for your loved ones. Visit the artisan villages in Ta’ Qali and Ta’ Dbieġi, or…

The Developments and Opportunities for the local Crafts sector were the focus of a conference for artisans organized by the Commerce Department within the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands, with the support of the Malta Crafts Foundation and the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority. Following a speech by the Hon. Minister…

For the third session of Meet the Artisans, we visited Mark Cassar in Siġġiewi to learn more about his artisanal methods for wine production. Starting with a short tour of the vineyards which unfortunately was cut short due to the bad weather, participants moved into the production area were they were able to learn more…

The first training session of the MCF Learns – The Masterclasses gave an overview of how artisans can use digital marketing tools to grow and become more sustainable as a business and led to a fruitful discussion among participants. Organized by the Malta Crafts Foundation throughout the month of November as part of this year’s…

It’s official! The World Crafts Council Europe announced that its coming General Assembly and Conference will be held in Malta, between July 3rd and 7th, 2023. Around 150 delegates from all over Europe are expected to attend these events, which will be an opportunity for the sharing of ideas and knowledge, as well as discussions…

The second session of Meet the Artisans was held at the workplace of Gozitan artisan Alda Bugeja, who gave a demonstration of the crafts of weaving and macramé. With years of experience in these crafts, Alda is also keen to transmit her knowledge to the next generations, as was evident during the well-attended event in…

As Verdala Palace opened its doors to the public for Festa Palazz 2022, a number of artisans were assisted by the Malta Crafts Foundation to showcase their crafts during this activity for all the family. Festa Palazz 2022 is being held within the stunning landscape of Verdala Palace in aid of the Malta Community Chest…

Eleven artisans are being supported by the Malta Crafts Foundation to set up stalls with their handmade products specifically for the Home & Lifestyle Fair at the MFCC Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali, which is being held in conjunction with the Weddings & Events Expo Malta. The events are open between October…

An exciting new opportunity for those who want to create innovative design solutions that contribute to more sustainable lifestyle industries: Registrations for the second call for WORTH II Partnership Projects are now open! WORTH is the sole European project where designers, SMEs, manufacturers, and tech providers work together to develop innovative, design-oriented business ideas. It…

As part of its efforts to promote the opportunities available in the artisan sector among the younger generation, the Malta Crafts Foundation was present at the MCAST Freshers’ Week at the Institute for the Creative Arts in Mosta. Hundreds of creative students attending the Institute visited the Malta Crafts Foundation stand and expressed a keen…

With thousands of people flocking to the Notte Bianca, the artisan market in Castille Square and the artisan showcase at Palazzo Zondadari – the building that houses the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands – proved to be very popular spots, especially among those curious to witness the talents of local artisans. The…

The Malta Crafts Foundation, in collaboration with the Malta Co-operative Federation and Business First, organised a discussion on the application of the cooperative business model within the local artisan sector and the eventual benefits for artisans. Cooperatives bring together people to advance their common economic, social, and cultural objectives rather than compete against each other,…

The first Meet the Artisans session, focusing on the intricate art of filigree, was held at local artisan Kevin Attard on September 25th, 2022 and attracted a good number of participants of all ages, all eager to learn more about the process behind the filigree craft. Participants were also given an artisan passport which can…

Young Maltese artisan Christian Muscat showcased his macramé products at the Artigianato e Palazzo in Florence, after his application – submitted with the support of the Malta Crafts Foundation – was among the select few that were chosen by a panel of experts from Blogs & Crafts Europe to participate in this event. Christian, who…

Artisan products need to tell a story, as this helps people connect emotionally to the products. As part of the Malta Crafts Foundation’s efforts to help local artisans improve their value proposition, the second session of MCF Learns focused on public speaking and pitching through storytelling, with a view towards helping artisans raise awareness about…

The Ta’ Qali Artisan Village took the semblance of a typical Maltese village during the celebrations of the traditional festa, with thousands of people livening up the streets during the first edition of Festa Lwien on August 19th, 2022. All artisanal shops that have completed their renovation were open to showcase their authentic, handmade products,…

The Malta Crafts Foundation assisted 16 artisans in setting up stalls at the Malta International Food Festival, thereby showcasing some local artisanal food and beverage delicacies, among other crafts. The Malta International Food Festival is being held in Valletta between July 13th and 17th, 2022.

The Awards ceremony for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2021 was held at the Casino Maltese on July 8th, 2022, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, innovative product ideas, and key contributions to the sector. The winners and runners-up for this edition are: Category 1 – Artisanal Products Sub-Category A – Textiles: Winner: Gabriella Lukacs – Majestic Malta…

The Crafting Ahead conference organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation provided a platform for a very fruitful discussion about the current status of the artisanal sector in Malta and the challenges that it is facing, with a look towards the future of the sector. The feedback provided by the artisans during the conference will be…

An Exhibition of all the artisanal products and project proposals submitted for Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2021 is being held at the ground floor of the Casino Maltese in Valletta. Organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation, the exhibition is open between July 4th and 8th, 2022, between 10:00h and 17:00h. It is being held at…

Representatives of the Malta Crafts Foundation took part in the World Crafts Council Europe General Assembly, which reached its peak with the Crafting the Future conference. During his intervention, Malta Crafts Foundation CEO Elton Micallef spoke about the various initiatives being undertaken to support the artisan sector. Mr Micallef also pitched the Foundation’s proposal to…

Voting is now open for the first edition of the People’s Choice Award for this year’s Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti. There are five categories in which the general public can cast their preference: Category 1: Textiles Category 2: Glass Works and Ceramics Category 3: Precious Metal & Jewellery Category 4: Modelling, Painting & Sculpting Category…

The Malta Crafts Foundation, in collaboration with Pjazza Tigné, Tigné Point, is organising Blooms – a spring artisan market with the participation of local artisans who are selling a variety of handmade products, ranging from knitwear, jewellery, and woodworks, to ceramics, baked goods, and much more. In addition to the artisans, the market will include…

The Malta Crafts Foundation assisted a number of artisans to set up stalls at the Pembroke Artisan Festival organised by Ivy House, a social club nestled within the limits of the locality. The festival, which was held on Saturday, April 9th between 10:00h and 19:00h, also included a number of workshops with the artisans.

Colourful costumes and maskeruni, as well as cheerful tunes provided a taste of the carnival celebrations at the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village during an event organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation, which was nonetheless downscaled to ensure that the directives issued by the Health Authorities were adhered to. Pre-booked workshops with different artisans proved to…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has launched a series of training sessions aimed at helping artisans to strengthen their skills and become more successful. Entitled MCF Learns, the sessions are in line with one of the main pillars of the Foundation: Education. The first session was held on February 23rd, 2022 at the Valletta Campus of…

The Ta’ Dbieġi Artisan Village in Għarb, Gozo donned a love theme on Saturday, February 13th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Workshops were held at various artisans, giving visitors the opportunity to create their own Valentine’s gift for the special people in their life. Special products and treats for the occasion were also on offer, while…

With Malta Day being celebrated at Expo 2020 Dubai on January 19th, 2022, the Malta Pavilion attracted a larger amount of visitors who were keen to learn more about the country, both from a touristic perspective, as well as from a business point of view. Particular interest was given to the artisanal products which are…

In preparation for a national strategy specifically targeted at the artisan sector, the Malta Crafts Foundation has embarked on a nationwide exercise to collect feedback in relation to the artisan sector in the Maltese islands. Spanning over the coming years, the national strategy shall be addressing not only the evolving challenges and needs of the…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has launched the new edition of the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2021-2022, with additional awards, revamped applications, and the introduction of the People’s Choice Awards. Applications, including terms and regulations, may be downloaded here. Closing date for submissions is Friday, February 25th, 2022. The categories for this edition are as follows:…

BASE Malta – a Maltese company which operates the Maltese permanent outlet at the China International Import Expo building (CIIE) – is looking for artisan companies wishing to exhibit genuine Maltese products for a period of time at their permanent outlet. The company, which is very knowledgeable of the Chinese culture and has a vast…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has been accepted as a full member of Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums. Ecsite gathers more than 350 organisations including makers committed to inspiring people with science and technology, as well as enabling dialogue between science and society. Membership in Ecsite is another important milestone in the…

The Malta Crafts Foundation is offering its assistance to local artisans interested in applying for the WORTH II Partnership Project, through which selected projects can benefit from between €10,000 to €20,000 in funding, and up to an additional €40,000 in marketing, training, mentoring, professional links, and visibility opportunities. Funded by the COSME Programme of the…

The Malta Crafts Foundation attended the General Assembly of the World Craft Council (WCC) Europe for the first time since becoming a member earlier in 2021. During his intervention at the General Assembly, which was held in Dublin over a span of three days, Malta Crafts Foundation CEO Elton Micallef introduced the Foundation and gave…

The Malta Crafts Foundation has become a member of the World Crafts Council Europe, a non-profit organisation set up to promote an international interest in crafts and encourage contact between the craftspeople of different countries. Through its membership in this international community of artisans, the Malta Crafts Foundation will be able to enhance the services…