Arnold Cassola to launch latest book I Maltesi di Vittoria e Scoglitti

I Maltesi di Vittoria e Scoglitti (1628-1846) Author: Arnold Cassola Publisher: Morrone Editore

On 18 November 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. What was pushing these two women to go to Santa Croce, with their respective children? Probably, this here was a case of family reunification: the wives and children were travelling to Sicily to join their respective husbands and fathers, Zeylo Bonello e Genny.mo Camilleri, who could have been among the first inhabitants of the newly established town of Vittoria, which had been founded

by the noblewoman Vittoria Colonna as recently as 1607. In his new book, which is based on research work at the Parochial Archives of Vittoria, Arnold 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 till 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 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 book launch will be held on Wednesay, 24 October at 6.30pm at the Faculty of Arts Library, University of Malta, Msida. The public is invited to attend.