‘Stories Revisited’: A Nostalgic Journey Through Malta’s Childhood Lanes

Remember the scent of jasmine in summer evenings, the echo of laughter from street games, and the taste of fresh figs stolen from a neighbour’s tree? These are the flavours of our childhood, the memories that make Malta our home. ‘Stories Revisited’, a new exhibition at the Malta National Museum in South Street, Valletta, invites us to dip our toes back into the warm waters of our past.

Revisiting Childhood Spaces

Curated by local artist and historian, Mario Vella, ‘Stories Revisited’ is a visual narrative of growing up in Malta. Through a collection of vintage photographs, personal anecdotes, and interactive installations, the exhibition transports us back to a time when life was simpler, slower, and deeply rooted in community.

Vella, a native of Żejtun, shares, “I wanted to create a space where people could recognise their past, their streets, their neighbours. A place where we could all say, ‘I remember that!’ or ‘That was my street!’ Malta has changed so much, but these memories, they’re still here, in our hearts.”

From Street Games to School Days

The exhibition is a nostalgic tapestry, woven with threads of joy, mischief, and everyday life. One corner is dedicated to street games, with photographs of children playing ‘Mogħżi’ (hopscotch) and ‘Bilja’ (marbles) on cobbled streets. Another section delves into school days, with images of children in their crisp uniforms, carrying satchels, and posing outside the iconic Ħamrun Primary School.

Vella remembers, “I used to play ‘Mogħżi’ outside my house in Żejtun. The street was our playground, our adventure. We’d play until the sun set, then rush home for dinner. Those were the days.”

Fading Landscapes, Enduring Memories

‘Stories Revisited’ also pays tribute to the landscapes that shaped our childhood – the old houses with their wooden balconies, the village cores with their narrow, winding streets, and the rural landscapes with their fertile fields and traditional farmhouses. Many of these landscapes have faded, replaced by modern buildings and infrastructure, but the memories they hold remain vivid and vibrant.

Vella hopes that the exhibition will spark conversations, reunions even, among those who grew up in Malta. “We all have these stories, these memories. Let’s share them, let’s celebrate them. Before they’re forgotten.”

‘Stories Revisited’ is open to the public until the end of September. Entry is free, and the museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit the National Museum of Archaeology website.