‘Stories Revisited’: A nostalgic portrait of growing up in Malta

Remember the scent of fresh bread wafting through the air as Nonna baked her famous ħobż biż-żejt? Or the echo of your laughter bouncing off the ancient walls of Mdina’s silent streets as you played tag with your cousins? These are the memories that Maltese author, Mario Vella, is revisiting in his latest collection of short stories, ‘Stories Revisited’.

From Mdina to Marsaxlokk: A journey through Maltese childhood

Vella’s stories are not just tales; they are snapshots of Maltese life, frozen in time. They take us on a journey from the fortified city of Mdina, where children play hide and seek in the labyrinthine streets, to the bustling fishing village of Marsaxlokk, where the weekly market is a riot of colours and sounds. Each story is a love letter to Malta, a nostalgic look at a childhood spent in the sun-drenched islands.

Vella, who grew up in the small town of Żebbuġ, draws from his own experiences to create vivid, relatable characters. “I wanted to capture the essence of growing up in Malta,” he says, “the simplicity of life, the strong sense of community, the joy of small things.”

Capturing the essence of Malta: A conversation with Mario Vella

I caught up with Vella at his favourite haunt, Café Jubilee in Valletta, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the hum of local chatter provided a fitting backdrop to our conversation. “Malta is changing rapidly,” he mused, “I wanted to capture a moment in time, a snapshot of what it was like to grow up here before the world changed.”

Vella’s stories are not just about nostalgia, though. They also explore the complexities of Maltese identity, the tension between tradition and modernity, the struggle to preserve cultural heritage in a rapidly evolving world. “Malta is a small island with a big history,” he says, “Our stories are a part of that history, a testament to our resilience, our humour, our humanity.”

Revisiting stories, revisiting Malta

Vella’s collection is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a call to action, a reminder to cherish our past even as we embrace the future. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling, to the way it can connect us to our roots, to our community, to ourselves.

So, whether you’re a Maltese native or a visitor to our sunny shores, pick up a copy of ‘Stories Revisited’. Let Vella’s words transport you, not just to another time, but to another place, another way of life. And who knows? You might just recognise a piece of your own story in his.

“Malta is not just a place on the map,” Vella says, his eyes gleaming with passion. “It’s a story waiting to be told.”