Tempus Fugit - timelessness in a remote hamlet
Periphery of Rabat, Malta
On the tiny island of Malta, in one of the remote hamlets in the North West, it is as if time stood still and the passing of years has had no effect on the surroundings. It is thus I find Giovanni and Maria who have lived in their farmhouse for over 70 years, nowadays in their 90’s after they got married in 1935. This has been their life and their universe ever since, very rarely even going out to any other spot on the island.
Giovanni has toiled the land all his life, though now due to advanced age he cannot. Sometimes, though he does visit his beloved land, just sitting there enjoying the space, fresh air and sunlight.
Maria helps in the small local chapel, assisting the elderly priest who comes to recite mass every Saturday evening, and carrying out general duties. Above all, in a typical traditional Mediterranean manner she continues to take care of her husband as she has done for throughout their entire married years, preparing food and carrying out general duties related to the house despite of her advanced age. Of their 17 children, and an even larger number of nephews and their children, occasionally, one of their numerous family members comes to visit, thus, on this occasion the farmhouse comes alive; When this member happens to be living abroad as some who have emigrated to Canada in the 70’s then it is a real event.
In a purely Mediterranean temperament, arguments arise frequently between the elderly couple, but these will soon get dispersed and in return makes their bondage even stronger.
On the tiny island of Malta, in one of the remote hamlets in the North West, it is as if time stood still and the passing of years has had no effect on the surroundings. It is thus I find Giovanni and Maria who have lived in their farmhouse for over 70 years, nowadays in their 90’s after they got married in 1935. This has been their life and their universe ever since, very rarely even going out to any other spot on the island.
Giovanni has toiled the land all his life, though now due to advanced age he cannot. Sometimes, though he does visit his beloved land, just sitting there enjoying the space, fresh air and sunlight.
Maria helps in the small local chapel, assisting the elderly priest who comes to recite mass every Saturday evening, and carrying out general duties. Above all, in a typical traditional Mediterranean manner she continues to take care of her husband as she has done for throughout their entire married years, preparing food and carrying out general duties related to the house despite of her advanced age. Of their 17 children, and an even larger number of nephews and their children, occasionally, one of their numerous family members comes to visit, thus, on this occasion the farmhouse comes alive; When this member happens to be living abroad as some who have emigrated to Canada in the 70’s then it is a real event.
In a purely Mediterranean temperament, arguments arise frequently between the elderly couple, but these will soon get dispersed and in return makes their bondage even stronger.
