Malta Tiles has opened what it claims is the first new factory to produce traditional Maltese tiles (madum Malti), in half a century.
Located in Paola, the factory spans three storeys, with a fourth due to open next year. It currently houses five tile-pressing machines, while a sixth is being restored.
WhosWho.mt spoke to Malta Tiles Creative Director and tile maker Rebecca Lia, whose father Robert Lia founded the company some 15 years ago.
She recounted how her family’s venture in the industry started out when Mr Lia, a stonemason who worked in restoration, required tiles for a project and encountered Joe Camilleri, the then-owner of Malta Tiles.
Malta Tiles traces its roots back to at least before the First World War, but its future was uncertain as Mr Camilleri was preparing to retire.
Determined to preserve the tradition, Mr Lia asked Mr Camilleri to pass on his craft and, after some persuasion, the veteran craftsman agreed. Mr Lia took over Malta Tiles in 2017, with the business operating out of a Fgura garage for around 15 years.
Eventually, his daughter Rebecca Lia and his son Gabriel Lia also got involved in the business, which has now undergone a major expansion, defying any suggestions that Maltese tile-making is a dying craft.
"There aren't many people left in this line of work, so opening this factory has given me even more motivation to keep the craft alive," Ms Lia said.
“Many Maltese traditions have declined over the years but I’m only 24 and I feel lucky and dutiful to save and prioritise them.”
Ms Lia said that traditional crafts like tile-making play an important role in helping Maltese people feel a sense of connection to their country.
“I have organised many public workshops and welcomed many school visits and it amazes me how emotional people can get when they see what we’re doing,” she said.
“Everyone feels a sense of connection to this place and I really enjoy seeing people from different backgrounds make friends with each other through conversations at our workshops about the tiles and our memories of them.”
"We all admire the pride Italians take in their culture when we visit their country, and I believe Maltese people want to feel that same sense of connection too.”
While Maltese tile-making was undoubtedly influenced by other Mediterranean traditions, Ms Lia said that should not stop the Maltese from taking pride in it as part of their own heritage.
“Sometimes we say that we don’t have anything that is truly ours but that’s just a way of putting ourselves down. We may not have invented the Maltese tile but we made it our own and it reflects a big part of our history.”
"Just as the Maltese language reflects our history of colonisation, traditional tiles were introduced to Malta over time and have now become part of our identity, shaping the way we design our homes and create patterns.”
“Tiles, along with balconies, symbolise traditional Maltese homes and we should be proud of what we have.”
