Ġilduża – from waste to use

Since 2024, the Malta Public Abattoir, the Notarial Archives Foundation, Xirka and parchment expert Dr. Jiří Vnouček have been collaborating to revive the traditional craft of parchment-making in Malta. At the heart of this initiative is the transformation of discarded goat and sheep skins, which would otherwise go to waste, into parchment – a durable and versatile material with applications in traditional crafts, conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage.

This initiative has secured two years of EU funding under the project Ġilduża, supporting the development and revival of this centuries-old skill and its integration into Malta’s cultural and educational landscape.