Ftira

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Maltese Ftira UNESCO-ICH-blue.svg Patrimoine culturel immatériel
Malta ftira.JPG
Ftira
Type Bread
Place of origin Malta
VariationsGozitan open ftira

Ftira is a ring-shaped, leavened, Maltese bread, usually eaten with fillings such as sardines, tuna, potato, fresh tomato, onion, capers and olives. [1] Regional variations include Gozo ftira, which is served more like a pizza than a sandwich. Gozitan ftira is served open with thinly sliced potato over the crust, or folded over like a calzone. [2]

Contents

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Following the Maltese Parliament's unanimous approval to ratify UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, [3] in 2018 Malta's Culture Directorate launched a petition to include the Maltese ftira as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. [4] [5] [6] [7] According to a local expert, 'The Making of the Ftira Maltija', as it is listed in the Directorate's National Inventory, dates back to the Sixteenth Century. [8] Following a strong public call, the Government of Malta announced that it would be submitting the Maltese ftira to UNESCO for consideration as intangible cultural heritage. [9] [10] In 2020, the Maltese ftira was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. [11] [12] [13] [14]

See also

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References

  1. "A true taste of Malta". The Telegraph. 10 March 2017.
  2. Rix, Juliet (2015). Malta and Gozo. England: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 68. ISBN   9781784770259.
  3. "Motion to authorise the ratification of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage". Parliament of Malta. March 7, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  4. "Maltese Ftira – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List hopeful". Newsbook. August 13, 2018. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  5. "PD praises initiative to list ghana and ftira for UNESCO recognition; questions exclusion of festa". Malta Independent. August 19, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  6. "Love The Maltese Ftira? You Can Now Help It Join The Hall Of Fame Of Global Human Heritage". www.change.org. October 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  7. "Is the ftira a marker of identity?". Times of Malta. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  8. "What makes the Maltese ftira different from other bread?". TVM. January 17, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  9. "Press Release by The Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government: Il-'ftira' to be the first element submitted to be part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list". TVM. March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  10. "Maltese 'ftira' to be submitted to UNESCO for consideration as intangible cultural heritage". TVM. March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  11. "Il-Ftira, culinary art and culture of flattened sourdough bread in Malta". UNESCO. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  12. "Maltese ftira added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List". Times of Malta. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  13. "A Taste Of History! Beloved Maltese Ftira Officially Makes It To UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List". Lovin Malta. December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. "International recognition for our traditional ftira". Times of Malta. February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.