Marsaxlokk Heritage in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and Heritage Malta embarked on a project titled ‘Restawr ta’ Qoxra tal-Bahar’. To hail the start of the project, an official launch was held at the Marsaxlokk seafront. Honorary minister Owen Bonnici together with representatives from Malta Tourism Authority and Heritage Malta and members of Marsaxlokk Heritage were present to inaugurate this project to the public. Among the invitees there were also locals from the village together with members of relevant organisations. 

 

The project seeks to preserve the art and craftsmanship of traditional boat builders by restoring a wooden boat previously discarded and left to ruin. The project also seeks to involve and educate locals with the rich cultural history created through a lineage of Maltese fishermen. The 100-year-old Firilla to be restored is one of the wooden boats used by traditional fishermen, only a handful of them still remain in operation today. Historically, the boat’s purpose initially was to ferry passengers around the harbours, later evolving into a fishing boat. The restoration process will transform this boat to its former glory whilst also adding to it traditional Tarkija sail rigs, which will be a major attraction for visitors of the harbour.