Vittoriosa - Joe Smith

Vittoriosa, or as it’s more commonly known, Birgu, is a walled town to the south of Malta. It is a city of exceptional historical, artistic and architectural interest. Its history is intimately linked with Fort St Angelo whose impregnable walls offered safety to this old medieval, maritime city. It has been a protagonist in the chequered history of Malta, particularly the Greta Siege of 1565. It is a city of narrow winding streets and was heavily bombarded during the Second World War. In fact many locals moved to other parts of the island as refugees. They gradually returned to resettle in their home town. A huge part of the population in Birgu is over 70 years old and dying. The younger generation are getting married and moving out. Many of the older residents live alone because they are either the sole surviving members of the family, or their children have emigrated or got married and moved to another town. Joe Smith

started on this project quite by chance. Four years ago I was on assignment in Birgu, shooting pictures of a street theatre production by a British Company called Kneehigh Theatre. I got there an hour early to have a look around the areas where the action would be taking place. As I walked down a typical narrow street, I saw this wonderful old lady standing in her doorway and leaning on a typically Maltese wrought iron gate. Before I could ask her if I could shoot off a picture of her, she bid me good morning and asked me if I was a local. Before I knew it Inez was recounting her life story to me. Needless to say, she gladly consented to have her picture taken.

With the play over and the pictures in the bag, I sat down for a beer with the mayor of Birgu. He asked me if everything went OK and I said I was sure I’d got great pictures. It was then that I mentioned the shot I had taken of Inez. The mayor told me that there are more like her in Birgu and that a huge percentage of the population of this town was over the age of 60 and withering away. The younger generation were getting married and moving out to other parts of the island. I suddenly asked the mayor: “So these people are dying and nothing is being done to conserve their rich past and life stories?”

What can you do?” asked the mayor. That’s when I came up with the idea of documenting these people and their stories, with the end result being an exhibition and a book. The mayor was as excited as I, and gladly offered his support. Every week he used to fax me a list of four or five citizens, who were pre-informed of my pending visit. I phoned to make the appointments and, as they say, the rest is history. Joe Smith

The project also had its challenges. On entering their homes (which can be very old in this town) I had a quick look round to pick a spot in which to take the pictures. While I am sure that they would not have minded, I refrained from asking them for a look around their houses – I did not want to feel as if I was intruding on their quiet lives. Film stock was mainly T-Max 3200 or Fujicolor 800 (later scanned and converted to mono). I wanted to work with available light and these films, together with my Lastolite 100cm reflector stood up to the challenge nicely.

I used to listen to their stories first so that this would inspire me on the way to shoot. The proposed book will be laid out with photographs on one page and the abridged interview on the facing page. It will feature roughly 90 images and probably will be printed in Duotone.

The SWPP 2008 Convention was an outstanding success,
we have 174 days to get ready for the 2009 convention - which starts on January 14, 2009

Photo Quote: I don't like to work with assistants. I'm already one too many the camera alone would be enough. - Alfred Eisenstaedt