Il-Birgu jiccelebra l-anzjani "f'SURVIVORS" / Birgu celebrates Survivors (Friday 6th November, 2009)

Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Birgu organizza serata specjali ghall-protagonisti tal-ktieb “Survivors – The Ageing population of Birgu” ta’ Joe P. Smith. Ghal din l-okkazjoni, l-Kunsill stieden lill-anzjani li l-istejjer taghhom dehru fil-ktieb jew il-familjari tal-protagonisti li llum ma baqghux maghna, u pprezentalhom kopja tal-ktieb, filwaqt li rringrazzjahom tas-sehem li taw fil-progett shih.

L-okkazjoni memorabbli u emottiva gabet flimkien il-fotografu, Joe P. Smith, l-anzjani li dehru fil-ktieb u li ghadhom hajjin u l-familjari taghhom.

F’din l-okkazjoni l-fotografu kellu l-oppotunita li jerga jiltaqa’ ma’ dawn in-nies li bejn l-2003 u l-2006, laqghuh f’darhom u qasmu mieghu l-esperjenzi ta’ hajjithom.

Wara diskors qasir minn Joe P. Smith u mill-istoriku Lino Bugeja, s-Sindku tal-Birgu John Boxall, irringrazzja lil kulhadd tal-appogg taghhom. Is-Sindku wera r-rikonoxximent tieghu lejn l-awtur li welled din l-idea u li pperserva sakemm il-progett gie ffinalizzat, minkejja d-diffikultajiet li kellu jghaddi minnhom. Is-Sur Boxall iddiskrieva din il-generazzjoni ta’ anzjani bhala t-tezor veru tal-Birgu u qal li hu xieraq li l-wirt taghhom qed ikun imfakkar fil-ktieb. Tenna jghid li l-ktieb, apparti li hu nteressanti hafna biex taqrah, se jispira u jservi ta’ ezempju tajjeb ghall-generazzjonijiet li jmiss.

L-ewwel persuna li rcieva l-kopja tal-ktieb mis-Sindku kien Peppi Gellel ta’ 104 sena, l-iktar ragel anzjan li deher fil-ktieb. Minkejja l-eta’ venerabbli tieghu, Peppi ghadu attiv fil-komunita u hu ta’ Ispirazzjoni ghal kulhadd.

Ir-riceviment li segwa kien opportunita biex il-protagonisti jiftakru u jitkellmu dwar dawn l-ahhar sitt snin u jiehdu ritratti mal-awtur li fl-istess waqt iffirmalhom l-kopja tal-ktieb taghhom.

Meta kien mistoqsi dwar kif ihossu issa li l-holma ta’ sitt snin shah immaterjalizzat. Joe P. Smith qal li l-ktieb intlaqa’ sew, “Kien hemm xi problemi izda ridt naghti xi haga lura lil dawn in-nies straordinarji u ghalhekk komplejt il-progett. Kienet xi haga emozzjonali meta tara l-familjari ta’ dawk li diga hallewna taqbzilhom demgha, huma u jaraw ir-ritratti tal-mahbubin taghhom. Meta wara gew biex jirringrazzjawni personalment talli ppreservajt il-memorja taghhom, hassejt li l-isforz u x-xoghol li sar kien iggustifikat”

______________________________________________________________

Birgu Local Council organized special evening for the residents featured in Survivors – The Ageing population by Joe P. Smith.

Birgu Local Council invited all those featured in the book or their immediate families in the case of the former having since passed away, and presented them with a copy of the book, thanking them for the important part they played in the whole project.

This memorable and emotive occasion brought together the photographer, Joe P. Smith, those featured in the book and who are still alive, and their family members. It provided the photographer with the opportunity to meet the extraordinary people who between 2003 and 2006 welcomed him into their homes and shared their life experiences with him.

After short introductory speeches by Joe P. Smith and historian Lino Bugeja, Birgu Mayor, Mr. John Boxall, thanked everyone for their cooperation. The Mayor singled out the author who gave birth to the whole idea and persevered to finalize the project, in spite of various difficulties along the way. Mr. Boxall described this ageing generation as the real treasure of Birgu and said that it was fitting that their legacies have now been preserved in a book. He added that, whilst being extremely interesting to read, the book will inspire and provide a good example to future generations.

The first person to receive his copy from the Mayor was 104 year old Peppi Gellel, the oldest citizen featured in the book. In spite of his very active in the community and is an inspiration to his fellow citizens.

The reception which followed provided the perfect opportunity for all the protagonists to reminisce about the last six years, as well as have pictures taken with the author and have their books signed.

When asked how he feels now that his six year old dream has materialized, Mr. Smith said that the response was overwhelming, “There were some bumps along the way but I had give these extraordinary people something back so I plodded on. It was quite emotional see relatives of those who have since passed away shed a tear or two when they came face to face with the photographs of their loved ones. When they then came up to me to personally thank me for having preserved their memories, it made it all worthwhile.”