The Malta Crafts Foundation has announced the winners of the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2025. The awards followed a successful public exhibition held at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta throughout June. The showcase brought together a diverse collection of contemporary and traditional pieces created by local craftspeople, providing a dedicated space for the public to view the handmade works and appreciate the dedication behind local manufacturing.
Celebrating Maltese Craftsmanship
The awards were divided into several main sections, reflecting the true breadth of Maltese craftsmanship. Category 1 focused on Artisanal Products, awarding makers across seven disciplines: Textiles (Marika Camilleri), Food and Beverage (Sebastien Bianchi), Glass Works and Ceramics (Raymond Aquilina), Precious Materials (Gabriel Farrugia), Modelling, Painting and Sculpting (Hubert Saliba), Non-Precious Materials (Federica Zahra), and Artisan Products Manufactured by Local Feast Organisers (Għaqda Armar Santa Marija Mqabba). From interactive silver filigree and stained glass to traditional wooden ornaments, the winning works highlighted how ancestral techniques continue to find their place in modern design.
Recognising Collaboration and Dedication
Category 2 championed Inspiring Artisanship and Innovation through Collaboration, awarding five unique projects that brought different makers together to fuse tradition with contemporary dialogue.
In Category 3, the foundation bestowed special recognitions to individuals who have made a significant impact on the sector. Notable mentions include Christian Bezzina, who was named Maker of the Year, and Alda Bugeja, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Additional accolades were given to emerging talents (Maximillian Scerri), student makers (Matias Cassar), trainers (Jana Scicluna), and practitioners of endangered crafts (Emanuel Sammut).
The People’s Choice Award
Alongside the main jury selections, the public was invited to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. Visitors to the Spazju Kreattiv exhibition and online audiences voted for their favourite pieces across all seven categories.
photo: Malta Crafts Foundation