Archive for March, 2015

  • Law of the sea

    Amongst its various significant documents, the National Archives of Malta house the records of the Consolato del Mare di Malta within the premises of the Banca Giuratale in Mdina. This collection holds the first records of Malta’s own maritime tribunal and sheds light over more than 100 years of maritime laws that were effected between the late 17th century and the early 19th century.

    A document from The Consolato del Mare di Malta collection (1)Consisting of a total of 473 items, the documentation of the Consolato del Mare di Malta is presently found in a stable condition. However it requires attention since present storage conditions do not guarantee its future preservation. While, highlighting the huge importance which this collection has to the better understanding of both local and international sea law, maritime historian, Dr Joan Abela, recently appealed for the preservation of this collection for posterity. Following this appeal, a group of individuals who are connected to the Maltese maritime industry, have joined forces in order to come up with an initiative to collect the required funds for this project.

    “The proper preservation of our archives is always our main focus,” said national archivist and National Archives CEO, Charles Farrugia. “After consulting with our conservators, it was concluded that using the current resources, it would take us about 80 weeks in order to complete the first phase of preservation on the documents of the Consolato del Mare di Malta, and it would cost approximately €25,000.”

    This initial work will involve the removal of acidic wrappers from the bundles of documents, cleaning of the bundles, the provision of new conservation grade covers and a condition assessment. Moreover, this collection will be stored in archival quality boxes that will serve for better protection and storage.

    Bundles from the Consolato del Mare di Malta collection (1)Archivist Noel D’Anastas commended the idea of this project, “At the moment, we have 52 metres of shelving dedicated to the collection of the Consolato del Mare di Malta. Although a good part of these documents are in a good condition, some of the bundles require urgent attention and it would be great if they could be preserved as soon as possible, particularly since this material is very much in demand by researchers.”

    The commercial court of the Consolato del Mare di Malta was established in 1697 and its main aim was to coordinate local maritime affairs and to tackle disputes and litigations in a more efficient way so as to facilitate trade. This arrangement was further enhanced by the appointment of experienced merchants in maritime trade in the positions of consuls for the tribunal of the Consolato.

    “During the period of the Order of St John, corsairing became one of the major commercial activities of our islands. However, by the end of the 17th century, the politico-economic atmosphere of Malta had evolved into stronger commercial enterprises, thereby lessening the importance of the corso,” explained maritime historian Dr Joan Abela.

    “Between the years 1721 to 1723, the corso employed around 700 men whereas circa 3000 men were engaged with the merchant fleet. Therefore the need for a new regulatory system must be observed in this wider context of change from a crusading order to a trading order.”

    A document from The Consolato del Mare di Malta collection (2)Till then, Maltese shipping had been administered by the Consolato del Mare laws of Messina and Barcelona. Yet this development created the requirement of a legal framework with which merchants and seafarers could be guided in their dealings with other traders and sellers.

    In order to cater for this demand, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful entrusted Fra Gaspare Carneiro with the task of studying the set up of the Consolato del Mare of various countries and particularly those which were used in Messina, Barcellona and Valencia. Thereafter, Carneiro was expected to compile and formulate the regulations for a Maltese Consolato law.

    “From the documents that are held today, we can see that this maritime tribunal functioned for many years. In fact, this form of regulation continued to serve this sector until 1814; when the British eventually replaced it with the Corte di Commercio,” elaborated D’Anastas.

    Asked about the relevance of this collection today, all three agreed that the study of such documents could enable researchers to understand the evolution of our local commercial trade within the broader Mediterranean context.

    “Since law and custom were highly connected, such documentation could also reveal a number of local maritime customs. Furthermore, such a collection could divulge interesting details regarding the economic and social aspect of past societies, and how law and business functioned.” suggested Dr Abela.

    “Indeed this collection of the Consolato del Mare di Malta provides a snapshot of various business practices such as the chartering of vessels, the wages of sailors, contracts of commenda or trade agreements made by captains, sailors or merchants, cases involving insurance, freight and trade networks, navigation techniques and many more valuable information. Therefore, its relevance for research applies to different areas of study,” remarked D’Anastas.

    From left - Charles Farrugia, Dr Joan Abela and Noel D'Anastas (1)Once again, they all agreed about the benefit of preserving such documents which highlight how a particular system has succeeded to continue functioning and elaborating itself over such a long period of time.

    “History is the foundation on which to build one’s present and future. A country which does not take adequate care of its archives tends to suffer from a sort of forgetfulness,” insisted Dr Abela. “I believe that such a collection should be regarded as a treasure of worldwide significance since its records can explain in detail how people from various countries managed to operate a system with which to work together like clockwork.”

    “There is no boundary to how much one can expand in the research of such documentation,” concluded Mr Farrugia. “Likewise, there is no limit to the sort of preservation and conservation that one can apply to such a collection in order to protect it and make it available to future generations. Hopefully, one day, we will be able to digitalize this information so that this masterpiece of knowledge could be more easily shared on a wider scale.”

    Sponsors who would like to donate funds for this venture are requested to contact jes@sullivanshipping.com.mt, bsultanasully@gmail.com, apmamo@gasanmamo.com, rpmiller@tugmalta.com, or call 2229 6165.

    (This article was published in the Shipping and Logistics Supplement in The Times of Malta dated 18 March 2015)

    2015.03.18 / no responses / Category: Times of Malta

  • Discovering the real art of a new culture

    China’s art sector is probably one of the most dynamic today since Chinese artists are constantly re-imagining the boundaries of art as they question their country’s role in the world. These artistic works can be viewed in the several popular art districts, key galleries and museums which are located in various areas around China.

    751D Park – Beijing

    I had thought that a visit to Beijing would only comprise an itinerary to historical sites. Therefore, this bustling contemporary art centre proved to be quite a surprise.

    Having been transformed from an industrial plant into an artistic hub, 751D Park boasts an area of 40,000 square meters and is now a very renowned area for art lovers. Its distinguished Bauhaus-style architecture has succeeded to blend harmoniously with the places’s new character which now houses many art galleries, bookshops, cafes and restaurants.

    Although I am not an avid art enthusiast, a stroll around the various shops and art exhibitions of this park served as a portal to another facet of China and its culture. Each outlet provided the opportunity to discover and purchase works of unique styles, original designs and ultimate creativity.

    Liu Fei - An enchanting war (1) - Photo by Fiona VellaI was particularly captivated by Liu Fei’s artistic exhibition named ‘An Enchanting War’. The artist described his sharp creations as his contemplation of future wars. Through them, he attempted to engage in social and political life in order to express his distaste and criticism on war. His main theme examined whether future warfare would be a performance of pretences? In his strong and bizarre artworks, there was no boundary between beauty and ugliness, and violence and contention were combined cruelly.

    The National Art Museum of China – Beijing

    The National Art Museum of China is dedicated to collection, research and exhibitions of modern and contemporary artistic works in China. Although this structure started to be constructed in 1958 and was open to the public in 1963, its architecture features the traditional Chinese style as the main building is roofed with yellow glazed tiles and surrounded by corridors and pavilions.

    This museum covers an area of more than 18,000 square meters and it includes 17 exhibition halls throughout its 5 storeys. It prides itself with more than 100,000 pieces of various collections, most of which are representative works of different periods and great artworks of Chinese art masters from the end of the 19th century till today.

    Artist Liu Xia besides her work at the National Art Museum of China - Photo by Fiona VellaSince its establishment, this national museum has organized thousands of various artistic exhibitions which reflect the development of Chinese art. These activities have attracted millions of visitors each year and so this museum has also served as a significant platform for the artists involved.

    During my visit, amongs its selection of expositions, this museum was holding the exhibition ‘Beautiful China: Call of Humanism’ which entailed the First National Fine Art Exhibition to help the disabled. The ensemble of 200 pieces of artworks included masterpieces of top artists of the contemporary art world,as well as works of disabled calligraphers and painters. Funds from the sales of these artworks were collected in order to assist the needs of the thousands of disabled Chinese individuals.

    M50 – Shanghai

    50 Moganshan Road or M50 art district as it is more popularly known, was a former textile mill in central Shanghai which has now been converted into a major zone of artistic galleries and exhibition spaces.

    This quarter started to become popular with artists in the year 2000 when the first individuals were initially attracted by the cheap rent of the disused industrial space. Soon, other artists followed suit and nowadays this complex has become known for its trendy and high art quality.

    Outdoor sculptures at 751D Park - Photo by Fiona VellaArt lovers who visit this place get a chance to enjoy and purchase some fantastic and unusual works directly from the artists themselves. The allure of this zone lies in the variety of displayed works using several mediums.Prices range from affordable to really expensive but one is expected to negotiate.

    Popular with both local and international visitors, this art quarter is unpretentious but interesting and often thought provoking. Amongst the wide selection of creations, it is engaging to notice also some works of a rebellious nature.

    (This article was published in the Travel, Leisure and Food Supplement in the Sunday Times of Malta dated 15 March 2015)

    2015.03.15 / no responses / Category: The Sunday Times - Articles

  • IL-KULURI TAĊ-ĊINA (L-10 Parti) Il-Venezja taċ-Ċina

    Issa li wasalna għall-aħħar artiklu, nittama li permezz ta’ din is-sensiela, irnexxieli ndewwaqkhom ftit minn dak li għandha x’toffri ċ-Ċina u li forsi wħud minnkhom, titħajjru wkoll iżżuruha.

    Iddeċidejt li nħalli dan il-post apposta għall-aħħar, hekk kif għamlu anki lilna l-gwidi Ċiniżi li akkumpanjawna matul il-vjaġġ tagħna ġewwa dan il-pajjiż. Niftakar li tassew issorprendejt ruħi meta sirt naf illi f’dik il-modernità kollha tal-belt ta’ Shanghai, wieħed kellu l-opportunità li jżur erbgħa bliet antiki li nżammu bejn wieħed u ieħor fl-istil oriġinali tagħhom sabiex jibqgħu bħala xempju ħaj tal-passat ta’ dawk l-inħawi.

    Dehra ta' ZhujiajiaoAħna żorna lill-belt antika Zhujiajiao li hi l-aktar waħda miżmuma tajjeb. Hija magħrufa wkoll b’bosta ismijiet oħra bħal ‘Il-Belt tal-Ilma’, ‘Ix-Xmara tal-Perli’ u ‘Il-Venezja taċ-Ċina’. Tinsab fil-periferija ta’ Shanghai u ġiet mibnija f’forma ta’ rewwieħa fuq medda art li tkopri 47 kilometri kwadri. Ilmijietha jleqqu bħall-perli fuq pajsaġġ bl-isfond tal-muntanji u l-għadajjar.

    L-istorja ta’ Zhujiajiao tmur lura 1700 sena għal żmien id-Dinastija Yuan, meta din il-lokalità bdiet isservi bħala ċentru tal-kummerċ għall-inħawi tal-kampanja tal-madwar. Il-pożizzjoni strateġiku tagħha, fejn jiltaqgħu numru ta’ xmajjar lokali, għenuha tiżviluppa malajr, l-aktar permezz tal-kummerċ tar-ross u tad-drapp, liema prodotti kienu jiġu trasportati mill-kampanja bid-dgħajjes, direttament għad-djar tan-negozjanti li kienu joqogħdu f’din il-belt. Dan wassal biex eventwalment Zhujiajiao kibret ħafna u ngħatat l-istat ta’ belt mill-Imperatur Wanli tad-Dinastija Ming.

    Hanut tal-ilbiesi tat-tiegDin ix-xejra kummerċjali għadha teżisti sa llum f’din il-belt, hekk kif din hija miżgħuda b’għadd ta’ ħwienet li jbiegħu kull xorta ta’ prodotti u servizzi. Fost dawn, wieħed isib: oġġetti maħduma bi snajja’ tradizzjonali, ikel u ħlewwiet ta’ kull tip, ħwejjeġ partikolari b’kuluri sbieħ li jintlibsu għar-ritratti tat-tieġ, djar tat-tè, kafetteriji, ħwienet tax-xorb u restoranti.

    L-arkitettura distinta tal-post hija mżejjna bi djar li jmorru lura għall-mijiet tas-snin. Bosta mid-djar antiki ta’ din il-belt iħarsu fuq l-ilmijiet tax-xmara u jistkennu għad-dell ta’ għadd ta’ siġar taż-żavżava li jkomplu jagħnu l-post b’element romantiku qawwi.

    Madanakollu, l-aktar li jiġbdu l-attenzjoni huma ċertament is-36 pont tal-ġebel li jgħaqqdu din il-belt flimkien. Dawn il-pontijiet inbnew matul id-Dinastiji Ming u Qing u jintgħarfu minn dawk ġodda permezz tat-turġien li jwasslu għalihom, minħabba li dari, dawn kienu jkunu aktar għoljin. Infatti llum fiċ-Ċina, dat-tip ta’ taraġ jinħadem bil-ħsieb tal-konvenjenza għall-pubbliku, b’mod partikolari għall-anzjani, u għaldaqstant hu mibni aktar baxx ħalli jkun aktar faċli biex titilgħu.

    Il-gondolaAnki t-tul ta’ dawn il-pontijiet ivarja ħafna, tant li wħud huma pjuttost qosra filwaqt li oħrajn huma twal mhux ħażin. Fil-fatt, Fangsheng, li hu l-aktar pont popolari f’din il-belt, hu għoli 5.8 metri, twil 70 metru u jserraħ fuq ħames arkati simettriċi. Oriġinarjament, dan inbena fl-1571 mill-patri Xingchao tat-Tempju Cimen. Iżda aktar tard, fl-1812, huwa reġa’ ttella’ mill-ġdid. L-arkata ċentrali ta’ dan il-pont ġiet dekorata bi skultura fil-ġebel ta’ tmien draguni jduru ma’ perla, filwaqt li t-truf tal-kolonni ġew skolpiti f’għamla ta’ ljuni.

    Jekk tkun qed iżżur dan il-post, m’għandikx titlef l-opportunità li tirkeb xi waħda miż-żewġ tipi ta’ dgħajjes li ssib fuq ix-xmara, ħalli b’hekk tosserva l-post minn perspettiva oħra. Il-gondola taħdem fil-kanali u tgħaddi minn taħt il-pontijiet, u permezz tagħha tista’ tmur dawra qasira sal-kanal prinċipali, inkella tagħżel distanza itwal li tieħdok madwar il-belt kollha. Min-naħa l-oħra, dgħajjes akbar joffrulek vjaġġ sal-għadira li hemm fl-inħawi.

    Zhujiajiao hija mfittxija ħafna mit-turisti imma anki min-nies tal-lokal li spiss imorru hemm fil-ġranet tal-mistrieħ jew fil-festi. Għaldaqstant, dan il-post għandu t-tendenza li jkun iffullat mhux ħażin u wieħed irid jiddedikalu almenu nofs ta’ nhar sħiħ jekk jixtieq iduru sewwa.

    Hemm min hu tal-opinjoni illi din il-belt saret artifiċjali wisq minħabba li saret tiddependi ħafna mit-turiżmu. Iżda ngħid għalija, Zhujiajiao hija lokalità indimentikabbli li wrietni xena surreali ta’ kif kienet il-ħajja fiċ-Ċina tal-passat.

    (Dan l-artiklu ġie ppubblikat fit-Torċa tal-15 ta’ Marzu 2015)

    2015.03.15 / no responses / Category: Torca - Features & Articles

  • IL-KULURI TAĊ-ĊINA (Id-9 Parti) Il-Palazz tas-Sajf

    Meta żżur il-palazzi antiki taċ-Ċina ma tistax ma timpressjonax ruħek. Għandhom wisq stil distint u sabiħ u bla ma trid tħossok donnok qiegħed f’dinja oħra. L-istil magħżul tal-arkitettura jidher biċ-ċar li hu maħsub biex iħaddan u mhux jirkeb fuq in-natura u b’hekk joħloq ambjent ħlejju ta’ serenità u ta’ spazju. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li ta’ kuljum dawn il-palazzi u l-ġonna tagħhom ikunu miżgħuda bin-nies, kemm tal-lokal u kif ukoll turisti minn kull pajjiż madwar id-dinja.

    Aktar minn hekk, kull palazz għandu l-istorja, il-karattru u l-faxxinu tiegħu. Dan ikkonfermajtu mill-ġdid meta ġejt akkumpanjata ġewwa l-Palazz tas-Sajf f’Pekin u hemm għal darb’oħra stagħġibt u mmeraviljajt ruħi bis-snajja’ nvoluti sabiex inbena dan il-post u d-dedikazzjoni neċessarja biex reġa’ ngħata l-ħajja mill-ġdid wara li popli barranin għamlu ħerba minnu.

    Il-Palazz tas-Sajf (The Summer Palace)

    Sezzjoni mill-Palazz tas-SajfDan il-palazz jinsab fil-majjistral tas-subborgi ta’ Pekin. Jokkupa medda ta’ art ta’ madwar 2,900,000 metru kwadru. L-istrutturi tiegħu jikkonsistu f’għadd ta’ swali, torrijiet, galleriji, paviljuni u pontijiet. Dawn huma mqassma fi tliet sezzjonijiet: il-parti amministrattiva, il-parti residenzjali imperjali u l-parti tar-rilassament.

    Barra minn hekk, il-palazz huwa mdawwar bi ġnien vast li jinkludi fih għolja magħrufa bħala L-Għolja tal-Ħajja Twila (Longevity Hill), u l-għadira Kunming (Kunming Lake) li tirċievi l-ilmijiet tagħha min-nixxiegħat ta’ Yuquanshan jew l-Għolja tar-Rebbiegħa tal-Jade (Jade Spring Hill).

    Trid sebgħa għajnejn biex tapprezza dan il-ġnien li huwa magħruf bħala l-akbar u l-aqwa ġnien klassiku imperjali li għadu jfakkar id-Dinastija Qing. Huwa wkoll magħdud bħala teżor kulturali tal-arti u tal-arkitettura tal-ġonna Ċiniżi. Sadanittant, hekk kif il-gwida rama jispjegalna dwar il-karatteristiċi tiegħu, intbaħna li dan il-lwog jista’ jiġi kkunsidrat ukoll bħala mużew tal-istili arkitettoniċi varji tal-ġonna li wieħed isib f’diversi reġjuni madwar iċ-Ċina.

    L-istorja tal-post

    Matul it-12 il-seklu, l-Imperatur Zhangzong tad-Dinastija Jin beda jibni l-palazz temporanju tiegħu hawnhekk. Aktar tard, fit-13 il-seklu, l-Imperatur Kublai Khan tad-Dinastija Yuan, qabbad lil Guo Shoujing, inġinier idrawliku famuż, sabiex isib sistema li biha jwassal l-ilma mill- Għolja tar-Rebbiegħa tal-Jade għat-tarf tal-Għolja tal-Ġarra (Jar Hill). Infatti, Guo rnexxielu jagħmel dan u b’hekk huwa ħoloq ġibjun kbir tal-ilma li sar magħruf bħala l-Għadira tal-Punent (West Lake).

    Fl-1494, l-Imperatur Xiaozong tad-Dinastija Ming ordna l-kostruzzjoni tat-Tempju tal-Perfezzjoni u t-Trankwillità (Temple of Perfection and Tranquility). Imbagħad, fis-16 il-seklu, l-Imperatur Wuzong tad-Dinastija Ming sawwar il-Ġnien tal-Għolja Meraviljuża (Garden of Marvelous Hill) f’dan il-post.

    L-Għadira KunmingJidher li dawn l-inħawi għamlu xi żmien abbandunati. Iżda sa nofs is-seklu 18, l-arkitettura tal-ġonna klassiċi Ċiniżi kienet laħqet livelli għoljin ħafna u numru ta’ ġonna imperjali bdew jissawwru madwar din il-medda ta’ art. Kien f’dan il-perjodu illi l-mexxejja tad-Dinastija Qing iddeċidew li jittrasformaw dan il-post fi lwog spazzjuż fejn wieħed seta’ jieħu gost u jistrieħ. Dan eventwalment wassal għall-kreazzjoni tat-Tliet Għoljiet u l-Ħames Ġonna (The Three Hills and Five Gardens).

    Fl-1750, l-Imperatur Qainlong tad-Dinastija Qing iddeċieda li jibni Qingyiyuan jew il-Ġnien taċ-Ċafċif Ċar (Garden of Clear Ripples) bħala rigal għal ommu l-Imperatriċi Armla Xiaosheng f’għeluq is-60 sena tagħha. Dan il-ġnien kien jifforma parti mit-Tliet Għoljiet u l-Ħames Ġonna. Sena wara, isem l-Għolja tal-Ġarra nbidel fl-Għolja tal-Ħajja Twila filwaqt li l-Għadira tal-Punent saret magħrufa bħala l-Għadira Kunming.

    Ġara illi dan il-ġnien grandjuż ħa ħmistax il-sena biex tlesta kollu, tant li omm l-imperatur laħqet mietet. Imma meta x-xogħol fuqu ġie komplut, dan is-sit kien wieħed mill-aktar ġonna raffinati fiċ-Ċina.

    Madanakollu, fl-1860 it-truppi Brittaniċi u Franċiżi li attakkaw lil Pekin, daru anki għal dan il-post fejn serqu kull ma sabu u taw in-nar lill-bqija. B’hekk, kull struttura tal-injam li kien hemm fil-Ġnien taċ-Ċafċif Ċar saret irmied.

    Intant, fl-1885, l-Imperatriċi Armla Cixi, li kienet ilha tmexxi ċ-Ċina bil-moħbi permezz ta’ binha l-imperatur li kien għadu tifel żgħir, daħħlet f’moħħha li terġa tagħti r-ruħ lil dan il-post. U biex għamlet dan, hija ħadet fondi li kienu maħsuba għat-taqsima navali. Meta dan il-proġett kien għoddu tlesta fl-1888, Cixi bidlet isem il-post għall-Ġnien tal-Preservazzjoni Armonjuża (Garden of Harmonious Preservation) jew il-Palazz tas-Sajf kif inhu magħruf mat-turisti li jżuruh illum.

    Xena fuq l-Ghadira KunmingSfortunatament, fl-1900, dan is-sit ġie attakkat mill-ġdid, did-darba mill-Forzi Alleati tat-Tmien Pajjiżi. Dawn reġgħu żarmaw il-palazz mit-teżori kollha li kellu fih u qerdu l-bini.

    Issa l-finanzi tat-tmexxija Qing kienu marru lura ħafna u bl-ebda mod ma setgħu jinstabu fondi sabiex dan il-post jerġa’ jiġi restawrat. Għalhekk, fl-1902, Cixi rranġat kif setgħet l-inħawi tal-Għolja tal-Ħajja Twila u bniet mill-ġdid il-parti tal-Lvant tal-palazz.

    Wara r-rivoluzzjoni tal-1911, fejn it-tmexxija Qing ġiet imwarrba, dan il-palazz serva għal xi żmien bħala r-residenza tal-membri tal-ex familja imperjali. Fl-1920, il-post inbidel f’park u mbagħad fl-1949 il-ġnien ġie restawrat wara li twaqqfet ir-Repubblika taċ-Ċina, hekk kif il-gvern beda jirranġa diversi siti ta’ importanza kulturali.

    Finalment, fl-1998, il-UNESCO poġġiet il-Palazz tas-Sajf fil-lista tagħha bħala Wirt Kulturali Dinji.

    X’hemm x’tara

    Il-Kuritur TwilWara li sirt naf minn xhiex għadda dan il-post meraviljuż, aktar u aktar bdejt napprezza u nammira l-istat sabiħ li qiegħed fih illum. Għajnejja ħalfu li jixorbu l-ilwien kollha li kienu mżejjna bihom l-istrutturi, filwaqt li mnifsejja gawdew l-arja bnina msoffija mill-pjanti u s-siġar ta’ kull tip u qies li kienu jinsabu f’dan il-ġnien.

    Il-Palazz

    Il-palazz huwa esperjenza fih innifsu. Huwa diffiċli biex tfisser sbuħitu u l-ambjent li hu mdawwar bih. Ċertament l-opportunità li tidħol f’uħud mis-swali u l-paviljuni tiegħu hija xi ħaġa indimentikabbli. Ix-xenarju tal-inħawi li joffri l-ogħla torri tiegħu huma spettakolari.

    Il-Kuritur Twil (Long Corridor)

    Dan il-passaġġ maħdum kollu kemm hu mill-injam inbena fit-18 il-seklu. Għandu tul ta’ 728 metri u ġie mqassam f’273 sezzjoni li ġew iddekorati b’madwar 14,000 pittura li juru episodji importanti mill-letteratura klassika Ċiniża, stejjer folkloristiċi, figuri storiċi u leġġendarji u bini u xenarji magħrufa fiċ-Ċina.

    Id-Dgħajsa tal-Irħam (Marble Boat)

    Id-dghajsa tal-irhamDin l-istruttura li għandha forma ta’ dgħajsa rjali ġiet mibnija f’parti mill-Għadira Kunming. Ngħatat l-isem ta’ Qingyanfany jew id-Dgħajsa tal-Purità u r-Rilassament (Boat of Purity and Ease).

    Id-dgħajsa nbniet fuq żewġ sulari minn irħam kbir u għandha tul ta’ 36 metru. Ġiet maħluqa għall-Imperatur Qianlong sabiex minnha jgawdi x-xenarju tal-inħawi tal-madwar. Kienet ukoll maħsuba li tissimbolizza l-istabbilità tad-Dinastija Qing. Iżda jidher li fl-1860 din ġiet meqruda u reġgħet inbniet mill-ġdid bi stil tal-Punent minn Cixi li tatha isem ieħor – Qingyanfang jew Paċi Universali (Universal Peace).

    L-Għadira Kunming

    Din l-għadira tkopri tliet kwarti tas-sit kollu. L-ilma tagħha mhux fond u ma jistax isir għawm fiha. Madanakollu, il-viżitaturi għandhom l-opportunità li jirkbu dgħajsa sabiex igawdu l-ambjent mill-isbaħ kemm tal-għadira, kemm tal-ġnien u kif ukoll tal-palazz li jħares fuqha.

    Mir-rebbiegħa sal-ħarifa jikbru l-fjuri tal-ġilju tal-ilma (lotus) ġewwa l-ilmijiet ta’ din l-għadira. Min-naħa l-oħra, fix-xitwa, wiċċ l-għadira jinbidel f’silġ u n-nies ikunu jistgħu jmorru bl-iskejt fuqu.

    Nies bi snajja’ u arti varji

    Pittur fil-Palazz tas-SajfApparti li dan il-lwog joffrilek iċ-ċans li tiltaqa’ man-nies tal-post, fih wieħed isib ukoll diversi artisti. Fosthom, aħna sibna pittur anzjan li kien qiegħed jiddisinja xeni dettaljati mill-Palazz tas-Sajf. Kien hemm ukoll grupp ta’ nies li bl-istrumenti diversi tagħhom kienu qed jakkumpanjaw żewġ kantanti.

    Min jixtieq jara xi filmati li ħadna f’dan il-post jista’ jidħol f’Youtube permezz ta’ din il-ħolqa:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlHIDVjYzGQ

    (Dan l-artiklu ġie ppubblikat fit-Torċa tat-8 ta’ Marzu 2015)

    2015.03.08 / no responses / Category: Torca - Features & Articles

  • IL-KULURI TAĊ-ĊINA (8 Parti) Siti reliġjużi f’Pekin

    Għalkemm matul is-snin, iċ-Ċina sfat attakkata kemm il-darba u diversi binjiet sinifikanti fiha ġew meqruda, b’xorti tajba llum għad fadal bosta strutturi mill-isbaħli jixhdu l-kobor tal-arkitettura tradizzjonali Ċiniża.

    Fost dawn insibu numru ta’ palazzi u tempji li wieħed jista’ jżur ġewwa l-belt ta’ Pekin.

    It-Tempju tal-Ġenna (The Temple of Heaven)

    Dan it-tempju jinsab fin-naħa tax-xlokk ta’ Pekin. Fih l-imperaturi tad-Dinastiji Ming u Qing kienu jaduraw il-ġenna, filwaqt li kienu jitolbu biex ikollhom ħsad tajjeb mill-għelieqi tagħhom.

    Dan il-post inbena bejn l-1406 u l-1420 mill-Imperatur Yongle li sawwar ukoll il-Belt Ipprojbita. Oriġinarjament kien maħsub li kellu jservi bħala altar tal-ġenna u kif ukoll tad-dinja iżda l-imperaturi baqgħu jibnu u jżidu f’dan il-lwog sakemm maż-żmien, dan sar tempju sħiħ mibni fuq medda ta’ art kbira 2,730,000 metru kwadru.

    Mudellar bl-isfond tat-Tempju tal-GennaFil-preżent, din l-istruttura hija maqsuma f’żewġ partijiet: l-artal intern u l-artal estern. Tianxinshi (ġebla tal-qalba tal-Ġenna) jew Yuanxinshi (qalb tonda tal-ġebel) tinsab proprju fiċ-ċentru tat-terrazzin ta’ fuq ta’ Yuanqiutai. Dan kien il-post fejn kien jintasab l-imperatur biex jitlob. Jingħad illi kull min jitla’ jitkellem fuq din il-ġebla, kapaċi jinstema’ minn ħafna ‘l bogħod.

    Min-naħa l-oħra, Qiniandian (is-sala tat-talb għall-ħsad it-tajjeb) hija l-binja prinċipali tal-altar għat-talb għall-qamħ. Din l-istruttura għolja 32 metru hija waħda mill-isbaħ partijiet f’dan it-tempju. Fost id-dekorazzjonijiet tagħha, il-ħitan esterni ta’ din is-sala ġew imżejjna b’madum ikħal, filwaqt li fuq it-tarf nett tpoġġa ballun lewn id-deheb. Fattur importanti dwar il-kobor tas-sengħa użata f’din il-binja huwa illi l-ebda travu jew musmar ma ntużaw biex iżommuha flimkien. Minflok, din isserraħ fuq 28 kolonna massiċċa tal-injam li b’mod inġenjuż ġew marbuta mal-bqija tal-istruttura sabiex iżżommu kollox bħala ħaġa waħda.

    It-Tempju tal-Ġenna huwa mdawwar b’ħajt twil li jifforma kwadru fin-naħa ta’ nofsinhar u nofs ċirku lejn in-naħa tat-tramuntana. Skont it-twemmin tradizzjonali Ċiniż, dan sar biex jiġu rrappreżentati l-ġenna li kienet maħsuba li kienet tonda u d-dinja li kienet kwadra.

    Id-diżinn uniku u t-tqassim ta’ dan is-sit ġew maħluqa apposta sabiex jesprimu l-filosofija Ċiniża ta’ armonija kompleta bejn il-bniedem u n-natura. Infatti, matul is-snin, dan it-tempju ġie meqjus bħala kapolavur li jisfuma l-arkitettura fin-natura bl-aktar mod eċċellenti.

    Barra minn hekk, din l-istruttura hija kkunsidrata wkoll bħala riflessjoni profonda tal-kultura Ċiniża f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-politika, il-filosofija, l-astronomija, il-kalendarju, il-mużika, il-pittura u l-qasam tal-ġonna.

    Divertiment fit-Tempju tal-GennaMatul il-perjodu tat-Tieni Gwerra tal-Loppju li seħħet bejn l-1856 u l-1860, dan it-tempju safa maħkum mill-Imperu Brittaniku u dak Franċiż li kienu qed jeħduha kontra d-Dinastija Qing taċ-Ċina. Aktar tard, fl-1900, waqt ribelljoni oħra, l-Alleanza tat-Tmien Nazzjonijiet ħadet taħt idejha dan il-kumpless u biddlitu f’ċentru militari. L-okkupazzjoni ta’ dan il-post, li damet madwar sena, iddesekrat dan it-tempju u rriżultat fi ħsara enormi kemm fil-bini u kif ukoll fil-ġonna tal-madwar. Sadanittant, ġew irrapurtati wkoll diversi serqiet ta’ artifatti li ttieħdu mit-tempju.

    Hekk kif id-Dinastija Qing falliet u spiċċat, dan is-sit tħalla għal rieħu u ġie abbandunat kompletament. Dan kompla wassal għal ħsarat ħafna akbar fejn saħansitra waqgħu xi swali.

    Fl-1914, Yuan Shikai, l-ewwel President tar-Repubblika taċ-Ċina wettaq ċerimonja reliġjuża f’dan it-tempju bħala attentat li jiddikkjara ruħu Imperatur taċ-Ċina.

    Għal bosta snin, l-aċċess għal din iż-żona kien ipprojbit, sakemm fl-1918, din tbiddlet fi ġnien u nfetħet għall-pubbliku. Intant, fl-1961 it-Tempju tal-Ġenna ġie inkluż bħala parti mil-Lista ta’ Monumenti Storiċi u Kulturali Ċiniżi taħt protezzjoni tal-istat u b’hekk beda jsirlu r-restawr meħtieġ. Imbagħad, fl-1998, dan is-sit beda jifforma wkoll parti mill-lista tal-Wirt Kulturali Dinji tal-UNESCO.

    Illum dan il-post huwa popolari ħafna kemm man-nies tal-lokal u kif ukoll mat-turisti. Infatti, waqt iż-żjara tagħna, kien hemm mijiet ta’ viżitaturi ta’ kull età u ġens li kienu qed jagħmlu kull xorta ta’ attività bħaż-żfin, kant, u logħob varju. Barra minn hekk, kien hemm ukoll numru ta’ għarajjes li kienu qed jiġbdu r-ritratti tat-tieġ tagħhom fl-isfond tal-istrutturi varji ta’ dan it-tempju. Xi fotografi oħra kienu qed jieħdu ritratti artistiċi u tal-moda lil diversi mudelli.

    Fatt interessanti huwa illi f’sezzjoni mill-ġonna ta’ dan it-tempju, wieħed jista’ jara siġra kbira li hija magħrufa bħala ‘iċ-ċipressa tad-disgħa draguni’. Tissejjaħ hekk minħabba li jekk wieħed juża naqra immaġinazzjoni, jista’ jistħajjel iz-zokk tagħha bħal disgħa draguni jitremblu f’xulxin. Jingħad illi din iċ-ċipressa għandha mal-elf sena u għadha ħajja sa llum.

    Yonghegong Lamasery

    Magħrufa wkoll bħala l-Palazz tal-Armonija u l-Paċi, din l-istruttura li tinsab lejn in-naħa tal-grigal ta’ Pekin, ġiet mibnija fl-1694.

    Oriġinarjament, fil-perjodu tad-Dinastija Ming, dan il-post kien maħsub biex iservi bħala residenza għal dawk l-irġiel li kienu jiġu kastrati u mpjegati sabiex jipproteġu lin-nisa li kienu jgħixu fil-qrati orjentali.

    Qima fit-tempju BuddistMadanakollu, mill-1725, dan is-sit beda jintuża bħala l-palazz residenzjali tal-Imperaturi Yongzheng u Qianlong tad-Dinastiji Qing, meta dawn kienu jixtiequ joħorġu għal ftit taż-żmien mill-Belt Ipprojbita. Infatti, il-ħitan ħomor, il-madum isfar u l-iljuni tal-ġebel li wieħed isib f’dan il-lwog huma simboli li hemmhekk xi darba kien jgħix xi membru tal-familja imperjali.

    Kien fl-1744, waqt id-Dinastija Qing, illi finalment ir-rwol ta’ dan il-palazz inbidel f’tempju u f’residenza għall-patrijiet Lama filwaqt li sar ukoll iċ-ċentru nazzjonali tal-amministrazzjoni Lama.

    L-arkitettura, id-disinn u d-dekorazzjonijiet tiegħu huma meraviljużi hekk kif dan il-post huwa mqassam f’sebat ibtieħi differenti bi strutturi li jvarjaw bejn swali, paviljuni u torrijiet, li kollha jintonaw flimkien akkost li fihom karatteristiċi tradizzjonali varji tal-popli ta’ Han, Tibet, Manchu u Mongolja.

    Hruq tal-incens fit-tempju BuddistIllum dan il-post huwa miftuħ kemm għat-turisti u kif ukoll għal dawk li jkunu jixtiequ jqimu d-diversi statwi Buddisti li hemm imxerrda man-numru ta’ binjiet li jiffurmaw lil dan il-palazz. Fost dawn l-istatwi, wieħed isib ukoll statwa ġganteska ta’ Buddha għolja 26 metru li ġiet maħduma minn biċċa sħiħa tal-injam tas-sandlu. Jingħad li din hija l-ikbar statwa fid-dinja tax-xorta tagħha.

    Ċertament, dan it-tempju huwa xempju tal-arti reliġjuża tradizzjonali Ċiniża. Hu wkoll il-post ideali għal dawk li japprezzaw isegwu r-ritwali differenti ta’ ġnus oħra

    Nistqarr illi anki jekk in-nies ta’ madwari kienu qed iqimu reliġjon differenti minn dak li nħaddan jien, xorta waħda ħassejt serenità kbira ġewwa dan it-tempju, speċjalment meta bdejt nara l-qima qawwija fost individwi ta’ kull età.

    Għalija, iż-żjara ġo dan il-lwog kienet esperjenza memorabbli u unika li laqqgħatni ma’ aspett ieħor tal-kultura u s-soċjetà taċ-Ċina.

     (Dan l-artiklu ġie ppubblikat fit-Torċa tal-1 ta’ Marzu 2015)

     

     

     

    2015.03.01 / no responses / Category: Torca - Features & Articles