The Maltese Cinderella And Her Sisters

An exhibition by Veronica Veen delves into Il-Germudija, a Gozitan retelling of the timeless Cinderella narrative, rooted in the rich oral traditions of the Maltese Islands. First recorded in 1992 from Marija of Xewkija—celebrated as Malta’s last professional storyteller—the tale embodies the fading echoes of an island’s spoken heritage. Through Marija’s voice, fragments of myth, memory, and everyday life intertwine, revealing how folklore once served as both entertainment and moral compass within close-knit Gozitan communities.

Veen’s exhibition reinterprets this rare documentation through a contemporary lens, blending sound, text, and visual form to evoke the rhythm and intimacy of oral storytelling. It not only pays tribute to Marija’s enduring legacy but also invites reflection on the transformation of storytelling in a rapidly changing cultural landscape—where voices once shared around the hearth now seek resonance in new artistic media.