Gozitan Salt Pan Guardian Emmanuel ‘Leli tal-Melħ’ Cini Passes Away

A familiar chapter in Gozo’s rural life has come to a close with the passing of Emanuel Cini, the man many knew as Leli tal-Melħ.

His name became closely linked with the salt pans at Xwejni, where he spent decades safeguarding a practice that has shaped the island’s coastal identity.

Rather than allowing the craft to fade, Cini dedicated himself to keeping it relevant in a changing world.

Day after day, he worked the shallow pans carved into the rock, relying on experience and instinct to guide a process that depends entirely on nature. His efforts helped turn a declining trade into something once again appreciated, both by locals and by visitors curious about traditional ways of life.

Beyond the physical work, he became an informal ambassador for the craft.

Even after stepping back due to age and illness, his presence continued to shape the family’s work. The tradition now rests in the hands of the next generation, who carry forward both the method and the values he upheld.

#MaltaDaily