An exhibition dedicated to the legacy of sports photojournalist Karmenu Fava (1917-2009) was inaugurated this morning at Malta’s National Archives in Mdina by Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici.
Curated by Dr. Steve Borg, the exhibition is housed at the Court and Tribunals Archive.
“This is a remarkable exhibition as it captures Maltese sports, which reflect the spirit of our people. A country without memory is like an orphan, and sports have always been a mirror of our society,” said Minister Bonnici.
Born in Sliema in 1917, Fava worked as an electrical fitter in the Royal Naval Dockyard before serving in the British Army during WWII.
In the 1960s, he began documenting Maltese sports, from football and water polo to less prominent activities like archery and sailing. His work, featured in Union Press publications, made him Malta’s first sports photojournalist.
Fava also captured Malta’s cultural heritage, documenting historical sites and aspects of Maltese life.
After his passing in 2009, his son Raymond donated Fava’s extensive collection, including thousands of photographs, slides, and negatives, to the National Archives. The collection was meticulously curated by Dr. Borg to preserve and celebrate Fava’s legacy.
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