Madonna, Xi Sħana

The sea was a constant in my childhood. Almost every day I’d head to the beach with a traditional ftira in hand, collecting coins for ice cream, while the chatter of older generations filled the air. Those were simple, golden years.

In the summer of 2023, I photographed Malta’s coastline without a clear story, just candid moments. This year, I saw the sea as part of Maltese identity. Surrounded by blue, it has always shaped our culture, despite foreign invasions. Villages like Marsaxlokk and boathouses in Armier show how we’ve claimed it, and Malta offers perfect spots for a swim at any time of day.

As a child, the sea felt like home. I’d stay in the water for hours, ignoring my mother’s calls. At 23, I don’t stay as long, and life’s responsibilities took over as I grew older. But photography has helped me rediscover the beauty of simple moments. It allows me to capture what was, and what still is.

Growing up, we lose the joy of simplicity. But as life slows down, we find it again like gazing out at the sea. The photos I’ve taken across Malta and Gozo preserve this timeless part of our identity. Through photography, I aim to keep the sea’s presence alive for future generations, documenting both what it was and what it will become.