MALTA 1971

A Photographic Exhibition By Uno Karlsson

Born on the eve of Christmas, 1940 in the midst of World War II, Uno grew up in the countryside. Early on, he had a longing for the great oceans and desired to become a sailor. At the tender age of fifteen, he was able to fulfil his dream. The sailor’s lot became a short but eventful part of his life.

After a class in photography in 1961, he discovered the camera as a tool to tell his stories. To document life became his passion. His camera and a roll of film, his entry ticket to encounter interesting people in different settings.

In 1962, he met his future wife, Marianne. Nine years later, they boarded a plane and travelled to Malta on holiday. They knew that Malta then was a relatively undiscovered tourist destination and that the Maltese were kind people who also spoke English. It all seemed very practical. Marianne bought sunscreen. Uno bought twenty rolls of Kodachrome slide, coloured film. They enjoyed thirteen long days basking in the Mediterranean sun and many a late night washed away with food and wine. For Uno, this was also an opportunity for early morning strolls, camera in hand, photographing whatever attracted his eyes.

For 50 years, he had the idea that these photos should be exhibited in Malta. His daughter Maria sent some photos he captured to a Maltese Facebook group in 2021. The feedback received was enormous and the Malta Postal Museum offered him the opportunity to show the photos he took to the Maltese people.

Uno Ka rlsson is an award-winning documentary photographer who has held a number of exhibitions and published several books.

He captured his photos with a 35mm film camera and a wideangle lens. He developed his film and printed his photographs in his darkroom.

‘Malta 1971’ is hosted by the Malta Postal Museum in Valletta and runs from 5th May to 3rd June. Opening hours are from 10am till 4pm, Monday to Friday and 10am till 2pm on Saturday.

Pick Up A Platter For A Picnic

We’re big fans of picnics; we have the weather and the locations too! Take your tastebuds on an adventure with a Maltese platter. These are often served in village bars, and are usually generous. If you want to compile your own, look out for things like sun-dried tomatoes, olives and stuffed olives, bigilla, which is a dip made

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1 12/12/2022 08:45 from butter beans, the delicious ġbejniet cheese which comes as very fresh which is mild and soft, or pickled which is harder and addictive! Add some kapunata and don’t forget to take fresh Maltese bread, and perhaps a bottle of wine or chilled beers and soft drinks too!

WORDS ALESSIA CARUANA