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The Malta Historical Society in collaboration with the National Library of Malta invites you to attend a public talk:Child dependency: the poor child’s experience in eighteenth-century Malta
By Ms Rakele Fiott
This event is kindly sponsored by the Alfred Mizzi Foundation
Synopsis:
Children rely on their caregivers from an early age, especially poor and abandoned children, who depended on the Order of St John and morally upright families for survival, education, and marriage. Moving between households, they often became servants, relying on these families socially, economically, and emotionally. While care and obligation shaped their lives, dependency was not always positive—societal stigma often silenced victims of abuse. Court records reveal how poor children navigated the public and private spheres, often invisible and marginalized. This talk examines witness testimonies to uncover how these children adapted, negotiated, and sought stability in a challenging world.
Bio-note:
Rakele Fiott is a teacher and a History graduate with first class Honours and a Master’s degree from the University of Malta. Her research has centred on socio-economic issues in eighteenth-century Malta, with a particular focus on the history of children and adolescents. Her publications include papers in the National Archives journal, Arkivju (2023), the Malta University Historical Society’s journal, Storja (2023), and the Malta Historical Society’s journal, Melita Historica (2024). She is also an active committee member of the Malta Historical Society.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
National Library of Malta, 36 Old Treasury Street,Valletta, Malta
