Art-Based Activities

Primary Themes:

• Distinction between right and wrong  

• Making choices 

Michael is revered in Judaism, Christianity and Islam as the protector and the adversary of the evil one. Through props and role play, the painting will come to life for the children, thus helping them understand its symbols and carry the invaluable meaning of the mythical hero in their lives. Gellel, Deguara & Formosa (2024) showed how this activity helps children express themselves through metaphors and to transfer knowledge to different contexts.

Primary Themes:

• Emotional literacy

• Facing our fears

• Protection

• Supporting others 

The painting of Our Lady of Succor, a 15th Century Triptych will be the main catalyst to help children speak out about their fears and address them by seeking protection and comfort of someone who takes care of them.

The activity includes an exercise of naming their fears through exploring the underground passages of the Museum and then through storytelling, role play and props, the painting of the Madonna will be made meaningful to the children.

Primary Themes:

• Greek Mythology

• Beauty

• Musical instruments

• Harmony and music

• Unity in difference  

The theme of Orpheus enchanting the animals was particularly popular in Europe to promote peace and harmony. Children will search for animals in different paintings, noting the differences and the unbearable noise when uncoordinated. After listening to the story children will analyze how different musical instruments may help express different emotions. They will also be invited to compare the d’Asaro’s painting with other classical paintings.

Primary Themes:

• Journey

• Following an ideal

• Generosity

• Experiences that change us

• Traditions (Maltese and Russian)   

Through clues the children are involved in an exploration activity to find stars which will lead to the painting. By being involved in discussion and activities they discover the story of the adoration of the magi and the meaning of gift giving. The children will learn story of Baboushka and traditions related to this story. 

Primary Themes:

• Leadership

• Leadership in a Faith        Community

• Interpreting symbols

• Maltese Traditions   

Though this activity the children will learn about leaders in our community focusing on the role of the bishop as Church leader. By engaging with the religious vestments found at the Museum and the symbols found in different paintings, children will learn to recognise symbols and their meaning. Children will also interact with stories that dot our secular and religious calendars.

Primary Themes:

• The importance of silence and listening

• The story of the annunciation

• Different ways of telling the same story

• Self-worth 

The Annunciation is central to both Christian and Muslim religions. For hundreds of years the civil calendar year started on the feast on the Annunciation. Through Preti’s paining to the annunciation children will be encouraged to compare the painting with those of Fra Angelico, Jacquelin de Montluçon, Tintoretto Dante Gabriel Rossett. Children will engage with the different styles of painting, the common symbols found in each painting and with discuss the nuanced meanings that each painter wanted to convey.

Primary Themes:

• Greek mythology

• Importance of moderation in anything that we do  

The activity will focus on Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, agriculture and reveling. After becoming aware with the symbols ties to the main gods of the Roman pantheon, children will listen to the story of how Bacchus invented wine and explore with the consequences of excesses. 

Primary Themes:

• Valuing what is important

• become aware of the clashes that may arise from imposing one’s own views

• become aware of how individual choices may influence others

• the Roman period in European History 

The Maltese painter Francesco Zahra prepared a bozzetto for Parish Church of B’Kara. The painting narrates the moment Helen finds the relics of the cross in Jerusalem. During the three in-class activities, where children will become acquainted with the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and the decision of the new emperor to send his eighty year old mother to search for Christian relics, and the inevitable class with the still predominant pagan religion and culture. At the museum children will be given the tools to interpret the painting and discuss what led an 80-year old to travel to search for a piece of wood. It also provides the opportunity to discuss the possibility of conviviality between different cultures and religions. The activity will be concluded with a treasure hunt at Museum.

Teachers are provided with a guiding manual that includes detailed background information and lesson plans.

Primary Themes:

• Maltese legends

• Maltese identity

• Corsairs

• Connectedness 

The story of the Siege of 1429 and the  legend of St Paul conquering the Moors, as depicted in a painting by Mattia Preti, are at the centre of this activity. Through this painting the children also explore issues of bullying, slavery and child-labour. The underlying value of doing what is right will also be a clear message throughout the activity. The activity includes a very vivid activity held on the Bastions of Mdina where the story of the painting  comes to life.

Teachers are provided with a guiding manual that includes detailed background information and lesson plans.

Primary Themes:

• Greek mythology

• Promises and Moral action

• Love

The activity focuses on the two stories, both centering on princess Ariadne, who fell in love with Theseus. In the first story she helps him to kill the Minotaur. He escapes with her from the island of Crete only to abandon her on another island. Bacchus, god of wine and reveling, falls in love with her and marries her by crowing her with the constellation of the Corona Borealis. The painting and the story telling activities engage children with Greek mythology and the night sky with its stories. Children will also be encouraged to reflect on the morality of our actions – of gratefulness, keeping promises and the meaning of love.

Primary Themes:

• National Identity

• Maltese history

• Life as an adventure

• Valuing life projects

• The Mediterranean

• Encountering different religious views 

The Polyptych of St Paul is the oldest altar painting in Malta. The polyptych, which was probably commissioned by the Mdina Universitas (Council) is a testimony not only of the ancient Pauline cult in Malta but a statement for the nascent Maltese national identity. The proud insignia of Mdina (which will later become the flag of Malta) standing over the polyptch reminds the viewer that the story of Paul is intimately tied with the conversion and story of the Maltese people. The central piece of the polyptych of St. Paul, shows the enthronement of St. Paul, surrounded by other panels showing the life of the apostle, including episodes related to his stay in Malta. The polyptych offers the possibility to engage with National identity, different religious beliefs (Judaism, Roman Christianity, Orthodox Christianity and Islam – all represented in the panels) and one life’s project.

Primary Themes:

• Reasoning

• Connectedness

• Community building Leadership in a faith community

• Virtues 

This activity is held in the Cathedral Church, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Malta. After a brief introduction about the Cathedral, the children discuss the role of the bishop.  They also learn about how a bishop is chosen and the role that the bishop has in the Christian community. Children are encouraged to reflect on the virtues and qualities that a bishop should have. The activity ends with a role play of the ordination of a bishop in order for the children to understand all the symbols related to the role of the bishop.