'Għeliem' - Riccardo Licata's Mediterranean soul

Abstract

The Maltese word of semitic origins, 'Għeliem', has survived centuries-old language mutations. If translated into English the most fitting word would be 'signs' but an etymological understanding of its roots would imply a wider and deeper meaning. Indeed, it is more appropriate to consider this word as fusing the meaning of 'sign' and 'symbol' - complimentary terms that can jointly give form to any abstract concept and impart it with meaning that can transcend time. No better word from our native language, born and bred in a Mediterranean island at the cross roads of civilization, can perhaps describe Licata's noteworthy works significantly hosted at Heritage Malta's National Museum of Archaeology.