Legacy of an Anthropologist: the Jeremy Fergus Boissevain Archive

This temporary exhibition, housed within the evocative Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu, celebrates the deep and lasting ties of the late Professor Jeremy Boissevain with Malta. Professor Boissevain was a pioneering anthropologist who helped shape the study of Maltese society and Mediterranean culture.

Titled ‘Legacy of an Anthropologist: the Jeremy Fergus Boissevain Archive’, the exhibition features a representative sample of the extensive Malta-related research archive entrusted by the professor’s family to Heritage Malta for public access and research.

First arriving in Malta in the 1950s, Boissevain returned in the early 1960s while completing his doctorate at the London School of Economics and continued to visit frequently in later years.

Captivated by the vibrant community life and festa traditions of the Maltese, he authored the seminal ‘Saints and Fireworks: Religion and Politics in Rural Malta’ (1965), capturing a rapidly modernising way of life. His work continued for decades, with titles such as ‘Friends of Friends’ (1974) earning him international recognition.

Self-described as an ‘outsider looking in’, Boissevain immersed himself in village life, especially in Ħal Kirkop and Naxxar, where he and his family lived for extended periods. A familiar academic figure, he also lectured at the University of Malta and became an outspoken critic of overdevelopment and mass tourism.

Displays include original interviews, field notes, newspaper cuttings, scripts of some of his numerous papers and publications, as well as photographs. These provide visitors with a compelling lens onto Malta’s evolving identity through the eyes of a dedicated observer and friend of the islands.

The exhibition runs till September, opening from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 (last admission at 16:30). Entrance is included in the Inquisitor’s Palace experience.
Persons with impaired mobility may find access to the exhibition hall challenging because of stairs.