The early years of a child’s life are filled with exploration, wonder, and endless imagination. Inspired by this sense of curiosity, Il-Ktieb Tal-Istaġuni (The Book of Seasons) invited the children of Il-Perla Kinder School at the University of Malta on a creative adventure to discover the changing seasons through art, storytelling, and hands-on experiences. Using the book as a metaphor, a tool for creativity, and an object of curiosity, the project unfolded over ten months, bringing together a dynamic collaboration between the children, their educators, and a dedicated team of artists and cultural practitioners, Raffaella Zammit, Martina Camilleri, Antoinette Borg, Esther Cuschieri Huy, and Glen Calleja.
The project began in Autumn and continued through Winter, Spring, and Summer, much like a book in four chapters, with each season revealing new colors, shapes, textures, and sounds. The children explored these changes through painting, storytelling, sound-making, bookbinding, and excursions into nature, creating their own version of The Book of Seasons as well as personalized books to continue filling with their thoughts and drawings over the summer months. An Artist Proof of The Book of Seasons was presented to Il-Perla Kindergarten as a testament to their journey.
A key aspect of the project was the series of site visits to the Centre for Environmental Education and Research (CEER) at the Il-Fawwara area in Siggiewi. Here, the children explored the semi-natural environment with wonder, gathering leaves, rocks, pine cones, and snail shells. They navigated the landscape through play, guided by their curiosity and encouraged to observe and ask questions. These child-led explorations allowed them to engage with the environment using all their senses, while the creative team captured their stories, observations, and feelings to weave into the final narrative of The Book of Seasons.
Two visits to Kotba Calleja/Studio Solipsis introduced the children to the art of bookbinding. Guided by a skilled artisan, they learned how books are made, from the binding process to the careful selection of materials. This hands-on experience allowed the children to appreciate the intricacy and craftsmanship involved in creating books, fostering a deeper love and respect for books as objects of art and knowledge. As they worked with paper, thread, and glue, the children developed their fine motor skills and enjoyed the tactile pleasure of making something with their hands.
Il-Ktieb Tal-Istaġuni was more than just a project; it was a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and the power of collaboration
Back at Il-Perla, the creative process continued with sessions dedicated to exploring the sensory and emotional aspects of each season. The children experimented with colors, sounds, and textures, and created creatures and stories inspired by their experiences in nature. The activities were open-ended, allowing each child to engage with the materials freely, express their feelings, and discover new ways to create and learn. Choosing different papers and textures, they explored the tactile qualities of materials, learned to problem-solve, and developed their own artistic preferences.
The journey continued at The Mill, a cultural space run by the Gabriel Caruana Foundation, where the children participated in a weaving workshop led by artist Sephora Schembri. Here, they explored the connections between natural rhythms and artistic practices, weaving their own small pieces and gaining an understanding of how art can reflect the cycles of nature. This was followed by a tour of Schembri’s art installation, where the children engaged with contemporary art in a playful and meaningful way.
The project culminated in the children, along with the creative team, bringing together all the stories, drawings, and creations into The Book of Seasons which was crafted by Raffaella Zammit. The project concluded with an exhibition at The Mill in June 2024, showcasing the children’s artwork and celebrating their creative journey. The event included a presentation by Raffaella Zammit and Johanna Gatt, Head of School, to the parents and invited guests, followed by a painting session and a first reading of The Book of Seasons.
This project provided a rich, multi-layered experience for everyone involved. For the children, it was a chance to engage deeply with the world around them, to express themselves creatively, and to develop new skills in a nurturing environment. For the creative team and educators, it was an opportunity to collaborate on an innovative project that blurred the boundaries between art, education, and environmental awareness.
Il-Ktieb Tal-Istaġuni is a project ideated by Raffaella Zammit, in collaboration with Johanna Gatt and the educators of Il-Perla Kindergarten of the University of Malta together with Martina Camilleri, Esther Cuschieri Huy, Antoinette Borg, Glen Calleja (KotbaCalleja/Studio Solipsis) and Patrick Galea (Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta) supported by Arts Council Malta Art in Schools Scheme.
