‘Isma’ u Għ(id)li’ (‘Listen and Tell Me’) is a collaborative exhibition with Dar Hosea, currently opening at Dar Manwel Magri, Msida. The project is supported by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps, implemented locally by the European Union Programme Agency (EUPA).
The exhibition stems from a series of creative workshops held with women at Dar Hosea, a centre that provides a safe and supportive environment for those experiencing vulnerability, violence, and sexual exploitation. Beginning in March 2025, these workshops encouraged participants to explore self-expression, reflection, and connection through art. The works created during this process are now being presented in this exhibition. Visitors are invited to listen deeply, reflect, and carry forward a message of resilience, empathy, awareness, and shared humanity.
Reflected in the project’s title, the symbolism of the hand (id in Maltese) is central – representing work, creativity, community, and care. Founder of Isma’ u Għ(id)li, Deborah Debono drew inspiration from this concept to further develop her original work, which centred on her photography of hands together with reflective writings: “In 2021, I created a page on Facebook and Instagram called Gh(id)li. Through this, I wanted to create greater awareness of people’s different lives, from the perspective of their hands. But I wanted this idea to develop into something bigger.”
Exhibition details:
Venue: Dar Manwel Magri, Msida
Exhibition Viewings: Till 21 November 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Venue: Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Santa Venera
Exhibition Viewings: 1-5 December 2025
Opening Hours: 16:00 – 21:00
Between these dates, the exhibition will also be displayed at De La Salle College in a private, educational setting, offering students the opportunity to engage with the project’s themes of empathy, respect, and human rights through art.
One volunteer, Anne Farrugia, describes the workshops as a safe space. “Through these workshops, I met women from different walks of life,” she explains, “yet there was this beautiful sense of shared humanity between us. Somewhere we could be open, creative, and real with each other. We laughed, told stories, and connected in ways that go beyond words. Those moments are ones I’ll always treasure.”
Maria Borg Pellicano, Manager at Dar Hosea, describes the inspiration drawn from witnessing women from all walks of life come together in a shared space of art and expression. “We were all part of it,” she says, “connected by one thing – we were artists. In that space, everyone could step away from their struggles and just be, sharing a safe haven where creativity, expression and support could grow. The exhibition celebrates not only talent and resilience but also the power of shared beautiful moments to empower and uplift each of us in our own personal ways.”
Isma’ u Għ(id)li began in January 2025 as a collaboration between Martina Cassar Laferla, Anne Farrugia, Mattea Ciantar, Martina Spiteri, Deborah Debono, Sarah Zammit Munro, Laura Camilleri Rizzo, and the women of Dar Hosea, with the help of Maria Borg Pellicano, Vanessa Schembri, Martina Spiteri, the Dar Hosea volunteers, and all those who made this project possible.
