Fireworks – The Vibrant Celebration Of The Maltese Islands

Description

Fireworks – The Vibrant Celebration Of The Maltese Islands

Is a well-researched and lavishly produced publication which brings out the technical, artistic and choreographic bravura of the fireworks masters; it should also serve as an eloquent carte de visite.

This comprehensive account by Dr Godfrey Farrugia with its 424 pages and 228 photographs printed in full colour, covers all aspects of Maltese pyrotechny. It includes contributions from authors in academia as well as practising fireworks masters, who elaborate on its ‘material culture’ and the practical ‘how it is made’ aspect.

The book is divided into two distinct sections, allowing the reader  to compare and contrast the cultural and technical writings and leaves no stone unturned on the subject.

Part 1 describes the historic and cultural aspect of Maltese fireworks, as well as the people behind the spectacle with their artistic ingenuity. It explains the different types of local fireworks, the legislative framework, the health and safety standards, and the environmental challenges.

Part 2 elaborates on the science in the making of fireworks and the craftsmanship involved. It outline the chemical reactions of fireworks, the different sounds , and the science behind the colours, highlighting the properties of the precursors used in Maltese fireworks. It also describes the manufacture of black powder and the making of Catherine Wheels and the renowned multi-phased Maltese cylindrical shells.

This publication will enrich the colourful Maltese cultural tapestry, generating new avenues of enquiry for scholars of culture and the theory and practice of pyrotechny.

By: Godfrey Farrugia

Format: hardback, paperback

No ofpages: 424