Introduction
It was, and perhaps still is to some extent, customary in Malta for young women to be warned that men are a “white flag”, implying that they can easily absolve themselves of paternal responsibility. The expression is intended to instil fear in young women about being used for sex, as it is traditionally the woman who bears the physical and social consequences: pregnancy, shame, and stigma, while the man is seen as moving on unscathed and emotionally detached.
Bandiera Bajda is an immersive art project that encourages critical reflection on such reductive assumptions about fatherhood. It seeks to challenge ingrained ideas, beliefs, and perspectives that may be inaccurate or outdated. The work presents nine narratives of fatherhood through a collaboration with ten men who experience fatherhood in different ways.
Hanging Fabrics and an Array of Whites
Pristine white sheets and garments hanging on washing lines are an iconic part of Mediterranean culture. White fabrics hold layered meanings: the sheet stained on a bride’s wedding night as a sign of virginity; the blood-stained linens after childbirth; the historical use of the white flag as a symbol of surrender; the Shroud of Turin; the crisp white shirt worn for a job interview; the bridal gown; the white handkerchief; the sterile hospital bed.
Do men stain the purity of the white fabric and flee?
Organised in June, Bandiera Bajda evokes the theme of renewal: a fresh start associated with the changing of seasons, the ritual of spring cleaning, and the symbolic use of white as a colour of hope, possibility, and transformation. Displayed in June 2025, around the month when Father’s Day is celebrated, the installation draws on these seasonal and cultural associations to inspire reflection. It is underpinned by storytelling and the construction of new narratives that seek to foster dialogue, empathy and respect.
The Work
Bandiera Bajda centres on rethinking prevailing mindsets and exploring the interplay between art and society.
The installation consists of nine washing lines, each adorned with white garments and a white bedsheet. Each bedsheet bears a written, illuminated word from the message of a different father, communicating a model of fatherhood rooted in emotional presence, active listening, engagement, and mentorship.
Such immersive art for social change is only effective when it is embedded within the community. As such, the installation took place in Melita Street in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Its placement ensured proximity to the public, compelling passers-by to physically walk through the installation, making the experience and narratives unavoidable. In this way, the persistent stereotype that only girls dream of becoming parents and that boys and men are inherently irresponsible because they are “bandiera bajda” was directly confronted.
Discussions and shared experiences were organised throughout the duration of the exhibition, held every Sunday evening in June 2025.
The Fathers
Across most cultures, fathers have traditionally assumed roles as protectors, providers, and disciplinarians. However, modern fatherhood has evolved to include broader caregiving roles and a commitment to promoting gender equality. The responsibilities and identities of fathers today are diverse, underscoring the need to challenge outdated stereotypes of absent or disengaged fatherhood.
This work explores fatherhood as a multifaceted and plural experience. In addition to the featured fathers, the public was invited to participate in the Sunday discussions that followed the inauguration of the installation.
Bandiera Bajda
The project took place from 1 to 30 June 2025. It was inaugurated by Dr Lydia Abela, who, besides her involvement in public and political life as the wife of Malta’s Prime Minister, is also a legal practitioner, as well as a role model, a wife, and a mother.
The work was also endorsed by Mr. Olaf McKay, Mayor of the capital city, Valletta. Together with the artist, they spoke about gender equality and the importance of raising awareness about the positive role of fatherhood in society.
The project comprised:
A temporary outdoor installation in Valletta
Interviews and photographs depicting ten different fathers’ experiences, displayed as part of the installation
Open-to-the-public meetings on the four consecutive Sundays in June, held between 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm at the Valletta Local Council hall
Feedback and suggestions gathered during these discussions were compiled in a report and later presented to Dr. Lydia Abela for her perusal.
Art as a Versatile Form of Communication
Art is a versatile form of communication and can serve as an agent of transformation.
The report reflects feedback collected during the four open, no-agenda discussions, informally and authentically conveyed by the participating fathers and members of the general public. The thought behind this exercise is that small, thoughtfully considered changes can yield powerful results.
Bandiera Bajda aims to offer a more affirmative vision of fatherhood, highlighting its beauty and value, raising awareness of both what works and what needs improvement, and ultimately inspiring the necessary societal changes.
