Warm spot for a cold day

Over 300,000 items are produced by the Mdina Glass factory at the Ta' Qali crafts village every year, Joe Said, the firm's managing director said yesterday.

Mdina Glass, a Maltese-owned company, exports 35 per cent of its production, mainly to Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and America.

Mr Said was speaking on the third day of an open weekend - the first such weekend was held last year.

As the fires roared in the glass melting ovens, where temperatures reach 1,300 degrees Celsius, clients windowshopped next door, looking perhaps for gifts for friends or a decorative item for the home.

"Mdina Glass produces a series of quality items that are ideal for decorative purposes.

"Most of the items incorporate inviting Mediterranean pastel colours that add a touch of vivacity to any home.

"We repeated the open weekend this year, because last year we were overwhelmed by the response of the public, who are becoming more aware that Mdina Glass has a wide range of intriguing products other than items with tourists in mind," Mr Said said.

Until December 24 the factory will be open between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. except for next Sunday, when it will be closed.

The company employs 42 workers most of whom are glass blowers trained in-house. The ovens, which are fired by a light oil, burn 24 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain the high temperature.

"Maltese customers have fine tastes and appreciate this ancient handcraft," Mr Said said.

Mr Said's daughter Olivia is involved in the design and production side.

Mr Said's two other daughters are also involved in the company, with Nevise being in charge of marketing while Pamela looks after local sales and the packing and inspection department.

Mdina Glass was set up 35 years ago by Englishmen Eric Dobson and Michael Harris, both of whom had studied glass design and technology at Stourbridge College of Art. Malta at the time was on an industrialisation drive.

The company was sold to Maltese investors in 1985.