/library/oar/handle/123456789/698 Sun, 21 Dec 2025 17:07:59 GMT 2025-12-21T17:07:59Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142363 Title: The Malta Sociological Association conference 2025 Abstract: The Malta Sociological Association (MSA)’s annual conference took place on 8 November 2025 at the Salini Visitors’ Centre, featuring a curated array of academic presentations centred on the theme of Sustainability and Society. Building on the legacy of past editions, this year felt different. Initially, many said their work wasn’t about the environment, revealing how easily we talk about it as though we stand outside it. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/142363 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142267 Title: The sound of silence Abstract: I am a mother too. A human. At times, balancing on the edge of exhaustion. Last week's tragedy left a hole in our hearts. A deep, aching one. Silence is better than empty words in such circumstances. The heart aches especially by women who are carrying too much, running on empty, and saw themselves in her story. Women who thought, 'That could have been me." Because it could. And that truth is what makes it so unbearably heavy. Behind every packed lunch, every clean uniform, every smile that says 'I'm fine," there's a woman who is tired, doing her best to hold it all together. [extract] Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/142267 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142262 Title: The silly and the sacred Abstract: Earlier this year, we witnessed how quickly viral trends can shape what we hear, see, and even eat. Everything from toast creations to bouncing on gym balls became part of a cultural moment. One of them is the Minecraft mayhem. The latest trend gone viral, imitated physically in a number of cinemas worldwide. [extract] Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/142262 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142253 Title: Mothers who shaped us Abstract: I recently came across a deeply poignant Maltese song titled "Jien ma nahdimx" ("I don't work") by Karen De Battista. It is a beautifully crafted, poetic plea voiced by a mother whose daily life revolves around turning a house into a home for her children and husband. The lyrics offer a moving reflection on the invisible labour and emotional dedication that often go unacknowledged. It captures the quiet strength and selflessness of women whose contributions have historically been undervalued simply because they didn't come with a paycheque. [extract] Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/142253 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z