Aldo Farini

Aldo Farini was an Italian writer, folklorist, and collector of traditional narratives whose work made a significant contribution to the preservation of Maltese folklore. Writing under the name Aldo Farini, and also associated with the pseudonym Arnaldo Fabriani, he devoted considerable effort to recording the oral traditions, legends, and folk tales of Malta during the early twentieth century. His work helped document a rich storytelling heritage that might otherwise have been lost, presenting it to both Maltese and Italian audiences.

Farini is best known for Fiabe, Tradizioni e Leggende Maltesi, first published in Italian in 1934. This important collection brought together a wide range of Maltese folk tales, including the adventures of the popular folk character Ġaħan, legends associated with places such as Għar Ħasan, humorous anecdotes, and traditional stories rooted in Malta’s popular culture. The work was later translated into Maltese by Ġużè Chetcuti and published in two volumes: Ħrejjef ta’ Ġaħan u Stejjer Oħra (1997) and Għar Ħasan u Ħrejjef Oħra (1998), making these narratives accessible to a new generation of Maltese readers.

Although little is known about Farini’s personal life, his legacy endures through his pioneering work in recording Maltese folklore. His collections remain valuable sources for the study of Malta’s oral traditions and have been widely consulted by folklorists, historians, educators, and readers interested in the island’s cultural heritage. By preserving these stories in print, Farini played an important role in safeguarding an essential part of Malta’s intangible cultural legacy.