Ftira is a ring-shaped, leavened, Maltese bread, usually eaten with fillings such as sardines, tuna, potato, fresh tomato, onion, capers and olives.^[1] Regional variations include Gozo ftira, which is served more like a pizza than a sandwich. Gozitan ftira is served open with thinly sliced potato over the crust, or folded over like a calzone.^[2]

Following the Maltese Parliament's unanimous approval to ratify UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,^[3] in 2018 Malta's Culture Directorate launched a petition to include the Maltese ftira as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list.^[4][5][6][7] According to a local expert, 'The Making of the Ftira Maltija', as it is listed in the Directorate's National Inventory, dates back to the Sixteenth Century.^[8] Following a strong public call, the Government of Malta announced that it would be submitting the Maltese ftira to UNESCO for consideration as intangible cultural heritage.^[9][10] In 2020, the Maltese ftira was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.^{[11][12][13][14]}

• Maltese cuisine
• List of Maltese dishes