David Aloisio, author of Ġganti (Horizons), recently led two creative writing workshops with students attending the Attard and Qormi Skolasajf centres. The aim of these sessions was to bring young minds closer to the wonders of literature and creative writing, while giving them a taste of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival organised by Inizjamed.
It has become customary for Inizjamed to take its annual festival to audiences who might not attend such an event. In fact, this is not the first time that the cultural NGO organised successful workshops led by local and foreign writers for children and teenagers around Malta and Gozo.
This year’s workshops centred around the theme of ‘giants’. Together with the children, Aloisio discussed all sorts of giants hailing from different mythologies, folklores and traditions.
They brainstormed different adjectives and emotions suitable for describing imaginary encounters with these fascinating creatures by exploring how they are portrayed in literature and by watching short clips from notable films, including Jack and the Giant Slayer (2013), a retelling of the classic fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk, and The BFG (2016), based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a young girl who befriends a Big Friendly Giant.
By the end of the sessions, the children managed to come up with creative drawings and stories about giants which they enjoyed sharing with Aloisio, their teachers and each other.
When asked about his experience, Aloisio said: “The two workshops were a wonderful opportunity for the participants to find more ways to express themselves through literature and art in general. I was surprised that the children were so eager to learn and experiment with my suggestions despite the August heat.”
During the sessions he also read excerpts from his novel Ġganti, which he said “seemed to captivate my audience on both occasions”.
“I would like to congratulate the entire Inizjamed team for creating such rewarding activities for children and for authors,” Aloisio added.
Aloisio is among the seven writers invited to participate in the 19th edition of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival. He is head of department and senior lecturer of Maltese at the University of Malta Junior College, and visiting lecturer at the UM’s Department of Translation, Terminology & Interpreting Studies.
He holds a PhD in literature and his research areas encompass Maltese literature, literary theory, literary canonisation, and translation practice. He has been awarded the Malta National Book Prize twice: in 2015, and in 2023 for his novel Ġganti in the category ‘Literature for Young Adults’.
Inizjamed would like to thank the Foundation for Educational Services and the coordinators of the Attard and Qormi Skolasajf Centres.
Main event on August 30 and 31
The seven writers from different countries will come together to read and perform during the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival on August 30 and 31 at the MCAST Main Campus in Paola.
This year’s edition will also feature music from the jazz band, The Hinge Project, led by Jes Psaila. Books of the guest writers will be on sale, and a selection of food and drinks by POPP will also be provided.
For tickets, log on to www.showshappening.com. For more information, visit www.inizjamed.org or Inizjamed’s Facebook page.
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