Seven writers from diverse countries are taking part in the 20th edition of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival which is taking place across multiple venues until August 30.
These are Italo-Somali novelist and poet Ubah Ali Farah, Spanish poet Carmen Camacho, British writer Kassia St Clair, Belgian poet Maud Vanhauwaert, and poet Michael Zammit, essayist Omar N’Shea and playwright Simone Spiteri from Malta.
Readings during the festival, which will don a completely new look, will be mostly in Maltese and English, but some short works will also be read in their original languages.
The programme
The main programme sees the following events:
August 20: Castillo
Take//Two’s screen adaptation of the novel of the same title by Clare Azzopardi will be screened at the Spazju Kreattiv Cinema at 7.30pm. Following the screening, Teodor Reljić will moderate a panel discussion featuring Mark Camilleri, Carlos Debattista and Simone Spiteri. The evening will conclude with a book signing by the author and refreshments.
August 23: Bukkun, ktieb u buganvilla
Maltese guest authors Omar N’Shea, Simone Spiteri and Michael Zammit will offer a taste of their work at Café Riche in Vittoriosa at 1pm. Attendees are welcome to enjoy a light lunch and a refreshing drink. Admission is free.
August 25: An Archaeology of Words: Literary Genres as Sites of Excavation
At 8pm at Vincent’s Eco Farm, Żebbiegħ, a moderated discussion led by Glen Calleja will feature Carmen Camacho, Omar N’Shea and Michael Zammit. The conversation will be interwoven with readings from their original works, along with translations prepared specifically for the festival. Attendees will receive a chapbook featuring Camacho’s poetry in both the original and translated versions − a result of Inizjamed’s collaboration with Versopolis. The event will also see the launch of a new poetry collection by Zammit, published by Inizjamed in partnership with Kotba Calleja. A musical interlude will be provided by Kym Pepe and Jimmy Bartolo.
August 26: All the Wor(l)d’s a Stage
Belgian performer and poet Maud Vanhauwaert will appear alongside actress and playwright Simone Spiteri for an evening of words and performance at Spazju Kreattiv Studio B at 8pm. Vanhauwaert will present her poetry, accompanied by Clare Azzopardi, who translated her work into Maltese. Meanwhile, actors Kristjana Casha and Toni Attard will bring Spiteri’s writings to life on stage. Attendees will receive a free chapbook featuring Vanhauwaert’s poetry in both the original and translated versions, made possible through the ongoing partnership between Inizjamed and Versopolis. The event will be moderated by Keith Borg.
August 29: In My Dream: An Encounter with Ubah Ali Farah accompanied by Franco Tartaglia
Italo-Somali writer Ubah Ali Farah will be interviewed about her work at the Malta Society of Arts concert hall at 8pm. She will also read original excerpts alongside Maltese translations by Leanne Ellul, prepared especially for the occasion. Franco Tartaglia will provide musical interludes. The evening will conclude with refreshments.
August 30: Colourful Threads: A Night with Kassia St Clair
British author Kassia St Clair will be interviewed by Joseph Caruana at the Salesian Theatre, Sliema, at 8pm. She will read excerpts from her acclaimed historical and cultural writings. Visual artist Darren Tanti will add to the event with a live drawing session. Following the talk, St Clair’s books will be available for purchase and she will be signing copies.
New collaboration and outreach
This edition of the festival, organised by Inizjamed, marks the beginning of a three-year collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv, and thus a range of activities will be hosted at the Valletta venue. Inizjamed and Spazju Kreattiv announced they will also collaborate through a series of events taking place throughout the year.
The festival is also reaching out to diverse communities. Simone Spiteri recently led writing workshops in Marsascala and Żebbuġ, while Clare Azzopardi shared excerpts from her works with elderly residents at St Vincent de Paul Residence last week.
In September, two readings will be held, one at Dar Merħba Bik and another at a care home in Għajnsielem.
The 20th edition of the festival is being held in partnership with Arts Council Malta and the support of Versopolis. The festival is also collaborating with Spazju Kreattiv and is being supported by APS Bank, the Għaqda tal-Malti – Università, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di La Valletta, the National Book Council and the Salesian Theatre.
Read also ‘An ‘indescribable feeling’: the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival’. For more information, visit Inizjamed’s Instagram and Facebook pages or the official website, inizjamed.org. Tickets for all events are available from showshappening.com.
