Thirteen writers from seven countries will read their poetry and short stories today and tomorrow at Couvre Porte in Vittoriosa. The two events start at 8pm and entrance is free of charge.

The writers reading today are Maria Grech Ganado, Robert Minhinnick (Wales), Clare Azzopardi, Fatena al-Ghorra (Gaza, Palestine), Biel Mesquida (Catalonia) and Antoine Cassar. Two short art films by Pierre Portelli featuring writers during a residency in Valletta in 2006 will also be shown.

Tomorrow, the writers who will be reading their work are Immanuel Mifsud, Ýpek Seyalýoðlu (Turkey), Walid Nabhan (Palestine/Malta), Samira Negrouche (Algeria), Valerio Cruciani (Italy), and Adrian Grima. Some of the writers will be accompanied by the eclectic funk band Zizza Ensemble. Samira Negrouche’s reading will be accompanied by images by an Algerian artist.

The Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival is being organised by Inizjamed and Literature Across Frontiers in collaboration with the Vittoriosa Local Council and with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Some of the works that will be read require a mature audience.

For more information, visit www.inizjamed.org.