In a well-attended ceremony held at University House, Msida, on 27 March, and chaired by Bernie Mizzi, the University Pro-Chancellor, the Malta University Press officially launched its latest eight books.

In addition to several members of the academic corps and students, various ambassadors were in attendance, together with the Pro-Rector for Research, Professor Richard Muscat.

In the chronological order of publication, these works were:

The European Mind: Narrative and Identity (2 Vols.) edited by Professor Henry Frendo

La stampa periodica in Italiano a Malta by Dr Sergio Portelli

La vie intellectuelle et culturelle des chevaliers français à Malte au XVIIIe siècle by Professor Carmen Depasquale

Storja ta’ l-Estetika Letterarja Maltija by Dr Josette Attard

Clowning in the Classroom: A new approach to healthy psychological development by Dr Daniele Zucca

Health Issues Today by Professor Maurice Cauchi

Italian Unification and European Politics edited by Professor Henry Frendo

Sguardi mediterranei tra Italia e Levante (XVII-XIX secolo) edited by Prof.ssa Mirella Mafrici and Prof. Carmel Vassallo

The speakers were the Belgian Ambassador Jean François Delahaut, Professor Joseph Eynaud, Chev. Charles Xuereb, Professor Oliver Friggieri, Dr Elena Tanti Burlò, Professsor Alex Felice, the Italian Ambassador Luigi Marras and Dr Simon Mercieca.

In his introductory address, the chairman of the university’s Editorial Board, Professor Frendo, spoke of the upgrading of the MUP product in terms of peer reviewing, contracts, setting, design and distribution. He also mentioned important works in the pipeline including books on migration and asylum and on the Maltese legal system.

Professor Frendo thanked his staff at the Malta University Press, the Institute of Maltese Studies, and other entities, which had helped to organise this event.

The eight new MUP books were on sale at a discount, while a reception concluded the evening.