At the Auberge de Castille, in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, a book produced by Claire Xuereb Grech, L-Elf Lewn ta' Mintoff (Mintoff of a Thousand Hues), published by Sensiela Kotba Soċjalisti (SKS), was officially launched.
The book is a collection of 54 interviews with people who in some way came in close contact with Dom Mintoff in different times, ways, grades, lengths and circumstances. While giving their impression of Mintoff, they reveal new information otherwise unknown to the general public. The interviewed persons are of different capabilities and competencies. They include academics, businessmen, political activists, diplomates, economists, Mintoff's family members, journalists, priests, civil servants, political colleagues, lawyers, military personnel, historians, trainunionists and politicians.
"This is not an adulatory book," Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in his address on the occasion of the offical launch, "The first thing that comes to you in the book is the contrast of opinions and impressions coming from people who had been close to or opposed to Mintoff."
The author, Claire Xuereb Grech, has a degree in Education from the University of Malta. She teaches in a Church school. In 2006 she undertook professional studies at th Open University, specialising in the education of children with learning difficulties. In 2008 she continued studies at the University of Malta in life-long education. She is also professionally interested in Maltese literature and language.
"If there is something which this book makes is to challenge the idea that Mintoff took decisions all on his own," the Prime Minister said, "It is evident from the intereviews that this idea is incorrect. Mintoff," the Prime Minister continues, "has to be judged not by the methods he used but rather by the objectives of his actions."
The book L-Elf Lewn ta' Mintoff is on sale from all major bookshops, and also at the National Book Fair.