Maria Grech Ganado,  Malta's first Poet Laureate, a title granted by the National Book Council in 2019, has been even more busy than usual this year.  I missed the launch of her first poetry book as Poet Laureate, The Bell, but managed to attend her presentation of it to our President, Dr George Vella at Sala Antoine de Paule, San Anton Palace, last Tuesday evening.

It was a simple ceremony mostly among friends, with significant short speeches followed by drinks in the President's private garden where Maria was signing books.

In 2019 too, she won the National Book Prize for Poetry for a fourth time. Earlier, in 2015, she was also recognised by the National Book Council with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to literature in the Maltese and English languages. She has published five collections of poetry in Maltese and another five in English. Her work has been translated in many languages.

In 2020 Maria also received the Medal for Service to the Republic of Malta, and earlier this year she was awarded a Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the University of Malta, together with Judge Giovanni Bonello for her contribution to Maltese literature.

This gem of a book is the work of Glen Calleja of Kotba Calleja who was present and said a few words. The design and typesetting are by Naomi Gatt. I loved the choice of paper, too, and it's design. Simple and elegant. The Bell is partially funded by the National Book Council of Malta.

Glen Calleja thanked the President of Malta and the National Book Council for this initiative. He pointed out that poetry identifies who we are, so it helps us discover ourselves and articulate what makes us human. Calleja ended by thanking Maria Grech Ganado for her invaluable contribution, and summed up how the appreciation shown in such moments means a lot to small publishers like himself.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Matthew Vella, showed appreciation for the literary work that the Poet Laureate Maria Grech Ganado is doing so that Maltese literature remains alive in Maltese society. He stated that such celebrations should be extended in the field of education so that children in schools are aware of the importance of poetry as a tool that opens up new horizons.

 

 

The Executive Chairperson of the National Book Council, Mark Camilleri who has authored a number of short stories and crime novels and also worked on a number of children's books, described the occasion as a historic one in which the Republic of Malta is following in the footsteps of other countries that have traditionally recognised the value of poetry. He maintained that poetry provides a window on the state of Maltese society, and that a society which ignores the work of its poets, does so at its own risk. Camilleri concluded by acknowledging everyone's indebtedness to Maria's literary contributions.

 

In her intervention the Poet Laureate explained the importance of poetry in her life. She said that the name of her new collection The Bell carries the symbol of the bell, which is a living image of time and the word - as the bell serves to divide and define time, so does the articulated poem with the time of man.

She read out some of her favourite verses from her latest poetry book.

 

In closing, H.E. the President of Malta, Dr George Vella, wished that this honour would give a boost, and show the appreciation, and the deserved recognition to Maltese poets and Maltese poetry as an artistic expression of the highest level. He stated that he also hopes that this honour recognizes knowledge and appreciation of the Maltese poet as the voice of society's conscience at the highest level of the state.

Touchingly, he also recalled that the Poet Laureate's father, the late Professor Walter Ganado, who had been Professor of Medicine at the University of Malta, had taught him at the Medical school,  and commented on his wide ranging culture.

Dr Vella wished the National Book Council to continue honoring the work of Maltese poets, recognizing their work as a service to the Republic and to Maltese cultural development.

 

Our Poet Laureate has written as follows about her poetry writing:

"Most of my poems tend to be metaphysical or abstract but actual contemplation is a marked characteristic of The Bell. In this collection, my inspiration was more mystical that ever before as it struggled to appease a need for a belief in a form of spiritual energy. Many of the poems take the form of cries in the wilderness after the close deaths of two loved family members and my experience of Covid shortly after them. I think the concept of the Spirit encompasses areas not covered by orthodox religion, especially in Malta."

 

"Some writers dedicate a regular time to writing irrespective of inspiration. I myself depend on emotion. Sometimes I have to rush to find a piece of paper to get words down when they just burst in my head. When it comes to more cerebral activity, my ideas tend to be abstract or metaphysical. I also enjoy writing monologues. In all cases I do a great deal of revision till I am satisfied that words and structure reflect exactly what I wanted to say - how it is said is part of the overall meaning. This revision is what I think of as editing and I prefer to do it on my own. Sometimes the finished poem is only half as long as its original, or even shorter."

 

I loved several of these poems and I have only browsed through this elegant book. I have known (and admired) Maria forever. Our marriages and my moving to Mauritius means there was a long hiatus in our friendship but once I returned to Malta we picked it up again. I am two years older than her and find that some of her poems really resonate with me.
There is little space but I will quote a couple. From Morning "Arthritis stiff/waiting to dress  -  a  Botticelli springtime/bursts in my head." (This prompts me to look at my body and want to weep and ask it, aloud 'Why did you have to grow so old and wrinkled?')

Here's  another one from her poem Sleep: "There is a comfort in a sleeping child/that cares not whence she came or why/ her hands beneath her cheek she sleeps/her world unknown." I look at my younger grandchildren asleep. So innocent, so carefree.

I love the poems about her three children: the one dedicated to her beloved cousin Joan now no longer with us and her sister Anna, also in the spirit world.

I will take The Bell with me to bed tonight and read a few more of Maria's poems.

 

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