'Agostino Levanzin u Kelinu Vella Haber: Ħabbew ilsien art twelidhom'

Author: Patrick J. Sammut

Publisher: Faraxa Publishing / 2025

Pages: 288

Over the past 140 years, two authors, among many others, have devoted themselves to the study of their parents' language at a time when the language itself faced significant challenges.

These are Agostino Levanzin and Kelinu Vella Haber.

Levanzin was born in 1872 and died in 1955 and Vella Haber was born in 1913 and died in 2014. 

Their life histories spanned the Second World War and the political development of the Maltese people which led to the granting of independence and membership in the European Union.

The two aimed primarily to teach the Maltese population at a time when there was not enough information on matters that affected their own lives.

Levanzin began writing in Italian and published Lo Studente Maltese as from December 1891 with articles on various topics. Then, starting in September 1908, he started publishing In-Nahla (the Bee) again with articles about various topics.

It was for In-Nahla that Levanzin wrote Is-Sahhar Falzun (Falzun the Magician). The rest of the book about Levanzin consists of a long appreciation of the novel.

It is January 1575. Karmena Falzun, a 20-year-old, the daughter of the Hakem, the noble head of the Maltese population, is in love with French knight De Saqueville. Karmena's brother, Ambrog, a valiant soldier in the Dejma is suspicious of the Frenchman who has stolen his beloved, Maria Inguanez, from one of Malta's most noble families.

The Barunessa Inguanez and Hakem Falzun both die and solemn funerals are celebrated in Mdina. Karmena runs away to be with the Frenchman but she soon realises the Frenchman does not really love her. Meanwhile he is living it up in Birgu with his friends.

Enter Hamid, a slave who is madly in love with Karmena but both think it's an impossible love for social, cultural and religious reasons.

They are wrong as the story goes on to show.

Vella Haber was born in Qala, Gozo in October 1913 and after a period at the Seminary worked with the Ministry of Agriculture as Information officer.

Throughout his long life he promoted Maltese through the creation of a widespread network among students.

The section about him in this book consists of very interesting interviews with his three children, two women who were the first to achieve BA Hons in Maltese and his son of the same name who in turn is the author of many popular dramas on television.