Early this month, the National Book Council announced the winners of the Literary Prize at a prize giving ceremony. The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Dr Louis Galea, delivered the prizes. Speeches were delivered by the Minister and by Dr Gorg Mallia, the National Book Council’s chairman. Dr Galea had words of praises for the council’s activities to date and plans for the future although it was launched only three months ago.
Marjes Zammit presented the event, which was produced by Sergio Grech and singer-songwriter Walter Micallef gave his contribution too. The NBC also dedicated a slot to poetess Mary Meilak on the anniversary of her death. Winners received a Lm500 prize, a certificate and a trophy designed by well-known artist Noel Galea Bason. Second prize winners got a Lm300 prize and a certificate. Publishers of winning books also received a certificate of merit.
The prose category was won by Tliet Nisa u Mara written by Mariella Pisani Bencini. Second prize went to L-Appartament by Charles Casha. Both books were published by Klabb Kotba Maltin (KKM).
The non-fiction category was won by Sireni u Serenati written by Lina Brockdorff (KKM). Second prize went to Guido Lanfranco’s Folklor (Wise Owl Publications).
Only the second prize was awarded in the poetry category. This was Ma’ Sebh l-Ghasafar written by John J. Cremona and published by Klabb Kotba Maltin.
Oreste Calleja’s Pawlu Redux won the drama category. Second prize went to Cella Numru 5/Il-Borg Pisani written by Anthony Portelli. Both books were published by the authors themselves.
Only the second prize was given in the children’s category. This went to Immanuel Mifsud for Stejjer li Kibru fl-Art, also published by KKM.
Is-Sorijiet Gerosolmitani, il-Knisja u l-Monasteru ta’ Sant Ursola tal-Belt (PEG) by Rev. Gorg Aquilina won the academic category. Second prize went to Henry Frendo’s Storja ta’ Malta: Zmien l-Inglizi (KKM).
In the translation category only one prize was given. Fr Victor Xuereb’s L-Ejnde got first prize. The book was published by PIN.
Stephen DeGiorgio and Emanuel Fiorentino’s Antoine Favray: A French Artist in Rome, Malta and Constantinople, won the “Maltese Books in Another Language” category. Second prize was won by Keith Sciberras for his Roman Baroque Sculpture for the Knights in Malta. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti published both books.
The illustration prize went to Victor Falzon, and PEG and AVC were awarded the publisher’s prize for best production in a Maltese and English language book respectively.
The Literary Prize remains Malta’s most prestigious award for writers, publishers and their books.