The Akkademja tal-Malti, in collaboration with the Department of Maltese, is organising a half-day seminar to discuss racism and xenophobia in Maltese literature.

Literary critics, historians, sociologists, philosophers, writers and artists will come together to try to explain this phenomenon which is evident in many canonical texts of Maltese literature and yet hardly ever discussed.

The seminar will also focus on contemporary manifestations of these prejudices and suggest ways how these can be overcome.

Although the Akkademja tal-Malti is usually associated with pedantic issues related to grammar and orthography, in recent years it has made an effort to overhaul its image and change the way it is perceived by both writers and the public.

Recent editions of its journal, Il-Malti, have included work by well-known writers as well as younger ones, whether it is creative writing or research.

The Akkademja recently organised a series of public lectures on different issues relating to language and literature, as well as a seminar on oral culture in Malta.

The seminar will be held tomorrow at the Erin Serracino Inglott Hall at the University of Malta and starts at 9am. Entrance is free and everyone is invited to attend.