The Ghaqda tal-Malti – Università is commemorating the centenary of author Guzè Bonnici’s birth. It is working hand in hand with the Filatelic Bureau to issue a stamp for his birth date, 14 August. On that same day at 4pm, the Ghaqda is organising a cortege to the site of his grave at the Addolorata Cemetery. Representatives from the Kunsill Nazzjonali ta’ l-Ilsien Malti, the Akkademja and Maltese associations and constituted bodies will attend.

Guzè Bonnici and Ruzar Briffa founded the Ghaqda tal-Malti in 1931. Bonnici served as the first editor of Lehen il-Malti, the oldest review in the Maltese language.

Guzè Bonnici was a delegate and a member of the Kunsill Ezekuttiv tal-Partit tal-Haddiema (1925) and wrote L-Istorja tal-Partit tal-Haddiema published in 1931. A doctor by profession, he believed that the public had to be made more aware about health issues and he published It-Trobbija tat-Tfal (1932) and Il-Gmiel ta’ Gisimna (1939).

He bought the Excelsior printing press and started publishing the series Gabra ta’ Kitba Maltija, that included, among others, Dun Karm’s It-Tliet Kotba ta’ l-Ghana and Guzè Aquilina’s Taht Tliet Saltniet. He also co-founded and worked for Xirka ghat-Tixrid ta’ l-Ilsien Malti until his death, in 1940, suddenly cut short his labour of love for his mother tongue. He was only 33 years old.