A collection of poems by Joe Saliba published under the title Spiral was recently launched at the Old University theatre in Valletta. The recital consisted of various forms of artistic expression with a selection of poems and haiku being presented to the audience.
Philip Farrugia Randon’s narration was accompanied by Paul Portelli and Liliana Portelli’s theatrical interpretation. A few of the poems were also adapted into songs by singer/songwriter Vince Fabri performing on guitar, accompanied by a group of young musicians consisting of Michelle K. Paris on piano, Daniela Said on violin, Laura Cioffi on flute, Lindsey Mallia on base, Samwell Attard on percussion and Maria Azzopardi and Vince Fabri himself on vocals.
The evening was produced in collaboration with Klabb Kotba Maltin.
Spiral is an anthology of well over a 100 poems and 201 haiku, written by Joe Saliba between 1995 and 2010 and follows from a previous collection published under the title Vjagg. The anthology was written during the 15 years in which he held the post of Secretary General with the Nationalist Party, a particularly significant time in the life of the poet, and contains an introduction by Professor Joe Friggieri and foreword by Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott.
In his introduction, Prof. Friggieri points out that, notwithstanding Saliba’s political career, he continued to write poetry “as though this was his first and true vocation”. This is evident in a number of his poems, which have clear references to Saliba’s political life and the constant pull towards poetry.
In his foreword, Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott describes the vision that emerges in Saliba’s poetry “like a path, or as a way of being elsewhere, or even as a different way of being, which drives Saliba to continue writing poetry notwithstanding his other commitments which most people probably view as more worthwhile.”
The anthology is on sale at leading bookshops and from www.sierra-books.com
Joe Saliba’s Literary Career
It can be said that Joe Saliba’s literary vocation has been a prominent feature of his life. His first anthology of poems, Vjagg, was published in 1995 and contains pieces written between 1980 and 1994. His literary talents have won him numerous literary awards both locally and abroad. Most recently he won first prize in the Konkors Nazzjonali tal-Poeziji 2010.
Saliba has also been passionately involved in other areas of the cultural scene. He has written, adapted and directed a number of theatrical works, including multi-media performances for the young and old. These include popular works such as Id-Dritt mhux Mgħawweg (1986), Fil-Parlament ma Jikbrux Fjuri (1987) and Fantasart (1988).
He is well known for co-producing the iconic television series Aħn’ Aħna jew M’Aħniex (1987), a programme still talked about as having reached a milestone in broadcasting, and others such as L-aħħar Logħoba tat-Triq (1996) and Xhieda (1998-1999).
Joe Saliba is also editor of the publication entitled It-Tieni Mewt ta’ Lazzru u Reċti oħra għaz-Zuntier (1995) written by Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott.