On Saturday 26th August 2023, at the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival 2023 organized by Inizjamed in Piazza d’Armi, Fort St Elmo, Valletta, I will be interviewing the amazing Palestinian novelist Adania Shibli. Shibli is the author of three novels in Arabic, the most recent of which is Minor Detail, translated into English by Elisabeth Jaquette and published by Fitzcarraldo Editions (2020).
On Thursday I will read a poem (in Maltese) I wrote some months ago in honour of Aslı Erdoğan about the power of the written word and the opposition it provokes from reactionary forces and those who are afraid of losing their stranglehold over others.
Thursday 24th August
The first evening will be a multilingual Open Mic with special guests Tatev Chakhian and Ruqaya Izzidien. Writers and singer-songwriters will be given the opportunity to read or perform their works on the main stage.
Friday 25th August
At 7.00pm, an event will be held with Nigerian-Irish poet, performer and playwright Felispeaks, together with Tobi Bello, with the support of local artists Noah Fabri and Ġagħel Dingli. This event is part of Project Ulysses’ Shelter 3.
The writers reading during this evening are: Maltese poet Simone Inguanez; the prominent Montenegrin poet Tanja Bakić; renowned Maltese Poet Laureate Maria Grech Ganado; and the multi-award winning British poet, author and playwright Joelle Taylor. An interview conducted by Immanuel Mifsud will be held with Maria Grech Ganado.
This night will also feature a poetry film and live music, which will be provided by the resident jazz trio, led by Effie Azzopardi. Local singer Cheryl Camilleri will also perform a number of songs.
Saturday 26th August
The writers reading on Saturday 26th August are: Maltese poet Claudia Gauci; Swedish author of fantasy Karin Tidbeck; and renowned Palestinian author and essayist Adania Shibli. An interview led by Adrian Grima will be conducted with Adania Shibli.
This third and final evening will also feature the screening of another poetry film and live music, which will be provided by the resident jazz trio, led by Effie Azzopardi.
Local singer Claire Tonna will also perform a number of songs.
Some of the literature read during the festival might require an adult audience.
The writers will be in Malta throughout the week of the festival to take part in the Malta LAF Literary Translation Workshop led by Nadia Mifsud. They will be translating each other’s works, and reading some of these translations during the festival.
Following the festival week an event will also be held at Dar Kenn għal Saħħtek.
The 2023 edition of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival and the Malta LAF translation workshop are being held in partnership with Arts Council Malta and Literature Across Frontiers, and with the support of Heritage Malta, Għaqda tal-Malti
– Università, Valletta Design Cluster, Studio Solipsis, and Project Ulysses 3. The MMLF is the recipient of the EFFE, Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe label.
The new Festival logo and other promotional material were designed by artist Naomi Gatt.
More information is available on Facebook on pages of Inizjamed Malta and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival 2023 and at inizjamed.org. Most of the events are free unless indicated otherwise. Tickets for the final nights may be purchased from www.showshappening.com.
adriangrima.org 