Thursday 25 April 2024

THE FIRST EDITION OF THE GOZO LITERATURE FESTIVAL – LINJA ĦAMRA

Dates: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April 2023
Various Locations in Gozo

Invited writers: Charles Bezzina, Joe Camilleri, Elena Cardona, Corrine Zahra and Trevor Żahra.

The first edition of the Gozo Literature Festival, organised by the Gozo Regional Council and Inizjamed, will be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April 2023. Readings will be held in different locations around Gozo.

Five writers, four from Gozo and one from Malta, will be reading at the Festival. The writers participating in this first edition are Charles Bezzina, Joe Camilleri, Elena Cardona, Corrine Zahra and Trevor Żahra. Readings will be held in Maltese and English.

Inizjamed has been organising the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival for the past eighteen years. It is the only literature festival in Malta that not only celebrates the word in its poetic and prosaic form, with translations from and to numerous languages, but also the word as translated into film, music and various other art forms.

The success of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival has led to the creation of the Gozo Literature Festival. The aim of the Gozo Literature Festival is to consolidate and promote the works of Gozitan and Maltese writers within the Gozitan community; bridge the gap between emerging and veteran writers; involve the Gozitan community and various organisations; and also hold literary readings in places that are not usually associated with literature.

Using one of the old traditional buses, writers will travel around Gozo, visiting the majority of towns whilst reading on the same bus. Literary performances will also be held at different venues. Books from invited writers will be available at Book & Art Shop, Vajrinġa Street, Rabat.

Saturday 1st April 2023
The day will start with a literary walk around Victoria. Then, a book signing session with the support of local book publishers Merlin Publishers, Klabb Kotba Maltin, Horizons and Faraxa Publishing will take place at the Book & Art Shop (Vajringa Street), where the public can meet the writers, have a chat with them and buy their books. The public can meet the writers again during lunch at Tal-Massar for a unique (and informal) event of food and food for thought. Registration through this link: https://forms.gle/UTRNYMe7pBxsTpPt5.

In the evening, the writers will hop on the bus and read their works whilst at Xewkija, Għajnsielem, Mġarr, Qala, Nadur and Xagħra. Around 20:30, a reading will take place in the magical setting of Ġgantija Temples. This reading is being held in collaboration with Heritage Malta.

Sunday 2nd April 2023
Sunday will also start with a literary walk, this time in the countryside with the collaboration of Wirt Għawdex and Għawdix. An open mic will follow at Saint Cecilia’s Chapel, limits of Xewkija. The public is invited to read or perform their work in whichever language they prefer. Registration is required: https://forms.gle/k9FimUrfhsa8h4Mz5.

In the evening, writers will hop once again on the bus and read their works, this time visiting Żebbuġ, Għasri, Għarb, San Lawrenz, Ta’ Kerċem, Munxar, Ta’ Sannat and Fontana.

Registration for the Festival nights is to be made through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoVQNsMG1VfqJJ2aGukxo4qSVbWZzb1p1F534XwsLtZejCqg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Pre-Festival Events
Among the events being held before the Festival, on Friday 17th March 2023, a workshop will be held with year six students at the Primary School in Rabat. The workshop will be led by the invited Gozitan writer Elena Cardona.

More information is available on Facebook, on the pages of the Gozo Regional Council and Inizjamed:
www.facebook.com/regjunghawdex
www.facebook.com/inizjamed
Also visit:
www.inizjamed.org