Malta celebrates second-ever Day of European Authors

Readers in Malta now have a wider choice of European titles to read, thanks to a batch of books from all 27 EU member states added to the EU Author Library on occasion of the Day of European Authors. 

Founded last year on the first Day of European Authors, this collection aims to bring some of the best of contemporary European literature to readers in Malta. The books were chosen according to their merit and importance, and the collection includes books that have won or were shortlisted for the European Union Prize for Literature, the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Booker Prize, and the International Booker Prize. 

“Our library collections are enriched a bit more every year thanks to this annual appointment and this time round we also invested in digital versions of the same titles for those library members who prefer to read eBooks on our Libby App,” said Doreen Borg Zammit, Deputy Librarian for the Public Libraries Network of Malta Libraries. 

To ensure readers lose themselves in the book but not the page they were on, the European Commission and Malta Libraries have also released a commemorative bookmark for the day, with the text “Il-verità ma ssibhiex biss fir-realtà” (The truth isn’t only found in reality). 

“Great literature manages to articulate and convey truths about life and the human condition through fiction, which is why we chose this particular slogan for this year’s Day of European Authors,” said David Schembri, Language Officer at the European Commission Representation in Malta. “The EU Author Library also highlights the importance of translation, without which most of us wouldn’t be able to read works that were originally written in another European language.” 

The Day of European Authors was first celebrated last year, and it is intended to help people, in particular children and youngsters, to (re)discover the joy of reading and dive into the rich diversity of European literature in particular. 

Today, 120 authors from all over Europe will be sharing their work with young audiences, including three in Malta and Gozo: Joe Camilleri, Michael Cini, and Leanne Ellul. These readings are coordinated by the European Writers Council and their local members, in Malta’s case, the Akkademja tal-Malti. The Day of European Authors is an initiative of the European Union's Creative Europe Programme Culture strand, which supports literature and publishing. Creative Europe's Culture strand already hosts the European Union Prize for Literature, co-finances translation efforts to make European literature more accessible, and connects audiences with European Literature, goals that the Day of European Authors also strives to support. 

The books are available to be borrowed by Malta Libraries members. To join visit a public library counter or apply online at: maltalibraries.gov.mt 

For more info about the Day of European Authors: https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-and-creative-sectors/books-and-pu…