Literary activities blow life into book fair

The 20th edition of the Malta Book Fair was opened yesterday by President Emeritus Guido de Marco.

The fair, being held at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar, will run until Sunday and is filled to the hilt with literary activities.

Book Fair being held at the Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar, coordinator Anselm Sciberras explained that one of the main activities revolves around the dramatisation of the story of a unique 1725 book.

An exact copy of the book - Guoco d'arme dei Sovrani e degli Stati d' Europa - was launched to mark Malta's EU accession earlier this year and a limited number of copies will be on sale at the book fair.

There are a total of 36 stands in the fair spread over six halls. These include local publishers and authors as well as a number of book sellers and importers.

This morning and tomorrow morning will see about 6,000 primary and secondary school children visiting the fair. Mr Sciberras said school children from Gozo will also be visiting.

This evening will be dedicated to the Serata Premju Letterarju, as literary prizes will be awarded.

Friday evening will be dedicated to poetry, with an evening presented by Marlene Abela and Joe Vella. A trio of clarinet players will accompany the poetry reading. Poems in Maltese will span from those written by national poet Dun Karm Psaila to current works. This will be followed by a discussion about young people and poetry.

Saturday revolves around story-telling for children and the morning will be dedicated to the reading of stories to youngsters. In the evening Poezija Plus will be organising a documentary about children's literature, which will be followed with a discussion among young authors hosted by Trevor Zahra.

Reading of prose will be held on Sunday evening.

Between tomorrow and Sunday a number of book launches will be taking place at stand eight.

The book fair is open today at 9.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; on Saturday at 9 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. and on Sunday at 10 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3-9 p.m.