Joe Saliba - poeta Malti fl-Awstralja

JOE SALIBA twieled Birkirkara, Malta, fis-26 ta' Jannar 1941 minn Gerald u Giovanna mwielda Vella. Hu wiehed minn sebat ahwa. Studja fl-iskola ta' l-istess rahal u fil-Liceo tal-Hamrun. Kien Emergency Teacher fl-iskola Primarja ta' l-Isla ghal sena u nofs qabel ma emigra mal-familja tieghu ghal Melbourne, Awstralja, f'Dicembru ta' l-1959. Fl-Awstralja qatta' 26 sena (1960 - 1986) jahdem bhala skrivan mal-Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission qabel ma irtira mix-xoghol. Izzewweg lil Sylvia Harris fl-1971 u ghandhom erbat itfal, Rachel (Tony, Juliette u Elysse), Reuben (Silvana), Christopher (Rita) u Jonathan. Issokta l-istudji tieghu fid-Deakin University ta’ Victoria minn fejn kiseb il-B.A. fil-Letteratura fl-1988.
Awtur tal-kotba tal-poeziji Ilhna Tar-Rebbiegha (Lux Press, Malta, 1966), Ferh, Biki u Poezija (Lux Press, Malta, 1967), Ilma (Pubblikazzjoni Privata, 1981), Lamentations Of A Happy Man (Pubblikazzjoni Privata, 1989) u Alwettiera (Spinifex Publications, Awstralja, 1997). Traduttur tal-ktieb Il-Profeta ta’ Kahlil Gibran li deher fl-antologija Driegh Ma' Driegh (Empire Press, Malta, 1971). Ko-editur u ko-awtur ta' Irjieh (Gozo Press, Malta, 1986), u ko-awtur ta' Frott Iehor (P.E.G., Malta, 1992) u Oceghanja (CD u ktieb)(Spinifex Publications, Awstralja, 2001). Kontributur fl-antologiji ta' l-Ghaqda Letterarja Maltija, bl-isem Noghlew 'Il Fuq (Empire Press, Malta, 1968), 20 Rebbiegha (Lux Press, Malta, 1971), Qamar il-Hsad (Merlin Library, Malta, 1976), Merghat (P.E.G., Malta, 1987) u Xrar (Veritas Press, Malta, 1992). Rapprezentat fl-antologija Poeti Maltin (1973) migbura minn Guzè Chetcuti, fil-Vatum Consortium (Dar ta' San Guzepp, Malta, 1969) ta' Karmenu Vassallo, fl-antologija Il-Muza Maltija (Lux Press, Malta, mill-1969 'il quddiem) tal-Professur Guzè Aquilina u fl-antologija Il-Poezija Maltija (Malta University Publishers, Malta, 1996) migbura mill-Professur Oliver Friggieri.
Ghandu versi bl-Ingliz fil-gurnali religjuzi The Christadelphian (The Christadelphian Office, Birmingham, l-Ingilterra, Dicembru, 1965) u Salt Cellar (Melbourne), fil-Poetry Workshop (Council of Adult Education, Melbourne, 1971), fir-Rainbow Rising (Victorian Association of Multicultural Writers, 1987 u 1988), fil-Mattoid (Deakin University, Vol.3, 1987) u fl-antologija Awstraljana New Expressions (Poetry World, Queensland, 1989).
Il-versi tieghu dehru fis-sittinijiet fi zmien il-Moviment Qawmien Letterarju fil-pagna letterarja ta' gazzetti Maltin, fosthom Il-Berqa, Il-Poplu, It-Torca, Il-Haddiem, u L-Orizzont. Fl-Awstralja xoghlu deher fil-gazzetti The Maltese Herald u Il-Maltija.
Ghamel studji ta' diversi xoghlijiet ta' poeti Maltin-Awstraljani bhala introduzzjonijiet ghall-kotba taghhom u kiteb ghadd ta' recensjonijiet.
Il-poeziji tieghu nqraw minn fuq ir-Rediffusion u Xandir Malta fil-programmi Gabra Letterarja, Mill-Gnejna Maltija u Is-Sejha tal-Kitba, u fil-programmi Maltin tar-Radju Etniku fl-Awstralja. Irrikordja ma' poeti ohra f'Melbourne silta minn vrusu fuq kasett imsejjah Lejla Xitwija (1985). Sikwit jiehu sehem bil-qari fil-Programm Malti tar-radju komunitarju 3ZZZ.
Kummenti fuq hajtu u x-xoghol letterarju tieghu jinsabu fil-ktieb ta' Joseph Chetcuti INTERVISTI - jitkellmu kittieba Maltin-Awstraljani (Phillip Institute of Technology, Melbourne, 1985), fl-artiklu ta' Rigu Bovingdon ‘Maltese Literature in Australia’ fil-ktieb Writing in Multicultural Australia (Australia Council for the Literature Board, 1985), u fl-intervista li ghamillu Dr Barry York f'Dicembru, 1991, f'isem in-National Library of Australia bhala parti mill-Oral History biex it-tejp u d-dokumenti persunali tieghu jistghu jintuzaw ghar-ricerka. Il-bijografija tieghu bhala kittieb etniku tidher ma' dik ta' ghaxar awturi ohra Maltin-Awstraljani fil-pubblikazzjoni A Bibliography of Australian Multicultural Writers (Deakin University, Victoria, Australia, 1992). Taghrif dwar hajtu u kitbietu jinsab fid-Dizzjunarju Ta’ Kittieba Maltin u Ghawdxin - Il-Bierah u Llum (Pubblikazzjoni Bugelli, Malta, 1995) u f’Maltese Achievers in Australia (Prof. Maurice N. Cauchi, 2006).
Jinteressa ruhu fil-muzika, fil-kanzunetta Maltija u fil-pittura u ghandu xi ftit xoghlijiet ta’ dilettant f’dawn l-oqsma. F’zghozitu meta kien Malta kien jiehu sehem fit-tijatrin ma’ l-Azzjoni Kattolika ta’ Birkirkara. F’dawn l-ahhar ghaxar snin fi hdan il-Harmonic 65 Culture Club/Malet ta’ Melbourne ta s-sehem tieghu bhala narratur fi produzzjonijiet muzikali ghall-palk bhalmu huma Kadanza (1998) u Malet (1999).
Fl-1995 inghata mill-Harmonic 65 Culture Club The Manoel De Vilhena Cultural Award bhala rikonoxximent tal-kontribut letterarju tieghu.
Membru tal-Maltese Literature Group - Grupp Letteratura Maltija (Awstralja).

L-INTERVISTA

1. X'inhi r-relazzjoni ta' Joe Saliba u l-Awstralja llum? U xi tfisser Malta ghal min jinsab fil-pozizzjoni tieghek?

Jiena ili hawn kwazi 50 sena. Gejt fl-ahhar ta’ l-1959 meta kelli biss tmintax-il sena. Ma nistax nitkellem u nghid xi jhossu l-emigranti Maltin l-ohra. Il-pozizzjoni tieghi hija ferm differenti minn taghhom. Wara sentejn li kont ili hawn biddilt ir-religjon u sirt membru ta’ religjon nisranija ohra bl-isem ta’ Christadelphians, jigifieri “Ahwa fi Kristu”. Allura hwejjeg li l-emigranti Maltin huma mdorrijin bihom u li komplew jipprattikaw hawnhekk ma baqghux parti minn hajti, nghidu ahna, il-festi, il-purcissjonijiet u t-twemmin Kattolku. Il-knisja tieghi saret il-Bibbja u l-istudju taghha.
Ghalkemm fl-1971 izzewwigt mara Ingliza u sirt missier ta’ erbat itfal li ma jafux jitkellmu bil-Malti, il-kultura Maltija dejjem bqajt inhobbha u napprezzaha, hlief meta din tithallat ma’ kurrenti ekklesjastici li huma kontra dak li tghallimni l-Iskrittura.
Fil-passat kont nahseb li fid-dinja mhemmx isbah jew aqwa minn Malta. Aktar ma ghadda zmien u zort hafna mkejjen fl-Awstralja, aktar indunajt kemm kienet fqira u pwerili l-idea materna tieghi dwar Malta.

2. F'liema attivitajiet jew ghaqdiet jew inizzjattivi inti impenjat fil-prezent?

Minhabba l-mard serju tal-qalb li ghandi bhalissa m’ghadnix niehu sehem bhal qabel f’attivitajiet letterarji. Meta nkun mhux hazin dejjem nipprova nattendi ghal-laqghat ta’ darba fix-xahar li ttella’ l-ghaqda taghna “Maltese Literature Group -- Grupp Letteratura Maltija”. F’dawn il-laqghat naqraw ix-xoghlijiet taghna ta’ proza u poezija, jew xoghlijiet haddiehor. Kull sena f’Settembru naghmel minn kollox biex niehu sehem mal-membri tal-Grupp meta nipprezentaw “Lejla Muziko-Letterarja” ghall-pubbliku waqt il-festi nazzjonali li naghmlu hawn fil-Victoria.

3. Fil-belt fejn tghix il-Maltin (u anki komunitajiet ohrajn) kemm jiehdu interess fil-letteratura?

Il-letteratura serja qatt ma kienet haga apprezzata minn kulhadd. Hekk ukoll fl-Awstralja qalb il-Maltin u nazzjonijiet ohrajn. Fil-kaz taghna anki l-ilsien taghna qed ibati fit-thaddim tieghu. L-ghadd ta’ studenti li jridu jitghallmu l-Malti qieghed dejjem jonqos minkejja li ghandna skejjel li qeghdin jaghmlu minn kollox biex il-Malti ma jintesiex f’dan il-kontinent. Meta jonqsu l-kittieba li hawn bhalissa jidher li l-letteratura miktuba tisparixxi. Haga interessanti huwa l-fatt li l-bicca l-kbira tal-Maltin t’hawnhekk aktar jiffullaw biex jisimghu l-ghana folkloristiku Malti milli l-qari tal-poezija.

4. Xi tghid dwar il-kittieba Maltin fl-Awstralja llum? Min huma u x'qed jinkiteb?

F'Mejju ta' l-1992 l-Università ta' Deakin fil-Victoria harget ktieb jismu "A Bibliography Of Australian Multicultural Writers". Ir-ricerka ghal dil-pubblikazzjoni bdiet daqs 20 sena qabel. Fl-Universitàà ta' Deakin tinzamm sezzjoni ta’ kotba etnici.
Il-kittieba multikulturali jitqiesu hekk fuq il-kriterji li dawn ikunu twieldu fl-Awstralja jew barra, li m’humiex Aborigini, u li jkunu gejjin minn razza fejn il-lingwa primarja m'hix l-Ingliz.
Il-Biblijografija ta’ 291 pagna tigbor fiha aktar minn 900 awtur li bejniethom ippublikaw xoghol fi 38 lingwa. Il-kittieba li xi whud minnhom huma tat-tielet generazzjoni jiffurmaw madwar 100 grupp etniku.
Niehu gost insemmi li numru sabih ta' awturi Maltin jidhru f'dal-ktieb. Dawn huma, f'ordni alfabetika, Joe Abela, Baldass Armato, Rigu Bovingdon, Manwel Cassar, Maurice Cauchi, Gorg Chetcuti, Joseph Chetcuti, Albert Marshall, Rosanne Musu, Manwel Nicholas-Borg, Joe Saliba u Barry York.
Fl-antologija ta’ mitt poeta Malti mghammda “Il-Poezija Maltija” il-Professur Oliver Friggieri ghogbu jinkludi lill-poeti Manwel Cassar, Joe Saliba, Joe Abela, u Gorg Chetcuti.
Ma’ dawn l-awturi Maltin fl-Awstralja nixtieq inzid ohrajn sinifikanti bhal Manuel Casha, Joe Axiaq, Pauline Curmi, Valentin Barbara, Fredu Cachia, Frank Zammit, Albert Agius u Lou Drofenik.
Mis-sittinijiet lil hawn dawn il-kittieba hargu pubblikazzjonijiet individwali jew dehru f’antologiji ma’ ohrajn, b’xoghlijiet ta’ poezija, proza, studji dwar l-emigrazzjoni tal-Maltin fl-Awstralja, novelli, rumanzi, kummentarji socjali, gurnalizmu, versi ghat-tfal, traduzzjonijiet, lingwistika, l-ghana folkloristiku taghna u xoghlijiet ghall-palk. Sittax mill-kittieba li semmejt hargu xoghlijiet ghalihom.

5. Naf li l-Maltin ghandhom ukoll il-programmi tar-radju u anki l-gurnali taghhom. Xi tghid dwar dawn?

Iva, ghandna l-programmi bil-Malti fuq ir-radju etniku. Ghandna programmi komunitarji mmexxija minn volontieri u programmi mhallsa mill-Gvern Awstraljan. Meta bdew dawn il-programmi fis-sebghinijiet kont aktar akkanit fuqhom milli jiena llum. Kienet xi haga gdida! Nghidlek is-sewwa, daz-zmien ftit noqghod nismaghhom minhabba l-intietef u t-tqancic li nisma’ fuqhom. Dan jghodd ukoll ghall-gazzetta Maltija. Mitt bniedem, mitt fehma! Ghalhekk hafna emigranti Maltin jiehdu gost jaqraw u jisimghu nostalgikament dwar Malta. Bis-sahha wkoll tal-PBS ta’ Malta nistghu naraw fuq it-TV Awstraljan l-ahbarijiet u x’qed isehh f’Malta. Imma jahasra naraw abbundanza ta’ filmati fuq politka partegjana, knejjes, restawr ta’ mkejjen storici, klandestini, kmamar tan-nar jisplodu, eccetra, u ftit li xejn xi haga fuq kotba u letteratura. Imma hawn qed nahseb biss fija nnifsi u f’dak li nhobb u nghozz.

6. Iddeskrivi fi kliemek il-belt fejn tghix u ghidilna ftit kif inhi x-xitwa hemmhekk?

Id-dar taghna tinsab fit-tramuntana tal-belt ta’ Melbourne, gos-subborg ta’ Campbellfield, daqs 20 kilometru minn Melbourne magenb il-fabbrika kbira tal-karozzi ta’ Ford. Qrib sewwa taghna m’ghandnix ferroviji u min m’ghandux karozza tieghu jista’ juza l-karozzi tal-linja. Fit-triq taghna, jew ahjar sqaq, ghandna nies ta’ aktar minn seba’ nazzjonijiet, imma hadd m’ghandu problemi razzisti ma’ hadd. Hawn mhux bhal f’Malta; il-girien tista’ tghid lanqas tkun taf min huma u x’jisimhom. Bongu u sahha!
Bhalissa wasalna fi tmiem ix-xitwa. Ir-rebbiegha tibda f’Settembru. Ix-xitwa ta’ dawn in-nahiet m’hijiex kiefra. Qatt ma tinzel borra ghalkemm f’xi bnadi tax-xlokk ta’ l-Awstralja ghandhom is-silg u l-borra. Ix-xitwa taghna ggib maghha xi ftit aktar xita mis-soltu u ftit aktar ksieh. It-temperatura fix-xitwa hija bejn 5 u 12 C. Rari hafna meta tinzel u niffrizaw ghal xi jumejn in fila.

7. Naf li kull tant zmien tinzel Malta tippartecipa wkoll f'lejliet ta' natura letterarja. Xi tghid dwar dan u liema hija r-relazzjoni tieghek mal-kittieba u l-ghaqdiet letterarji f'Malta?

Iz-zewg darbiet li nzilt Malta kienu fl-1967 ghal sitt xhur, u dan l-ahhar fl-2006/2007 ghal erba’ xhur. Qatt ma nzilt specifikament biex niehu xi sehem f’avvenimenti letterarji. Jekk ippartecipajt ghax inzertajt kont hemm.
L-ewwel darba nzilt l-aktar biex nippublika t-tieni ktieb tieghi ta’ versi bl-isem “Ferh, Biki u Poezija”. Dan l-ahhar kont Malta sabiex niltaqa’ mal-hames hbieb tieghi li bhali kienu bidlu r-religjon Kattolka u saru Christadelphians. Inzilt biex flimkien niktbu u nippublikaw fuljetti bil-Malti ghat-tqassim minn dar ghal dar.
Id-darbtejn li nzilt dejjem qrajt xi haga fuq ir-radju jew f’xi avveniment meta jinqraw il-poeziji bhall-okkazjoni li kelli ma’ Poezijaplus. L-ahhar darba kont ixxurtjat ukoll li kont f’Malta meta rajt jinkixef fis-Siggiewi l-monument f’gieh il-poeta u l-mentor tieghi Karmenu Vassallo.
Nixtieq naghmel xi osservazzjonijiet. Meta tkun ’il boghod aktarx li tara l-affarijiet ahjar. Nosserva li meta nzilt Malta ghat-tieni darba fl-2006/2007 hasduni c-cokon tal-gzejjer taghna u l-insularità ta’ hafna individwi li ltqajt maghhom, specjalment fil-kamp akkademiku. Mix-xehta, certu poeta C. C., mill-bruda li wera lejja ghax lanqas gie jkellimni meta seta’, baqa’ ma hafrilniex ghal kif kienu pparagunati l-versi tieghu ma’ tieghi f’nofs is-sittinijiet!
Il-professur P.S. I. fl-introduzzjoni tieghu ghall-antologija tieghu bl-ghazla ta’ poeziji “mkissra” fejn kiteb indirettament li xi kittieba msefrin jippretenduha wisq u ma dahhal xejn minn taghna, possibli ghadu ma ndunax kemm jiffanfarunaw bix-xoghlijiet poetici taghhom hafna kittieba Maltin li hafna drabi jkunu ggudikata aktar fuq il-hajja taghhom u kif jghixuha milli fuq valuri u kriterji letterarji serji?
Minghajr l-ebda apologija nistqarr li jidher ukoll li f’dawn l-ahhar ghaxar snin, l-akkademici fil-qasam ta’ l-istudju tal-Malti, dejjem riedu jaghtuna l-impressjoni li kienu jemmnu li huma li vvintaw l-istudju tal-lingwa Maltija u b’hekk sfortunatament insew lil dawk li gew qabilhom u l-kontribut li taw.

POEZIJI:




















JINQERDU DAWK LI QED JEQIRDU D-DINJA

Dal-lejl ma nistax norqod
u mohhi m’ghandux kwiet;
inhossni qieghed neghreq
f’bahar ta’ hsibijiet.

Id-dlam igibli xeni
ta’ wgigh u ta’ tbatija,
ta’ qtil, imrar u diqa,
ta’ jasar u kefrija.

Jurini met’ ghal sufhom
biccirna ’l-foki z-zghar...
Baxx baxx gellidna ’s-sriedaq
b’difrejhom jarmu x-xrar...

Qtilna liz-zwiemel joghtru
jo’ mwegggha tat-tigrija...
hallejna f’nofs l-arena
lill-barri agunija...

U nfidna l-ors bil-mohbi
bil-holoq go mnifsejh
u kaxkarnieh bil-ktajjen...
accjomu nharsu lejh...

O lejl, zammejtni mqajjem
nhewden kif lill-holqien
ma harisniehx bil-ghaqal
u shetna kullimkien.

Iccaqcaq ic-canfira
tal-hlejjaq imharbtin
li bl-ahrax qed jixluna
b’hatjin, hatjin, hatjin!

U jkollna nhallsu d-danni
talli l-ambjent kasbarna,
u ninsgu l-ghajb f’kuruna
tax-xewk ghal fuq qabarna.

28.5.1999

Nota: It-titlu ta’ din il-poezija huwa
kwotazzjoni mir-Rivelazzjoni11:18.


FLIGHT PATH GHAL TULLAMARINE

Tghidlix nirkibhom, ’mma nissahhar bihom!
Filwaqt li nibza’ mit-titjir, b’dankollu
mhux darba w tnejn mort l-ajruport ghalihom...
narahom tilghin, nizlin wara xulxin.
Mur gibu lil Da Vinci kemm kien joghxa
li kellu jgarrab dak li naraw ahna
ghal hafna drabi ta’ kuljum minn triqtna.
Sikwit jghaddu minn fuqna w jinzlu wrajna.
Fl-ghaxija mis-salott nilmahhom riesqa
bil-mod mill-boghod bhal kewkba wara kewkba.
Kultant irieghdu d-dar u jhezhzu t-twieqi.
Isma’! Gej iehor kbir! Hossu jfakkarni
fis-Sur Muscat meta f’nofs il-lezzjoni
malajr fil-kuritur kien johrog jigri
mitluf jissamma’ ghall-irbumbjar biex jaqbad
wiehed ghaddej fil-baxx minn fuq l-iskola...
waqt l’ ahna t-tfal nizzuffjettaw u nwaddbu
minn bank ghal bank xi ajruplan tal-karti.

2.6.2005

MINGHAJR XIBKA

Bid-dahna ’l fuq mit-torri spiss nghaddulhom
l-ahbar li l-ghadu riesaq lejn ix-xtut.
Navzawhom jghumu biss bejn iz-zewg bnadar
u jaghlqu b’xibka l-qâla mhabba l-hut.

Izd’ huma ma jahsbux kif nahsbu ahna,
u qatt ma jaghtu kas tat-torrijiet,
tad-dhahen u t-tixjir widdieb ta’ idejna
biex ma jaqbzux il-linja u jzommu l-kwiet.

Donnhom b’kull jedd jaghmlu l-oppost apposta:
iwarrbu kliemna mat-twissijiet ta’ gid,
jithâbtu mal-kurrent barra mix-xibka,
u l-wens tad-dejma jhallu fit-taqbid.

Ghax wara kollox biex issib trid tfittex;
il-wasla mhux bilfors ghax jghinha r-rih;
ir-rebh mhux biss minn fuq is-swar jew l-igfna;
l-azzjoni taf twelidha mit-tnebbih.

B’hekk mis-salott ma nitilghux fuq l-igbla;
bil-hsieb tal-falliment ma nibnux bliet;
mill-banjijiet gol-blat ma naqsmux ibhra
li johduna niskopru l-artijiet.

Mela nqimu b’tifhir lil dawk li jbarru
kull ghazz u l-kumdità tal-garantit,
u fit-tweghir u b’kurzità bla razan
jifthulna toroq godda ghall-infinit.

20.2.2002

Intervistat il-kittieb u poeta Lino Grech

1. Lino Grech hu l-awtur ta' tliet kotba godda: rakkonti bil-Malti, rakkonti bl-Ingliz u poeziji bil-Malti. Fejn hija s-sahha ta' Lino Grech bhala generu letterarju u lingwa mhaddmin u x'inhu l-fil komuni li jghaqqad dawn it-tliet kotba flimkien?

Nahseb li l-fil li jghaqqad lit-tliet kotba huwa il-fatt li jixhtu dawl fuq il-hsieb tal-kittieb dwar dak li jigri madwaru fil-hajja. Fi kliem iehor l-esperjenzi tieghu u ta' dawk madwaru mghoddija mill-gharbiel tat-twemmin jew tifxil ta' hsibijietu. Fil-ktieb hemm tiftix konxju ghall-kelma Maltija mitkellma u ghall-qosor fil-kitba.

2. Minn fejn jitwieldu dawn il-kitbiet tieghek? Liema hu l-hin meta tippreferi tikteb?


Fuq kollox jiena nhares lejn il-hajja b'nofs tbissima li gejja minn gharfien tal-bniedem u hsibijietu hekk li l-kliem igelgel bhal nixxiegha naghzlu bejn dak li hu fieragh u dak li hu siewi biex nara sewwa l-persuna u dan il-loghob tal-kliem li jiena wkoll naghmlu jnissilli tbissima dejjiema fuq fommi u jwaqqaghni kultant f'cinizmu li diga` gejt akkuzat bih minn kritiku letterarju fil-media.

3. Bhala stili tuza ximindaqqiet il-komiku, il-parodija, imma dawk tieghek huma wkoll kitbiet b'element morali qawwi. Hemm imbaghad rakkont li jxaqleb lejn il-fantaxjentifiku (The Tunnel), iehor li johodna fi zmien l-Inkwizizzjoni u s-shahar (Non Omnis Moriar). Xi tghid dwar dan kollu?


Kien ghalliem ta' l-Ingliz meta kont ghadni s-Seminarju li hajjarni biex nikteb bl-Ingliz billi kien joghgbu hafna l-istil li kont nikteb bih. Imbaghad kien Dun Frans Camilleri, ghalliem iehor tieghi, li fetahli t-triq ghall-kitba bil-Malti.

4. Bhala ambjentazzjoni spiss naqraw dwar il-Qorti, ir-Rabat, il-Birgu jew Bormla, B'Kara, u jissemmew spiss il-kontabilita`, in-negozju u s-safar, bla ma ninsew ir-rakkont Hajja ta' Bniedem. Hemm kurrenti awtobijografici fil-kitbiet tieghek?



Il-poeziji jehtiegli niktibhom hekk li jitfasslu f' mohhi billi dawn jitwieldu minn hsieb u f'lehha jiddammew f'poezija shiha. Jekk ma inhazzizhomx mill-ewwel jintesew. Fil-kaz ta' l-istejjer, dawn jinholqu minn nitfa ta' hsieb li jkun ix-xewka ta-rakkont li mbaghad jiehu l-laham bil-mod hekk kif nifli nies ghaddejja fit-triq li jistghu jilbsu ta' karattri fl-istorja. Ta' spiss nintebah li harsti fit-tul fuq xi hadd tibda taghtih fastidju l-iktar jekk tkun mara li min jaf x'tahseb. Biss jiena nkun qed nibni dak il-hin il-karattru mehtieg fl-istorja.

5. Inhoss li zewg elementi li jispikkaw fil-proza tieghek huma l-qawwa tad-deskrizzjoni u l-gharfien ta' karattri differenti fost il-generu uman. Xi tghid dwar dan?

Barra min hekk iz-zmien li ghamilt il-Qorti laqqghani ma' bosta nies ilkoll b'xejriet u hsibijiet taghhom - tahlita li tnebbabni f'ghazla tal-bniedem li jixraq l-istorja.

6. Innutajt li fil-poeziji tieghek taghti iktar importanza lir-rima imma anki lil-livell riflessiv, milli lill-prosodija (tul ta' versi u accenti), u spiss thaddem certi licenzji poetici in extremis. Kif tirreagixxi ghal dan?


Huwa minnu u nghid li jiena hati dwar it-thaddim tal-poezija b'licenzja wiesgha bil-bosta izda kif ga ghedt il-poezija titwieled fiha lesta minghajr ma taghtini lok li nirfinaha. Sa meta kont ghadni s-Seminarju kont ktibt dwar il-poeta Taljan Pascoli li " la poesia e' un attimo fuggente nella vita del poeta che vien colto sul nascere. Pero' l'assieme di questi attimi fanno la vita del poeta". Dan ghadni nemmnu sal-lum u ghalhekk nahseb li jekk infittex li nirfina l-poezija kif giet f'mohhi nkun qieghed nitlef mis-sahha taghha kif inholqot.

Intervista ma' Paul Vella mill-Awstralja

1. X'inhi r-relazzjoni ta' Paul Vella u l-Awstralja llum? U xi tfisser Malta ghal min jinsab fil-pozizzjoni tieghek?

Meta tlaqna minn Malta ghall-Awstralja fl-1965, wara xahar li zzewwigna, jien u l-mara tieghi Salvina, minn Hal Qormi, kellna l-hsieb li naghmlu sentejn u forsi nergghu lura, minhabba li ma tantx riedet tmur l-Awstralja. Il-mara halliet warajha lill-genituri taghha u tmien hutha. Wara 15-il sena fl-Awstralja nzilna ghall-btala u l-hajja f’Malta ghogbitni u ghidt lill-mara biex nitilghu, inbieghu kollox u ninzlu lura. Qalti: “Inzel wahdek!” Matul is-snin inzilna f’Malta xi erba’ darbiet ohra, imma dejjem fittixna l-Awstralja bhala d-“dar” taghna. Kull ma ghandna ghamilnieh hawn, ghandna t-tifla taghna u z-zewgt neputijiet u allura kien xieraq li bqajna hawn. Lil Malta nhobbuha bhala art twelidna. L-Awstralja nhobbuha bhala l-art li addottatna. Ftit issib Maltin hawn li ghadhom jokorbu biex jinzlu Malta ghal kollox. U dawk li jokorbu ma jihdux dan il-pass, hafna drabi minhabba l-familja li jhallu warajhom.

2. F'liema attivitajiet jew ghaqdiet jew inizzjattivi inti impenjat fil-prezent?

Kemm jien u kemm il-mara ninsabu mdahhlin f’hafna ghaqdiet Maltin. Jiena PRO fir-Reskeon Maltese Association, wahda mill-ikbar ghaqdet tal-Maltin f’Melbourne, il-mara hi membru fil-kumitat ukoll. L-istess ghaqda bdiet ghaqda ghall-anzjani fl-1996, Reskeon Seniors Group, b’aktar minn 300 membru. Jien hu s-Segretarju u l-mara Vici Ko-ordinatur. Ahna wkoll membri fil-Kumitat tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija tal-Victoria, li tieghu jien il-PRO. Grupp li jheggeg membri biex jiktbu bil-Malti. Darba fis-sena, norganizzaw Lejla Muziko-Letterarja. Barra minn hekk, jien ukoll xandar ta’ programmi Maltin minn fuq ir-Radju Komunitarju f’Melbourne 3ZZZ, fejn jigu mxandra programmi b’aktar minn 60 lingwa differenti. Il-Maltin ghandhom erba’ programmi u qeghdin erba’ xandara li naghtu s-servizz taghna bhala voluntieri. Il-programmi taghna huma varjati, b’ahbarijiet, marci, kanzunetti Maltin, proza u poeziji, Vangelju, intervisti u affarijiet ohra. Il-programmi taghna jistghu jinstemghu fuq is-sit http://www.3zzz.com.au/ fejn il-programmi jdumu hemm gimgha shiha u tista’ tismaghhom fi x’hin trid.

3. Fil-belt fejn tghix il-Maltin (u anki komunitajiet ohrajn) kemm jiehdu interess fil-letteratura?

Nistghu nghidu li kemm il-Maltin u anki nies ta’ nazzjonalitajiet ohra jinteressaw ruhhom fil-letteratura. Ahna l-Maltin permezz tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija nippruvaw inhajru hafna biex jaqraw u jiktbu bil-Malti. Hafna mill-programmi Maltin hawn ikollhom qari ta’ poeziji, novelli u anki rumanzi, u s-semmiegha ghadhom juru interess kbir f’dan. Niehu gost nghid li l-Kunsill Malti tal-Victoria, ghandu librerija b’kotba bil-Malti ghas-self u din l-ikbar librerija b’kotba Maltin li hawn barra Malta.

4. Xi tghid dwar il-kittieba Maltin fl-Awstralja llum? Min huma u x'qed jinkiteb?

Ghandna hafna kittieba Maltin u forsi nsemmi ftit minnhom li ppubblikaw kotba b’poeziji u novelli, bhal Lou Drofenik, Joe Saliba, Joe Axiaq, Manwel Cassar u Manwel Nicholas Borg, illum mejjet. Barra minn hekk hemm hafna li huma gurnalisti u jiktbu fil-gazzetta Maltija t’hawn bhal Frank Sargent u anki jien ukoll. Barra li nikteb fil-gazzetta t’hawn, jien nibghat hafna materjal Malta, kemm dawk li huma ahbarijiet u artikli li dehru f’hafna gazzetti f’Malta. Jien nibghat ukoll program audio ta’ 10 minuti darba fix-xahar lir-Radju Marija, programm li jinkludi l-ahhar ahbarijiet religjuzi mill-Awstralja.

5. Naf li l-Maltin ghandhom ukoll il-programmi tar-radju u anki l-gurnali taghhom. Xi tghid dwar dawn?

Kif ghidt qabel, jiena xandar ta’ programmi Maltin hawn. Minbarra l-istazzjoni li qieghed mieghu jien hemm tliet stazzjonijiet ohra. Hafna Maltin jisimghu dawn il-programmi kemm biex ikunu jafu x’inhu jigri Malta kif ukoll biex jiehdu gost b’qari u kanzunetti Maltin. Barra minn hekk, hafna mis-semmiegha huma anzjani u jghixu wahedhom u l-programmi jkunu ta’ kumpanija ghalihom. Fil-fatt il-programm tieghi semmejtu “Qatt m’Int Wahdek” ghax jien nemmen li matul dik is-siegha, is-semmiegha jhossuhom flimkien waqt li jkunu qed jisimghu il-programm.

6. Xi tghid dwar il-Folju tal-Maltese Literature Group: Kemm ilu johrog? Kemm jigi sampat bhala kwantita`? Min hu l-mohh warajh? Liema huma l-ghanijiet tieghu? X'issib fih?

Il-Grupp Letteratura Maltija tal-Victoria johrog Folju darba fix-xahar ghall-membri kollha. Il-Foju ilu johrog is-snin u ma nistax nghid kemm ilu ghax kien isir qabel dhalt membru jien. Imma forsi jekk tiftakar li wasalna ghall-harga numru 150, avolja issa qed isir darba kull xahar imma qabel kien darba kull xahrejn, allura forsi tinduna li ilu jsir snin twal. Bhalissa dan il-Folju qed niehu hsiebu jien. Qabli kienu jiehdu hsieb zewg membri ohra, Joe u Rose Lofaro. Issa ili naghmlu ftit snin sewwa. L-ghan ta’ dan il-folju hu li nzommu lill-membri taghna infurmati b’dak li jkun qed isir fil-grupp, kif ukoll jien nipprova ndahhal l-ahhar ahbarijiet dwar il-lingwa Maltija li nircievi minn Malta. Jiena membru tal-Forum “Kelmet” u minn niehu hafna infurmazzjoni dwar dak li jkun qed jigri fil-lingwa Maltija. Dejjem nircievi ghajnuna siewja minghand Sergio Grech, Joe Borg, Manwel Mifsud, Oliver Friggieri u Patrick Sammut, kemm f’dak li hu materjal kif ukoll ahbarijiet fuq il-lingwa u meta jkolli xi mistoqsija. Barra li nistampawh ghall-membri tal-grupp, jien niehu hsieb li nibghatu permezz ta’ emejl lil dawk li fl-opinjoni tieghi ikun ta’ interess ghalihom u jekk ikun hemm xi hadd li jixtieq jircivieh, jew informazzjoni fuq ir-radju 3ZZZ, kull m’ghandhom jaghmlu hu li jiktbuli fuq polvel@connexus.net.au

Zewg poeziji ta' Paul Vella:

HSIEB

Kull meta nizbor is-sigra fix-xitwa
Waqt lejha inhares, lil qalbi jien nghid:
“X’tahseb? Id-diehla nizborha?”
Jew jilhqu jizbruni
W jahbuni taht l-art?

Paul Vella 1-7-2006


KLIEM LI XTAQTNI NGHIDLEK

Haninti, hallini nzommok fi hdani
U nghidlek kliem helu li int dejjem xtaqt.
Kliem helu xtaqt tisma’, bhal: “Qalbi, inhobbok”.
Kliem helu li jiena qatt m’ghidtlek fil-waqt.

Kemm drabi int wrejnti li l-kelma xtaqt tisma’
Avolja li minnha kont certa maz-zmien.
Imhabbti qatt naqset, avolja qatt m’ghidtlek
Int taf illi mhabbti ghalik hi bla tmiem.

U issa l-hin wasal ha nghidlek li nhobbok
Biex xewqtek naqtaghlek, biex tisma’ il-kliem.
Habbejtek il-bierah u nhobbok ank’issa
U nhobbok ghal dejjem, haninti, bla tmiem.

Paul Vella 6-7-2006

Interview with a poet from Greece

“Poetry is a gift – Poets have blessing of God”

Zacharoula Gaitanaki was born in Athens on November
30th, 1966. She writes poems, articles, short stories,
essays and review of book.
She is a life member of the “World Academy of Arts and
Culture” / “World Congress of Poets” (which awarded her the title of the Honorary Doctor of Literature), of the IWA and a member of the “World Poets Society”.
Her poems, short stories and essays are in Anthologies, they have been
translated into English, French, Italian, Albanian, Bengali, Chinese, Korean and have won prizes in national and international literary competitions. She selected by “The International Poetry Translation and Research Centre” and the Journal of “The World Poets Quarterly” as one of “The International Best Translators 2005” and by the Literary Club “Xasteron” as “The Greek Translator of the Year 2007”.
She has published the books:
1.- “DISSIMILAR LANDSCAPES” (Poetry collection), Athens, 2001.
2.- “POTIS KATRAKIS, A PROLIFIC WRITER” (Essay), Athens 2003.
3.- “STATHIS GRIVAS – WRITING FOR LIFE - Tracking in his poetical space”
(Essay), editions “Platanos”, Athens, 2006.
e- mail: zgaitanaki@yahoo.gr
You can visit her web sites: http://homepages.pathfinder.gr/poiitikigonia
http://durabond.ca/gdouridas/Poetry%20Arkadia.html

1.What place do nature and God have in Zacharoula’s poetry?

Dear Patrick, thank you for the hospitality. We destroy the environment (the pollution, fires, wars, scarcity of water, smog, greenhouse effect etc.) We live in an unhealthy climate. We’ve spoilt everything with our behavior… So, the beauties of Nature, the nature of things, matters of general interest, legends and myths, God, love, the end of our life, are part of my poetry. Poets - with their voices - have to tell the Truth. Poets blaze a trail for a better world. I write in my poem:

THE POETS

Poets do not struggle
with bullets and knives,
they write verses, sing
and extend their hands.

They yield in inspiration
in the hours of loneliness,
they count with verses and strophes
fine weathers and storms.

Poets do not love
simply for love.
They write verses for naked bodies
before they touch them.

They are absorbed by love and swim
in love’s depths
and after, they write poems
for “the moment” that is lost…

2.Do poets write only for themselves and do give vent to their emotions and reflections or do they have a wider role in today’s society?

I believe that Poetry is a gift and the Poets have the blessing of God. But we have also a moral obligation: Poets like politicians must serve the public interest. We write not only for ourselves but for all the people.

3.Do you write poetry for art’s sake or are there other agendas behind your verses?

I write poems (short stories, novels, critic, essays too) for the creation, communication, happiness. Writing is great fun for me.

4.How do you react when people say that poets are idealists and dreamers?

“Poet isn’t a weird guy”. If he / she dreams of a new world, this isn’t a visionary dream. It’s a feasible objective.

5.Do you write poetry in Greek and then translate in English? Or do you write poetry directly in English?

I write my verses in Greek and then I translate them in English. My mother language has a rich vocabulary and I use it in my work.

6.When you write poetry do you prefer traditional and regular forms (prosody, metre, rhyme) or modern form such as blank verse?

I use “Poetry’s materials” (my poem):
“A well – dressed verse
with a red, full of freshness
and fragrance carnation on the lapel
pops out right
in the crown to dance.
Two strophes start a feast
on the white paper.
On top, an underlined title
assigns the intention of the poem.
Rhymes, words, “moments”
are valuable and invaluable
materials for a Poet
to make an emotion,
to pay off a debt
and to defeat a chimera.”

7.In your poetry you frequently write about poetry itself. You also write about yourself as a poet. Why? Does the poet depend on the readers’ judgment?

In my poetry I write about myself but I write also for you, for all the people. The readers are happy when they read a good poem or a nice story.

8.Personally I find that metaphor is a strong point in your poetry. How do you react to this? Can metaphor and sincerity / clarity of meaning go together?

Poetry is like our life. A poem with several verses is like an adventurous life or not? I think that my poetry is an extension of myself. Metaphor is a strong point and in my life. But clarity of expression is a great asset. I’ll continue with my life and poetry together…

9.Is poetry an act of love or an act of narcissism? What do people prefer today: poetry or soap – operas?

Poetry is an invaluable help in our days. Soap – operas are like artificial flowers in a garden. A flimsy life is without poetry, love, smile, colors, songs, joy…

10.How is Zacharoula as a person? How does she spend her time: career and pastimes?

I am a woman with a mild nature and a simple life. When I’m in Arcadia, I live near to the beauties of nature. I spend time with my family, my friends (poetry is a good friend for me too), my cats. Music is a good way to unwind. I hear classical and Greek folk music. Sometimes, I take refuge in books. I read many books every month and I write my opinion (in literary magazines and newspapers). I write poems, articles, essays, short stories, translations etc… (I have 22 years experience in poetry and prose). I think that “The real happiness consists in desiring little”.
Patrick, thanks again. I send my warm regards to all the visitors of your blog and to all the poets in Malta.

Arcadia, August, 6, 2008.

Getting to know a poet from India

This is another very interesting interview with a poet from India, D. T. Ashok Chakravarthy, Litt. D. A very big thanks to Dr. Chakravarthy for his patience and sincerity. See: www.apoetsconcern.blogspot.com

1. Is poetry something more than the expression of strong emotions?
Strong emotions are a common phenomenon in the lives of every individual. But the one who can express it through the pen, either in poetic or in prose form would definitely have a different angle and different edge. What I feel is, expression of emotions in the form of verse or poetry, certainly is something more than the force of oral expression of emotions that would have. The impact of expression of emotive verse or poetry can influence all sections of people in general. Hence, it is something more than what a simple ‘expression’ is.

2. How do you react to people saying that the poet is a dreamer or idealist?
We come across different people with different opinions, different concepts, different aspirations, different principles, different views, different thinkers, different criticizers, different admirers, different planners, different mindsets, different decision makers and so on. Since we happen to be one among such think-tank, it is but common to face different views from different people. Yet, what I feel is that NOT ONLY A POET, but every human is a dreamer and idealist. The moment a life originates on the earth, for certain, it’s a common phenomenon. There is no meaning hence in reacting to different or rather call them as indifferent views.

3. Do you prefer art for art's sake or art/poetry with a message?
Art is something different in the course of “preference”, while poetry too is something of a differential preference. Both have different values with preferential standards. A combination of both is bound to have a distinct impact. The concept of uniting art with poetry will unite all classes of people, irrespective of age, caste, creed, race and religion. Yes, I do prefer poetry with artistic reflections of the theme, which I feel will definitely pave way to enlighten the children and youth in particular. Peace-poems and harmonious-art if jointly presented together, the face of humanity will be adorned with the glow of Universal Peace.

4. "Mother", "brother", "children', "child" are words that repeat themselves in your poetry. Does this mean that FAMILY has a central role for T. Ashok?
Ashok or any other Poet (I wish) should NOT compare the words "Mother", "brother", "children', "child" as individual. The whole universe should be viewed as a family by any poet. The warmth of motherly-love oozes out of heart when we remember our “Mother”, similarly the Mother Earth follows our sentiments and emotions with the same spirit; for we are here with their love, which is beyond compare. Brother reflects a youthful stamina that stands for Universal Brotherhood, Children reflect the whole-lot …. orphans, deprived ones, school children, starving children etc., and a child is a part and parcel among the universal children.

5. You seem to discuss the same issues politicians discuss (war, injustice famine, the environment). Do you think poets can do better than politicians to better the human condition in this world? How?
Politicians are ever-thirsty to grab power, position, luxuries and treasures. This ego-centric tendency is the grass root problem of the existing system. In this unethical process, morals and human ethics are dumped for the sake of individuality and individual status. We see how several countries are vying for supremacy in the sphere of acquiring modern weaponry and hi-tech gadgets. If the trend is not arrested, this unhealthy competition would ultimately ruin the mankind.
Yes, poets have the ability and astuteness to do better than the present-day politicians and this is absolutely possible in every continent of the world. Every poet has a vision of the future, of the present depleting standards of human lives, of the ways and means to check further downfall of humanity as a whole. A poet is thoughtful, emotive and can go deep into the problems grappling and shaking one and all around the world. Poets do possess the abilities to enlighten, educate and impart the youth about the prevailing social evils and the dire need of their youthful spirit for participation in bringing peace and harmonious existence. Politicians lack this will and determination and they treat youth merely as their vote-banks. Hence, in the existing scenario POETS are a better lot, who can definitely script and shape a better generation by uniting the youth and positively implanting the seeds of universal peace. By tapping and enhancing the magnanimous power of youth, anything is possible in this world. And, this is far easier to poets than the ego-centric politicians.

6. God is present in your verse. How can Poetry and God be reconciled?
Without the existence of God - in the form of five (life-giving) elements, viz., water, air, fire, earth & sky there can neither be the mankind nor any living being, or any planet. It is God, the creator, who with a divine sport controls the five elements and He is the Supreme Master of the stable, unstable, living and non-living things. And to be frank, every religion believes in God and admires the God with sacred prayers / hymns (poetry alike) in praise of God; so, God exists in all the believers and I am one of the poet-believer in God.

7. You seem to give more importance to regularity of form (prosody, rhyme, metre) in your poetry. Does this mean that you prefer traditional forms to express yourself?
Yes, it is my choicest of choices to attract and immerse the reader/s and to take the reader/s deep into the heart-touching meaningful depths. Hence, with exception to some, I prefer the form of rhyme for most of my poems, for I am sure, this pleases both the mind and heart of a reader.

8. You express hope in the future generations. How can these do better if today's generations can't serve as a good model?
This is a wise and a well judged question of the present times. “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s future”, thus goes the golden saying. But, the hurdle in the process is, the youth are made scapegoats and victims in the vicious political gamble. This is inflicted well in advance before the youth could attain political maturity. Yet, given a right platform and a right opportunity, if the youth are made to cultivate political maturity on their own, definitely would there be a sea-change in the world political scenario. As civilized citizens, we are duty bound to throw our weight of maturity for a good cause in shaping the youth for the betterment of future generations.

9. What is the relation of the young generation with poetry? Do they read poetry?
I think, only a little fraction, or say less than 5% of the young generation either show interest towards poetry or attempt to hog the limelight in the literary arena. But, in this hi-tech era people are busy in their own way, preferring to attain the ever-high standards of living. Once matured, their thoughts fly in the direction of prosperity and circumstances compel them to take initiatives for achieving their goal. In the process, the relation of the young generation with the poetry is getting strained.

10. How is Dr. T Ashok Chakravarthy as a person? What does he do during a common day? Describe in brief Hyderabad City?
As a person, I am a person of – SIMPLE LIVING AND HIGH THINKING. My routine starts by waking-up at 6.00 AM, having a cup of lemon-tea, going through the newspapers and TV channels for over an hour, again have a cup of green-tea, have a bath and offer prayers at home, afterwards a breakfast, then relax for a while, getting ready for office and advancing to work place. After working all through the office hours (10.20 AM to 5.30 PM) at the “Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Ltd.” (a Government-Partnered Bank), I would be back home by 6.30 PM. Myself and my wife would spend a hour-together with a cup of ginger tea, later I would either meet friends or relatives or attend to computer work for answering e-mails, submission of poems etc. I would have my dinner at 9.00, relax by watching various TV channels for an hour and slip to sleep by 10.00 in the night.
It is appropriate to mention here that, two Sunday’s of each month are exclusively spent in the company of orphans, blind children and at old-age homes. My wife :– Yeleswarapu Srivani :– would look after the entire affairs. During our visit to orphans, blind children and old-age homes, we donate medicines, food grains, biscuits, vegetables, fruits, clothes, note books and other items of utility as per requirement and urgency. Some of my wife’s relatives and friends, apart from a few of my colleagues offer their material help in the services.
Regarding my native place Hyderabad, it is the 5th largest city of India, a prominent IT hub and a city having several important monuments dating back to 15th century. Charminar, Golkonda Fort, Quli Qutubshahi Tombs etc, are prominent, historical and tourist worthy places. Hyderabad is also familiar for its cosmopolitan culture and is also crowned as a “Pearl City” of the world. With a best South-Asian international airport, renowned 5-star hotels, international firms and establishments, international sports stadiums, Hyderabad city with a population of over 8 million is considered as the fastest growing city of India.

Books I received recently from all over the world

Poet, critic and translator Zacharoula Gaitanaki (from Greece)got to know me through e-mail and thanks to Teresinka Pereira's world-wide network. She sent me the poetic anthology Citizen of the World (2007) by poet Stathis Grivas, which she translated from Greek to English.

Visit: http://homepages.pathfinder.gr/poiitikigonia
http://durabond.ca/gdouridas/Poetry%20Arkadia.html

Zacharoula publishes a newsletter named "POIITIKI GONIA" (The Corner of Poetry), and was so kind as to translate some poems in Maltese to Greek.

Dall'Arno al Tamigi is another book by Amerigo Iannacone of Isernia (Italy). This time Iannacone discusses a linguistic issue: mainly the interferences of Anglo-American words on the Italian language. This book gathers a number of articles Iannacone published in his monthly magazine Il Foglio Volante and also feedback given by different contributors regarding the linguistic question.


The book helps a lot in reflecting about the correctness of certain words in Italian, but it also helps the reader understand better some of the contemporary Italian ways of thinking and acting regarding the use of everyday language.

Cronache reali e surreali is the latest book published by Amerigo Iannacone. This time Iannacone invites us to read some 40 short and micro-stories which float between the real and the surreal. One reads about different contexts, persons and situations, but at the same time feels that what Iannacone presents us with are things which might also happen someday to us. The stories are all written in a very fluent language and style and the variety of themes is a guarantee against monotony.



Visit: http://www.edizionieva.com/









Dr. Tholana Ashok Chakravarthy (from Hyderabad, India) read Teresinka Pereira's interview with me on the Corean magazine The Moon Light of Corea and got to know my e-mail. He contacted me and asked me to send him some of my poems in English. I also saw his blog and read some of his poetry: http://www.apoetsconcern.blogspot.com/


He also sent me a poetry anthology, Serene Thoughts...of Poetic Ripples (2006). It is an anthology of 70 beautiful poems which have to do with issues such as peace, war, famine, environment, injustice and inequality. The book has a very attractive presentation and a number of forwards written by different people (writers, journalists, poets, educationalists, and doctors).

MMe Nadia-Cella POP from Brasov, Romania, read one of my poems in the Serbian magazine "Open World". She thus sent me her multilingual poetry anthology The Lordship of the Word (2007). The book comprises poems in Romanian, French, Italian, English, German, Greek, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali and many others.

Nadia-Cella POP was in Malta in 2006 and she still has fascinating memories of my island. Ironically, I visited her country, Romania, last May/June. We didn't meet in either country, but we still managed to come in contact with each other thanks to poetry.

I got to know poet and journalist Annamaria Weldon from Australia thanks to an article on THE TIMES of Malta. I sent her an e-mail - which she immediately answered - asking her where could I by a copy of her last publication, The Roof Milkers (2008), and she sent me one directly from Australia. Weldon was born in Malta but emigrated to Western Australia in 1984. The anthology is a collection of 78 poems, some of them reminiscent of the island of Malta, but others are directly born from the land of Australia.

I'LL BE EVENTUALLY PUBLISHING INTERVIEWS WITH THESE POETS ON THIS BLOG IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

One of my poems translated in Greek

ΑΓΡΥΠΝΗ ΝΥΧΤΑ

Ο Πάτρικ Σαμμούτ, Αντιπρόεδρος της «Maltese Poets Association», γεννήθηκε στη Σλιέμα. Σπούδασε στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Μάλτας την γλώσσα της χώρας του και στο Πανεπιστήμι της Φλωρεντίας τα Ιταλικά. Γράφει ποίηση, δοκίμια, διηγήματα και κριτική λογοτεχνίας. Τα έργα του δημοσιεύονται σε περιοδικά και εφημερίδες της χώρας του. Το 2003 εξέδωσε το βιβλίο «Tieqa Fug Kittieba Maltin». Στο παρόν ποίημα έχει εμπνευστεί από τον «Κρυμμένο Τόπο» της Τρέζα Αζοπάρντι, απ’ τον οποίο δανείζεται και τον πρώτο στίχο:

«Ο ουρανός γίνεται κάθε μέρα πλατύτερος.»
Τα δάση με την ώρα σαρώθηκαν,
οι έρημοι κινήθηκαν μπρος
κι η αναβροχιά τις στέγνωσε όλες,
οι πόλεις έσβησαν από τις αδιάκοπες πλημμύρες,
η ανθρωπότητα, από πολιτισμένη σύρθηκε πάλι στο κτήνος.
Τα ζώα κραυγάζουν μ’ εκατονταπλάσιες ωμότητες,
σαν πεινασμένες ακρίδες νέα καθεστώτα συρρέουν,
το άγγιγμα της Μέδουσας στρέφει
τις ανθρώπινες καρδιές μες στην πέτρα.

Άκου με προσοχή τον στεναγμό του κόσμου,
γεύσου τις δηλητηριασμένες θάλασσες,
δες τους μαυρισμένους ορίζοντες,
άγγιξε το σκληρό χώμα,
μύρισε την καθημερινή σήψη…
Ατέλειωτες άγρυπνες νύχτες,
εφιάλτες όλη μέρα επί μακρόν,
η αγάπη για όλα γύρω μας καθόλου δυνατή.

Υπνωτισμένοι, δούλοι στην απάθεια,
στεγνά δάκρυα, συναισθηματική κατανόηση
τόσο μακριά όσο η αιωνιότητα.

Ο ουρανός γίνεται κάθε μέρα πλατύτερος
και εμείς στενόμυαλοι,
ανασαίνοντας τους τελευταίους μας νεκρικούς εγωισμούς
από άγνοια…
συντρίβοντας το δικό μας πεπρωμένο.

ΠΑΤΡΙΚ ΣΑΜΜΟΥΤ

Translator: ZACHAROULA GAITANAKI, IWA, Member WAAC/WCP, from Greece.

Intervistato Amerigo Iannacone di Isernia

«Ho sempre subito il fascino dei libri»

Davanti a me ho cinque pubblicazioni dello scrittore Amerigo Iannacone, di Isernia: Il Foglio Volante (mensile di cultura), Stagioni (haiku), 2005, Oboe d’amore/Ama hobojo (poesie), 2007, Dall’otto settembre al sedici luglio, 2007, e Dall’Arno al Tamigi (Annotazioni linguistiche), 2008.
Gli rivolgo alcune domande.

D.: Da dove è nato questo interesse di Iannacone per il mondo della scrittura?
R.: È difficile anche per me saperlo. Non voglio dire che si tratti di un predisposizione innata, ma penso piuttosto che l’interesse per la scrittura sia nato come conseguenza dell’interesse per la lettura, che ho sempre avuto. Fin da quando ero bambino subivo il fascino dei libri, che mi davano l’opportunità di viaggiare con la fantasia. Anche se in casa c’erano pochi libri e io, bambino delle scuole elementari e poi medie, prendevo in prestito i libri al Centro di Lettura che era stato istituito in quegli anni – tra la fine degli anni Cinquanta e l’inizio degli anni Sessanta – nel mio paese e che disponeva di una piccola biblioteca, modesta ma piú che sufficiente per le mie esigenze.

D.: Qual era l’idea originaria dietro la pubblicazione de Il Foglio Volante? Qual è la sua tiratura oggi e chi sono quelli che lo ricevono? Chi sono i contributori?
R.: Il Foglio volante è nato – e anche il nome lo dice – come un semplice foglio, appunto, dove pubblicare scritti miei ed eventualmente da allegare alle lettere che scambiavo con i miei corrispondenti. Poi il progetto si ampliato da sé e in qualche modo si è creata una rete di lettori, di amici della parola, che si sono abbonati e che collaborano. La tiratura è piuttosto modesta – mediamente sulle 500 copie – ma i lettori sono generalmente di livello elevato. Il giornale non ha finanziatori particolari: si regge solo con il contributo degli abbonati, oltre che con i sacrifici miei personali.

D.: Qual è la tua relazione con la poesia e con la prosa? Hai preferenze per qualche genere letterario in particolare?
R.: Come preferenze, al primo posto metterei la poesia. Ho cominciato a scrivere i miei primi ingenui versi mentre frequentavo ancora la scuola elementare, perché la poesia mi ha sempre attratto ed ho sempre continuato a scrivere, sia pure e senza mai aspirare a pubblicare, anzi – da ragazzo – senza pensarci neppure. Infatti il mio primo libro è uscito quando avevo già trent’anni. Ma sono interessato anche ad altri generi e in particolare alla narrativa. Nelle letture, devo dire, sono onnivoro e anche i miei libri, al di là del loro valore, che non sta a me stabilire, spaziano in vari campi di interesse. Nella mia bibliografia, ricca di circa 25 titoli, si trovano infatti altre a poesia e narrativa, anche libri di saggistica, traduzione e altro.

D.: La tua ultima pubblicazione Dall’Arno al Tamigi indica anche un tuo interesse nel campo della lingua. Puoi elaborare nel riguardo? C’è qualcosa che unisce tutte le lingue?
R.: Nel frattempo – per inciso – è diventata la penultima, perché proprio in questi giorni è uscita una mia raccolta di 42 racconti dal titolo Cronache reali e surreali.
Per quel che riguarda le lingue, sebbene io poi in fondo non possa vantarmi di conoscerne molte, ne sono stato sempre attratto piú per motivi, direi, di studio che non per uso pratico. Ho studiato il francese, il latino alle medie e al liceo (ai miei tempi il latino si studiava a partire dalla prima media) e il greco classico, ma oltre all’italiano posso dire di conoscere correntemente solo l’esperanto e un po’ di francese. Qualcosa di altre lingue, piú a livello di curiosità fonetico-morfologiche che di uso pratico.
Che unisca tutte le circa diecimila lingue parlate oggi nel mondo credo non ci sia altro che la loro intrinseca capacità di comunicazione. Ma a me, oltre alle qualità puramente linguistiche e glottologiche, interessa la salvaguardia delle lingue in genere e dell’italiano in particolare – perché vivo in Italia – dalla corruzione, dalla sopraffazione delle lingue piú potenti (o, se si preferisce, dei potenti), sopratutto l’inglese, che si sta insinuando come un virus nelle lingue nazionali, le sta inquinando e corrompendo e si accinge a fagocitarle.

D.: Perché la scelta dell’Esperanto?
R.: Mi sono avvicinato all’esperanto solo per curiosità e ho finito per convincermi pienamente sia delle sue qualità propriamente linguistiche (facilità, chiarezza, modernità, flessibilità, creatività, ecc.) sia della sua potenzialità come soluzione del problema della comunicazione sopranazionale. L’esperanto infatti è una lingua eufonica e logica ed è una lingua di tutti in generale e di nessuno in particolare e perciò non è invadente (o fagocitante, come l’inglese), mette tutti sullo stesso piano e non fa graduatorie politiche, economiche, etniche, ecc. Chiunque lo può imparare (anche persone poco colte o poco dotate) con estrema facilità, senza dispendio né economico né di energie.
Qualche anno fa ho anche pubblicato un opuscolo intitolato “Esperanto, il perché di una scelta”, che risponde dettagliatamente proprio alla domanda che tu mi poni.

D.: Iannacone e i suoi contatti internazionali. Qual è il bello di tutto questo? Qual è il prezzo che uno deve pagare?
R.: Prezzi da pagare, se non stiamo a guardare al costo dei francobolli o altre piccole cose di questo genere, non ce ne sono. Ma il bello è l’apertura mentale che si matura, e la scoperta di poter trovare oltre frontiera amici fraterni, con cui si condividono idee e sensibilità.

D.: Cosa pensa Iannacone di Internet? Una minaccia o un miracolo?
R.: Forse dobbiamo parlare di un miracolo che può costituire anche una minaccia, ma il difetto sta nell’uomo. Internet è in sé una grande opportunità, che nessuno solo trent’anni fa avrebbe potuto immaginare. Come ogni cosa, dall’invenzione della ruota all’energia atomica, può essere usata in modo sbagliato e può comportare dei problemi, ma il problema non sta nel mezzo, bensí in chi lo usa. Un coltello può servire per tagliare il pane o per ammazzare una persona, ma non è né buono né cattivo: è un mezzo. Le automobili causano – solo in Italia – 10 mila morti all’anno, ma non per questo dobbiamo criminalizzare la macchina in sé, dobbiamo piuttosto cercare di agire sull’uomo e magari sulle norme che regolano il traffico. Anche per Internet c’è bisogno di regole che ancora non ci sono, ma si tratta comunque di una grande opportunità.

D.: Com’è Iannacone come persona e cosa ne pensa del suo paese/regione natale?
R.: Fisicamente probabilmente non è un gran che, per il resto è sempre difficile tracciare un ritratto di sé stessi. Cerco di essere accomodante ma non remissivo, ho molti interessi, mi piace leggere, mi piace la musica e tutte le arti in genere, mi piacerebbe viaggiare, ma le condizioni economiche mi costringono ad essere piuttosto sedentario e i libri e la parola diventano un modo per viaggiare. Ho molti amici, vicini e lontani, che mi vogliono bene. Per il resto lascio la sentenza ad altri.
Abito in un minuscolo paese che non ha particolari pretese, ma in fondo mi ci trovo bene. Ci convivo con qualche accomodamento, qualche incomprensione, qualche litigio e qualche ammiccamento, un po’ come può succedere con una donna. Credo che accada un po’ a tutti di instaurare un rapporto di amore-odio col paese e il territorio in cui si vive da tanti anni, proprio perché si conosce bene: se ne conoscono pregi e difetti.
Credo che a leggere i miei libri e in particolare A zonzo nel tempo che fu, si evinca tutto questo e anche di piú.

Vedi: www.amerigoiannacone.wordpress.com

Patrick Sammut (luglio 2008)

Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds - Studju kritiku

Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds ta’ Lou Drofenik (2007, 368 pages)

STRUTTURA U MEKKANIZMI STILISTICI:
Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds huwa rumanz li jinqasam f’hames partijiet. Bejn il-partijiet insibu tmien interventi min-naha ta’ min qed jikteb, “The Scrivener”. Fl-ewwel parti insibu tip ta’ introduzzjoni li tlaqqaghna ma’ dar f’Birkirkara lejn il-bidu tas-seklu 20. Hawn jissemmew in-nanniet tan-narratrici, Sylvia, li huma Rafel Scicluna u Anni Bugeja. Imbaghad hemm parti ohra (fi hdan l-istess l-ewwel parti), ambjentata fit-tieni nofs tas-seklu 20, fejn in-narratrici tirrakkonta l-emigrazzjoni taghha lejn l-Awstralja. It-tieni, it-tielet u r-raba’ partijiet huma ambjentati f’Birkirkara tas-seklu 9, meta Malta kienet taht il-hakma Aglabita. Il-hames parti tittratta grajjiet li jsehhu f’Wied Imsaldin (B’Kara) fis-seklu 15, meta l-Maltin kienu taht il-hakma ta’ l-Aragonizi u ta’ Monroj.
Matul ir-rumanz hemm zewg livelli li jimxu l-hin kollu id f’id flimkien: il-partijiet misthajla (mela mahluqa u frott il-fantasija ta’ Drofenik) jalternaw ma’ partijiet li jitfghu dawl fuq l-iStorja, l-amministrazjoni u aspetti ohra li kienu jezistu fir-realta`. Lejn l-ahhar parti tar-rumanz ir-rakkont jitbieghed minn dak ewlieni u jiffoka fuq Malta fi zmien il-fewdalizmu (l-Aragonizi u seklu 15), biex imbaghad ir-rakkont misthajjel jintrabat b’aktar sahha ma’ dak storiku-reali. Ghalhekk dak li ghaddew minnu l-Maltin fis-seklu 15 jinghata permezz tad-djalogar bejn Stella u Gianni.
Matul ir-rumanz ghandna xi waqtiet fejn min qed jikteb/jinnarra jmur lura ghall-bidu tar-rakkont b’referenzi ghall-muniti li Sylvia darba sabet fil-gnien tad-dar f’B’Kara u l-iskrizzjoni Aglabita (p.95, p.110). Imbaghad lejn l-ahhar tar-rumanz r-rakkont jerga’ lura ghall-bidu, jigifieri ghan-nanniet ta’ Sylvia, Rafel Scicluna u Anni Bugeja. U dan kollu biex il-qarrej jifhem li issa t-tahblila tal-misteru wara r-rakkont bhal donnha ssolviet u nstabu t-truf kollha tal-kobba.

Ghaliex il-partijiet intitolati “The Scrivener”?
Fil-bidu l-qarrej jigi mgharraf dwar dak kollu li se jiltaqa’ mieghu fir-rumanz li se jaqra. Dawn huma partijiet fejn Sylvia, dik li qed tikteb, tinsab fl-Awstralja fiz-zmien prezenti, imma tikteb dwar zminijiet imghoddija, fosthom anki B’Kara ta’ 40 sena qabel meta kienet ghadha tifla. Se jkun rumanz li jinnarra l-istejjer ta’ nisa differenti, kollha mgarrbin u marbutin ma’ dil-gzira f’nofs il-Mediterran. U dan kollu mwassal minn mara “eziljata” ghal snin twal u li toqghod fuq il-quccata ta’ muntanja f’art li sahhritha (l-Awstralja), u li spiss thossha mbieghda wisq mir-realt¿ Maltija kemm temporalment, kif ukoll spazjalment. Dan perÅ jippermettilha “thares” lejn Malta u l-Maltin minn barra u b’hekk tifforma stampa analitika u oggettiva (sa certu punt) li tinkludi wkoll hwejjeg li ma joghgbuhiex.
F’partijiet bhal dawn nigu wkoll wicc imb wicc ma’ l-istess process tal-kitba fis-sehh. Hawnhekk il-qarrej jigi mfakkar li Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds hu rumanz li jittratta distanzi kemm spazjali (Malta-Awstralja, b’kumbinazzjoni t-tnejn gzejjer!), kif ukoll temporali (prezent u passati differenti). Dawn huma partijiet li jistghu jservu wkoll ta’ pont bejn epoka u ohra, bejn generazzjonijiet ta’ nisa differenti. Importanti huwa r-rwol ta’ l-ilhna mill-imghoddi li jistigaw lil Sylvia biex tikteb u tfittex il-misteru li hemm mohbi wara d-dar ta’ B’Kara. Infatti Sylvia temfasizza l-bzonn li tispicca dak li bdiet. “The Scriviner” huwa spazju fejn jigu mqieghda wkoll numru ta’ mistoqsijiet: ta’ min huma l-iskeletri li nstabu fil-gnien tad-dar ta’ B’Kara? Min hija Stella Bonanno? Ghalhekk dawn huma partijiet li jservu wkoll bhala element ta’ kontinwit¿ bejn parti u ohra jew kapitlu u iehor tar-rumanz.
Huwa fl-ahhar intervent ta’ “The Scrivener” fejn naqraw li l-kitba hija, “Searching to find the absolute truth...” Imma mbaghad jinghad ukoll li l-verit¿ ghandha wcuh differenti, u hu hawn fejn jidhol l-element ta’ l-ambigwita` u ta’ l-interpretazzjoni. F’dan l-ahhar intervent il-qarrej ikun wasal ghal tip ta’ kjarifikazzjoni (imma li tibqa’ parzjali) fejn jidhlu l-misteri wara d-dar ta’ B’Kara – li kellha l-fama li fiha hemm il-hares -, misteri marbutin ma’ tliet nisa differenti: Dhabab (Seklu 9), Stella (Seklu 15) u Tessie (Seklu 20). Il-mistoqsijiet li jixirfu hawn huma, “What is their destiny? What is the truth and who is its keeper?” Huwa zgur li l-awtrici hawn xtaqet lill-qarrej li jerga’ jghaddi l-istejjer differenti li qara u jistaqsi anki huwa ghadd ta’ mistoqsijiet. Wara kollox rumanz tajjeb huwa dak li jhallik tistaqsi u tirrifletti anki wara li tkun spiccajt taqrah.
Fit-tmiem jerga’ jintuza mekkanizmu stilistiku iehor frekwenti f’dar-rumanz, l-ittra. Huwa hawnhekk fejn Sylvia bhal tirrikoncilja lilha nnifisha ma’ l-imghoddi.

Riferimenti kontinwi ghaz-zmien ghaddej
Inhoss li element iehor marbut ma’ l-istruttura tar-rumanz huma r-referenzi kontinwi ghaz-zmien ghaddej, anki permezz ta’ l-istaguni, l-aktar ir-rebbiegha li spiss tahdem bhala l-holqa li torbot parti ma’ ohra tar-rumanz. Referenzi temporali ohra nsibuhom mferrxin matul ir-rumanz kollu: “October arrived...”, “November came...”, “June is beautiful in Wied Imsaldin and perhaps the June of 1428...”, u “Sabiha is now in her fifth year.” Anki l-istess titli ta’ xi kapitli jirreferu ghas-sena bhal “The Year 871 CE”, “Birgu 29th August 870”, “August 886 CE” (mela 16-il sena wara), “The Year 1421 CE”. Dan ta’ l-ahhar huwa mekkanizmu li thobb tuza hafna fir-rumanzi awtobijografici taghha l-kittieba Cilena, Isabel Allende. Hemm imbaghad waqt fir-rumanz fejn zewg paragrafi sintetici hafna jinnarraw grajjiet ta’ seba’ snin shah! (p. 93)

Il-livell deskrittiv u l-idjoma Maltija
Inhoss li wiehed mill-pregji ta’ rumanz bhal dan huwa l-livell deskrittiv li f’xi waqtiet jintrabat ukoll ma’ l-uzu ta’ l-idjoma u ta’ l-ilsien Malti gewwa xoghol miktub bl-Ingliz immirat mela anki ghal qarrejja li lil Malta ma jafuhiex u lanqas l-ilsien Malti. Spiss id-deskrizzjoni tissahhah ferm permezz tar-riferimenti ghas-sensi bhall-hsejjes, l-irwejjah u l-kuluri ta’ l-ambjent li jkun qed jigi deskritt (bhal belt gdida jew l-isbuhija naturali tal-post matul l-istaguni), imma anki b’referenzi ghall-fawna lokali-Awstraljana bhal “kangaroos”, “currawongs”, “lyrebird”, “red bellied snake”, “wallaby” u “wombat”. Id-deskrizzjonijiet tal-pajsagg rurali Malti ximindaqqiet jikseb mill-poetiku u min-nostalgiku, filwaqt li l-aspett kromatiku jaghti laqta pittoreska lil-livell narrattiv. Id-deskrizzjonijiet jintrabtu wkoll ma’ l-ikel ta’ l-imghoddi, dettalji arkitettonici, u aspetti marbutin mal-ligi, l-infrastruttura u s-sigurta`. Jinhass sewwa l-fatt li l-awtrici ghamlet ricerki dettaljati dwar l-epoki storici li ttrattat fir-rumanz.
Il-kliem bil-Malti (“gibjun”, “kerrejja”, “kurpett”, “musbieh”, “kenur”, “Sabiha”, “habaq”) jintuza mill-bidu nett. Insibu wkoll il-laqmijiet (“Ix-Xummiema”, “Ta’ sormom catt”, “Il-Misthi”, “in-Niexef”), l-idjomi jew il-qwiel (“hallata ballata”, “Il-bahar zaqqu ratba u rasu iebsa”, “ajma ma”, “Kerha fin-nieqa sabiha fit-tieqa”) u anki xi ismijiet ta’ hut (“Gharusa”, “Lhudi”, “Zabri”, “Kahli”, “Xilep”) li jghixu max-xtut Maltin. Dawn kollha jaghtu lir-rumanz laqta aktar awtentika.

IT-TEMATIKA U AMBJENTAZZJONI
Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds hu rumanz li jinnarra storja ta’ xoghol iebes, ta’ passjoni u dedikazzjoni, fi gzira minuskola fejn jahkmu s-superstizzjonijiet. Huwa wkoll rumanz li jibbaza ruhu fuq ghadd ta’ temi bhalma huma l-familja, l-emancipazzjoni tal-mara u l-moviment femminista, l-qghad u l-emigrazzjoni, ix-xjuhija u l-mewt, il-vjagg, it-twemmin u l-biza’ mill-ispirti hziena. Hu wkoll xoghol li jittratta waqtiet differenti mill-hajja: imhabba, mibeghda, twelid u mewt, ugigh il-qalb, ferh, abbundanza, theddid, tama u biza’.
Il-familja (spiss dik estiza, bhall-familja li ghexet fiha Sylvia jew dik ta’ Lola u Wistin, flimkien ma’ wliedhom, Indri u Tumas, jew il-familja tat-Tabib Musulman tas-seklu 9, jew dik ta’ Menzju, martu u z-zewgt ibniet Stella u Ruzann Bonanno) niltaqghu maghha sa mill-bidunett. Imma hija familja li bil-wasla taz-zminijiet moderni titnaqqa’ minhabba ragunijiet differenti bhalma huma l-emigrazzjoni, il-firda politika, l-emancipazzjoni tal-mara, anki l-mewt. Fl-imghoddi kienet titnaqqa’ minhabba theddid mill-ghadu, jew minhabba ghajbien f’daqqa ta’ certi persuni, jew minhabba mard u mewt.
It-tema ta’ l-emancipazzjoni tal-mara narawha permezz ta’ personaggi bhaz-zija Esther (reminixxenza tal-motto “make love not war”), u l-istess Sylvia li l-ewwel tfittex indipendenza minn missierha (billi tizzewweg u temigra) u wara minn zewgha (billi taghzel li tibqa’ l-Awstralja ma tinzilx lura Malta ma’ zewgha). U dan bla ma ninsew kliem Gianni Farrugia fis-seklu 15 li jghid, “A woman... is like a donkey, a rope tied qround her neck to go any which way her husband wants her to go, to do his bidding.”
It-tema ta’ l-emigrazzjoni tmur id f’id ma’ l-isfond storiku marbut mal-bidu tat-tieni nofs tas-seklu 20, zmien ta’ bidliet kbar u ta’ tranzizzjoni. Il-partijiet li jirreferu ghas-snin hamsin, sittin u sebghin, b’dak kollu li gabu maghhom (Indipendenza, Interdett, premjijiet u kastigi ta’ natura politika, id-differenza bejn il-klassijiet socjali, l-isfruttament ta’ l-art imma anki ta’ opportunitajiet ta’ natura kummercjali ghal skopijiet ta’ profitt personali), zgur li jinteressaw hafna lil qarrejja barranin.
Partijiet storici li jinteressaw zgur li min mhux midhla daqstant ta’ Malta huma dawk li jittrattaw Malta taht il-hakma Aglabita (zmien ta’ paci, armonija, tolleranza, zvilupp u prosperita`, ghall-popolazzjoni maghmula minn Insara, Musulmani u Lhud); u zmien is-seklu 15, mela Malta taht ir-Re Alfons, il-piz tat-taxxi fuq il-bdiewa Maltin, il-grajja ta’ Malta mibjugha lil Monroj, is-sagrificcji li l-popolazzjoni Maltija ghamlet biex tixtri lura lil art twelidha, u t-theddida mit-Tork meqjusa bhala kalamit¿.
It-tema tal-vjagg tista’ thares lejha minn perspettivi differenti. Hemm il-vjagg fiziku-spazjali marbut ma’ l-emigrazzjoni, vjagg twil, li kien jehtieg kuragg u sagrificcju min-naha ta’ min jiddeciedi li jidhol ghalih, vjagg li dak li jkun ma kienx jaf ezattament fejn se jiehdu. Hemm ukoll il-vjagg tal-mara u l-kisba tad-drittijiet taghha matul iz-zminijiet. Anki dan kien vjagg li ra bosta sagrificcji, tbatijiet u abbuzi. Imma fuq kollox hemm il-vjagg fil-memorja li taghmel Sylvia stess hi u tikteb, vjagg ta’ tiftix ghall-gheruq, u vjagg ta’ tiftixa gewwa nnifisha biex taghraf aktar hi min hi.
Hemm imbaghad certi mudelli arketipici li jintrabtu mal-gzejjer Maltin bhalma huma s-sigra tal-lewz, il-bahar, ir-rih tramuntana, imma anki l-gibjun, li minkejja d-distanza spazjali u temporali li tifred lil Malta mill-Awstralja, xorta wahda jibqghu stampati solidi f’mohh l-awtrici u b’hekk jissemmew aktar minn darba fir-rumanz.
Bhala ambjenti spazjali mbaghad ghandna lil Malta fil-prezent u f’epoki imghoddija differenti, lill-Awstrajla (minn fejn Sylvia qed tikteb) u anki l-Ingilterra (fejn Esther tmur tghix ghal xi snin). Johrog ghalhekk il-kuntrast bejn l-gheluq spazjali u mentali ta’ Malta maskilista (fejn in-nies tedha bit-tqasqis li jinghad dwar il-girien, bil-politika partiggjana u bis-superstizzjonijiet), u l-ftuh ta’ gzira-kontinent bhalma hija l-Awstralja, b’sistema edukattiva fejn l-istudent jigi mghallem kif jistaqsi u jkun kritiku, jesprimi ruhu, u fejn tezisti popolazzjoni multikulturali (xi haga simili ghal Malta taht l-Aglabiti) bbazata fuq il-libert¿ ta’ l-espressjoni. Hu veru li fl-Awstralja, “Money was god, Manufacturing a new age religion and Factories places of worship”, imma hu veru wkoll li l-Awstralja ghal hafna serviet bhala harba minn ambjent dejjaq u mimli ihirsa.

IL-PERSONAGGI
Dan huwa rumanz miktub minn mara b’ghadd kbir ta’ personaggi nisa. Pero` dan ma jfissirx li ma niltaqghux ma’ personaggi rgiel. Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds jissejjes fuq ghadd ta’ personaggi nisa ta’ certa sahha u karizma.
Lil Sylvia nsiru nafuha sa minn meta kienet tifla u aktar tard adoloxxenti. Hija dik li fl-imghoddi kienet “thares”, tosserva dak kollu li jkun ghaddej fid-dar ta’ B’Kara. Sylvia hija wkoll il-“maghzula”, flimkien ma’ nannitha Anni, li tara liz-zewg nisa misterjuzi (ihirsa mill-imghoddi) taht is-sigra tal-lewz fil-gnien. Aktar tard, meta tikber, Sylvia ssir l-“iscrivener” li tfittex fl-imghoddi taghha, ta’ familtha u tad-dar ta’ B’Kara, biex tiskopri t-tarf tal-kobba mhabbla.
Iz-zija Esther hija dik li tghaddi minn fazijiet u bidliet differenti matul hajjitha. Wara zjara qasira f’Lourdes hija tghaddi minn zmien fejn tinza minn kull ghata materjalistika u thaddan hajja spiritwali filwaqt li tinghalaq fiha nnifisha. Imma wara terga’ lura ghalli kienet qabel. Hija l-personagg femminili li jissimbolizza l-liberta` sesswali, imma anki dik li taf kif tahfen l-opportunita` (carpe diem!) u flimkien ma’ Sandy u Rocky Attard titla’ t-tarag li jwassalha ghas-success materjali permezz tal-manipulazzjoni u l-isfruttament tac-cirkustanzi.
Fl-Awstralja Sylvia tiltaqa’ mar-Russa Claudia li tqarribha lejn il-letteratura Russa permezz ta’ Tolstoi u Turgenev, u tghallimha kif issir indipendenti.
Hemm imbaghad Lola (seklu 9) li, b’kuragg u b’rieda kbar, jirnexxilha taqsam il-Port il-Kbir bil-ghawm flimkien ma’ zewgha, minkejja li tqila. Marbuta ma’ l-istess seklu naqraw ukoll dwar il-Musulmana Dhabab, mart it-Tabib. Hemm ukoll Smaira li tirrakkonta l-istorja tan-nisa differenti ta’ dan it-Tabib Musulman, u dan fi zmien meta l-mara kienet aktar meqjusa bhala oggett jew ghamara, u magna biex twelled l-ulied.
Zewg nisa ohra ta’ certa sahha jintrabtu mas-seklu 15, Stella Bonanno u l-qabla Dolor. Stella hija dik li tmexxi l-attivitajiet kollha tad-dar u tiehu hsieb lil ohtha semplici, Ruzann. Hija dik li timpjega lil Gianni Farrugia u aktar tard taghzlu biex ikun il-mahbub taghha, minkejja l-ilsien hazin tal-girien. Spiss Drofenik jirnexxilha tikxef l-aktar bezghat u xewqat mistura u intimi tad-dinja femminili bis-sahha ta’ dan l-album ta’ personaggi nisa mill-aktar varjat.
Jispikkaw ukoll xi personaggi rgiel (anki huma suggetti ghal sentimenti umani u ghal waqtiet ta’ dghjufija u wgigh il-qalb), ghalkemm fuq skala inferjuri. Naqraw dwar ir-rabja u t-tbatija ta’ Albert (missier Sylvia) li ha jitlef lil tnejn minn uliedu li se jemigraw ghax missierhom mhux tat-tajjeb: “Oh it was like a death this separation, this going away, this disappearance into the unknown and the unfathomable.”
Hemm Wistin (seklu 9) li jaddotta lil tarbija li tkun tilfet lill-genituri taghha wara qtil makabru u misterjuz, u t-Tabib Musulman (bniedem ta’ gherf kbir, mohh miftuh u generuz) li jiehu taht idejh l-edukazzjoni ta’ Tumas (l-iben l-iehor ta’ Wistin) li juri interess fil-medicina. Hemm ukoll Gianni Farrugia (seklu 15), Tal-Melh, li jitlaq mid-dar tal-genituri biex isib hajja ahjar, ’il boghod mis-sakra ta’ missieru u mit-tbatija ta’ ommu.
Ta’ min jghid pero` li din hija biss lista parzjali tal-personaggi li jiehdu l-hajja f’Of Cloves and Bitter Almonds. Hemm il-personaggi “tajbin”, bhalma hemm il-“hziena”. Flimkien dawk kollha jinteragixxu biex fl-ahhar mill-ahhar Lou Drofenik tohloq haga shiha u organizzata (dan it-tielet rumanz taghha) li taf taghti gost lill-qarrej taghha, imma fl-istess hin tistiednu jirrifletti dwar il-hajja u l-bniedem ingenerali.

Patrick Sammut (Gunju 2008)

Un progetto riuscito tra Morbegno e Malta

Alcune settimane fa e` uscita l'antologia poetica col nome I Silenzi della Montagna e le Voci del Mare/ Silences of the Mountain and Voices of the Sea (Circolo Culturale Filatelico Numismatico Morbegnese, 2008, 164 pagine). Questa raccolta di poesie in italiano e in inglese e` stata frutto di una bella collaborazione tra il Comune di Morbegno (una regione montagnosa nella Lombardia) e l'isola di Malta (accerchiata dal mar Mediterraneo). Le poesie sono numerose, come numerosi i partecipanti (90 poesie in italiano e 30 in inglese).

Tutto e` nato dall'invito di un membro dell'Associazione dei Poeti Maltesi, Therese Pace, a iniziare una collaborazione con la poetessa Paola Maria De Maestri. Cosi e` stato, anche grazie alla corrispondenza regolare tramite e-mail tra la De Maestri e il Segretario Internazionale dell'Associazione dei Poeti Maltesi, il Signor Emmanuel Attard Cassar.

Insieme alle poesie in italiano e in inglese ci sono anche delle annotazioni biografiche che gettano luce sui poeti partecipanti in questo progetto bilaterale.

I poeti maltesi che hanno partecipato a questo progetto sono tutti membri dell'Associazione dei Poeti Maltesi (http://www.ghpm.netfirms.com/ ): Alfred Massa, Charles Magro, Patrick Sammut, Mary Doris Chircop, Emmanuel Attard Cassar, Joseph Axiaq, Alfred Calleja, Mario Attard, Jonathan Balzan, Carmel Bianchi, Gorg Borg, David Borg Attard, Amanda Busuttil, Miriam Camilleri, Mary Grace Caruana, Godwin Cini, Rita Debono, Noel Fabri, Raymond Grech, Guido Lanfranco, Carmel Mallia, John Mallia, Jane Micallef, Maurice Mifsud Bonnici, Therese Pace, Alfred Palma, Salv Sammut, Omar Seguna, Therese Vella e Joe Zammit Tabona.

Progetti e collaborazioni come questo sono da lodare!

Zifef u Rwiefen - New poetry anthology

Zifef u Rwiefen (Breezes and Gales) is now out. It is a collection of 40 poems in Maltese (some in English) written by Patrick Sammut (1968) and Stephen Cachia (1976). The two poets write about a number of themes such as war, love, social problems, the self and natural environment. The book has a critical introduction written by Dr. Charles Briffa (Univ. of Malta) and a comment by journalist and poet Charles Flores. It also has a set of beautiful and strong sketches drawn by the late Norwegian artist and teacher Olaug Vethal (to whom the book is dedicated). The cover was designed by young artist and art teacher Hilary Spiteri.
Patrick Sammut, Stephen Cachia, Hilary Spiteri and Olaug Vethal are all teachers at the De La Salle College in Cottonera, Malta.

People interested in buying a copy please contact authors on:

sammutpatrickj@yahoo.com or

stecac@yahoo.com

COMMENTS:

"I have been savouring your poems slowly too, because unlike stories I like to read one poem and then read it over and over. I read your poem Addio Sigar, and I could clearly picture the garden you meant with its almond tree and the little boy climbing a wall to look inside. I find I need to think over some of the maltese words as many of them are new to me even though I speak it well but language evolves through time and mine hasn't evolved as fast. Your poetry and that of your friend Stephen Cachia is very much like contemporary Australian poetry dealing with today's issues, I think it is a breath of fresh air to read this kind of Maltese poetry."

(Lou Drofenik)

"... re. your poem Selmun. I found it very moving! It took me straight to that place most beloved by my father who when he was young used to go trapping birds, with his own father and bachelor brothers (his brothers were too busy having a good time to get involved with begetting children and trying and feed them ) your imagery is beautiful. Keep on weaving words."

(Lou Drofenik)

Of cloves and bitter almonds by Lou Drofenik

The plot of the book I'm reading Of cloves and bitter almonds written by a Maltese-Australian novelist (Lou Drofenik) is spread on four different historical eras: the present (in Australia were the narrator is writing her story), the fifties/sixties of the 20th century (the author's early days in Malta, B'Kara), the 9th century and the 15th century (in Malta, B'Kara). The common factor is a house in which different generations of men and women lived. There is a mystery hidden behind this house. The narrator tries to go back in time in order to uncover such a mystery which goes back for centuries.
Thus the novel is a voyage through time, memory and also space (Australia and Malta). It is also an intimate voyage in which the narrator tries to understand better herself and her roots.
The novel also treats the relationship between man and woman, the importance of the family, the Maltese rural environment, superstitions, fears, but also the emancipation of women.
Personally, I found the beginnig a bit slowmoving but as I continued reading and as the narrator introduced flashbacks about Maltese living way back in the 9th and the 15 centuries the plot started to regain energy and pace.
I liked also the mixture of the imagnative part of the story with the historical background which Drofenik builds after referring and reading the right reference books.

Poem by Pablo Neruda

You start dying slowly

You start dying slowly

if you do not travel,

if you do not read,

If you do not listen to the sounds of life,

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly

When you kill your self-esteem;

When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly

If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths...

If you do not change your routine,

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don't know.

You start dying slowly

If you avoid to feel passion

And their turbulent emotions;

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly

If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,

If you do not go after a dream,

If you do not allow yourself,

At least once in your lifetime,

To run away from sensible advice...

Pablo Neruda

A visit to Romania - May-June 2008

Romania is the 12th biggest country in Europe. Its territory is divided almost equally between mountains, hills and plains. I have been hosted by colleagues in the North East city of Iasi (which has a population of about 360,000) during my Comenius Programme visit (SPEAR). They did their very best to make our visit to Romania one not to forget.
Romania became part of the European Union in January 2007. It is thus a country which is doing its best to renovate sectors such as the infrastructure. Great part of its territory is dedicated to agriculture and the travelling tourist will never forget the many rural scenes and the beautiful natural scenarios.
A big THANKS to all those who made our visit to Romania very pleasant.

The Medieval Monasteries such as those of Homer and Voronet.

The local crafts industry - Marginea and Barsana.

A country in continuous evolution but which respects its past patrimony.

In Sighet, a prison transformed in a museum to

commemorate tje victims of commnism and the

Resistance movement.

The Happy Cemetery in Sepanta.

Hand sculpture in the salt mine in Cacica.

A Catholic church in the countryside and the monument of Moisei.

Right: Part of the University of Cuza in Iasi.

The Three Hierarchs Church, built in 1639