A poem by Teresinka Pereira

We write on paper,

on computers, on napkins,

on market receipts,

on newspaper's edge,

on paper plates and on trees

We, who talk to the wind

with the voice of poetry

and words of stone

We are tireless

transients of the night,

sleepless witches

We go on dreaming

in the power of love.

An interview with Lou Drofenik, re. CAST THE LONG SHADOW

Cast the Long Shadow (2011) is Lou Drofenik’s fourth novel

1.      Your novel Cast the Long Shadow is one of initiation and emancipation. How much truth is there in this?

When I reflect upon it yes, you are right this is a novel of initiation and eventual emancipation. I had a very clear picture of Charlie Scicluna growing up during the war years in Malta. A teenager who is quite lost, confused by what’s going on around him. The shock when he sees his neighbour burnt to death,  the deprivations of the war years, his father’s aggression, his own premonitions and  his mother’s death. Then there is his love for his cousin Angelina and what happens between them which wakes him up from a kind of total confusion. I also had a very clear picture of Edward Pisani growing up in a foster home, away from his family, the knowledge that his parents have actually received money for him. The anger and frustration he feels on the island and then his eventual migration. I feel that for Charlie and Edward migration freed them from a past which held them in bondage, gave them a new identity - a new life almost.

2.      The recurrent motive of the racing pigeons, Charlie Scicluna’s frequent dreams. Symbolism as one of the major narrative mechanisms you use in Cast the Long Shadow. How do you react to such a statement?

Many of our neighbours in Birkirkara where I grew up and many of the older migrants I met here, were deeply involved in raising and racing pigeons. For some it was more than a hobby, it took over their lives. For migrants, keeping pigeons was a link with their past, it was part of their culture, part almost of their Malteseness. They also had that knowledge which they brought with them and they used it. Thinking about your question perhaps for pigeon fanciers to see a pigeon soar high up in the sky and then return to its loft was a symbol of freedom and faithfulness. Yes perhaps Charlie’s pigeons were symbolic of what he yearned to do. As for his dreams they were part of his makeup. That’s how I saw his character forming and developing, he was a person who was gifted with dreams.

3.      Other narrative mechanisms are the appeal to the sense of smell in relation to domestic-familiar spaces, and of colour in relation to childhood. How important are these in your prose, also in relation to memory?

I think smells are so evocative! They take me straight into that place and time of memory and bring up visions clearer than if I video taped them. The distinctive smell of fig leaves on a hot day and I’m a little girl playing in my grandmother’s garden, the smell of burnt onions and I’m in a neighbour’s house. And colour too, coming from a place where the sea and sky of my childhood were so beautiful arriving here on a bleak August day with the grey sea beating under a leaden sky. Oh that was a sight which tore my heart apart! I think in writing, these images and smells come without knowing, they are there tied to the people who inhabit my work.

4.      It seems that you give great importance to space in relation to action in your novel. Why is this?

Do you mean the space here? Perhaps this is because one of the things which up to this day (after fifty years living in this country) still fills me with awe; is the space. The breadth of the sky, the long endless country roads, the immensity of the oceans, the never ending beaches. Space moves me and that perhaps is why it works itself in the characters’ lives and what they do.

5.      Family, the past, childhood and memory are  important elements. Do they only have a narrative function in the novel, or is there more to them?

No I think they are deeper than that. While  I was writing Cast the Long Shadow I slowly came to the realisation that Charlie and Anton were taking me inside their moral world. Their upbringing, very different from one another, impinged quite strongly into their migrant lives. The decisions they made were always based on the values they brought with them from their countries. Both Charlie and Anton, treated their families well and would do anything for them. They brought with them the value of family and though neither of them went to church they were quite moral persons.

6.      The writer’s starting point is biographical and personal, while his/her finishing point is universal. How much is this so in your case?

You are right. In Cast the Long Shadow the first page, although it is written in the third person  is personal. I actually wrote that when the second draft of the book was finished and I was reflecting on the story on one of my long walks. I could see quite clearly where the second half of the novel had come from, it had been there all the time lurking in my subconscious waiting for the right time to reveal itself. It seemed right to put it down at the start of the book, I think it not only gives the story a personal touch but a kind of look-ahead to what the story will have inside it.

7.      Action in your novel spans from 1939 to 1967; Malta just before the Second World War and during this conflict, and post-Independence. Is there a specific reason behind this choice?

No not really. Writing this book was like a dream, the characters came to me, I did not seek them out. That’s when the Scicluna family lived. Of course being a post war child myself the stories in Cast the Long Shadow must have been incubating inside my head for a very long time. It also happens to be a very  interesting time to write about, so much happened then, so many millions of stories still to be told.

8. Cast the Long Shadow also deals with a number of daily social problems in modern society. What is behind this: realism, moralism, simple description of the facts or more than that?

That’s a very interesting question! I think it’s realism. So many choices we have to make in our daily lives and some of them are so difficult and their repercussions are so long lasting. George Scicluna’s decision to look after Neville’s stolen goods almost killed him, Pawlina’s decision to be sterilised affected not only herself but the husband who loved her. Men and women have to make many hard decisions, no matter where they live and no matter what the hierarchies (be they religious or political) dictate.

9. The reader of Cast the Long Shadow notes that you insist on woman’s strength and determination, and on the other hand you tend to unveil man’s vulnerabilities. Why is this?

In this novel I was moved to write about male characters. I didn’t set out to unveil their vulnerabilities, on the contrary I wanted to find their moral strength. I didn’t want to write about male aggression, there is too much of that.  I was looking beyond that. I wanted to look at goodness. I wanted to see how  decent men coped with moral dilemmas. How would a man react when his wife died after a botched abortion? How would he raise his child through this heartbreak? How would another find it in his heart to forgive his wife for not telling him about her disease and what she did before she married him? How did Sam Scicluna find solace after he lost his family in one fell swoop? Each of these men found a way to cope with the situations in which they found themselves. Of course it wasn’t easy, but they did it. I really wanted to go inside their heads, find out what was inside their hearts.

10. Many of the sections are given the names of the characters you describe and develop in your novel. Why?

I think this is a way of sectioning the book and reminding myself who I’m writing about.

11.  Reconciliation with oneself and with others around us. How important is this in Cast the Long Shadow?

Yes I think this is an important theme in the book. I see Lily as having reconciled herself to her past and also Edward. I think the day he cried In Lily’s kitchen was an opening of his heart, leading to the time when he pours his story out to Ange, telling her what his parents had done to him. I think that’s when he forgave them.

12.One last question: can you describe or list the different phases during the process between the conception and the publication of Cast the Long Shadow?

This was a very enjoyable book to write and it only took me about six months to finish the first draft. I usually start writing at six in the morning till eleven, have a break for lunch, go for a walk and then do the dreaded housework. This book came to me when I was in Torquay (a beachside suburb)  with my daughter and her husband. There was a surfing carnival on, and I heard a a competitor with a Maltese name called out. I thought I can write a book about a Maltese man coming down here, living close to the ocean. I did a few drafts and didn’t like them. Then as if he was there waiting Charlie’s name came up. There were a few stories at the back of my mind I had heard from Maltese men about their war years in Malta, about coming out here, their settlement  years, their trials. I had lots of notes from my travels to Malta and Slovenia and going over them a story started to take shape. I finished a first draft and gave it to my editor. She loved it. I gave it to a second editor and she also said it was good. The manuscript won a first in the Northern Region Literary Awards and they published it. This book has done well, it has been read by book groups and individuals and the feedback from readers has been very positive.

(An interview by Patrick Sammut)

A poet from Russia

Dr. Adolf P. Shvedchikov, PhD, LittD, Russian scientist, poet and translator

Born May 11, 1937, Shakhty, Russia. Graduate 1960 Moscow State University, Senior scientific worker at the Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. Chief of Chemistry, Pulsatron Technology Corporation, Los Angeles, California, USA.

He published more than 150 scientific papers and above 500 poems in different International magazines of poetry in Russia, USA, Brazil, England, India, China, Korea, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Romania, Albania, Cyprus, Malta and Australia. His poems have been translated
into many languages.

He is the member of the International Society of Poets, the World Congress of Poets, International Association of Writers and Artists, A.L.I.A.S. (Assiciazione Letteraria Italo-Australiana Scittori, Melbourn, Australia).

He is known also for his translation of English poetry ("150 English Sonnets of XVI-XIX Centuries", Moscow. 1992 and "William Shakespeare Sonnets." Moscow. 1996) as well as translation of many modern poets from Brazil, India, Italy, Greece, England, China, Japan and U.S.A. 

A selection of his poems:

OH, LET MY SOUL THINGS
THE MYSTIC SONG!

Oh, let my soul sings the mystic song!
Look every day at yellow pages of time,
And watch how solemnly your song will climb,
How melodious is your song and strong!
I know for sure that it will live long
Bringing to people gladness, mirth and joy,
My wondrous soul, be happy and enjoy
When blithe song will be raised to the throne!


I FEEL THE WARMTH OF TENDER LAND
I feel the warmth of tender land,
Lying down on the velvet grass,
Gazing at the river's glass,
I'm happy, I'm in Wonderland!
Looking into smiling heaven,
I am a part of the passing clouds,
I am ready to cry aloud,
I've found my sheltered haven!


HOW CAREFREE ARE EARLY
SEVENTEENTH!
How carefree are early seventeenth,
That time when everyone may sing,
Everybody is queen and king,
The roses are pink, and grass is green!
My unforgettable seventeenth
In plain shirt, in shabby jeans...
The sparkling and alluring springs,
Life looks like glossy magazines!
Old age arrives, creating a scene,
Too much concern, too many arrears,
A dim of dreary twilight appears...
Where are you now, my seventeenth?


THE NATURE OF POET
The poet is an artist, painting in his pleasure.
He doesn't need brushes or mute canvas,
He uses different instrument, alas,
The proper words commensurate with measure.
Epithets and metaphors are his treasure.
He paints upon an invisible canvas of mind,
His art may see by even the blind,
Obtaining a myriad of genuine pleasure!
And mixing joy with the severest pain,
Igniting your sensitive heart's fire,
He moves your wondrous imagination higher,
Inviting you into his illustrious reign!


THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF YOUR FANTASY
How amusing is the kaleidoscope of your fantasy,
How graceful painting, if anyone may see,
How landless is your imagination's sea,
How voluptuous is the flight of fancy!
Everything gives pleasure and gets a breath,
You create your own sunset and sunrise,
You live in your painted paradise...
Otherwise you will be bored to death!


PERHAPS YOU'LL HEAR MY
FORGOTTEN SONG

Perhaps you'll hear my forgotten song,
Maybe you'll shed also a silent tear...
Who knows when my name will disappear,
Fate is cruel, who will raise to the throne?
I don't know exactly, how long
My song will live and touch your ear,
Let God bless that magnificent year,
When you still hear my echoing song...


MY POOR FLOWER, I STILL DON'T
UNDERSTAND

My poor flower, I still don't understand,
How do you live amid asphalt and stones,
Your life is fell of perpetual moans,
Your sprouts are among the tar and sand.
My poor flower, how can you stand,
Covered by the clouds of exhaust gas,
How do you live overstressed,
Thinking about mystical Wonderland!


LOVE IS AN ENDLESS STREAM
Love is an endless stream,
Love is eerie like a ghost,
You may be guest or host,
Love is like an amazing dream!
Sometimes it burns, at times it gleams,
You cannot catch her with a net.
Alas! Nobody knows yet,
What real love exactly means...


IF I COULD PUT MY FEELINGS
INTO WORDS

If I could put my feelings into words,
If I could realize my dream,
If I could create my own Gulf Stream,
If I could strike a sensitive chord,
Then I would like to tell you,
That you are my biggest treasure,
I love you in the fullest measure,
I am all yours without residue!


I WOULD LIKE TO STAY WITH YOU
I would like to stay with you,
Being your endless rolling wave,
My beloved, I'm ready to waive
>From old life and melt into you.
I would like to stay with you,
To protect you day and night,
Being your silent candlelight,
To light up everything anew.
I would like to stay with you,
To embrace you like a dream,
To spread like a whispering stream,
Tom please you like the morning dew.
I would like to stay with you,
To spend the rest of my life without fear,
I don't want to disappear,
I don't want to tell you adieu!


THERE ARE NOT APPROPRIATE
WORDS

There are not appropriate words,
Your lips are dry, my throat is parched,
I cannot touch whom I loved so much,
Just vanished an emotional chord.
And suddenly a senseless sword
Cut every thread that tied us together,
With one stroke changed the weather,
Now is depleted our hard-won hoard!
There are not any appropriate words,
All our feelings melted like wax,
How rough is reality's axe,
When nothing strikes a sensitive chord...


HOW DIVINE IS DANCE OF JOY!
How divine is dance of joy!
It looks like a perpetual cascade
Which never stops and never fades,
Have sensual pleasure and enjoy!
Feel the pulsation of thirsty lips,
Your heart beats quickly to and fro,
You are so happy with what's in store,
How alluring is love nectar's sips!


I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE WIND
I would like to be the wind who seeks
Space in the unlimited bright sky,
Who likes nothing else, but to fly
Eternally for hours, days and weeks,
Who doesn't care about love and hate,
Who has neither friend nor foe,
Who only wanders to and fro,
Who cannot be trapped by any gate,
Who whispers around the birch tree,
Who grows still along the hill,
Who is gliding ghost with free will,
I would like to be the wind in eternal glee...


THE RED LIGHT OF NON TRANSMITTED
MESSAGES
How many messages I tried to send to you,
And every message looked like a fresh green leaf,
I would like to tell about my joy and grief,
I used tender words with a special color hue.
Look at the rainbow of the beautiful dew
And understand how hard I wrought,
Evaluate how much I wrote,
How successful I tried to comfort you!
I did not send any message of mood.
All my green leaves became yellow.
They lay indifferently in a row,
I shed my tears before a tree I hewed.
You cannot imagine how I love you.
My non transmitted messages day and night
Emit in panic an intensive red light,
I know, it is silly, but I cannot send them anew.


WAIT!

Who may evaluate
The expanse of your poetical sea,
Who is able to calculate
How far are extended the roots of your tree?
Who ought to manipulate
Your feeling, your sense?
You are great poet, wait,
The admirers will burn incense!


REJECT AN OLD TRUTH
"FROM DUST TO DUST"

Reject an old truth "from dust to dust".
We are not dust, we are human beings,
We adore myriad of different things,
We are not covered by ancient crust,
We are exactly unique living beings, trust!
We are something else, not slippery sand,
We are valuable part of magic Wonderland,
Provided with sense and ready to burst
Into tears,
We live without fears,
We speak and hear,
We are living beings, we are not dust!


I'VE GAZED INTO THE MIRROR
OF MY SOUL

I've gazed into the mirror of my soul,
I've tried to find there something new,
Some unusual color's hue,
But I found an ancient wall.
There was nothing to review,
I did not find anything sublime,
Why to spend in vain my time?
Game is over! Goodbye! Adieu!


I WISH I WERE...
I wish I were immortal wings,
To bring to you balmy smiling springs.
I wish I were a playful breeze,
To kiss you gently, to give you ease.
I wish I were your lurid stream,
To be your lover, your rosy dream.
I wish I were your summer song,
I'd wait your answer, but how long?
I wish I were your daylight,
But give me a chance for magic night!


I REMEMBER
I remember every glorious day
Of my splendid radiant youth,
When the color was never grey,
When we told to each other the truth!
I remember those shady trees,
I remember my little town,
I feel still that caressing breeze
Embracing me like a nightgown.
Those days remain in my heart,
Oh, my youth, my eternal song,
Everything was beautiful, smart,
Every day was attractive and long!


THE TASTE OF A BITTER LIFE
I am rolling along an endless way,
Trying to find my own place in this life,
Feeling the sharp edge of bloody knife,
Searching the welcome bay.
I am sick from the violence and decay,
I suffer from a web of lies,
I don't want my early demise,
I don't want to go astray.
I prefer a self-made law,
Where I have my eternal rest,
Where I fin d the quiet nest,
Near of ebb and flow...


THE OCEAN DEPTHS OF MY
IMMORTAL SOUL
The ocean depths of my immortal soul,
Who understands something known by God.
My secret soul, you are sometimes so odd,
You have no rest, every moment you stroll!
When my meek body is weary and weak,
When bitter sadness overfill my bowl,
You comfort me, my comprehensive soul,
You are enthralling, ardent, and unique!


I CANNOT PROMISE TO BRING YOU
SUNNY DAY

I cannot promise to bring you sunny day,
I cannot promise to bring eternal spring,
I cannot promise to bring an expensive ring,
If you don't care, please choose another way.
Be sure only, I cannot betray,
I'll be devoted to you all the time,
If you like such tranquil moderate clime,
Then stay with me and don't go away!


I AM A FLUTTERING BIRD SOARING
IN THE SKY

I am fluttering bird soaring in the sky,
Bringing to you, an unknown soul,
The emerald ring and a priceless bowl
Filled with my love which is lasting and shy.
Tell me the truth, I don't know, why
I send to you my yearning song,
I never was an idol of an insatiable throng,
And I never haven reach an Olympic High.
I don't want to seduce you or to lie,
I came to you to share honestly my creed,
But I don't know, do you need
To hear my song. You only sigh.
You are busy, as everyone is,
We have no more time to hear each other,
You don't want to be my admirable brother...
How quickly you grow, incomprehension's abyss!


EARTH AND HEAVEN
I look at the reddish straw of your hair...
You are beautiful girl, such a terrestrial creature,
I feel the warmth of the sun, the scent of spring air,
You've captures too much from generous nature!
I am gazing into the depths of your attractive eyes,
I never get tired looking at the goddess,
My heart is ready to burn in your fire,
You are unforgettable, you are gorgeous!
I kiss ecstatically your ripe cherries,
I drink the sweet wine of your excellent body.
You are undoubtedly a mysterious fairy,
The revived Galatea of eternal melody!


LOVE AT FIRST SIGH
I fell in love at my fist sigh,
When I saw you on a summer day.
I still don't know how and why,
But I am grateful for that way.
I was the victim of the lust,
I craved to kiss your coral lips.
I tried to melt the ice of distrust,
I was ready to sail our merry ship!
When you whispered silently yes,
I was the happiest man in the world,
The fire of feelings, breast to breast,
Burned me instantly, I wasn't old!
I've heard in heaven, oh my Lord,
How soul's spirit passed through me.
I kissed you violently, I felt secrets stored,
Oh my night violet, the Deity!
We sank in a powerful tide of dreams,
So close to each other, face to face,
Our souls swam up again through gleams
Of feelings current with sweet embrace.
I will remember you, my dove
Gliding in a turquoise sky.
A fervent heart will follow you, my beloved,
I fell in love at my first sigh!


THE FIRST KISS
There is a fresh fragrance of the first kiss,
It is powerful flame that lights up your heart
With unspeakable feelings, a miraculous bliss,
How pleasant is really the Cupid's dart!
The gorgeous gaze of your beloved is shy,
Inviting lips are tremulous and wet.
Silver moonlight from the glimmering sky
Is weaving a glamorous attractive net.
The first kiss creates a magic vibration,
And carries the lovers into a sweet dream.
It opens for the soul a new sensation,
That only love may forever redeem.
It's the confluence of two fragrant blossoms
Toward the creation of new living being.
There is no more solitude. Bosom to bosom
A heavenly kingdom the first kiss will bring!

See also the following link:  http://diogenplus.weebly.com/dr-adolf-p-shvedchikov.html 

Christmas cards from my friends abroad

MILIED HIENI U SENA ĠDIDA MIMLIJA SLIEM, SAĦĦA U ISPIRAZZJONI LILL-ĦBIEB TIEGĦI F'MALTA U ANKI BARRA

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FULL OF PEACE, HEALTH AND INSPIRATION TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN MALTA AND ABROAD

BUON NATALE E UN ANNO NUOVO PIENO DI PACE, SALUTE E ISPIRAZIONE A TUTTI I MIEI AMICI DI MALTA E ALL'ESTERO

From Agnes Lam u Anthony Tsui (Hong Kong)

From Jan van den Hoek (Holland)

From Paola Mara De Maestri (Italy)

From Zacharoula Gaitanaki (Greece)

From Zanneta Kalyva-Papaioannou (Greece)

From Nadia Cella Pop and Dragos (Romania)

IL-MILIED FIL-VERSI TA' POETI NISA MALTIN

KOMETA AD1

Lina Brockdorff

Min jaf kemm-il darba mis-setaħ ta’ dari
insammar għajnejja fil-baħħ ta’ hemm fuq;
bil-hena titfawwar din qalbi kull lejla,
u ħlewwet il-ġenna inħossni induq.

Snin twal ili ngħarrex bit-tama li nilmaħ
Kometa speċjali, din waħda mis-sbieħ;
dehret lis-slaten, warajha issaħħru
u terrqu tant mili mingħajr qatt mistrieħ.

Mid-dalma mexxiethom għal dija ġo grotta,
mill-ifjen palazzi ġo maqjel spiċċaw,

minn bnadi imbegħda tad-dinja iltaqgħu
fejn sabu Tarbija li dritt aduraw.

Mal-medda tas-sekli, mal-mixja taż-żmien
inbidlet il-ħajja, inbidlu in-nies.
Tgħallimna u kbirna u ksibna kull ġid

‘mma qalbna hi vojta, u qtajna il-jies.

Bil-għerf ta’ dan moħħna wasalna sal-qamar,
id-dinja kissirna, għargħarna fid-demm:
bla nsaqsu “X’irridu? Għaliex? U il-għala?”
L-imħabba warrabna f’dagħdigħa ta’ semm.

Kometa! Kometa! Għadek tiġġerra,
tittajjar f’mergħat ta’ kwiekeb dehbin?
Jaħasra li kieku terġa’ tidhrilna …
Sibilna, nitolbu, il-ħelu Bambin!

XUMANI
Amanda Busuttil

Sultan Tarbija
fil-kartoliniqed jippruvaw ippogguk
flok l-ittra X.Instema' kor ikanta:
"Glorja l-materjali
u ghall-poter tal-art".
Ha jdoqqu l-qniepen
tad-diskoteki f'nofs il-lejl,
ha jirbumbjaw il-knejjes

bil-lehen tat-tifel tal-priedka
qed jitkellem wahdu.
L-anglu li ghadda jinvista
lid-dinja tal-bnedmin,
sabha ffrizata silg zonqri
u tghidx kemm skantah
l-fenomenu tal-'global warming'
fl-enciklopedija li ra bhala rigal,
taht sigret il-Milied...

U REĠA’ ĠIE L-BAMBIN...
Rita Debono Muscat

U reġa’ ġie l-Bambin
U reġa’ ra tlellix ta’ deheb u ġugarelli
U beka f’nofs tifrik it-terremot
U tkexkex bl-isparar tal-ixkubetti.U reġa’ ġie l-Bambin
‘Ma dak li ġie għalihMa sabu mkien.

KAIN: U REĠA’ ĠIE L-BAMBIN
Rita Debono Muscat

U reġa’ ġie l-Bambin
U sab l-imħabba f’qalbi
U sab il-ferħ u l-hena fl-imsejknin
U reġa’ ġie l-Bambin
U mfisqi ġol-benniena
Sab lilek titbissimlu
Ckejken Kain
U f’ħarstek lemaħ tama
Tħeġġeġ fjammi
Fuklar isaħħan qlub
Bi mħabba univers
U telaq il-Bambin
Bla ħares lura
Bid-dmugħ f’għajnejh
Imma moħħu mistrieħ.

IL-MILIED
Lou Drofenik

Il-Milied
Bell-bird qanpiena
idoqq Tlikk tlokk
Kookaburra jidħaq

fil-għoli fuq zokk
Il-Milied.

Il-Milied
Qamħ u skalora
Li kibru fid-dlam
Pasturi tat-tafal
Xi nagħġa u ħmar
Il-Milied

Il- Milied

Baħar illellex
Taħt sema bħan-nir
Xemx tiżreġ bla ħniena
Fuq ramla bla qies
Il-Milied

Il-Milied

Tfal għand in-nanna
Rigali kemm trid
Dundjan u pudina
Ġelati u nbid.
Il-Milied

ALLA ĦARES ʼL ISFEL

Therese Pace

...u Alla ħares ʼl isfel
b’għajnejn jinfdu ʼl ġewwieni
qal, dal-ġens qed jistennieni

u kompla jifli d-dinja
fid-dlam raha imfisqija
irrid, qal, dawl u dija

u żied iħares ʼl isfel
ra gwerra toħloq straġi
u qal irrid il-paċi

ma rridx li dil-mibegħda,
das-semm lili jnessiha

l-imħabba nnissel fiha

ʼl Luċifru ra jissielet
għar-ruħ mid-dnub mifnija
u qal irridha għalija

u żied iħares ʼl isfel
raha tilheġ fit-tbatija
u qal irrid nifdiha

f’għar fqajjar ħa maxtura
ʼl Ġużeppi u ʼl Marija
u bagħat ʼl Ibnu tarbija.

Intervista ma' Hilary Spiteri

Hilary Spiteri llum huwa lecturer tal-Istorja tal-Arti fis-Sitt Klassi tal-Kulleġġ ta’ De La Salle. Huwa parti mill-grupp Footprints li jdoqq mużika tal-ġeneru Christian Rock. Huwa wkoll wieħed mill-artisti żgħażagħ kontemporanji u fotografu dilettant. Dan l-aħħar ħareġ il-ktieb tiegħu bl-isem ta’ Academic Artistic Training in Early British Malta. Għal iktar tagħrif wieħed jista’ jara s-sit: www.hilaryspiteri.com

L-Intervista:

1. X’inhu l-isfond tiegħek f’rabta mad-dinja tal-Arti?

Fil-prezent nista nghid li l-Arti tinvolvi parti sostanzjali minn hajti. Hija kemm il-professjoni tieghi kif ukoll il-passatemp tieghi. Fuq bazi personali jien involut artisitikament fi produzzjoni ta’ arti pittorika, muzika kif ukoll kitba.

2. Minn fejn bdiet l-idea li tippubblika xogħol bħal dan?

Din ir-ricerka taf il-bidu taghha meta kont ghadni student unversitarju. Infatti l-bicca l-kbira tar-ricerka saret ghall-Masters li jiena ghamilt fid-Dipartiment tal-Istorja tal-Arti fl-Università ta’ Malta. Xi ftit snin wara li wettaqt b’success dan l-istudju, sibt hafna inkoraggiment minn kollegi u hbieb sabiex ngholli din ir-ricerka ghall-livell ta’ publikazzjoni. Minkejja li kienet triq twila u xi mdaqqiet b’hafna ostakoli, nista nghid li l-perseveranza wasslitni sabiex intemm dan il-progett li jaghti gieh lill-istorja ta’ art twelidi.

3. X’tittratta eżattament din il-pubblikazzjoni tiegħek? Kemm ħaditlek żmien biċċa xogħol bħal din?

Il-ktieb bit-titlu 'Academic Artistic Training in early British Malta', joffri studju dettaljat fuq il-pedagogija akkademika artistika li kienet offruta f’Malta fl-ewwel sittin sena tal-hakma kolonjali Ingliza (1800-1860). Dan il-ktieb huwa l-ewwel produzzjoni Maltija li tittratta b’mod dettaljat it-taghlim tal-arti fl-ewwel zminijet bikrija tal-Inglizi f’Malta.

Ir-ricerka li wettaqt tul dawn l-ahhar disa’ snin ma kinitx wahda facli. Grazzi ghall-appogg u l-ghajnuna li sibt minn ghalliema u kollegi, fosthom il-Professur Mario Buhagiar, Kap tad-Dipartiment tal-Istorja tal-Arti fl-Università ta’ Malta, u l-hidma kontinwa permezz ta’ ricerka f’dokumenti originali, kemm f’Malta kif ukoll f’pajjizi barra minn xtutna (Ruma u Londra), irrnexxieli nifformola stampa cara tal-istabbilimenti ewlenin f’Malta li kienu joffru mezzi didattici artisitci u min kienu l-ghalliema, studenti u artisti fl-ewwel nofs tas-seklu dsatax.

4. Għal min hija mmirata l-aktar?

Din il-publikazzjoni hija wahda ta’ natura teknika. Ghaldaqstant inhoss li l-element viziv kif ukoll l-adattament tal-kitba jghinu sabiex din il-publikazzjoni sservi bhala passagg li jittratta l-aspetti artistiku, socjali u politiku f’Malta, fl-ewwel snin tal-hakma Ingliza.

5. Inħoss li element importanti ħafna f’din il-pubblikazzjoni huwa l-aspett viżiv. Xi tgħid dwar dan?

L-aspett viziv ta’ din il-publikazzjoni involva ammont sostanzjali ta’ energija u xoghol sabiex il-prodott ikun wiehed tal-oghla livell. It-tfassil u l-issettjar huwa wiehed ta’ natura semplici u diretta sabiex jagevola lill-qarrej. Min-naha l-ohra, huwa ta’ min japprezza r-rikkezza fotografika tax-xoghlijiet artisitici li toffri din il-publikazzjoni. Kull dettal gie evalwat sabiex il-qarrej ikollu pprovuduta gwida viziva parallela mal-kontenut.

6. X’inhi l-importanza ewlenija ta’ ktieb bħal dan?

Dan il-ktieb jiftah tieqa fuq aspetti interessanti fuq il-perjodu Ingliz ta’ Malta fejn ftit li xejn gie apprezzat u ricerkat. Dan il-ktieb joffri nisga ta’ avvenimenti artistici li sehhew f’Malta u li mmodifikaw l-identita taghna bhala poplu.

7. Żgur li Malta qed terġa’ titqiegħed fuq quddiem bi proġett bħal dan. Xi tgħid dwar hekk?

Malta kellha x-xorti li ghaddiet minn taht l-idejn ta’ diversi hakkiema li ddominaw b’supremazija fl-ibhra tal-Ewropa. Tajjeb li wiehed josserva li meta Malta saret kolonja Ingliza, hija saret parti minn dominju kbir li bla ebda dubju halla impatt qawwi u pożittiv fuq livell amministrattiv u edukattiv. Din il-publikazzjoni titfa’ dawl fuq dan il-progress u kif Malta zammet pari passu mal-medda taz-zmien.

8. Xi tgħid dwar it-tagħlim tal-Arti fl-iskejjel Maltin illum? Għamilna pass lura jew ’il quddiem? X’jista’ jsir għall-aħjar?

L-arti fl-iskejjel Maltin hadet spinta ’l quddiem. Min-naha l-ohra nahseb li fadal hafna xi jsir sabiex l-istudenti taghna jingħataw formazzjoni artistika kompluta. Personalment inhoss li n-nuqqas ta’ rizorsi presenti fl-iskejjel kif ukoll in-nuqqas ta’ rikonixximent tad-dixxiplina artisitka fuq livell terzjarju qed jillimitaw dan is-suggett.

9. Inti kif tirrikonċilja x-xogħol tiegħek ta’ għalliem, l-attività kreattiva tiegħek bħala artist u proġetti ambiżżjużi u ta’ natura akkademika bħal dan il-ktieb tiegħek?

L-attività artisitka, il-professjoni tieghi u n-natura akkademika jinvolvu hafna hin u hsieb u ghalqadstant mhux daqshekk facli sabiex wiehed jilhaq kompromess. Min-naha l-ohra nhoss li din hija nisga fejn ghandek elementi differenti li jikkumplimentaw lil xulxin u jaghmlu l-affarijiet aktar interessanti. Dan iservi ta’ stimulu sabiex navvanza aktar ’il quddiem bil-progetti tieghi li ghaldaqstant iservu ta’ kontribut ghas-socjetà li naghmel parti minnha.

Ara wkoll il-videos fil-links: http://hilaryspiteri.blogspot.com/2011/12/hilary-spiteri-featured-on-meander-re.html u http://hilaryspiteri.blogspot.com/2011/11/hilary-spiteri-featured-on-pbs-re.html

Intervista ta' Patrick Sammut

Intervistat Dr. Victor Sammut mill-Awstralja

L-intervistat (xellug), Dr. Victor Sammut, mal-intervistatur (lemin), Patrick Sammut

BIJOGRAFIJA QASIRA:

Dr. Victor Sammut huwa l-President attwali tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija li twaqqaf 33 sena ilu. Il-post fejn jiltaqgħu huwa f’Parkville, fl-Awstralja. Dan il-Grupp jorganizza lejliet Maltin ta’ natura mużiko-lettararja, fejn il-kitbiet li jinqraw waqt l-okkażjoni jinġabru wkoll fi ktejjeb bħala tifkira. Illum ftit żgħażagħ huma interessati fil-GLM, anki għax hemmhekk il-Malti huwa lingwa sekondarja. Dr. Victor Sammut huwa wieħed mill-kittieba Maltin li jgħixu l-Awstralja. Bħala professjoni huwa tabib li juża l-Malti mal-pazjenti Maltin. Huwa telaq minn Malta fl-1987. Ħadem 3 snin fi klinika tal-Gvern biex wara fetaħ il-klinika privata tiegħu. Illum għandu 66 sena u jixtieq li xi ħadd joħodlu postu fil-klinika. Fil-poeżija tiegħu x-xjenza tinfluwenzah ħafna, imma juża kliem sempliċi u xejn ikkumplikat. Bil-poeżiji tiegħu huwa jipprova jgħallem u anki jferraħ. Għandu wkoll xi kitbiet ta’ natura spiritwali. Dr. Victor Sammut jiġi regolarment Malta biex jiltaqa’ ma’ ħbiebu tobba, oħrajn mużewmin u bosta oħrajn li kienu l-iskola flimkien.


L-INTERVISTA:

1. Kif tiddeskrivi ruħek bħala bniedem? Kif tgħaddi jum tipiku fil-preżent?

Jiena bniedem sempliċi ħafna, jiġifieri kemm nista’ naħrab il-komplikazzjonijiet fil-ħajja. Kuntent nagħmel dmiri mill-aħjar li nista’, u ngħix ħajja kwieta mal-familja. Inqum kmieni fil-ħamsa u nofs ta’ filgħodu u noħroġ nagħmel viżta jew tnejn fid-djar tal-pazjenti, u nisma’ quddiesa. Imbagħad nibda x-xogħol tal-klinika fid-disgħa ta’ filgħodu. Bejn is-siegħa u s-sagħtejn ta’ wara nofs in-nhar immur niekol, nistrieħ ftit, u nerġa’ nibda l-klinika fit-tlieta biex nispiċċa bejn is-sebgħa u t-tmienja ta’ filgħaxija. Madwar darbtejn fil-gimgħa bejn is-sitta u nofs u d-disgħa ta’ filgħaxija ġie li jkolli laqgħa ta’ aġġornament fil-mediċina, u mbagħad nispiċċa l-jum tax-xogħol billi nagħlaq xi files jew nikteb xi informazzjoni dwar il-pazjenti li nkun rajt matul il-jum. Naturalment ta’ sikwit indum sa tard bil-lejl għax ikun hemm xi emails u xi ittri li jridu jintwieġbu. Ġeneralment immur norqod għal xi l-ħdax ta’ bil-lejl. Nhar ta’ Sibt naħdem nofs ta’ nhar filgħodu, u wara nofs in-nhar nagħmel xi viżti u wara mmur il-quddies ta’ filgħaxija fejn inkanta fil-kor tal-parroċċa. Il-Ħadd filgħodu nisma’ l-quddiesa tat-tmienja, li tkun bil-Malti u li fiha wkoll immexxi l-kant, u nservi ta’ ministru tat-tqarbin. Meta nsib ħin inħobb naqra bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż, u nikteb xi proża jew poeżija skond l-ispirazzjoni jew it-tqanqil tal-muża.

2. X’tiftakar mill-jiem tat-tfulija u żgħożija tiegħek f’Malta?

Jiena kont it-tieni fost ħamest itfal, u missieri kien isiefer ħafna fir-Royal Navy, għalhekk trabbejt viċin ħafna ta’ ommi, u niftaħar ingħid li kont l-iktar qrib lejha fost ħuti. Niftakarha tqum kmieni biex tħejjilna l-kolazzjon għal filgħodu u l-lunch għall-iskola, u rabbietna b’għożża kbira fil-biża’ t’Alla. Minn dejjem kont inħobb nistudja, u kont inħobb neżerċita l-memorja tiegħi, kemm fl-iskola, fejn dejjem ksibt marki tajbin, u anki fil-“MUSEUM”, fejn kont nieħu pjaċir nikkwota l-passi mill-iskrittura, mill-qaddisin, u mil-“leħen il-Maħbub”. Kien fil-“MUSEUM” li bdejt nikteb bil-Malti, b’ħafna żbalji fl-ortografija għall-ewwel. Minn dejjem kont inħobb l-ilsien Malti għax huwa lsien art twelidi, u kont insewwed qalbi li fil-Kulleġġ San Alwiġi, fejn qattajt seba’ snin, ma konniex nistgħu nitkellmu bil-Malti għax riduna nitħarrġu bl-Ingliż. Madankollu kien f’dan il-kulleġġ, taħt it-tmexxija tal-mibki Dun Frans Ċamilleri, li jien tgħallimt kif nikteb il-Malti bis-sens. Kien ukoll f’dan il-kulleġġ fejn kibret fija l-imħabba lejn ix-xjenza u lejn il-kant. Meta kelli ħmistax-il sena kont qed intella’ u nniżżel x’se nagħmel b’ħajti, u kien il-mibki Fr. Emvin Busuttil S.J. li mexxieni spiritwalment u għeni nagħżel bejn is-saċerdozju u l–mediċina. Bil-parir tiegħu, għaraft li ma kontx imsejjaħ biex inkun tabib tar-ruħ, u għalhekk għażilt li nkun tabib tal-ġisem.
Ta’ żagħżugħ kont fil-“MUSEUM” sakemm għalaqt is-sebgħa u għoxrin sena, u għalhekk ma kontx immur dances u ma kontx infittex it-tfajliet, imma kont inħobb naqra u nistudja, nilgħab iċ-ċess, u l-ikbar hobby tiegħi dak iż-żmien kien l-Astronomija. Kont inqatta’ ljieli sħah inħares lejn il-qamar u l-pjaneti u n-nebulae bit-teleskopju li kont bnejt jien stess, u anki kont membru attiv tal-Għaqda tal-Astronomija.

3. Meta bdiet il-ġibda tiegħek lejn il-kitba? Lejn liema ġeneru letterarju inti l-iktar miġbud meta tiġi biex tikteb? Għaliex?

Naħseb li l-ġibda lejn il-kitba nħolqot fija meta kont għadni tifel ta’ xi tnax-il sena mmur il-MUSEUM, kif diġà għidt, u kompliet titrawwem fija fil-kulleġġ San Alwiġi fejn kont nieħu gost nikteb il-kompożizzjonijiet. Kont ukoll bdejt nikteb xi poeżiji ta’ età żgħira, forsi meta kelli madwar ħmistax-il sena. Billi kont inħobb il-kant, speċjalment il-kant tal-quddiesa tal-Ħadd u l-kant tal-Milied, kont inħobb ir-rittmu u t-tqabbil li kont insib fil-poeżija, u anki ktibt xi poeżiji li setgħu jitkantaw fuq il-mużika ta’ kant popolari.

4. Meta ġietek l-idea li temigra lejn l-Awstrajla? Għaliex? Liema bidliet ħassejt l-aktar għall-ewwel?

Jiena qatt ma kelli ħsieb li nemigra, u li ma kienx l-istrajk tat-tobba li kellna Malta mill-1977 sa l-1987 ma kontx niġi l-Awstralja. Wara sitt snin strike marti kienet bdiet tħeġġiġni biex nitilqu u mmorru l-Kanada fejn għandha żewġ ħutha joqogħdu, imma jien żammejt sod u għidtilha li m’għandix inħalli ‘l pajjiżi minħabba strike tat–tobba. Madankollu kont inħossni ninqaras bl-ikrah minn dak li kien qed jiġri madwarna. L-inkwiet, id-dwejjaq u l-mibegħda kienu jinħassu kullimkien. Kulħadd nervuż u mdejjaq, u x-xogħol privat dejjem jonqos billi l-gvern fetaħ il–polyclinics b’xejn għal kulħadd. Kont bdejt ngħallem l-iskola biex nista’ ngħajjex il-familja tiegħi. Meta mbagħad, f’Settembru 1984 (is-sena Orwelljana) kien hemm l-istraġi fil-kurja u fil-qrati, u kellna ngħallmu t-tagħlim tal-iskola fid-djar privati, ħassejt xi ħaġa ċċedi ġo fija, u għamilt riżoluzzjoni li mmur l-Awstralja. Kelli diżappuntamanet kbir meta qaluli mill-“Australian High Commission” li għalxejn nipprova nemigra, għax l-Awstralja ma jridux tobba, imma bqajt nirsisti biex immur, u fl-1986 ġejt l-Awstralja għal xahar, u wara ħafna tkixxif irnexxieli nsib sponsor: Kumpanija tal-Computers li xtaqu joħolqu programm għat-tobba. Dawn għamluli employment nomination jiġifieri applikazzjoni biex jistgħu jimpjegaw xi ħadd minn barra l-pajjiż, għax dak iż-żmien kien hawn nuqqas ta’ programmaturi tal-computers. Bis-saħħa ta’ din in-nominazzjoni rnexxieli nasal l-Awstralja bħala immigrant bil-familja tiegħi, u wara tliet snin studju u l-eżamiijet tal-“Australian Medical Council” irnexxieli nikseb ir-registrazzjoni lokali fil-mediċina.

Għall-ewwel kien hemm diversi tibdiliet li kelli nagħmel kemm fil-ħsieb u kemm fl-għemil. Għalkemm aħna l-Maltin nikellmu tajjeb bl-Ingliż, l-Ingliż fl-Awstralja għandu ħoss differenti u anki vokabularju għalih. Meta tkun marid jgħidu li inti “crook”, kull min tara jissejjaħ “mate” (pronunzjata “mite”), flok “good morning” jgħidu “Good day” (pronunzjata “good die”). Kull mara hija “Sheila”, min ikollu d-deni jgħid li huwa “burning up”, jekk hu mdardar “I feel sick”, jekk se jirremetti “I feel like puking”, jekk ikollu d-dijarea “I have the runs”, u ħafna espressjonijiet u kliem oħrajn li trid iż-żmien biex tidrahom. Hawn ħafna Maltin madwarna, u kotra kbira ta’ Għawdxin, tant li tgħallimt ukoll ħafna espressjonijiet u kliem bil-Għawdxi li qatt ma kont nitgħallimhom kieku bqajt Malta.

5. L-Awstralja kif tinfluwenzak fil-kitbiet tiegħek? U Malta?

Nista’ ngħid li iktar ktibt kemm ili l-Awstralja milli meta kont għadni Malta. F’Malta l-iktar li kont nikteb kien ikun bħala preparament għal xi diskors li kont nagħmel, daqqa fuq suġġetti mediċi u drabi oħra fuq suġġetti spiritwali. Nista’ ngħid li dak iż-żmien iktar kont orjentat lejn id-diskors milli lejn il-kitba. Trid tiftakar li jien għamilt żmien twil, daqqa ta’ għoxrin sena, ngħallem ix-xjenza fl-iskejjel sekondari ta’ Malta, u dan kont nagħmlu waq li kont naħdem ta’ tabib fil-prattika privata, u għalhekk ma kienx ikolli ħafna ħin biex nikteb – dejjem sejjer minn ħaġa għal oħra. Fl-Awstralja l-ħajja nbidlet. Ix-xogħol tal-mediċina jieħu l-ġurnata kollha, u ma għandix ħin biex immur ngħallem fl-iskejjel. Għalhekk intfajt iktar fuq il-kitba u mhux fuq id-diskorsi. Barra minn hekk, meta sirt membru tal-MLG-GLM kelli iktar inċentivi biex nikteb Nista’ ngħid li dawn l-aħħar għaxar snin kienu l-iktar produttivi tiegħi.

6. Inti tabib. Kif tirrikonċilja x-xogħol ta’ tabib ma’ dak tal-poeżija?

B’diffikultà kbira. Jiena naħdem mis-sebgħa ta’ filgħodu sas-sebgħa ta’ filgħaxija, u ta’ sikwit inkompli x-xogħol tal-kitba wara dan il-ħin, kultant sa l-għaxra jew il-ħdax ta’ bil-lejl. Ikolli naħtaf xi ftit ħin ‘l hawn u ‘l hinn biex nikteb xi ħaġa, kultant fil-għaxija, u kultant fil-weekend jew f’xi jum ta’ btala. Il-kitba tal-poeżija titlob l-ispirazzjoni u l-muża, u ma ssirx kif ġieb u laħaq. Meta tiġi xi idea f’rasi, inkun fejn inkun, inħarbex xi ħaġa malajr fid-djarju tiegħi, u mbagħad fil-ftit ħin liberu li jkolli, inkompli nikteb dak li jkun għaddej minn moħħi. Importanti li nkompli nsus wara dik l-idea jew ispirazzjoni kemm jista’ jkun malajr, għax jekk ma nagħmilx hekk għandna mnejn ittir għal dejjem u qatt ma terġa’ tiġi lura. Kultant ix-xogħol tiegħi ikun l-istess ispirazzjoni, bħal per eżempju fil-poeżija u proża M’għandix ħin, u fil-poezija Għandi swimming pool id-dar, fejn nesprimi l-frustrazzjoni tiegħi dwar id-diffikultà li nibbilanċja x-xogħol professjonali, il-ħajja tal-familja, u ż-żmien tal-mistrieħ. Anki biex nikteb din il-kitba ta’ issa kelli nara kif nisraq il-ħin u kelli nqassamha f’diversi partijiet għax it-tul li fiha jirrikjedi ħafna żmien.

7. Qatt ħsibt biex fil-klinika fejn taħdem twaħħal kitbiet minn tiegħek f’notiċe board jew tagħmilhom disponibbli fi ktejbiet għall-pazjenti tiegħek biex jaqrawhom waqt li jkunu qed jistennew? Hawn tidħol l-idea tal-poeżija bħala waqt ta’ serħan mill-problemi ta’ kuljum. Xi tgħid dwar dan?

Qed togħġobni din l-idea, u qatt m’għaddiet minn rasi, forsi għax in-nies li jattendu mhumiex kollha Maltin. Imma naħseb li nista’ nibda nagħmilha, għax madwar sebgħin fil-mija mill-pazjenti huma Maltin u ħafna jħobbu jaqraw bil-Malti. Naf li meta jisimgħu xi kitbiet minn tiegħi fuq ir-radju jiġu jgħiduli kemm ħadu pjaċir bihom. Għalhekk naħseb li żgur jilqgħuhom jekk jaraw kitbiet minn tiegħi fejn jistgħu isibuhom.

8. Naf li l-versi tiegħek fihom tagħlima u xi drabi anki tbissima. Mela bħall-mediċina l-poeżija sservi biex ittejjeb il-pożizzjoni ta’ dak li jkun. Xi tgħid dwar dan?

Dan tassew minnu. Naf li meta t-tabib juri li għandu aspetti oħra f’ħajtu barra l-mediċina, in-nies isiru japprezzawh iktar. Bħal ma għidt hawn fuq, il-pazjenti jieħdu pjaċir jisimgħu qari minn tiegħi fuq ir-radju, u anki jiġu jgħiduli kemm ħadu pjaċir jisimgħu il-quddies meta nkun inkanta fil-kor. Għalhekk naħseb li jagħmel tajjeb it-tabib li juri interessi oħra f’ħajtu barra mill-mediċina. B’hekk ukoll ikun iservi ta’ eżempju tajjeb għall-poplu biex kull min għandu xi talent jużah għall-gid tal-komunità.

9. Dwar liema temi tikteb u liema forom metriċi u prosodiċi tippreferi tħaddem? Għaliex? Xi tgħid dwar il-lingwa li tħaddem fil-kitbiet tiegħek?

It-temi li nikteb dwarhom huma varji – jiddependi dejjem minn xi ħaġa li tolqotni, xi idea li tiġini, xi ispirazzjoni, jew xi ġrajja li tiġri u li nkun nixtieq infakkarha bil-kitba, bħal per eżempju meta nikteb dwar xi żjara li nagħmel, jew xi tagħlima li nixtieq ngħaddi lil ħaddiehor, jew xi ċajta jew ġrajja umoristika li tista’ tferraħ lil ħaddieħor.
Inħobb inżomm ir-ritmu fil-poeżija, biex tinstema’ b’mod li togħġob il-widna, u kemm jista’ jkun nuża versi mqabbla li narahom jintogħġbu iżjed u jiġu milqugħin aħjar mill-membri tal-komunità. L-iktar vers li nuża huwa l-vers tat-tmienja, li narah vers ferrieħi u ħafif biex jinqara, u vers li jintogħġob ħafna. Kemm nista’ nuża lingwa popolari u li tiftiehem minn kulħadd. Wara kollox, l-ikbar u l-ewwel skop tal-kittieb għandu jkun li l-qarrej jifhem dak li jara miktub mingħajr ma joqgħod iħabbel rasu wisq biex jifhem x’ried ifisser il-kittieb. Għalija l-arti għandha tkun espressjoni ta’ sbuħija li jista’ japprezzaha kulħadd, u mhux biss dak li għamel studju speċjali.

10. Hemm kittieba jew poeti Maltin jew barranin li b’xi mod ħallew marka fuq il-kitbiet tiegħek?

Niftakarni naqra r-rumanz Inez Farruġ ta’ A.M. Caruana meta kont nistudja għall-matrikola tal-Malti. Il-Malti tiegħu impressjonani u ħajjarni biex nikteb Malti tajjeb. Dan kien iż-żmien li kont qed nistudja l-Malti taħt it-tmexxija tal-mibki Dun Frans Camilleri, li kellu sistema ħelwa u sempliċi biex tgħin l-ortografija Maltija, li għadni niftakar u nuża sal-lum. Imbagħad hemm kittieba oħra li nammira ħafna, fosthom Dun Karm Psaila, l-avukat Ġorġ Zammit, li niftakru jgħallem San Alwiġi, u Manwel Nikolas Borg, u oħrajn.

11. Int u l-GLM fl-Awstralja. Kemm għandha membri llum? Hemm żgħażagħ fiha? Liema huma l-attivitajiet ewlenin tagħha? Għandha organu tagħha li bih twassal aħbarijiet u ħwejjeġ relatati lil min hu interessat?

Għandna madwar erbgħin membru. Sfortunatament żgħażagħ m’ għandniex. L-attivitajiet huma li niltaqgħu darba fix-xahar fejn kulħadd iġib xi materjal tiegħu jew ta' ħaddiehor biex jaqrah. Darba fis-sena jkollna Lejla-Mużiko Letterarja, għalkemm dan l-aħħar sirna nagħmluha wara nofsinhar biex dawk li jiġu mill-bogħod ma jkollhomx isuqu distanzi twal fid-dlam. Minn żmien għal ieħor nagħmlu Programm Letterarju speċjali bħalma kellna fit-tifkira tal-Isqof Joseph Grech u ta’ Dun Ġorġ Preca. Fil-Milied nagħmlu festin għall-membri, u ġieli nagħmlu laqgħat oħra bal barbecues għall-membri.
Għandna Folju t'Aħbarijiet li joħrog darba fix-xahar fejn fih ikun hemm aħbarijiet li għandhom x'jaqsmu mal-letteratura kemm fl-Awstralja u kemm f'Malta li l-editur jirċievi minn żmien għal żmien.

12. Kemm għandkom kuntatt mal-kittieba u għaqdiet tal-Malti f’Malta? X’jista’ jsir f’dan ir-rigward?

L-editur tal-Folju għandu kuntatt kontinwu ma' kittieba u għaqdiet Maltin bħalma huma l- Għaqda Poeti Maltin, il-Kunsill tal-Ilsien Malti u Poeżija Plus fil-każ ta' għaqdiet, u bħala kittieba spiss jagħmel kuntatt ma’ Patrick Sammut, Sergio Grech, Prof. Oliver Friggieri, Charles Coleiro u ħafna oħrajn.

13. Inħoss li meta tiġi biex tinkiteb Storja tal-Poeżija bil-Malti serja intom il-poeti Maltin fl-Awstralja għandu jkollkom taqsima apposta għalikom. Xi tgħid dwar dan?

Mhix idea ħażina, madankollu naħseb li tajjeb ikun hemm taqsima għall-poeti u kittieba emigranti madwar id-dinja, mhux fl-Awstralja biss.

14. Kif taħseb li tvarja l-poeżija li qed tiktbu intom minn dik li qed tinkiteb Malta?

Naħseb li l-kittieba Maltin fl-Awstralja jikbtu dwar Malta spiss, u b’nostalġija kbira. Jiftakru fi tfulithom f’Malta u joħolmu dwar dawk iż-żminijiet. Jiktbu wkoll dwar suġġetti li jaraw madwarhom: il-kobor tal-pajjiż, il-wesgħat kbar bil-ħaxix u s-siġar, il- ħajja fl-Awstralja, it-tbatija li batew sakemm rabbew għeruq ġodda f’pajjiż ġdid u kbir, u wkoll dwar suġġetti spiritwali u intellettwali.

15. Min huma skond inti l-kittieba Maltin ewlenin (proża u poeżija) tal-lum fl-Awstralja?

Kellna u għandna bosta kittieba Maltin li għamlu isem fil-kitba hawnhekk. Fost dawk li qed niftakar hemm Manwel Nicholas Borg, John Buttigieg, Joe Saliba, Manwel Casha, Fredu Cachia, Lou Drofenik, u Manwel Cassar.

16. Xi tgħid dwar il-Maltin li jagħżlu li jiktbu u jippubblikaw bl-Ingliż?

Ngħid għalija nieħu gost nikteb bil-Malti għax il-Malti huwa lsien art twelidi, u fih ċerta ħlewwa li ma ssibhiex fl-Ingliż. Madankollu, nifhem għaliex hawn kittieba Maltin li jagħżlu li jiktbu bl-Ingliż. Malta hija żgħira, u meta tqabbel mal-miljuni ta’ nies li jiktellmu u jaqraw bl-Ingliż, il ftit mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ Maltin f’Malta u fid-dinja kolla huma bil-kemm jidhru ħdejn dak in-numru kbir ta’ oħrajn. Għalhekk forsi min jikteb bl-Ingliż jista’ jkollu dan il-ħsieb, jiġifieri li l-kitba tiegħu tista’ tinqara minn numru ikbar ta’ nies, u bħallikieku jkollu udjenza ħafna ikbar. Ma jistax jonqos ukoll li fost il-kittieba Maltin emigranti aktarx li hemm ħafna li m’għadhomx jitkellmu bil-Malti, jew li jħossuhom iktar fluwenti meta jiktbu bl-Ingliż.

17. Għandek pjanijiet biex tippubblika xi xogħol minn tiegħek fil-ġejjieni? Liema?

Ili ħafna naħseb biex nippublika l-kitbiet tiegħi f’forma ta’ antoloġija jew sensiela ta’ kitbiet. Bħalma qed tara miż-żmien li ħadt biex inwieġeb għall-mistoqsijiet tiegħek, huwa ż-żmien qasir li żammni lura. Imma nittama li dalwaqt nasal biex nilħaq dan il-għan. Kieku kelli nsib tabib ieħor jew oħra biex jieħdu parti mix-xogħol tiegħi, ikolli iktar żmien biex niddedika għall-kitba u għall-pubblikazzjoni. Bħalma taf, parti mir-raġuni li ġejt Malta f’Ġunju kienet biex insib tabib ħalli jiġi hawn jieħu x-xogħol tiegħi, imma s’issa għadni ma sibt lil ħadd.

Patrick Sammut

POEŻIJI TA' VICTOR SAMMUT:

L-IMSIDA NBIDLET

Mort għal btala f’art twelidi;
Ftit iktar minn ġimagħtejn.
Mort ma’ marti għal Diċembru
U għand ommha qgħadna t-tnejn.

Il-kunjata mill-iMsida,
Raħal ta’ mill-eqdem nett;
Minn qabel il-kavallieri:
Għalhekk mhux post taż-żuffjett.

La semmejt il-kavallieri
Li f’Malta qattgħu tant snin;
Ma ninsewx illi fl-iMsida
Ħallew l-Għajn tal-ħasselin.

Dan il-Għajn ġo wied l-iMsida
Hemm jinsab ippreservat;
Għad fih l-ilma, ċar u ġieri:
Ħasra li ma jużah ħadd!

Fiż-żmien bgħid in-nisa kienu
Jaħslu f’dak l-ilma salmastru:
Jogħorku, jagħasru, waqt li jgħannu
It-tifħir minn tal-Gran Mastru.

Ftit ‘il hemm, knisja qadima
Dedikata ghall-Kunċizzjoni;
Għalkemm żghira, spiss tintuża:
Qrar, quddies, benedizzjoni.

Hemm il-knisja parrokkjali:
Darba kienet fuq il-baħar;
Issa l-moll mexxewh ‘il barra
Sabiex kabbru l-art ‘ir-raħal.

Bini ġdid tela’ bir-radam:
Il-qadim qiegħed jiġġarraf.
Hemm triq wiesgħa flok il-pompa
Fejn il-petrol kien jissarraf.

F’kelma waħda, raħal ċkejken
Issa kiber, żdied, u far:
Żdiedu l-bini u l-vetturi,
Żdiedu t-toroq, nies u djar.

Baqa’ biss problema waħda
Li narawha spiss, kull sena;
Baqgħet tiġri bla ma tonqos
Iktar ma’ r-rahal jinbena.

Meta tagħmel ħalba xita
Fis ifuru l-ilmijiet
Min-Naxxar u Birkirkara
U tal-Mosta in-naħiet.

Għalhekk rajt l-iMsida nbidlet,
Iżda baqa’ t-tifkiriet:
Baqa’ l-Għajn u l-Knisja ż-żgħira
U l-għargħar ta’ triq il-wied.


TERRORIŻMU

Kemm-il darba smajna l-għajta –
Noqtlu f’isem Alla l-Kbir -
Nagħmlu gwerra, mewt lill-għadu,
Neqirdu kemm żghir, kemm kbir.

Noħolqu gwerra qaddisa………
Imma din kontradizzjoni -
Ir-raġuni ma tridx forza,
Ma trid ebda konvinzjoni.

“Ħobb lil Alla qabel kollox”
Hekk għallimna il-Mulej
Dan kien l-ewwel amar tiegħu
L-ewwel wieħed minn fost tnejn.

Imbaħhad qal “it-tieni jixbhu,
ħobb lil għajrek bħalek sewwa,
Ukoll l-għadu, ħobbu u qimu
Istmah dejjem bħal ta’ ġewwa”.

Mela kif jazzarda l-bniedem
Fl-isem t’Alla u bla ħsieb xejn,
Jeqred eluf ta’ nnoċenti
Fosthom trabi ta’ l-idejn?

Alla żgur ma jridx mibegħda,
Irid maħfra u mhux tpattija
Mel’ għaliex inqabbżu ‘l Alla
Għaliex din l-ipokrisija?

Lilu ngħidu, biex jaħfrilna
Kull filgħodu fit-talb tagħna,
U jekk naħfru ‘l min hu ħati
Hekk huwa wkoll jagħmel magħna.

Il-kelmiet “gwerra qaddisa”
Huma farsa fl-espressjoni
Il-qdusija ġġib l-imħabba
Mhux il-qtil u d-distruzzjoni.

U t-theddid, kliem ta’ vendetta,
M’għandhomx post fir-reliġjon
Iktar u iktar meta ġejja
Mill-mexxejja tan-nazzjon.

Mexxej tali li jinqeda
Bl-isem t’Alla biss għall-ħsara
Tilef għaqlu u tilef rasu
Ħlief vendetta mhuwiex jara.

Dan mhuwiex ekonomista
Mhux nażista jew faxxista
Lanqas sempliċi razzista…..
Dan jissejjaħ - TERRORISTA.

Poesia di Buon Natale da Amerigo Iannacone

Ritorna il Natale


Ritorna il Natale
ancora vale il messaggio
il viaggio di un Bimbo
che porta amore.
Nel cuore di ognuno
germogli un seme
di speranza
cresca e invigorisca
l’esile filo dell’amore
il coraggio
contro la violenza
senza esitazioni
la fermezza
della bontà.
Non guerra ma pace
non armi ma aratri
non odio ma amore.

Amerigo Iannacone

Revenas Kristnasko

Revenas Kristnasko
ankoraŭ valoras la mesaĝo
la vojaĝo de infano,
kiu portas amon.
En la koro de ĉiu
ĝermu espera
semo
kresku kaj fortikigu
la subtila fadeno de l’ amo
la kuraĝo
kontraŭ la perforto
sen hezito
la firmeco
de boneco.
Ne milito sed paco
ne armiloj sed plugiloj
ne malamo sed amo.

Amerigo

Konkors Nazzjonali ta’ Poeżija 2011

It-tliet membri tal-Ġurija (Anton Grasso, George Falzon u Joe Borg) flimkien mas-Segretarju, Charles Magro, u l-President, Alfred Massa, tal-Għaqda Poeti Maltin.

LEJLA  TA’  PREMJAZZJONI

     Il-Konkors Nazzjonali ta’ Poe\ija organizzat mill-G]aqda Poeti Maltin [ie fi tmiemu waqt Lejla ta’ Premjazzjoni li saret il-Ħamis, 1 ta’ Diċembru 2011, fis-sala tas-Soċjetà tal-Arti, Manifattura u Kummerċ, il-Belt. Din tmexxiet mis-Segretarju, Charles Magro.

     F’diskors fil-bidu taċ-ċerimonja l-President tal-Għaqda, Alfred Massa qal li sa mit-twaqqif tagħha         fl-1975, l-Għ.P.M. mill-ewwel ħasbet biex tibda torganizza diversi attivitajiet ħalli tqajjem kuxjenza pubblika favor il-poeżija f’pajjiżna. Fost dawn l-attivitajiet kien hemm il-Konkors ta’ Poeżija li kellu jibda jsir kull sena. U hekk sar u hekk nittama li jibqa’ jsir. Għax dan il-Konkors qed jgħin lil ħafna poeżiji li jkunu ilhom is-snin maqfulin fil-kxaxen tal-individwi li jkunu nisġuhom.

     Kull sena dan il-Konkors ġibed lejh numru konsiderevoli ta’ parteċipanti kemm poeti stabbiliti kif ukoll oħrajn prinċipjanti. L-aktar meta dan infetaħ għall-poeżiji bil-Malti, bl-Ingliż u bit-Taljan; bl-enfasi, naturalment, dejjem tkun fuq il-Malti. Imbagħad il-kelliem irringrazzja lil kulmin ħa sehem fl-organizzazzjoni tal-Konkors u feraħ lill-parteċipanti kollha, rebbieħa u mhumiex.

     Wara l-Ġurija qrat ir-Rapport tagħha. Intqal li fuq nota ġenerali l-konkors kien wieħed ta’ livell tajjeb ħafna. Saru wkoll suġġerimenti lil dawk li għadhom tarjin fin-nisġa tal-versi biex jaqraw aktar poeżiji kemm ta’ poeti Maltin kif ukoll ta’ poeti barranin.

     Imbagħad inqraw il-poeżiji rebbieħa u tqassmu l-Premjijiet mill-President tal-Għ.P.M., Alfred Massa.    Ir-riżultat kien dan li ġej:

TAQSIMA MALTI:

1. Flaxbekk ta’ Stefano Farrugia (rebbieħ ukoll tal-Premju Buontempo);

2. Lil R ta’ Keith Azzopardi;

3. Meta l-Aħħar Xemgħa ta’ Jane Micallef.

TAQSIMA INGLIŻ:

1. The Physician ta’ Kristina Miggiani;

2. Those few moments in time ta’ Raymond Grech.

TAQSIMA TALJAN:

1. Sotto il legno crocifisso nella mia stanza ta’ Mario Attard;

2. Da capo ta’ Christine Farrugia.

Issemmew b'ġieħ poeżiji mit-tliet taqsimiet, din id-darba ta' Therese Pace, Robert Zammit, Therese Vella, Stefano Farrugia, Kevin Tanti, Keith Azzopardi u Robert Gatt.

Ir-rebbieħa tal-Konkors Nazzjonali tal-Poeżija 2011, flimkien mal-President, 
Alfred Massa.

Poem for Universal Children's Day

Poet Dr. T. Ashok Chakravarthy from Hyderabad, India, has wrote this poem fot the International Children's Day: