17 · 21 APRIL 1980
MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
A Souvenir Prepared and printed by Interprint Ltd.
Dr. Philip Muscat, the Minister of Education, when delivering his opening speech to the crowd which thronged the historic building of the Mediterranean Conference Centre, on the occasion of the Second Malta International Book Fair, referred to the Fair as "young but healthy forward-looking". The number of distinguished personalities present, together with the participants and the members of the press A YOUNG BOOK FAIR agreed fully. The response, in both the quantity and the quality, augers well for the future and fully justifies the Education Ministry's initiative. The full text of the Minister's speech ran as follows:-
Just over a year ago, on the assets, Malta was an ideal place provIsion from pre-schQPI to ship in the humanities, the magic way oftransforming a holi 15th of March, 1979,on the eve for such an international gather university. Another exhibition sciences and technology as well day in the sun into a cultural of the most important event in ing. was held to conclude the many as for leisure has brought about pilgrimage. the history of these islands, I This encouraging response activities of The International dramatic changes in methods of It is not my intention, this had the honour to address a urged my Ministry to take two Year of the Child. We brought production. In our times we morning, to dwell on the cultural similar gathering at the Auberge decisions. Originally, we had in to Malta an exhibition of stamps have seen the rapid development history of Malta; a brief mention de Baviere. The occasion was the tended to hold the second edi issued during 1979 in over one and the phenomenal spread of of the major milestones will be inauguration of the first Malta tion of the Fair in 1981. By the hundred countries to commemo new and sophisticated means for enough. Malta's cultural antece International Book Fair which time the Fair had closed its rate the International Year of the gathering, storage, retrieval dents can be traced back to pre was one of my Ministry's contri doors, we were convinced that the Child. The response was such and transmission of information. historic times as can be seen by butions towards the celebration two years was too long a period an overwhelming one - 17,000 Instead of retreating in the fact the awe inspiring megalithic of the arrival of a new era in our of time to wait. The Malta Inter visitors including hundreds of of a potential threat, the pub monuments that have survived. history. In the words of our national Book Fair had, almost philatelists visited the exhibition lishing world has bravely harn- The close association with Rome Prime Minister the inauguration overnight, established itself as an in the days of the Roman of that Fair was to be seen as important event in the cultural Empire preceded the arrival of proof of the Government's calendar of Malta and the Medi Christianity in 60 A.D. Scholars efforts "to promote the intellec terranean. I, therefore, gave my and historians continue to this tual development of our young approval and encouragement to day in their researches to find nation the better to fulfil its the preparations for the holding out more about the period of new and important role". of the second International Book Arab rule during the Middle Compared with other interna Fair in 1980. Ages. Malta shared fully in the tional book fairs this is one of The other decision concerned European revival of culture with the youngest. When the Organis the change of venue. More spa the arrival of the rule of the ing Committee, which I had set cious premises and even better Order of the Knights. The period up, started the preparatory work facilities would be needed if the of the Order was followed by for the first edition they 'were momentum of growth was to be the long period of British domi very much aware that their task maintained. The choice was an nation and influence. was not an easy one. Even after obvious one for by then we were Each of these periods, in its the applications by participants in a position to offer just the particular way, has left its mark started pouring in - and they right premises for the Fair. on our way of life. That is why, came from major publishers and This splendid and historical it has rightly been said, that in booksellers in Europe, North Centre in which we are meeting .. Malta cultures meet in a way Africa, the Middle East and other this morning was until recently a during two weeks - that my essed the power of the computer that is unique to the whole countries further afield - I must dilapidated relic of a 16th cen- Ministry has decided to mount to continue to make the fullest Mediterranean and Europe. How confess we were still a little tury building. It had once housed the complete collection as a per use of technological advances, the ever, it must be made clear that apprehensive of the final out the hospital of the Order of St. manent exhibition. Thus restored better to adapt itself to a con today's Malta is not merely an come. John and was, in . its day, one of to its pristine glory the old build stantly changing world. island museum of things past. Our first Fair was however an the Order's most widely known ing of the Sacra Infermeria is It is indeed remarkable that The emergence of a true outstanding success. The res and famous institutions in being fully utilised for the benefit in these times of rapid technolo national identity, and the long ponse by local and foreign parti Europe. The restoration works of Malta and the Mediterranean gical change the intrinsic impor march towards our freedom cipants was most encouraging have preserved the architectural region as a whole. tance of the printed word as the from foreign domination, has and during the four days of the beauty of the original while This harmonious blend of old repository of human knowledge coincided with a period of intense Fair the Auberge de Baviere be providing our country with a and new is, I think, the most ap and as one of the main channels activity in the creative arts in came a veritable hub of activity. modern and fully equipped con- propriate setting for the holding of communication has essentially general and in the field of Many of the commercial and ference centre. This building has of a Book Fair. Indeed, it is sym remained unchanged. Maltese Literature in particular. cultural contacts established, the thus been given a new lease of bolic of the world of books it This theme of old and new is More books in Maltese have been projects and Joint ventures start life . In it my Ministry has already self. Since the Renaissance, book also of special relevance to the written and published during ed during the hectic days of the held two other exhibitions which fairs have made a great contribu holding of an International Book these last years than during any Fair were to continue and bear have attracted considerable atten- tion to the diffusion of books Fair in Malta. The rich cultural other period in our history. The fruit in the weeks and months tion. The first of these was on and therefore of culture, from heritage of these islands is often publishing trade and the printing that followed. The response of New Horizons in Maltese Educa country to country and across the cause of wonder among the industry in Malta is steadily be the public - some 15,000 visitors tion. Through it we tried to continents. Over the centuries, many thousands of visitors who coming one of our major indus in four days - provided ample make the public aware of the the growing importance of the come to our shores from much tries to cater for the local and proof, if proof were needed, that new and exciting opportunities printed word and its expansion bigger and affluent countries. overseas markets. with its geographical and cultural in the wide field of educational to meet an ever increasing reader- Almost inevitably Malta has a (continued on back page) Page two MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-2I.1V.80 A Souvenir
this year three more titles now opened the first will be added to the Maltese Penguin Bookshop on the Ladybird range. island, incorporated in their Merlin Library also operate shop at 57 Old Bakery two retail outlets and have Street, Valletta.
m () ;:tJ to G> c.. :r- ID 0 0 C 0 ~ . ID " n c::: --.... 0- 7\ Q - .... Q - ID ID to :J to 0 e5'- :J n Q VI~ ~ 0 :J ID .... 7\ Q I to VI Q to to ~ to 0 0 Q :J 0 0 0 VI 0 7\ 7\ to the local book reading 7\ VI VI VI - public. As dealers in the text-book market, Merlin are suppliers to many schools, colleges and libraries. Merlin Library publish books mainly for children Merlin Library Ltd are one tors, who are themselves and their publications of the leading wholesale among the leading suppliers include a number of hu book distributors on the of books in the U.K. merous short stories as well island. They represent a Merlin Library are actively as adventure stroies which number of publishers in the involved in the book bar- are locally orientated. Dur mass market field, among gain market and are the ing the last months, Merlin which are Ladybird, Cassell, only booksellers on the published the first three
Purnell and Macdonald island who publish re- of a series of five work U Educational. They are also mainder lists and cata- books for primary level. r-- 57. Old Bakery Str., I exclusive distributors for logues. Through this they Their list also includes co 1 Valletta lel : 6031121 the W.H. Smith Distribu- are doing a great servuce editions with Ladybird and
. nected with the shipping industry. A full range programme of similar volumes, diction aries, encyclopedias, teChni cal and study books, intended for local and over seas readers, is now in preparation. The overall u production of Gulf's pub lications is in tile hands of experts whose main Publishing Ltd. objective is to foster the book trade in the Maltese Book Publishers and Distributors - Islands by producing books Importers and Exporters of Publications of very high standard by well-known authors, and Gulf Publishing Company is rated as one of the leading quently, new authors have F.I.C.S. is a reference man to meet the ever increasing publishing houses in Malta today. Since the company was been discovered and intro ual of world-wide impor demands of both the local .established it has maintained its ambitious programme of duced to the mass of Maltese tance and of particular market and those of the production, a host of publications of all kinds, dealing reading public. interest to all those con- vast Arab world. with a wide range of subjects from leisure reading to Perhaps the most successful educational, technical, cultural, and books of general achievement of Gulf Pub interest. lishing has been tileir series Gulf books, whiCh are pub those intended for students of publications in Arabic lished in Maltese, Arabic of Arabic, are meticulously and other languages dealing and other languages, are designed with a variety of with education and other noted for their high quality layouts and profusely il specialized subjects aimed of printing, binding and lustrated with vividly co at the export trade. Their attractive cover design for loured pictures to match newest and latest contribu which top artists are en the text. The sale of their tion in this field "The gaged. Their children's popular novels has increased Marine Encyclo}>aedic Dic books in _ particular, and considerably and, conse- tionary" by Eric Sullivan
BOOKS MOVE FASTER with A Souvenir MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-2I.IV.80 Page three
~-- '~--{llY MEDITERRANEAN PUBLISHING '{llY
mcdltclfancan ~~~~ COMPANY ~~~ mcdltcurancan Publi/hing Co. lld. Publi/hing Co. lld.
The Mediterranean Publishing Company (formerly Malta Another publication in Unit 6 ,.c_"~~El~~
Publishing Co.) was established in September 1976 between hand is a study of the history A. WMf"Iw! ~~~lpoIlC"m;u'l~ three parties, Malta, Libya and the Italian Rizzoli Group. and language of Malta in '~::~':: '[,',,~'~.:" --=- ~ The' object of the Company is to promote the world Arabic. Through this new "<"00' _ ~"' .. --~. ; .;.'... 1 .~::~''''' " ' " . - I wide economic diffusion of Arab, European and other publication the many thou , , " k,l", 01 __ _ . _ 'CI""h ln'~K ? h ' .. _ • cultures, art, sC£ence and literature through the publ£cation sands of Arab travellers visit ~~' "'.,. - T' I"..... m"" " " - and distribution of books and other printed matter. ing the island would learn
" - 4 C"'C'''' , ',~<.,h",,?h',~'" __ and appreciate more Malta's ~ ... _- How mU( children who are learning cultural heritage. This is !f}y ,<,' ~o , ___. ~ the Arabic language. claimed to be the first pub ~ G"~d""'~f~ , ,~Ic" _ How"''''n a.zy A new Publication plann lication of the kind on Malta ~ .. ··-i ,~ ,. H",,__ . ed to appear on the interna in Arabic. ~ ' , C"·" HAl i"... fi... ,, l,lo
to the Fly MIDDLE EAST Page four MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-21.1V.80 A Souvenir
1798. Two almanacs for the
I L years 1799 and 1800 seem '-- --- to have been the only output EARLY PRINTING IN MALTA of the Maltese press in the following years. The post-1800 British Go vernment in Malta kept an almost Pompeo de Fiore, a Sicilian Knight of'the Order of St John, set ployed. Censorship was of exclusive monopoly on all print up the first printing press in Malta in June 1642, after having been course, constantly exercised, ing. Applications for privately given permission to do so by Grand Master Lascaris. It was unders with all books being reviewed by owned printing presses were stood that de Fiore would monopolise printing in Malta for at least the Advocate General before refused and offenders punished. twenty years. Mgr. Gori Pannellini, the Inquisitor of the time, was they were printed. This system Censorship was also quite harsh. appointed official censor, second only to the Grand Master himself. continued until the so-called Manuscripts were only accepted The Bishop of Malta, Mgr. Balaguer Camarasa strongly objected to abolition- of censorship by the for printing if they did not his exclusion from the rights of censorship and in 1643 Rome was French Government in Malta, censure the British Government forced decree that the Inquisitor was the only censor. This made following a request dated 26 or any person irt private or Grand Master Lascaris feel victimised. He took offence and as a June, 1798. public life. Furthermore, they result the development of printing in Malta ended abruptly. The first Maltese newspaper, The first issue of the political journal could not contain religious argu the Journal de Malte, was also An attempt in 1698-99 by Giuseppe d'Angelo, as machine 11 Cartaginese. ments. Nevertheless, works published in 1798. Its aim being the Order of St John to obtain operator. On 5 June, 1756, the printed abroad were allowed to propaganda for the Napoleonic a censorship ruling in its favour printing-office was opened to the enter Malta without examination cause, it was considered to be failed when Grand Master Perel public and work started after of their contents. Government property, with each los refused to accept the plan the blessing of the premises on In the meantime, Maltese issue running at five hundred proposed, by which his signature 28 June. This Stamperia di Sua patriots such as George copies. It was printed in two would be given a status inferior Altezza Serenissima was situated Mitrovich were trying to win to those of the Inquisitor and near the steps leading down to columns, one in French and the back what he called "a moderate other an italian translation. This the Bishop. what today is known as Nep freedom of the Press and not newspaper, however, lasted no It was Grand Master Pinto tune's Court in the President's an absolute freedom which who, in 1746, finally acquired Palace. longer than its tenth issue, oould degenerate into immorali dated 26 September, 1798, 24 equality of censorship. He was A few of the many works ty or bring about offences to days after the Maltese uprising allowed to sign on the same line printed at this time were Count religion." against the French. as the other two censors and G ianantonio Ciantar's Malta /!Ius Between 1800 and 1836 Some commerrtators mention thus the road was opened for the trata (2 volumes, 1772, 1780), the following newspapers were the possibility of there having development of the press in Grand Master de Rohan's Code published: Malta. of Laws (1782) and Chev. de St been another newspaper at the time, the Malta Libera, but there Frontispiece of Della descrizione di (1) Foglio d'Avvisi, published The new Government Press Priest's Malte par un Voyageur Malta by Gio. Francesco Abela. in Italian between 8 October, took nine years to start function Franyais (1971). is no real proof of this. Since work for the press 1803 and 12 April, 1804 (14 ing. In 1756 the Sicilian printer The volume of work at the issues) ; Don Nicolo' Capace was engaged Press increased and by 1772 as was steadily increasing, on 6 as manager, with another Sicilian, many as ten workers were em- August, 1798 engineer Fay was (2) L 'Argo, in Italian, pub entrusted with the responsibility lished between 23 April, 1804 of transferring the press to tile and 4 September, 1804 (9 larger building which had for issues) ; merly housed the chancellory (3) 11 Cartaginese, also in of the Order. Italian, published between 20 On 29 August, 1798, the September, 1804 and 25 local French Government Com October, 1810 (133 issues) ; mission passed regulations, most ly dealing with finances, for (4) 11 Giornale di Malta, pub the running of the printing press. lished between 20 September, The freedom of the press 1804 and 25 October, 1813 ended with the Journal de Malte Another page from Abela's publica (94 issues); in the blockade of September, tion. (continued on back page)
Grand M8J6ter Jean Paul Lascaris A late 18th century printing press.
to Fly EUROPE A Souvenir MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-21.IV.80 Page five
Interprint is housed in a 100,000 A number of internationally square foot modern factory at the known publishers make use of Marsa Industrial Estate on the the facilities offered by Interprint island of Malta. Equipped with and they find this competitive • modern machinery the company • reliable and of high standard. exports all its products.
Norway
Lib~~Egypt 5 audi Arabia e This Lumitype 540 keyboard is one of the four which together with 2 mono photo keyboards turn out weekly 2000 book pages of typesetting. Processing is done automatically to ensure a diamond sharp image in either positive or negative film form. (Typesetting is also sold as a separate service).
A Crabtree Sovereign two-colour machine - all printing at Interprint is done offset and the company special ises in short to medium run books. Extensive facilities are also available for all kinds of limp and cased binding. Taking an average 3-quad sheets per book, the company has a production capacity of 100,000• books per week.
BOOKS MOVE FASTER with Page six MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17 -2I.IV.80 A Souvenir
The need for a bookshop in Malta, which catered for a UNIVERSITY selection of books dealing with controversial subjects has long been felt. Traditionally, such books were not carried in stock but ordered by request. Other selections PUBLICATIONS dealing with Social-Politics, Economics and Philosophical works, especially of Marxist orientation were taboo. University Campus From the very beginning these volumes are sold an Msida, Malta Progressive Books imported nually. such books, especially from Today Progressive Books Tel. 36451 the Soviet Union. Our firm carry the largest selections introduced Lenin's Collect of books dealing with the ed Works into Malta in following subjects. 1974. According to Political Scienc~, Econo UNESCO, V. I. Lenin is mics, Philosophy, Classical In 1953, the UniversitY availed itself of funds offered from overseas sources the most widely read author and modem Literature, So to publish a series of books intended for adult education. Further additions followed and his books hold first ciology, Anthropology, Psy in 1955,1962,1964 and as recently as 1975. These publications cover a range of place in the world for the chology, Psychiatry, Law, subjects and include books in Maltese Folklore, Social Principles and History of number of translations into History, Education, Femi Civilisation. other languages. nist writings, Women's Lib,
Following this series, further funds were obtained from U.K. sources to compile and publish a catalogue of the unique collection of the manuscripts of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The ample material indexed in these volumes was previously available only to a small group of dedicated historians who paid regular visits to the island in pursuance of their research interests. The documents reflect the religious, political, diplomatic and military history of the Hospitallers. The published volumes PROGRESSIVEI have given a new impetus to students, historians and archivists in making further \ studies in this richly documented period of the history of the Mediterranean region.
The list of publications includes a historical series, a number of volumes on the BOOKS Maltese language, a comparative dictionary of Maltese proverbs, volumes of economical and social stUdies, law publications and a recent illustrated volume of the Flora of the Maltese Islands. Vincenti Buildings 8/ 12 Strait Street. Valletta. Tel. 21826 Some books published by University Publications
CATALOGUE OF THE RECORDS OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM + - Art, Drama, International Affairs, Business and Man THE STRUCTURE OF MALTESE agement, Mathematics, A Study in Mixed Grammar and Vocabulary (Aquilina J.) Technology and Languages. 1959 - pp X + 358 Publication~ from Pro gress Publishers (Moscow), MALTESE LINGUISTIC SURVEYS Penguin, Fontana, Lawrence (Aquilina J.) and Wishart, Quartet, 1976 - pp viii + 216 Writers and Readers, Wild wood House, all from tile U.K., International Pub A COMPARATIVE DICTIONARY OF li~hers (U.S.A) and many MALTESE PROVERBS other firms. (Aquilina J.) The demand for sucn 1972 - pp liii + 694 books was so great that soon tne Bookshop trans A FLORA OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS The fact that people of ferred from a small room (Haslam S.M.; Sell P.D.; Wolseley P.A.) varying social status, dif in an obscure area · of 1977 - pp Ixxi + 560 ferent political convictions Valletta, to its present pre and party affiliation, turn mises in one of the busiest WORKERS' PARTICIPATION IN MALTA - to Lenin's work is not commercial side streets in ISSUES AND OPINIONS dictated by sheer academic Valletta. (Kester G.) interest. They find in Progressive Books are 1974 - pp iv + 231 Lenin's ideological and theo still not satisfied with the retical heritage the answer fuccess achieved so far, LIST OF PUBLICATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE to the most acute political, ~d are still determined to TEACHING STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY social, economical, national make the bookShOp the (Saydon P.P.) and moral-ethical problems most intellectual centre for \ 1966 - pp i i + 130 that confront Mankind so books in Malta. uncompromisingly in the Today Progressive Books Full List available from Publications Section, Administration Building, University Campus, Msida. atomic and cybernetic age. is one of Malta's leading Progressive Books can con booksellers, Importers and firm this as thousands of Distributors.
to the Fly GULF A Souvenir MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-21.1V.80 Page seven
MID SEA BOOKS LTD was founded in 1975 to provide a specialized KLABB KOTBA MALTIN is the only service for distinguished writers and scholars who want to publish scholarly publishing house in Malta which publishers material on Malta. Its main objective is to advance to every part of the world 8B regularly books in Maltese. It was founded in 1970 knowledge about this middle part of the Mediterranean, of which Malta has . by Mr. Pawlu Mizzi, B.A. with the aim of promot always been the centre of various social activities: religious, political and ing the Maltese book and of diffusing it into as ~ cultural. many Maltese homes as possible.
Malta nas, in fact, been re 5. The Jews of Malta in o 'Callaghan: and Top Ten The whole idea originated general public in Maltese garded as a depositary of Early Medieval T£mes by Tales of Malta, a collection at the Library of the Malta readership. Many, in fact, the past Mediterranean civil Dr. G. Wettinger, Senior of the best ten stories on College of Art, Science and began to accept Mr. Mizzi's izations, whose remains in Lecturer in tne Dept of Malta, edited by Victor Tecnnology; today tne New belief that the real intellec University, where Mr. P. tual emancipation of the other countries have long History at the Old Univ. Lewis. Mizzi was acting as assis Maltese people lay, like that been obliterated by ad of Malta. The most popular of all tant librarian. There, as of other people in other 6. An Economic History of the Midsea Publications is vances of tecnnology. Here, in other Public Libraries countries, in the continuous Malta by Prof. S. Busut the Phoenician, The perhaps Heritage, the ency the collection of books in cultivation of reading nabits Roman, the Moslem and the til. clopaedia of Maltese culture Maltese was very poor and in the vernacular. The Christian is intermingled in 7. Moslem Malta by ] ohn and civilization, which is this fact worried members · Klabb Kotba Maltin to-day a way that nas made Malta Barnard. being issued in monthly of the Maltese Literary spread its activities in other and its people the centre 8. Focus on Maltese Culture parts. It is very heavily Movement particularly Dr. publishing fields. It started of anthropologists' research. by Prof.] os. Aquilina. illustrated and it is aimed O. Friggieri, Mario Azzo a series of educational books Their discoveries are of for the vast masses who pardi and Franz Sammut called Taghlim Ghal K ul great Mediterranean interest Midsea Books also pub have little time to get who supported Mr. Mizzi's hadd, a graded series for junior readers called Qari and students of both west lishes a biannual journal for involved in the more initiative and nelped him in the organization of the Ghaz-Zghar and another ern and eastern civilizations the Faculty of Arts of scholarly works mentioned series on specialized sub above. When complete it Klabb. The Klabb Kotba are finding in their books, the Old University of Malta Maltin started its publishing jects called Kotba Specjali. will run into six volumes published by MIDSEA a on Mediterranean Studies. activities in April 1971 with This latter series included source of cultural wealth Articles in it are in eitner and will cover all the the publication of Franz Maltese works of reference and an advancement of of three languages; Englisl1, period of historical Malta Sammut's first novel 'n such as dictionaries, bio knowledge. MIDSEA's ser French and Arabic but each from prehistory to modern Gagga'. It was a success. graphies, history books and ies on Maltese Social is accompanied by a synop times. All cultural quarters, both encyclopaedias. During the Studies include: sis in two of the languages Midsea Books Ltd. is civil and religious, wel last seven years it circulated 1. Hal Millieri. A Maltese that are not used in the also represented by other comed the Klabb's varied more than a quarter of a Casale, Its Churcnes & main article. Contributors publishing firms in London, publications, which as some million copies in some 150 local newspapers claimed, different titles. Paintings by Dr. A. Lut are usually scholars and per Ontario, New York and boosted the interest of the trell, lecturer on Mediae sonalities with experience Melbourne. val periods. of the Mediterranean situa 2. Early Relations between tion. Malta and U.S .A. by Dr. F or the consumption of P. Cassar, author of Me the tourist, who wants a dical history ofMalta. better perspective of Malta 3. Colonial Politics in an and Maltese affairs, Midsea Island Fortress: The Books also issues two an Distinguished personalities visiting the Maltese Experiment by nual publications. Malta, K.K.M./Midsea Books Ltd. stand. Dr. H. Frendo, A Handbook to the Repub 4. The Nobles of Malta by lie, edited by the well Dr.]. Montalto. known English author Sean
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to NORTH Fly AFRICA i1 . •
Page eight MALTA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 17-21.1V.80 A Souvenir
(continued from page 1) never again become the privilege dealt with the History of the (continued from page 4) In the meantime the Catholic of any minority. Our aim is to Maltese Textbook. This year the Church in Malta, though not A considerable section of this achieve an ever increasing degree non-commercial section is being (5) Gazzetta del Governo di against the liberty of the press, activity is the result of the close of active participation in cultural expanded to cover three aspects. Malta, between 27 October, hesitated in extending that free partnership established between events by the greatest possible An exhibition of Books for Pre 1816 (143 issues); It then dom to religious matters. These European publishing houses and number of Maltese of all ages School Children from various became the objections were also eventually their North African counterparts and from all walks of life. In the countries is being mounted. This (6) Malta Government Gazet bypassed, especially since Catho in the Arab speaking world. This process of achieving these aims a reflects the successful efforts of te, publishing articles both in lics were not dispensed from is one tangible result of the dia wider defintion of culture be my Ministry in the setting up of English and in Italian; the spiritual-censorship imposed logue between these two major comes inevitably clearer. Kindergarten Centres in every (7) The Mediterranean Regis upon them by Canon Law. areas of the Mediterranean re That is why my Ministry is single town and village in Malta ter was born and died in 1827. Private printing presses began gion - a dialogue in which Malta very much aware of its dual and Gozo. to be set up in 1838, the year has played and continues to play responsibility in the field of Secondly, the Organising Com The publications of the which also saw the publication a major role. In this context, it education. It has to cater for the mittee has made arrangements Government Printing Press were of Malta's first independent is perhaps worth mentioning that living continuity of broad cul for the bringing together of the varied, ranging from price lists newspaper, Lo Spettatore Im all the students in our secondary tural aims, extended to achieve constitutions of different coun to almanacs. Perhaps the most parziale, followed by " Porta schools are today studying Arabic the participation of new Malta's tries of the world including those noteworthy of the books pub foglio Maltese, The Harlequin together with other European young generation in schools, who for some reason or other lished at this time is Or. Stefano and 11 Mediterraneo. languages. colleges and the university. Our could not participate in the Fair. Zerafa's two-part work Florae James Richardson, editor of All th is activity has been going goal is the betterment of the Another section has been devoted Melitensis Thesaurus, published The Harlequin, proved the libel on side by side with our advances quaJity of life. On the other to the late Nicholas Monsarrat. in 1827 and 1831. laws to be effective by being in the accelerated rhythm of our hand, we must make practical This world famous novelist, a In 1836, Lord Glerelg, Secre the first to be condemned industrialization and the applica educational provision to equip friend of Malta and the Maltese, tary of State for the Colonies, to a fine of 250 scudi or six tion of technical progress in all our young citizens to meet the lived for more than a decade on formed a Royal Commission to months imprisonment for libel fields related to our develop challenges that face our constant the sister island of Gozo. His inquire into the Malta's affairs ing the Catholic Church. ment from shipbuilding to agri efforts to build a better Malta. best selling novel The Kappillan including the question of press These newspapers, both in culture and tourism. While we are To fulfil our new and important of Malta has helped, in no small censorship. It was established dependent and official, continu striving to harnes~ the energy role we cannot afford to remain way, to make Malta even better that the British Government ed their work, opening the way and skill of our workers together complacent about the dangers of known overseas. It is for this did have a legal basis for press for the modern era in Maltese with the latest technological insularity and isolation. We have reason that the Organisers have censorship. As a consequence journalism, and printing in means towards our economic started and intend to continue managed to exhibit, among other of the inquiry, however, a general. development we shall, of course, to forge new links to join us to important papers, the original recommendation of freedom to continue to cherish moral, spirit the rest of the world in the fields manuscripts of this novel. I pub print and publish, together with (Based on a series of articles ual and cultural values. of politics, education, culture, licly wish to thank Mrs Anne a law of libel to prevent abuses by Joseph F. Grima which first But our obligations to a newly science and technology. We 'are Monsarrat for her generous help was accepted and passed on appeared in Heritage magazine, liberated Malta demand of us a more than convinced of the in this respect and for honouring 15 March, 1839. published by Midsea Books.) much more dynamic contribu major contribution that the us with her presence this tion than that of more respect world of books can make to the morning. for, and the paying of Iip service realization of our ideals, and that to, the world of culture. In a explains why we give so much It is against this background ~~~ relatively short period of time importance to events like the that I welcome you to Malta and my Government will be putting holding of the Malta Interna express my thanks for accepting discussion of problems of whom showed special inte into action a vigorous pro tional Book Fair. our invitation to participate in marketing and distribution rest in items referring to this young but healthy forward gramme of new cultural activities From the first edition, the of books and audio-visual Malta or the Mediterranean aimed at reaching all the citizens organisers wanted to give a cul looking Book Fair and look for materials; to provide a forum of our country. It is our firm tural dimension to our Book ward to welcoming you for the region. This beginning au belief that in the Malta of today, Fair. Last year one of the most third Malta International Book for publishers, authors, gured well for Malta Inter the acquisition of culture should interesting sections of the Fair Fair in April 1981. booksellers and librarians national Book Fair as an im with an interest in the portant future international literature produced by and Fair for antiquarian books, about the Mediterranean re maps and prints. gion; to establish a market The excellent facilities avail for antiquarian booksellers. able at the magnificent the second Malta Interna Malta International Book Mediterranean Conference tional Book Fair in April Fair's distinctive feature, the Centre, a 16th century 1980. inclusion of a section for building restored in 1979, The first Fair fulfilled the antiquarian booksellers, was will undoubtedly make par hope of its organizers that it found attractive both by ticipation in the Fair not would bring together pub participants and by many of only easier but also even lishers and booksellers from the visitors, a number of more attractive. Europe and the Middle East. In fact, it did more than that. It clearly demon strated that the central (stra tegic) position of Malta at the very heart of the cross roads between the Western, Christian culture and the Oriental, Islamic culture could make the Malta Inter national Book Fair the Book Fair of the Mediterranean. Indeed, the response for the second edition of the Malta International Book Fair has vindicated the faith ex pressed in it by its organ izers. Participants in the 1980 Fair not only include the usual publishers and book dealers from European and Arab countries but also representatives of a number of universities and other educational institutions. The aims and objectives for the second Malta Interna tional Book Fair remain the The first Malta International editions in alternate years, same: to foster professional Book Fair was launched in but judging from the Fair's contacts between authors, 1979. Originally the inten success last year, it was im publishers, booksellers and tion was to hold subsequent mediately decided to hold librarians, to encourage the