National Poetry Competition Winners

  “TODAY is Dun Karm Day.   Three days ago we commemorated Poetry Day.   The two occasions are linked.   Let us feel proud that the Good Lord has blessed us with the beautiful gift of poetry.   But at the same time let us make proper use of it”

This was said by Alfred Massa, president of the Maltese Poets Association (Ghaqda Poeti Maltin), during the presentation of prizes to the winners of this year’s National Poetry Competition, which was held on October 18 at the Guzeppi Despott Hall of the Ministry of Education in Floriana.

According to the jury, made up of Professor Manwel Mifsud, Pawlu Aquilina and Salv Sammut, the poems submitted were of a satisfactory level.

Participants could submit poems in Maltese, English or Italian.  The winners were:

Maltese section:   

1.   Paceville Insomnja (Raymond Grech).  2.  Is-Sebh (Fr.Edmund Theuma, OFM Conv.) .   3.   11 ta’ Settembru 2004 (Oliver Aquilina)

English Section:   

1. A visit from down under (Therese Vella).   2. Under the benign stars of love (Jean Paul Schembri).

Italian Section:   

1.   Il trapasso  (Maurice Mifsud Bonnici).  2. Se sei te stesso (Margeret Attard Baldacchino)

The president of the association, Alfred Massa, handed out prizes and diplomas to the winners .   The winning poems were then recited alternately by Charles Magro, BA, and Dr. Audrey Ann Fava, who also compered the evening.

The Sunday Times October 31, 2004 .