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19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JANUARY 2020 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Novels for Youth contest THE Literary Contest of Novels for Youth is an annual contest organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council. The purpose of this contest is to se- lect, reward and publish Maltese novels that are written specifically for young people, and that explore themes related to adolescence and the typical situations young people in this stage of their lives are likely to encounter. The organisers aim to gradually increase the availability of Maltese literature in this genre, thus sparking young people's interest and motivation to read books written in Maltese. Furthermore, the organisers aspire at promoting excellence by awarding works of a high literary content. Ad- ditional rationales behind this competi- tion include raising awareness about youth literature and for authors to submit original novels for youth which are innovative and non-didactic or moralizing in nature. As a result, young people will benefit from an increase in the available number of books targeted for their age group, which will stimulate them to embark on new and exciting reading experiences. Applications for the 2020 edition of the contest are now open and all in- terested authors are invited to submit original texts of between 20,000-25,000 words aimed at young adults of 13–18 years of age. Applicants can be individu- als or groups and the manuscripts have to be submitted under a nom de plume. All applicants must be at least 20 years old. The work must be original, in the Maltese language and never been pub- lished before, either whole or in parts. Applicants are to read the contest guidelines and download the application by visiting the websites www.agenzijazg- hazagh.gov.mt and https://ktieb.org.mt/ mt/konkors-ta-kitba-letteratura-ghaz- zghazagh/ or sending an email to agen- zija.zghazagh@gov.mt. The winner, which will be announced in the first week of January 2021, will be given a commemorative trophy and certificate, and the sum of €1,000. The winner will subsequently be asked to sign a contract, in which he or she will be offered funding (€2,000) for the pub- lication of her work with a local pub- lisher of their choice. Original manuscripts together with this year's official application form are to reach Aġenzija Żgħażagħ by noon 7 September 2020. Matthew Borg, National Book Council Central Link works DESPITE assurances of compensation to farmers, careful relocation of water reservoirs and dialogue with stakehold- ers Infrastructure Malta will bulldoze ahead with the Central Link Project even though the Court of Appeal has not yet decided on the case. The appellants in the Central Link case condemn this as a travesty of justice as stakeholders' rights cannot reasonably be respected if fields are asphalted over, trees uprooted, ver- nacular structures demolished and the central vista leading up to Mdina forever destroyed to be replaced by a four-lane busy car highway. Infrastructure Malta has thrown thousands of euros at this PR campaign making all kinds of unsubstantiated claims about the project being necessary to stop the area from "total gridlock" within 20 years' time. It is a pity that this statement was accepted blindly by all permitting authorities, only to be con- tradicted by Infrastructure Malta itself during the hearing before the Environ- ment and Planning Law Review Tribu- nal. This project is yet another textbook case of creating "induced demand" whereby roads are widened creating ever more demand for car-traffic in a never ending vicious-cycle. As to why works are starting now, before the Court of Appeal has had the opportunity to decide on the matter – that is yet another clear sign that this was always a fait accompli – a done deal, from when it was conceived. Tenders for the project were issued long before the planning permit was ever issued, in a clear bid to pressurise the Planning Board and all other permitting entities to get onboard with the plan. The appellants in the Central Link case got wind that works were about to start before Christmas and filed a pro- hibitory injunction to try and stop them, at least until the Court of Appeal could decide on the matter. The First Hall of the Civil Court de- cided that since the Court of Appeal judgment was imminent, any works car- ried out would not be irreversible and there would be no irrevocable prejudice. The fact that Infrastructure Malta has not even respected the spirit of this decision – and is trying to force as much work through before the Appeal hearing next week – is indicative of its modus operandi. But then – this is the same en- tity causing havoc in Wied Qirda with- out a permit. What else can we expect? James Wightman, Bicycle Advocacy Group