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3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 DECEMBER 2020 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Appreciation: Carmel S. Aquilina IN just over one week, the local arts scene was bereaved of two unique per- sonalities, who in their own ways, con- tributed and left a legacy to ensuing generations. Just one week after Prof Oliver Friggieri passed away, Carmel S. Aquilina, a renowned playwright also passed on to eternity. As with Oliver Friggieri, his deep understanding of drama and literature helped him to hone his craft. He was very well versed in the Greek classics, also with the Russian 19th century inno- vators notably Anton Chekov, as well as 20th century playwrights like Tennessee Williams – such was his wide-angled attitude in his works. Carmel was disciplined, but also er- udite and free-flowing in thought and prose. He was indeed, a man of words, as he time and again described himself. Carmel passed over these traits, as a teacher and a tutor of Maltese and other languages and moreover, would become part of the team during rehearsals, going into the finest details not just in delivery but even in posture and body language. I had first-hand experience of such direction during rehearsals in 2012. However, I had already known Carmel quite well in my first encounter with him back in 1990, at the Drama School at Maria Regina Complex Blata l-Bajda. There I could appreciate his insight, his wry sense of humour and moreover, his unassuming, unpretentious charac- ter, which nonetheless, was also full of self-respect and inevitably, this made people respect him more. Through such attitudes, he helped to raise and nurture a whole new genera- tion of actors, directors and playwrights. An avid reader, along the same lines as Oliver Friggieri and Alfred Sant, Carmel S. Aquilina would direct Rewwixta, Oli- ver's three act poetic drama, which went beyond non-conforming attitudes. That play was the reason for the aforemen- tioned interview and my first encounter with Carmel. Then, I would once more interview him when he was directing Al- fred Sant's Pupu fil-Baħar back in March 2011. "I tend to analyse and dissect the production throughout rehearsals," Carmel added in this interview. "After some six or eight rehearsals, I will then start the synthesis and will build anew; it is during this stage that I will start getting more ideas and in- spirations. Where, in the past, I would have been more rigid and start writing everything again, now I communicate more with the actors and this would lead to more spontaneity". After all, despite having worked long hours in education and drama, Carmel remained very much deep-rooted in his home village of Għargħur, where he was born and lived throughout his life. He was and remains, the village's most renowned writer and playwright and his insight into village and rustic life is also evident in his writings and poetry. As with many Għargħurin, he loved St Bart- holomew, but Carmel was also a devout follower of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Moreover, in 1975, Carmel S. Aquilina founded the Passion Drama Pageant which takes place on Palm Sunday at Għargħur and is a nation-wide attrac- tion during Holy Week. Even there, one could infer some prosaic entries, deftly fused with the Biblical verses, verses that enhance the meaning of God's suffering for mankind, and yet remain faithful to the Scriptures. Carmel S. Aquilina's legacy extends beyond his writings. He knew where he wanted to go, and as a self-made man of letters, succeeded on a parochial and national level, going even beyond, as his works shed so much insight, which has been inspirational to many others. One just hopes that this legacy will not just endure but will be further developed by the artistes he mentored. Eric Montfort