Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1358359
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 APRIL 2021 6 BOOKS AMONGST the many po- ems written by Oliver Friggieri (1947-2020), one fine gem is, 'Ti- slima lil Kristu Sidna' ('Greet- ings to Christ our Lord'). This is a spiritual poem in which the poet communicates in an in- tense manner with the Crucifix. In Jesus on the cross, Friggieri sees a symbol of suffering that paradoxically soothes and offers a redentive power, and a mys- tery that provides meaning to everybody's life and humanity's history. The publishing house 'Reliġ- jon u Ħajja' acknowledges the importance of this poem, and hence the main reason for pub- lishing it in an illustrated edi- tion. Interspersed with Friggie- ri's verses, the readers find more than twenty-five classical paintings that narrate the Pas- sion of Christ; together they form a unique artistic and lit- erary voyage. Maybe few are aware that Friggieri loved to sketch, amongst which feature several crucifixes. The readers can find a section dedicated to a broad selection of crucifixes illustrat- ed by the poet himself, some of which are being published for the first time. Dr. Terence Portelli, an ac- ademic within the Faculty of Education, wrote a detailed critical study of this poem by Friggieri. His chapter provides an in-depth analysis of: the po- et's affinity to Christian Exis- tentialist philosophy, the story behind this particular poem, its main themes and imagry, and the many intricate stylistic and rhetorical figures. Portel- li also offers an interpretation of the illustrations with which the Friggieri embellished this poem, and finally, he identifies the central ideas that Friggieri distilled and selected over the years as his personal moral and spiritual legacy to the Maltese nation. The book can be bought from the publishing house website www.ruhmalta.com and all leading book shops. Oliver Friggieri poem published in illustrated edition Oliver Friggieri Joseph Feriggi Horizons, 2020 THE days on Pawlu's farm keep going on. As a result of the farm- er's diligence and that of his son, Ġużeppi, the circle of friends of Ġisku, who is now a grown up donkey, keeps growing. He was feeling happy on the farm, but as time went by he started realiz- ing that it is not always easy to make friends with others. Why did Reggie, Mattew's new dog, had three legs and not four? Will it be possible for Ġisku to defy the other farm animals' opinions and start a new friendship with him? The time for Imnarja's race has arrived. Will he be able to win this year's donkeys' race? He pre- pared himself very well for it, but Brillu will be competing also. And who was that lovely female donkey, he spotted in Gozo? It was quite impossible to forget what he felt the in- stance he saw her. Ġisku accepted all that life could offer. He learnt some- thing from all his experiences. He smiled when it was possible. And he didn't let bad moments push him down, but he was al- ways optimistic. He realised that life would be much nicer if he lives for the moment. Ċisku – Ħbieb Ġodda Book review Cisku can be purchased from the publishing house Horizons