Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1411841
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 SEPTEMBER 2021 6 BOOKS A quick guide to the 2021 Malta WITH a broad list of partic- ipants from all sectors of the book industry and an events programme suited to everyone's interests, the biggest celebration of book culture in Malta is set for a return to an in-person festival. Subject to the recommendations and guidelines from national health authorities, the 2021 Mal- ta Book Festival will be taking place at the MFCC, Ta' Qali be- tween 3-7 November 2021. Children's events The 2021 Malta Book Festival is sure to provide a memorable experience for children visit- ing the festival as well as those tuning-in from their class- rooms. Introducing students to the magical and adventurous worlds from the pen of Mal- ta's best children's authors, the Festival is partnering with comedy duo Danusan on per- formances adapted from the 2021 Terramaxka Prize win- ning works. The live theatrical show 'Il-Kotba Jieħdu l-Ħajja' (Books come to life) will run daily, at 6:30 pm on weekdays, and at 4:30 pm for two special longer shows on Saturday and Sunday. For the first time this year the shows will be free but tickets must be booked ahead from showshappening.com. School children also get a chance to join the Festival vir- tually from their classrooms for a specially curated interac- tive video quiz populated with stories, authors and charac- ters from celebrated works of children's literature. The quiz show is suitable for primary and secondary students and takes the form of an interactive video stream, allowing teachers to chart their own class' path through the quiz at their own pace. Vouchers for all participating students Each student visiting the Fes- tival or registered as part of a participating school will be re- ceiving a €5 voucher redeem- able from Festival exhibitors during the Festival and from their online stores. As of this year post-secondary will also be eligible to receive student vouchers. Teachers and lectur- ers in Malta and Gozo will be receiving a circular on the reg- istration process for their stu- dents from the National Book Council. Cultural programme In the coming weeks the Mal- ta Book Festival will be publish- ing its full five-day programme of events celebrating books and reading for audiences of all ag- es. The programme includes numerous book launches and presentations, meetings with authors, international guests, workshops, thematic discus- sions, film screenings as well as a host of activities for children by the numerous exhibitors and publishers participating at the festival. Events not to miss IRVINE WELSH The celebrated Scottish au- thor of Trainspotting Irvine Welsh is this year's special guest at the Malta Book Festi- val. He will be interviewed on Thursday 4 November at 7:30 pm by Wayne Flask and return the following day in conversa- tion with Immanuel Mifsud in an event moderated by Mark Vella. Book your seat on ktieb. org.mt. TREVOR ZAHRA On Saturday 6 November at 8:30 pm the National Book Council will be paying tribute to the literary achievements of a household name of contem- porary Maltese literature – Trevor Żahra. In celebration of the life and works of the recip- ient of the 2020 National Book Prize Lifetime Achievement Award, the NBC will be screen- ing a short documentary about Żahra followed by an exchange with Żahra himself. Book your seat on ktieb.org.mt. FILM - IS-SRIEP REGGHU SARU VELENUZI (A VIPER'S PIT) Following its debut in local cinemas this summer, here's a chance to catch a free screening introduced by the film's direc- tor Martin Bonnici of Is-Sriep Reġgħu Saru Velenużi, an ad- aptation of the 2021 prize-win- ning novel of the same name by Alex Vella Gera. On Sunday 7 November at 5:30 pm. Book your seat on ktieb.org.mt. THE 2021 DOREEN MICALLEF NATIONAL POETRY CONTEST Join us for the announcement of this year's winners and illu- minating readings by the win- ning poets of the prestigious contest. Now in its third edi- tion, it was first launched by the National Book Council in 2019 with the aim of further Irvine Welsh