Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542413
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 JANUARY 2026 NEWS 'U Niftakar' — 25 years of Inizjamed INIZJAMED will be launching a book of essays to mark 25 years since its inception, a significant milestone for one of Malta's lead- ing literary organisations. This publication celebrates a quarter of a century of literary activity, including interculture dialogue, experimentation, and a commit- ment to new writing and transla- tion. The book launch on 6 of Janu- ary at 7.30pm at Spazju Kreattiv (Studio B), led by Gabriel Schem- bri will feature a discussion be- tween Keith Borg, editor of the book and member of Inizjamed's core team; Leanne Ellul, Artistic Director of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival; and Prof. Adrian Gri- ma, founder of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival. The event will also in- clude readings by Jean Paul Borg, coordinator of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival, as well as readings by Inizjamed members Kurt Borg and Jake Buttigieg, who will pres- ent excerpts from essays by Na- dia Mifsud and Clare Azzopardi. Together, these contributions reflect the multiplicity of voices and forms that have shaped Iniz- jamed over the past 25 years. Edited by Keith Borg, the 124-page book in Maltese entitled U Niftakar — Ħamsa u Għoxrin Sena ta' Inizjamed, brings togeth- er a collection of essays reflecting on Inizjamed's history, its cultural impact, and the broader literary context in Malta. Essay contri- butions are by Clare Azzopardi, Kit Azzopardi, Elena Cardona, Claudia Gauci, Adrian Grima, Leanne Ellul, Jean Paul Borg, Na- dia Mifsud, Justine Somerville, Karsten Xuereb, and Anna Zam- mit. The publication also includes short comments by Effie Azzo- pardi, Alexandra Büchler, Ka- tel Delia, Maria Grech Ganado, Virginia Monteforte, Matthew Schembri, Jake Buttigieg, and Klara Vassallo. The book's design and cover were created by Naomi Gatt. The publication is support- ed by the National Book Council's Malta Book Fund 2024. Inizjamed is a Malta-based liter- ary organisation dedicated to pro- moting contemporary literature and critical thought through writ- ing, discussion, and performance. Over the years, it has played a cen- tral role in shaping Malta's literary landscape by supporting emerging and established writers, encourag- ing experimentation across gen- res, and creating spaces where literature engages directly with social, cultural, and political re- alities. Inizjamed's flagship event is the Malta Mediterranean Lit- erature Festival, the only annual literary festival on the island that brings together local and interna- tional writers and artists, further strengthening literary exchange across the Mediterranean region. This publication comes at a crucial moment for Maltese lit- erature, when the literary essay is increasingly being written in Maltese and appreciated as an art form, and at a time when In- izjamed continues to grow and reach new heights. The book will be available for purchase following the launch, or by contacting Inizjamed, from selected bookshops in Malta and Gozo, and during Inizjamed's events. For more information one should visit Inizjamed's pages on Facebook and Instagram. Inizjamed is a Malta-based literary organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary literature and critical thought