Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542465
8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 9 JANUARY 2026 CULTURE INIZJAMED launched a book of essays to mark 25 years since its inception, a signif- icant milestone for one of Malta's leading literary organ- isations. This publication cel- ebrated a quarter of a century of literary activity, including interculture dialogue, experi- mentation, and a commitment to new writing and translation. The book launch on the 6th of January at 7.30pm at Spazju Kreattiv (Studio B), led by Ga- briel Schembri, featured a dis- cussion between Keith Borg, editor of the book and mem- ber of Inizjamed's core team; Leanne Ellul, Artistic Director of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Fes- tival; and Prof. Adrian Grima, founder of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Litera- ture Festival. The event also included read- ings by Jean Paul Borg, coor- dinator of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Litera- ture Festival, as well as read- ings by Inizjamed members Kurt Borg and Jake Buttigieg, who presented excerpts from essays by Nadia Mifsud and Clare Azzopardi. Together, these contributions reflected 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 en- titled U Niftakar — Ħamsa u Għoxrin Sena ta' Inizjamed, brought together a collection of essays reflecting on Iniz- jamed's history, its cultural impact, and the broader lit- erary context in Malta. Essay contributions were by Clare Azzopardi, Kit Azzopardi, Ele- na Cardona, Claudia Gauci, Adrian Grima, Leanne Ellul, Jean Paul Borg, Nadia Mifsud, Justine Somerville, Karsten Xuereb, and Anna Zammit. The publication also included 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 de- sign and cover were created by Naomi Gatt. The publication was supported by the Nation- al Book Council's Malta Book Fund 2024. Inizjamed is a Malta-based literary organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary literature and critical thought through writing, discussion, and performance. Over the years, it has played a central role in shaping Malta's lit- erary landscape by support- ing emerging and established writers, encouraging experi- mentation across genres, and creating spaces where liter- ature engages directly with social, cultural, and political realities. Inizjamed's flagship event is the Malta Mediterra- nean Literature Festival, the only annual literary festival on the island that brings together local and international writers and artists, further strength- ening literary exchange across the Mediterranean region. This publication came at a crucial moment for Maltese literature, when the literary es- say is increasingly being writ- ten in Maltese and appreciated as an art form, and at a time when Inizjamed continues to grow and reach new heights. The book was made availa- ble for purchase following the launch, or by contacting In- izjamed, from selected book- shops in Malta and Gozo, and during Inizjamed's events. For more information, one could visit Inizjamed's pages on Facebook and Instagram. U NIFTAKAR: Twenty-five 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 leading literary organisations The book launch at Spazju Kreattiv (Studio B), led by Gabriel Schembri will feature a discussion between 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 Grima, founder of Inizjamed and the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival.