Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544987
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MAY 2026 CULTURE John Edward DeMicoli becomes first Maltese writer to win regional Commonwealth Short Story Prize Maltese writer John Edward DeMicoli has won the Canada and Europe regional category of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, selected from 7,806 entries MALTESE writer John Edward DeMicoli has been named Re- gional Winner for Canada and Europe in the 2026 Common- wealth Short Story Prize, be- coming the first writer from Malta to win at regional level. DeMicoli received the award for his short story The Bastion's Shadow, a work set against the fortifications of Valletta that explores themes of memory, migration, identity, and survival through the encounter between a humanitarian worker and a young survivor arriving by sea. In April 2026, DeMicoli had be- come the first writer from Malta to be shortlisted in the com- petition. Reacting to the news, DeMicoli said the achievement represented another important milestone for Maltese literature on the international stage. DeMicoli described the recog- nition as "deeply meaningful not only personally, but as a reflec- tion of our island's heritage and storytelling tradition finding its place on a global stage." The author also confirmed that his forthcoming two-vol- ume novel, The Sacred Redemp- tion, to be published by Midsea Books Ltd, expands on themes explored in the award-winning story. Drawing from historical fragments of Malta's past, the work reconstructs a narrative shaped by silence, faith, and identity across centuries. "From the heart of the Medi- terranean, the story continues — louder, prouder, and unmis- takably Maltese," DeMicoli said. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is regarded as one of the world's most significant international awards for unpub- lished short fiction, recognising writers from across the Com- monwealth. Megan May releasing her debut song home? On the 22 may EAGER to announce Meg- an May's first song release following her move to London and recent suc- cesses as a new music pro- ducer and sound engineer graduat- ed from Abbey Road In- stitute. The song will be out on the 22nd of June at midnight. Megan May is a Mal- ta-born, self-producing artist who has already hit No. 1 and performed on Malta's biggest stages be- fore deliberately stepping into the unknown. She builds communities, not fan bases - the kind of artist whose listeners feel like they found a friend, not a celebrity. 'Home?' is a raw acoustic single about the emotional split that comes with chas- ing a life abroad. It's about missing your nephew's first steps while discovering a version of yourself you never knew existed (and you love!!). About the guilt that rides alongside the thrill. About outgrowing one place without ever fully belong- ing to the next - and slowly learning that home might not be a place at all. Sonically, the song is in- timate and unhurried: fin- gerpicked guitars that feel like a conversation, and vocals that don't hide be- hind production - honest, melodic, and deeply hu- man. Written and Produced by Megan May herself, along- side Fursey Rossi