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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2014 38 THIS WEEK National Book Festival kicks off next month THE National Book Coun- cil (NBC) has announced that the 2014 edition of the National Book Festival will be held next 12–16 Novem- ber at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The National Book Festi- val is a continuation of the National Book Fair which has been re-branded in 2013 in the NBC's efforts to increase the cultural value of this prestigious annual event. The aim behind the fes- tival is to promote Maltese books to both local and foreign audiences and offer the local scene a cultural experience which ref lects the latest trends in the in- ternational book scene. The NBC is capitaliz- ing on last year's winning formula and packing this year's National Book Festi- val with cultural events and initiatives. Local publishers and authors will be holding their own events to pro- mote their latest works and publications while NGOs and other entities will also be holding lectures and de- bates. Foreign participation in this year's Festival will be marked by the presence of the French and Italians thanks to the French Em- bassy and the Italian Cul- tural Institute respectively. Schoolchildren will be given a €2 book voucher each to be redeemed during their visit to the Festival, while publishers are being subsidized to hold yet more interesting events on a larger scale. NGOs related to the book sector will be participating with a stand provided by the NBC free of charge. A major project to be launched by the NBC in collaboration with ONE at the Book Festival is a short-film based on one of Immanuel Mifsud 's short stories. The aim of this NBC project is to initiate an integration bet ween the book-market and the world of TV and film. Anton Grasso short story collection re-issued MEJT ('Dizziness'), the 12th vol- ume of stories and Anton Grasso's 19th book, was first published in 1998. Horizons have just published a second revised edition of this book with a new cover designed by Out- look Coop. Grasso, who started writing at an early age, this year celebrates his 40th year as an author. It was in Oc- tober of 1974 when he published his first book Iljieli Bla Qamar ('Moon- less Nights') – thirty short stories, mainly based on horror and the oc- cult, marking a new page in Maltese literature. This book, like many of Grasso's works, has been revised and reprint- ed in 1997. Grasso, one of Malta's most prolific writers, is the author of 52 books including novels, trans- lations of novels and stories, various prose and poetry, studies, an autobi- ography and 27 volumes of stories. A household name and Malta's premier writer of horror, he is also the author of Enigma, which was adapted as a very successful televi- sion series on the national station, winning the best documentary se- ries of the year. Mejt is a collection of five of his best stories out around 1,000 he has written. Fear, in these stories, takes a different twist. Grasso is a versatile author. He admits his career is nearing its end, although no one knows what the fu- ture has in store for us. Mejt is on sale at all leading sta- tioneries. GOVERNMENT OF MALTA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Concessions for the Set-up and Operation of Aquaculture Farms in the South East Aquaculture Zone The Privatisation Unit ('PU'), acting on behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, is issuing a public Request for Proposals in connection with the concession for the Set-up and Operation of Aquaculture Farms in the South East Aquaculture Zone. The PU is inviting submissions for the Request for Proposals (RFP) from reputable persons and/or entities with the necessary experience and resources to undertake such task. In the first instance, interested parties are invited to communicate with the PU, at the email address shown below, expressing their interest to undertake the task. Once this initial communication takes place, the PU will forward a process letter inviting interested parties to collect the RFP document. The process letter will explain the procedure to be followed for the collection and submission of the RFP document. Closing date for collecting the RFP: 24 th October 2014 (12.00hours CET). Closing date for the submission of the RFP: 28 th November 2014 (12.00hours CET). The Chairman Privatisation Unit Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business 4, Clock Tower, Level 1 Tigne Point Sliema TP01 Tel: (+356) 22209572 Email: privatisation.meib@gov.mt Website: privatisation.gov.mt YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt