The 2024 Campus Book Festival: Unveiling the programme of events

The National Book Council (NBC) proudly presents the 2024 Campus Book Festival programme, taking place from Wednesday, 20 to Friday, 22 March at the University of Malta Quadrangle.

This festival, the island’s second largest, presents an eclectic series of events catering to tertiary students and the general public, showcasing various facets of Malta’s literary landscape.

For this year’s edition, the NBC is happy to welcome the Irish illustrator Karen Harte, whose visit was made possible with the generous support of the Embassy of Ireland in Malta, and who will be participating in two events at the festival. Harte’s participation further emphasises the NBC’s commitment to highlight the crucial role book illustrators play in the industry, which in turn highlights the importance of collaboration among various cultural entities.

In fact, the festival is also made possible through the enthusiastic and fruitful collaboration between the NBC and student organisations and departments from both the University of Malta and MCAST. The publishers taking part in the festival include Faraxa Publishing, L-Għaqda talMalti, SKS Publishers, Ede Books/Kixott, Midsea Books/Klabb Kotba Maltin, Kite Group, Malta University Press, Horizons, Malta University Distributors and Kotba Calleja.

Hone your literary skills

Immerse yourself in the creative process of publishing at the 2024 Campus Book Festival. Karen Harte will shed light on the intricacies of the publishing world and offer aspiring illustrators a unique perspective. Additionally, veteran writer Victor Calleja provides practical advice on writing, narrative structuring and crafting personal essays.

Exploring cultural identity and language

The festival offers a platform to explore Malta’s rich cultural identity and linguistic landscape. Visitors will be invited to reflect on Maltese language in literature, through a Q&A session on Maltese literature in English, along with a discussion on the direct influence of English on the Maltese language. Under the auspices of the literary journal Aphroconfuso and through a discussion led by Aaron Aquilina, Noah Fabri and Omar N’Shea will also explore the translation of contemporary thought into Maltese, highlighting the nuanced process of linguistic engagement and the privilege it affords us in shaping our language.

Navigating the intersection of art and technology

Discover the evolving artistic landscape in the digital age through workshops. Explore the ethical implications of AI in art. Engage in discussions on the balance between online resources and commercial publishing and the hidden language of film and TV storytelling.

Giving life to the written word

With the fourth edition of Poeżija Slam, Għaqda tal-Malti invites poets to deliver original works solely through the expressive use of their voices and bodies. In Literary Dramatics, student performers will breathe life into Maltese literary texts through theatrical monologues, featuring special guest Lon Kirkop, recipient of the 2023 National

Book Prize in Drama. Meanwhile, DESA will host a book club session on Kamila Shamsie’s novel Home Fire, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Download the programme at www.ktieb.org.mt or visit the Festival’s Facebook page. Opening hours are between 9am until late, from Wednesday, 20 to Friday, 22 March.