The first edition of the Gozo Literature Festival, organised by the Gozo Regional Council and Inizjamed, will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April 2023. during the event, readings will be held in different locations around Gozo. 

Five writers, four from Gozo and one from Malta, will be reading at the Festival. The writers participating in this first edition are Charles Bezzina, Joe Camilleri, Elena Cardona, Corrine Zahra and Trevor Żahra. Readings will be held in Maltese and English.

Inizjamed has been organising the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival for the past eighteen years. It is the only literature festival in Malta that not only celebrates the word in its poetic and prosaic form, with translations from and to numerous languages, but also the word as translated into film, music and various other art forms.

The success of the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival has led to the creation of the Gozo Literature Festival. The aim of the Gozo Literature Festival is to consolidate and promote the works of Gozitan and Maltese writers within the Gozitan community; bridge the gap between emerging and veteran writers; involve the Gozitan community and various organisations; and also hold literary readings in places that are not usually associated with literature.

Using one of the old traditional buses, writers will travel around Gozo, visiting the majority of towns whilst reading on the same bus. Literary performances will also be held at different venues. Books from invited writers will be available at Book & Art Shop, Vajrinġa Street, Rabat.

Saturday 1 April 2023

The day will start with a literary walk around Victoria. Then, a book signing session with the support of local book publishers Merlin Publishers, Klabb Kotba Maltin, Horizons and Faraxa Publishing will take place at the Book & Art Shop (Vajringa Street), where the public can meet the writers, have a chat with them and buy their books. The public can meet the writers again during lunch at Tal-Massar for a unique (and informal) event of food and food for thought. 

Register here. 

In the evening, the writers will hop on the bus and read their works whilst at Xewkija, Għajnsielem, Mġarr, Qala, Nadur and Xagħra. Around 20:30, a reading will take place in the magical setting of Ġgantija Temples. This reading is being held in collaboration with Heritage Malta.

Sunday 2 April 2023

Sunday will also start with a literary walk, this time in the countryside with the collaboration of Wirt Għawdex and Għawdix. An open mic will follow at Saint Cecilia’s

Chapel, limits of Xewkija. The public is invited to read or perform their work in whichever language they prefer.

Register here.

In the evening, writers will hop once again on the bus and read their works, this time visiting Żebbuġ, Għasri, Għarb, San Lawrenz, Ta’ Kerċem, Munxar, Ta’ Sannat and Fontana.

Registration for the Festival nights is to be made here.