An unprecedented 130 books have been submitted for the annual National Book Prize, confirming the growing popularity of the award and the thriving publications scene.
“We interpret this as a sign of trust from the books industry in the undertaking of the National Book Prize,” Sergio Grech, the National Book Council’s Communications Officer, said. “We are committed to bring change in the book scenario even if the local situation is far from easy to tackle.”
Grech is confident that the prospects for the local literary scene are hopeful, claiming that “this is an exciting phase in the local book scene. Maltese literature is alive and kicking, notwithstanding the fact that books were never really on the nation’s agenda. Unfortunately, locally we tend to regard books as items to be consumed by the academics or by those boasting a degree. We are working hard to help increase the love of reading in our society.”
New categories have also been introduced. Hobby and lifestyle books will be considered this year, as well as textbooks and adolescent literature, amongst others.
As regards the language issue, Grech confirmed that books written in Maltese were more popular. “The reality is that as far as creative writing is concerned, Maltese is very strong. Occasionally you can have a novel or two written in English, but that’s not the trend. The same applies to poetry.”