What if the French had stayed on in Malta?

Didier Destremau, the Ambassador of France to Malta between 1998 and 2002, will be visiting the island again for the launch of his new book Malte Tricolore - an imagined description of Malta had the French not let it be taken over by the English.

Described as a stimulating and unusual tale of history and imagination, the book has been translated from the French into English by Simone Mizzi, council member of Din l-Art Helwa. It is being published by Midsea Books.

Well researched and amusing, Malte Tricolore gives a counter-factual account of a French Malta and takes the reader through the last two centuries. It describes the social, economic and political evolution of the Maltese islands as it might have been had Malta remained French from the time of Napoleon's return, breaking through the British blockade, to the granting of Independence in 1964 by....Charles de Gaulle, and on through to EU accession, a subject on which Ambassador Destremau was particularly forthright.

The reader will meet several well-loved historical characters along the way, from Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton to many a Maltese heroic figure and political leader.

Malte Tricolore carries some rare and colourful illustrations of Malta and will be sold at Lm4.95. Lighthearted and satirical, but with his great love of Malta evident on every page, this is Ambassador Destremau's third book on Malta but the first to be translated into English and published in Malta.

Proceeds from the sale of the book are being donated to Din l-Art Helwa by both the author and the publisher.

The launch will be held at the Judge Caruana Curran Hall, at Din L-Art Helwa, 133, Melita Street, Valletta on October 27.

The book will be distributed through all major bookshops in Malta and Gozo. Copies signed by the author will be available through the offices of Din l-Art Helwa or by calling 2122 0358.