Activities are held throughout the year in various localities by several literary societies to promote Maltese literature and poetry but that of September 8, held at the Auberge de France - Museum of Maltese Language, in Birgu, took an unusual approach.

The occasion was described as "Festival Letterarju Vers Aghtini; Id-djaletti taghna" to celebrate Il-Jum Internazzjonali tal-Litterizmu (UNESCO). It was jointly organised by Heritage Malta and Franny Jo Publications.

In order to promote and appreciate local dialects, individuals from Birgu, Birkirkara, Gudja, Mqabba, Zejtun and Zurrieq were invited to present poetry, prose and acting in genuine dialect.

Birgu was represented by Manwel Attard and Joseph Brown who read selections from Zomm il-bqija by Manwel Casha of Australia. For Birkirkara Ninu Borg read L-Accjomu and L-Imhatra tal-Hallelin by Dun Xand Cortis.

Joseph Fenech of Gudja read his own essay in his native dialect portraying the former lifestyle in that village. Therese Gauci, an actress from Gharghur, beautifully acted two characters from Francis Ebejer's play Il-Gahan ta' Bingemma. Mary Camilleri used her Mqabba dialect to read the legend in verse San Pawl ta' Marsalforn by Guido Lanfranco.

The dialect of Zejtun was represented by Charles Seychell, who read his essay Il-bejjiegha tat-triq, and Joe Baldacchino described life and some vocabulary peculiar to Zejtun, besides his poem Il-mithna tal-kafe. For Zurrieq, Ray Mangion read extracts from the writings of George Sammut on Il-mithna tar-rih.

The activity was presented by Miriam Cassar, of Franny Jo Publications which sponsored the occasion. Catherine Tabone, curator of the Auberge de France, closed the pleasant evening by saying a few very relevant words before distributing certificates to the participants.

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