This year's Malta Book Fair which opened yesterday, is hosting a record number of book launches.
On Friday, Allied Publications is launching Travelling Between Shadows by Charles Briffa at 7.30 p.m. and on Saturday at 6.15 p.m. it will launch Prehistoric Malta, Europe And North Africa, by Bernard Vassallo.
Other launches include Lino Spiteri's L-Onorevoli, Charles Casha's Mill-Gallarija, Conversation With Twelve Maltese Artists, by Joseph Paul Cassar, and Achille Mizzi's Eklissi Perpetwi, among the total 10.
The 23rd edition of the fair is being held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, where about 30 stands have been mounted.
Among the novelties is a poetry festival, offering the public the chance to meet Maltese poets. The festival will be held today, between 5.15 and 8.45 p.m.
The participants include George Peresso, John Buttigieg, Claudia Gauci, Mario Azzopardi, Trevor Zahra, Vince Fabri, Joseph Buttigieg, Joe Friggieri, Victor Fenech, Maria Grech Ganado, Walter Micallef, Louis Briffa, Adrian Grima and Karl Schembri.
Specific activities for children include a meeting with author Jeremy Strong, courtesy of Merlin Library Ltd on Saturday, while Miriam Dalli, Amanda Ciappara and Joe Debono will read children's stories at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday.
The fair is open from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. today and tomorrow; from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. on Friday; from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 3-9 p.m. on Sunday.
Entrance to the fair and related events including book launches are free.
Visitors will get a ticket at the door giving them the chance of winning books donated by exhibitors.
Transport by bus 98 leads visitors to the venue.
For more information e-mail info@ktieb.org.mt or call 9982 7179.
www.ktieb.org.mt