Wednesday, 9th July 2008 - 10:57CET

Updated: Well known author Kilin passes away

(Adds MLP, PN statements)

Well known author Mikiel Spiteri, better known as Kilin, has passed away. He would have been 91 next month.

Born in Rabat in 1917 and known as Kilin since childhood, Mr Spiteri published a string of books in Maltese which included novels and poetry. He also penned booklets on wayside chapels and small churches.

His best known work is Fuq l-Ghajn Ta' San Bastjan, which is a collection of childhood memories of the 1920s.

MLP spokesmen Evarist Bartolo and Owen Bonnici in a statement this afternoon saluted the memory of Michael Spiteri, saying Malta had lost one of its best authors.

“Kilin was a person who dearly loved his family, his country and literature, and the Labour Party joins the rest of the country in saluting this great and humble man and expressed its condolences to the his family,” the party said.

The Nationalist Party said Kilin would always be remembered for his contribution to Maltese literature.

Kilin was an author who not only conveyed a message through his writing but he also distinguished himself in the way he used the Maltese language. Through his writings, he succeeded in creating awareness of the importance of the Maltese language as part of the national identity," the PN said. It also expressed condolences to his family.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Monday, November 23, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Miriam Ellul (on 14/7/08)

I have met Kilin many times during programs and I have met him even many more times through his books which keep piling up on my shelves. A humble and honest citizen who gave us generous amounts of knowledge about the best and the worst of times in Malta.
Thank you for the great inheritance you left us. We will never forget you.
R.I.P.

Mary Grace Cardona (on 11/7/08)

I am joseph's girlfriend whom joseph is Kilin's grandson therfore I am so glad I had the opportunity to have met Kilin. I can say that he had a unique and an amazing charachter. The thing that i really admire in Kilin was that i have noticed that he always used to say what was on his mind and always fight for the right thing.

May he rest peace and watch over us to follow his example.

David Gatt (on 11/7/08)

Truly a great writer who left a great deal of work that will stay with us forever. RIP.

Amanda Spiteri (on 11/7/08)

Aw Zi,
you were my adoptive nannu, always calling me lewza, which I hated when young !! I grew to love my pet name when growing up I spent more time in your company while you thought me Maltese, Spanish, the love of art and music.
You really where one of a kind. We will miss you even though you left us so much to remember you by.

Amanda your lewza.

James De Giorgio (on 10/7/08)

I grew up reading Kilin. It's like I lost a loved one.

May Kilin rest in peace!

Christina Zahra (on 10/7/08)

Nannu Mike
Inti ha tibqa dejjem HAJ f'mohhi u f'qalbi.. You and nanna made us a really wonderful family.. You taught us the importance of values in life and togetherness.. You shared your life and experience throughout your literature.. You expressed your feelings in paintings - and that's why I thank you again since I am one who love and appreciate art...
Thanks nannu for being my hero...

We all Love you and miss you and know you are always by our sides..

Christina daughter of Agatha - the youngest from the twins
Lawrence, and sisters Marcella and Laura

xxx

Owen Sant Angelo (on 10/7/08)

Fuq l-Ghajn Ta' San Bastjan is one of the rare Maltese works of art that remind us of our true identity. Values that may be covered by today's fast paced lifestyle. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to take a glimpse of what true Malta is about. Grazzi Kilin.

S Aquilina (on 10/7/08)

A modest gentleman and a gifted author. RIP Kilin.

Andrew Bonnici (on 10/7/08)

a great author..enjoyed studying his work..gave a lot to his country..a true example.

Rest in peace Kilin...you'll never be forgotten.

d.muscat (on 10/7/08)

kilin,kilin hellejtne. me ninsewkx u l gid materjuli u spiritwulej li hellejtilne nibqew ingawdowh al dejjim te dejjim. Idhek idhek bhal me kint tamil mite nkellmik jew niktiblik ekk bl-iMgarrej.
gawdej il-primju misthuqq, habejb u missier.

Rita Wall (nee Spiteri) (on 10/7/08)

We are all very proud of my nannu's talents and gifts and it is comforting for his family to read such comments of appreciation - thank you all. Also nannu was not too afraid of technology as until nanna sadly passed away, Kilin was always online and chatting to people all over the world (in his 80s). So it is wonderful to be able to feel close to the maltese people and to connect with all who knew him in Malta through internet medium - since I live in England as do my father (Kilin's eldest son), my mother, my sister and brother with our families, whom "nannu buzu" as he called himself to the great-grandchildren, was very proud of.

May you rest in peace with nanna, today on her anniversary of her birthday and always. We will miss you nannu. Rita, Phil, Bernadette, Matthew and Christopher. xxxxx

kenneth cauchi (on 10/7/08)

Insellimlek Kilin! that is the best phrase I can think of to my former next door neighbour in Rue D'Argens or better the person who used to tease me as a kid holding my mum's bucket full of pegs while hanging the washing on the roof. Kilin was one of the very few people that was well versed in the topics which are so favourite to me - water colours and maltese literature. Kilin's artistic touch is ever so evident in his writings - the descriptive element so vivid managing to paint out a scene in words for the reader to picture the scenario he wanted to show. Kilin was an all rounder. I used to find in him an avid listener with keen interest on whatever the subject happened to be. On another fact which makes me feel emotional, I used to feel tense whenever it was my turn to read at Church in his presence - he was always constructively critical. When he named his house 'Ghid li trid' I remember I was looking forward to his criticism - which ironically never came. Kilin, l-Imsida hija kburija li laqghetek bhalha wiehed minn uliedha - Grazzi

Michael Pule' (on 10/7/08)

Of all the Maltese authors, Kilin was my all-time favourite. His use of the Maltese language was clear and enjoyable. He instilled in me the need to keep using proper Maltese words instead of imported ones. His loss will be felt for a long time and in some cases will be irreplacable. Thanks Kilin. You are now united with God whom you loved so much! Rest in peace.

Ryan Farrugia (on 10/7/08)

'Fuq l-Ghajn ta San Bastjan' was one of the first books in Maltese I read. I was mersmerised by the simplicity and innocence of the narrator. The memories of Kilin's childhood became intertwined with mine.
Today when I visit the places mentioned by Kilin I find myself trying to imagine what Malta might have looked like back then: simple and innocent.
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to read another of his great works 'L-Ghafrid'.

Thank you Kilin. May you rest in peace.

M. Mallia (on 9/7/08)

Kilin was a senior Civil Servant and I a junior clerk. Meeting him was always an educational encounter. He was also well versed in the Spanish Language.

Condolences to his family. May he rest in peace

rose merie caruana (on 9/7/08)

I am kilin's grandaughter, and i am so happy to read all the beautiful comments written here, I feel that there is a whole other family of my grandfather out there all you people who loved his writing and his amazing character...all the comments eased the pain. Our grandfather was one of a kind...kien ragel ta' veru. we miss you and we will never stop loving you. i will not say addios or adieu my nannu because your memory will live always in our hearts and in your books.

Leslie Vella (on 9/7/08)

What I loved most was his simple way of describing things. His books tell us of a more innocent world which is long gone: a world which was much simpler and smaller and which was happier with so much less. The nostalgia in his writings was however tempered with very real instances of the miseries and shortcomings of that world so as to remind us that good and bad existed then too. Thank you Kilin for the hours of joy you have given me in reading your books. May you meet all your fantastic friends, mentors and relatives in the great Ghajn ta' San Bastjan in the sky! God bless you.

Gerry Cowie (on 9/7/08)

May he rest in peace.
I only had the privilege of meeting him once in his parish of Ta 'Xbiex. He never advertised his presence.
I shall always cherish the little book on wayside chapels which he wrote.

Cecilia Testa (on 9/7/08)

I am one of Kilin's daughters and on behalf of the rest of my siblings I would like to thank all those who are giving their beautiful comments about my father. A father who was and will remain dearly loved. I miss you dad, so much! With whom am I going to discuss literature that you loved so much? With whom am I going to try and solve those difficult crosswords that we used to love doing together? Rest in peace beloved father

Mario Psaila (on 9/7/08)

Few people know that Kilin, apart from being a great author, was also a lover of chess and played quite solidly too! RIP

George Falzon (on 9/7/08)

A sad loss to art and literature and to us all who knew him. This is a big loss also to the Ghaqda Letterarja Maltija. Kilin was an incessantly active member of the society till his last days. Kilin should remain an inspiration to us all. Our condolences to his family. He is surely enjoying what he lived for!

Charles Flores (on 9/7/08)

The passing away of a great author is always a sad occasion. The passing away of a friend is even sadder. Kilin and I hardly ever saw eye to eye on anything we discussed, but we still maintained a good, healthy relationship. We were of different generations but still managed to understand and appreciate one another. It was a privilege to have known him. So long, my friend.

Ambrose Muscat (on 9/7/08)

Some years back I had the pleasure of serving Kilin at a local bank branch - Upon hearing my name he gave me an in depth account of the deeds of the saint whose name I bear. The following day he promptly turned up with an old tome in Italian and read out several excerpts written by the same saint. A sharp and expansive brain and a registry of information on our heritage - our loss is Heaven's gain.

Louis Aquilina (on 9/7/08)

Inselimlek Kilin.

The Malta of your childhood has long gone but thanks to you, to your stories and the way you told them they will remind, each and every one of the joy of simple things.

arnold cassola (on 9/7/08)

A humble person. A gifted writer. Gave much to his country. An example to all of us.

ESMERELDA AZZOPARDI (on 9/7/08)

i really admire this man .i have read lots of his books that one of my favorite was l-ghafrid,we lost a great author.may in the future we have more authors like him.may god bless his soul.i give my condolences to his family.

Frans Sammut (on 9/7/08)

Mike C. Spiteri (aka Kilin) will be remembered for the impeccable Maltese he wrote. One can only hope his example will be followed by up-and-coming writers particularly at a time when the Maltese language is going to the dogs. Kilin wrote without pretensions, was sincere in his publications and had the best intentions in all that he wrote. His verse, echoing his deep knowledge of Spanish and Iberian letters, is extremely beautiful, his childhood memories of life in the Rabat of the 1920's absolutely delightful. Adios, mi querido amigo, and, in our beloved language: Sahha, habib, in-nuqqas tieghek se nhossuh bil-kbir.

John P. Portelli (on 9/7/08)

May he rest in peace. A real gentleman. As a young teacher of Maltese at Savio College (1975) I used to invite him once a year to meet with the students who could ask him questions about his work. It was a delight for all of us. He was so engaging, humble and honest.

Victor Pulis (on 9/7/08)

Kilin as all true authors and artists will never die. He will live on through his works for as long as they are appreciated by those left behind.

Mons George Frendo (on 9/7/08)

A personal friend of mine, a mature Christian, a dedicated father,a model to all of us to make good use of God given gifts. May he rest in peace, and may his family thank the Lord for Kilin.

Ivan Said (on 9/7/08)

Great man indeed.

david schembi (on 9/7/08)

Pity.

Andrew Borg (on 9/7/08)

RIP Kilin :( :(

Franco Farrugia (on 9/7/08)

KILIN's passing away is a loss for Malta, not only as a country but also with regard to literature, traditions and culture. KILIN worked very hard in favour of the Maltese language. The country should pay tribute to this great man.

Elaine Attard (on 9/7/08)

I feel very lucky that I managed to get 3 of his books signed personally by Kilin only last month!! His works help the younger generations, get a taste of the past of their parents and grand parents. Thank you Kilin for giving us a colourful glimpse of the Maltese folklore and traditions. Your memory will live dearly through your books!!!

Vincent Zammit (on 9/7/08)

I met Kilin many times during the years and it was always a pleasure to listen to him, to interview him, and to discuss the various literary projects that he had carried out and was planning to do. God grant him eternal Rest.

Joseph Mizzi (on 9/7/08)

Saddened at the news of Kilin's passing away. It was always a pleasure talking to him and it was hard to believe that he was 50 years my senior. Our last conversation was a couple of weeks back when we were discussing the forthcoming new edition of his book 'Fuq l-Ghajn ta' San Bastjan'. Kilin will certainly be remembered through his writing. Our thoughts and prayers go for his family.

Kevin Zammit (on 9/7/08)

As a child I was a big fan of his book reading them many times over. He will be sorely missed.

K. Camilleri (on 9/7/08)

Today is a sad day for Maltese Litterature. Condolences to all his family. Grazzi Kilin for all the words you have wrote!

Andrea Pullicino (on 9/7/08)

A great man is never lost, he lives on though his works and by continuing to appreciate these works and passing them on we are keeping his spirit and his ambitions alive. May he get the rest he duly deserves and may he be the inspiration for many future authors.

C. Scerri (on 9/7/08)

I have had the occasion of meeting him a number of times and I can say that Maltese Literature and Culture have lost a great man. May he rest in Peace and condolences to his family.

Immanuel Mifsud (on 9/7/08)

May one of our great authors rest in peace.

gaffarena joseph (on 9/7/08)

He was a real gentleman,always happy ,and sincere. I, used to enjoy his writings.
May God grant him eternal rest.

Updated: Well known author Kilin passes away

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