Book contest ends in tie

The first prize in the literary contest Letteratura għaż-Żgħażagħ held last Friday went to Simon Bartolo and Rita Saliba.

Mr Bartolo's work is titled Kliem ir-Riħ (The words of the wind) and Ms Saliba's Inżul ix-Xemx (Sunset). Each was awarded €1,000 and a trophy. The aim of the contest was to promote teenage literature.

A special young author prize went to Renè Cilia.

There were 28 entries from both seasoned and new writers.

National Book Council president Ġorġ Mallia spoke of the organisation's dream that there be more teenage literature in Maltese.

The jury was made up of Norbert Ellul Vincenti, Maria Pace and Pauline Miceli.

A call will be issued shortly for publishers interested in releasing the two winning manuscripts. Held at St James Cavalier, Valletta, the event was organised by the National Book Council and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth and Sports.