A book containing a collection of poems by Manwel Dimech will be launched on Friday to mark 100 years since his exile to Egypt.

Called Dimech Poeta: Mill-ħabs għall-eżilju (Dimech the poet: from prison to exile), the book was written by Jessica Micallef, a 22-year-old university graduate from Żebbuġ who holds a Masters in arts in Maltese literature.

The book includes a presentation by Oliver Friggieri and a study by Adrian Grima.

To mark the occasion, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca will unveil a commemorative plaque at Valletta waterfront. Afterwards, flowers will be thrown into the sea from traditional Maltese boats offered by the Kooperattiva Barklori.

One dgħajsa in particular will take pride of place. It is named Palomba and is reputed to be the oldest in the Maltese islands having been built more than 150 years ago.

The book publishers, Sensiela Kotba Soċjalisti (SKS), noted that in Dimech’s time commuting dgħajjes in the Grand Harbour counted in the hundreds. Today thoroughly restored to its original glory, the Palomba – only 12 of its type remain – was inherited from generation to generation.

The event is being held on the day and time Dimech had been exiled. It was on September 5, 1914 at 7pm that the Italian steamship SS Stura sailed out of Grand Harbour with Dimech on board. He died in exile in Egypt in 1921.