Kjaroskur by Simone Spiteri, winner of the Premju Francis Ebejer 2011.

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts has launched another edition of the Premju Francis Ebejer. The competition en-courages new and established writers to share their works with a wide audience and offers a solid platform for the most promising scripts in Maltese.

The award for best plays is not merely financial but also offers support for the winning scripts to be put up on stage and published.

Francis Ebejer is remembered for his lively and avantgarde style of writing. This left a strong impact on his audiences and helped Maltese theatre to make a leap ahead.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the writer experienced the tensions which Maltese society was going through. The sharp contrast between social norms and the waves of change which were also spreading through other countries seemed almost tangible.

Ebejer’s writing did not shirk from reflecting this. It grappled with philosophical, psychological and social issues and explored the absurdities of life and human behaviour. He interwove his influences into plays which reflect the concerns and realities of his time.

Since Ebejer’s time, the study of theatre in Malta has improved with a number of foreign influences. On the other hand, few new writers have written original plays in Maltese. The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts believes that it should recognise the skills and potential of writers, both new and established, and support the setting up of the best works.

The council invites writers and producers to take the opportunity offered by the Premju so that contemporary Maltese theatre can reinvigorate itself. The award is open to writers of all ages, level of experience and nationality. The plays should be written in Maltese, however, this does not exclude the use of other languages, as long as the main language is Maltese.

Writers can present their works in the following categories: writing for the theatre; writing for the theatre for children/teens; and writing of radio plays.

The selection is made by a jury composed of academics, writers and other artists. The evaluation of the works is based on the criteria of originality and creative skill; use of language and stylistic skill; dramatic structure; and use of theatrical/radio tools.

During last year’s edition, Malcolm Galea won the award for best script for children and teens, with the play Id-Dlam taħt it-Teatru. The prize for radiodramas was awarded to Joe Friggieri, for his work Kwadri minn Wirja.

Anthony Portelli was awarded second prize for his radio drama Lippu ‘id-Doggi’. In the theatre scriptwriting category, which received seven entries, the jury did not feel that the required level had been reached.

Applications for the Premju Francis Ebejer will be received by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts until June 28. Guidelines and application forms can be found online.

www.maltaculture.com