The National Book Council, on behalf of all writers and those who love Maltese books, pays homage to Guzè Chetcuti, who died on Tuesday.
"I read and was overjoyed, my friend, with your verse." So said Dun Karm when he read Mr Chetcuti's collected poetry in Poeziji and Melita Invicta.
Mr Chetcuti was an important player in the history of our country. He worked for the Maltese language and for its literature in very difficult times. Not only in times when to love the Maltese language was considered a dishonour but also during World War II. Not even a cruel war lessened Mr Chetcuti's and his friends' love towards Maltese; a language we often have no esteem for these days. This was a time when Mr Chetcuti was in the Akkademja tal-Malti and, as its secretary, he was very active.
Mr Chetcuti gave his contribution through poetry, prose and theatre.
Mr Chetcuti's prose is realism-based and he used literature to promote the cause of the poor and the uneducated. In his novels, Mr Chetcuti shows clearly the consequences of poverty on humanity. Novels like It-Tnalja, L-Isqaq, Il-Kerrejja and a large number of short stories should be considered a clear and realistic manifestation of society in the grip of social change that left victims. And he was their literary portrait painter and defender.
Mr Chetcuti was also an important producer of Maltese romantic poetry. He sang the beauty of our country. He loved farmers and the simple life. He wrote about love and its power. Troubles and the joy in life. Patriotism and faith.
Mr Chetcuti also worked so that the people would understand literature, and so he published a number of books of criticism.
Another aspect that should not be forgotten is that of Mr Chetcuti the translator. He translated to Maltese works by Vincenzo Maria Pellegrini, Giovanni Curmi and a play by Henrik Ibsen. The Maltese nation recognised his work when in 1996 he was honoured with membership of the National Order of Merit.
While conveying its condolences to the late author's relatives, the National Book Council encourages all those who use the Maltese language to reflect about their work, in the shadow of Mr Chetcuti, a literary giant who is no longer with us except in his writings that remain and honour a man who loved and worked for the Maltese language.
Mr Grech is public relations officer, the National Book Council.