The 2010 Children’s Poetry Competition came to a close with the presentation of prizes to the young winners in the foyer of the Education Division in Floriana on February 11.

The evening was chaired by Joseph Axiaq who, together with Emmanuel Attard Cassar, was part of the Għaqda Poeti Maltin committee that organised the competition.

Association president Alfred Massa highlighted the importance of such competitions given the bleak predicament of poetry in Malta. Massa stressed that children should be introduced to poetry and shown its beauty and worth.

He said children should not think of poetry in the context of the dreariness of exams and he called on parents to set a good example by enjoying reading poetry together with the family.

He also said children should be left free to express themselves in verse, in whatever language they prefer, and that children should seek guidance from their parentas as well as help from teachers.

At the end of his speech, Mr Massa thanked the judging panel, the commission and publishers Agius and Agius Ltd and Merlin Library, both of Blata l-Bajda, for the gifts they offered to the winners.

Poet Therese Pace read the report of the judging panel, which she had chaired. She listed a number of shortcomings in the 200 poems entered, but also made positive remarks on them, keeping in mind that the children were aged between nine and 11.

The winners then read out their poems and were presented with diplomas and books by Mr Massa.

The winners were: 1. L-Ambjent Malti – Josephine Vella; 2. What I Like – Mark Delicata; 3. Il-Ferħ tal-Milied – Kevin Cassar; 4. Talba lil Ġesù Bambin – Jesmar Gauci; 5. The Poem – Maria Galea; 6. Il-Milied – Andrew Schembri; 7. It-Twissija t’Ommi – Erica Dingli; 8. In-Nannu Karm – James Francalanza; 9. L-Istudju – Mariah Camilleri; 10. Il-Festa – Nicole Farrugia.

Honorary mentions went to Milied – Kimberley May Catania and Iz-Zija Rina – Erica Dingli.