A group of Italian authors and poets admitted to falling in love with the Maltese Islands during their visit last month. They were in Malta to attend the presentation of awards organised by the Libera Associazione Poeti e Scrittori (LAPS).

Beautiful awards representing the Knights of the Order of St John were presented to this year's winners by LAPS president Giuseppina Morelli, vice- president Daniela Biancacorti and PRO Pasquale Tanzini. They were assisted by guests of honour Comm. George G. Buttigieg, Malta's Ambassador to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Anna Maria Di Marco, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta. Also present were Stephen and Ann Petroni.

The top award went to Gianna Bonomo, who obtained the highest classification with her book Un fruscio d'aquilone. The Super Trofeo was won by Maria Antonietta Elia, followed by the Gran Trofeo La Valletta, which was awarded to Giancarlo Bugarin, Maria Cheti Toni and Elisa Dell'Orso.

Laura Rossi Ravaioli and Giuseppe Baldelli were awarded the Gran Croce al Merito della Cultura and the Gran Croce al Merito della Soledarieta respectively. The Medaglia d'Oro di Accademico della Cultura Europea was presented to Domenico Cerrati and Dante Repola.

LAPS was set up in 1993, and is based in Fuecchio (Florence). Its aims are to promote culture in all its aspects by identifying promising newcomers in literary and artistic circles, generally through contests, and to publicise their works through publications, conferences and events.

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