English poet Stephen Morris attended a poetry evening organised by the Għaqda Poeti Maltin. The Vittoriosa event was organised in collaboration with the local council. It was held at Couvre Porte Hall last month.

In a brief speech, Morris, from Birmingham, glossed over his poetic output, spread over 10 volumes. He also writes drama and prose, but his forte is poetry and his verses have found an esteemed place in various worthy literary magazines, such as Connections, Dial 174, Purple Patch, Linkway and others.

GħPM president Alfred Massa, in his introductory speech, highlighted the fact that, as it has done in the past, Vittoriosa welcomed again all poetry lovers within its historic walls, paying tribute to this most noble art, as did many other localities all over Malta and Gozo.

As usual, a good number of poems, in Maltese, English and Italian were read out by those present, who filled the hall and enjoyed the hallowed atmosphere, deliciously enhanced by the beautiful voice of poetess Miriam Camilleri, who also possesses a warm, delightful voice. She sang Qalu li raw, Born Free and Roma non fa la stupida stasera, accompanied on an electric piano by young organist Johanna Galea.

Tribute was paid to the late poet Anton Buttiġieġ, on the 25th anniversary of his death. Melina Cornish read an essay about this poet, written by Ġużè Chetcuti, while poets John Mallia and Mario Attard read out two beautiful poems, lyrical tributes to nature.

At the end of the evening, Morris took the floor, signing copies of his poetry collection Limbus of the Moon against a pledge to give a few euros to a good cause.