Pranzu Statali is a poema in historical fiction which conceives a grand conclusion to Valletta 18 with a State banquet for the protagonists of the history of Malta throughout the ages, from Calypso and Odysseus to present day Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. This particular fictional setting, however, gives the reader an opportunity to delve in historical situations as rendered by eminent research in the historiography of these islands.

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One hundred and forty heroes and anti-heroes meet under the glare of the lights of the banquet hall… they greet one another or glance with suspicion at each other. They discuss or debate controversies. Someone tries to redeem oneself from the condemnation attributed by first impressions in history pages… some are prompted by waiters to raise thorny issues which would be fodder for the bloggers.

This is the sixth publication by former editor of Il-Ħajja f’Għawdex Joseph W. Psaila.