The birth and death of Malta’s National Poet Dun Karm Psaila, is commemorated in October.

He was born in Zebbug, Malta, on the 18th of October 1871. In 1894 he was ordained priest and he published his first collection of poems in 1896. Dun Karm wrote his early poetry in Italian, but started writing in Maltese from 1912 onwards, becoming one of the leading figures in Maltese literary writing and in the promotion of the Maltese language.

In 1921 Dun Karm wrote the verses of the Innu Malti, the Maltese national anthem. In 1945 the Royal University of Malta bestowed on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature. In 1956 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contribution to Maltese literature. Dun Karm died on 13 October 1961, aged 90.

A number of commemorative events have been taking place in Malta including a special evening at San Anton Palace on Friday, in the presence of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

A repeat of this commemoration was held on Monday evening at the Exhibition Hall within the Ministry for Gozo, organised by the National Festivities Committee in conjunction with the Gozo National and Regional Celebrations Committee and Akkademja tal-Malti.

Gozo Choir Chorus Urbanus, following Friday’s event, was once again invited to provide musical interludes during this commemorative evening.

A number of poems by Dun Karm, most notably “Lil Mikiel Anton Vassalli” and “Ghaliex?” were recited. Maltese poet Achille Mizzi delivered a highly informative talk about the development of the Maltese Poem after Dun Karm.

The beautiful verses Dun Karm wrote as religious hymns were sung by Chorus Urbanus as musical interludes throughout the commemoration. These hymns, most notable of which are Nadurawk (T’Adoriam Hostia Divina) and Riesaq il-Lejl Mulejja were sung by Chorus Urbanus on adaptations for 4 voices a cappella arranged by Mro Dr John Galea, the Choir’s musical director. “Nadurawk” was also performed in its original Italian version “T’Adoriam Ostia Divina.”

The Maltese National Hymn, another poem by Dun Karm, brought the event to an end.

Mr Albert Marshall, Chairman of the Malta Arts Fund delivered the concluding talk, posing a number of teasing questions about the need of a Maltese National Poet and about the choice of such National Poet.

He admitted that he is discerning a new dawn in the interest being shown in Maltese literature which augurs well for the future.

The Chairman also congratulated the choir for “its excellent performance,” which he said, “was an indication of the qualities the Maltese, in this particular case the Gozitans, possess in the cultural realm.”

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