A small, but highly appreciative audience, enjoyed an informal talk and question and answer session with Pierre Mejlak, 2014 winner of the EU Prize for Literature.

Pierre shared with the audience his love of writing about the most complex subject on earth, people and their relationships. Sue Scantlebury and Rob Ricards also read two stories from his latest collection with “sensitivity and insight.”

Those present also learned of Pierre’s passionate love for the Maltese language. He now works in Belgium, speaking mainly French and his partner is a lady from northern Europe who does not speak Maltese. He said that it resorts to speaking to himself in Maltese while jogging to keep the language alive in his mind.

The expat members of the audience were especially intrigued to hear a discussion on one seemingly mundane word. One of the stories read is titled ‘The Ironing Board.’ An English speaker asked what that is in Maltese? Pierre answered “Il-mejda tal-moghdija.”

A Gozitan member of the audience came up with another suggestion and a discussion followed. “This would not be possible in English where an ironing board is just an ironing board.”

This highlighted for the audience in a small way the intricacies of the Maltese language and served to make the talk much more than a stream of facts, but what they described as “a warm personal encounter with the author,” a successful Gozitan of whom all in Gozo and Malta should be justifiably proud.

Copies of his latest book ‘Having said Goodnight’ were snapped up and Pierre kindly wrote a personal message in each.

For those who missed this talk and would like to know more about Gozo Live events and activities, please send name and email address to gozolive2018@gmail.com or follow the Gozo Live page on Facebook.

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