From Illustration to Book: The Malta Book Festival 2025

The Malta Book Festival 2025 returns for its 46th edition, taking place from 5 to 9 November at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali. This year’s edition celebrates the transformative power of books, as exemplified by the tagline Writing Anew, inviting us to consider the generous and flexible nature of literary culture. 

And once again, the Festival will seek to remind its visitors of the central role that book illustration plays in the entire chain of publication. 

Now in its fourth edition, the From Illustration to Book exhibition is a collaborative project between the National Book Council (NBC) and Arts Council Malta (ACM) that explores the evolution of contemporary illustration in Malta. It brings together artists, designers, and storytellers whose work continues to shape the visual and literary imagination of Malta.

The exhibition is divided into five sections, each inviting audiences to experience illustration as both an art form and a vital part of book culture.

The section ‘Maltese Illustrated Characters’, curated by Matt Stroud, celebrates iconic figures from Maltese literature – characters like Trevor Żahra’s Surmast, Carmel G. Cauchi’s Pietru Pitravu, Naomi Gatt’s Ellie, and Ġorġ Mallia’s Professur Għasfur. These beloved creations, alongside new and contemporary figures, come together in a dynamic visual installation that pays homage to generations of local storytelling.

In ‘Illustration Today’, recent works by Maltese, Malta-based, and international illustrators selected through an open call are showcased, offering a panoramic view of the creative diversity defining book illustration today. This section also connects with ‘From Idea to Illustration’, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process – from the earliest sketches and concept notes to the finished artwork – highlighting the imagination and discipline that fuel the illustrator’s craft.

The ‘Artist Spotlight’ segment honours two leading figures in Maltese illustration: Naomi Gatt and Mark Scicluna. Both artists have made significant contributions to the field, each with a distinctive style and impact that continues to inspire a new generation of illustrators.

Finally, the ‘MCOI Illustration Annual 2025’ section, presented by the Malta Community of Illustrators (MCOI) with the support of NBC and MCAST Research, showcases selected works from this year’s annual publication, celebrating excellence in Maltese illustration and its dialogue with the world of publishing.

Dr Luke Dalli, Executive Chair at Arts Council Malta, said that the initiative continues to highlight how illustration, literature and design together form the backbone of our creative ecosystem. “From Illustration to Book not only celebrates the visual language that brings stories to life but also reflects our shared mission to empower artists and storytellers to shape Malta’s evolving cultural identity. This exhibition reminds us that creativity flourishes when disciplines meet where art becomes story and story becomes culture,” Dalli said. 

Mark Camilleri, Executive Chairperson at the National Book Council, added that From Illustration to Book is a commendable initiative for a variety of reasons. “First of all, it continues to cement the Council’s commitment to collaborate with entities which strengthen its remit. The exhibition is a concrete, tangible testament to our enduring and positive partnership with Arts Council Malta, one which we have every intention to see growing from strength to strength in the years to come. Secondly, the fact that From Illustration to Book is now ready to celebrate its fourth consecutive iteration means that it has become a festival fixture, creating a sense of clear, generative continuity in our celebration of Maltese book illustrators”. 

The From Illustration to Book exhibition remains a cornerstone of the Malta Book Festival, affirming the festival’s ongoing commitment to bridging art, literature, and education while celebrating the creative talent that defines Malta’s cultural landscape.For the complete programme and the latest updates, please visit the NBC website and follow the Malta Book Festival page on Facebook.