Literary Exchange at the Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest Event with Ali AlShaali and Murad Shubert


The National Book Council is proud to announce the participation of Emirati poet Ali AlShaali and Maltese Moroccan poet and translator Murad Shubert in a unique literary exchange at this year’s Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest award-giving ceremony. Scheduled for Friday 8 November at 18:00 at the Malta Book Festival’s Theatre, the event will feature the two poets reading each other’s works in translation, highlighting the rich interplay between Maltese and Arabic poetry.

This poetic exchange is made possible through a collaboration between the National Book Council and the Emirates Literature Foundation. AlShaali and Shubert have been working together on translating each other’s poems, and they will present both the original and translated versions at the event. The readings will be moderated by actress Antonella Axisa, offering the audience a chance to explore the artistic and cultural connections between their work.

Ali AlShaali is a celebrated Emirati poet, publisher and cultural figure, whose poetry collections and essays have been translated into numerous languages. He is the founder of the Al Hudhud Group and actively contributes to international literary and cultural forums.

Murad Shubert, who writes poetry in Maltese, is the winner of the 2023 National Book Prize in the Poetry category for his collection Imbagħad il-Qiegħ (Klabb Kotba Maltin). A poet deeply connected to his roots in Casablanca’s Hay Mohammadi district, Shubert draws inspiration from iconic literary figures such as Mahmoud Darwish and Ghassan Kanafani, as well as from Morocco’s rich storytelling traditions. His work reflects a keen social awareness and an uncompromising honesty, traits that have earned him critical acclaim.

The Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest remains the most prestigious award for a single unpublished poem written in Maltese. Each year, the contest is judged anonymously based on originality, distinctiveness of voice and the creative use of rhythm and figures of speech. Winners will be announced during the ceremony, with prizes of €1,000, €500, and €200 for first, second, and third place, respectively. Participation in the Prize has been rising steadily, with record submissions registered each year. This enthusiastic uptake by Maltese authors is one of the reasons why the National Book Council felt the ceremony should also host an inspiring poetic exchange between poets of AlShaali and Shubert’s caliber.

The award-giving ceremony of the Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest is organised as part of the Malta Book Festival 2024 cultural programme of events. The Festival will be taking place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November.

For the full programme, click here. For more information and to stay updated on the latest developments, visit ktieb.org.mt and the Malta Book Festival Facebook and Instagram page.