Festivals, Funds and Initiatives in 2024: Key Dates

On 19 January 2024, the National Book Council (NBC) held its Annual Consultation Meeting for authors and publishers in which the 2024 dates for its main initiatives were announced, including the much-anticipated Malta Book Festival and the revision of dates for the National Book Prize. During the meeting, the NBC mapped out its vision for the next twelve months while gathering valuable feedback and suggestions from stakeholders. 

Throughout 2024, the NBC will work on developing a comprehensive national strategy with the aim of addressing the main challenges that the Maltese publishing industry is currently facing, arising from the meetings and surveys that will be held with the stakeholders. The NBC will gather a wealth of data for the drafting of policies and programmes to establish targets for the near future and promote the thriving of the Maltese book industry. The strategy paper will be launched in December 2024, outlining a clear trajectory and vision for the future of the NBC as well as the local publishing industry. 

As part of our efforts to represent the evolving identity and mission of the NBC through its brand image, initial steps have been taken towards the rebranding of the NBC logo. Coupled with a website revamp, this revitalization of the NBC’s brand image will complement the release of the strategy paper in late 2024. 

This year, the annual Malta Book Festival will be held from 6 till 10 November. The venue will be announced when the public procurement process is completed and the tender is awarded. On the other hand, the National Book Prize ceremony will take place before the festival on 20 September, awarding both the Terramaxka Prize and National Book Prize. The revised dates of the National Book Prize reflect the extension of the shortlisting phase of the adjudicating process. 

Literary exports are a vital aspect for the Maltese book industry and the National Book Council continuously strives to liaise with and help local authors and publishers network with foreign publishers. The Council’s commitment for 2024 is to compile a foreign rights catalogue, which will open a window into contemporary Maltese literature available for translation and publication to the foreign publishing market. This catalogue will be disseminated at all international book fairs attended by the NBC in 2024.

The National Book Council’s calendar for 2024 promises to continue celebrating Maltese literature both locally and abroad. We look forward to writing this new chapter with our industry partners and stakeholders.