An account of contemporary Maltese poetry

Abstract

In the late sixties a radical change took place in Maltese literature, particularly in poetry. The long tradition of romanticism, largely modelled on the Italian experience of the nineteenth century, had prolonged its life far too much. Instinctive imitation and rigid formalism became two of the most conspicuous features of literature. Young writers finally started to show a new, deep awareness of the profound innovations undergone in this century in all fields of Europe's literary expression. Against an uninspiring, definite vision of world and literature alike, they gradually imposed their own outlook and assumed the role of actively sensitive protagonists of a much different Maltese environment which, however modernized, had not yet found its expression on the artistic level. Basically, these authors considered themselves living members of the whole continent. [excerpt]