Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
On Thursday 29 October 2020, Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia, Head of the Department of Church History, Patrology and Paleochristian Archaeology, delivered a lecture during the annual commemoration in honour of Dun Karm Psaila, the National Poet of Malta. The event was organised by the Akkademja tal-Malti and held at San Anton Palace under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Republic, Dr George Vella.
The theme for this year's event was 'Dun Karm fit-Traduzzjoni' wherein particular attention was given to the translations made by Dun Karm from English and Italian into Maltese, and also to early translations made from Maltese to English of his poems.
In his lecture, Dr Farrugia focused on the relation between Dun Karm Psaila and the late Cardinal Prosper Grech, author of the introduction, notes and glossary to the first edition of the translations of Dun Karm's poems. Dr Farrugia was a student of Cardinal Grech and had interviewed him on the subject in 2011. He presented a detailed review of the presentation Cardinal Grech gave of the national poet and also his views on how Psaila elevated Maltese Literature to its highest peak through his perfect use of the Maltese language.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was streamed live on the Akkademja tal-Malti's social media pages.
(Photos courtesy of the Office of the President)