Joe Friggieri is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Malta. He holds doctorates from Milan and Oxford and is also a poet, playwright and theatre director. His publications include two books on the English philosopher J.L. Austin, three volumes of poetry, three collections of short stories, a number of plays, as well as In-Nisga tal-Hsieb, the first history of philosophy in Maltese. He has won several literary awards, including the National Literary Prize five times (1993, 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2013), and the Francis Ebejer prize for best original play and production (Caravaggio: L-Inkjesta, Manoel Theatre, 2007). For his contribution to Malta’s cultural life and activities he was made a Member of the Order of Merit (MOM) in December 2008. Professor Friggieri is well-known among theatre audiences for his exciting and highly original productions of over forty plays, including seven of Shakespeare's best-loved works. Joe Friggieri was chairman of the Manoel Theatre (1990-93), member of the Broadcasting Authority (1993-96), editor of the arts journal Arti (1971-74) and of the monthly newspaper Illum (1975-80), chairman of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (2003-05), founder-editor of Kultura 21, as well as presenter and producer of cultural programmes on radio and television. He was guest research scholar and lecturer at the Universities of Venice (Ca’ Foscari), Amsterdam, St Andrews, Augsburg, Genoa, Rome (Roma Tre) and Sassari. He is president of the National Council for the Maltese Language, Chairman of the University’s International Institute for Baroque Studies, and a regular contributor to political, social and cultural debate. His collection of short stories, Hrejjef ghal Zmienna (Tales for Our Times), written originally in Maltese, was translated into English and extensively reviewed by Professor David E. Cooper in the London Times Literary Supplement under the title "Crammed with Fine Dreams".