Raħal il-Letteratura

Raħal il-Letteratura is a pilot initiative by HELA Foundation (Hub for Excellence in the Literary Arts), which aims to celebrate literature and promote it in various ways in Rabat. This initiative is spread out over three years, and has just been awarded the President’s Prize for Creativity by the Office of the President and Arts Council Malta.

The aim of the project is to gather the stories and experiences of the residents of Rabat and then share them with others, whilst raising awareness about books, both as a physical object, as well as an experience. Due to this, special importance will be given to the literary heritage of the village.

Rabat was the chosen village firstly because it’s HELA’s home, but also because it is a dynamic village which brings together the rural and the historic, the traditional and the modern. Thus, a new literary hub will be created, away from the places which usually host these events, and the businesses in Rabat also stand to gain. The events planned are targeted at people of all ages, from the young to the old, so that different generations may appreciate this initiative. The plan is to involve the villagers as much as possible, and to visit their homes so that the collaboration can be an authentic one.

This initiative is primarily a creative and cultural act but also touches upon economic aspects. Raħal il-Letteratura will be possible thanks to Studio Solipsis, Inizjamed, Malta Libraries, Merlin Publishers, the National Literacy Agency, Heritage Malta, the Malta National Archives and the Rabat Local Council.