AleksFarrugia

From a young age, Farrugia was captivated by stories, often writing his own narratives. Over time, this passion evolved into something close to compulsion, as failure to put these anecdotes to paper led to both mental and physical distress.

As a reader, Farrugia finds it impossible to be entertained by shoddy writing. His reading sessions often morph into study sessions as he meticulously analyses sentences and ideas, makes notes for future reference, and even rewrites what he considers to be imperfect sentences in the book margins.

Farrugia credits writers such as Italo Calvino, Edgar Allan Poe and Stanisław Ignacy as major influences in his writing, drawing from their styles and ideas. However, his greatest inspiration comes from composer Gustav Mahler, who once claimed that a symphony should encompass the entirety of the world and human experience. Likewise, Farrugia seeks to explore the human condition in its diverse manifestations. His fascination extends to history, which he views as the narrative framework through which the human experience is imbued with meaning and purpose. This is also one of the main reasons why research plays such a fundamental role in Farrugia’s writing process.

In his award-winning collection of short stories, Għall-Glorja tal-Patrija!: Kapriċċi Patrijottiċi (SKS, 2019), released in 2023 as Capricious Tales from Malta: a history in its making, Farrugia utilises his background in history to craft satirical tales featuring Maltese characters from pivotal periods in Malta’s past. For instance, in ‘Żmien il-Ħaġar / Totò jsib lil Malta’ (‘Toto discovers Malta’), Farrugia speculates about the origins of Malta’s enduring rivalry among religious organisations, tracing it back to the Neolithic era  and ancient disputes over who could construct the superior temple in the village. Similarly, in ‘It-Tieni Gwerra Punika / Ittra lil Ħasdrubal’ (‘Letter to Hasdrubal’), Farrugia exposes the opportunistic tendencies that abound among certain businessmen, implying that this mindset has persisted for so long that it has by now become second nature.

In his most recent novel, Ir-Re Borg (“King Borg”, SKS, 2022), Farrugia tackles the pervasive political tribalism gripping the island. The story follows Mikiel, a shop owner who gets himself entangled in tax evasion troubles, an ordeal that deeply affects him. Amidst his disillusion and despair with the existing political order, Mikiel experiences an epiphany and decides to establish a monarchist political party. As he navigates this journey, we witness the root cause of discontent with contemporary politics: the disconnect between political parties and the everyday struggles of ordinary individuals.

Farrugia has the capacity to reinvent himself with each new piece. However, there is a common thread which runs through his writing: an exploration of the intricate facets of the Maltese psyche.