Carmel G.Cauchi
Biography
Carmel G. Cauchi is an author, poet and playwright who has written for both adults and children. The desire to write was something he felt at a very young age. His works have been broadcast on the radio, and have appeared in various journals and magazines locally, such as Sagħtar and Xehda Għasel, as well as internationally. In 1986 he was awarded the prestigious ‘Città di Valletta’ prize. Cauchi is an active member of the M.U.S.E.U.M., a member of the Għaqda Poeti Maltin, the University Maltese Society and the Akkademja tal-Malti.
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Cauchi was born in Birkirkara in 1944. He studied at the Lyceum and went on to St. Michael’s Educational College where he obtained his teacher’s warrant. He was a teacher at various primary schools across the island, and became an Assistant Head of the Madonna tal-Minsija Primary School in San Ġwann.
Cauchi won the National Book Prize four times – coming in second place twice for his prose for children (in 2002 and 2012) before placing first in the Poetry for Children category (2006) and later for Prose for Young Adults (2011). For five consecutive years he wrote the script for the primary school children of Birkirkara to participate in the ‘Drama Festival for Schools’, and won the trophy for best script for three of those.
Although he is best known for his children’s books, he also writes for adolescents and adults. He has translated various texts into Maltese from English and Italian, mainly of a religious nature, such as Don Bosco: il-Ħabib taż-Żgħażagħ (Don Bosco: The Friend of Youngsters) (1989) and L-Anġli fil-Bibbja (Angels as seen in the Bible) (2005). His children’s books include many much-loved series including those bringing to life the characters Pietru Pitravu, Betta, Sardinellu and Mastru Gerfex, among other stories, legends and adventures.
He wrote various short story collections for adults, along with four poetry collections including Passi fuq ir-Ramel (Footsteps in the Sand) (1983) which was his first solo poetry publication focusing on his relationship with God, his mother, and other people. Cauchi also created a two-part series encouraging the reader to engage in reflection and discussion after each story, with Stejjer għad-Diskussjoni (Stories to Discuss) (1996) and Stejjer Oħra għad-Diskussjoni (Other Stories to Discuss) (2010). Both presented the reader with a list of points to ponder after each story. Along the same lines Cauchi wrote Pass pass: matul is-sena (Step by Step: Along the Year) (2019), which offers a reflection for every day of the year.
Cauchi continues to write short stories and adventure books for children and adults alike. He believes in the power and art of writing and feels that a keen sense of observation and a little imagination are the main ingredients to good writing. This is true for Cauchi’s works; though simple and conversational in style they are all woven with great care and artistry.
Biography written by Ruth Bezzina
