MuradShubert

Shubert was born and brought up in Casablanca, Morocco. In his hometown he learnt of the importance of modern theatre and the oral tradition and storytelling. It was in his youth that he developed a love for black and white – the two colours which are least likely to deceive, they show clearly what they are and what they stand for. These two colours are also what led him to discover certain Palestinian writers and the need for political discourse and rebellion in poetry.

Shubert’s unique minimalist writing style is a reflection of his vision of the world, which continually evolves as he himself grows and changes. He takes the time to research and explore the themes he wishes to tackle, preparing thoroughly before writing what he has crafted in his mind. Revision is a very important part of this process, whereby he refines word-choice, enhances the narrative flow, develops any character arcs and thus ensures the work is engaging and consistent.

Shubert won the National Book Prize for Poetry in 2023 with Imbagħad il-Qiegħ (Reaching the Bottom) (2022). This collection talks about love, loss and the harsh realities that belong to the human condition. Each poem offers a singular view of such themes, including the struggles of personal relationships, the impacts of capitalism, guilt, war and displacement/misplacement, the search for our sense of identity, all highlighting the fragility of our existence as we strive to create meaning.

Most important to Shubert is the affective process – allowing the reader to not only read the work but also reflect on the experiences thus brought to light. To read is to recognize that the personal may be affected by the wider society, to know that the individual, in turn, affects the collective, and that politics and societal structures have a bigger impact on us than we can imagine. Reading transforms us and provides solace.

Some Maltese authors who inspire Shubert through their own exploration of vulnerability and existential issues and how these shape everyday life, are Norbert Bugeja, Gioele Galea, Henry Holland and Frans Sammut. Shubert continues to work on various writing projects that reveal both the beauty and pain of existence. He continues to play with and explore human experiences and senses, delving into the dual nature of life and that which goes beyond.