Organised by the Carmelite Institute in collaboration with the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta and the Akkademja tal-Malti, this event celebrated Professor Oliver Friggieri, both as a writer and as a person.
The Conference, held on 5 March 2022, brought together seven speakers who explored a number of Friggieri’s literary works in relation to the theme of spirituality.
Rev. Dr Glen Attard O. Carm and Dr George Farrugia introduced the first session which featured talks by Prof. Adrian Grima (Oliver Friggieri: Fraġilità , Dissens, u Ikonizzazzjoni Nazzjonali), Mr Romario Sciberras (Alla Huwa Kontra Alla? L-Ispiritwalità f’L-Istramb), Ms Beverly Agius (Il-Jien fil-Ħolqien: L-Ispiritwalità Ekoloġika fil-Poeżiji ta’ Oliver Friggieri), and Dr David Aloisio (L-Ispiritwalità ta’ Karlu Manju f’Fil-Parlament Ma Jikbrux Fjuri).
The second session was moderated by Ms Justine Somerville and featured talks by Rev. Dr Charlò Camilleri O. Carm (“Hi torri li għandu sisien fondi ħafna”: Il-Parabbola tat-Tradizzjoni f’La Jibbnazza Niġi Lura), Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia (Il-Paradoss tal-Kurċifiss), and Mr Robert Farrugia (’Il Barra fil-Fond: Alla, l-Imħabba u l-Mewt fl-Eżistenzjaliżmu ta’ Oliver Friggieri).
The event was held at the Carmelite Priory in Imdina and Mrs Sara Brincat Friggieri, Oliver Friggieri’s daughter, was among those present. The conference was also broadcast live via Zoom and on the Akkademja’s Facebook page. The proceedings will be published in a book in the near future.
The Department of Maltese is hosting another conference in honour of Oliver Friggieri on 30 April 2022. This event, , is being coordinated together with the Department of Public Policy at the University of Malta.
