Photo: By Dragana Rankovic
On Monday, 28 November, an event was held at the University of Malta Valletta Campus to celebrate the long and distinguished career of Professor Peter Vassallo, who retired from the Department of English last year. The occasion also marked the publication of a Festschrift volume in his honour, titled Refractions: Romanticism Modernism, Comparatism: Essays in Honour of Peter Vassallo, edited by Ivan Callus, James Corby and Maria Frendo, and published by Midsea Books.
Prof. Vassallo鈥檚 service to the University of Malta spans fifty-five distinguished years of teaching and research across Romanticism, Modernism and Comparative Literature. In that time, he has inspired generations of students within the Department of English, co- founded the Institute of Anglo-Italian Studies and drawn international respect and admiration for his dedication to literature and literary culture. This volume celebrates that long and rich commitment. It includes essays by scholars from the UK, Italy and Malta, as well as interviews, poetry and drawings.
Professor Dominic Fenech, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Professor James Corby, Head of the Department of English welcomed guests at the event, Professor Ivan Callus introduced the Festschrift volume, and warm tributes to Peter were paid by Professor Nicholas Roe (Wardlaw Professor of English Literature at the University of St Andrews) and Professor Gloria Lauri- Lucente (Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Director of the Institute of Anglo-Italian Studies).
Peter himself addressed the audience with his typical and much loved wit and erudition. The evening also featured musical performances by Maria Frendo, Gillian Zammit, Britt Arend and James Corby, as well as the gift of a portrait of Peter from university colleagues, painted by Armen Gasparian. A book-signing and reception rounded off this delightful evening of celebration of a most distinguished man of letters.
The Department of English wishes to thank Mr Joseph Mizzi of Midsea Books, Prof. Dominic Fenech, Ms Britt Arend, Ms Gillian Zammit, and everyone who came along and supported the event.
