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Irish author Paul Lynch, whose 2023 novel Prophet Song won the prestigious Booker, will be a special guest at the 2024 edition of the Malta Book Festival. The event is organised by the National Book Council (NBC) and taking place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November. 

This was announced during a press conference launching the programme of the Malta Book Festival 2024, which took place earlier today at the National Library, Valletta. Paul Lynch’s participation was made possible with the support of the Irish Embassy in Malta. 

Lynch will be in conversation with Maltese journalist Emma Mattei on Friday 8 November, in a public event forming part of the Festival’s jam-packed programme.

In his address, National Book Council Chairman Mark Camilleri noted the steady growth of the Malta Book Festival, which continues to expand in both scope and ambition. “This year, we are welcoming around 6,000 registered students from primary, middle and secondary schools,” he said, adding that the Festival remains free for all, offering a wide range of activities. These include workshops led by industry professionals, sessions with literary agents, and a masterclass by popular author Anthony Horowitz — who will be joining Lynch as another high-profile international guest. Camilleri also emphasized how like in previous years a Sensory-Friendly Room, will be designed for those needing a quiet space, thanks to collaborations with Inspire Malta and APS Bank.

Camilleri expressed his pride in the Malta Book Festival’s growing international stature, highlighting the participation of Booker Prize-winning author Paul Lynch. “Attracting such high-profile names reflects the festival’s rising prestige,” he remarked. He thanked the Festival's many collaborators and noted the increasing number of exhibitors and foreign cultural partners contributing to the event’s success. Camilleri also stressed the crucial importance of partners such as Arts Council Malta, APS and Inspire Malta, along with Energy & Water Agency, Benna, the Water ����������� Corporation and Piscopo Gardens.

Speaking at the press conference, Irish Ambassador to Malta H.E. Caroline Whelan said that it was a “particular pleasure” to collaborate with the NBC in their efforts to bring “Ireland's latest international literary success, Paul Lynch, to the Maltese Islands”. Highlighting that Prophet Song was the best-selling book in Ireland for 2023, the Ambassador stressed how Lynch now joins an illustrious tradition of Booker Prize-winning Irish authors, among them the likes of Iris Murdoch, John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright and Anna Burns, which “shines a light on the range of extraordinary literary talent that continues to emerge from the country”. 

During his intervention, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Hon. Clifton Grima commended the NBC for once again organising a exceptional edition of the Malta Book Festival, which has grown from strength to strength each year and provides a vibrant hub for Maltese book culture to thrive. 

Grima noted that the Festival’s programme gives ample space to book lovers and industry professionals to interact and turn challenges into opportunities. He commended the NBC for its collaborations with other entities to further enhance the profile of the event. He referred to the national strategy for education and how the Festival puts the people and students at the heart of its preparations.

The Malta Book Festival will be taking place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November.

The full programme is available . More information is available and through the Malta Book Festival and page.

This article is also available in Maltese.