Oliver Friggieri
Encyclopedia
Oliver Friggieri is a Maltese poet
, novelist, literary critic, and minor philosopher. In philosophy he is mostly interested in epistemology and Existentialism
.
, Malta
, in 1947. He studied at the bishop’s seminary, and then at the University of Malta
. From here he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Maltese
, Italian
and Philosophy
(1968), and then a Masters (1975). In 1978 he acquired a Doctorate in Maltese Literature
and Literary Criticism
from the Catholic University of Milan, Italy
.
Friggieri began his teaching career in 1968 by teaching Maltese
and Philosophy
in secondary schools. Then, in 1976, he moved on teaching Maltese
at the University of Malta
, first as Assistant Lecturer, then as Lecturer (1978), and later as Associate Lecturer (1988). In 1988 he was chosen Head of the Department of Maltese
. He became Professor in 1990.
In the meantime, between 1970 and 1971 Friggieri was very active in Malta
’s Literary Revival Movement (Moviment Qawmien Letterarju). He was on the editorial board of Il-Polz (1969-73), a Maltese literary periodical, of which he became editor (1974-75). Hi co-founded Is-Saghtar (1971), a children’s literary and cultural magazine, and remained on its editorial board ever since. In 1971 he also collaborated in the establishment of a publishing house, Klabb Kotba Maltin (Maltese Book Club), which facilitated the publishing of books in Maltese
. He has been the editor of the Journal of Maltese Studies since 1980. He is also a Member of the Association Internationale des Critiques Litteraires of Paris
, France
.
In 2008 Friggieri published his autobiography, Fjuri li ma Jinxfux (Unwhithering Flowers), relevant to the years 1955-90 of his life.
, and particularly Maltese Literature
, most of his publications are not of a directly philosophical nature. These include dictionaries of literature, oratories, cantatas, literary criticism
, literary biographies, and anthologies of his own poetry
. Particular mention should be given to Malta
’s national poet, Dun Karm Psaila
, of whom Friggieri is an uncontested expert. Friggieri also significantly contributed essays on Peter Caxaro and Michael Anthony Vassalli.
Apart of the frequent contributions in local periodicals and newspapers, of especial interest to philosophy are Friggieri’s novels and short stories. Generally speaking, these are imbued with pathos
and profuse with philosophical reflections. Namely, they are the following:
Short stories
Novels
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, novelist, literary critic, and minor philosopher. In philosophy he is mostly interested in epistemology and Existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
.
Life
Friggieri was born at FlorianaFloriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, in 1947. He studied at the bishop’s seminary, and then at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
. From here he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
and Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
(1968), and then a Masters (1975). In 1978 he acquired a Doctorate in Maltese Literature
Maltese literature
The term Maltese literature may be used to refer to any literature originating from Malta or by Maltese writers. However, it more often refers to literature written in the Maltese language....
and Literary Criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
from the Catholic University of Milan, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Friggieri began his teaching career in 1968 by teaching Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
and Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
in secondary schools. Then, in 1976, he moved on teaching Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, first as Assistant Lecturer, then as Lecturer (1978), and later as Associate Lecturer (1988). In 1988 he was chosen Head of the Department of Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
. He became Professor in 1990.
In the meantime, between 1970 and 1971 Friggieri was very active in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
’s Literary Revival Movement (Moviment Qawmien Letterarju). He was on the editorial board of Il-Polz (1969-73), a Maltese literary periodical, of which he became editor (1974-75). Hi co-founded Is-Saghtar (1971), a children’s literary and cultural magazine, and remained on its editorial board ever since. In 1971 he also collaborated in the establishment of a publishing house, Klabb Kotba Maltin (Maltese Book Club), which facilitated the publishing of books in Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
. He has been the editor of the Journal of Maltese Studies since 1980. He is also a Member of the Association Internationale des Critiques Litteraires of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In 2008 Friggieri published his autobiography, Fjuri li ma Jinxfux (Unwhithering Flowers), relevant to the years 1955-90 of his life.
Works
Friggieri is the author of innumerable books. Since his main specialisation is literatureLiterature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, and particularly Maltese Literature
Maltese literature
The term Maltese literature may be used to refer to any literature originating from Malta or by Maltese writers. However, it more often refers to literature written in the Maltese language....
, most of his publications are not of a directly philosophical nature. These include dictionaries of literature, oratories, cantatas, literary criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
, literary biographies, and anthologies of his own poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. Particular mention should be given to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
’s national poet, Dun Karm Psaila
Dun Karm Psaila
Dun Karm ,89, was a Maltese writer and poet, sometimes called 'the bard of Malta' He was educated at the Seminary between the years 1885 and 1894 and then proceeded to study philosophy in 1888 and theology in 1890 the University of Malta.He was ordained priest in 1894...
, of whom Friggieri is an uncontested expert. Friggieri also significantly contributed essays on Peter Caxaro and Michael Anthony Vassalli.
Apart of the frequent contributions in local periodicals and newspapers, of especial interest to philosophy are Friggieri’s novels and short stories. Generally speaking, these are imbued with pathos
Pathos
Pathos represents an appeal to the audience's emotions. Pathos is a communication technique used most often in rhetoric , and in literature, film and other narrative art....
and profuse with philosophical reflections. Namely, they are the following:
Short stories
- 1986 - Stejjer Għal Qabel Jidlam (Stories Before Twilight).
- 1991 - Fil-Gżira Taparsi Jikbru l-Fjuri (Feign Flowers on Feign Island).
Novels
- 1977 - Il-Gidba (The Lie).
- 1980 - L-Istramb (The Odd Fellow).
- 1986 - Fil-Parlament ma Jikbrux Fjuri (No Flowers Grow in Parliament).
- 1998 - Ġiżimin li Qatt ma Jiftaħ (Jasmines which Never Blossom).
- 2000 - It-Tfal Jiġu bil-Vapuri (Children Come in Ships).
- 2006 - La Jibbnazza Niġi Lura (I’ll Come Back After the Tempest).
- 2011 - Dik id-Dgħajsa f’Nofs il-Port (That Boat in Mid-Harbour).
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.
- Mark Montebello, 20th Century Philosophy in Malta, Agius & Agius, Malta, 2009.
- Mark Montebello, Malta’s Philosophy & Philosophers, PIN Publications, Malta, 2011.