Oliver Friggieri Explained

Oliver Friggieri
Birth Date:27 March 1947
Birth Place:Floriana, Crown Colony of Malta
Death Place:Malta
Alma Mater:University of Malta
Catholic University of Milan
Occupation:Literature, Poetry, Philosophy

Oliver Friggieri (27 March 194721 November 2020) was a Maltese poet, novelist, literary critic, and philosopher. He led the establishment of literary history and criticism in Maltese while teaching at the University of Malta, studying the works of Dun Karm, Rużar Briffa, and others. A prolific writer himself, Friggieri explored new genres to advocate the Maltese language, writing the libretti for the first oratorio and the first cantata in Maltese. His work aimed to promote the Maltese cultural identity, while not shying from criticism: one of his most famous novels, Fil-Parlament Ma Jikbrux Fjuri (No Flowers Grow in Parliament, 1986), attacked the tribalistic divisions of society caused by politics. From philosophy, he was mostly interested in epistemology and existentialism.[1] [2] [3]

Early life and education

Friggieri was born in Floriana in 1947. He completed his secondary education at the Archbishop's Minor Seminary,[4] and was in the Major Seminary until 1967.[5]

He entered the University of Malta in 1964, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Maltese, Italian and Philosophy (1968). He was the first recipient of a Masters degree in Maltese literature from the University of Malta (1975).[6] In 1978, he received a Doctorate in Maltese literature and Literary Criticism from the Catholic University of Milan, Italy.

Career

After graduating in 1968, Friggeri taught Maltese and Philosophy in secondary schools. In 1976, he moved to the University of Malta; he was promoted from Assistant Lecturer to Lecturer in 1978, and from Lecturer to associate professor in 1988. That same year, he was chosen to be the Chair of the Department of Maltese language, a position which he held until 2002. He was made a professor in 1990.

Friggieri was an advocate of Maltese language and literature in newly independent Malta. He co-founded Malta's Literary Revival Movement (Moviment Qawmien Letterarju) in 1967; he was part of the editorial board (1969–73) of Il-Polz, the movement's periodical, later becoming the editor (1974-1975).[7] He also co-founded the popular children's literary and cultural magazine Is-Sagħtar (1971). In 1971, Friggieri and Paul Mizzi established a publishing house, Klabb Kotba Maltin (Maltese Book Club), which facilitated the publishing of books in Maltese. He became the editor of the Journal of Maltese Studies in 1980. He was also a member of the Association Internationale des Critiques Litteraires of Paris, France.

Friggieri published in various genres. As his primary focus was Maltese literature, most of his publications were not of a directly philosophical nature; they included dictionaries of literature, oratorios, cantatas, literary criticism, literary biographies, and anthologies of his own poetry. He wrote the libretti for the first Maltese-language oratorio (Pawlu ta’ Malta, 1989), and cantata (L-Għanja ta’ Malta, 1989); both works were scored by Charles Camilleri.[8] Friggieri also wrote literary analyses of the works of Mikiel Anton Vassalli[9] and Peter Caxaro.[10] His works have been translated into 16 languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Greek.[11]

Friggieri supported the Maltese-language press, publishing articles in L-Orizzont and In-Nazzjon. Besides contributing to these and other local periodicals, Friggieri wrote novels and short stories. Many of these works are of special interest to philosophy, featuring pathos and philosophical reflections.[12] His fiction and poetry were influenced by existentialism.[13] His 1986 novel Fil-Parlament Ma Jikbrux Fjuri was highly controversial when published due to its unvarnished portrayal of political tribalism in Malta. He also penned a tribute to Karin Grech and Raymond Caruana, casualties of Maltese political violence in the 1980s.[14]

Friggieri was part of the committee that translated EU legal texts into Maltese.[15] In 2008, Friggieri published an autobiography, Fjuri li ma Jinxfux (Flowers Which Never Wither), spanning the years 1955–1990.[16] In addition to his own writings, he translated works from English, Italian, and Latin into Maltese.

Friggieri received the Ġieħ l-Akkademja tal-Malti gold medal in 2016 and won Malta's National Book Prize several times. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat appointed him as Chair of the Foundation for National Festivities in 2013.[17] [14]

In popular culture

Verses from Friggieri's poem "Jekk" ("If") can be found printed on some bus shelters around Malta. This led to the poem being known as "the bus stop poem" by the general public.[18] [19]

In 2018, the Maltese band The Travellers released the song "Ilkoll Flimkien". The lyrics of this song contain excerpts of the poem "Jekk".[20]

Personal life

Friggieri and his wife Eileen had one daughter and two grandchildren.[21] He died on 21 November 2020.[22] A funeral organised by the state was held for him on 25 November, which was declared a national day of mourning.[23]

In December 2020, PN Floriana Minority Leader James Aaron Ellul announced that part of Triq l-Argotti will be named after the late Maltese poet, writer and lecturer Oliver Friggieri. The proposal was put forward by Ellul within the Local Council, in November 2020.[24] [25] [26] [27]

A monument in his honour will be erected in his hometown of Floriana. The design of the monument is by the Maltese artist John Grima.[28]

Honours

Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2012)[30]

Ġieħ l-Akkademja tal-Malti Gold Medal (2016)[31]

Partial bibliography

Poetry

Short stories

Novels

Dictionary

Nonfiction and criticism

Movimenti Letterari e coscienza Romantica Maltese (1800-1921), 1979 Guido Miamo Editore

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.
  2. Mark Montebello, 20th Century Philosophy in Malta, Agius & Agius, Malta, 2009, pp. 126–128
  3. Mark Montebello, Malta’s Philosophy & Philosophers, PIN Publications, Malta, 2011, pp. 152–155.
  4. Web site: Debono. Karol Paul. 2020-11-24. Tislima lill-Professur Oliver Friggieri – eks student tas-Seminarju. 2020-11-24. The Archbishop's Seminary School. mt.
  5. Friggieri. Oliver. 1983. Self portrait : Oliver Friggieri. Civilization: An Encyclopedia on Maltese Civilization, History and Contemporary Arts. en. Gulf Publishing Ltd.. 10. 276–280. OAR@UM.
  6. Web site: tal-Malti. L.-Akkademja. 2020-11-21. L-Akkademja ssellem lill-Prof. Oliver Friggieri. 2020-11-25. L-Akkademja tal-Malti. mt.
  7. Web site: New book in recognition of Oliver Friggieri's works - TVM News. 2020-11-28. TVM English. 27 March 2018 . en-US.
  8. Web site: Bondin. Joseph Vella. 2013-04-15. The Development of Choral Singing in Malta: A Historical Overview. 2020-11-28. The IFCM Magazine. en-US.
  9. Friggieri. Oliver. 1998–1999. POINTS OF CONTACT BETWEEN ITALIAN ROMANTICISM AND MALTESE LITERATURE: The Maltese literary background. Scripta Mediterranea. 19-20. 93–108.
  10. Book: Friggieri, Oliver, 1947-. Il-Kantilena ta' Pietru Caxaro : interpretazzjoni Rinaxximentali. 2016. 978-99909-45-88-1. Msida, Malta. 970777164.
  11. Web site: Oliver Friggieri funeral to be organised by the government - The Malta Independent. 2020-11-24. www.independent.com.mt.
  12. Briffa. Charles. 1997. The Voice of a Nation's Conscience: Oliver Friggieri's Fiction in Recent Maltese Literature. World Literature Today. en. 71. 3. 495–504. 10.2307/40152810. 40152810.
  13. Web site: Risica. Giuseppe. Oliver Friggieri. 2020-11-28. www.giuris.org.
  14. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/books/106051/oliver_friggieri_intellectual_who_articulated_nations_consciousness_passes_away Oliver Friggieri, intellectual who articulated nation’s consciousness, passes away
  15. Web site: Strassman. Burkhard. 25 April 2005. "Kif inti?" – "Tajjeb!". unfit. https://web.archive.org/web/20051122093042/http://www.zeit.de/2005/18/Malta_2?page=all. 22 November 2005. Die Zeit. de.
  16. Web site: 'Fjuri Li ma jinxfux – Tifkiriet 1955-1990' - The Malta Independent. 2020-11-24. www.independent.com.mt.
  17. Web site: Oliver Friggieri heads new anniversary committee. 2020-11-25. Times of Malta. 6 April 2018 . en-gb.
  18. Web site: Cassar . Mario . 12 May 2007 . Poetry at bus stops . 6 July 2022 . Times of Malta . Opinion article.
  19. Web site: 21 November 2020 . Tributes pour in for Prof. Oliver Friggieri, who passed away at 73 . 6 July 2022 . um.edu.mt.
  20. Web site: 27 February 2018 . FILMAT: The Travellers b'kanzunetta ġdida; 'Ilkoll Flimkien' . 6 July 2022 . Net News.
  21. Web site: Benoit. Marie. 7 March 2020. Oliver Friggieri and his doodles. 2020-11-24. Malta Independent. pressreader.com.
  22. News: Oliver Friggieri, a giant of Maltese literature, dies aged 73 . . 21 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201121132105/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/oliver-friggieri-dies-aged-73.833407 . 21 November 2020.
  23. Web site: National day of mourning for Oliver Friggieri on Wednesday. 2020-11-25. Times of Malta. 24 November 2020 . en-gb.
  24. Web site: Triq fil-Furjana se tissemma għal Prof. Oliver Friggieri . 24 February 2021 .
  25. Web site: Triq fil-Floriana se tissemma għal Oliver Friggieri wara mozzjoni tal-PN . 16 December 2020 .
  26. Web site: Oiver Friggieri to get street named after him . 24 February 2021 .
  27. Web site: Approved! A street in Floriana will now be dedicated to Maltese poet Oliver Friggieri .
  28. Web site: Oliver Friggieri monument to be erected in Floriana. 2021-11-06. Times of Malta. 5 March 2021 . en-gb.
  29. Web site: 5 May 2013. Oliver Friggieri. Malta Independent. pressreader.com.
  30. Web site: Friggieri Prof. Oliver - Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana. 2020-11-28. www.quirinale.it.
  31. Web site: 2019-11-13. l-Professur Oliver Friggieri rebbieħ tal-Midalja tad-Deheb 'Ġieħ l-Akkademja tal-Malti' 2016. 2021-05-03. L-Akkademja tal-Malti. mt.
  32. Book: Friggieri, Oliver, 1947–. Sotto l'ombra degli occhi : antologia poetica. 2002. Franco Puzzo Editore. Longo, Gaetano.. 88-88475-03-6. Trieste. 878589585.
  33. Web site: [LISTEN] Fil-Parlament Ma Jikbrux Fjuri by Oliver Friggieri]. 2020-11-25. MaltaToday.com.mt. en.
  34. Web site: The Malta we no longer know. 2020-11-25. Times of Malta. 13 October 2013 . en-gb.
  35. Book: Friggieri, Oliver.. Children come by ship. 2013. Austin Macauley Publishers. 978-1-84963-432-8. London. 881128684.
  36. Book: Friggieri, Oliver, 1947-. Let fair weather bring me home. Caruana, Rose Marie, 1958-. 2015. 978-1-84963-875-3. London. 900179292.
  37. Web site: 2016-08-07. L-Istorja tiegħu. 2020-11-25. L-Akkademja tal-Malti. mt.
  38. Book: Friggieri, Oliver. Dizzjunarju ta' termini letterarji: teorija, metrika, stilistika b'eżempji mil-letteratura Maltija. 1996. Publishers Enterprises Group. 978-99909-0-064-4. mt.
  39. Web site: Study-Unit Description – Il-Poeżija Romantika: Dun Karm, Rużar Briffa u Oħrajn (MAL2070). 2020-11-25. L-Università ta' Malta. en.
  40. Web site: A 35-year quest. The Malta Independent. 2020-11-25.
  41. Web site: L'esperienza leopardiana di un poeta maltese: Karmenu Vassallo. 2020-11-25. BDL Books. en-GB.
  42. Web site: 2015-04-02. Rużar Briffa. 2020-11-25. L-Akkademja tal-Malti. mt.
  43. Web site: BOOKS BY OLIVER FRIGGIERI . . 28 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180110125417/https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/75924/Biblijografija_Oliver_Friggieri.pdf . 10 January 2018.
  44. Web site: L-Idea tal-Letteratura – Daħla għall-istudju ta' l-arti tal-kelma. 2020-11-25. BDL Books. en-GB.
  45. Web site: Study-Unit Description – Daħla għall-Kultura Maltija (MAL2084). 2020-11-25. L-Università ta' Malta. en.
  46. Book: Friggieri, Oliver, 1947–. L-Istudji kritiċi miġbura. 1995. 99909-44-05-9. Msida. 35730608.
  47. Book: Friggieri, Oliver, 1947–. L-istorja tal-poeżija Maltija. 2001. 99932-41-04-0. Malta. 868425464.
  48. Web site: First complete collection of Dun Karm poems in Italian. 2020-11-25. Times of Malta. 24 December 2007 . en-gb.

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