Floriana Deputy Mayor Proposes Refinement To Malta’s Book Voucher Scheme To Support Local Literature

James Aaron Ellul, Floriana’s Deputy Mayor and former PN Communications Director, has put forward a practical proposal to enhance the government’s book voucher initiative, aiming to bolster Malta’s literary ecosystem rather than merely subsidise reading.

At the heart of his proposal is the idea that a significant portion of each voucher ideally at least 50 per cent should be spent on books published with a Maltese ISBN, whether written in Maltese or another language. This approach recognises that locally produced books are vital cultural products, sustaining creative jobs and giving voice to the Maltese experience in all its forms.

He wrote, “Buy local 🇲🇹… Think about where this idea could lead…Two weeks after the National Book Fair, this is the thought many shared with me about how a good initiative could be made even better.”

#MaltaDaily