Immanuel Mifsud Presented With European Homer Medal Of Poetry & Art
Maltese author and poet Immanuel Mifsud has been formally presented with the European Homer Medal of Poetry and Art for 2026, recognising his contribution to literature and his impact on the international cultural scene.
The medal was presented by Dariusz Tomasz Lebioda, President of the European Medal of Poetry and Art, during a ceremony attended by Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage Malcolm Paul Agius Galea and Malta Arts Council Executive Chairperson Luke Dalli.
Established in Brussels in 2016, the European Homer Medal of Poetry and Art honours writers and artists who have made significant contributions to international literary and artistic culture.
Previous recipients of the distinction include Nobel Prize-winning authors Mario Vargas Llosa and Wole Soyinka, as well as internationally recognised literary figures including Antonio Gamoneda, Jaan Kaplinski, Reiner Kunze, Adonis, Ida Vitale and Jorie Graham.
Mifsud was one of two writers awarded the medal in 2026, alongside Syrian-Kurdish poet and novelist Salim Barakat. The recognition highlights the depth and honesty of Mifsud’s writing, particularly his exploration of themes including memory, identity, family relationships, trauma and the human psyche.
Congratulating Prof. Mifsud on the achievement, Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said that the writer’s work is “undoubtedly Maltese, but the experiences it addresses touch the hearts of people far beyond our islands”.
He said the award recognises Mifsud’s individual achievements while also strengthening the international profile of Maltese literature.
The Minister added that the honour serves as an inspiration for emerging writers working within Malta’s literary and publishing environment, while highlighting the importance of creating more opportunities for Maltese authors to reach audiences abroad.
Minister Agius Galea said the recognition is aligned with the national cultural strategy being prioritised, which views culture as an essential element of Malta’s identity and long-term national vision.
Malta Arts Council Executive Chairperson Luke Dalli described the awarding of the European Homer Medal of Poetry and Art to Immanuel Mifsud as “a moment of pride for Malta and for our cultural sector”.
He said the prestigious recognition celebrates not only an exceptional literary career, but also the growing international presence of Maltese literature. According to Dalli, Mifsud has consistently shown how stories rooted in local experiences can resonate with readers around the world.
Prof. Mifsud is regarded as one of Malta’s leading contemporary writers, with a body of work spanning poetry, novels, short stories, memoirs, plays and literary criticism. In 2011, he received the European Union Prize for Literature for Fl-Isem tal-Missier (u tal-Iben) and has also won several National Book Prizes in Malta for his poetry and prose.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Mifsud said he was “deeply honoured” to receive the distinction, noting that it reflected not only appreciation of his work but also recognition beyond Malta’s shores.
He expressed gratitude towards his local publishers, Klabb Kotba Maltin/Midsea Books, international publishers who introduced his work to new audiences, and translators whose efforts enabled his writing to cross linguistic and national boundaries.
Prof. Mifsud was appointed a Member of the National Order of Merit in 2014 and became the first Maltese writer to be hosted by the Library of Congress in the United States. His work has been translated and published internationally, and he has taken part in literary festivals, readings and cultural programmes in several countries.
Through its Internationalisation Directorate, the Malta Arts Council continues to support Maltese writers and literary professionals by creating opportunities for international connections, translation, publishing and cultural exchange.
#MaltaDaily
Photo Source: DOI - Clayton Pace