Momentum expresses solidarity with Malta’s book publishers and calls out political hypocrisy

Momentum stands in full solidarity with Malta’s book publishers following their decision to boycott the upcoming national book conference in protest against what they have described as “existential threats” to the industry.

Publishers representing the overwhelming majority of Malta’s book production have taken this extraordinary step after years of being ignored. They have made it clear that their concerns, ranging from lack of funding and strategic direction to the failure of authorities to engage meaningfully, have been met with silence. 

Momentum Executive member. Graziella Spiteri, stated: “This is not a minor sectoral complaint. This is a clear warning that a cornerstone of Malta’s cultural and linguistic identity is under serious threat.

The book publishing industry is not just another economic activity. It is a key pillar in safeguarding and nurturing the Maltese language, promoting national identity, and sustaining intellectual and cultural life in our country. When publishers say they have reached a breaking point after years of “systemic neglect”, the country must listen.

Momentum finds it deeply ironic and unacceptable that at a time when both major parties, PL and PN, are promising everything to everyone during the electoral campaign, such a vital sector continues to be sidelined.

Fine words and electoral pledges mean nothing when, in practice, governments have failed to support one of the most important cultural industries in Malta. The reality is clear: while political parties compete in offering populist promises, the book sector has been left without the serious investment, policy direction, and respect it deserves”.

Momentum calls for:

• Immediate and direct dialogue between government and publishers
• A clear national strategy for the publishing industry
• Sustainable funding mechanisms that recognise the sector’s cultural importance
• Accountability from public institutions that have failed to respond to repeated proposals

Malta cannot afford to neglect the very sector that keeps its language alive.

Momentum reiterates that culture, education, and language are not optional extras to be addressed during campaigns, they are the foundation of a healthy, forward-looking society.

Momentum jesprimi solidarjetà mal-pubblikaturi tal-kotba u jikkundanna l-ipokrezija politika

Momentum jesprimi solidarjetà sħiħa mal-pubblikaturi tal-kotba f’Malta wara d-deċiżjoni tagħhom li jibbojkottjaw il-konferenza nazzjonali tal-ktieb minħabba dak li ddeskrivew bħala “theddid eżistenzjali” għall-industrija.

Pubblikaturi li jirrappreżentaw il-maġġoranza kbira tal-produzzjoni tal-kotba f’Malta ħadu din id-deċiżjoni drastika wara snin twal ta’ nuqqas ta’ attenzjoni. Huma ddikjaraw b’mod ċar li t-tħassib tagħhom, li jinkludi nuqqas ta’ finanzjament, nuqqas ta’ direzzjoni strateġika u l- falliment mill-awtoritajiet biex jinvolvu ruħhom b’mod serju, ġie injorat kompletament. 

Graziella Spiteri, membru tal-Ezekuttiv ta’ Momentum, qalet: “Dan mhux każ żgħir ta’ settur partikolari. Dan huwa sinjal ċar li pilastru fundamentali tal-identità kulturali u lingwistika Maltija jinsab taħt theddida serja.

L-industrija tal-pubblikazzjoni mhijiex biss attività ekonomika. Hija essenzjali biex tinżamm u tissaħħaħ il-lingwa Maltija, biex titrawwem l-identità nazzjonali u biex tissaħħaħ il-ħajja intellettwali u kulturali ta’ pajjiżna. Meta l-pubblikaturi jgħidu li waslu f’ dan il-punt wara snin ta’ “negliġenza sistemika”, il-pajjiż għandu jisma’. 

Momentum isibha ironika ferm u inaċċettabbli li waqt li PL u PN qed iwiegħdu kollox lil kulħadd matul din il-kampanja elettorali, settur daqshekk importanti qed jibqa’ mwarrab.

Il-kliem sabiħ u l-wegħdi elettorali ma jfissru xejn meta fil-prattika gvernijiet fallew milli jappoġġjaw waħda mill-aktar industriji kulturali importanti f’Malta. Il-verità hija ċara: waqt li l-partiti jikkompetu fil-populiżmu, is-settur tal-ktieb baqa’ mingħajr l-investiment serju, id-direzzjoni politika u r-rispett li jistħoqqlu”.

Momentum jappella għal:

• Djalogu immedjat u dirett bejn il-gvern u l-pubblikaturi
• Strateġija nazzjonali ċara għall-industrija tal-pubblikazzjoni
• Mekkaniżmi ta’ finanzjament sostenibbli li jirrikonoxxu l-importanza kulturali tas-settur
• Responsabbiltà mill-istituzzjonijiet pubbliċi li fallew milli jirrispondu għal proposti ripetuti

Malta ma tistax tkompli tinjora s-settur li jżomm ħajja l-lingwa tagħha.

Momentum jerġa’ jisħaq li l-kultura, l-edukazzjoni u l-lingwa mhumiex optional jew affarijiet sekondarji li jiġu diskussi waqt kampanja—huma l-pedament ta’ soċjetà b’saħħitha u li tħares ’il quddiem.

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