Dun Karm, Malta’s national poet was born in Zebbug on the 18th October 1871. His studies for the priesthood led him
through courses in literature, philosophy and theology at the Seminary of Malta where his exposure to the great of figures of Latin,
Italian, English and French literature – especially Dante, Manzoni and Monti – exercised a lasting influence over him. In accordance
with his times, when Malta’s cultural milieu was predominantly Italian, Dun Karm’s early poetry (1889-1912) was solely written in Italian.
His Foglie d’Alloro (1896), Versi (1903) and Liriche (1954) bring together the best of his early yet refined Italian verse and reflect no only
his deep assimilation of the great masters but also his own versatility in neo-classical metric. This refined academic exercise in the best
classical tradition soon gave way to a strong romanticism ushered in by the Poet’s experience at the death of his beloved mother (1909)
and the rigorous reforms at the local Seminary (1910) which deprived him of company and support and plunged him in life-long solitude.
At the same time (1912) under the influence and at the invitation of novelist Guze’ Muscat Assopardi Dun Karm shifted his medium of
expression in favour of his native Maltese tongue, and he penned his first Maltese poem to appear in the very first issue of Muscat
Azzopardi’s literary-religious periodical Il-Habib. It was therefore in Maltese that all through his poetic maturity Dun Karm expressed
his innermost feelings in superb lyrics. His Maltese poetry (1912-1954) spans some 3343 works which include Malta’s national anthem
(1921) and great compositions like ‘Il-Musbieh tal-Muzew’ (1920), ‘Non Omnis Moriar’ (1927), ‘Il-Jien u Lilhinn Minnu’ (1938) which is
considered as his masterpiece, ‘L-Oqbra’ a superb translation of Foscolo’s ‘I Sepolcri’, and an impressive number of vibrantly patriotic
sonnets.
In recognition of his contribution to Maltese literature Dun Karm was awarded a D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) by the Royal University of
Malta (1945) – the first to be granted such an honour. In the following year (1946) he was awarded the Guze’ Muscat Azzopardi gold
medal, and ten years later (1956) Queen Elizabeth II decorated him with the insignia of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
The University of Malta Library Dun Karm Papers
The Dun Karm Papers (Lib. Mss. 181, 204-216) consisting of some 1,600 folios of manuscripts in loose and copy-book formats
rank among the University Library’s most treasured holdings. The Dun Karm Papers have been brought together from various
sources, notably bequest, donations and acquisitions, amongst which special reference should be made to the material acquired
from Mrs. Laurent Ropa and from novelist Guze’ Chetcuti whose large collection of Dun Karm manuscripts – acquired by the Library
in 1974 – still retains the sorting and classification of Dun Karm’s biographer Guze’ Cardona. Other items were forthcoming from the Ghaqda tal-Malti (Universita’) and from the Poet’s pen friend over many years Ms. Karmen Mikallef Buhagiar. The Dun Karm Papers cover lecture notes on various subjects taught by the Poet at the seminary, sermon drafts, Maltese and Italian poetry, typescripts, correspondence, and important autobiographical notes, bringing together a wealth of research material on the Poet and his oeuvre. The Library also treasures a number of photographs, recordings of the Poet’s voice and his decoration as Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II of England, as well as a fine portrait of the Poet by E. Caruana Dingli commissioned for our Alma Mater by the Ghaqda tal-Malti (Universita’). The digitization of the Library’s Dun Karm Papers has been taken in hand not only to facilitate electronic access to this priceless cumulus and preserve the originals for posterity, but also as an act of homage to a most worthy son of Malta whose poetry forms an integral part of man’s cultural heritage. This worthy venture
has been made possible through special funds made available by UNESCO and it is towards them that we are especially indebted. This
CD can be purchased from the University Library at the University of Malta in Msida. |
