16 Oct 2022 in partnership with PEN International, PEN Malta, English PEN, Scottish PEN, Wales PEN Cymru, Irish PEN / PEN na hÉireann, St John’s Waterloo and The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. Curated by Miriam Calleja, Lizzie Eldridge, Aurelia Dondo and Euchar Gravina.
Sunday, 9th October 2022
St John’s Waterloo
Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated on 16 October 2017 when a car bomb was detonated as she drove away from her home in Bidnija, Malta. She was 53 years old. The government whose corruption she investigated repeatedly obstructed the path to justice for Caruana Galizia and her family, including by delaying a long-awaited public inquiry into her assassination. Dozens of civil defamation lawsuits continued against her posthumously. Meanwhile, human rights defenders and journalists campaigning on her case have been subjected to serious pressure, harassment, and acts of reprisal.
When a journalist is murdered, all of society suffers. We lose our right to know, to speak, to learn, to think critically. Daphne Caruana Galizia was targeted because of her work, because she dared to express her opinions, because she refused to be silenced. This hybrid event will feature diverse readings and voices celebrating Daphne Caruana Galizia, her powerful work and creative legacy. It will bear testament to the impact she continues to have on writers and artists around the world. It will further explore how poetry and literature can be used as tools to advocate for freedom of expression and ensure justice and accountability for Daphne and her family.
Chaired by PEN International President Burhan Sonmez, with opening remarks from the Caruana Galizia family and a closing speech from writer Juliet Jacques, this event will include a range of writers, poets, and artists associated with PEN Malta, English PEN, Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann, Scottish PEN and Wales PEN Cymru. The PEN Community is campaigning for full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and her family, and urges the Maltese authorities to ensure better protection of journalists.
Timestamps:
02:45 – Burhan Sonmez’s introduction
05:35 – Corinne Vella and Megan Mallia
15:11 – PEN Malta’s introduction + Immanuel Mifsud + Miriam Calleja + Leanne Ellul + Nadia Mifsud
26:00 – Scottish PEN / Lizzie Eldridge
34:53 – Herman Grech’s message / They Blew Her Up
47:12 – Robert Zammit / extract from ‘Running Commentary’
50:33 – Wales PEN Cymru / Aurelia Dondo / Menna Elfyn / Caroline Stockford
53:25 – Gattaldo / extract from ‘Running Commentary’
01:01:38 – Irish PEN / Lia Mills / Celia de Fréine
01:08:28 – Ann Dingli / extract from ‘Running Commentary’
01:13:35 – Juliet Jacques’ address