Updated 7.30pm with PEN Malta statement

A number of Maltese publishing houses have pleaded for government help, saying their sector is in a critical situation.

BDL books, ĊAK Ltd., Horizons, Kite group, Kotba Calleja, Merlin Publishers and Midsea Books said the publications sector was undergoing a transformation, with major challenges and serious risks for its very future.

The costs of paper, production and distribution had risen, while bookshops were closing.

The publishers said they were keeping Maltese literature and publications alive, producing school books as well as research and recreational literature.

Maltese books were a major component of the Maltese people’s identity, and the demise of the sector would mean accelerated loss of the collective memory and Malta’s own language.

The publishing houses, which represent 75% of the sector, said they were requesting dialogue with the government to discuss their views and proposals.

“The government needs to recognise that the local publications sector is in a seriously critical condition and needs urgent, direct intervention to survive into the future,” they said.

“The sector has been ignored for far too long and deserves much better. Words praising Maltese literature and Maltese publications needed to be translated into direct investment.”

The publishing houses said they appreciated initiatives by the Malta Book Council but noted that its prizes and funds were often not directly addressed as publishers, without whom books would not survive.

In a statement, PEN Malta said it fully supports the plea put forth to the government by Maltese publishers in light of the serious difficulties they are facing caused by the present economic situation.

“PEN Malta appreciates that the current situation is jeopardising the publishers’ industry and that this may negatively affect the Maltese collective memory, the national language, and Maltese culture in general. PEN Malta is also aware that publishers have repeatedly sounded their concerns with competent authorities for a long time with no response.”

Therefore, PEN Malta joins the Maltese publishers in urging the government to acknowledge the plight and take the necessary action for the national benefit.