European Union Prize for Literature
1 appearances
-
Edition 13 (2021) Winner
Lara Calleja
ララ・カレッジャ
Rara Karejja
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1988-08-20 （Marsaskala, Malta）
- Nationality
- Maltese
- Languages
- Maltese, English
- Religion
- Catholic
- Residence History
- Marsaskala (birthplace) → Valletta (base)
Career
- Occupations
- novelist, playwright, translator, speechwriter, librarian
- Active Years
- 2016-
- Influenced By
- Immanuel Mifsud
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Malta | Faculty of Arts | Near Eastern Studies | Bachelor (with honours) | 2007–2010 | Malta |
University of Malta
Faculty of Arts
/ Near Eastern Studies
Degree:
Bachelor (with honours)
Period:
2007–2010
Year of Graduation:
2010
Country:
Malta
Graduated with honours
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | National Book Prize | Lucy min? | — | National Book Prize (Malta) | shortlist |
| 2021 | EU Prize for Literature | Kissirtu Kullimkien | — | EU Prize for Literature | winner |
| 2021 | National Book Prize (New Writers) | Kissirtu Kullimkien | 新人賞 | National Book Prize (Malta) | winner |
National Book Prize
2017
Work:
Lucy min?
Organization:
National Book Prize (Malta)
Result:
shortlist
EU Prize for Literature
2021
Work:
Kissirtu Kullimkien
Organization:
EU Prize for Literature
Result:
winner
National Book Prize (New Writers)
2021
Work:
Kissirtu Kullimkien
Category:
新人賞
Organization:
National Book Prize (Malta)
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Lucy min?
2016 coming-of-age novelA coming-of-age novel following the protagonist Lucy, exploring intimate thoughts, one-night stands and facets of Maltese society.
coming-of-ageidentitysocial taboos
Kissirtu Kullimkien
2020 short story anthologyAn anthology of short stories tackling contemporary Maltese issues such as over-construction and migration; one story centers on a traumatised migrant.
politics and societymigrationurban development
Bibliography
- Lucy min? (Merlin Publishers, 2016)
- Kissirtu Kullimkien (Merlin Publishers, 2020)
Adaptations
- Taralalla (stage production, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, 2021)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- direct and candid prosecontemporary style incorporating social and political themes
- Recurring Motifs
- over-construction / urban changemigration and traumayouth interiority and solitude
Health
-
congenital myasthenia gravis生涯（先天性）Causes weakness in facial muscles and arms; it affects daily life to some extent but she continues her creative work.
Legacy
Recognised as a prominent young Maltese-language writer; in 2021 she became the first Maltese woman to win the EU Prize for Literature. She is valued for her portrayals of contemporary Maltese social issues in short stories and plays.
Trivia
- Won the EU Prize for Literature in 2021, becoming the first Maltese woman to do so.
- Founder and CEO of the speech-writing service Mil-Qalb.
- Worked as a librarian and in tourism before becoming a freelance writer.
- Has been involved in political activism since age 16 and joined Moviment Graffitti.
- Has congenital myasthenia gravis.