Oliver Friggieri

Friggieri was born in Floriana, Malta, in 1947. He studied at the bishop's seminary, and then at the University of Malta. From here he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Maltese, Italian and Philosophy (1968), and then a Masters (1975). In 1978 he acquired a Doctorate in Maltese Literature and Literary Criticism from the Catholic University of Milan, Italy.

Friggieri began his teaching career in 1968 by teaching Maltese and Philosophy in secondary schools. Then, in 1976, he moved on teaching Maltese at the University of Malta, first as Assistant Lecturer, then as Lecturer (1978), and later as Associate Lecturer (1988). In 1988 he was chosen Head of the Department of Maltese. He became Professor in 1990.

In the meantime, between 1970 and 1971 Friggieri was very active in Malta’s Literary Revival Movement (Moviment Qawmien Letterarju). He was on the editorial board of Il-Polz (1969–73), a Maltese literary periodical, of which he became editor (1974–75). He co-founded Is-Saghtar (1971), a children’s literary and cultural magazine, and remained on its editorial board ever since. In 1971 he also collaborated in the establishment of a publishing house, Klabb Kotba Maltin (Maltese Book Club), which facilitated the publishing of books in Maltese. He has been the editor of the Journal of Maltese Studies since 1980. He is also a Member of the Association Internationale des Critiques Litteraires of Paris, France.

In 2008 Friggieri published his autobiography, Fjuri li ma Jinxfux (Flowers Which Never Wither), relevant to the years 1955–90 of his life.

Friggieri is the author several books. As his prime specialisation Maltese Literature, most of his publications are not of a directly philosophical nature. These include dictionaries of literature, oratories, cantatas, literary criticism, literary biographies, and anthologies of his own poetry. Friggieri also significantly contributed essays on Peter Caxaro and Michael Anthon Vassalli.

Apart from regular contributions in local periodicals and newspapers, of especial interest to philosophy are Friggieri’s novels and short stories. These feature pathos and philosophical reflections.

Short stories

• 1986 - Stejjer Għal Qabel Jidlam (Stories Before The Darkness).
• 1991 - Fil-Gżira Taparsi Jikbru l-Fjuri (On The Island Where Flowers Pretend To Grow).

Novels

• 1977 - Il-Gidba (The Lie).[1]^:204
• 1980 - L-Istramb (The Odd Fellow).[1]^:263–264
• 1986 - Fil-Parlament ma Jikbrux Fjuri (No Flowers Grow in Parliament).[1]^{:Vol. II, p. 80}
• 1998 - Ġiżimin li Qatt ma Jiftaħ (The Jasmine Which Never Blossoms).
• 2000 - It-Tfal Jiġu bil-Vapuri (Children Come in Ships).
• 2006 - La Jibbnazza Niġi Lura (I’ll Come Back After the Tempest).
• 2008 - Fjuri li ma Jinxfux (Flowers Which Never Wither).
• 2011 - Dik id-Dgħajsa f’Nofs il-Port (That Boat in Mid-Harbour).
• 2013 - Children Come by Ship (published by Austin Macauley Publishers)
• 2015 - Let Fair Weather Bring Me Home (published by Austin Macauley Publishers)

• Philosophy in Malta

• University staff profile
• Profile on OAR@UM