Giovanni Curmi

Giovanni Curmi (10 January 1900 – 4 June 1973) was a Maltese writer, poet, novelist, editor and educationist. He is best known for his extensive literary production in the Italian language and for his contribution to Maltese cultural and literary life during the mid‑twentieth century. Curmi also played an important institutional role as a teacher, senior education official and founder of the Society of Maltese Authors.

Early life and education

Giovanni Curmi was born in Valletta on 10 January 1900, the son of Giovanni Curmi and Lucia Caruana. He received his early education at St Joseph’s High School and Flores College. In 1915 he entered the University of Malta, where he studied law. During his university years he developed a deep interest in Italian literature and culture. He graduated Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) in 1922. Despite his legal qualification, he did not practise law, choosing instead a career in education and literature.

Career

Education

Curmi became a teacher of Italian, a language in which he achieved notable mastery. In 1933 he was appointed a regular master at the Lyceum. From 1945 he also lectured in Italian literature at the Royal University of Malta. He later held several administrative posts within the Education Department and retired in 1960 with the rank of Assistant Director of Education.

During the Second World War, Curmi served as a special constable and was on duty during air raids, reflecting his civic engagement during a critical period in Malta’s history.

Literary activity

Curmi’s literary output was predominantly in Italian. His work included poetry, short stories, novels, essays and literary criticism. His writing is characterised by emotional sensitivity, close observation of human experience and frequent references to nature and everyday life in Malta.

From 1926 to 1939 he served as editor of the literary journal Malta Letteraria. He was also an active contributor to various cultural periodicals. In addition, Curmi edited and published historical and literary manuscripts from the National Library of Malta, including works by Gian Francesco Agius de Soldanis, Fabrizio Cagliola and Felice Cutajar.

Society of Maltese Authors

In 1951 Curmi founded the Society of Maltese Authors (Is-Soċjetà tal-Awturi Maltin). The society aimed to unite Maltese authors regardless of the language in which they wrote, at a time when literary activity in Malta was divided between Maltese, Italian and English linguistic traditions. The foundation of the society is regarded as an important step in the consolidation of Malta’s literary community.

Translations and awards

Several of Curmi’s works were translated into other languages. The novel Fili was translated into Hungarian, while works such as Pioggia and Bufera were translated into Maltese.

Curmi received a number of literary awards and distinctions, both in Malta and abroad. These included prizes from Italian literary institutions such as the Accademia d’Italia and awards associated with the Premio Grazia Deledda, Premio Torino and Premio Letterario Città di Reggio Calabria. In 1962 he was awarded a silver medal by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of Italian culture in Malta.

Personal life

On 4 June 1932 Curmi married Lucy Savona. The couple had one daughter, Ileana Curmi, who later worked to preserve and promote her father’s literary legacy through exhibitions and publications.

Death and legacy

Giovanni Curmi died on 4 June 1973 at St Luke’s Hospital in Malta. He is remembered as a significant figure in Maltese intellectual and literary history, particularly for his role in sustaining Italian literary culture in Malta and for fostering dialogue among Maltese writers.

The Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar is named in his honour. His manuscripts and personal papers are preserved at the University of Malta Library.

Selected works

Versi (poetry)

Pioggia

Bufera

Fili

Sources

https://patrickjsammut.blogspot.com/2012/01/giovanni-curmi-kittieb-u-edukatur-ta.html

https://timesofmalta.com/article/living-close-father-50-years-death.1049551

https://timesofmalta.com/article/biography-giovanni-curmi.1076133