We say ‘buy local’ for food – why not also for books?

Next time you shop, think: “Can I buy this from someone here in Malta?” - Follow this link for more: https://www.facebook.com/reel/823184143833075

It was a pleasure to visit this year’s Malta Book Festival, to meet authors and publishers and to experience first-hand the energy and dedication that define Malta’s literary scene. The festival remains one of the few moments where writers, readers and publishers come together to celebrate creativity and exchange ideas. Yet, amid the enthusiasm, important questions about the sustainability of the local publishing industry inevitably surfaced.

There is no doubt that the Maltese publishing scene is alive and productive. Titles are being released at an impressive rate, with high standards of editing, design and printing. But behind this vitality lies a growing concern.

If publishers, who invest so much effort in producing Maltese works, continue to face challenges in sustaining their operations, then we must ask: Where lies the problem?

Is it that our writers are not producing work that captures readers’ imaginations? Is the issue rooted in our education system, which perhaps does not nurture a strong reading culture? Could it be our historical reading habits, rising costs or policies that fail to address real industry needs? The truth likely lies in a mix of these factors and it deserves open and honest discussion.

The government’s book voucher initiative, launched to encourage children to discover reading, was fundamentally a good idea. Any effort to place books in the hands of young readers is welcome. But good ideas can always be refined. If we truly wish to strengthen our literary culture, then such schemes should evolve to better support local creativity, publishers, illustrators and booksellers.

This is not only about books written in Maltese. It is about books that are produced and published locally carrying a Maltese ISBN, whether written in Maltese or in any other language. These works sustain our creative ecosystem, create jobs and reflect the Maltese experience in any languages.

A practical improvement would be to ensure that a portion of every voucher, at least 50 per cent, is spent on books published with a Maltese ISBN. This would offer tangible support to local publishers, encourage readers to explore home grown titles and help strengthen the local cultural economy.

Strengthening the Maltese book means strengthening who we are

We are proud to run campaigns urging people to ‘buy local’ when it comes to food, crafts and wine. Why not do the same for literature? Why not celebrate the Maltese book, written and produced in Malta, as a reflection of our identity and creativity instead of subsidising other literary realities which do not need government’s support?

This is not about criticism but about direction. The Malta Book Festival reminded us of the immense potential of our authors and publishers. What we need now is to make sure that their work is valued and supported in a sustainable way.

The book festival was, as always, a celebration of talent and creativity. But beyond the crowds and stands lies a deeper challenge, how to ensure that this energy translates into lasting growth for Maltese publishing. The next step is not simply to repeat initiatives but to refine them. A clear, structured approach that values books published in Malta, which can turn a seasonal effort into a sustainable future.

If we truly believe that culture is the heart of our nation, then the Maltese book must be treated more than just a product; it is a vessel of our stories, ideas and voices.

Strengthening it means strengthening who we are.

The book festival reminded us of what’s possible; now it is up to us to make sure that this story continues to be written, read and proudly supported here at home. This article was published on The Sunday Times of Malta on the 14th of December 2025