Malta’s Love Affair with Books: 3 Books Per Person Annually
Imagine this: every year, the average Maltese person buys three books. That’s 120,000 books in total, enough to fill the National Library’s entire floor dedicated to Maltese literature and history.
Book Lovers’ Island
Malta, an archipelago of just over 490 square kilometers, has been revealed as a nation of avid readers, according to a recent study by the National Book Council. The findings show that the average Maltese resident buys three books annually, a figure that places us among the top book-buying nations in Europe.
Local Bookstores Thriving
This love for books is reflected in the thriving local bookstore scene. Take Strait Street, for instance, the once bustling nightlife hub now transformed into a cultural hotspot. Here, you’ll find independent bookstores like ‘Books & Coffee’, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of new books, creating a perfect literary haven.
Owner, Mark Attard, attributes the success of his bookstore to Malta’s reading culture. “Malta might be small, but it’s big on books. We have customers who come in weekly, always looking for their next read,” he says.
E-books vs. Paperbacks: The Maltese Predilection
The study also delves into the format preference of Maltese readers. Contrary to the global trend, paperbacks still reign supreme in Malta. Only 15% of book purchases are e-books, a figure that’s been steady for the past five years.
For many Maltese readers, the appeal of paperbacks lies in their tactile nature. “There’s something about the feel of a book in your hands, the turning of pages,” says Maria Grech, a regular at the Valletta book market. “E-books just don’t compare.”
Promoting Reading Culture
The National Book Council, along with local libraries and bookstores, is committed to fostering this reading culture. Initiatives like ‘Books in Schools’ and ‘Reading is a Gift’ aim to instill a love for reading in Maltese children from a young age.
Dr. Albert Marshall, Director of the National Book Council, believes that these initiatives are key to maintaining Malta’s strong reading culture. “We want to ensure that every child has access to books, to foster a love for reading that will stay with them throughout their lives,” he says.
So, what’s next for Malta’s book lovers? The National Book Council is planning a series of literary events and festivals throughout the year, including the Malta Book Festival in November. With such a vibrant reading culture, it’s safe to say that the future of books in Malta looks bright.
