Locally acclaimed writer, theatre director, and literary critic Mario Azzopardi has sadly passed away aged 77.

Azzopardi, best-known for his writings, penned Vampir u Rakkonti Ohra, L-Ahhar Grant ta’ Ciorni u Rakkonti Ohra, and children’s book Is-Sultana s-Sewda, amongst many others.

He also contributed to a number of poetry anthologies, namely Mas-Sejha tat-Tnaba and Dwal fil-Persjani and published five collections: Demghat tas-Silg, Passiflora, Tabernakli, Monokordi, and Noti mis-Sanatorju tal-Mistici.

Azzopardi left a lasting impact on the local cultural journalism scene, having contributed to the following newspaper: L-Orizzont, The Malta Independent, The Bulletin, The Malta Economist, In-Nazzjon, and Il-Mument.

For a significant portion of his career, Azzopardi was involved in education, having taught art, drama, and Maltese literature in schools. Between 1998 and 2004 he also worked in the Education and Culture Ministry’s Policy Unit.

Up until 2014, Azzopardi also headed the Malta Drama Centre. He was forced to resign after suffering a stroke.

Tributes to the late writer-director have already started pouring in all over social media.

“There aren’t enough words to describe how much this hurts. Rest in peace, Mario,” University of Malta lecturer Andrew Azzopardi wrote.

Rest in peace, Mario!

Main image credit: National Book Council / Facebook