Today, 1^st September marks 170 years Guze Muscat Azzopardi was born who has often been dubbed as the father of Maltese literature.

He was born in Hal-Qormi in British Malta in the year 1853. He went to the University of Malta and soon became a successful lawyer who often used to voice his opinions about social issues.

In fact, he was a strong advocator of the Maltese language, having founded the Ghaqda Kittieba tal-Malti which was the regulatory body for all related Maltese language laws. He even became the editor of Il-Malti, the organisation’s periodical.

Guze Muscat Azzopardi was so extremely talented that for his writings and religious pursuits he was honoured by Pope Piux X, not only once but twice. He was first decreed the Pro Ecclesia et Pontefice and then given the Bener Merenti medal.

During his life he wrote many novels, poems, plays and everything inbetween. He definitely didn’t receive the name of the father of Maltese literature for nothing.

His favourite styles for his novels was historical fiction combining elements of history to write a touching yet entertaining story for his readers.  Toni Bajjada (1878), Mattew Callus (1878), Vicu Mason (1881), Susanna (1883), Ċejlu Tonna (1886), Ċensu Barbara (1893) and Nazju Ellul (1909), were all successful.

He was also known for his amazing poetry. His work in this genre was largely inspired by Gan Anton Vassallo and mainly dealt with sentimentality, satire and nationalism.

Novels and poetry were not enough for his talent. He even wrote many other plays, worked in translations and wrote biographies. He even translated the St Matthew, St Luke, St John and St Mark from Latin to Maltese.

Guze Muscat Azzopardi married Tonina Fenech, and had three sons Ivo, Gino and Anton. He also absolutely adored Hal Qormi’s St Geroge Feast, having wrote the verses of the first hymn of the feast.