SimonBartolo
Biography
Simon Bartolo is an award-winning writer, playwright and theatre director. He was born on 1st May 1968, in Gwardamanġa, Malta. He currently works as a translator in Brussels. Previously he taught English literature at the Junior College. He is a graduate of the University of Malta, having read for a Master’s Degree in English from the same University. For a couple of years, he worked in a factory, an experience that made him realise the importance of education. In 1992 he co-founded Aleateia, a leading modern performance theatre group, for which he also wrote and directed pieces that were performed locally and abroad.
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Bartolo was fascinated by the power of stories from a very young age. His father used to tell him and his siblings stories that were embellished with every retelling. For young Simon, the concept of summoning whole worlds and conjuring emotions like fear, joy and anguish, by the simple act of speaking, was tantamount to magic. This is why he sees words as ephemeral figments that can have a radically different effect on the reader depending on the context in which they are uttered. He believes that there is a unique partnership between the story, the story-teller and the reader, something that can be gleaned in his work.
Bartolo credits Trevor Żahra as a major influence. His books made him realise how important one’s native language is. Bartolo went to a school which did not allow students to speak Maltese on the premises, with the threat of punishment if this rule was broken. For young Bartolo, Żahra was a rebel who dared to speak the forbidden language.
His empathy for outsiders can be seen in A Seat at the Table: The Coming of Age of the LGBTIQ Movement in Malta (MGRM, 2018), a detailed account featuring numerous interviews on the evolution of gay rights in Malta. Though it is a historical book about an aspect of local civil rights, Bartolo’s distinctive style permeates every page, making it feel like a personal narrative.
Bartolo’s fiction is deeply rooted in the supernatural, a fascination that is evident in his early works, including the immensely popular It-Triloġija tal-Fiddien (‘The Fiddien Trilogy’, Merlin Publishers, 2007-2009), co-authored with Loranne Vella. He is currently completing the final book of another trilogy, Ruxxmata Kreaturi (‘An Assortment of Creatures’, Merlin Publishers, 2020- ), the latest of which, Il-Kreatura tad-Deheb (‘The Golden Creature’) is forthcoming. These stories follow the young Nadja and Antonin, together with an eccentric cast of relatives, as they confront creatures from Maltese folklore. Though easily classified as horror, Bartolo’s approach is playful, effortlessly blending horror, comedy, quirkiness and moments of absurdity. His mastery of language ensures a smooth transition between genres, crafting a voice that is uniquely his own.
Bartolo’s work showcases his deep appreciation for storytelling, language and the power of words to shape emotions and perceptions. His writing is engaging, thought-provoking and distinctly personal, leaving a lasting impact on readers.
Biography written by Noel Tanti
