Gan Anton Vassallo
Encyclopedia
Ġan Anton Vassallo was a Maltese author, poet and professor. Although he wrote a large amount of literary works, he is best remembered for his poem Tifħira lil Malta.
He was taught by many famous teachers, amongst them Dun Pietru Pawl Psaila and Dun Ġużepp Zammit Brighella. He was fluent in Maltese, Italian, and Latin, as well French, Arabic and understood English. Vassallo started a course of Laws in the University of Malta
in 1839, finishing it three years later. In 1850 he began teaching Italian in the Liċeo, becoming Professor of Italian at University in 1863.
He began writing poetry in Maltese when he was 25 years old. he wrote many biographies of Maltese personalities in the magazine Arte (1862-1866), and he published his work on the history of Malta, La Storia di Malta raccontata in Compendio in 1854. This version was rewritten in Maltese
as Storja ta’ Malta in 1862. He also wrote numerous religious works, such as Il-ħajja ta’ l-Appostlu Missierna San Pawl (1858), and Ġesù Kristu fid-Dinja (1861). His most remembered works refer to his poems, published in two books, one named Ħrejjef (1861). the other Ħrejjef u Ċajt bil-Malti in 1863. His most famous novel is the epic Il-Ġifen Tork, written in 1842.This long poem was translataed into Esperanto by Dr Carmel Mallia with the title: "La Turka Ĉefgalero" and was included in the Esperanto Anthology(Antologio de Maltaj Poetoj) Mallia translated and published in 1985.
Vassallo's poetic thoughts are divided in two: on one side, there is writing for moral goodness, while on the other-hand there is writing for the pleasure of literature. His works were hence suspended between moral ethics and pleasure. However, between ethics and pleasure Vassallo understood that the most important thing was the effect coming from the pleasure of reading literature, since according to him, if literature did not bring any ethical advancement, then it is there for nothing.
Ġan Anton Vassallo used both Maltese and Italian as tools for teaching. He supported the Maltese spoken in the towns, as that would make sufficient and rich enough for its common use, so as yo be able to use it to explain all concepts in social life.
Vassallo died on March 29, 1868, and is buried in the Carmelite church in Valletta
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He was taught by many famous teachers, amongst them Dun Pietru Pawl Psaila and Dun Ġużepp Zammit Brighella. He was fluent in Maltese, Italian, and Latin, as well French, Arabic and understood English. Vassallo started a course of Laws in the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
in 1839, finishing it three years later. In 1850 he began teaching Italian in the Liċeo, becoming Professor of Italian at University in 1863.
He began writing poetry in Maltese when he was 25 years old. he wrote many biographies of Maltese personalities in the magazine Arte (1862-1866), and he published his work on the history of Malta, La Storia di Malta raccontata in Compendio in 1854. This version was rewritten in Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
as Storja ta’ Malta in 1862. He also wrote numerous religious works, such as Il-ħajja ta’ l-Appostlu Missierna San Pawl (1858), and Ġesù Kristu fid-Dinja (1861). His most remembered works refer to his poems, published in two books, one named Ħrejjef (1861). the other Ħrejjef u Ċajt bil-Malti in 1863. His most famous novel is the epic Il-Ġifen Tork, written in 1842.This long poem was translataed into Esperanto by Dr Carmel Mallia with the title: "La Turka Ĉefgalero" and was included in the Esperanto Anthology(Antologio de Maltaj Poetoj) Mallia translated and published in 1985.
Vassallo's poetic thoughts are divided in two: on one side, there is writing for moral goodness, while on the other-hand there is writing for the pleasure of literature. His works were hence suspended between moral ethics and pleasure. However, between ethics and pleasure Vassallo understood that the most important thing was the effect coming from the pleasure of reading literature, since according to him, if literature did not bring any ethical advancement, then it is there for nothing.
Ġan Anton Vassallo used both Maltese and Italian as tools for teaching. He supported the Maltese spoken in the towns, as that would make sufficient and rich enough for its common use, so as yo be able to use it to explain all concepts in social life.
Vassallo died on March 29, 1868, and is buried in the Carmelite church in Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
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