Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 19,543 of 04 March 2016

The National Book Prize 2016 (Books 2015)

1. The National Book Council notifies that in order to give due recognition to authors, (a) writing in either Maltese or English and (b) publishing in Malta, awards and grants are to be accorded to literary and non-literary works presented in these languages. These works must have been published in book form during the year 2015.

II. In order for a book to be elegible for participation, it must have:

1. the publication date (2015) printed in the book

2. 80% of its content must not have been published before

3. the ISBN number issued by the National Book Council

4. not won a prize in any of the previous competitions organised by the National Book Council

5. a copy of the publication already legally deposited at the National Library of Malta.

III. Every book will be evaluated according to criteria set down by the National Book Council. The Adjudicating Board will be short listing a number of books in each category in order to award the best publication, only if the required level is reached.  The Board may not award the prize if there is no publication that satifies a number of set criteria.

IV. These prizes will be awarded to winners in every category:

An award of a €1,000, a trophy and a certificate will be awarded for entries in every category which have exceeded 90 marks,

A certificate will be awarded to publishers of winning books in every category as well as to every author and publisher whose book has been shortlisted.

Two months prior to the National Book Prize ceremony, the shortlisted nominees will be announced.

V. Prizes for literary works:

1. The Novel

2. The Short Story

3. Poetry

4. Drama

5. Translation*

*For this Prize, only translations of literary texts into Maltese from the following languages will be accepted: (a) English; (b) Italian; (c) French; (d) Spanish; (e) German. In cases of translation from any other language into Maltese, the submitted publicationmust be accompanied by a bridge language text in English. Books translated from English, Italian, French, Spanish and German must be accompanied by the original version of the work in question. Books submitted for the competition unaccompanied by the original version or bridge language text will not be considered as eligible.

VI. Prizes for non-literary works

1. Works in general research

2. Works in historiographic research

VII. Other Prizes

1. A trophy and a certificate of merit will also be awarded to the publication house which has produced the best looking book for 2015.

2. A trophy and a certificate of merit will be awarded to that person who has given a notable contribution to the fields of literature or book publishing. This prize is adjudicated by the National Book Council. Only the name of the winner will be announced.

3. A trophy, a prize of five hundred euro and a certificate of merit will be awarded to a young author who started writing recently and who has distinguished himself/herself by his/her writings and books. This prize is adjudicated by the National Book Council. Only the name of the winner will be announced.

VIII. Submissions

1. Participants must submit an application for every book entered for the competition on an application form which along with a copy of these regulations may be collected from the Secretary, National Book Council c/o Central Public Library, Floriana, tel. 2122 2654. Alternatively e-mail: (joe.debattista@gov.mt) to receive the form via electronic mail. The application form may also be found on our official website:( www.ktieb.org.mt).

2. Entries for the competition may be submitted by: the authors themselves or those persons who have the authors’ publishing rights with the consent of the publishers; the publishers with the consent of the authors or those persons who have the authors’ rights.

3. Participants are to indicate clearly under which category the book is being entered. The National Book Council reserves the right to change a category indicated by the author/s and/or publishers if, in the opinion of the adjudicating board, it is decided that said work has been entered in the wrong category. In this case participants will be informed accordingly.

4. Participants are to send four copies of the book to this address:

The Secretary

The National Book Prize 2015

Attn. Mr Joseph Debattista

The Central Public Library

Triq Joseph J. Mangion

Floriana FRN 1800

5. The four copies submitted (which are not returnable) should reach the Secretary at the Central Public Library by not later than noon of Friday, 8th April, 2016.

For the purposes of these regulations, the National Book Council is providing these definitions: 

Author – the writer of creative works of an original nature (except for cases of translation).

Book – a printed as well as ebook with an ISBN issued by the National Book Council.

Publisher – an individual or group of individuals that have published at least one book.

All decisions taken by the National Book Council are final and binding.

The National Book Prize for Children and Adolescents 2016 (Books 2015)

I. Terramaxka – The National Book Prize for Children and Adolescents is a prize for authors that (a) write in Maltese or English and (b) publish in Malta. The winners will be given awards and prizes for the best literary works for children and adolescents. Submissions must have been published in book form throughout 2015.

II. In order for a book to be eligible for participation, it must have:

1. the publication date (2015) printed in the book

2. 80% of its content must not have been published before

3. the ISBN number issued by the National Book Council

4. not won a prize in any of the previous competitions organised by the National Book Council

5. a copy of the publication already legally deposited at the National Library of Malta

III. Every book will be evaluated according to criteria set by the National Book Council; the Adjudicating Board will be short listing a number of books in each category in order to award the best publication, only if the required level is reached.  The Board may not award the prize if there is no publication that satisfies a number of set criteria.

IV The following prizes will be given to winning entries in every category:

1. The prize for every category is a €1,000, a trophy and a certificate for books that exceed 90 marks

2. In the categories for original books (not translated), the illustrator is as eligible for a prize as the author

3. A certificate will also be given to the publishers of the winning books in every category as well as to those authors and publishers whose books have been shortlisted

4. Two months prior to the date of the National Book Prize ceremony the shortlisted titles in every category will be announced

V. Prizes:

1. Books for children (ages 0-7)

2. Books for children (ages 8-12)

3. Books for adolescents (ages 13-16)

4. Books translated into Maltese (ages 0-7)

5. Books translated into Maltese (ages 8-12)

6. Books translated into Maltese (ages 13-16)

Note regarding prizes for Books translated into Maltese: For these prizes, only translations into Maltese from the following list of languages are accepted: (a) English; (b) Italian; (c) French; (d) Spanish; (e) German. In cases of translation into Maltese from any other language, the book submitted for the prize must be accompanied by a bridge language text in English. Books translated from English, Italian, French, Spanish and German must be accompanied by a version of the original text. Books submitted for the prize without an accompanying original version or bridge language (depending on the case) will be disqualified.

Note: When books are submitted to a category that, when considered en-masse create a distinction between books that are of a literary or a non-literary nature, then such books will be placed under different categories.

VI. Other Prizes:

A trophy and certificate of merit will also be awarded to the publishing house that has produced the best looking book for 2015.

VIII. Submissions:

1. Participants must submit an application for every book entered for the competition by filling in a prescribed application form that together with a copy of these regulations may be collected from the Secretary, National Book Council c/o Central Public Library, Floriana, tel. 21 222654, e-mail: (joe.debattista@gov.mt). Applications must be sent in via e-mail.

2. Entries for the competition may be submitted by: the authors themselves or those persons who have the authors’ publishing rights with the consent of the publishers; as well as publishers with the consent of the authors or those persons who have the authors’ rights.

3. Entrants are to indicate clearly under which category the book is being entered. The National Book Council reserves the right to change a category indicated by the authors and/or publishers if, in the opinion of the pre-adjudicating board, it is decided that works were entered in the wrong category. In this case participants will be informed accordingly.

4. Participants are to deliver four copies of the book at this address:

The Secretary

The National Book Prize 2014

Attn. Mr Joseph Debattista

The Central Public Library

Joseph J. Mangion Street

Floriana FRN 1800

5. The four copies submitted (which are not returnable) should reach the Secretary at the Central Public Library by not later than noon Friday, 8th April, 2016.

For the purpose of these regulations the National Book Council is providing these definitions:

Author – writer of creative and original work (except in cases of translation).

Book – a printed as well as ebook published under an ISBN issued by the National Book Council.

Publisher – a person or group of persons that have published at least one book.

All decisions taken by the National Book Council are final and binding.

Feast of Palm Sunday 20th March, 2016

Setting up of Kiosks

The Ħal Għargħur Local Council notifies that it is accepting applications for the setting up of kiosks for the occasion of Palm Sunday. These applications are to reach the Office of the Ħal Għargħur Local Council by not later than Wednesday, 16th March, 2016.

The applicant has to submit with the application: 

The Identity Card

Photo of the kiosk

Certification from the VAT Department

Certificate issued by the Department of Public Health

If one of these documents is not presented, the application will not be accepted.

A fee should be paid in accordance to Legal Notice 119/2002.

Suspension of Traffic and Parking

The Ħal Għargħur Local Council notifies that parking of cars is prohibited as follows: Sunday, 20th March, 2016 from 2.00 p.m. till 10.00 p.m. from Misraħ il-Knisja, Triq l-Oratorju, Vjal ir-Repubblika, Triq Stiefnu Zerafa, Triq San Ġwann, Triq San Bartilmew.

In accordance with article 20 (2) (Procurement procedures for contracting authorities) of LN 296/2010 (Public Procurement Regulations 2010), the following are tenders awarded by the University of Malta and procurement effected through direct order procedure from July-December 2015.

List of call for quotations with extended threshold and direct orders for services, supplies and works awarded by the Central Procurement and Supplies Unit between 1st July, 2015 and 31st December, 2015 in accordance with Article 20(2) of the Public Procurement Regulations 2010.

List of departmental contracts awarded by the Central Procurement and Supplies Unit between 1st July, 2015 and 31st December, 2015 in accordance with Article 20(2) of the Public Procurement Regulations 2010.

Suspension of Traffic

The Ħaż-Żebbuġ Local Council notifies that on Wednesday, 9th March, 2016 from 8.00 a.m. till noon, part of Triq Frans Sammut, Triq Paris, Triq it-Twila, Triq Pawlu Balzan, Triq id-Duluri, Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri, Misraħ Muxi u Triq Achille Ferris will be closed for traffic. No park will be allowed in part of Triq Frans Sammut.

Annual Public Meeting

In accordance with Article 70 (1) of the Local Councils Act (Cap. 363), an annual public meeting will be held on Monday, 4th April, 2016, at 6.00 p.m. at the Parish Pastoral Centre, Triq iż-Żurrieq, Qrendi.

All the residents that are listed in the latest Qrendi Local Council Registry are encouraged to attend this meeting and take part in the discussions.

The residents attending for this meeting will have time to make their suggestions for the consideration of the Local Council.

Annual Public Meeting

In accordance with Article 70 (1) of the Local Councils Act (Cap. 363), an annual public meeting will be held on Monday, 7th March, 2016, at 6.30 p.m. at the Council’s office.

All the residents that are listed in the latest San Lawrenz Local Council Registry are encouraged to attend this meeting and take part in the discussions.

The residents attending for this meeting will have time to make their suggestions for the consideration of the Local Council.