This wonderfully expressive statue in Dingli, Malta, is a representation of Ġużè Ellul Mercer (1897-1961), who was born in Msida, and who, among many other things, was a playwright, poet, novelist and Labour politician. The written work he is perhaps best known for is the novel Leli ta' Ħaż-Żgħir (1949) (Shadows of the Truth, trans. 2003 by Godwin Ellul). It is thought to be the first psychological novel in the Maltese language.Mercer was buried in unconsecrated ground because of his politics - in the largest cemetery in Malta, the Addolorata, which is between Luqa airport and Paola. He was in fact buried in what is called the misbla, or rubbish dump, in a very simple grave. The Msida Maltese Labour Party later paid for a marble tomb.
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ReplyDeletePleased to be of service!
ReplyDeleteGuze Ellul Mercer was my great Uncle Joe, the brother of my grand-father, Lino. I remember him well as a young child when I grew up in Malta. The grave where he is buried has since been consecrated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information Marilyn: his name's short for Ġużeppi!
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