Award‑Winning Maltese Author Lina Brockdorff Dies At 95

Renowned Maltese novelist, playwright and educator Lina Brockdorff has died at the age of 95. Born in Senglea on 21st May 1930, Brockdorff was a prolific writer whose work spanned…

Renowned Maltese novelist, playwright and educator Lina Brockdorff has died at the age of 95.

Born in Senglea on 21st May 1930, Brockdorff was a prolific writer whose work spanned poetry, prose, radio plays and programmes, predominantly in the Maltese language. Over a career lasting several decades, she became one of the most recognised figures in Maltese literature and a passionate advocate for the Maltese language.

In recognition of her contribution to local literature, Brockdorff received the gold medal at the Ġieħ l‑Akkademja tal‑Malti awards at age 90, becoming the first woman to receive the honour, which celebrates outstanding service to Maltese literature and language.

Brockdorff began her professional life as a primary school teacher. After taking time away from her career to raise her family, she returned to education, later teaching media and English at St Aloysius College. Even after retirement, she remained committed to learning- returning to university in her seventies to study for a Master’s degree in Theology at the University of Malta.

She was deeply involved in Malta’s literary community, serving for several years as president of the Għaqda Letterarja Maltija and as a member of the Akkademja tal‑Malti council. She also contributed actively to the L‑Għaqda Poeti Maltin.

Brockdorff’s career was especially productive in the 1950s and 1960s, when she wrote and produced numerous programmes for Rediffusion, the broadcast medium that preceded FM radio and television in Malta. Her work reached audiences both locally and abroad.

During her long life, she published 340 novellas, 12 novels and many short‑story anthologies, with some of her works broadcast on radio in Malta and overseas.

Among her best‑known works are the romantic novel Kien Kwinta l‑Qamar (1974), the historical novel Luciano (set in 1900), and her autobiographical account of growing up during the Second World War, Sireni u Serenati (2004). The latter was broadcast on radio, won the Best Novel – Non‑Fiction award from the National Book Council of Malta, and was later translated into English as Serenades amidst the Sirens (2016).

In 2020, former President George Vella praised Brockdorff as “a wonderful example of active ageing,” noting her continued writing and publishing well into her nineties. She was also well‑known for extensive voluntary work at local and national levels.

Brockdorff is survived by her four children- Noellie, David, Adrianne and Daniel and several grandchildren.

Lovin Malta extends its condolences to Lina’s family

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