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Lon Kirkop

Marlon Chircop (born 5 August 1991), better known by his artist name Lon Kirkop, is a Maltese novelist, playwright, singer-songwriter and visual artist. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including two national book prizes: one in the Drama category for Fil-Ħajja li Jmiss u Drammi Oħra tat-Triq, and the Prize for Best Emerging Author.[1][2] In 2020, he won The Literary Contest Of Novels For Youth[3] 2020, organised by the National Book Council and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, for his debut novel Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules.[4][5][6][7] Additionally, he also won the prestigious Maltese song contest L-Għanja tal-Poplu as a composer and lyricist with the song Fil-Kexxun.[8]

Lon Kirkop
Born
Marlon Chircop

(1991-08-05) 5 August 1991 (age 33)
NationalityMaltese
OccupationNovelist / artist / singer-songwriter
Years active2017–present
Notable workMitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules, Fil-Ħajja Li Jmiss u Drammi Oħra tat-Triq
AwardsLiterary Contest Of Novels For Youth 2020, National Book Prize (Malta)
Websitehttps://lonkirkop.com/
Kirkop receiving the award for his win of the 2020 edition of The Literary Contest Of Novels For Youth, with his novel Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules.

Biography

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Kirkop was born on 5 August 1991, in Malta. His love affair with art, literature and theatre dates to his childhood. Today he managed to find a way to incorporate all his passions into his continuously developing multidisciplinary work. Kirkop studied at MCAST's Creative Arts Institute and graduated with a B.A.(Hons) in fine arts, in 2017.[9] In 2022, he graduated with an M.A. in printmaking at Cambridge School of Arts, UK.[10][11]

In 2018, he had his first solo visual art show at La Bottega Art Bistro in Valletta, curated by Lily Agius Gallery where he exhibited a selection of layered mesh painting, a technique he invented himself through artistic experimentation, with a hard to define aesthetics. When in an interview was asked about his work's aesthetics, he replied:

"Most of the time my aesthetic changes according to the subject and medium used. Aesthetically, this series I’m presenting in this exhibition is so different to what I have produced so far that it is hard to define. However, textures and layers somehow always feature in my work, regardless of the theme. It is not always intentional, but I have to admit that I am obsessed with the notion of layering and exploring different materials."[12]

From time to time, Lon join forces with another two visual artists Hannah Galea and Serah Stringer, who are collectively known as The Peculiars, and exhibit their work together tackling social and controversial subjects.[13][14][15] In 2022, he was one of the selected artists for the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair.[16]

Kirkop debut as a playwright during the Cospicua Short Play Festival 2019 with three different plays: FIl-Ħajja li Jmiss (Maltese for "Another Life"), Limbu (Maltese for "Limbo") and Elektra, where he won best script writing for the play Elektra.[17]  Since then, he wrote his first young adult novel Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules (Maltese for "A Hundred Thousand Other Names: HappyVeganGirlJules") and won the Literary Contest Of Novels For Youth in 2020,[4] and in October 2021, this novel was published by Merlin Publishers.[18][19][20] The novel become an instant success not only with teens but also with adults and received positive feedback from both critics and readers, especially for its fresh voice, pace and provocative content. Kirkop's debut novel turned out to be a surprise hit during the Malta Book Festival 2021.[21] In an interview with Times Of Malta, Kirkop stated that he is not surprised that his novel is also proving popular with adults. He said "I cannot say I am surprised that it’s also doing well with adults. Although it explores the struggles of being a teenager in a world obsessed with social media, it’s also about relationships between family members and friends while touching upon social issues that affect many people irrelevant of their age."[22]

On the novel, the Maltese blogger/book reviewer Robert Pisani from The Bobsphere wrote:

“I’ve read quite a few novels about social media culture and behaviour. At this point, Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor is probably my favourite one.”[23]

Lon wrote the lyrics of the song Fittixni, that was one of the Finalist in the song contest Mużika Mużika: Festival tal-Kanzunetta Maltija. The song was written with the Maltese composer Gilbert "Bibi" Camilleri and performed by Victoria Sciberras.[24][25]

The song Fil-Kexxun, which he wrote both the music and lyrics for, won the 46th edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu.[26][27]

His second book Fil-Ħajja Li Jmiss u Drammi Oħra tat-Triq, a collection of short plays, was published by Merlin Publishers on the 27th of September 2022.[28][29]

Lon Kirkop was one of the selected artists at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair 2022 with his lithography print Out of Focus.[30]

In the 48th edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu, Lon debuted as a singer-songwriter with the song Straight.[31] This song highlights his personal experience as a gay person throughout his life. Since its release, the song has gained significant traction, with many praising its quality and the realism of its lyrics.[32] During the final night of the contest, held at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta, Lon won the Best Social Theme Award.[33]

Works

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The author Lon Kirkop interviewed about his book Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor- HappyVeganGirlJules by the team of MaltArti

Publications

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  • Fil-Ħajja Li Jmiss u Drammi Oħra tat-Triq (Another Life and other Street Plays), 2022 - Collection of short plays
  • Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules (A Hundred Thousand Other Names: HappyVeganGirlJules), 2021 - Young Adult Novel

Multidisciplinary Work

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  • Lura F'Ġuf Ommi (Maltese for Back Into My Mother's Womb), 2022 - lithography prints, music, poetry, projections and live performance[10]
  • Ċella ta’ Wieħed (Maltese for A cell for one), 2022 - this work is an iteration of the work Lura F'Ġuf Ommi.[34]

Stage Productions

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  • Fil-Ħajja li Jmiss (Another Life), 2019 - short play[35]
  • Limbu (Limbo), 2019 - short play[35]
  • Elektra, 2019 - short play[35]
  • Liżar Roża (Pink Sheets), 2021 - short play[36]
  • 'l Alla ta' Wara l-Ħġieġa (The God of the Screen), 2021 - short play[36]
  • Passi mill-Kuritur (Steps from the Corridor ), 2021[37]
  • Fit-3pm (At 3pm), 2023 [38]
  • Sempreviva l-Musical, 2024 - a musical based on the book Sempreviva by Trevor Zahra. - Head of Scriptwriting[39] [40]

Songs

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  • "Fil-Kexxun", 2022 - music and lyrics (winner of l-Għanja tal-Poplu 2022)[26]
  • "Fittixni" (Search for me), 2022 - lyrics[41]
  • "Straight", 2024 - Singer-Songwriter[42]

Visual work

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  • Out of Focus, 2022 - Lithography print[16]

References

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  1. ^ "National book prize winners announced". Times of Malta. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  2. ^ "Lon Kirkop | Interpretations of my works are uniquely gratifying". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  3. ^ "The Literary Contest of Novels for Youth | Kunsill Nazzjonali Tal-Ktieb". 2014-06-29. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  4. ^ a b "The Novels for Youth Literary Contest | Kunsill Nazzjonali Tal-Ktieb". 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  5. ^ "Literary Contest of Novels for Youth". University of Malta. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  6. ^ The Malta Independent https://www.pressreader.com/malta/the-malta-independent-on-sunday/20210117/281994675138790. Retrieved 2021-11-10 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ Staff Reporter (2021-01-14). "Literary Contest of Novels for Youth winner announced". Newsbook. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  8. ^ "Alexia Micallef wins L-Għanja tal-Poplu festival". Times of Malta. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  9. ^ "Taboo! Do Maltese writers need to watch out for what they write in 2021? – Merlin Publishers | Kunsill Nazzjonali Tal-Ktieb". 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  10. ^ a b "Lon Kirkop - Present. Anglia Ruskin University — Present 2022". present.aru.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  11. ^ "education.gov.mt" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Debut solo show at new art bistro in Valletta". Times of Malta. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  13. ^ "Where have you gone?". Valletta 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  14. ^ "Malta's First Sex Exhibition Has Opened And It Couldn't Have Come Sooner". Lovin Malta. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  15. ^ "Wara s-sess where have you gone? - ONE". 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  16. ^ a b "Lon Kirkop". Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  17. ^ "Profile – LONKIRKOP". ARTZID. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  18. ^ "Lon Kirkop". Merlin Publishers. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  19. ^ "Awtur ġdid ipenġi xena lill-qarrejja dwar il-ħajja tal-lum permezz ta' ktieb - ONE". 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  20. ^ "Lon Kirkop Jiddebutta Fid-Dinja Tal-Ktieb Malti". Strada Rjali. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  21. ^ "Lon Kirkop's winning entry for the Teenage Literature writing competition - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  22. ^ "A work of fiction explores the very real rise of social media influencers". Times of Malta. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  23. ^ "Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules". Merlin Publishers. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
  24. ^ Newsroom, T. V. M. (23 April 2022). "12 finalists of Mużika Mużika festival announced". TVM.mt. Retrieved 2022-05-22. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ "Jitħabbru s-Semifinalisti Għal Mużika Mużika 2022". Muzika_Muzika (in Maltese). 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  26. ^ a b "Alexia Micallef wins L-Għanja tal-Poplu festival". Times of Malta. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  27. ^ Newsroom, T. V. M. (31 July 2022). "Alexia Micallef wins L-Għanja tal-Poplu 2022". TVMnews.mt. Retrieved 2022-08-06. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  28. ^ "Fil-ħajja li jmiss u drammi oħra tat-triq". Merlin Publishers. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  29. ^ "Fil-ħajja li jmiss u drammi oħra tat-triq". Goodreads. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  30. ^ "Lon Kirkop". Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  31. ^ "48th edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu to be held on August 3". Times of Malta. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  32. ^ "Breaking Barriers: Lon Kirkop's 'Straight' Sparks a Movement". Radio 105. 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  33. ^ Sghendo, Luigi (2024-08-04). "Laura Bruno wins 48th edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu". TVMnews.mt. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  34. ^ "Team 1". The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  35. ^ a b c "Cospicua streets to showcase local talent". Times of Malta. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  36. ^ a b "Short play festival explores social themes". Times of Malta. September 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  37. ^ "Passi mill-kuritur: rappreżentazzjoni fil-Belt Valletta - ONE". 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  38. ^ "Fit 3pm – At 3pm – Maltarti". Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  39. ^ "Musical based on Trevor Zahra book to be staged this month". Times of Malta. 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  40. ^ "Sempreviva l-Musical". The Kettle Club. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  41. ^ "Victoria - Fittixni". Muzika_Muzika. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  42. ^ ghtp (2024-05-06). "Jintgħażlu l-Finalisti GħTP 2024". L-Għanja tal-Poplu. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
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