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The debate on censorship, explicit language and Alex Vella Gera rages on. And J’accuse still has much to add. At some point yesterday Alex Vella Gera’s status on Facebook read as follows:

“Kemm qed ituni f’ghajni dan-nies kollha li qed jikkundannaw il-ban ta’ Ir-Realta, imma fl-istess nifs qed jghidu kemm l-istorja tieghi hija bla sens u bla ebda merti, u anke hmieg papali. My artist’s ego is taking quite a beating :)”

(I can’t stand all the people who are condemning the ban of “Ir-Realtà” while at the same time they say that my story is senseless without merits and a very dirty. My artist’s ego is taking quite a beating.)

I am sure I detect more than a little hint of irony in Alex’s statement and I am sure that he is not all too miffed about the criticism his story is receiving. What I wanted to make clear was that my point in Sunday’s article was more concerned with the existence of censorship at University, and on a larger scale in an adult community, than with the qualities of Alex’s writing.

Of course this does not mean that there is not a huge opportunity for a debate within the debate – this time focusing on the value of literary provocation with the use of realistic images or wording that require the narrator to pepper the imagery with expletives and graphic detail best described as cringeworthy.

Juanito Camilleri should thank his lucky stars. At least he had to contend with a bit of paper that could be considered by the more conservative elements of society as being a tad on the raunchy side. His counterparts at the Brasilian University of Bandeirantes had to resort to another form of censorship. Apparently student Geysi Villa Nuova Arruda turned up at Uniban wearing a very revealing red dress (too short for some). Geysi was expelled from the University for her “lack of respect to academic and moral dignity of the university”.

Caos ensued. (tee-hee)

This article and accompanying Bertoon (click to enlarge) appear in today’s edition of The Malta Independent on Sunday.

The Word

You do not need to be of a bible-bashing persuasion in order to recognise that within “the word” resides a power that can never be taken away. Much before an evangelist named John placed “the word” at the very origins of the universe, humankind had recognised the innate power that the written word could have. You do not have to be a Tolkien fanatic to have heard of the magical powers ascribed to runes and writings. Nor would you necessarily have heard of the Discworld’s magical library in order to have at some time read about the very, very powerful qualities of books and their contents.

It helps of course if you have at some point in time read any of the texts in question, as you would be armed with the knowledge imparted therefrom. Which is basically the point – the arming business that is. Quite a pointed matter in fact, for say they not that the pen is mightier than the sword? (Although, as Terry would add, it would have to be a very, very big pen against a very, very puny sword.)

The written word is powerful. Very powerful. For centuries, a practice known as “book burning” was a constant reminder of the dangers that the written word would pose to the authorities. Written word, when set to slate, papyrus or paper by an intelligent free-thinking being was as dangerous as an army of ravenous barbarians at the gates – and much more difficult to destroy. As far back as 213 BC, a sneeze in time away from the spread of writing, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of all philosophy and history books as an appetizing prelude to the main course of “Bury Alive All Intellectuals Who Do Not Comply With State Dogma”.

That’s the number of the case that has us all talking. It’s Lautsi vs Italy and just in case you are one of those whose job it is to edit the comments on the Times let me remind you that the case is set before the European Court of Human Rights and not the European Court of Justice. That’s right the Strasbourg Court that is linked to the Council of Europe and not to the European Union. Today Silvio the Sinner announced that no matter what the result of the appeal will be, Italy is not obliged to implement the decision of the court. No surprise there – it is after all Mr Lodo Alfano speaking – but this matter is not only about Silvio and Italy. It is a European matter (do note the absence of the word Union from this sentence).

The matter goes straight to the heart of European identity and queries the “poitical correctness” that has managed to infiltrate the hallowed ground of the courts of law. The problem with deeming a crucifix offensive might be seen to be the fact that leaving the crucifix might offend some but there is also the inalienable fact that removing the crucifix offends many. Personally I find the cross vs crucifix discussion a non sequitur – an amateur attempt to wriggle out of the real question at stake. It’s not like crucifixes have suddenly sprung up in Italian (or other nation’s) schools this year (or in 2006): they have been there since before De Amicis wrote his “Cuore”.

Publisher (and J’accuse reader) Chris Gruppetta has given us his kind permission to republish the following letter that appeared in today’s edition of the Times. J’accuse has not yet entered the numerous debates on the various facets of censorship that flared up this week and we will reserve most of our writing for Sunday’s article. Meanwhile Chris’ letter touches on a number of interesting points that might serve as the basis of kicking off the discussion on this blog. It goes without saying that  the opinion expressed in this letter is Chris’ and not that of J’accuse.

Apologies for our extended unannounced absence. Allow me to allay your fears – it takes more than a joke about the alternative names my mother had for me to upset me. Much more in fact. Unfortunately on our drive down from Kent (approximately as we approached Lille) my girlfriend got some very sad news from Malta. A very close friend of hers had passed away in tragic circumstances. I did not know this person at all and because of that I do not believe it’s right for me to talk about him. I have never been good with words at times like this, and I wonder who really is.

I allow myself one reflection – it’s a cold and cruel world out there and we should be thankful for the people who are close to us because whether we like to admit it or not it is thanks to them too that we choose to go on when the masks are down and the social niceties become extremely transparent.

Just as you think that things are streaming along quite nicely and while you are still allowing for the joy of the long weekend to seep in, life slaps you in the face with a cruel reminder of its finality. It’s been a tough couple of days and I am sure the heavy feeling of sadness will not go just yet. I don’t think I need to apologise if crucifixes on walls or rude newspapers on campus seemed like matters too trivial to contemplate through blogging.

We’re back (or at least we hope so) and will probably kick off properly this afternoon. Probably though, because I might still prefer a walk in the park after work.

Carpe diem.