Malta is mourning the loss of Professor Ġorġ Mallia, the much-loved author, cartoonist, illustrator and academic who has died at the age of 68. His death was reported on Wednesday morning.
For decades, Mallia’s work formed part of Maltese cultural and academic life, reaching everyone from young children discovering his books to generations of students who passed through the University of Malta.
He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Malta, where his teaching covered areas including writing, visual narrative, graphic design, communications and media.
But many across Malta will remember him just as strongly for his creative work.
Mallia was a prolific children’s author and illustrator, with works including Ktieb ix-Xwejjaħ, Avventura taħt l-Art and the popular Pullu series, which introduced generations of young readers to Maltese-language stories.
His creativity extended well beyond children’s literature. Mallia produced cartoons and illustrations for Maltese publications for decades, becoming particularly known for his distinctive humour and social commentary. He was a longstanding contributor to the Times of Malta, with his final cartoon appearing just days before his death.
His influence also extended to Maltese publishing. Over the years, he was involved with children’s publications including Sagħtar and HeyU!, while also writing works aimed at adult readers.
Tributes have poured in following news of his death, remembering not only his contribution to Malta’s media, literature and education, but also the impact he had personally on students, colleagues and readers.
Just last month, Mallia was still contributing to academic research at the University of Malta, co-authoring the country’s 2026 Media Pluralism Monitor report.
His was a career that crossed many worlds — teacher, writer, illustrator, cartoonist and communicator — but the common thread was storytelling.
For countless people in Malta, his work formed part of growing up, studying, reading the newspaper or simply having something to smile about.
Rest in peace, Professor Ġorġ Mallia. Our condolences go to his family, friends, colleagues, students and all those whose lives he touched.
