04/02/2026
I am here reproducing my speech during the recent award by The Malta Society of Arts to colleague and friend Darrin Zammit Lupi: A well deserved tribute to one of Malta's top photographers and activists.
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening everyone,
Tonight, we are here to celebrate someone whose work has not only documented history and inspired others, but has also touched hearts around the world — Darrin Zammit Lupi.
For over three decades, Darrin’s camera has taken him from Malta to war zones, disaster areas, and the open sea. He began in the early ’90s, covering local stories and, before long, he was in Bosnia, capturing the devastating human toll of war. Since then, amongst many media outlets, he has worked with Reuters and the Times of Malta, exposing the stories that matter most — from earthquakes and uprisings, to the refugee crisis, to the lives changed by migration across the Mediterranean. Darrin is not only a superb pictorialist but his valid activism through his camera is evident whenever he sincerely feels that the need arises … alas, even on our island.
What makes his work so powerful is not just what he shows us, but how he shows it — with honesty, compassion, and deep respect for the people in front of his lens. His long-term project on migration, Isle Landers, challenged stereotypes and gave dignity to people who are too often ignored.
Along the way, he’s been recognized with major international awards, from the Yannis Behrakis Prize to Malta’s National Photography Lifetime Achievement Award, and his images have appeared in TIME, The New York Times, The Guardian, and countless others. His list of awards and achievements is amazing. His work is held in permanent collections, ensuring his stories will endure for generations.
Beyond journalism, he’s also brought that same eye for truth and emotion into film sets and theatres, capturing the soul of performance just as beautifully as the chaos of a rescue at sea.
Not only are his photographs full of meaning and expression, but they are often amazing artworks, with the ideal composition, lighting techniques and impact. Darrin can really capture the moment and, in a world bombarded by images, his photographs have the power of stopping us, not only to browse or view, but to reflect.
It is an honour to recognise you tonight. This award, bestowed by the Malta Society of Arts, is truly deserved, because Darrin, outwardly reserved and unassuming, is a towering figure in the world of photojournalism.
Darrin, your photographs remind us of our shared humanity. They challenge us, move us, and stay with us long after we’ve seen them.
Kevin Casha
Professional Photographer, Curator & Tutor
Master of Fine Arts in Digital Arts (University of Malta)
Technical Coordinator Malta National Picture Archive
Photography Historian & Researcher