Julian Manduca, RIP

I was saddened to read on Wired Temples that Julian Manduca died Tuesday in Valletta of a heart attack at the age of 46. I remember Julian as being one of the most interesting people I met during the year I was living in Malta (an island nation in the Mediterranean). He was what we Americans would call a non-traditional student at the time, which simply means he was attending university as an older student. I remember many conversations with him talking about film and culture and the environment.

Julian was very welcoming to us foreigners and made us feel comfortable in our new surroundings. I remember going to parties at his flat and the interesting, literate people who were his friends.

Julian is the last person I remember saying goodbye to before I left Malta and returned to the States, and I still remember his last words to me, which were “We’ll run into each other again on the streets of some city somewhere in the world.” Julian was very much Maltese, but he was also a man who had a distinctly broad worldview. As I plan a return trip to Malta, I’m stung by the loss of this exemplary person. He will surely be missed by those of us abroad, as I’m sure his loss will be distinctly felt in Malta.

2 Comments

Toni Sant | May 23, 2005 3:06 PM | Permalink | Reply

I just read your post on Julian and was very moved by the fact that someone who met Julian so many years ago still remembers him with such affection. I remember you as an international student at the University of Malta when we were all there as students, and I can still see your face at the Film Club office and at our screenings.

Julian touched many lives in a very unique way. I have a feeling that he would be somewhat embarrassed by all the wonderful things that have been written and said about him in the days since his passing. Then again, that why Julian was so special.

Take care Daniel!

Andrea Rizzi Via Martucci 15 Bologna Italy | October 9, 2005 4:40 AM | Permalink | Reply

I knew Julian in 1983 in his house because of a common maltese friend and I was guested for the all summer, without any question, no problem, only "You are Italian and you are not used to but in Malta you must take care of water, not for me, but for the island", and this was Julian.
It was more than ten years I didn't have any contact with him, but often in my mind. In fact two days ago, while I was looking on internet, I red about an intersting call from the European Commission that could have been done together with a Maltese partner. What a wonderful occasion to meet my friend Choppy, my example of unselfish. I often recall him speaking with people in Italy, Julian was the person where together I found the warm of the southern italian people and the not intrusiveness of the english people.
I was his guest three times, three long times and the last one with my wife and son.
So I looked for him with an Internet search engine and ... "how many links, Julian - I thougt - you have become so important, I have always supposed it, you have a deep higher mind" ... than I opened the first of them and this is how I knew you have died.
I'm still under shock but I couldn't wait to tell to your wife I never knew, to your brother Philip and all the friends passing/living/drawing in 13 St.Christofer Flats, Triq Il-Kuccard, St Julians, I am with you all,
with love

Andrea Rizzi
Via Martucci 15
40136 Bologna, Italy
e-mail: andrea.rizzi@ior.it

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