Maltese-language literature

right|thumb|300px|Il-Kantilena Il-Kantilena () is the oldest known literary text in the Maltese language. It dates from the 15th century (no later than 1485, the death of its author, and probably from the 1470s), but was not found until 1966 by the historian Mikiel Fsadni. The poem is attributed to Pietru Caxaro, and was recorded by Caxaro's nephew, Brandano, in his notarial register (Dec. 1533 – May 1563). It is preserved at the Notarial Archives in Valletta. In April 2025, Il-Kantilena was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.