“Il-Bizzilla” - Air Malta’s In-Flight Magazine - February 2018

# 62 F E B R UA R Y 201 8

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

T H E M A N W I T H M A N Y FAC E S p. 38 A piece on friendship, insecurities and letting go.

TA L K O F T H E T O W N p. 58 This month take a look at what Gozo has to offer.

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20 #62 FEBRUARY 2018

CONTENTS

30

10 . M A LTA & G O Z O I N N U M B E R S

A well-deserved focus on the European Capital of Culture, 2018.

14 . A M A Z I N G M U Ż A

An insider’s look into the newly opened museum.

20 . TA K I N G T H E R I G H T S T E P A look at traditional Maltese dance.

24 . H I G H F LY I N G D E N T I S T R Y Here's how to decide on dental treatment, Dr Jean Paul Demajo explains.

26. HISTORICAL CHEESE

There’s something about the whey artisans produce cheese.

30. PUURFECT PL ACES Excuse me? Can I get directions to cat village please?

32 . W H AT ' S H A P P E N I N G I N M A LTA A collection of events to keep you occupied this month.

3 8 . T H E M A N W I T H M A N Y FAC E S A piece on friendship, insecurities and letting go.

41 . T H E B AT T L E O F T H E B E S T F L OAT Who’ll be the butt of the joke this year.

4 4 . A M T R AV E L F E AT U R E

A splendid stay in St Petersburg.

5 4 . MALTESE FASHION THROUGH THE AGES Where did we get our influence from?

74

85

4

5 8 . TA L K O F T H E T O W N

This month we’re focusing on Gozo, a perfect destination for a Carnival trip.

62 . I S L A N D H I G H L I G H T S Here’s what not to miss while visiting the Maltese Islands.

8 4 . Q UA D B I K I N G A R O U N D G O Z O Intrepid traveller? Read on please.

9 6 . R E S TAU R A N T & B A R G U I D E

Thinking about your next meal? Here are this month’s top picks.

67. O U T & A B O U T

10 0 . A I R M A LTA N E W S

7 2 . WA L K I N G I N C I R C L E S A poetic rendition on love.

10 8 . F L I G H T A N D C O M PA N Y I N F O R M AT I O N

Who’s been seen and where they’ve been spotted.

A round-up of this month’s news.

All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.

74 . E X PAT S A N D W H Y T H E Y C H O O S E T O R E T I R E I N M A LTA Well, why ever not? It’s great on this little rock.

110 . D E S T I N AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N

78 . FOR THE LOVE OF WORDS Malta’s leading thinkers: their words and writings.

112 . ELEC TRONIC DE VICE INFORM ATION

8 0 . THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY TAL-ĦERBA

Planning a trip? Take a look at all of Air Malta’s flight routes and code-sharing routes here.

All the information you need with regards to phone, laptop and tablet usage onboard.

Take a look inside this quaint, little chapel.

Find the Knight Win a Flight Two readers have the chance to win a complimentary return ticket each to travel on any scheduled Air Malta destination (excluding taxes and charges).

All you have to do is find the small Air Malta Knight who stars in the airline’s safety video and is hidden somewhere in this magazine.

Send us an e-mail on media@airmalta.com with the page number where you managed to locate our knight, together with a picture of the competition applicant’s airport boarding card.

Closing date is the last day of the month.

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6

Republic Street, Victoria Gozo # 62 F E B R UA R Y 201 8

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

THE PLACE TO BE ON THE COVER The New Face of Valletta The glorious unveiling of Triton Fountain at the entrance of Valletta. A monumental statue that dominates the square with its strength and power.

T H E M A N W I T H M A N Y FAC E S p. 38 A piece on friendship, insecurities and letting go.

TA L K O F T H E T O W N p. 50 This month take a look at what Gozo has to offer.

PHOTOGRAPHER Etienne Bonello

MEET THE TEAM EDITORIAL AND DESIGN TBWA\ANG EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kristina Cassar Dowling SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Renata Rizzo CONTRIBUTORS Air Malta Alessia Caruana Christine Spiteri Fiona Mercieca Francesca Balzan George Sapiano

Giulia Privitelli Helen Raine Jean Paul Demajo Katrin Risiott Liliana Risiott Paul Vassallo Sarah Chircop TCD Valletta Waterfront Veronica Stivala PHOTOGRAPHERS Carlton Agius Daniel Cilia Sarah Scicluna Will Blakely

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON IL-BIZZILLA? For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with Renata, renata@contentfactory.com.mt or Meridith, meridith@contentfactory.com.mt or (+356) 2142 4924 For anything related to editorial or photography, contact Kristina on kristina@contentfactory.com.mt.

The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied by any means without the written consent of the publisher.

Editorial features and opinions expressed in il-Bizzilla do not necessarily reflect the views of Air Malta, the publisher, or the editorial team. Both Air Malta and the Publisher do not accept responsibility for commercial and advertising content.

Although the authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was correct before going to print, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Special thanks to the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta, Shutterstock and ViewingMalta.com for the provision of photographic material. Printed in Malta by VelPrint Ltd. All magazine rights are reserved by Air Malta PLC.

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8

FROM THE CEO...

FROM THE E D I TO R . . .

This year we are embarking on an

celebrations, why not visit the quaint

February is the month of colour, the

interesting programme of initiatives,

village of Nadur on our sister Island of

month of rain and the month of love -

from increasing our current flight

Gozo where you can experience funny

rather odd that the shortest month of

network with a number of interesting

grotesque costumes and join in the fun

the year can pack such a punch. This year

new routes and revamping our range

of this very particular unique parade?

will be a great year for anything culture

of services including a new inflight

For more information about Air Malta

related; with the V18 hype still bubbling,

menu that, for the first time, will offer

and our flight schedules please

a number of activities will be there for all

choice and increased flexibility to our

visit airmalta.com and

locals and visitors to enjoy.

inflight product.

facebook.com/AirMalta and join our

In a month’s time we will start our

newsletter mailing list to receive great

For one special week in February though,

offers directly in your inbox.

Valletta’s cultural calendar will take on a

summer schedule during which we shall

vibrant character - a kaleidoscope of colours

start flying to seven new interesting

At Air Malta we are customer driven

will march through the streets of our

destinations. Not only, last month we

and are always keen to know what we

cultural capital, bringing spectators, young

launched a new intra-European service

could do better to improve your

and old, together to watch the show. There’s

between Catania and Vienna which is

Air Malta flight experience. Visit

something special about the choreographed

expected to fill the void in this market

airmalta.com/wearelistening to

costumes swirling around to the up-beat

and continue to establish our position as

answer a few short questions about

music - maybe it’s because all the die-hard

the Airline of the Mediterranean.

your flight with us and you can win one

carnival enthusiasts put their heart and soul

of 10 free return Air Malta flights we

into the festivities.

Cultural activities across the Maltese

are offering every month. It really only

Islands are in full swing during this

takes 2 minutes!

month. The Valletta 2018 cultural

Let’s not forget about the big, four-letter word… not that one, this is a family

programme has now kicked off and

Wherever you are flying with us I hope

magazine… I’m talking about ‘love’. The

an array of diverse activities are being

you have a great flight with us. Air

roses, the chocolates, the jewellery and

celebrated across various towns and

Malta is much more than just an airline.

elegant dinner, that although overrated,

villages around the Islands.

really make that special someone in your life Thank you for choosing Air Malta. As our

Carnival in Malta is a unique celebration

welcomed guest we hope to see you on-

of vibrant colours and fun, an annual

board another one of our flights soon.

tradition that dates back to the Knights of St John. During this month you can experience Carnival along the historic streets of Valletta with colourful floats, elaborate costumes, music and great parades. If you like a more spontaneous and amusing type of Carnival

Joseph Galea

feel a whole lot ‘specialer’ on Valentine’s Day. Ah, February - the month to remind us of the different hues our lives can offer, be it through love or culture - both factors worth fighting for.

Acting CEO Air Malta

Have a safe flight,

Kristina

§

Advice is an inspiring word with a world of opportunities We offer you the time to listen and the capacity to act.

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PASSENGERS CARRIED ONBOARD AIR MALTA FLIGHTS:

SINCE 1ST APRIL 1974

ES

BU S TA R T A

SI

A

EW

THE EQUI VA

LE

AIR

320

MONUMENTS IN VALLET TA

885

6,000 TONNES OF POTATOES EXPORTED ANNUALLY

TIMES TO THE MOON AND BACK SINCE 1 ST APRIL 1974

349,386

THE MALTESE DRIVE ON THE LEFT

THE NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES IN MALTA

28km long/14.5km wide

N

OF

M

LT

FL

T

A

K TO

N

1W

EE

DECL ARED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

S

3

50,754,711

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14

ART

The T Sea My Muse WORDS ALESSIA CARUANA

here's a sense of comfort found in knowing that whatever happens and no matter how rapidly things may change, the sea will always be there to welcome us home and send us warmly off on any journey that we choose to embark on.

It is a constant and reliable companion, one that's always there, awaiting your arrival no matter how much you may have neglected it like a doting parent full of unconditional love. As a child I would sit at the edge of a boat or on a lonely sea shore and gawk at the allure that this faithful yet timid friend beheld. Eagerly approaching to say hello, and swiftly pulling away before contact is made. No matter how quick it dances, how swift its judgements, or how disappointed in us it may be at times, it knows you're there and so do we and there's a world of comfort

found in knowing that though the sea may tidally come and go, it is undoubtedly present, existing to be a constant reminder that life will give you something as quickly as it can take it away.

In its deepest of depths, you'll find piles of secrets whispered, screams frozen and tears wept. Moments shared but never compromised. We swim, we sway and sometimes we find ourselves under, but no matter what the prospect of hope and rising back to the surface for that gasp of fresh and victorious air will continue to exist in this beautiful metaphor that has shaped the course of Malta's history and the lives of all those who make it their acquaintance, serving as both source of solace and inspiration to many a creative soul, one of the most prolific being Alexia

ART

01. The Scene, 120x90cm oil on canvas / Alexia Coppini 02. Sail Away, 90x70cm oil on canvas / Alexia Coppini

Coppini, a seasoned Maltese painter who has focused her 10-year art career on capturing the allure of this wild force that can never be tamed.

Alexia was born into art with her father being an accomplished Maltese painter, so in many ways art chose her before she chose it. Painting ever since she was a young girl, the yearning to create is evident in her work, clearly all works being labours of extensive journeys of emotional exploration and the deeper meaning of the self and all that encompasses it.

“Painting instills a certain amount of confidence, discipline and colour to the mind”.

Coppini’s art is two part hyperreal and surreal, with viewers often left feeling

like they're either peering right outside a window or stuck in a dream. The quality of her delicately executed oil paintings on various forms of media, sometimes wood others canvas, come second to very few. Her scenes may vary from the bluest of finely painted days to the darkest of silvery moonlit nights with her protagonist the sea remaining ever present. Looking onto one of her paintings is to feel a wave crashing into you, to smell its breeze, to hear its song and to feel its caress against your flushed cheek. It is evident that this painter has spent her life living by the sea as she paints it with the confidence of a dear friend, like an old acquaintance whose stories she wishes to narrate with her brush. Coppini is currently working on a collection she will be exhibiting at 'The Gustavia Yacht Club' in St Barts in 2018.

15

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ART

17

01. Wanderlust, 60x60cm mixed media on canvas / Annabel Zammit 02. Azure, 70x100cm mixed media on canvas / Annabel Zammit

For other artists, their path very much like the seas is unpredictable, often described by chance happenings that take us by surprise, something which can be similarly said of up and coming painter Annabel Zammit’s soaring popularity in the local as well as foreign art market. Zammit had originally taken up art as a hobby as a child however went on to study graphic design in ever busy and industrial Milan where she also worked for a number of years. Absence often makes the heart grow considerably fonder and this can definitely be said of Zammit’s longing to return to the warmth of her very own sunlit Malta.

This new found appreciation for her Mediterranean home lead her to take on a graphic design job locally for a client who would eventually commission the young painter to create an entire series of works

intended to liven up this restaurateur’s then bare restaurant walls. “The rest is history,” Zammit says, who continues to pursue a career in the arts as a painter.

Her subject of choice? The sea, which clearly serves her as the ideal platform for self-expression whereby she focuses on throwing herself into the process of creation as opposed to fixating on the end result, which is something most artists in training are academically taught to do.

Zammit’s paintings can be referred to as visual case studies of the roaring sea that protects our shores. These abstract depictions are beautifully rendered in a multitude of mixed media, emulating the temperament of human emotion while depicting the various colours that make up our feelings. In a sense, and similar to the likes of action painters like Pollock before her, it is the media that takes on

its own life in Zammit’s work, a freedom which the artist has only allowed herself to take recently. “I don’t give myself any preconceived goals, I just go with the flow and focus on the process rather than on the result.” She is overcome by her chosen media and makes way for it to guide her through the canvas and take centre-stage. Just like the waves in our surrounding seas the artist has built a collection of works that truly embody the colour schemes of life and celebrate the ability to allow freedom to reign supreme over control and constraint. Though the talented artist seems to have found her niche in abstract art, that doesn't mean we shouldn't look forward to more, “I have definitely found my passion but that doesn’t mean that I won’t be experimenting with illustrations, furniture design, seascapes”.

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DANCE

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A LOCAL From fishing, to harvest reaping and village feast celebrations, Maltese folk dance is a wonderful display of local culture.

Veronica Stivala dons her dancing shoes to find out more.

Women dressed in colourful skirts, frilly blouses underneath equally colourful waistcoats, a headscarf tied around their heads, dance cheerfully in synchronisation. They are soon joined by their male partners, in pale blue knickerbockers, shirts and neck scarves and a straw hat. Together they dance, skip, using a variety of props from scarves to flowers, all the while cheered on by a lively bunch of musicians who keep the beat with tambourines, an accordion, claps and enthusiastic exclamations.

Although a modern rendition, this popular show offers a glimpse back to a Maltese folk tradition that developed in Malta over the centuries. As with all things folk, this dance tradition is a wonderful memento of the country’s

DANCE

21

cultural identity, paying homage to typical events and practices of yore, from fishing, to harvest reaping and village feast celebrations.

Explaining further, Eldrige Saliba Curmi, director Paul Curmi Dancers and whose folk group has toured the world, notes that the very mix of nationalities who visited Malta, and whose cultures the Maltese embraced is essentially what makes up our identity. “So many people visited our islands that we were subject to so many different cultures, be they the noble dance from Napoleonic times, the lively Sicilian peasant dance or the Għonella from North Africa, we made them part of our heritage.”

Indeed it was foreigners again who played a huge part in the creation of such a thing as Maltese folk dance. The upsurge in the number of tourists visiting the islands during the 1960s created a demand for typical Maltese entertainment. It was this phenomenon that prompted the Malta Tourist Board to approach Eldrige’s grandfather and ask him to introduce Maltese folklore dancing to the island.

Paul Curmi accepted this proposal and dedicated all his energy towards this new venture. He delved deep into local past customs and eventually came up with a series of folklore dances related to both peasantry and aristocratic mediaeval activities.

His numbers are a vivid depiction of humble fishermen’s chores, the lively village feast celebrations, and harvest time revelling, in direct contrast to the sophisticated movements of the noble people of Mdina, and the leisurely paces of the spouse and guest at the traditional Maltese wedding performance. Every choreography has a story behind it as it is inspired from paintings and illustrations found at the National Library of Malta.

Essentially, the choreography comprises lots of dance patterns created using the same steps over and over again, meaning it is not too difficult to learn Maltese folk dance. Having said that, Eldrige and his dancers are all trained in various disciplines from ballet, to modern, street, flamenco and latin and thus bring with them their training and technique in dance.

You’ll be wondering too about the music; Paul Curmi is also responsible for composing the typical Maltese folk music which accompanies the various dances.

Malta is currently witnessing a surge in interest for all things local, things idiosyncratically Maltese, both by the Maltese themselves, as well as tourists and this has led to a rise in audience members at shows, as well as with folk dancers being invited to perform at weddings and in restaurants. The presence of local folk groups at international folklore festivals naturally also helps to increase the reach of Maltese folk dance so with all this in m ind we can hope to look forward to more dances that contribute to keeping Maltese folk traditions alive.

22

BUSINESS NEWS

LOCAL COMPANY ON ITS WAY TO THE TOP QGEN MAKES IT TO THE TOP FINALISTS FOR 2018 EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS QGen Group Ltd. - AML (KYC and KYB) solutions and Risk Management specialists hit the ‘Ones to Watch List’ in the 2018 European Business Awards.

As a leading global provider with expertise in the online gaming and financial sector, QGen’s spot on the chart was due to their exceptional and innovative business within the global market. This sort of recognition is achieved when ethical entrepreneurs perform - QGen’s ability to deliver a technically apt and ethically sound service has allowed them to qualify for the prestigious nomination.

CEO Damian Mifsud commented that the driving force behind the company’s success is the consistency delivered to

Dazzling in over-embellished signature Dsquared2 cuts, the Fall Winter 2018 collection adds another chapter to the nomad design story conceived by designers, Dean and Dan Caten. That narrative is laced with brand heritage: red-and-black check, tricked out denim and swathes of prints that cascade down dramatic silhouettes.

Shirts in checks, silk, denim and stretch gabardine give a more structured feel, with elaborate yokes covered in a wash of sequins, appliqued with lace or leather flowers, or dotted with jeweled cachon studs. A soft cotton design in a seamless patchwork of stripes, checks and florals is emblematic of Dsquared2 style infused throughout the season’s theme.

#D2GETHER, DSQUARED2 FALL WINTER 2018 RHINESTONE REBEL

These glam guys and gals have an elegant side too, tempering the sparkle with tailored jackets and pants featuring leather smile piping, and a dramatic Mongolian long haired brown and white coat. Denim, tailored and leather pants have a new silhouette; a high waist, cropped with a flare that’s subtly revealed from behind the ankle, to show the embroidered

clients with their top-notch service; “… the ability to evolve and truly understand clients’ needs, thereby continuously improving the compliance managed service and toolset. QGen are proud to be nominated for this prestigious award."

QGen will battle it out in the European Business Awards under the category ‘Ones to Watch’, their first challenge is local - becoming the National Winner in Malta. Should they make it through to the next round, they will enter amidst other nominees hailing from 34 countries across Europe. Follow the European Business Awards and keep a close eye on QGen, a multi-faceted company that has the skillset to make it in today’s tenacious market.

cowboy boots. Diaphonous voile cotton and lace dresses are layered over full sequin bodysuits. The prairie nightgown style dresses are reworked for the guys, as an asymmetric long tunic shirt, its transparent romance contrasting against masculine tailoring.

Other long dresses are a constructed from a series of silk scarves printed with flowers, inspired by vintage finds and embroidered with glimmering beads. Their bohemian flow is given dimension with swinging suede fringe bags and sandals, crafted with plush fur and crystals.

Formal golden livery transpires as ornate bohemian decoration, appliqued onto parkas and peacoats. Shearlings come in traditional black and cream rugged styles.

Oversized knits feature Westin motif jacquards.They wear sequin neck ties and socks in shades of mint and antique rose, black heavy shoes with engraved medallions on the top. This season Dsquared2’s guys and gals are leaving the rodeo to light up the city.

Dsquared2 is available exclusively at SARTO.

GOZO

23

EVENTS IN GOZO to look forward to

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR IN GOZO Teatru Astra proudly announces the musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ for March 2018 – a highlight tied to the 50th anniversary celebrations of Teatru Astra. The musical, a masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, debuted on Broadway in 1971 under the direction of Tom O’Horgan, where the musical lasted two years with more than seven hundred performances.The story is loosely based on accounts of the last days of Jesus’s life, as narrated by the Gospel. The lyrics are packed with contemporary attitudes, as well as ironic allusions to modern life. A double representation of Jesus Christ Superstar is scheduled for the weekend preceding Easter, on Saturday 24 March at 20.00hrs, followed up by a matinee performance on Palm Sunday, 25 March 2018 at 15.30hrs.

Fore more information, visit teatruastra.org.mt RUNNING IS FOR EVERYONE - THE GOZO HALF MARATHON Have you got what it takes to run Gozo’s half marathon? The 13-mile route offers some of the most continuously uneven terrain one could possibly find. And to top it all off, the final two kilometres are probably the most challenging one could find in the Maltese Islands. The route meanders through Gozo villages and unfolds idyllic sights of the island in spring awakening. The half marathon offers different levels of entry and includes a 2 KM run for all ages. It is an event for family and friends and for the most athletic who complete the whole route, it represents the longest-standing half marathon in Malta. The Gozo half marathon is challenging, yet highly enjoyable and rewarding, so run Gozo… high fives and great fun.

GAULITANA: A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2018 Spanning a month of excellent musical events, Gaulitana kicks off in April, culminating in an Opera+ Weekend, making Gozo a top choice for a Spring stay in great style. “Gozo’s main classical festival” will feature a multifarious programme of events in various genres and styles. The highlight will be Bellini’s opera Norma, to be staged at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora on the 28th April. Colin Attard will direct the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gaulitanus Choir. The OPERA+ Weekend offers a feast of musical events, concluding the festival. The festival is supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Programme of Arts Council Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo. This year’s edition of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music will run from 1st April until 29th April 2018.

Event date: 28th April 2018. For more information visit gozomarathon.org

For a full programme and more information, visit gaulitanus.com

24

MEDICAL TOURISM

HOW TO DECIDE ON DENTAL TREATMENT

P

atients head to dental clinics to fix their teeth or to get advice on their teeth. More often than not they have specific thoughts in mind. To us practitioners some of these thoughts make sense while others not so much. In close communities such as ours, word travels fast.

Patients hear of different kinds of treatments carried out, what went wrong, timeframes, costs etc. They quote how this and that was done and how well it worked out for them but not so much for others.

Patients approach their dentist quoting and demanding specific treatment regimes. The dentist then examines and proposes different treatments. Often patients seek a second opinion either because the dentist disagrees with their proposal or because the patient wishes to verify the new proposal with another dentist. Proposals often vary from one dentist to another. Patients often insist and quote how well a treatment worked for her/his friend/family member and wish that for themselves.

In Maltese we have a saying ‘mitt bniedem mitt fhema’ meaning a hundred people will give a hundred different opinions. This also applies to dentists but luckily most dentists should agree on at least 2-3 lines of different treatment for that specific patient. Obviously patients cannot be seen by so many dentists to decide on the best for them. General dental practitioners should be in a position to recognise whether the patient in their chair can and should be treated by them, or whether they should be referred to their more experienced and qualified colleagues.

At times general dental practitioners may also perform procedures done by specialists. Ongoing dental education and professional development courses help expand our skills and experience allowing us to take on and offer more treatment modalities.

All this is very confusing. To top it up, prices for the same treatment also vary. This is due to a number of factors; experience, qualifications, materials used, setup, guarantee given and most of all service offered. For example patients quote ‘but the other dentist said it can be done for this amount and now you are saying it will cost more and must be done differently’. Believe it or not this is often done by email or telephone. Patients call the clinic or send radiographs by email and say ‘I need this and that, how much will it cost?’ They expect to get a concrete figure without even getting to the clinic or even without taking a radiograph. This is very frustrating for a dentist who wishes to offer the best advice and perform the right book-standard treatment, assuring the patient that their treatment will last.

Sometimes old-fashioned ways of treating patients, not referring to techniques but to good chair-side manners, is the better way to advise patients, to be honest to patients, to have peace of mind that the patient will walk out happy and would have received what was best for them not for the dentist or practice. It’s a fine line. Don’t rush into things, get the information and make rational decisions with the help of a trustworthy dentist. Ask your dentist.

Dr Jean Paul Demajo

DENTAL & IMPLANT SURGEON

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26

SCENERY

FOOD

HISTORICAL CHEESE WORDS HELEN RAINE

W

here would we be without cheese?

From the kids’ sandwiches to pizza toppings, via pastizzi and ravioli, much of our culinary world is built upon cheesy foundations. For millennia, cheese has been the ultimate in portable provisions, a way to transform perishable milk into something that will last for months. Malta has a long tradition of cheese-making and tasting the end product is one of the pleasures of these islands.

No-one knows who first invented cheese, but there are plenty of theories. One legend goes that a merchant poured milk into a sheep’s stomach (animal organs were a common way to transport liquid) before travelling through the desert. The milk joggled around with the natural rennet in the stomach lining and was churned into cheese.

Whether or not that’s true, cheese making is undoubtedly ancient – it was mentioned in Old Testament texts dating back 3,500 years. Cheese pots from 3000 BCE were found in the Egyptian tomb of Horus-aha; and in Poland, perforated pottery bowls dating back to 7500 BCE have been found. They were used to drain the whey from the curds and researchers found milk residue on them, something they describe as

‘unambiguous evidence for cheese-making’.

Malta likely got in on the act early on. The dry climate lends itself to sheep and goat grazing, and cheese-making technology would have arrived on the islands via traders, along with other typical Mediterranean, Italian and North African recipes. The method has been improved on, but there are still artisans in Malta today who make cheese using roughly the same techniques. The resulting cheeselets are called ġbejna (plural ġbejniet) and are usually mad e from sheep’s milk (although goat and cow’s milk work too).

This is what you’ll find filling Malta’s delicious ravioli as well as the revered pastizzi (Malta’s answer to the Cornish pasty). It’s what the locals eat mixed into a traditional ‘widow’s soup’ (soppa tal-armla, a stew of potatoes, beans, vegetables and boiled egg) or crumbled into a pasta dish.

But perhaps the best way to enjoy ġbejniet is with fresh Maltese bread and olive oil.

There are several different varieties to get your teeth into. Some are air-dried and rolled in pepper or herbs; you can also buy them preserved in olive oil, vinegar or wine.

Restaurants have got into deep frying them more recently - it’s a tasty way to prepare them.

27

There’s a whole vocabulary around cheese-making. Qaleb (plural “qwieleb”) are the little baskets or hurdles where the curd (baqta) is drained from the whey (xerox) - that’s what leaves the design on the top of the cheese. The qwieleb used to be made of reed but unfortunately, plastic is cheaper and easier to clean and reed baskets have fallen into disuse. The qannic or nemusiera are the cages used to air dry the ġbejna, while keeping the bugs and sand off. Cheese can be ‘half dried’ (moxxi) for 24 hours or left out for a few days longer to be completely dried.

The cheese-making process itself is relatively straightforward. You start with the milk (ideally, it’s fresh and warm from the animal), strain it, mix in the rennet (mostly commercial these

days, rather than lamb’s stomach), wait for an hour or so and then pour the resulting mixture into the qaleb, salt it, flip it, let it sit, repeat… and voilà!

Drying is done outdoors, preferably out of direct sunlight and during a period of North winds. Once dried, the cheese can last for months and the process gives them a sharp, nutty flavour.

An old Maltese proverb says that the cheese is best in the months without a ‘r’ – May, June, July and August were apparently not good milking months.

The other Maltese cheese to try is irkotta, which is quite different from Italian ricotta, in that it uses seawater rather than rennet to curdle the milk and is traditionally made from whole milk, not leftover whey.

30

QUIRKS

QUIRKS

31

Puurfect Places WORDS PAUL VASSALLO

S

mall, round, fat, lean, furry, short-haired. Coming in all shapes, sizes and combinations, the (not so) humble domesticated feline has been the permanent resident and overlord of many a household for uncountable years.

Performing only a handful of basic functions, including demanding food and locating the most comfortable spot in the dwelling, this cheeky, yet at times affectionate, creature is the companion (and boss) for many cat-lovers.

However, not all cat-kind are content with ruling over a single family or residence. In Malta, finding starving strays is a rare occurrence, which is strange considering the high volume of felines living on the island. For the cats that walk the streets at night and call the Maltese alleyways home, entire areas have also dedicated to their lodging, comfort and meals. These feeding stations and cat villages have become a popular tourist attraction and, through community effort, entire colonies of cats all over the island, near the University, by residential areas and in parks, have been kept fed, healthy and happy.

One local story about the founding of one of these cat villages has been passed around several times. The story goes that an elderly lady in St Julian’s began feeding the local stray cats that abounded in her area, taking pity on the poor, malnourished creatures. Leaving food outside, a little ways from her home, the small group of hungry cats soon became a colony of satisfied felines.

When winter came and rain threatened, the woman built shelters for the cats out of cardboard boxes, abandoned kennels, blankets and soft toys donated by sympathetic, like-minded individuals.

She also ensured that they were given proper medical care, and that they were neutered and vaccinated when the need arose. This makeshift living area was the target of scorn by developers aiming to erect new apartment blocks in the area and an effort was made to have the village removed, stating that

it was unsightly for the residence area.

This statement was akin to putting the cat among the pigeons. The community retaliated angrily, demanding protection for the cat village and standing up for the strays that had nowhere else to go. One individual wrote to the Malta Planning Authority, stating that the cat village has even become a major tourist attraction unto itself, and that people from all over the globe had flown in to see it.

Many others stated that the relocation of the cats would have adverse effects; cats being territorial by nature, they would not take well to being uprooted and rehomed in another area and that many animal shelters across the island are already jam-packed as it is, making relocation an irresponsible and insensitive move.

On the other hand, certain representatives argued that the cats could be better fed and cared for if they were to be taken off the streets and properly housed. Eventually the developers backed down and the village still stands today, a testimony to the caring community and the elderly lady who just wanted to make sure the cats were being sheltered and cared for.

Many of the community still stop by to share their lunches or leave boxes of blankets for the cats, passing by the entrance where a donation tin stands next to a sign that informs people that the cats have been neutered and are cared for by Rosa.

Though the subject of the cat-villages still remains somewhat of a heated debate, colonies of cats still call the St Julian’s cat village their home and many organisations have been set up specifically to care for and treat stray cats across the island. Meanwhile, at local veterinarian clinics, private practitioners contribute in their own ways by providing neutering and aiding in fundraising events, all to ensure the happiness and well-being of the Maltese cats.

32

EVENTS

EVENTS

this month 1st February - 1st March EMBEDDED Palazzo de La Salle, Republic Street, Valletta Founder Giulio Prandi and the Ghislieri Choir and Consort are renowned for their period instruments ensemble. The Italian group will perform a selection of Bach’s masterpieces at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on the 16th January. The esteemed choir have performed in many European festivals and will surely inspire the crowd during their rendition. www.artsmalta.org

2nd - 4th February MY FAIR LADY Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta FM Theatre presents My Fair Lady. The show features much-loved numbers including Just You Wait and Get Me To The Church on Time. Directed by Denise Mulholland and starring Maxine Aquilina as Eliza Doolittle, Tony Edridge as Henry Higgings, Edward Merceica as Col. Pickering, Thomas Camilleri as Freddie Eynsford-Hill and Alan Paris as Alfie Doolittle. www.mcc.com.mt

8th - 13th FEBRUARY 2017 IL-KARNIVAL TA’ MALTA Valletta, and other villages across Malta Il-Karnival ta’ Malta organised by Festivals Mala has always been committed to showcase and promote art and craftsmanship among carnival participants and audiences. Carnival provides a platform for artists and producers who work on floats, grotesque masks, costumes, designs and choreographic creations. It also assists emerging artists who would like to integrate within the Carnival community enhancing social awareness and participation encouraging the younger generation. www.karnivaltamalta.org

EVENTS

33

2nd - 4th February ANTIGONE Teatru Manoel, Valletta Set in a Victorian circus, this new production of Sophocles's classical Greek play is based on Jean Anouilh’s version. The narrative shares the defiance of authority and the focuses on a set of principles that will cost our protagonist her life. A story of love and ambition that gives this modern rendition an ‘at the edge of your seat’ sensation. www.teatrumanoel.com.mt

9th - 13th February CARNIVAL Valletta The Maltese carnival; one of Malta’s oldest celebrations dating back to the rule of the Knights. Today, Carnival is celebrated with the boldest and brightest activities centred in Valletta - expect marching bands, fancy dress competitions and dancers in elaborate costume.

But the highlight is certainly the carnival float parade that features handmade floats – some allegorical, some satirical and others as whacky as you can imagine. www.valletta2018.org

10th February MASQUERADE FUND RAISING BALL Radisson Blu Resort St Julian’s, Malta Ladies Circle Malta in collaboration with TBWA\ANG is hosting a Masquerade Fund Raising Ball, in aid of Victim Support Malta, the local NGO that supports victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. The event features a two-hour open bar and finger foods with live performances by Skarlet and Steve Urpani. Tickets: €35.

Ticket Hotline: 99423480. Contact: president@ladiescirclemalta.com www.ladiescirclemalta.com

16th February – 18nd March ACTION PLANET St James Cavalier, Valletta The Valletta 2018 Foundation is endorsing Action Planet - a project looks at how our lifestyle choices are affecting our environment and consequently our health and well-being. It is primarily a studentled project in which the children engage in education incentives, workshops, clean-ups and research projects. Students of different ages and disciplines are involved in every part of the process. www.sjcav.org

34

EVENTS

17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 15th February & 2nd - 4th March COLLAPSE Spazju Kreattiv, Main Theatre, Valletta Set in a dystopian future under siege, the streets are chaotic and violent. A young woman named Greta, lives together with her damaged boyfriend Robbie. Robbie is not allowed outside for the sake of his safety. The lovers have created a bulletproof bubble around themselves, full of stories and fairy tales, oblivious to the trouble outside… until Stella comes to visit. www.kreattivita.org

24th - 25th February AŇOS LUZ Źebbuġ, Malta Aňos Luz takes the viewer on a surprising journey of musical discovery. This performance offers viewers haunting images worked around the traditional and contemporary world of theatre.

With the artistic fields of music and puppetry also forming of this installation; the show will cost definitely be a crowd pleaser. This mesh of artistic expression will also be showcased through an intensive workshop. www.valletta2018.org

17 TH FEBRUARY, 8:00PM ROCKQUIEM St Agatha’s Auditorium, Rabat Living off his music and known for spending money lavishly as soon as he received it – even if it meant financial struggles down the road – Mozart was arguably a rock star long before the term was even invented.

Under the direction of Riccardo Bianchi, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra – with a rock band in tow – will be performing a rock reimagining of Mozart’s famous last work, the Requiem left unfinished at the time of his death.

www.maltaorchestra.com

I S L E S TA P L E S

35

MADE IN

If you’re looking for a keep-sake, a token from your last Malta holiday or want to treat someone living outside our Islands, then why not take some genuine Maltese products home with you?

WELCOME TO MALTA Simonds Farsons Cisk plc is synonymous with a beer brewing tradition rooted in quality.

At the base of this tradition are long-established skills of selecting nature’s best ingredients coupled with the expertise of skilled and dedicated brewers ensure a high standard of quality is maintained at every step in the brewing process.

Over the years, this dedication has contributed to creating award-winning brews that so many have grown to appreciate.

Cisk Lager, launched in 1929, is a golden-coloured, bottomfermented lager with a distinctive and well-balanced character with an alcohol content of 4.2%. The range also includes Cisk Export – a smooth, well-balanced and exceptional beer with a 5% alcohol content, Cisk Excel – a low carbohydrate beer, Cisk Chill – flavoured beer available in three flavours, Cisk Pilsner – a premium pilsner with an alcohol content of 5.5% and Cisk Strong – an outstanding extra-strong premium lager with a 9% alcohol content.

Buy Cisk on amazon.co.uk

CHARMINGLY LOCAL Kinnie, Malta’s own favourite soft drink, is a uniquetasting bitter sweet soft drink with orange flavouring and aromatic herbs. Kinnie is best enjoyed ‘neat’, with a slice of orange and lots of ice. Highly refreshing, it is also an excellent mixer. These distinctive characteristics have made Kinnie Malta’s own favourite soft drink, loved by the local population and tourists.

Over the years, in keeping with evolving trends in lifestyles and health awareness, a zero-calorie version, Diet Kinnie, was introduced. Other variants today include Kinnie Zest – a sugar-free variant with an added touch of orange flavour, and, Kinnie Vita, a mid-calorie beverage with natural sweeteners and contains just half the sugar and calories of a regular soft drink.

The Kinnie range is now available online at amazon.co.uk Never has ordering Kinnie been more convenient.

Go on – Have a Kinnie. kinnie.com

Would you like to be featured on our Made in Malta section? Drop Renata an email on renata@contentfactory.com.mt

36

PROPERT Y

PERRY ESTATE AGENTS REPORT ANOTHER RECORD YEAR

Estate agents Perry Limited reported a record financial year in 2017, with properties such as this 16th-century medieval castle sold by the high-end real estate leaders.

L

eading and reputable estate agents - Perry Limited (established 1981), post record results for financial year ending May 2017, as turnover at Perry estate agents in Malta edged up for yet another consecutive financial year. Sales revenue rose as Perry achieved a 10% increase over the previous record financial year ending May 2016, when the high-end real estate firm had reported a staggering 50% increase in sales revenue over financial year ending May 2015.

Commenting on the results, Robert Spiteri Paris, company director and head of the letting department, said: “Overall Perry delivered another record performance in 2017, fuelled by the high demand for upmarket and quality properties, especially by foreign clients who are purchasing real estate in Malta to live in, as holiday homes and as secure buy-to-let and long-term investments.” The record revenues were mainly boosted by a frenzy of activity in the high-end housing market.

Perry specialises in both residential and commercial property sales, letting and management. Perry have also attributed the continuing growth to the number of commercial property deals that were completed in 2017 as optimistic businesses, mainly in the financial services and gaming industries continue to expand their existing premises and other new businesses are consistently choosing to make Malta their base, due to the very favorable economic climate as well as the various lifestyle advantages of living on the island. Robert Spiteri Paris went on to say: “We expect continuing demand for property especially in sought after locations as Sliema/St Julians and surrounding areas, although the availability of stock in the short-term is increasingly becoming a challenge. We have started the year well and our expectations for the full year remain unchanged.”

Perry estate agents look forward to the months ahead when new and exciting top-end residential-led, mixed-use developments move a step closer to becoming reality, satisfying the everincreasing demand for high-end lifestyle developments.

Perry is a strong and diverse firm that continues to look at opportunities to develop its real estate business by continuing to invest in technology. Perry Limited is also delighted to announce considerable investment and various partnerships with exciting IT and media companies these last few months, with the aim of further differentiating its service offering to prospective buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. These deals confirm Perry’s ongoing commitment to leading innovation and will see this long-established estate agency continue to lead the way across the high-end property space.

Just recently Perry introduced cutting-edge video tours of some of the finest properties available on the Maltese sales and letting market which can be viewed on Perry’s YouTube channel and social media. Perry’s high-quality property tours have added a new dimension to the firm’s advertising and allow prospective buyers a unique view and insight of the property they are interested in before actually going to view.

Perry Limited plans to continue to evolve its use of video and information technology to the benefit of vendors and landlords by showcasing their property in the most effective manner possible. If you have a quality property for sale or for rent and would like to see how you too can benefit from Perry’s thirty-seven years of experience and unparalleled service to the local real estate industry or if you are looking for a special property, the Perry team would be delighted to assist you with your property matters.

Please get in touch by e-mail: perry@perry.com.mt or by phone 21310800/0088.

Information: info@eufsc.eu +356 7772 7222 www.maltafest.eu

15 APRIL — 1 MAY

2018

Grigory

Maxim

Andreas

Ray

Nikolai

Salvatore

SOKOLOV

VENGEROV

LUGANSKY

CHEN

OTTENSAMER

ACCARDO

TRA IAN STATE SYMPHONY ORCHES EN RM •A RA EST CH OR C NI MO IN MALTA PHILHAR SITKOVE TSKYCONDUCTOR&VIOL itry Dm O• RAN OP AS AY SK OV Lyuba KAZARN •David Aaron CARPENTERVIOLA Narek HAKHNAZARYANCELLO PIANO•KHACHATURIAN TRIO HIN UK ZH KO is en •D NO PIA Julia ZILBERQUIT UCTOR•Andrea CORTESIVIOLIN ND CO AN TY BA SM y rge Se R• Misha KATZCONDUCTO •Giorgi ZAGARELIVIOL A Aiman MUSSAKHAJAYEVAVIOLIN UCTOR OR•Tigran AkhnazarianCOND Constantine ORBELIANCONDUCT Sergei STADLERCONDUCTOR COSMOPOLITAN TRIO VIENNA•

Venues:

ntre, Mediterranean Conference Cellet ta Va ll Ha Republic

ORGANIZED BY:

WITH FRIENDLY SUPPORT OF:

Robert Samut Hall Floriana

38

FICTION

No one was taking any notice of him, this was a street party and everyone had better things to do

FICTION

THE MAN WITH MANY FACES WORDS TCD

I

t was the second weekend in February and everyone was excited for the carnival. John and the gang were headed towards Gozo for the weekend. He had planned everything down to a T. Shopping list was ready, costumes were sorted and the farmhouse they were staying in was beautiful.

Friday night couldn’t come any quicker. John was in the bedroom getting ready when he heard a loud noise coming from the terrace. As he placed his mask over his face, he peeked outside only to find all his friends jumping into the pool.

John was not like his friends. Quiet and shy, he hated any attention and couldn’t seem to fit in anywhere. These friends were people he’d met at work and they all knew how to have a good time. John was more of the ‘sit at home and play scrabble’ kind of guy. As he slowly made his way to the pool area, mask still on, he had a dreaded feeling that he’d chosen the wrong group of friends to spend a weekend with. But then again, these were his only friends.

11pm, and John was already pretty exhausted from all the fun that everyone else was having.

They made their way to Nadur centre, where the party would continue and about a million other people would be joining. They were a group of eight and seven of them went as the colours of the rainbow. John wore black, and a mask to cover the boredom on his face.

An hour later, he had lost all his friends somewhere in the crowd, he decided to sit on the curb and people watch. Everything was loud; the people, the music, the ghoulish costumes.

John had had enough of being the boring fellow.

It’s not that he didn’t want to enjoy himself, its just he didn’t know how to let his hair down. He

watched as the floats passed by, music blaring, people dancing, masks and costumes, scarier than his grandmother first thing in the morning.

He suddenly felt someone grab him by the arm and pull him up onto the float. He felt all eyes on him, which he quickly noticed wasn’t the case.

No one was taking any notice of him, this was a street party and everyone had better things to do.

He glanced around, trying to see what other people on the float were doing and quickly mimicked them. Arms flailing in the air and a big smile on his face, which no-one could see of course, he did still have his mask on.

John was finally coming out of his shell when someone behind him grabbed him, pulled off his mask and kissed him hard. Shocked and weary at first he tried to back away. Then he noticed the suspect. His year-long crush, Sam from work.

Dressed as ‘York’ from the rainbow and with her blonde messy locks traveling down her shoulder, she looked as beautiful as ever.

“I’ve been waiting to do that for a whole year!” she said, not so softly as the music was bursting everyone’s eardrum.

John flung his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear.

“Let’s do it again then.”

The night ended with everyone strolling back home at 5am. The girls scrolling through all the photos they took while the boys couldn’t stop talking about what a legend John was. They were finally home and just as he was opening the front door, John turns around to the gang.

“Pool Party?”

39

C U LT U R E

LIVING IN FULL COLOUR

CARNIVAL IN THE CITY

P

WORDS SARAH CHIRCOP

aul Curmi, notoriously known as ‘il-Pampalun’, is one of Malta’s living icons when it comes to all things Carnival. Reigned as the King of Carnival, he’s been involved in this age-old tradition ever since he was a kid - ever since his father and brother let him in on behind-the-scenes action.

Recognising his passion for the feast, pushed him on to possess the reputation he proudly walks with today.

Il-Pampalun has been creating carnival floats for over 67 years and there is someone yet to make as many as he has so far. Speaking with him today, he recalls making his first ever float with a good carpenter friend of his who thought it would be fun to build something together.

They created what they called ‘The Happy Train’- literally a giant train with children riding in it. One can only imagine Valletta’s overcrowded streets in the 1950’s, with this giant, luminescent train parading down Republic Street. After the success and thrill of this first float, he went on to work for himself and start his own ‘company’ - “I grabbed everyone available around me to come and join me”, and bit by bit he made a name for himself. Year in year out, new crazy floats, new costumes, new dance routines; “one time, I created this giant poodle coming out from underneath the Eiffel Tower”.

His studio, which makes you feel like you’re back in your primary school’s art room - feeling giddy with creative possibilities, is littered with the skeletons of last year’s floats, watching on like proud parents as new ones come to life. Faces, fingers, animal hybrids and grand gestures of all sorts are slowly and carefully assembled together.

He shows me around and explains how 10 people come together to work hard on the various different processes – from the preliminary work in clay, to the plaster moulds, making different shapes and forms out of newspapers and papier-mâche, to working the inner frame of the float and then of course to painting, when everything comes together in full, radiant colour.

There were years where he would make three floats and win first, second and third prize with each one, reminisced one of his assistants, Stephen Debattista.

But Paul is always the one to come up with the idea for that year’s float, “sometimes, I can’t even sleep with all the crazy ideas I start having for Carnival.” But where does he get all his ideas from? “I like to get my ideas from different countries, I find something I like and then always integrate some form of animal hybrid, whether in the float or the costumes.” The most important thing is that everything is made carnivalesque.

41

42

C U LT U R E

C U LT U R E

“Carnival is a project”, Stephen adds, and goes on to explain how work usually begins in the summer, several months before the feast in February. Quite a while in advance I think but then again seeing all the detail that goes into it one can easily understand why. “We usually start by dissembling last year’s floats, keeping the inner mechanism and seeing what bits and pieces can be recycled and reused.” And the competition? The competition as we know it today is divided into two; Company Floats that compete with a float, costume and dance routine and therefore need to prepare a holistic, consistent performance, and Triumphant Floats that are usually bigger but compete solely with one float. Everything takes place in Valletta’s Palace Square after the floats have paraded down the various streets of the city and each one is judged on movement, subject matter, and of course, colour.

Carnival is above all a national feast and everyone inevitably pulls the same rope to make it the success that it is each year. And when I ask Paul about this year’s plans he assures me that it’s going to be even better than the last, “but that’s all I’m going to say for now”. Also a musician, a drummer, we end the conversation with one of his improvised drumming session on an old barrel covered in paint standing in the corner of the room. The man is 87 today and full of extraordinary life and colour, just like one of his floats.

43

44

T R AV E L

Superb St Petersburg WORDS FIONA MERCIECA / AIR MALTA

S

o I’ve already admitted that I do go abroad quite a lot.

However, that doesn’t mean that my excitement level before I catch a plane and embark on a new adventure has diminished over time due to me getting used to it. On the contrary, before each and every trip I feel like a little kid all over again who’s going abroad for the very first time - I absolutely adore flying and the thrill of landing somewhere completely unknown to me. In my books, it’s what I consider to be magical.

That said, I didn’t know it was possible, but when Air Malta announced its new direct route to St Petersburg I was beyond excited. I’ve never been to Russia before, but out of all the cities there, St Petersburg has always caught my eye the most and been at the top of my list - perhaps the fact that it’s known as Venice of the North has something to do with this.

Without further ado, here are some of the interesting facts I’ve discovered about this marvellous place. Firstly, St Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, and for two centuries afterwards (1712-1918) it also held the title of being the capital of the Russian Empire. In addition, it has been the setting of some major historical events through time - such as the Revolutions of 1917 and the end of monarchy.

Fast-forwarding to the present, St Petersburg is now the second largest city of Russia, and apart from being regarded as the country’s cultural heart, it is also ranked as one of Europe’s most impressive and congenial cities with respect to architecture. Oh, and I musn’t forget to mention that it is also

known to be the most European city across the country. With all this being said, two locals described the city as a place where ‘the past will amaze you, the present will entertain you, and the constantly changing future will catch your attention’. Now I don’t know about you but those words made my excitement increase tenfold.

This city clearly has it all, and is undoubtedly well-suited to any kind of traveller. For those that are particularly interested in culture, mark my words, you’ll be in seventh heaven, however for those who perhaps prefer immersing themselves in nature or busting some moves in a local club at night, fear not - you won’t be disappointed either as St Petersburg satisfies in all aspects and more. For some more information surrounding the place, as well as tips on where to go, please read on... and maybe it would be a good idea if you grab your travel planner too, you know, just in case it sparks your inner wanderlust.

GRIPPING CULTURE I’ve got a dilemma on my hands now. How do you choose between cultural sites when when the city is positively overflowing with them? St Petersburg has a mighty fine selection of museums, cathedrals, churches, and imperial palaces, all of which are worthy of a visit in reality, but alas I’ll have to make some decisions.

One of the must-see visitor attractions in this city is most definitely the Hermitage museum, which is actually famous worldwide as one of the greatest treasuries of art and

T R AV E L

45

How do you choose between cultural sites when the city is positively overflowing with them? St.Petersburg has a mighty fine selection of museums, cathedrals, churches, and imperial palaces antiquities. The museum is spread over several sites, but it is undoubtedly the main collection in the Winter Palace that is the most popular, since apart from its exquisite masterpieces, the state rooms of the palace are stunningly ornate and definitely worth a peek at too. If museums are your thing, another highly recommended one you might like to take a look around is the State Russian museum, which is located within the magnificent Mikhailovsky Palace.

Close by to the State Russian museum is the prominent Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. Its vibrant colours and distinct onion domes make it the centre of attention amidst its surroundings, but its not only the outside that’s striking. The interior of this church features 7000 square metres of mosaics - blimey. There’s also St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Kazan Cathedral which are both architecturally breathtaking to say the least. I honestly can’t choose between them, so I guess I’ll be visiting both as well... whoever tags along as my travel buddy better be prepared for a jam-packed holiday thats for sure.

You should also make sure to travel beyond St Petersburg’s city centre as there are some undeniably exquisite imperial palaces and parks in the suburbs too. The most popular day trip from the city has got to be to the imperial estate of Peterhof. The Grand Palace itself is absolutely sublime, though from what I’ve found out the Grand Cascade steals the limelight. It’s an extravagant collection of more than 140 fountains and canals cascading down a hill behind the Grand Palace - can you imagine how mesmerising it is at night when lit up? You definitely need a whole day to explore this place as there’s loads more to discover within the grounds. This being said, if you’d like to check out another grand option, there’s also the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo which is just as impressive, if not more so, but is said to offer less attractions. The choice is yours.

I know I’ve listed a lot of places already, but I can’t help but mention two more. There’s the Bronze Horseman monument, which apart from being an instantly recognisable symbol of St Petersburg, it is also the subject of an outstanding poem written by the Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. And last but not least, there’s the Peter and Paul Fortress which interestingly enough used to be a political prison.

THE PLEASANT OUTDOORS When in St Petersburg in summer or during the White Nights (from mid-may to July when the sun practically never sets), you can’t refuse a boat trip along the city’s rivers and canals.

Getting out onto the water is a fun way of exploring, and it also gives you the chance to view the city from a different angle and

perhaps even gain a different perspective on it. If you’re with your significant other, why not sweep them off their feet and surprise them with a romantic evening cruise along the Neva River? At around midnight most boat trips also give you the chance to witness the opening of the Neva's bascule bridges from the water - a truly phenomenal moment indeed and one you won’t forget in a hurry.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something a little more on the greener side, St Petersburg has an array of parks and graceful gardens. The Summer Garden or the Catherine Park are excellent choices for a relaxing stroll, and at the same time you’ll also be transported back to the time of the Tsars.

ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT I’m pretty sure this city has a ‘zero boredom’ policy for when dusk approaches. I mean, what other plausible explanation is there for the never-ending list of possible things to do at night.

For those who prefer to steer away from the party scene, you’ll find a wide variety of theatres you can choose from where you can go to watch a typical Russian ballet. Apart from this, St Petersburg also hosts numerous festivals, so I suggest you research if there’s anything on at the time you go just in case anything catches your attention. However, for those who like the upbeat type of nightlife, this city is brimming with bars and clubs that guarantee a great vodka-fuelled night out - but maybe a not so great morning afterwards.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP Time to move on to something else, that which some people consider to be an extreme sport - yes, it’s none other than shopping. Most people dedicate a day or two for shopping when abroad, and so if you’re one of those people you’ll be delighted to know that in St Petersburg you can find everything from famous brands, local designer shops as well as flea markets. One such famous shopping street, which also doubles as Russia’s most famous boulevard, is Nevsky Prospekt. A shopping spree here would be no ordinary shopping trip as walking down this street is an experience in itself. Oh, and if you’d also like to visit one of the world’s first indoor shopping malls then you should head down to Gostiny Dvor.

CULINARY OFFERINGS To finish off, I’d like to draw the attention of all the foodies out there. Russian food may not be the most acclaimed, but fear not as there’s a wide variety of restaurants and cafes dotted about the city to satisfy your palate. If you would like to try a typical dish though, how about borscht or pelmeni, followed by the dessert medovik?

Air Malta offers a twice weekly scheduled service to St.Petersburg airport every Wednesday and Saturday, as from the 28th march 2018. One-way prices including taxes and charges start from only €89.

Visit www.airmalta.com for more information.

46

iGAMING

MALTA:

A REMOTE GAMING DESTINATION In recent years, Malta has established itself as a European hub for remote gaming.

With today’s well- regulated and reputable European jurisdiction within the industry, Malta is booming on a global level.

In addition, Malta’s favourable tax regimes and attractive license costs make our islands a destination of choice amongst several of the largest gaming operators in the industry.

Driven by the wholehearted commitment to promote responsible gaming, and ensure the protection of the player, Malta’s legislation has been drafted with both players’ and operators’ interest in mind.

In line with Malta’s aim to reassert its positioning at the forefront of remote gaming jurisdictions, the National Strategy on Digital

Gaming came into existence in 2012. This document re-establishes Malta’s strategic focus, and offers a variety of opportunities to Maltese companies focusing on remote gaming initiatives. Key benefits include financing, taxcredits, as well as co-financing possibilities.

February shines a light on Malta's top-notch connections in the industry. From providers, to suppliers, and back to developers, we bring together a handy directory for all your iGaming needs.

If you happen to be visiting our Islands for any of the above reasons, we welcome you and invite you to peruse through our catalogue of service providers and operators to get a head start and take the opportunity to skyrocket your career.

iGAMING

47

APCOPAY

AXON GAMING

ian.pellicano@apcopay.eu

vbbarthet@computimesoftware.com

+356 9999 4099

+356 7906 4700

Ian Pellicano, Director

Victor Borg Barthet

THE PAYMENTS SOLUTION FOR IGAMING

OPTIMISE & AUTOMATE YOUR IGAMING OPERATION IN REAL-TIME

APCOPAY is a reliable payment platform that facilitates a complete blend of credit card processing and over 200 alternative payment solutions.

Fully responsive, PCI Level 1 certified and 100% owned, APCOPAY platform comes with advanced fraud protection and the flexibility to innovate fast or provide clients with any customised solution.

AXON enables iGaming companies to compile and view data from one central location. Driven by a powerful rules engine, AXON empowers business users to easily create their own automations based on any player behaviour imaginable. This allows iGaming companies to track and act upon critical data feeds in real-time, while automatically triggering business related actions in various internal systems.

www.apcopay.eu

www.computimesoftware.com/axon-gaming

BEAVER INK

BDO MALTA

info@beaverink.com

Mark Attard, Chief Executive Officer

+356 7942 0708

mark.attard@bdo.com.mt +356 9942 1750

BUILDING SEO, STRATEGY AND DIGITAL COPY

THE LEADER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CLIENT SERVICE

Strategic Content Planning with a creative flair, giving your content the edge to compete in the dynamic digital market. We can strengthen your SEO and take your Blogs and Email Marketing to the next level.

Providing content for Affiliate Marketing, Social Media and Editorial platforms. Contact Beaver Ink on info@beaverink.com, if you're looking for someone who gives a dam.

BDO Malta has, for several years, acted as auditors, tax advisers and consultants to numerous Maltese and international gaming and betting companies, both private and publicly quoted. We also have extensive experience in advising such businesses during the application process required to obtain a remote gaming licence and accordingly assist with all of the information and documentation required by the Malta Gaming Authority.

www.beaverink.com

www.bdo.com.mt

48

iGAMING

BMIT

CHUBBY DEVELOPER

sales@bmit.com.mt

info@chubbydeveloper.com

+356 2258 8200

+3567790 2911

Nick Tonna, Chief Commercial Officer

Simon Bonello

FROM THE DESKTOP, TO THE DATACENTRE TO THE CLOUD

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICE

BMIT is Malta’s largest multi-site data centre, providing secure facilities & reliable services to a wide range of industries, including the majority of iGaming operators in Malta. BMIT’s suite of solutions includes: a range of data centre services offered from 2 facilities in Malta and from POPs in Germany and Italy; access to a private international network; Public, private and hybrid cloud Services; Managed IT services & disaster recovery solutions.

Technical specialists, that focus on assisting start-ups and established businesses into architecting, building and maintaining their core software back end systems. We also provide consultancy in review and change management for core legacy software systems that require technology modernisation or integration with new services or components. Let’ get started, send us an email on info@chubbydeveloper.com

www.bmit.com.mt

www.chubbydeveloper.com

CSB GROUP

Roger A. Strickland Jr,

accountancy_tax_igaming

Director & iGaming Consultant gaming@csbgroup.com |

E-VOLVE CONSULTANCY LTD

evolve T 2122 8535

+356 2557 2557

Michael Spiteri Bailey, CPA MIA

info@evolvemalta.com |

+356 2122 8535

IGAMING SERVICES SPECIALIST – VISIT US AT ICE IN LONDON, STAND N7 – 430

IGAMING

CSB Group offers a “one-stop-shop” service to iGaming operators by assisting in setting up / re-locating their iGaming operation to Malta. The Group has been involved in the iGaming industry since its inception in Malta, assisting with the submission and pursuance of Malta iGaming licence applications with the MGA. It is the Group’s policy to provide a tailor-made service to each client, both initially and on an ongoing basis year after year.

Through our team of well-connected professionals, who work closely with various Maltese government departments and regulators, we are able to provide prompt and straightforward assistance with obtaining authorisation to conduct regulated activities in Malta. We can assist with obtaining licences for online gaming companies as well as other areas of regulation.

www.csbgroup.com

www.evolvemalta.com

iGAMING

GAMBLING-AFFILIATION

49

GAMING INNOVATION GROUP

Antoine Szczot, CEO

contact@gambling-affiliation.com

Thomas Marcus, Head of Talent Acquisition

+356 2131 1213

info@gig.com |

+356 2133 9398

LEADING AFFILIATE NETWORK IN THE IGAMING INDUSTRY

OPENING UP IGAMING FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL

Gambling Affiliation is the leading independent affiliate network specialized in sportsbook, poker, casino and horse racing online campaigns. Working with the leading brands from the gaming industry Gambling Affiliation recruits thousands of deposit players on a monthly basis thanks to our affiliate network of more than 35,000 affiliates.

There’s nothing quite like GiG. Over 650 geeks closely collaborating to make insanely great products designed to power and grow iGaming operators and suppliers. We’re one of the largest employers in Malta and one of the fastest-growing public companies in iGaming. For technology, traffic, affiliation, odds and more, there’s only one partner to talk to. We are always looking for new recruits. Visit www.gig.com/careers!

www.gambling-affiliation.com

www.gig.com

GRIFFITHS + ASSOCIATES

MAZARS MALTA

info@griffithsassoc.com

alan.craig@mazars.com.mt

Alan Craig, Partner

Peter Griffiths, Managing + Tax Director

+356 2134 5760

+356 2738 3631/2 YOUR ONLY CORPORATE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR IGAMING

YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP IGAMING ADVISORY FIRM

Our firm’s activities include company incorporations, back-office services and international corporate structuring, especially within the context of Malta’s extensive tax treaty network and advantageous tax regime, Being members of PrimeGlobal, an international association of accountants and advisers, adds value to the servicing of clients’ needs within an international perspective.

Mazars Malta is one of Malta’s leading multi-disciplinary business advisory and audit firms, with specialist knowledge in the iGaming industry, having been appointed by the Malta Gaming Authority as an approved systems and compliance auditor. We act as a one-stop-shop with a niche focus on specialist knowledge in licensing, regulatory advisory, payroll, accounting, auditing, tax, VAT advisory , risk assurance, compliance audit and corporate services.

www.griffithsassoc.com

www.mazars.com.mt/iGaming

50

iGAMING

OMEGA SYSTEMS

PEOPLE & CO.

patrick@omegays.eu

dave@people.com.mt

+356 9910 7948

+3567932 2314

Patrick Mann

David Cutajar, CEO

BESPOKE PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT

WE'LL SEE YOUR NEEDS AND RAISE YOUR PEOPLE POTENTIAL

OMEGA Systems is an Enterprise Systems Software and Consulting company providing an independent gaming management platform for Operators, Aggregators, Agency and Shop Solutions. We provide bespoke Gaming Platform Development for Gaming companies worldwide. Integrated with in excess of 100 Third party systems, our solutions are intelligent, scalable and cost effective.

People & Co. Limited (founded 1994) is a recruitment (iGaming, Tech, Financial Services), outsourcing, training and HR /Business Psychology firm with a global network of professional associates also providing data science, statistical/analytics software and related consultancy. An IBM Silver Business Partner, LearnQuest Education Partner and a licenced employment agency (EA 19/1996).

omegasys.eu

www.people.com.mt

PORTOMASO GAMING

STRATEGA CONSULT

info@portomasogaming.com

+356 9940 4109

info@strategaconsult.com

Anthony Farrugia, Director +356 213 72292

EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF REAL LIVE CASINO, FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME.

WE EXIST TO MAKE DIGITISATION SIMPLE, CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE.

Por tomasogaming.com is an online gaming platform based on a real live Casino! It combines the glamour and glitz of the most prestigious casinos in the Mediterranean region, together with the latest technolog y, into a platform which takes online gaming to another dimension.

Our focus areas include: setting digital strategies for companies ranging from start-ups to corporates, advising firms in their digital transformation process, online lead generation, business analysis and software functionality consultancy. With years of experience operating in various sectors in Malta, UK and Holland, we bring a genuine independent perspective to enhance decision-making processes in organisations vis-a-vis the digital space.

www.portomasogaming.com

www.strategaconsult.com

THOMAS SMITH

TWIN

Bernard Muscat, Assistant General Manager – Cargo

Mark Thorne

info@tcsmith.com

mark.thorne@twin.com

+356 2205 8058 SHIPPING & INSURANCE

HOTTEST NEW ONLINE CASINO

Whether you require shipping a parcel, your pet, a valuable envelope, or your new vehicle, we are at your service. Thomas Smith Shipping offers trailer services, sea freight, airfreight, a worldwide express courier service, and ancillary services like warehousing. Via Thomas Smith’s Insurance arm, business insurance policies may also be offered. Get in touch and you will be guided accordingly.​

Twin is a stunning new casino brand, the hottest new casino of the year. Focusing on customer experience and innovation via a stunning website packed with functionality and features and is already widely acclaimed. Twin aims to continually evolve to meet very high expectations providing a secure and trustworthy environment.

www.tcsmith.com

www.twin.com

VACANCY CENTRE

John Dimech, General Manager johnd@vacancycentre.com +356 7937 1277

RECRUITMENT PARTNER IN YOUR INDUSTRY VacancyCentre is a specialist provider of complete recruitment services aiming to bridge the gap between employers and career seekers, with maximum efficiency and confidentiality. VacancyCentre has an extensive network of talent whose background is within the Banking & Finance, Legal & Compliance, iGaming, Information Technology, Administration, and Sales & Marketing sectors, and has a very successful track record of delivering good talent to clients within these sectors. www.vacancycentre.com

ing for i-gam s ie compan

Are you an online gaming company?

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We are a team of UX experts, web geeks and mobile apps development nerds who believe in flexibility and creativity - with years of experience working for affiliates, platform providers, online casinos and game suppliers.

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Given the different needs and contexts, we offer a number

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Based to Time & Material arrangements.

betcr8.com

of engagement models ranging from End-to-End Project

Get in touch with us on info@betcr8.com

52

50 YEARS

Never too old to be young TBWA\ANG's 50-year legacy from the eyes of founder Godfrey Grima and Chairperson Julianne Grima as she envisages the other side of 50.

A

nyone in 1968 telling me Associated News, with its meagre financial and human resources and its slim chances of success, would, in 2018, be celebrating its 50th year in business, would have been thought either soft in the head or very optimistic. Not that anyone ever did. Starting up a new advertising agency was anything but a smart way of investing money. But, for some reason, I did. At first with a staff of one.

THE FIRST YEARS It is unthinkable today how basic and elementary we all were then in producing our wares. The whole process would start by promising a potential client earth shattering ideas. One would then go to the office and explain to the creatives - then known as designers - what the client had in mind, and the designers would sketch a number of concepts for onward presentation to the client. Once approved the creatives would layout their final advertisement for the client’s approval. Seeing advertising account executives traipsing from one company to the other, in Valletta, carrying these large layout

cardboards underarm, was a common sight.

Designing advertisements for printing was a major chore. The thing is, everything in the studio then was done by hand. To lay down the main text, designers used something called Letraset reams of plastic sheets full of letters of all fonts and sizes which they would press down onto the advert layout letter by letter to form a sentence.

Illustrations of products or human figures for newspapers and magazines - which were then printed in black and white - were done manually.

Some were so clever they were literally works of art.

EVOLUTION The arrival of colour printing meant creatives had to produce artworks that included coloured shots. These had to go abroad for the production of colour separations - a pre-press process of the offset printing system. At Associated News, we were then young enough to see the signs of a galloping future. We decided to branch out into printing and, with the late David Moore, set up one of the island’s first offset printing plants. Shortly afterwards, we launched the first company producing colour separations for the printing industry. We were then truly unstoppable.

The agency grew more professional as we were invited to produce campaigns for banks, imported cars, locally manufactured products, hotels, restaurants, casinos... you name it. We either launched it or promoted it. McDonald’s was one of the brands we helped launch and is still on our books today. In 2004, led by the formidable Bertrand Attard, we beat all of the European advertising agencies working for McDonald’s in winning that year’s Marketing trophy.

LEADERSHIP Having spent all of my adult life working as a journalist, I felt that the agency, now an affiliate of the world wide TBWA, was something to eventually hand over to my only daughter Julianne, and I did that with pride. She joined the company as a young girl, went through the ropes, and as Chairperson, has taken TBWA\ANG to places I could only dream of. She is a great peoples’ person, which accounts for the magnificent campaigns she, together with the staff, have built up and rolled out one after the other - all led by the indefatigable Fiorella Ellul, her General Manger. I could not wish for better management to lead the company into the coming 50 years.

I could not wish for better management to lead the company into the coming 50 years

A LOOK AHEAD...

I never had a chip on my shoulder worried that people might construe my appointment as chairperson to TBWA\ANG as given to the only child. This is possibly because I grew up at my father’s office, colouring in the design studio, scratching messed up separations, and listening in on meetings that back then were informal loud conversations with the must have bottle of whisky in sight and clouds of cigarette smoke leaking through the doors that were left ajar. I am the product of ANG, the first TBWA\ANG baby if you will. Later, I worked my way through reception, account handling, recruitment, finance, and forever my first love – the design studio. There is not one nook or cranny of our business or this industry that I haven't studied or experienced first hand.

If asked what’s changed between my father’s leadership and mine, easily the response is both everything and nothing. The principles of our business remain the same – honesty, care for client, strategic thinking, trend setting, smart recruitment and beautiful production, design and audio visual.

An agency is only as strong as the creative thinkers it employs. The platforms have changed and that’s where my generation of leadership comes in. Our goal is never to embellish; we are in the business of matching clients with their target consumer where a little bit of psychology (and by little I mean a decade of formal training), goes a long way. Disruption is at the core of our culture – we do not think in a gradual, incremental, linear way, we make strategic leaps and jump-start change.

Communication channels have multiplied, and offer a seemingly limitless choice that could lead to diluted fragmented messaging and scattered initiatives. We are stretching our thinking by embracing radical future possibilities to make marketing work at the speed of popular culture.

tbwa-ang.com

And so came the Pirates Pick the smarter bird to steer your brand.

+356 2131 0608 \ info@tbwa-ang.com

54

FA SHION

FROM THE GHONNELLA TO THE HIP-HUGGERS WORDS KATRIN RISIOTT

W

ith the integration of Maltese with British women, came an interest in fashion. In the early 1900s, Malta had already seen fashion magazines on the shelves, and Maltese women were sewing copies of fashionable clothes at home.

In the early 1900s, the Maltese woman was a devout Catholic, which played a vital role in women’s fashion. It was believed that uncovered hair was immoral, so Maltese women wore the għonnella sometimes referred to as faldetta. It was a dark-coloured, cloak-

like shawl that covered the woman from head to toe. No woman left the house without it, even though it was uncomfortable and heavy to carry.

The roaring 20s were very different in Malta. British officers’ wives used to adorn themselves in the typical Charleston dresses, with fur shawls and shiny jewels, but only the rich Maltese woman was able to afford to copy that.

WW2 brought little changes to fashion.

The Maltese barely had anything to eat, let alone wear. Many wore handme-downs, but wore their Sunday

dresses proudly. Although the standard of living was low, women were proud of their appearance and you’d never catch them wearing their Sunday best during the week, or at home. The gejxa was every woman’s necessity. It is an overall-type dress to cover and protect clothes from daily wear and tear and stains, and is still used today.

The 50s merged cinema with fashion.

This saw the Maltese woman emerging into a fashion follower. Great Hollywood icons such as Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor were only a few who influenced the

FA SHION

55

Charles & Ron Spring 2017 Collection / Carlton Aguis

Women became independent and most of the fashionable items found back then are still around today

Maltese woman’s new look. Eventually they took to wearing bobby socks, blouses and swing skirts, to dance to Rock ‘n’ Roll music.

The 60s was the decade that revolutionised the Maltese woman’s wardrobe. Women started to come out of their shells, went out to work and started wearing trousers – literally, unless they were seen baring their legs in the Mini. Women started experimenting and bought fashion magazines. Italian TV personalities were looked up to and copying these celebrities was one step towards making Malta contemporary.

Music influenced fashion and the Maltese woman adapted her style. Out went the twinset, in came bell-bottoms. Platform shoes, boho-chic dresses, hippie patterns, flower prints and military style dresses adorned the 70s modern woman. Out went the Faldetta forever.

Many argue that during the 1980s, the world witnessed many historical events: the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the birth of CNN, Prince Charles’ marriage to Lady Diana, the first

computers, Chernobyl nuclear explosion, and the internet going global. All of these events revolutionised the world as we know it today.

The same can be said for fashion. Brightly coloured leggings and leg warmers, big shoulder pads, fanny packs, hair scrunchies and parachute pants were the order of the day.

Most of these trends carried on into the 90s, when dungerees were no longer considered work clothes. Women loved combining boob tubes with hip-huggers, a combination also popular among the pop stars of the time.

Very little changed in the 2000s. Women became independent and most of the fashionable items found back then are still around today. Tattoo chocker necklaces, studded belts and a variety of denim wear still dominate our wardrobes. And the choice for a Maltese woman is now endless.

Interestingly, Malta is currently experiencing the rebirth of dressmaking, a tradition that withered in the 1970s. Many creative Maltese fashion designers, such as Carla Grima, Mary Grace Pisani and Charles and Ron, to name a few, are making big names both locally and internationally.

58

LOCAL

TA L K O F T H E T O W N

With so many cities, towns and villages on our little Islands, it’s hard to decide what to see and where to go. Throughout the year we’ll be highlighting our top locations for the season. This month it's Gozo.

CALYPSO’S CAVE

ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES

Overlooking the gloriously red grain that makes up Ramla l-Ħamra, Calypso’s Cave is alleged to be the cave referred to by Homer in The Odyssey. The view point above the cave is open for viewers’ enjoyment while the cave is currently under restoration. A brisk walk down the hill takes you to an abandoned hotel with an even greater view.

Hitting the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra date back to 3600 and 3200 B.C.E. These archeological sites consist of two temples that are both in considerably good condition.

An excellent site for a spot of heritage and a top reminder on how our ancestors used to live back in the Stone Age.

ĦONDOQ IR-RUMMIEN

XLENDI BAY

IX-XATT L-AĦMAR

The crystal-clear waters that caress the small sandy beach of Ħondoq ir-Rummien make for an ideal swimming place.

Ideal for free-diving and scuba diving, with an intense underwater view and a great above sea-water panorama ideal to catch some rays. With a direct view of Comino, this is the spot to visit when driving through Qala.

Xlendi has it all. The restaurants, the sea, a great diving spot, a hidden cave and a spectacular trekking path.

Whether it’s summer or winter, a trip to Xlendi must be on your agenda. Take a stroll along the sea and watch the waves from the cliffs or sit for a meal with a glass of wine while the sun sets on the Gozitan horizon.

An idyllic spot for any swimmer or diving enthusiast. The ‘Red Beach’ is one of Gozo’s less frequented beaches, so you might be in for a secluded treat on your visit. The crystal-clear waters might be too cold for the majority of us at this time of year but the spectacular view that sits before you may very well make your Gozo day-trip.

(Photo: visitgozo.com)

TA' PINU SANCTUARY

LUNZJATA VALLEY

NADUR CENTRE

Built between 1920 and 1931, Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu serves as a monumental shrine and architectural masterpiece.

The sculptural fluency and excellent craftsmanship in Maltese stone make the church an artistic masterpiece. The Way of the Cross opposite Ta’ Pinu is also embellished with fourteen marble statues.

A fertile valley that was used by the Knights of St John provides the picturesque scenery of Gozo’s rural lifestyle. Ideal for a countryside walk and perfect to capture a few shots. The aqueducts running through this agricultural haven transported water to the valley during the time of the Hospitallers.

At the entrance, you can find the chapel of the Annunciation - a quaint little treasure.

A rural village that transforms into a colourful den du during the month of February. With the entire piazza transformed into a street party via locals enthusiastic preparation in the form of vibrant floats holding a macabre nature.

Locals swarm to the streets during the carnival festivities for a weekend-long party. Be sure to take your costume seriously if you plan to visit.

A GUIDE TO THE LITTLE

MALTESE ISLANDS

għasri

għarb

żebbuĠ

san lawrenz

xlendi

marsalforn

xagħra

victoria kerĊem munxar sannat

xewkija

nadur gĦajnsielem mĠarr

qala

comino

Ċirkewwa

st paul’s island mellieĦa

qawra 01

xemxija st paul’s bay

buĠibba

mĠarr

naxxar

Ġnejna

Available to download on both iOS and Android devices:

mosta

attard

sa

mdina

hello@maltavirtualtourist.com www.maltavirtualtourist.com

qo rabat dingli qrendi

MALTA INTERNATIO AIRPORT Żurrieq

filfla

PHOTOGR APHY

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LOCAL

ISL AND HIGHLIGHTS Despite its diminutive size, the Maltese archipelago is bursting with historic sites, idyllic spots, culture and tradition. The Maltese Islands are like nowhere else.

Here you’ll find fossil-studded geo formations, prehistoric temples, intriguing diving opportunities, and a richly woven history of remarkable intensity. Here’s a handy guide on what to look out for during your stay.

VALLETTA , MALTA Colloquially known as Il-Belt, Valletta is the capital city of Malta that was built during the rule of the Knights of St John. The baroque city is speckled with neo-classical and modern architecture and has been declared Europe’s Culture Capital 2018.

THE THREE CITIES, MALTA The Three Cities take on two names for each area due to the influence of the Knights of Malta. Birgu, Bormla and Isla took on the names of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea respectively. This picturesque gem boasts winding streets and an impressive harbour which is very much worth a visit.

ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES, GOZO Did you know that the Ġgantija Temples are older than the pyramids of Egypt?

Discover Malta’s ancient civilisation by touring the Neolithic temple complex found in the village of Xagħra [Sha-rah] in Gozo. Visit the earliest example of megalithic temples in Malta.

MDINA , MALTA Formerly known as Città Notabile, this fortified medieval beauty served as the island’s capital until 1530. Known as the Silent City since its streets are mainly used by pedestrians, the narrow streets give an interesting mix of baroque and Norman architecture – some of which are private homes till today.

MOSTA DOME, MOSTA , MALTA Colloquially known as the Rotunda, this Roman Catholic Church is currently the fourth largest unsupported dome in the world and the third largest in Europe. Dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, the Mosta Dome is Mosta’s most prominent highlight.

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ROMANCE

FALL IN LOVE AGAIN FEBRUARY - THE MONTH DEDICATED TO LOVE AND ROMANCE. THESE ARE OUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE VISITING THIS TIME OF YEAR.

ROMANCE

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LOVERS GETAWAY SPA BREAK Turn your holidays into an unforgettable experience with Myoka Spas, awarded 5-star spas around Malta. Treat yourself and your loved one to a luxurious relaxation with any of our made-with-love spa packages starting from €45 including use of heated indoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. Call or book stressfree at myoka.com. +356 2137 0163 info@myoka.com www.myoka.com

STROLL ACROSS A GARDEN

RIVIERA BAY

Malta’s landscape is speckled with several public gardens, some of which are in close proximity of Valletta. Enjoy a leisurely stroll across the Argotti Botanical Gardens or one of the Upper or Lower Barrakka gardens that offer impressive views of the Grand Harbour.

Head out to San Anton Gardens in Balzan if you’re feeling slightly more adventurous.

If you’re looking for a top spot to cosy up to your special someone, Riviera Martinique is paradise. Make sure you’re there for sunset, the colours in the sky will make you forget all your troubles.

Pack a bottle of wine and some fine cheeses for the optimal experience.

GOZO

SARAH YOUNG WEDDING AND EVENT PL ANNER

The picturesque island of Gozo encapsulates the true meaning of romance. The quaint villages and relaxed environment make for the perfect weekend getaway to rekindle your love.

All you need here is a means of transport and someone to enjoy the views with.

Time stands still in Gozo so savour every moment and take it all in.

Sarah Young and her team of wedding and event planning experts are dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for you and your guests. With not a single complaint to date, everything will be organised to perfection from day one until the last minute when all the event celebrations are over. sarah@sarahyoungevents.com www.sarahyoungevents.com

WANDER AROUND THE SILENT CIT Y There’s nothing quite like making your way around the wandering alleyways of the medieval city of Mdina, especially by night.

We’re not sure if it’s the fact that it’s so silent, or simply so stunningly impressive, but there’s definitely something about this old capital that will make your heart skip a beat in all the right ways!

OUT & ABOUT

Here’s what’s been going on, who’s been seen and where they’ve been spotted. Malta’s hottest news, right here, right now.

MERCURY HOLIDAYS BRITISH TRAVEL AWARDS

Managing Director Geraldine Stimson and Marketing Director Sarah Butcher clutching the travel awards.

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OUT & ABOUT

THE COLLECTED PLAYS

The launch of Alfred Buttigieg: The Collected Plays, Malta School of Art, Valletta.

01. The four directors of Alfred’s internationally-acclaimed plays.

02. Alfred and his children.

01.

02.

HOT SPOT

VALLETTA WATERFRONT: THE HISTORIC DESTINATION WITH THE COLOURED DOORS

O

f great cultural and economic importance, the Valletta Waterfront has been restored and revitalised by the Valletta Cruise Port consortium to suit the ever-changing requirements of a dynamic Grand Harbour.

The Valletta Waterfront destination combines food, retail and entertainment outlets within a maritime hub, which for the past 15 years has proved to be a highly popular destination. The small chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family further creates a unique ‘village’ ambience.

For those in search of a relaxing time with good food and entertainment, the Valletta Waterfront’s many restaurants and bars present a variety of offerings catering to different tastes, with dining right at the water’s edge. The establishments’ indoor dining areas are situated inside the tastefully refurbished, historical stores, originally constructed

by Grand Master Pinto in 1752. Today, ushering in a modern era, the iconic doors have been revived with an artistic impression of colour, representing the

storage of goods from days past, with blue for fish, green for produce, yellow for wheat and red for wine.

An exquisite place at any time of the day: relax with a coffee in the morning watching the small boats bobbing along, occasionally the bigger cruise ships; a bite to eat at lunchtime; or a lovely meal of whatever takes your fancy at sundown, with magnificent views of the bastions and the Grand Harbour.

Browse the shopping outlets for interesting gifts including local trinkets – from jewellery, ceramics, mouth-blown glass, to that book you’ve been meaning to buy and more.

Our little guests can enjoy free children's activities including: balloon modelling, face painting, crafts, games, colouringins, meet & greets with all-time favourite characters, puppet shows, bouncy castles and more, every Saturday evening (from 19.30hrs onwards) and Sunday afternoons (from 12.30hrs onwards).

ARRIVING TO THE VALLETTA WATERFRONT • Valletta circular bus (133) from the main bus terminal.

• Valletta Waterfront features on most hop-on hop-off buses’ routes. You will be dropped off a few metres away.

• The Upper Barrakka panoramic lift. It is also possible to combine the ticket for the lift with the ferry crossing across the Grand Harbour to or from The Three Cities.

• Electric cabs are available from just outside Valletta.

• Taxis to the Valletta Waterfront are available to and from your accommodation.

• Parking is also convenient. One may park on the quays starting from €3.00, in the Atrium parking located in the middle of the promenade, or free of charge on the road itself.

• Berthing space for your boat is available at Laguna Marina on request.

Look out for Valentine’s and Carnival Specials during the month of February.

For more information visit www.vallettawaterfront.com

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WORDS GIULIA PRIVITELLI ILLUSTRATION STEVEN BONELLO

Walking in Circles is the working title of an artistic-literary project supported by the Arts Council Malta. The illustrated-poetic journey, spanning over the cycle of one full year, will be launched in the form of a publication in November 2018… and you’re all invited for the ride

POETRY

Who on earth am I or what I've done that love I should deserve?

Is it a right that I could claim or simply given and I've no say? like the moment of every birth suddenly, a life's just there.

So what would that make me should I withhold this "right" to many, twice as many? a thief perhaps of riches I've already got.

But what is this need to show the other that within is what really matters the core, the soul, that captivating pulse pulsing far beyond the limits of our sight or the reasoning of our mind?

Isn't this what I'd rather trust?

Feel here, my aching heart, it pulls and pushes as my guide and repeats what we've been told through ancient wisdom, centuries old: "To love is to know forget your fear, don't shift the blame, you are blessed and without shame, you are loved, and called by name."

But tradition that resists all change is a harmful poison, a barren land and like stagnant water pushed down my throat it burns with the taste of bitter and cold and my faith is shaken, it trembles and shivers in its hold.

- from the Walking in Circles project

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E X P AT S

MALTA: FROM AN EMIGRATING NATION TO IMMIGRANT HOSTESS WORDS LILIANA RISIOTT

T

he crystal waters of the Mediterranean, the sunshine and the friendly English-speaking people are merely a clichè when expats start ticking boxes as to why they should choose Malta to relocate to. This Archipelago caters for career seekers, entrepreneurs, retirees and more.

Malta’s natural beauty, the climate, the history and the exuberant lifestyle make it very easy for a visitor to fall in love with. An island so tiny and yet packed with various attractions that appeal to history aficionados, aquatic enthusiasts and partygoers alike. The activity menu is à la carte.

In 2004, Malta joined the European Union. Three years later, it joined the Schengen area and in January 2008 adopted

the euro as its official currency. Migration to Malta, we can safely say is as old as Malta itself. The variety of common and not so common surnames is proof enough that many of our ancestors left their own country to settle here all those centuries ago. Up to a few decades ago, the Maltese themselves emigrated in masses to settle in other English– speaking countries, especially after World War II. The devastation after the war triggered the local Department of Emigration to encourage and financially assist the Maltese to seek a better life in larger countries. Scores of Maltese individuals and whole families sought new pastures mainly in Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. However, towards the end of the 1970s these numbers dwindled, bringing emigration from Malta almost

E X P AT S

It is the Island where size does not really matter because of its abundance of natural beauty where sea and countryside kiss to a halt until, that is, Malta became a member state in the European Union, which in its own right brought about the fear of a brain drain from the country. Belgium and Luxembourg beckoned and many Maltese, mostly professionals, left Malta to embark on better career opportunities.

Membership in the EU truly put Malta on the map again and in a twist of fate, over the years it has become an attraction for EU and non-EU residents to set up home on this tiny albeit attractive Island.

Malta is not perfect. Traffic is chaotic but it is versatile. It can be the perfect tranquil retreat for the older generation to retire to and the mecca for the fun-loving younger people.

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E X P AT S

Malta is popular for its top quality and easily accessible healthcare, which could be a deal breaker for any person of any age who is considering permanent residency The free and excellent education system is also another important factor for settlers, especially for parents of young children.

Malta is considered one of the safest countries – if not the safest – in Europe. A low crime rate makes people of any age not think twice to walk around the streets at any time of day or night. It is so safe that in Malta’s sister island, Gozo, the custom of leaving the key in the front door lock is still common practice.

While on the subject of Gozo, yes, it is the idyllic island it is often advertised as for people who want to retire.

Yet, it is also the ideal place for those who seek a nook where it is possible to bask in the sun and take a dip in the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Gozo is the perfect place for water sports, scuba diving or trekking.

It is the Island where size does not really matter because of its abundance of natural beauty where sea and countryside kiss. It is the place where prehistory blends with the contemporary, modern day.

Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly and his wife Pamela Stephenson bought a house in Gozo

back in 2003 and are said to be in love with the place.

Author of The Cruel Sea and The Kappillan of Malta (among other great works) Nicholas Monsarrat also lived in Gozo for many years, whilst Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie caused quite a stir while filming 'By the Sea', shot entirely in Gozo.

Malta has slowly but surely boomed as the hub for iGaming as well as financial services. Foreign investors are constantly choosing Malta due to its ever-growing economy, political stability and attractive tax rates.

Perhaps it is the calm and relaxed Mediterranean joie de vivre, together with the high European standard of living that attracts foreign workers and entrepreneurs alike to Malta’s shores. Malta being a Schengen country makes it more appealing for easy travel and unconstrained business transactions.

Having become a main attraction for expats from all over the world, Malta has developed a variety of relocation programmes specifically suiting individuals according to particular requirements and country of origin. It is advisable to seek legal professional advice and guidance prior to applying for one of the several residency programmes, even though the process is pretty straightforward.

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L I T E R AT U R E

For the love of words WORDS GIULIA PRIVITELLI

Just like people, no word is an island. As the thread of time weaved wonderfully complex and unique patterns in the fabric of Maltese cultural history, so too it did in the development of the islands’ somewhat endangered, albeit very much alive, mother tongue: Maltese. As fascinating as it is, however, I won’t be going into the origin of the language, its alterations, adaptations and additions over time. Rather, I’ve gathered here a handful of quirky words that curiously squeezed their way into the Maltese language in a pretty unorthodox way.

And sure enough, they stuck, and are considered no less Maltese than any other seemingly ‘legitimate’ word. And we love them so much - these adopted verbal children - we still allow them to loll about on our lips, waiting for that rare occasion to let them out to play: Alaxanxé or alaxarxé is a classic sarcastic spin – off from the French term recherché, which actually means “good taste” or “admirable”. The local use of the adapted word, however, refers to the exact opposite, that is, to

something which has been carried out hastily and without much attention to detail or finish. Could this perhaps have been a case wherein words were lost in translation? Or does it reveal some form of innate sarcastic humour that could very well have misled several individuals into thinking the opposite of what the speaker was subtly implying? Perhaps it is worth recalling that the Maltese gentry of the early 19th century did not have particularly fond memories of the French who tried to introduce too much in too short a time. In any case, and if it ever was the case, the initial sarcasm of the word has been forgotten. So should you ever need to use such a remark, rest assured that its corrupted meaning will, likewise, be just as quickly understood.

And from French to Latin, with the introductory phrase indiebus illis, meaning “in those times”. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, when the Gospels were read in Latin verse, several devout Maltese church-goers would have been very familiar with this term, but perhaps, not so much with its meaning.

L I T E R AT U R E

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Still, should you catch a whiff of one of them, so to speak, now you know how it came to be

Indiebus illis was hacked away from its sacred scriptural setting and abbreviated to busillis or bużillis and used to announce a problem, rather than the word of God. Il-bużillis taf x’inhi? (Do you know what the problem is?) If we do, I sure hope the solution is a little more straightforward, and communicated in a language we can understand.

This next one you’re bound to come across at a bar selling local beer, but the term iċ-Ċisk does not refer to our beloved beverage. Iċ-Ċisk was actually the nickname given to the Marquis Emmanuele Scicluna (b.1820), who is thought to have introduced the use of cheques in the local market. Naturally, the term was adopted by the Maltese as a retort to something which is far beyond what they are willing to pay, or can even afford. Thankfully, a pint of Cisk won’t cost you an arm and a leg… yet.

Xarukaża might be the most decontextualised word yet, which could actually be broken down into three: Xar (from the Arabic gār or għar in

Maltese, meaning ‘cave’), u (and), każa (from the Italian casa, meaning ‘house’).

Troglodytism, or the phenomenon of cave-dwelling, has a long history on the islands. Indeed, it goes as far back as the earliest prehistoric islanders, and caves were still the preferred choice of habitat among a couple of individuals in the early 19th century, until they were driven out of their natural homes by the British authorities, presumably in order to adopt a more “normal,” “dignified” lifestyle.

The idea of “a cave as home” literally translates into the term xarukaża, which nowadays, however, is used as a somewhat horrified exclamation towards acts of indecency. Living in a cave could be one of them, but I can think of far more flagrant scenarios.

This next one lingers somewhere between the genial and the hilariously ridiculous, but I’ll let you be the judge of that. A xatrambatra is a fleshy gourd with a tough, resilient exterior, which was, back in the day, hollowed-out and placed beneath the bed covers in order to expel any undesired odours. That’s

right, it was used as a fart-repellent.

Indeed, this sword against night-time flatulence, according to linguist A. Preca (1880) knows its origin from two Jewish words: xatar, meaning “to repel”; and batar, meaning “the behind”.

The Sicilians also probably had this in mind when they came up with the expression sciatara e matara to indicate their “disgust” towards something. The question is, how and when did such a specific combination of words become associated with the fruit? And the bigger question is, who dealt it the first time round? In any case, who, in his or her plant-loving mind, came up with the idea to sleep with a dried, hollowed-out gourd, is beyond me, but I suppose, a good decision is often taken when we “sleep on it.”

And so, here we are, right as you’re about to doze off to sleep. These are just but a few of our favourite adopted and adapted words, which may or may not have a very long life left to live. Still, should you catch a whiff of one of them, so to speak, now you know how it came to be.

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ARCHITEC TURE

ARCHITEC TURE

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The Sanctuary of Our Lady tal-Herba WORDS GEORGE SAPIANO PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH SCICLUNA

There are several theories regarding the name of this chapel, treasure-laden and full of history and traditions, to be found in the old part of the town of Birkirkara. One of them is that the chapel was one of the first sanctuaries dedicated to Holy Mary after the Turks fled Malta, hence Tal-Ħerba. But then, what’s in a name?

One comes upon this sanctuary in one of the town’s winding streets and alleys. Here old stones, secret lanes and the patina of age give this part of town a special feel. The sanctuary lies behind the massive Basilica of St Helen with its much larger red dome. Tal-Ħerba is easy to miss but worth a visit.

The sanctuary dates back to the time of the Knights of Malta and in 1575 it was already known as a place of worship.

There are many devotees who come not only from all over Malta but also Maltese living abroad, to pray to Our Lady.

It is said that this devotion which includes pilgrimages organised to visit the sanctuary, started when a man in crutches heard the bells of the chapel ring and barely able to walk, went in to hear Mass. He fervently prayed to Our Lady to give him back the strength in his legs, to cure him.

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ARCHITEC TURE

Not before long his strength came back and he could walk without crutches. Thanking Our Lady he left the crutches behind as witness to the miracle he had experienced.

News of this miracle spread all over Malta and the sanctuary is still visited by many who come to ask for graces or simply thank the Blessed Virgin for those already received. The small chapel had to be enlarged a number of times because it could no longer harbour all the piligrims who came and still come regularly.

One anecdote which is favoured by the locals is that one day a thief entered the sanctuary and started stealing whatever he could lay his hands on. Next he tried to get hold of the precious ornaments from the painting of Our Lady, largely gold jewellery, placed there by devotees. As soon as he reached out to the painting to grab what he could, the church bells started to ring and neighbours, alarmed, came to see what was happening. Whether he fled or was caught we don’t know but certainly, he had to leave his loot behind.

Throughout 2010 there were special festivities held in Birkirkara on the occasion of the centenary of the solemn coronation of the image of the Madonna, venerated in the

sanctuary. The crown of solid gold, was placed on her head as a sign of thanksgiving for all the graces she had showered over four centuries. There was an oratorio specially written for the occasion and also a symposium regarding the painting itself and the ex-voto paintings in the sanctuary. Inside, there are a number of treasures and interesting features.

Grand Masters and knights generously paid for a number of works which are still in the sanctuary. Among them is the ‘old’ painting of Our Lady for which Chev. de Pierre paid. A bouquet made of what is locally known as ganutell has pride of place. In the centre of the bouquet there is the figure probably representing Malta or the Order with the Order’s flag in hand and a Turk underfoot. It is said that this was donated by Grand Master de Valette in thanksgiving after the Great Siege of 1565.

A 400-year-old silver altar carries the coat-of-arms of the knight, Dom Romualdo Doz. A beautiful chalice of solid silver and a complete aspersorium for holy water were the gift of Grand Master De Rohan. A small hanging silver lamp with the fleur-de-lys embossed was probably the gift of Grand Master Wignacourt, whose coat-of-arms is therein engraved.

Another devotee was the Spanish Grand Master Ximenes,

ARCHITEC TURE

Oh hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea

who, after a cure, presented a leg made of solid gold.

There are several other silver gifts made by various knights who sought and received help from Our Lady.

accidents. There are many anecdotes of graces granted, of cures or spiritual graces surrounding this sanctuary.

As the Church Hymnary has it:

Not to be missed is the room covered in ex-voto paintings, most with a maritime theme. These naïve paintings as well as other votive offerings such as chains, manacles, vestments, objects in silver such as hearts, breasts etc. and even models of galleys are placed on permanent display within the walls of our sanctuaries and rural chapels in Malta and Gozo. They are popular expressions of gratitude for graces received through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and patron saints. Vows have, over the centuries, been frequently made by individuals or groups in peril on the sea or ailed by maladies or else faced with mishaps and

Oh hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.

But it is not only peril on the sea from which man needs protection.

These sanctuaries may not be places where miracles take place but they provide comfort and hope in a world where we are subject to the whims of ‘the windmills of the gods.’

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ADVENTURE

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QUAD BIKING IN GOZO An Alternative Guide of the Sister Island for the Intrepid Traveller WORDS CHRISTINE SPITERI

M

alta’s sister island Gozo is a sanctuary for outdoor lovers seeking to wind down from the hustle and bustle the mainland offers. Often dubbed the ‘sleepier island’, Gozo’s village squares are quieter and country roads deserted. If you’re the kind of traveller who, like me, enjoys the thrills of the road less travelled, quad-biking through Gozo’s isolated nooks and tucked inlets is an excursion worth taking.

DIVE & SNORKEL: IX-XATT L-AĦMAR Start by winding down a narrow passage-road from the village of Għajnsielem. There you’ll find a secluded and crystal clear bay called Ix-Xatt L-Aħmar (Red Shore). It is overlooked by the watchful eye of the medieval Fort Chambray and hidden behind the Mġarr Harbour, where the Malta-Gozo ferry berths. Its sheltered geography protects it from dominant winds, making it an ideal space for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

The bay is famous for the upside-down wreck of MV Xlendi and the shallow reefs nearby, where you’ll meet cuttlefish and seahorses if you’re lucky.

LUNCH: MĠARR IX-XINI Steer your way towards Xewkija, and ask for directions. It might take a while before you locate Triq ta’ Mġarr ix-Xini because there isn’t any signage. At the end of the path, you’ll land at the entrance of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie famed restaurant. Rustic in appearance, complete with chalkboard menu and plastic tables, it may seem uninviting at first glance, but the familyrun eatery serves a great range of fresh fish in a relaxed atmosphere an experience you definitely won’t forget.

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02.

WALK: SANAP CLIFFS From Mġarr ix-Xini, drive up along the southwestern coast, and absorb the magnificent views which stretch all the way to Malta on one of the highest points of the island. Walking along the Sanap Cliffs you’ll appreciate the contrasting colours of the vast open seas, lush greenery and the sharp white faces of the cliffs. If you’re into hiking, you can walk all the way to the popular fishing village, Xlendi, and admire the dramatic sunset.

MEDITATE: TA’ PINU SHRINE Drive through Gozo’s most scenic countryside reaching the island’s most western hamlet, Għarb. You surely won’t miss Ta’ Pinu standing majestically at the edge of a cliff. It is Malta’s national shrine to the Virgin Mary, attracting pilgrims all year round. No matter what your faith is, you will be sure to marvel at its intricate architecture and sense of serenity this Basilica holds.

HISTORY: ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES Built before the Pyramids of Egypt more than 5500 years ago, these megalithic temples in Xagħra are a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country’s earliest man-made religious structures.

The name Ġgantija derives from the word ‘giant’, as locals believe they are the works of giants — which you’ll understand once you set foot in them. It’s impressive to witness these towering slabs weighing over fifty tonnes, erected before the machinery we use nowadays.

01.

03.

SWIM: SAN BLAS BAY The advantages of an island as small as Gozo is that everywhere you drive has somewhere you can swim. Drive to Nadur and then follow the signs to San Blas Bay until you reach an exceptionally steep hill leading to this secluded gem at the end of one of Gozo’s most fertile valleys.

A little sister to Ramla Bay, it is also curry-coloured, but actual beach space is somewhat small, so it can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends.

DINNER: QALA BOĊĊI CLUB Qala’s indoor boċċi club and restaurant is a hangout for old and young alike. Men sit around tables, drinking local beer and playing cards. The restaurant Xerri il-Bukkett offers an equally breathtaking view and tasty local food, whether it’s sunny or stormy weather.

01. Ta' Pinu Shrine, Nadur 02. Sanap Cliffs 03. San Blas Bay

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GOZO

THIS SPRING, EXPERIENCE EASTER IN GOZO

01.

As other European countries deal with cold and dull days, our mild winters get you counting your lucky stars. Gozo is indeed a perfect haven for those seeking to escape the cold that engulfs our neighboring countries during this time of year. But there’s a season that exceeds expectations and it is just around the corner.

Spring is the season when Gozo truly discloses its full natural beauty. The island awakens to rolling hills of burgundy and gold, as patches of clover and haystacks adorn the countryside. Nearly deserted beaches at this time of year can provide the ideal hideout to relax and enjoy the luscious sun and warm weather. The water may be still cold for a dip but the unique seaside environment is unbeatable for a picnic, while the weather is still mild and the temperatures around a bearable 25 degrees Celsius. Gozo is a natural playground for those looking for an adventure. Rock climbing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, hiking, diving, cycling – these are just a few activities that you can do while on the island.

For the culture vultures, they’d be pleased to learn that the island hosts a great choice of cultural activities during this time of year.

Indeed, spring is also about Easter as the religious festivities connected with the Holy Week take place during this season.

As the island embraces the first days of Spring, Gozo starts preparing for the somber Holy Week celebrations and the triumphant Easter feast! Live re-enactments portraying the passion of the Christ take place all around Gozo, with exhibitions highlighting the original Passover including the last supper of the Christ, mixed with a touch of local traditions and folklore. Private collectors exhibit also their figurines portraying the passion and resurrection of the Christ, a skill and an art in most cases, that can be appreciated by visitors as they meander in villages.

You will find a mix of drama and faith here. The pilgrimage of Our Lady of Sorrow, held on the Friday before Good Friday is considered as one of the most pious events. The processions and pageants, all focusing on the event of the death of Christ, include people dressed up as characters from the Bible and richly-dressed statues, some of which are hundreds of years old presenting the stations of the Cross. Some of the processions on Good Friday include hooded persons who trudge heavy chains behind them in fulfillment of vows or in acts of penance. The clanging of chains on the streets is only

drowned by the sorrowful and melancholic marches that the accompanying bands play.

A sense of anticipation creeps in as people around the island eagerly await Easter Sunday. Gozo awakes to a cacophony of church bells and Christians flock to their churches for the Easter Mass. Some parishes follow the service with a traditional march with the statue of the risen Christ. These traditional marches are usually accompanied by local bands and their popularity has remained undimmed through time.

The Easter Sunday processions are in sharp contrast to those of Good Friday as the sombre atmosphere gives way to a general expression of joy. In some parishes the bearers run with the statue for the last part of the procession. At the end of each dash, the bearers lift and jolt the statue high above their heads as a sign of victory.

Easter Sunday’s also the time to get hold of a figolla! This is a traditional Maltese delicacy prepared especially for Easter… a treat that is loved by one and many, particularly children who excitedly wake on Easter Sunday to bite into their figolla after some or much restraint throughout lent.

This spring, you’ve got to experience a Gozitan Easter.

Full programme of events 3rd March – 1st April 2018.

01. Ta' Pinu Basilica / Daniel Cilia 02. Ta' Gordan walk / Daniel Cilia 03. Gozo Faith & Tradition / Ted Attard

GOZO 02.

03.

91

ART

01.

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ART

The Devil of the Brush AN EXCITING EXHIBITION IN MDINA

02.

WORDS FRANCESCA BALZAN

M

y social life seems to revolve around exhibition openings, particularly in this year of intense cultural activity during which Valletta occupies the coveted role of European Capital of Culture. At these openings, in between the clinking of wine glasses and inspecting the art on show, some guest will invariably pipe up and ask the exhibiting artist ‘how long did that take you to make?’ And the hapless, cornered artist has to give an approximation of how much time it took to produce that particular exhibit as though it is at all relevant to the quality or value of the artwork. Or is it?

This question has been at the heart of art appreciation for centuries. It is prompted by wonder (at the ‘magic’ with which an artist turns a lump of clay or a blank canvas into a striking piece of art) or perhaps disdain (‘my toddler could have done that in 5 minutes with a scrap of paper and an old mascara wand’). If the artist says he did it in an hour, would it justify the price tag? Or should he say it took him a good six months? If it did take just an hour, wasn’t it an hour which distilled the work and experience, failures, discoveries and genuine hard slog of many years of art school followed by practice in the field?

Should time even be relevant in assessing

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03.

the production of a work of art? Does rapidity in executing an art work enhance the qualities of the piece? Does it look more immediate, more vibrant, better even than a more laboured piece?

In this new series of exhibitions that the medieval house Museum, Palazzo Falson, is inaugurating with the present show ‘The Devil of the Brush: Speed as Artistic Virtue’, the idea of speed in creating a work of art as evidence of accomplishment, experience and remarkable dexterity of the artist comes under the spotlight. An unusual theme for an unusual exhibition that departs from standard art historical narratives, and examines artworks not for their history or importance but for evidence of the fast execution of the work. This is all underpinned by a very long history of art writers, critics, connoisseurs who wrote about the celebrated artists of their time and marvelled at the speed with which

they executed a work of art. Some artists were even given nicknames to reflect this; the famous Baroque artist Luca Giordano was known as ‘Luca Fa Presto’ (tr. Luca make/s haste), and our very own Giuseppe Calì who could knock up a painting so rapidly he was dubbed ‘The Devil of the Brush’, to mention a few.

This concept is thoroughly examined in the critical essays contained in the exhibition catalogue, penned by Keith Sciberras, guest curator of the exhibition and Tiffany Racco, who has specialised in the subject. The idea for this exhibition was proposed by Sciberras, professor of art history and head of the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Malta, who wished to test the theory of speed as evidence of artistic virtue by means of an exhibition that brought together pieces of art, many of which are anyway considered to be high points in the history of art in Malta, to look at them obliquely through

ART

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01. Willie Apap, Study of Female Nudes (detail),1966,Ink on paper,Private Collection 02. Antonio Sciortino, Study for the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, 1917 - 1922, Red and black crayon on paper, MUŻA Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti by courtesy of Heritage Malta 03. Giuseppe Calì, The Wind, Late 19th c., Gouache on paper, Private Collection

03.

And the hapless, cornered artist has to give an approximation of how much time it took to produce that particular exhibit as though it is at all relevant to the quality or value of the artwork. Or is it?

the lens of speed. Works selected for the present exhibition include the big guns of Maltese art: Melchiorre Cafà, Mattia Preti, Giuseppe Calì, Antonio Sciortino, the Apap brothers, and several others that span the period from the 17th century right through to the 20th century loaned in from private collections, the National Collection and church collections.

Included amongst the highlights of the exhibition are the important bozzetto in terracotta by Melchiorre Cafà, considered one of the greatest masters of Roman baroque sculpture and a Maltese by birth. The Cafà sculpture, one of the treasures of the National Collection is well known, but in this exhibition we are shown an unusual viewpoint. Its back is turned towards the viewer, so that the fast marks of the sculptor’s tools, his fingerprints pressed into the clay as he modelled the sculpture quickly, visibly remind us of the work in progress rather than the more polished, finished

appearance of the front of the work. As I close off this article to speed off to yet another vernissage, I am reminded that, whether one is in the act of producing a piece of art or not, time is always of the essence.

Organised by Palazzo Falson in collaboration with Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, the exhibition ‘The Devil of the Brush: Speed as Artistic Virtue’ is on at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, Villegaignon Street, Mdina until the 25th February 2018 from Tuesday to Sunday; 10am till 4pm. Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge. The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue and a full calendar of activities including gallery talks and related events (see palazzofalson.com for upcoming events).

The author is curator at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum.

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B A R S & R E S TA U U R A N T S

RESTAURANT

& bar guide

B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S

MARSAXLOKK

TERRONE RESTAURANT +356 2704 2656

97

1 Wilga Street Marsaxlokk

www.terrone.com.mt

/terrone

We could tell you about our restaurant but we think you would rather hear from our customers, so we present a small selection of headlines from recent TripAdvisor reviews since March 2017: Original flavours Amazing place – Lovely fresh seafood whilst overlooking the waterfront – A healthy south Italian restaurant – Perfect food – Very good restaurant – A thoroughly enjoyable experience. Highly recommended by TripAdvisor so we invite you to look us up and read the details yourself. Booking recommended. Parking available outside. Short taxi ride from most locations including Sliema/St Julian’s/Valletta.

MDINA

DE MONDION RESTAURANT

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, Misraħ il-Kunsill, Mdina +356 2145 0560

www.xarapalace.com.mt/www.demondion.com

info@xaracollection.com Set atop Mdina’s century-old bastions, within the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, the de Mondion offers a unique fine dining experience, enhanced by truly spectacular panoramic views of the island. Awarded the runner-up for the best boutique dining hotel in the world and consistently rated amongst the top restaurants in Malta for its cusine, refinement and excellence. Promising discreet yet impeccably-attentive service, de Mondion allows its patrons the time and privacy to savour their cuisine. Group lunches are available on request while bookings for private functions and special celebrations are also welcome.

PALAZZO DE PIRO – XPRESSO CAFÉ & BISTRO

Palazzo de Piro, 3 Triq is-Sur, Mdina, MDN 1131 +356 2010 0560 / +356 2145 0560 info@xaracollection.com

www.palazzodepiro.com

Set within the magnificent 18th century Palazzo de Piro Cultural Centre, located in Malta’s Silent City, Mdina, Xpresso Café and Bistro is an elegant spot for casual dining, snacks, coffee, afternoon tea or simply a get-together with friends. The talented Brigade of Chefs makes use of the fresh produce from nearby valleys and slopes when producing their seasonal menus. Through close co-operation with local growers and producers, Xpresso Café and Bistro seeks to showcase the freshest and best the region has to offer through a menu of healthy dishes. With magnificent views of the Maltese islands, fine architectural heritage and a passion for culture and art, Xpresso Café is the perfect place to enjoy the history of Malta, its rich culture and its culinary delights.

THE MEDINA MALTESE CUISINE RESTAURANT +356 21450 560

www.medinarestaurantmalta.com

Mdina

info@xaracollection.com

Lose yourself in all of Mdina’s tranquillity and dine in the romantic surroundings beneath the wild flowering Oleander tree in the vine-clustered courtyard during the summer, and by candlelight and an open log fireplace that keeps the restaurant warm and cosy during the winter months. The restaurant is a mixture of ingredients designed to please the most discerning clients. The foundation for our cuisine is solely based upon three principles: the sourcing of local produce, for every single dish to evoke the skill and talent of our chefs and to provide our clients with honest food. The Medina presents a selected à la Carte menu based on Mediterranean and local cuisine, frequently changed to guarantee the pleasure of regular diners.

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B A R S & R E S TA U U R A N T S

TRATTORIA AD 1530 +356 2145 0560

Misraħ il-Kunsill, Mdina, MDN 10150

www.xarapalace.com.mt

info@xaracollection.com

The Trattoria AD 1530 at The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux in Mdina is a charming eatery that prides itself on serving traditional and tasty food typical of the word ‘trattoria’. Strategically situated in one of the old squares of the Silent City, with the beautiful and imposing Vilhena Palace directly opposite and the magnificent 17th century Palazzo of The Xara Palace on the other side, the Trattoria’s idyllic location is simply perfect for indoor or al fresco dining. Trattoria AD 1530 is the ideal restaurant for every occasion and is open for coffee, lunch, dinner, snacks and afternoon tea.

MOSTA

TA’ MARIJA RESTAURANT – EST. 1964 +356 2143 4444

www.tamarija.com

Constitution Street, Mosta

info@tamarija.com

Awarded Best Maltese Food Restaurant for more than ten years, Ta’ Marija doesn’t just serve Maltese cuisine, but creates dishes with what is locally traditional while adding their own signature flavours of sumptuousness. Head to their Folklore Dinner shows held every Wednesday and Friday evening for a touch of Maltese liveliness. Enjoy your dinner with musicians playing mandolins and guitars, and singers belting out Maltese songs while you enjoy the culinary delights of the evening. After your delicious dinner, the charming Maria Muscat will present the folklore show in a variety of languages, featuring six dancers who lure you into a jovial story of Maltese history told through dance. Ta’ Marija is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Transport can also be arranged.

SLIEMA

TA’ KOLINA

151, Tower Road, Sliema

+356 2133 5106

+356 9942 4877

takolina@gmail.com

Ta’ Kolina is a quaint, family run restaurant on Tower Road (one of Sliema’s most popular spots) and has been open since 1974. Ta’ Kolina is a typical Maltese restaurant with its traditional Maltese limestone interior and décor. A set menu comprising of traditional Maltese food offers a choice of five local starters; five main courses; dessert & coffee for €20. There’s a unique à la carte menu with some 20 starters from €4.50 to €7.50, and 20 main courses from €11 to €24 to choose from. Ta’ Kolina offer a variety of fresh fish, rabbit, steak and many more traditional dishes. A wide selection of the best Maltese wines are available offers ranging from €6.50 to €25 per bottle. All in all this restaurant provides its guests with the true taste of Maltese cuisine at a reasonable price.

TA’ KRIS RESTAURANT & MALTESE BISTRO +356 2133 7367

80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema

+356 9984 771

Set in one of Sliema’s oldest bakeries, Ta’ Kris is all about providing a genuine mix of affordable Maltese and Mediterranean dishes in a homely fashion and rustic surroundings. Ta’ Kris offers a varied menu of traditional Maltese food such as bragioli, rabbit, octopus stew, bebbux (snails), balbuljata (corned beef hash), baked lamb, two daily specials, pasta dishes, a selection of fresh fish on a daily basis and mouth-watering steaks. Ta’ Kris also offers take-away service and special menus can be designed for all occasions. Ta’ Kris opens from Monday to Sunday, from 12.30pm till 11pm. Booking is recommended.

B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S

ST JULIAN’S

THE AVENUE

99

The Avenue, Gort Street, Paceville, St Julian’s

+356 2135 1753/+356 2137 8731

www.theavenuemalta.com

This award-winning restaurant has been a household name for over a decade and remains a regular favourite. Its versatile menu, friendly service and well-pitched prices all contribute to The Avenue’s strong appeal. Best known for pizza, freshly-prepared pasta or grills, or you could opt for succulent poultry and fresh fish – the menu is not only versatile but portions are generous. The Avenue started off 30 years ago as a snack bar and today encompasses three different sections, all with different character and décor: the arusticstyled room, the elegant ‘Valentino’ section and the more informal and colourful segment.

This venue is popular with locals as it’s good value for money. In fact, looking through the large, glass windows, one can see the place is always bustling with people and life. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Includes two hours free parking at the Portomaso car park all week. Delivery service to the surrounding areas is available.

PARANGA

InterContinental Malta, St. George's Bay, St Julian's, STJ 3310

+356 2376 5064 malta.fnb@ihg.com malta.intercontinental.com/gastronomy/paranga Paranga is the hotel’s seaside restaurant, set on teak decking adjacent to the rippling Mediterranean Sea. Here one is certain to find an enticing and exclusive atmosphere where the centre of attention is the pristine and unspoiled natural flavour of the cuisine. Chef de Cuisine Claudio Farrugia presents a menu characterised by a superb array of stimulating and diverse Sicilian flavours interpreted in both a traditional and contemporary style. Fresh fish and shellfish arrive daily from local fishermen, creating, with certainty, a peak of individual interest or the ideal fare for a special occasion. All of which may be enjoyed with an ideally selected and impeccably paired wine, aperitif or digestif.

ZEST

Hotel Juliani, 25, St George’s Road, St Julian’s

+356 2138 7600

www.zestflavours.com

info@zestflavours.com

Opened over 15 years ago as Malta’s first Asian fusion restaurant, Zest’s menu will take you on an exciting culinary journey. Get swept off your feet with delectable dishes from Zest’s signature Indonesian beef rendang, to lobster Phad Thai, 48hour short rib of beef with coconut puree and milk chocolate praline panna cotta with salted popcorn. At Zest, no attention to detail is spared including the décor and design that elevates one’s dining experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

Original architectural details and attractive features, including a sea view balcony, open wine cellar and a live-cooking sushi bar, are sure to leave a lasting impression. For an extraordinary dining experience in one of Malta’s most-talked about restaurants, why not add a little Zest?

TA’ XBIEX

THE GALLEY

+356 2131 8801

Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, XBX 1028 Ta’ Xbiex thegalley@artisanfoods.com.mt

The Galley Restaurant overlooks the stunning Marsamxett Harbour, enjoying spectacular views of the Valletta skyline. Adjacent to the Royal Malta Yacht Club and yacht marina, this stylish restaurant offers staple popular dishes and seasonal specials, including premium meats, fish, pizza, pasta and light snacks at lunch time. The venue interior emulates a beach house with good, natural light and soft furnishings, and the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. There is ample parking space available, and with good proximity to neighbouring Sliema and Valletta it is well serviced by public transport. The Galley is especially popular during weekends so booking is recommended.

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A I R M A LTA N E W S

EVENTS & NEWS

from Malta’s National Airline The following pages will give you an insight on what’s going on at Air Malta.

The behind-the-scenes and highlights of past months and forthcoming ones. Malta’s national airline tells it like it is, ensuring all Air Malta passengers are well-informed while soaring high in the sky.

MONICA BELLUCCI TRAVELS ON AIR MALTA

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ir Malta Capt. Alessandro Muscat (left) and First Officer Matthew Warrington got a nice surprise on their last flight of the year when Italian actress and fashion model Monica Bellucci flew on the airline’s flight from Rome to Malta. She began her career as a fashion model, modelling for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Dior where she caught the eye of film producers both in Italy and later Hollywood. She is often considered among the most beautiful women in the world. She came to Malta to spend her Christmas holidays together with her family on the islands.

A I R M A LTA N E W S

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AIR MALTA CELEBRATES ITS INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO COMISO

Picture shows Giorgio Cappello, CEO of Comiso Airport celebrating together with the crew and other Air Malta officials upon arrival of the flight from Malta.

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ir Malta recently inaugurated its newly scheduled service to Comiso in Sicily. The twice weekly scheduled service offers an idyllic weekend getaway to one of the most beautiful and intriguing destinations in the Mediterranean. The launch of this route continues to enhance Air Malta’s position as the leading carrier connecting the islands to important regions in Europe and across the Mediterranean.

To celebrate this inaugural flight Air Malta organised a cake cutting ceremony for its clients. Hon Dr Konrad Mizzi - Minister for Tourism, Mr Joseph Galea, Acting CEO Air Malta, Mr Leslie Vella, Deputy to the CEO of Malta Tourism Authority and Mr Alex Cardona Manager of Traffic Development at Malta International Airport were in attendance.

Dr Mizzi, Minister for Tourism stated that this inaugural flight to Comiso is part of Air Malta’s new model in line with the current growth strategy that has been adopted by the National Carrier.

Flying to Comiso will provide Air Malta with the possibility to tap into a new catchment area and explore new markets. The new scheduled service to Comiso offers ideal connectivity to other points on the Air Malta network options and facilitates travel by air for all the communities residing in the Ragusa region.

The inaugural celebrations continued in Comiso where upon touch down the aircraft received a ceremonial water canon salute by the Airport Authorities to commemorate the new service. Passengers were given a warm welcome and greeted by a live brass band that played an array of Christmas songs. A cake-cutting ceremony was organised inside the terminal in the presence of Comiso Airport Management, the flight crew and Air Malta personnel to celebrate the launch of this new route.

Mr Giorgio Cappello, Chief Executive Officer of Comiso Airport stated during his speech that Comiso Airport is looking forward to collaborate with Air Malta to promote this new route and that Air Malta’s investment in Comiso airport is strategic. The introduction of this service is expected to create new opportunities for both Comiso Airport and Air Malta especially where connecting travel is involved. It is now possible to reach via Malta any destination in Europe and the Middle East at competitive fares". The Maltese National carrier, based in the centre of the Mediterranean, will offer South-East Sicily residents an additional form of efficient air travel through its international network.

The schedule is operating as follows: Friday, Sunday KM594 DEP MALTA

20:30

ARR LISBON

21:10

KM595 DEP COMISO

22:00

ARR MALTA

22:40

Comiso is surrounded by the municipalities of Chiaramonte Gulfi, Ragusa and Vittoria. The city of Comiso and the neighbouring towns and villages offer spectacular scenery and impressive landmarks. Wandering through the streets and cobbled lanes of Comiso, visitors are intrigued by the baroque architecture which is present throughout the entire city. Discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Site towns of Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience which takes any traveller on a unique journey to ancient civilisations. The municipality of Ragusa is renowned for an exceptional cuisine through simple dishes characterised by authentic taste of tradition. Comiso is home to a great number of Michelin star restaurants and the culinary activity of the region is placed among the first thirty Italian cities in the chart of high quality food and wines.

Customers can book flights through www.airmalta.com, by calling Air Malta’s Call Centre on +356 21662211, from Air Malta sales office at Malta International Airport or from Travel Agents in Malta and Italy.

01.

AIR MALTA AWARDS THE BEST AS IT ENTERTAINS THE REST

O

n the 1st of December Air Malta hosted its Annual Trade Award ceremony to celebrate the sales achievements of local travel agents and to thank them for their continuous support and collaboration throughout the year.

During this award ceremony Britannia Services were awarded Air Malta’s Top Travel Agent for 2016/2017. This agency managed to successfully win this award for the fifth consecutive year.

It was a very close call between Britannia Services and FCM Travel Solutions who yet again managed to win the runner up award. Kirton Travel are the Top Corporate Seller for the fourth consecutive year with the runner up being A.von Brockdorff. SMS Mondial Group won this year’s Best Year on Year Sales Achiever award, with United Travel winning the runner up award.

Mr Joseph Galea, Air Malta Acting Chief Executive Officer presented the main winners with exclusive framed prints depicting iconic Maltese architectural heritage designed by it-Torri l-Aћmar.

Attending this event was also the Hon Minister for Tourism Dr Konrad Mizzi, who spoke about the airline’s plans to grow its operations, together with Mr Paul Sies, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer and other senior Air Malta officials.

Next year the Maltese airline will be launching seven new routes 02.

and this event was an excellent opportunity to exchange views and discuss sales and marketing initiatives for 2018.

The local travel trade has always supported Air Malta and it is no surprise that the national carrier is one of the preferred airline amongst their loyal customer base. Air Malta is committed to further strengthen its relationship with the travel agents community and provide win-win opportunities for both.

The winners of Air Malta’s Travel Agents Awards 2016 are: Britannia Services Ltd – Top Travel Agent 2016/7 FCM Travel – 1st Runner up Top Travel Agent 2016/7 Kirton Travel – Top Corporate Seller 2016/7 A. von Brockdorff – 1st Runner up Top Corporate Seller 2016/7 SMS Mondial Group - Best Year on Year Sales Achiever 2016/7 United Travel – 1st Runner up Best Year on Year Sales Achiever from Kirton Travel and Mr Joseph Galea – Acting CEO Airmalta

01. Mr Paul Sies - From left, Chief Commercial Officer, Hon Dr Konrad Mizzi Minister for Tourism, Mr Noel Farrugia from Britannia Services and Mr Joseph Galea - Acting CEO. 02. The Malta Sales Team

A I R M A LTA N E W S

103

AIR MALTA SIGNS COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH GWU

Minister for Tourism Dr Konrad Mizzi (5th right) together with Air Malta’s Chairman Dr Charles Mangion (6th right) and President Emeritus Dr George Abela (8th right) with senior officials from Air Malta and the General Workers Union after signing the agreement.

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ir Malta has signed a five year Collective Agreement with the GWU for the Ground Handling staff. This is the third out of five collective agreements that the airline has managed to successfully conclude in recent weeks and which will also see the hiving off the ground handling operations into a new company.

Air Malta Chairman Dr Charles Mangion stated this agreement was reached following intensive discussions and negotiations with union representatives.

The employees understood that the changes and proposals presented to them in the new collective agreement not only guaranteed a future for the company but presented them with job security. Hiving off the Ground handling services will pave the way for new investment in the new company which is expected to effectively increase productivity, flexibility and efficiency.

If these three important elements are present the company can become competitive and ultimately grow with the possibility of more employees securing a full time employment.

GWU President Josef Vella said that the negotiations were more than intensive because discussions were not only limited to the collective agreement in general but as a union they had to explain to their members that the

ground service operations were to be hived off and transfered to a separate company. He stated the GWU officials were after solutions that were in the best interest of their members. This five year collective agreement is going to guarantee the employment, take home pay, seniority, conditions and all benefits presently enjoyed by the employees.

These conditions will be retained and transferred to the new company.

It is very important to note that conditions have actually been improved and the shareholder guaranteed part time employees full time employment with the new company. He highlighted the fact that new collective agreement was welcomed overwhelmingly by the members and it is corroborated by the fact that only 2 % of the members voted against it.

Speaking at the signing President Emeritus Dr George Abela remarked that the GWU was once again a protagonist in the effective restructuring process of Air Malta. This meaningful restructuring

by GWU together with the employees is very beneficial for the future of the National carrier. Hiving off the ground services operation is precisely an effective measure that will enable Air Malta to concentrate on its core business. Even though the new company is not set up as yet it is imperative that a new collective agreement was negotiated to safe guard

the interests and conditions of the employees that will be transferred to the new company.

Tourism Minister Dr Konrad Mizzi, said that today’s agreement is very significant as it is creating the right foundations between Air Malta, the shareholder and the employees to set up a new company which will be named Air Malta Aviation services. He stated that Air Malta ground handling operations will be hived off into the new company by means of a transfer of business. The government will be in a position to invest 5 million euros on new equipment. Through this investment the ground handling company will become more productive and in a position to win new contracts. Air Malta Aviation services will follow the same growth model that has been adopted by Air Malta and which will translate into more opportunities for the employees. Dr Mizzi concluded that all these agreements and changes are in line with the current strategy which is expected to see the Airline break even by end of March 2018.

This collective agreement guaranteed full time employment with Government to all the employees should the sale of the Ground Handling company to a private entity take place in the future. Early Retirement Scheme and a Voluntary Early Retirement also form part of this new collective agreement.

10 4

A I R M A LTA N E W S

VALLETTA 2018: THE FESTA IS UNDER WAY!

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alletta is officially European Capital of Culture following our Opening Celebrations held last month on the 20th January. The Opening Celebrations were centred around four major squares in Valletta and this musical and visual extravaganza paved the way to a fantastic year in which all of Malta and Gozo will get to participate in our islandwide festa, a year-long celebration packed with over 400 events. To mark Valletta 2018’s opening, a spectacular week of exhibitions, community-led activities, literature, music and much more drew crowds to the streets of Valletta between the 14th and the 21st of January for a lively festival dedicated to the rich culture of our treasured capital city.

Our celebration does not end here – our Cultural Programme is now in full swing and February will bring along with it a series of events for the entire family to enjoy. One cannot mention February without mentioning our much-awaited Carnival – this year happening between the 9th and the 13th of February.

This colourful event is celebrated across the Maltese Islands, with the boldest and brightest activities centred in the capital city of Valletta. For four days, the city’s historic streets come to life with marching bands, fancy dress competitions, dancers in elaborate costume, and carnival float parades featuring all manner of impressive handmade floats, to the delight of the thousands of children and adults who participate in this fantastic display of revelry.

On the 24th and 25th of February, Żebbuġ will be hosting an enchanting performance, offering audiences a unique experience in contemporary shadow theatre, accompanied by

live music. In Años Luz we meet Lady Di Fusa, a composer who finds inspiration for her next musical score on awaking from a deep sleep. As she plays, lights, shadows and colours begin to shape a touching story about two puppets that come to life.

The month of February will be a music lover’s delight. The Other Europeans, happening on the 3rd of February at St Agatha’s Auditorium in Rabat will feature fourteen leading klezmer (Yiddish) and lautari (Roma) musicians, uniting to lead a multi-cultural musical experience. Experimental Italian band Mokadelic prepare to unleash a heady mix of ambient, post-rock and neo-psychedelic sounds in Mokadelic perform Gomorrah on the 23rd and 24th in the Valletta Campus Theatre, together with experimental Maltese band Eyes to Argus who will be opening for the legendary main act, bringing to bear their signature fluid, dreamy soundscapes. Icon Island, happening on the 17th February at the Salesians’ Theatre in Sliema is a project

by Virgil Widrich, an Austrian film-maker and director known for his experimental films and multimedia works. Carefully selected images will be projected as a ‘live’ mix, accompanied by an improvised electronic music performance by Maltese artist Sonitus Eco. Valletta 2018’s major visual exhibition, Dal-Baħar Madwarha, will be opening in March. The exhibition, curated by Maren Richter, will showcase the works of more established and emerging local and international artists, and will explore the idea of “islandness” in playful and critical ways.

For more information on how you can participate, and to discover the Valletta 2018 Cultural Programme, visit www.valletta2018.org.

A I R M A LTA N E W S

105

AIR MALTA SIGNS COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNION OF CABIN CREW

From left: Ivan Cilia – Secretary General UCC, Noel Mercieca – President UCC, Cpt Alex Muscat - Chief Officer Flight Operations, Dr George Abela - President Emeritus, Dr Konrad Mizzi – Minister For Tourism , Dr Charles Mangion – Air Malta Chairman, Joseph Galea – Acting CEO, Roberto Cristiano – Chief Officer HR.

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ir Malta recently signed a five-year Collective Agreement with the Union of Cabin Crew (UCC). This is the second out of five collective agreements the airline has concluded in recent weeks.

Air Malta Chairman Dr Charles Mangion described this agreement as, “Striking the right balance” between the interests of the employees and the airline. “This agreement fits perfectly with our new business plan that focuses on the airline’s growth strategy and increased revenue. It gives our employees opportunities to grow with the airline and operate in the cutthroat aviation market,” said Dr Mangion.

members, the airline and its customers.

Speaking at the signing, President Emeritus Dr George Abela noted that this agreement gives a strong message of “A generational change”. He added: “Over the years there were various instances that tilted the balance towards the employees and some work practices didn’t fit with the realities of today and didn’t benefit the airline and its customers”. He said that this agreement is the first step towards this generational change and which seeks to improve work practices, rostering, and services offered to passengers. He further said that this agreement honours the Union and its members and augurs well for the future.

UCC President Noel Mercieca praised the agreement which he said the committee has been working on for the last six years.

He said that the union has agreed to a number of changes to increase flexibility and productivity and added that the union will continue working for the benefit of its

Tourism Minister Dr Konrad Mizzi, said that today’s agreement is a “Strategic partnership” between Air Malta and the Union. “This is a win-win agreement in which the airline has offered a fair package whilst the union has agreed to change work practices,” commented Dr Mizzi. “This

agreement is an important building block of our growth strategy for the airline and I am happy to note that we are on the right track,” added the Minister.

Ongoing discussions are underway with the General Workers' Union and the Airline Pilots Union and the airline is expecting to conclude negotiations with all unions in the coming days.

The agreement sees airline’s cabin crew get a 19% wage increase that is spread over five years (5%, 1.5%, 5%, 1.5%, 5%). The agreement also sees the airline operating with new roster and minimum crew requirements. This will not only ensure increased efficiency, productivity and flexibility but also better servicing of the airline’s guests since all service on board will now be the prerogative of the company.

The company has also guaranteed the take-home pay and will be issuing an Early Retirement scheme.

10 6

A I R M A LTA N E W S

AIR MALTA CHRISTMAS STAFF PARTY 2017

A

01.

02.

03.

04.

05.

06.

07.

08.

09.

10.

11.

ir Malta staff and management attended the annual Christmas party organised by Team Air Malta, the airline’s Sports and Social committee.

The event was organised at the Cheeky Monkey Gastropub in Qawra.

The party was open to all Air Malta staff members and paid for by those who attended.

Pictures from left show: 1. Emanuel Abela, Manolo Baldacchino, Shatiazan Zarb, Carl Azzopardi, Terrance Abdilla and Joseph Zammit 2. Vanessa Muscat and Kathleen Saliba 3. Mihai Savescu, Antoine Vella, LeeAnn Bugeja, Monica Borg, Sandro Pisani, Pauline Coleiro, Godwin Aquilina, Ivan Scicluna.

4. Rodianne Mcintyre, Johann Azzopardi, Clifton Gatt, Jeanpaul Psaila 5. Noel Mercieca and Air Malta CEO Joseph Galea 6. Joseph Cheney, Terence Abdilla, David Grech, Tonio D’Amato, Carl Azzopardi, Charles Farrugia, Ivan Chetcuti and Noel Simmonds.

7. Passenger Handling staff group.

8. Daniela Aquilina, Fiona Mercieca 9. Vanessa Muscat, Kathleen Saliba and Chiara Farrugia.

10. Kathleen Saliba, Elizabeth Falzon, Alison Galea.

11. Airport operations staff.

A I R M A LTA N E W S

IL-BIZZILLA TALKS TO VANESSA MUSCAT CABIN CREW HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH AIR MALTA?

Next month marks my 20th year at Air Malta.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR JOB?

Dynamic, interactive and ambassadorial.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR JOB?

Personally, the most challenging part of my job is adjusting my sleeping pattern actually I don't think I have one anymore.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?

I enjoy travelling as well as organising social activities of any kind. I also happen to be part of Team Air Malta which is the airline's social club. We hold fundraising activities for various charities as well as staff parties for all of our colleagues.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION AND WHY?

My favourite destination for a short trip is London due to its diversity. There one can

find anything from fantastic entertainment, top attractions, lovely museums, charming coffee shops and tearooms, to never-ending shopping areas, markets, parks and a few secret gardens. Outside of Europe, I'm very much attracted to Central and South America especially countries like Costa Rica and Argentina. Majestic landscapes and traditional architecture are what I mostly look for when choosing my travel destinations.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS OR TIPS FOR ANYONE VISITING MALTA?

Sunday mornings are to be spent at the market in Marsaxlokk and complemented with lunch at one of the local restaurants.

I highly recommend a trip to Rabat, my favourite local city, followed by a stroll in the Silent City of Mdina. Our beautiful sister island of Gozo has a lot to offer too!

Visit it for a full day or if you have time stay for longer at one of the idyllic Bed and Breakfasts or farmhouses available. No trip to Malta is complete without visiting our amazing capital city Valletta, especially since this year we are celebrating it as the European Capital of Culture.

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10 8

I N F L I G H T I N F O R M AT I O N

FLIGHT & COMPANY INFORMATION SURVEY: Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance at Air Malta and we are always looking for ways to improve your experience.

Visit our website to answer a few short questions. www.airmalta.com/wearelistening

NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to our newsletter or like our Facebook page to learn about our promotions, with fares starting from as low as €44 including taxes.

Visit www.airmalta.com for more information.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

SMOKING

Alcohol consumed at high altitude can have a stronger effect than usual. Cabin crew are legally empowered to refuse serving any alcohol to an intoxicated passenger and to anyone under the age of 18. In extreme cases, crew may also temporarily confiscate the passenger‘s own drinks so that the passenger would not become a nuisance to the other passengers and crew. Furthermore, Air Malta is bound by international regulations which prohibit embarkation or the carriage of drunken passengers. But once you are reading this article, Air Malta‘s Flight Safety Committee is confident that you are a law-abiding and exemplary passenger. Indeed, the cabin crew may need your assistance to restrain another passenger in the unlikely event that he or she may act irresponsibly during the flight. The consumption of one’s own alcoholic beverages inflight goes against Air Malta policy.

Smoking is prohibited from when you leave the terminal building until you arrive to the terminal building. Smoking is allowed in designated areas only. Smoking is not allowed during any phase of the flight and in any area of the aircraft. Should you be aware of a passenger who has smoked in the toilet during the flight, please inform the cabin crew immediately so that they can check for any undetected fires. The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) not allowed on board Air Malta flights.

Similarly, the use of naked flames on and around the aircraft is also prohibited.

I N F L I G H T I N F O R M AT I O N

AIR MALTA FLEET

ENHANCE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE At Air Malta, we want our passengers to have everything they need to make their travel experience comfortable in one place. Here are a number of services that we offer.

JOIN OUR BUSINESS CLASS Upgrade to Air Malta’s Club Class for priority service.

Members can make use of the special check-in counters for more leisurely and efficient boarding, enjoy access to the La Valette Lounge at Malta International Airport, and get more privacy with a separate inflight cabin area.

AIRBUS 319 CARRY MORE WITH YOU Are you worried about not being able to fit everything you need into your suitcase? Stop stressing out and check out our extra baggage service. Simply book your extra baggage online and get the most out of your trip. Visit www.airmalta. com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.

QTY: 1 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 141 ENGINES: CFM56-5B6/P MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT: 73.5 METRIC TONS OVERALL LENGTH: 33.84M

FLY IN COMFORT Enhance your comfort with extra legroom during your flight.

This option gives you more space to relax in preparation for your trip. Visit www.airmalta.com/information/services-by-airmalta/seat-selection or more information.

WINGSPAN: 34.1M CRUISING SPEED: 834 KPH RANGE: 4,815 KM

GET SPORTY Are you passionate about a sport? We make it easy to travel and take your specialised equipment with you at a very minimal cost. Visit www.airmalta.com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.

GROUPS

AIRBUS 320

We also cater for large groups who want to travel together. If your group is larger than 10 adults, contact our Group Bookings team for special rates that you can’t get anywhere else. Email groups@airmalta.com for more information.

QTY: 7 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 168/180 ENGINES: IAE V2500/ CFM565B4/P MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT:

WEB CHECK-IN Skip the line and check-in before you get to the airport. You may check-in online before you get to the airport, up to 24 hours prior to departure up until one hour before your flight.

Visit www.airmalta.com/information/check-in for more information.

77.0 METRIC TONS OVERALL LENGTH: 37.57M WINGSPAN: 34.1M CRUISING SPEED: 834 KPH RANGE: 4,055 KM

destination information

finland SWEDEN

RUSSIA

NORWAY • Oslo • Tallinn

Stockholm

ESTONIA LATVIA • Riga

DENMARK • Copenhagen

UNITED KINGDOM

REP. OF IRELAND

LITHUANIA

• Moscow

Vilnius •

BELARUS • Bremen

Birmingham • • Berlin Bristol • • Amsterdam • London City London Heathrow • • Hannover HOLLAND • London Gatwick GERMANY • Brussels BELGIUM • Düsseldorf • Dresden

Luxembourg

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly •

Lyon •

• Frankfurt

CZECH REPUBLIC

SWITZERLAND

Milan • Verona •

Genoa •

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA CROATIA Trieste •

• Venice • Bologna

• Otopani

BOSNIA & SERBIA HERZEGOVINA

Florence • Pisa •

BULGARIA

• Ancona ITALY • Pescara

SPAIN

MONTENEGRO

KOSOVO F.Y.r.O.M.

• Rome Alghero •

MOLDOVA

• Budapest

HUNGARY

• Geneva

• Nice

SLOVAKIA

• Vienna

AUSTRIA

• Zurich

Turin •

Marsille •

UKRAINE

• Prague

• Munich

FRANCE

• Warsaw

POLAND

• Bari • Brindisi ALBANIA

• Olbia Naples • • Cagliari

• Sofia • Istanbul

TURKEY GREECE

Lamezia Terme • Reggio Calabria • Catania Comiso •

Palermo • Tunis •

TUNISIA

Larnaca •

CYPRUS

Malta Tel Aviv •

ISRAEL

ALGERIA

LIBYA

EGYPT

AIR MALTA DIRECT FLIGHTS AIRPORT

IRAN

WEEKLY FLIGHTS

Amsterdam Brussels Catania Comiso Düsseldorf Frankfurt London Gatwick London Heathrow Milan Moscow

• Abu Dhabi

6 8 14 2 2 3 7 14 7 2

AIRPORT

WEEKLY FLIGHTS

Munich Palermo Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly Rome Tel Aviv Tunis Vienna Zurich

13 2 6 4 13 3 (forthnight) 3 8 6

OMAN

SAUDI ARABIA

CODE-SHARED ROUTES ETIHAD AIRWAYS

• BRISBANE

Abu Dhabi

Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney

ALITALIA via Brussels, Heathrow and Rome via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi

LUFTHANSA

australia

• Sydney

• Melbourne

Arlanda (Stockholm) via Munich Berlin via Munich Bremen via Munich Dresden via Munich Düsseldorf via Munich Frankfurt Hannover via Munich Munich Oslo via Munich

BRUSSELS AIRLINES Brussels Copenhagen

via Catania via Brussels

CZECH AIRLINES Prague

Rome London City Frankfurt Pescara Alghero Cagliari Brindisi Catania Amsterdam Nice Geneva Ancona Reggio Calabria Lamezia Terme Naples Bologna Trieste Genoa Turin Venice Verona Cagliari Bari Brindisi Pisa Florence Palermo Milan Linate

via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome

• Perth

SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES Zurich

australia

Budapest Otopeni (Buc) Prague Sofia Warsaw

EMIRATES Larnaca

AIRBALTIC Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Tallinn Vilnius Vilnius

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna

MERIDIANA via Vienna via Munich via Brussels via Frankfurt via Amsterdam via London Gatwick via Amsterdam via Munich via Amsterdam

Olbia Naples

TURKISH AIRLINES Istanbul

via Rome via Catania

11 2

E L E C T R O N I C D E V I C E I N F O R M AT I O N

USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON BOARD TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

NON-TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

Any devices that can send or receive data by wireless means, such as mobile-phones and tablets, may be used during all phases of the flight provided their transmit/receive capabilities (e.g. Bluetooth and Wi-fi) are switched off. Alternatively, if the device has ‘Flight Mode’ capability, this must be enabled. Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices (e.g. laptops) shall be switched off and stowed away safely during taxi, takeoff and landing. Accessories, such as headphones, must not obstruct access to the aisle. If the data transmission capability cannot be switched off (whilst the device is operating), the device itself must be switched off for the duration of the flight.

These could include, but are not limited to, items such as DVD players, electronic games, music players and personal cameras.

Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices shall be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing.

L APTOPS AND NOTEBOOKS Such devices may be used during boarding and during flight but not during taxi, take-off and landing.

Any built-in data connectivity such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi must be disabled.

These devices must be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing since they could hinder an emergency evacuation.

ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT USE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES?

CAN I USE HEADPHONES? Personal headphones can be used during all phases of the flight.

However, we ask you to remove your headphones during the safety briefing.

For safety reasons, customers sitting in an emergency exit row must refrain from using headphones during taxi, take-off and landing.

Under certain circumstances, your Flight Crew or Cabin Crew may ask you to switch off all Personal Electronic Devices. This may happen during automatic landings, low visibility takeoff or landing, or during emergency situations.

I SHOULD INFORM THE CABIN CREW WHEN … … portable electronic device is damaged, becomes hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure. If safe to do so, the device must be switched off immediately.

If you require more information, please refer to the table below which includes a list of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) which can be used onboard Air Malta flights by phase of flight. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our cabin crew if you have any further questions.

PHASE

Boarding

HAND HELD PEDS (e.g. smart phones and tablets)

LARGER PEDS

(e.g. laptops and notebooks)

HEADPHONES

WI-FI, TEXT & PHONE CALL FUNCTIONS

YES

YES

YES

YES

instructed by Flight Crew or Cabin Crew)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Taxi-out for Take-Off

YES

NO

YES

NO

During Safety Briefing Demonstration

YES

NO

NO

NO

Take-Off

YES

NO

YES

NO

Cruise

YES

YES

YES

NO

(Cabin Crew PA)

YES

NO

YES

NO

Landing

YES

NO

YES

NO

Taxi to Stand

YES

NO

YES

YES

Extended Ground Delay (when

Circa 10 minutes to landing

Safety Notice: The carriage of damaged, defective or recalled lithuim batteries or devices is prohibited on-board Air Malta aircraft.

Gozo, the most rewarding extra mile.

Tal-MerĹźuq Hill, photo by Daniel Cilia