Il-Bizzilla, August 2017

#56 AUGUST 2017

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

Best Snorkelling Sites in malta p.66 Time to gear up and discover a whole new world.

Talk of the Town p.58 Take a look at Malta's sister island - the picturesque Gozo.

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#56 AUGUST 2017

Contents

38

10 . m a lta & g o z o i n n u m b e r s Facts and figures about the Maltese Islands.

51

14 . P H OTOS YOU NEE D TO TA K E W H ILE IN MALTA

Snap a shot in Malta’s most picturesque sites.

2 1 . T H E SUR V I VAL GUI D E TO AUGUST IN MALTA

If you’re feeling hot and flustered, follow this guide and discover Malta like a pro.

24 . H IG H F LY ING D ENTISTR Y Addressing Complex Case Scenarios.

26 . W H ERE T H E SUN D ON ’ T S H INE Malta’s Underground World; a trip to our ancestor’s surroundings.

78

3 1 . MALTESE STREET F OO D

Take a bite out of life, Maltese Street food rocks.

32 . W H AT ’ S H A P P ENING IN MALTA A collection of events to keep you occupied this month.

3 8 . Sh a k e n , n o t s t i r r e d

An interview with Matthew Mallia stirs up a discussion.

4 4 . LET ’ S GO TO TUNISIA

Air Malta’s new destination; a focus on Tunisia and all it has to offer.

51 . WATER A DV ENTURE

Head to the sea with a thirst for adventure.

5 4 . K EE P ING F IT IN YOUR H OTEL ROOM

Burn some calories while on holiday – keep on track this August.

5 8 . TAL K O F T H E TO W N

This month we’re focusing on Gozo – the sister island with so much natural beauty.

62 . ISLAN D H IG H LIG H TS

Here’s what not to miss while visiting the Maltese Islands.

6 6 . BEST SNOR K ELLING SITES IN MALTA

Time to gear up and discover a whole new world.

85

6

74 . TRA D ITIONAL MALTESE INSTRUMENTS A focus on the music that shaped Maltese culture.

78 . T H E MAGI C AL ISLAN D

A fiction piece that tells the tale of an Australian family in Gozo.

78 . A n o s ta l g i c t r i p

We're all going on a summer holiday.

82 . NATURAL AUGUST

Flora, fauna and anything natural. August’s beauty beckons.

8 5 . A c r o s s r oa d s o f c u lt u r e a n d fa i t h

The fine line where heritage meets religion.

8 9. H EALING AN D A DV ENTURES W IT H H ORSES An alternative form of therapy with our four-legged friends.

92 . T H E P I C K U P Q UEEN O F MALTA Keeping Malta clean in an organised fashion.

9 5 . RESTAURANT & BAR GUI D E

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

10 0 . a i r m a lta n e w s

A round-up of this month’s news.

107. i n t e r v i e w

Il-Bizzilla talks to Nicky Camilleri Kelly.

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

All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.

110 . d e s t i n at i o n i n f o r m at i o n

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

112 . ELEC TRONIC DE VICE INFORMATION All the information you need with regards to phone, laptop and tablet usage onboard.

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8

#56 AUGUST 2017

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

Best Snorkelling Sites in malta p.66 Time to gear up and discover a whole new world.

Talk of the Town p.58 Take a look at Malta's sister island - the picturesque Gozo.

ON THE Cover Snorkelling in crystal blue water in Comino.

Meet the Team Editorial and DESIGN TBWA\ANG Executive Editor Kristina Cassar Dowling Sales and Business Development Renata Vella Contributors Air Malta Alessia Caruana Antoine Borg Micallef Ben Mifsud Joslin David Mallia Edward Borg Francesca Balzan Helen Raine

Jean Paul Demajo Mark Debono Martin Antoine Spiteri Mike Sweet Paul Vassallo TCD Teodor Reljic Tia Reljic Valletta Waterfront Veronica Stivala Victor Paul Borg Wayne Flask Photography Alfredo Allais Gino Galea Ted Attard Victor Paul Borg

Would you like to be featured on il-Bizzilla?

For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with Renata on (+356) 2142 4924 or renata@contentfactory.com.mt.

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 at press time, 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.

10

FROM THE CEO...

F ROM T H E e d i to r . . .

Merħba, we welcome you on board this Air

we listen to the needs of our guests and

If you were to ask any Maltese resident

Malta flight. We are truly delighted that

endeavor at not only meeting but even

the best word to describe August, a large

you have chosen Air Malta as your airline to

exceeding their expectations. Read more

majority of their answers would be ‘hot’.

travel to and from Malta. Your continuous

about this news and other Air Malta items

Yes, August is hot but there’s so much to

support and loyalty is the driving force

on page 100.

do to cool down after a day’s work or at the weekend.

behind our 43 years of success and we are determined to remain at the forefront

For more information about Air Malta and

of the industry, through the launch of an

our flight schedules please visit www.

It’s a given that jumping into the crystal

upcoming series of innovative products that

airmalta.com, www.facebook.com/

clear water will elevate your mood and

we have planned for you.

AirMalta and join our newsletter mailing

refresh your senses. Let’s focus on the

list to receive great offers directly in your

senses. The colours of Malta in August

August is our busiest month, not just for

inbox. We do not want you to miss out on

are stunning; be it a warm orange hue in

us at Air Malta, but for the local tourism

our unique offers. Therefore, in order to

the form of a sunset or the deep blue that

industry. This month is, for many of our

receive early notice of our promotions be

engulfs your vision on a boat trip – your

guests, the perfect period to take that

sure to sign-up to our newsletter.

eyes are in for a treat. What about the sounds and smells? Well, that takes me

much awaited break and spend some quality time with their loved ones abroad.

At Air Malta we are customer driven

straight to festa time – namely Santa Maria

Our Islands have a lot to offer during the

and always keen to know your views to

weekend in Gozo, where fireworks fill up

month of August. A varied mix of cultural

improve your Air Malta flight experience.

the skies, with colour bombs and out of this

and traditional activities are in full swing.

Visit www.airmalta.com/wearelistening

world patterns that result in an aroma of

These reach their peak on the 15 August,

to answer a few short questions about

smokey summer scents.

marking the popular religious feast of Santa

your experience with us, and you can also

Marija that is celebrated with pomp in

get 10% off your next Air Malta flight. It

It might be cliché but August is the month

eight different localities across the Islands.

really only takes 2 minutes!

that most eagerly screams Gozo, this might be a personal feeling but Gozo feels like

This annual celebration, together with the numerous parties and other activities that

Air Malta is much more than just an airline.

home during this time. We’ve decided to

go on throughout the days, and nights, truly

Did you know that Air Malta provides a

focus on Gozo as our local spot of focus this

make August a month to remember.

unique and dedicated service to fly all local

month. Even though, a few pages in this

medical cases from Malta to hospitals

magazine will not do our beautiful sister

At Air Malta we are also enjoying summer,

abroad for treatment? Wherever you are

island justice, we’ve highlighted some key

however we have been busy opening up

flying to or from, I hope you have a great

spots to visit on your trip.

new routes and preparing for our winter

flight with the Airline of the Maltese Islands.

This month, open your eyes to the wonder,

2017/18 flight schedule. Last month we successfully re-started flying to Tunis,

Thank you for choosing Air Malta. As our

take a deep breath while at sea and listen to

once again connecting the islands to North

welcomed guest we hope to see you on-

the rural yet vibrant life that makes Gozo a

Africa. We have also announced our return

board another one of our flights soon.

magical island.

to the German city of Frankfurt and our services will resume as from this October.

Preparations to refresh our product range and services are currently underway as

Joseph Galea Acting CEO Air Malta

Have a safe flight,

Kristina

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PASSENGERS CARRIED ONBOARD AIR MALTA FLIGHTS:

SINCE 1ST APRIL 1974

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MONUMENTS IN VALLET TA

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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

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DECL ARED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

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50,754,711

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14

GOZO

Top Summer Activities in Gozo PHOTO BY Ted Attard

15 August – the Feast of Santa Marija Summer is about the sizzling sun, blissful coastlines, and the wonderful Mediterranean dishes accompanied by local fruit, ripened to honey sweetness. The season is highlighted by the Gozitan festa. A colourful flow of uninterrupted weekends of band marches, religious processions, and fireworks that are the ultimate expression of local culture and identity, and that every visitor has to experience. The festa season peaks in midAugust when Victoria (Ir-Rabat) celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, also known as Santa Marija.

This, coinciding with the peak of the summer holiday season across Europe.

in Victoria. Indeed, Gozo can boast of two opera theatres which the enterprising people of the island built with much fervour, given their enshrined love for culture and the arts. This October will herald the staging of the Lucia di Lammermoor and the Cavalleria & Pagliacci.

Cavelleria Rusticana & Pagliacci – 14 October 2017, Aurora Opera House

The Santa Marija feast is held in very high esteem by the Maltese as it is connected to one of the most crucial historical moments during World War II, when food and fuel supplies arrived in Malta on the 15 August 1942 amid heavy bombardments, saving the islands from starvation. This gave Malta a lifeline of hope and for this reason the island has remained religiously grateful.

Outdoor festivities start on 8 August with an open-air concert by the Leone Band. This is when Victoria becomes the centre of festivities as the city dons its very best for the week-long celebrations that include the Santa Marija agrarian show at the Villa Rundle gardens and traditional horse races along Republic Street.

Lucia di Lammermoor – 26 and 28 October 2017, Astra Theatre

Upcoming Cultur al Events Gozo boasts a rich cultural calendar that includes three annual international music festivals, and three fully fledged operas with internationally renowned singers, staged at the two opera theatres

For more information about events visit www.visitgozo.com

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16

TRENDS

TRENDS

17

Photos you need to take when on the Maltese Islands WORDS BY Alessia Caruana

I

f you love to chase some fun while lapping up some Mediterranean sun (covered up in enough Sun Block to white wash your walls that is) Malta is definitely the place for you this Summer. If crystal blue waters and salty skin weren't already enough to get you booking tickets, the island's diverse history has blessed us with some of the most charming and monumental architecture of our time, so a full on feast for the eyes awaits all wandering travellers.

It is certainly no secret that every country has its fair share of photo landmarks; places to pull out your selfie stick and just have a ball (I'm trying not to judge you if you have one). You're on holiday, so it's time to be a tourist, you've earned it - God knows how much overtime you worked to get here anyway.

I find that one of the most iconic spots on the island to take a photo, is right in front of the Valletta skyline. Nothing says I've arrived in Malta like a photo bang in the centre of St Paul's Anglican cathedral and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church's Cupola. I suggest a morning shot if you want better exposure, because let's face it there's no better spotlight than the sun, but if you're looking for something a little dreamier, take the photo at night for that van Gogh Starry Night feel. Make your way to TignĂŠ, Sliema for this shot, buy an ice cream from a vendor close by and voila you're in postcard heaven.

Despite the Valletta skyline, potentially being the most recognizable view on the islands, I myself am a huge fan of the charming streets of Birgu; what I consider to be the beating heart of Malta's three cities. Nothing says Malta like a few locals shouting recipes out at each other from their balconies. There are colourful doors a plenty to stand in front of, and before you know it you have your next idyllic profile picture, you're welcome. Similar to the winding alleyways of Birgu, are the picturesque roads

18

TRENDS

of Mdina. Once frequented by horses and the great of Knights of St John, these bougainvillea strewn medieval pathways, are pivotal to Malta's history. Coming to Malta, and forgetting to tick Mdina off your list is like saying you went to Rome and missed the Vatican City. Unforgivable.

01. Valletta Skyline 02. ÄŚagar Qim 03. Spinola Bay, St Julians 04. Ta' Pinu Church, Gozo

If you haven't already noticed, Malta is surrounded by royal blue sea, so it's no secret that one of our most wellknown local delicacies, other than the glorious pastizzi is, fish. Plan an early Sunday trip to Marsaxlokk, and feast your eyes on the pride of every local; the weekly fisherman's market. Take a few snaps of the friendly fish-monger's catch, and then make your way to one of the seaside restaurants for a mouth-watering fresh lunch, it can't get more Maltese than that. If you're a fan of Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy eating seaside, then Spinola Bay has to be your next destination. Situated in the heart of St Julian's, this little bay is one of the oldest and most sought after parts of the locality. With its colorful lighting, and sparkling sea, it's no mystery this area is known for being one of the most romantic spots on the island. So make sure your mobile isn't out of battery by dinner because this place is definitely making it to your Instagram account.

03.

So make sure your mobile isn't out of battery by dinner because this place is definitely making it to your Instagram account

02.

Landscapes and seascapes aside, Malta also boasts some of the most historically wonderful interiors in Europe, namely the inside of our ecclesiastical pride and joy, St John's co-Cathedral. With its masterful Mattia Preti murals, and golden gilded baroque backdrops, this building is a match

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20

TRENDS

made in photographer heaven. Despite St John's garnering a lot of the touristic attention on the island, very few local and foreign landmarks compare to our triumphant Ħagar Qim Temples. Its archaeological remains date back to approximately 3600-3200 BCE, and if you're looking to tick a UNESCO world heritage site off your bucket list, then you've certainly come to the right place.

It wouldn't be fair to end this article before mentioning a few choice spots to visit in Gozo. Our beautiful sister island is as pretty as a picture, and if you're there for a day then make sure to stop by Xlendi for a quick dose of idyllic seaside living. It's surrounded by enough rock to make you think your GPS re-routed you to Cinque Terre instead, so get ready to strike a pose and say cheese. If you're lucky enough and have time to spare, then pull out your towel and go for a leisurely sun set stroll at Ramla l- Ħamra or if beaches aren't your thing, make your way to Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary to watch the sun go down from one of the highest points in Gozo.

04.

Just think of me as your designated Hop on Hop off tour bus driver around Malta and Gozo; I hope it's been a pleasant trip, now get out there and take some photos.

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A unique opportunity to acquire an impressive unconverted CORNER TOWNHOUSE in an excellent location with spectacular Grand Harbour views from all floors ▪ Wonderful original features throughout including high ceilings, a Maltese balcony, wooden beams & floortiles ▪ Grand entrance hall & staircase ▪ Central courtyard ▪ Dining room ▪ Living room ▪ Potential for 3/4 double bedrooms ▪ 2 bathrooms ▪ Large open plan area on the upper floor ideal as a kitchen/dining/living ▪ Permits in hand for a 75m2 room & the possibility of a roof top swimming pool

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A recently converted HOUSE OF CHARACTER in this popular traditional village ■ Many wonderful architectural features ■ Central courtyard ■ Hallway ■ Converted mill room (sitting room) ■ Dining room ■ Fully fitted kitchen/breakfast area ■ Living area ■ Mature garden ■ Large swimming pool with outdoor shower & toilet ■ Terraces - ideal for dining & entertaining ■ 4 bedrooms ■ 4 bathrooms (all en suite) ■ Laundry room ■ Close to the local piazza which has good parking facilities ■ Option to rent 2 car garage close by

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SURVIVAL GUIDE TO AUGUST IN MALTA

August in Malta is all sun and blue skies... but it's also as humid and sticky as it gets.

Teodor Reljic helps you navigate through the heady and not entirely unchallenging prospect of an August spent on the Maltese islands.

24

S U RVIV A L

S

o you've decided to take the plunge into Malta during the month of August, of all months. First of all, allow me to salute you. Because you seem to approach life under the influence of a heady brew of bravery or foolishness – adjust that ratio however you see fit; it's not my place to decide on which edge of that scale you fall under.

You see, August in Malta is not for the faint of heart. But at the same time, this scorching hot and humid month is also arguably the perfect representation of what Malta is all about – in all of its languid, lazy glory.

Now, if that ominous little intro has got you all scared... well, it should. But here are a few tips to ensure you don't end up trudging through the Maltese August like a sweaty ball of regret.

DO: H y dr ate the hell ou t of your self This applies all summer round in Malta, of course, but temperatures tend to rise to record-breaking peaks during August in particular, making that dehydration all the more pronounced and the need to keep chugging at that handy bottle of water all the more urgent. So yes, while the humidity and the gross bodily fluids you are likely to be emitting as you trudge your way through the public transport for some beach-relief may lead you think that 'more water' is exactly what you need right now... as it happens, yes – making sure you have enough water in your system, will at least alleviate some of the stresses that come with going from one corner of Malta to another during the blessed month of August.

– all of which intensifies come summer, when you lovely people come from every corner of the globe to soak in our sunkissed island, its romantic coastlines and historical sites. Which means that you not only have to factor in basic geographical size when planning your trips around Malta. You also have to factor in the blessed human element which, come August, has a tendency of reaching a sweaty, sticky apotheosis.

DON'T: M a ke ambitious daytr ip pl a ns First-comers to the island, I know what you're thinking. 'Malta's surface area isn't all that big at all, and even if it's rather warm we'd be able to get through most of it without breaking too torrential a sweat, right? Right?'

DO: Spend a ll day at the be ach We all used to love beach days during school, didn't we? Well, assuming you're here on holiday – you get to be that kid once again. Proximity to cool water at all times is one sure-fire way of hacking your way out of the discomforts of August.

Imagine that X-Factor 'NO' buzzer going off right now.

DON'T: Spend a ll day in the sun Please, don't be stupid. Like the basic hydrating point above, this is one thing you should avoid at all costs. Direct sunlight will be the death of you,

Malta is small, yes. But with that smallness, you also have to factor in overpopulation and traffic congestion

particularly in August-enveloped Malta, where the toxic mix of scalding sunlight and soupy humidity reigns supreme.

DO: Become noct ur na l So the logical thing to do, in these circumstances, is to embrace the darkness. But trust us – this isn't a gloomy proposition. We aren't asking you to skulk away and bolt the doors and go all Goth. What we're in fact suggesting is taking in the balmy evenings and the balmy nights that follow. With a few friends and a sizeable amount of cold beverages handy – and preferably, while remaining at the same beach you were at earlier – fun and memorable times are bound to be had.

DON'T: M a ke this your 'wor k' tr ip Frankly, Mr Globe-Trotting Remote Worker with the snazzy MacBook Air or whatever... you can kiss your productivity goodbye if you've decided to park your Digital Nomad behind in Malta, of all places, during the month

S U RVIV A L

of August. Yes, the clear blue skies (every day) may boost your morale upon waking, but as you sweat your way to the bathroom before even getting a chance to brush your teeth, you are likely to end up reconsidering that sizeable to-do list you packed for the trip...

And finally...

DO: Stick a round for Sa n ta M a r ija Occurring slap-bang in the middle of August, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, otherwise simply known as 'Santa Marija', is almost certainly the highlight of August. Celebrated in numerous villages in traditional-style festa format, it is also something of a peak for festa season. But you're just as likely to find certain streets and villages devoid of people, as its denizens use the holiday for a much-needed battery recharge at the peak of summer. And this endearing paradox pretty much tells you all you need to know.

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26

M E DI C A L T O U RI S M

HIGH FLYING DENTISTRY

I

n today’s dentistry, aesthetics are as important as functionality. Many patients visit the dentist and tell them how happy they are that the bridge or implant they had done many years ago is still doing fine. What they are unhappy about are the poor aesthetics they carry. Most of this old dental work is heavily constructed using old techniques with possible visible metal. The frontal view often shows receeded darkened gums by the thin metal-ceramic edge of the border of the crown. Spaces appear in between the teeth and/or implants, again due to gum recession causing dark shadows and food packing. Food packing leads to plaque build-up and inflammation. Yes this may be kept clean but the aesthetics still leave much to be desired. The fact remains that in most cases a bridge or implant looks very good when inserted but 10, 15 or 20 years later it looks very poor and not in-keeping with the rest of the dentition.

Addressing Complex Case Scenarios

Extra-oral before treatment

A Case study: • Intra-oral before treatment

• •

Middle aged man is unhappy with an implant done 12 years ago The implant has healed very well Fully satisfied with performance of implant but deeply unsatisfied with current aesthetics of tooth and gum

Options for treatment

Intra-oral after placement of implants

Extra-oral after treatment

1. Removal of the implant and adjacent tooth with poor prognosis followed by two new implants replacing the two missing teeth and two new crowns 2. Modification of metal collar and provision of new implant crown 3. Removal of implant and construction of new all-ceramic bridge in zirconia or lithium disilicate replacing both teeth 4. Gingival plastic surgery to cover the metal collar This is a tricky case scenario on a patient with high expectations.

Each option carries advantages and disadvantages. Understanding that

each option may bare a good but possibly a compromised result, the patient has opted for option 1. Here is the sequence of events: 1. Explantation (removal of implant) and extraction of adjacent central incisor 2. Simultaneous bone and gingival grafting plus provision of removable prosthesis.

3. Placement of 2 new implants 3months post-removal of implant and tooth with further bone augmentation 4. Fitting of new all ceramic intermediate implant-crown connections followed by a metal free all-ceramic superstructure 4months post-implantation The above shows that there are many solutions to an aesthetic problem.

What’s important is knowing what options are out there, explaining them to the patient and selecting the best option to address the patients wishes.

Timeframes and costings must also be weighed out. Ask your dentist.

Dr Jean Paul Demajo

Dental & Implant Surgeon Trained in London and now works in private practice in Malta.

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28

H E RI TA G E

Where the Sun Don’t Shine WORDS BY Wayne Flask

M

alta is known for its Mediterranean climate and the rather generous percentage of sunny days per year. Yet, hidden deep below its sun-kissed earth, Malta’s colourful history provides a few thrilling highlights. One hint though: a torch might come in handy.

Probably the best known underground highlight, the Hypogeum in Ħal Saflieni is a prehistoric burial site which was discovered during construction works in 1902 and excavated by 1911. The Hypogeum Complex is made up of rock-cut chambers on three levels, and according to Heritage Malta the earliest remains date back to about 4000 BCE, with the complex itself remaining in use until 2500 BCE. Over the years, thousands of people have flocked to the Hypogeum but in an effort to preserve the site and its unique red ochre paintings, it was shut down

between 1990 and 2000, during which time a climate and humidity control system was installed. Nowadays only 10 visitors an hour are allowed inside for a maximum of eight hours.

We hop over to Città Vittoriosa, or Birgu as it is known to the locals, to the Malta at War Museum. Enter through a fortification known as Couvre Porte, and once inside the Museum you can get an idea of how the Maltese lived through the dark days of World War II bombings, which went on from 1940 till 1943. Vittoriosa itself was heavily bombed, having been Malta’s old maritime city and home to the Royal Navy for almost 200 years.

Housed in 18th century army barracks, the Malta at War Museum is right above a massive underground air raid shelter which has now been restored and integrated into the museum. The Malta at War Museum hosts a rich collection of artefacts and memorabilia from those

difficult days: from personal items to documents, medals, uniforms and weaponry, as well as precious newsreels.

Multilingual audio guides are available at the museum, which is open to visitors daily between 10am and 5pm. You can also take the ferry from Valletta or alternatively catch bus number 3 or 4 which will take you to walking distance of Couvre Porte.

Should you decide to catch the ferry you can also have a look at the Lascaris War Rooms, an underground series of corridors and chambers that were used as a military HQ during the Second World War. In addition to the coordination of air defence over the island during this period, Lascaris served as the advanced Allied HQ from where the Invasion of Sicily (1943) was directed by General Dwight Eisenhower and his most important commanders.

Catch the route bus number 50 to Rabat and look at another subterranean

H E RI TA G E

A maze of tunnels and passages originally dug up by the Knights of the Order of St John was discovered during archaeological studies in St George’s Square, confirming rumours about the existence of a secret underworld in the Capital

jewel of Maltese history, St Paul’s Catacombs. The Catacombs are a series of interconnected Roman-era cemeteries which were active until the 4th century AD, located just outside the ancient capital city of Mdina (the Romans were a tad iffy about burying their relatives within city walls). They are also the earliest archaeological evidence of Christian faith in Malta.

These were cleared in 1894.

There are more than 30 hypogea and a complex web of interconnected passages and tombs covering over 2000 square metres.

The main halls are equipped with two circular tables set on a low platform with sloping sides similar to those found in Roman houses.

Finally, the most thrilling underground complex lies in – well, beneath – Valletta and has only been recently unearthed. In 2009, a maze of tunnels and passages

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originally dug up by the Knights of the Order of St John (known to friends as the Knights of Malta) was discovered during archaeological studies in St George’s Square, confirming rumours about the existence of a secret underworld in the Capital. The Knights had created an intricate sewer system, caches for food and water and a huge cistern; but the tunnels were also used as shelters (some light bulbs are still intact) during the heavy bombings of the Second World War. At the moment, Valletta Underground is an NGO responsible for the tunnel system which hasn’t been entirely discovered – and although there are no official tours available, the NGO can be contacted via email – so if you’d like to visit the newly discovered underbelly of the Maltese Capital of Culture 2018, why not drop them a line?

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F O O D & DRI N K

33

Maltese Street Food

WORDS BY Ben Mifsud Joslin

Y

ou don’t need me to tell you that understanding something through its cultural imprint can be completely different to stopping at its basic definition.

Take street food, for example. A quick Google search will tell you that it is simply food sold by an outside vendor. Yet, there are countless connotations surrounding street food, and Malta is a thriving hub for all of them.

Indeed, you don’t need to dig deep to link Malta to street food. At a basic level, street food is very much about ethnic treats – the kind of snacks that are inexpensive but culturally dear. Pastizzi and imqaret, then, fall into this category. That’s just scratching the surface, though. Two particular mobile food vendors, Tad-Doughnuts and Tal-Bigilla (N.B. – Bigilla is a traditional bean dip), are practically local legends at this point.

If you’ve never been to a local village festa, let me be the first to tell you that they’re all paradises for street food. Some go to festi for the religious aspect; some go for the booze. It’s probably a safe bet to say that everyone goes to get some food in their belly. The stacked up stalls and trucks in every village are practically a procession in themselves. Now, do be warned that a lot of festa food tends to be of the oily variety. Think of the greasiest food you can imagine, and add ten extra ounces of grease to that image. It’s often borderline disgusting, but it’s really hard to leave out of a discussion on Maltese street food. On the upside, though, village festi also give visitors the chance to sample more traditional offerings, like nougat, karamelli (a sweet made with carob), and so much more.

When we get to the contemporary side of street food though, it becomes pretty clear that most of the newer vendors are dead-set on taking out the grease. Actually, we can take that statement a step further – lots of Maltese street food trucks are offering nourishing, niche and gourmet cuisine.

Indeed, anyone enthusiastic about a great meal will be pleased to know that between the many food trucks that circulate the island, the options are essentially limitless.

Depending on where you happen to be, you can find anything from trucks that dispel the obnoxious idea (to great success) that vegetarian cuisine is rabbit food, to trucks that serve steakhouse-standard meat. Recent years have also seen a rise in street food trucks offering contemporary takes on nonMaltese cuisine.

In the end, I don’t think it matters if we’re talking about internationally-inspired cuisine, vegetarian or barbeque options, contemporary gourmet or traditional Maltese delights. If it’s sold under the Maltese sun, in Maltese streets, then it’s Maltese street food, at least as far as I’m concerned.

The staple local street food we’re all accustomed to isn’t going away anytime soon read: ever, and new visionary food trucks are adding a whole new dimension to Malta’s culture.

Ultimately, our street food is making the strong statement that it’s a great time to lunch and dine in Malta, no matter where you are.

How’s that for food for thought?

34

EVENTS

EVENTS this month

23rd June â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13th August arbanÄĄ St James Cavalier, Valletta An artistic rendition that is aimed at understanding the synergy that surges between living organisms. The relationships that come about with animate and inanimate beings will also form part of this cultural event. The exhibition consists of mixedmedia works, photography and literary expression and is being held at St James Cavallier in Valletta. www.kreattivita.org

23rd June - 6th September (Every Wednesday & Saturday) How To Be Maltese In An Hour Palazzo Pereira, Valletta Directed by heavyweight comedy duo Wesley Ellul and Steve Hili, How To Be Maltese In An Hour promises to give foreigners and locals a side-stitch as it delves into the essence of being Maltese. Starring Sean Briffa, Emmanuel Tabone and Giulia Gatt, How To Be Maltese In An Hour delves into the intricacies of Maltese life and culture. www.howtobemaltese.com

EVENTS

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5th August Zucchero in Concert MFCC Open Air Grounds, Ta’ Qali As part of his Black Cat World Tour 2017, Zucchero – who has sold over 60 million records worldwide – will be performing songs from his 2016 album, Black Cat, as well as some of his iconic classics, including X colpa di chi?, Diavolo in me, Baila (Sexy Thing), and Il volo. www.ticketline.com.mt

10th – 13th August Delicata Wine Festival Upper Barrakka Garden, Valletta In attending the Delicata Wine Festival, you need to prepare yourself for a weekend of wine and spectacular scenery. The Upper Barrakka Garden is as pretty as a picture and boasts the beautiful skyline of The Three Cities. The wine, much like its setting is varied and carries notes of our heritage and culture.

An event that is not to be missed. www.delicata.com

Are you a Game of Thrones fan?

Fancy a tour of some of the show’s most iconic filming locations? Then why not book your spot on one of our exclusive Game of Thrones Tours? Group Tours take place on most Saturdays while Private Tours are held on most weekdays and Sundays.

Relieve the quest for power between the Houses of Stark, Baratheon, Lannister and Targaryen on the island where it all started. Join local actors who actually took part in HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones on this exclusive tour as they unravel the secrets and adventures of your favourite characters.

Group tours cost €59.

For info and booking: info@maltafilmtours.com +356 7942 1112 www.maltafilmtours.com

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Led by two talented local actors who took part in Game of Thrones • Exclusive locations and photo opportunities not accessible on any other tour • The joys & tribulations of being on a GoT film set and the latest about the stars • Includes hotel pick-ups and drop offs in luxurious air-conditioned comfort • Includes visits to the locations used as the Garden of King’s Landing, The Tower of the Hand, The Red Keep, The Stables, The Baelish Brothels, The Red Waste and The Village of Lhazar WHY OUR TOUR? Well, we do it differently. We have worked on Game of Thrones and want to share our experience of working alongside your favourite actors with you. We want you to relive the emotions we shared in the different locations and to go back home feeling that you were part of the Game of Thrones world.

36

EVENTS

13th – 15th August Santa Marija Malta & Gozo Santa Maria is probably Malta’s most loved holiday. With fireworks shot up into the sky for the duration of the entire weekend, a multitude of people swarming to Gozo for a welldeserved break and most companies on shut down this is a weekend that emulates the idea of summer vibes. Enjoy a beer and typical festa food in a piazza and take in the Maltese energy. www.visitmalta.com

25th – 27th August San Ġiljan Festa St Julian’s A village feast that emulates Maltese culture, religious connections and local traditions. Featuring an activity involving a horizontal pole covered in lard shooting out from a barge at sea. Brave contestants are encouraged to run across the pole and grab a flag that hangs from the edge. This tradition is called the ġostra. www.stjuliansparish.org

SPEAK MALTESE Maltese word:

Għandek aħwa?

Phonetic sound:

Do you have any siblings?

Translation:

An-dek ah-wa want to learn maltese?

Get your hands on this English-to-Maltese dictionary 'Kelmet il-Malti'

Supported by: www.ghaqdatalmalti.org

I S L E S TA PL E S

37

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?

Mediterranean Ceramics

When in Malta don’t miss the opportunity to see true craftsmen at work. The artisans at Mediterranean Ceramics will amaze you with their artistry and passion. In their Ta’ Qali studio you can admire the detailed and artistic execution of volcanic stone table-tops and many other useful and decorative pieces. The designs on these unique pieces are alluring – and anything, from table-tops to kitchen counters, lamps, plates and dishes, can be produced to your own dimensions and design. Mediterranean Ceramics have crafted this bespoke tradition into a true art. Visit the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village studio/shop, or the shop at the Valletta Waterfront.

Have part of Malta in your home – worldwide delivery is easily available to add a dash of affordable art to your surroundings.

Feel free to contact us: +356 2010 5552/3 +356 9920 1055/ +356 9944 0922 www.MediterraneanCeramics.com

Mdina Glass Head over to Mdina Glass at Ta’ Qali Crafts Village to see the glassmakers at work. No fee and no bookings required.

While you’re there, check out the wide range of practical and decorative handmade glassware on show – including a large selection of scented candleholders available in various shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances.

If you would like to take some unique glassware back home, Mdina Glass will ship it for you wherever you are from.

For more info tel: +356 2141 5786. You can shop at any of the 8 outlets throughout Malta and Gozo or online with worldwide shipping at www.mdinaglass.com.mt.

Find Mdina Glass on

/mdinaglass

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

38

PR O P E R T Y

Living by the shore

F

ancy living in one of the most sophisticated shoreline developments in the south of the island? Fancy an apartment with a unique terrace overlooking the azure Mediterranean Sea? Fancy a home by the sea with breath-taking views? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then The Shoreline in SmartCity, Kalkara, is definitely the ideal residential destination for you and your family.

an added benefit. Given the large local and international community working at SmartCity Malta, The Shoreline also offers an excellent investment opportunity with huge rental potential. Furthermore this development is situated in a special designated area, which is a status granted to developments that allows both EU and non-EU nationals to purchase property in Malta with the same acquisition rights as Maltese citizens and without the need to obtain an AIP permit (Acquisition of Immovable Property).

The Shoreline is a mixed-use development that promises to break the mould for bespoke living in the south of Malta. The Shoreline in SmartCity, Kalkara will be home to more than 400 residences on the seashore, and a 30-outlet shopping mall with 18,000 square metres of net rentable space together with three levels of underground parking.

Speaking about this newly launched development Re/Max’s Chief Operations Officer, Jeff Buttigieg said that if you are looking for a seaside development with unobstructed views, then The Shoreline is definitely one of the most attractive developments to come to the market in recent years. "Another salient and unique feature of this development is its location in the southern part of the island. Upmarket developments such as The Shoreline are a rare fine in the south and it is for this reason that the development has taken the property market by storm."

Mr Buttigieg added that The Shoreline’s location within the SmartCity Malta development, a unique business park home to a mix of Maltese and international companies, is also

Together with the most amazing views, The Shoreline boasts of an assortment of community amenities. The large choice of apartments ranges from 1-bedroom studios to spacious 2 and 3-bedrooms units, sky villa, duplexes and penthouses.

Starting from €3,500 per m², the apartments have been designed with emphasis on the unobstructed sea views giving an overall feeling of being on a luxury yacht, whilst at the same time catering for all entertainment needs.

Facilities also include the largest shopping mall in Malta, designed with fashion, food and entertainment at the forefront. The development also boasts of cafes, restaurants, a supermarket and a large common pool together with Spa and Gymnasium for residents and private underground parking spaces.

The Shoreline is a privately-funded €143 million project being promoted by Ricasoli Properties.

KEVIN BUTTIGIEG CEO - RE/MAX MALTA +356 9966 3322 kevin@remax-malta.com

40

B A R T E N DI N G

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED An Interview with Matthew Mallia WORDS BY David Mallia

T

he first recipes that an aspiring barmaid or bartender has to commit to memory are the so-called classic drinks. The Martini, the Daiquiri, the Mojito, and a couple dozen other cocktails are staples in the repertoire of anyone who wishes to don an apron, step behind the bar, and brighten up the lives of fellow adults during Friday happy hour.

If the idea of remembering recipes for twenty-odd drinks seems daunting to you, here’s a tit bit you’d learn at bartending academy: just about every one of the classic drinks follow a typical ‘build’ consisting of three basic ingredients that are mixed together. There’s alcohol – obviously – then something sour, like lemon or lime juice, and finally something sweet, such as a syrup or liqueur. Three simple ingredients that together strike an alcoholic chord on your palate.

Three ingredients also seem to be the driving forces behind Matthew Mallia, who considers himself a classical bartender at heart, although he’s never afraid of mixing things up and innovate traditional recipes, which is where the mixologist moniker comes it. But more on that and why he isn’t a big fan of the term ‘mixologist’ later.

A bartender by profession, Matthew has worked in some capacity within the food and beverage industry for over 15 years. Having worked and trained both locally and abroad in Europe, his career has seen great highlights, including being part of the pre-opening team for a five-star hotel, working at a concept gastro-bar, and being involved in the opening of a new restaurant bar and lounge in Valletta last year.

Furthermore, in his role as Vice President and Secretary of the Malta Bartenders Guild, as well as director and instructor at the Bartending Academy, Matthew has been invited to be a tasting judge at prestigious competitions like the IBA World Cocktail Championships 2015 held in Sofia and the Mattoni Grand Drink in Prague.

One thing which is apparent about Matthew is that he tends bars in every meaning of the word, bar none. He truly cares for the patrons he’s serving during a night and works hard to give them a memorable time. He pays attention to the requirements of his craft, whether technical, professional or ethical, and to what it means to be a modern and serious bartender. Finally, he instinctively leans towards this line of work because he is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him.

PHOTOS BY Gino Galea

In other words, Matthew Mallia is a tender of bars in all three senses of the word. Three ingredients that make up a classic.

I a sk M at thew w h at led him to ba rtending– wa s it a h a ppy coincidence or wa s the process mor e deliber ate?

“I feel that I’m bartender deep down in my roots, which is a very happy coincidence since it enabled me to follow in the successful footsteps of my father and his family in the beverage industry. This being such a tedious career path, my parents tried to keep me away from it, but passion and a natural flair for being the ‘Host Bartender on the Stage’ proved to be way too powerful to resist.”

A nd w h at's the most ch a llenging a spect behind ba r tender ing?

“The perception of a bartender is rather simplistic. Being a bartender can be genuinely hard if you take the job seriously.

It’s not so much the obvious tasks, such as pouring a beer or mixing drinks, that are hard, it’s dealing with people that may present a challenge. This doesn’t only apply to customers, who might be reaching their tipsy point, but it also involves managing your co-workers. When you put three or four people in a small area and apply external stresses on them, there’s bound to be some struggle.

“Of course, another challenge is memorising around a hundred drinks and being able to make them on the go without thinking. You simply can’t afford to make mistakes while mixing a drink, otherwise you’ll have to do it again and waste precious time.”

Is it a rt, science... or sport? A r e ther e differ en t ‘st y les’ of ba rtending a nd how would you descr ibe your a pproach?

“There are different styles of bartending, which generally depend on the personality of the bartender. It usually goes from classic bartender, to mixologist, to a flairtender. You’ll see some aspects of both art and science in classic bartending and mixology, however flairtending can be considered more of a physical sports discipline.

“I consider my style to be both classic and mixologist, though I’m not crazy about the word mixology. I think to consider yourself as one, hints at an underlying pretension in your

Choosing a National Cocktail for Malta

The Maltese Faclon

Il-Bizzilla Editor Kristina Cassar Dowling was recently tasked with the responsibility of being one of the jury members at a local event held last month to decide on a national cocktail for the Maltese islands.

• • • • • • •

Bartenders competed for the honour of being the inventor of the national cocktail by submitting their recipes and preparing cocktails for tasting by the jurors during an event held on 23 June. The winning cocktail was an after-dinner drink called The Maltese Falcon ingeniously crafted by James Aquilina.

5cl Vodka 3cl Bajtra Liquer 3cl Bajtra Syrup 2cl Fresh Orange Juice Topped with Kinnie A pinch of Orange Zest Garnished with a slice of Caramalised Orange and a sprig of Fresh Mint

42

B A R T E N DI N G

I consider my style to be both classic and mixologist, though I’m not crazy about the word mixology.

I think to consider yourself as one, hints at an underlying pretension in your approach to the job approach to the job, which I try to avoid in my style of bartending.”

out of it, you’ll need a supportive family at home as the long hours and work environment can be very challenging.

“I think that for most bartenders, their style changes all the time; the same way people’s palates tend to change. I also believe you pick up the style from what’s around you, what you read, and the people you watch. I’d describe the basis of my style as knowing every ingredient and what it tastes like separately. This gives me a good idea of what goes together.

I'm a firm believer in education, so I would definitely suggest attending a bartending course that will help you kick start an amazing journey, which offers endless opportunities to meet different people and learn so much from everyone.”

“I like to make cocktails that stick to classic builds, but I like to put my twist on a drink by mixing ingredients that work together in an unexpected way. Creating something new to the palate.”

So, how does one become a ba rtender, or at le a st pick up enough skills to impr ess their fr iends at soci a l gather ings?

“Well, to become a professional bartender you’ll need dedication, passion, creativity and patience. I find that having an interesting life story also helps,” says Matthew. “However, most importantly of all, if you’re determined to make a career

Matthew encourages people who already work as bartenders to become members of the Malta Bartenders Guild, where they can network with their peers, as well as take part in the events and competitions. This association was specifically set up to provide information and knowledge to professionals and enthusiasts in beverage industry in Malta.

Matthew is also involved in the Malta Bartending Academy, which offers professionally-led courses in bartending aimed at beginners and advanced practitioners. Courses at the Academy cover theoretical subjects like spirits knowledge, alcohol policy, bar equipment and service techniques, as well as practical training in cocktail mixing, bar practice, and introduction to flair.

INTO SIZZLING MOMENTS!

Videoslots is the world’s biggest online casino offering its players over 2000 games and counting. However, the great experiences do not just stop in what they offer to their players. They go way beyond that. At Videoslots, employees work and play together and embrace diversity in an office that has very strong family culture pillars. Everyone is united and ready to help each other, and the driving force is built around one core goal, to achieve results and be successful together, as one.

This feeling is then passed on to the customers too and this way, they feel they are truly being treated as valuable customers because for Videoslots, every player is a VIP. We sat down with Videoslots’ Social Media and Events Coordinator Lorraine Sammut to get a feel about how the company manages to keep everyone happy and very busy throughout the year, and what it is that sets them so much apart from their competitors.

I believe you sponsor many music events on the island. Can you tell us about this?

On the 1st of June, we released our 2000th game so we organized an event on our rooftop terrace. Staff and their partners were invited to enjoy this great milestone. It was a great evening. We had popular DJ Carl B spinning some tunes, a lavish buffet table with lots of food varieties and there was a nice cocktail bar set up for those who wanted to quench their thirst. We ended the night up at Level 22 in Portomaso.

The company is very much associated with music events and so far, this year we have not yet skipped a beat, and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon.

We sponsor a lot of events and venues and as a family, we try to encourage as many staff members possible to attend and unwind.

As the saying goes, ‘’work with no play will make Jack a dull boy’’.

In May we organized a sports weekend for all the staff. It was a mix of So far, we have been to quite a few music festivals such as Volleyball and running. On the Saturday, we took part in the Volleyball Lost & Found, the MTV after party, Armin Van Buuren, IMS marathon at Golden Sands, and then we also participated in the colour College, Sven Väth, Agoria, Todd Terry and Richy Ahmed, all held my run event that happened on the Sunday. This event takes place at UNO Village. annually and is described as the most colourful 5km you will ever run!

Since Videoslots is a Swedish company with a lot of Swedish talent, we could not miss the Midsummer party on the 23rd of June. We invited all the employees to Medasia Playa and the turnout for this event was amazing. It was a fun night from start to finish. The food was amazing and hey, a few shots of the traditional Hallands Fläder and O.P. Anderson Aquavit always go a long way. The company is growing rapidly so this was another perfect way for all the new employees to interact and get to know their colleagues better.!

Another event was a night at the casino. We all went down to one of the leading casinos for a poker night and team building. For some of the staff it was their first visit to a land based casino so they really enjoyed the experience.

Can you tell us about some of the upcoming events?

All throughout summer we have sponsored Medasia Playa as our official beach club. All our staff members have their own access cards to lounge by the pool, free of charge.

Throughout summer we will be organizing a family BBQ, a company annul trip to a secret exotic location and we will also be the main sponsors at Creamfields. Creamfields is a large dance music festival featuring DJs from all around the world. I am also working on a secret event which is coming up in winter, but I am just going to hint and keep the audience curious!

If you have innovation at heart, join our kick-ass family!

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46

T R AV E L

Tunis

Gateway to the Maghreb WORDS BY Mike Sweet

A

n enticing mix of Maghrebi, Mediterranean and European influences, Tunisia's capital is a dynamic metropolis saturated in history. From its ancient heart, the medina, with its tangled maze of alleyways, to the Nouvelle Ville, the 19th century colonial quarter built by the French, Tunis is an enchanting city of rich cultural diversity.

To people-watch (and there’s no shortage in this city of 2.7 million) there’s no better spot than in one of the pavement cafés of Tunis’s main strip - the palm-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba.

A petit dejeuner here, with coffee and croissant, plus the local speciality - a refreshing citronnade, (fresh lemon cordial served ice-cold) sets you up for a morning’s explorations, and where better to start than the medina.

With some 20 souks connected by a tangle of narrow lanes around the Zaytouna Mosque - meandering along these ancient vaulted alleyways, the air thick with the scent of exotic spices, is an intoxicating experience. Many of the souks still sell authentic artisanal items that have been traded here for centuries: essential oils in the Souq elAttarine (the Perfume Makers’ Souq), Chechias - the red felt Maghreb brimless cap in the Grand Souq des Chechias;

for belga - the leather heelless slippers that are part of traditional dress in the Maghreb, head to Souk El Blaghgia.

The ability to barter here is essential; it’s an art as old as the medina itself. Tips: avoid suggesting a price before the vendor does, and start your bid at least a third of the vendor’s first asking price.

A visit to the medina will invariably result in getting lost; it’s all part of the fun. Fear not, Tunisians are helpful by nature and if you lose your way just ask; a vendor or passer-by will gladly assist.

Cuisine Eating out in Tunis is great value and Tunisia’s cuisine is a delicious hybrid of Mediterranean and desert flavours.

Seafood features prominently, and while the Berbers’ legacy is couscous, Turkish and Persian influences from Ottoman times brought the mouthwatering mixtures of meat, fruit and cinnamon. Tunisia’s role in the early spice trade ensures cumin, caraway, ginger and saffron are time-honoured ingredients. With modern French influences never far away, there’s always a crusty baguette on hand and frites too.

If you like it hot, you’re in for a treat. Above all, Tunisian cooking revolves around harissa - the red hot chilli paste often served neat with olive oil.

T R AV E L

47

Be yond the cit y Ca rth age Tunis’s most celebrated historical attractions lie outside the centre. The few remains of once mighty Carthage lie 15km north east of central Tunis. Settled first by the Phoenicians, this mythic maritime trading centre, from which ancient Rome controlled its province of Africa is an upmarket residential suburb of Tunis today.

Imagining the mythic Carthage in Roman times is helped by a visit to the Baths of Antonine site, the most impressive of the ancient city’s remains. Built between 145 AD and 165 AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, the Antonine Baths were among the largest baths to be built in the Roman world.

Give yourself at least an hour or two to explore this large coastal site near the Presidential Palace. The renovated Roman Theatre nearby is the venue for the annual Carthage International Festival, which in July and August hosts a dazzling array of top international musical acts performing under the stars.

Ba r do Museum The Bardo - the largest and most important museum in Tunisia - is housed in a former Ottoman palace 4km from the centre of Tunis. Celebrated for its glorious Roman mosaics taken from archaeological sites across the country, the Bardo’s vast and exquisite collection, including rare Phoenician artefacts and early Islamic ceramics, vividly illustrates Tunisia’s evolution from prehistory to the mid 20th century.

Sidi Bou Sa id The medieval village of Sidi Bou Said, 17km northeast of Tunis, makes an enchanting excursion. With its dazzling blue and white buildings (a delightful mix of Ottoman and Andalusian architecture), this colourful clifftop hamlet is one of the prettiest spots in Tunisia.

Made famous by the likes of early 20th century artists Paul Klee and August Macke who found inspiration in the sunlight that bathes the town, Sidi Bou Said’s cobbled and carless lanes offer the perfect retreat from swarming Tunis. For a jaw-dropping view, head to the cafés perched high above the yacht-filled marina looking out to a seemingly endless azure horizon. On this balcony over the Mediterranean, a mint tea served with pine nuts has never tasted so good.

Made famous by the likes of early 20th century artists Paul Klee and August Macke who found inspiration in the sunlight that bathes the town Air Malta operates three direct flights a week between Luqa International Airport and Tunis Carthage Airport, seamlessly integrating the Tunis service into our European network.Fares from Malta to Tunis start at just €59 oneway including taxes and charges. Visit www.airmalta.com for more information.

48

HOT SPOT

Valletta Waterfront: The Historic Summer Destination

– from ceramics, mouth-blown glass, jewellery, to that book you’ve been meaning to buy and more.

Enjoy Maltese Nights on Thursday evenings: patrons can go back in time through the Maltese Islands’ history and experience traditional folk dancing, falconry displays, the terramaxka – a musical instrument which was popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as battles between the Knights of St John and the Ottoman Turks, amongst other activities.

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

Getting to Valletta Waterfront •

T

he Valletta Waterfront combines food, retail and entertainment within a maritime hub, which for the past years has proved to be a highly popular recreation and entertainment location. 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 and 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: 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 with their bustling activity; a bite to eat at lunchtime; or a lovely meal of whatever takes your fancy at sundown, with magnificent views of the historic Grand Harbour.

•

Browse the shopping outlets for interesting gifts including local trinkets

•

• •

•

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.

For more information visit www.vallettawaterfront.com

Your cisktime starts here, on board your Air Malta Flight.

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50

L O C A L S P E C I A LI T I E S

SUMMER WINE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

IN MALTA AND GOZO generous 150 ml glass of the wine on show in the festival glass. Different wines hold different currency. The charge ranges from six wine coins for a glass of the flagship selection to three coins for a pouring of other quality wines.

In all there are over 20 wines to sample.

Vintages of nine Delicata award-winning brands are served from as many stalls spread along the garden’s periphery.

These include the semi-sparkling Frizzantes made from the native old bush vines Girgentina and Ġellewża.

There is a selection of tasty white, red and rosé DOK Malta Medina and DOK Gozo Victoria Heights boutique wines. Also available are noble monovarietals of the iconic flagship Gran Cavalier selection and Malta’s most internationally awarded Grand Vin de Hauteville range which includes Malta’s top-class Viognier.

O

rganised by Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, Malta’s greatest wine experience of the year is back for its 16 th consecutive edition. As always, the annual wine festival takes place over four nights at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. The dates are from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13 August 2017, every evening from 19:00 until midnight.

Balmy, starlit Maltese summer sunsets, delicious wines, great music and

friendly hospitality, the Delicata Classic Wine Festival is all rolled into one.

Entrance is free. To try the wines, all you have to do is purchase a little wine purse which comes filled with twentyfour wine coins and complete with a souvenir glass which is yours to keep.

The fee is only €15 (per night) payable at the entrance of the venue.

Handing over the correct change of wine coins at the stalls inside will prompt dedicated wine stewards to pour a

Besides all these, you can also taste the sweeter lifestyle Dolcino and the exclusive Maltese Falcon wines, the popular lush Casella Moscato and other varietals of the Classic Collection, and all three of the Pjazza Reġina wines.

Live cooking stalls will be serving a tempting variety of both traditional Maltese and international dishes and every night there is live entertainment with some of Malta’s best bands taking to the stage.

And, best of all is that the following weekend you get to enjoy it all over again as the Delicata Classic Wine Festival travels to Nadur in Gozo from 18 to 20 August 2017.

More info can be found on www.delicata.com

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E

very year come summer, scores of tourists flock to the Maltese Islands for a taste of holidaymaking. Some of the most capital ideas to start off your vacation time involve making a crab-line to the nearest beach and taking the proverbial plunge.

Whether you enjoy diving right in, sailing away, indulging your tan on a vibrantly-coloured beach-towel, or some other nautical adventure, our article on the best ways to discover Malta will prepare you for your water adventures.

WATER

adventure WORDS BY Paul Vassallo

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start off with a sport that is literally reaching for the clouds. If you happen to be strolling along the local beach-promenade in the late afternoon and you spy a person flying fitfully across the surface of the water, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be alarmed. You have just come across the latest water-sports craze: flyboarding. Not for the faint hearted, the jet-powered board will carry you over the sea in a stream of spray. Standing vertically on a pillar of water, jettisoned forty feet into the air, can undoubtedly sate the appetite of any adrenaline junkie.

Somersaults, spins, twirls and insane acrobatics are highly encouraged for those who really want to have a good time.

Flyboarding is great, but it is a solo sport. Maybe hanging from a giant parachute with your best bud is more your thing. If you head down to Golden Bay, chances are you might catch a few people streaking across the sky in a twin paraglider, being pulled along by a rented speedboat. This popular choice of summer fun is enjoyed by both locals and foreigners.

For some more conventional (though still extreme)

54

SPORTS

As an animated anthropomorphic red crab once said, "darling it’s better down where it’s wetter", taking a look under the water, you will find that the marvels of Malta and Gozo don’t stop at the surface sports, why not have a look into renting a jet-ski and tackling the waves head-on. The personal watercraft, affectionately referred to as a boatercycle by aficionados, is fun and not too difficult to get the hang of - not to mention satisfying the urge for a need for speed.

Now if you’d rather rely on your own backbone and nature to do the trick, Malta is a prime location for windsurfing.

Malta has many fantastic spots around the island, such as Mellieħa, St Julian’s and St Thomas Bay, though perhaps the most prized spot is Għallis Rock, along the coast road.

Windsurfing is a fun beginning-and-end-of-summer sport.

In March, all you need is a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, though I’d recommend a wetsuit in November, when the choppy waters start to get a bit colder. If you’re on holiday with your mates, it’s definitely worth a shot.

As an animated anthropomorphic red crab once said, "darling it’s better down where it’s wetter", taking a look under the water, you will find that the marvels of Malta and Gozo don’t stop at the surface. I could recommend no better way to explore the incredible marine life of the Mediterranean Sea than armed with a scuba tank and wetsuit. The Maltese Islands are ideal in this respect, as they offer a glimpse into a boundless myriad of infinite depths and wonders. Surrounding the jewel-like

archipelago are many undersea caves, reefs, exceptional and exotic sea creatures, and astonishing shipwrecks left behind from times gone by - taking your diving adventures to a whole other level of intense.

A family-friendly alternative is snorkelling. It’s fun, easy, safe, and you don’t have to go to any specific seaside location to do it. Just drive up to your nearest beach, pull out the snorkel gear, and dive into the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.

Speaking of good old family fun, kayaking is an excellent activity to be enjoyed by the whole family. Many people will organize a group-trip to Gozo and have a blast exploring the coastline between Gozo and Comino. The surrounding scenery as you paddle leisurely by allows you to take in the striking views as well as consider exploring the sea caves and natural sea arches that are dotted along the shoreline - such as the Calypso Cave, where it is said that the Greek king Ulysses was held as a captive of love for seven years by a magical water-spirit. Apart from Gozo and Comino, other sites to visit include St Paul’s Island, where it is believed the apostle Saint Paul was shipwrecked, and L-Aħrax, sporting hidden caves and quiet coves.

So what did the beach say to the wave? Long tide, no sea...

56

hea lth

Keeping Fit in Your Hotel Room

A

s creatures of habit, even the most insignificant change to our routine feels like we might get off track with our fitness. Travel, on the other hand, brings a number of different changes.

Once we arrive at our destination, we are far away from our gym, running track, and kitchen – and our sleeping pattern is probably out of whack.

This doesn’t have to be the end of it. Everyone travels, and we all find ways of sticking to our fitness routine and reaching our goals. While some of us look for any excuse not to work out – and travelling is a perfect one – the rest of us don’t want to let our hard work go to waste just because of one trip. The good news is that staying fit is entirely possible, even if you don’t have access to a gym and all you have is a hotel room with limited space.

Pack t he es sen t i a l s You can opt to bring some minimal equipment, such as a jump rope. If you have the luggage space, pack your blender, shaker, and any other items that would offer a semblance of normality. Don’t forget your gym clothes and running shoes – and make a commitment to use them.

Bring a fitness tracker or similar items to keep yourself active and motivated.

Hot el-f r ien dly e x ercises There is no need for a whole lot of space or fancy equipment to have a good workout – all you need is consistency and a bit of creativity.

If you have no equipment and a bit of space in your hotel room, you can do 18 rounds of 10x30 second intervals of the

WORDS BY Tia Reljic

following: high knees, handstand push-ups, high knees, walking lunges, high knees, and V-ups. Without a timer, and even more limited space, you can do 5 rounds of the following: 100 high-knees, 10 reptile push-ups, 10 alternating pistols, 10 burpees and 10 V-ups. Alternatively, you can do 5 rounds of 10 handstand push-ups and 50 air-squats. These are all possible to complete in a hotel room with limited space – simply adjust according to your fitness level. This way, you can get a decent workout without any equipment.

Don’t forge t n u t r i t ion Abs are made in the kitchen, and you can’t outrun a bad diet. Do whatever is necessary to make nutrition a prerogative, especially if you’ll be on vacation surrounded by delicious food. Since you’re away from your own kitchen and fridge, you’d need to rethink how you’ll be feeding yourself in order to stay fit.

If the second helping of breakfast offered by the B&B you’re staying at doesn’t fit your macros, politely decline.

In all probability, you’ll find places to eat as you normally would, with some extra effort. On the road all day? Not a problem – pack a bag of almonds and some apples.

J us t do i t There is no point in beating around the bush – staying fit while travelling requires a certain level of commitment.

Remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put in prior to the trip – and that a slip-up is simply not worth it, especially since keeping fit in your hotel room is entirely possible.

There’s no reason why fitness should get in the way of your enjoyment, either. Just plan ahead, give it your best, and stay strong – it’ll be worth it.

Everyone travels, and we all find ways of sticking to our fitness routine and reaching our goals

60

LOCAL

TAL K O F T H E TO 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 – Gozo

Daħle t Q orrot

Ħondoq ir-Rummien

A tiny picturesque fishing cove between Nadur and Qala, Daħlet Qorrot is popular for its craggy coastline where clear waters make for an ideal snorkelling spot. The summer months make this area an ideal spot to enjoy the heat and have a swim.

The area is also frequented by local fishermen and features a few boathouses lining the shore.

Ħondoq ir-Rummien is located in Qala on the southern coast of Gozo. This picturesque sandy beach comprised of pebbles and crystal clear water of a spectacular azure colour, is a go-to spot for Gozitans, Maltese and tourists alike. With views of Comino in the distance, this coastal area boasts the cleanest spots in Malta.

M ġ a r r i x-X i n i

Ta' P INU SAN C TUAR Y

St George’s ChurcH

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.

Little is known about the ancient roots of the parish but from archaeological evidence, it is known that St George’s Church was built on the site of a pagan temple. The present structure dates back to 1678 with the side aisles added in the 1930s. It is said that this structure was already in existence only 500 years after Christ.

Mġarr ix-Xini is a bay situated on the outskirts of Sannat, a rural village in Gozo. West of Mġarr Harbour and situated in a gorge, this stunning area was used as access for galleys during the time of the Knights. It is now considered as a top spot for swimming and diving and was made famous by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt due to the filming of By the Sea.

LOCAL

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Gozo Segway Tours offer 10 different tours, ranging from easy to adventurous, scenic coastline routes to off the beaten track passage ways. Go on a journey of exploration through hidden places only a local can know about! The tours depart from anywhere around the island.

We also offer custom tours, anytime, any day of the week. Ranked #1 Activity on TripAdvisor!

Gozo Pride Tours offer you Jeeps and Quads tours which reach points that are not accessible by coaches or mini buses. Take shortcuts through the country side, see breathtaking sceneries and take dramatic photographs.

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61

A GUIDE TO THE LITTLE

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xewkija

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64

LOCAL

ISLAN D H IG H LIG H TS 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.

BLUE GROTTO, QRENDI The mesmerising natural display of sunlight and reflections in the water found in the Blue Grotto are sure to be one of the highlights of your Malta holiday. Daily boat rides can be taken to the many caves and caverns found in the area.

LOCAL

ĊITtADELLA , GOZO This small fortified city is also known as the Citadel and can be found in the heart of Victoria in Gozo. With all its fortifications, including the medieval epicentre intact, this historic area hosts a number of prime locations which are a must see on your Gozo trip.

BLUE LAGOON AND SANTA MARIA BAY, COMINO A short boat ride away, Comino boasts two picturesque beaches; the Blue Lagoon with aquamarine waters and Santa Maria Bay with crystal clear waters excellent for snorkelers and divers. This paradise welcomes large amounts of visitors each year.

PACEVILLE, ST JULIAN’S Swarming with clubs and bars, Paceville is the party area that will have you dancing till the early hours of the morning. If you’d rather a more relaxed evening then a pub or restaurant in the area could even hit the spot.

65

Holiday Fever?

Plan Your Next Career Move And A Happy Return will follow: This company could just turn your tables around

Summer is in full swing and with that come exciting moments where we break out of our routine and head out to our well-deserved breaks, unfasten our inhibitions and off we go!

It has an immediate and more subtle effect on our mood, behaviour and reaction to opportunities. If this got you thinking, it may just be a game changer for you…

You’re probably reading this before heading to your next escape or you have just stopped scrolling through those Instagram posts looking at enchanting holiday pictures – sounds familiar? In front of me, a Tipico employee is unplugging her laptop and bidding farewell, ecstatic to go on holiday and smiling, knowing that she will return to a welcoming work culture after her well-deserved break in the Greek islands.

You stand on a three-legged stool with the following components as the base: energy, time and financial effort to propel you forward. Before you return from the holidays, remember the opportunity may be better than you think.

Typically, most employees leave looking forward to coming back, others dread the return to their workplace… This season, take the opportunity to take a step back, reflect and return energised with a plan. Let’s take a closer look at those components that affect our well-being.

Our relationships and the environment we inhabit are two of the most important components that affect our well-being, our routine and the people we meet. This essentially captures the social component crucial to an active and rewarding lifestyle.

Luckily, we are not alone on this journey. There are dedicated people that ensure the right framework is present to provide constant evaluation of employees and implementation of policies at work. At Tipico, we have some of the best professionals in this sector to guarantee you head back to work energised, hopeful and resourceful. From the onboarding process of new candidates to the progression of new and older staff members, Tipico ensures the journey remains fun, transparent and engaging.

.

I visited the Tipico office and pounced at the opportunity when I was invited to spend some time with the Tipico team! The blue seas on the horizon stand in stark contrast to the limestone coloured buildings towering over the Portomaso marina in Malta. Gosh, the office view is amazing! I can just see some employees looking at the horizon as they go about their day. As I sit in the office chair, I’m being greeted by a young charming man in his 30s and handed over a bottle of water to cool me down from the Mediterranean heat outside. A label on the bottle catches my attention.

Every bottle bought by Tipico is contributing to charity projects. I’m momentarily distracted by the casually dressed employees and the relaxed atmosphere.

Jon presents a basket of healthy treats to pick and choose from, organic snacks, fruit, nuts…oh my! He seems to have anticipated my first question. What’s the secret to this atmosphere, Jon? “Tipico excels at creating and managing work environments that make people happy.” The colourful walls behind me resonate his words but there must be more to this that attracts so many tech people from all over the world.

We believe, that by maximizing your location together with well thought out incentives and work culture, we keep the right beat on. Sports incentives are widespread and with 300 days of sunshine, you’re spoilt. A gym subscription goes without saying and we even sponsor employees to participate in sports events. I’m hooked!

Key Account Manager German Speaking

Department: Retention marketing Location: St. Julians, Malta

Retail Billing Support Agent Department: Finance-retail Location: St. Julians, Malta

HR Systems Analyst Department: HR Location: St. Julians, Malta

Health is the biggest wealth, right? Indeed, by providing inclusive health insurance policy, our employees can manage their income better and put their minds to rest.

This can go a long way in providing the right equilibrium to ensure people focus on what they enjoy doing best.

What about working hours? Tipico is at the forefront in creating the best scalable practices that enable our 500-strong workforce to enjoy flexible working hours in naturally lit offices. With employees coming from 38 nations, an average age of 33 with a seemingly almost perfect gender balance, this company will easily feel like home.

These perks would not hold up had it not been for the people and the culture we have, which means we attract and retain our employees. This allows employees to feel connected to something bigger than their individual roles. We also support entrepreneurial spirit to attract creative candidates and channel that within the numerous opportunities in our group. Given the extent of our operations, chances are, there is a place for you to discover Tipico as well.

Hop on our careers website, www.tipico-careers.com to propel your career and have an inspiring plan to look forward to after your summer holidays.

Hop on our careers website, www.tipico-careers.com to propel your career and have an inspiring plan to look forward to after your summer holidays.

Find out more about working for Tipico at

www.tipico-careers.com

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Best Snorkelling Sites in Malta WORDS BY Antoine Borg Micallef

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he Mediterranean Sea is home to a rich diversity of marine species, giving it the recognition as being one of the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest ecological hotspots.

Despite the relatively small size of the Maltese Islands when compared to other Mediterranean countries, their waters still manage to offer a unique

experience to anyone who is willing to explore them.

Most people travelling to Malta may be aware of its rising prominence for open water diving, and yet you do not need to go beyond your budget to enjoy the variety of life that inhabits Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seas. In fact, it is highly recommended

that visitors try their hand at a bit of snorkelling along the islandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; craggy coastline, which is replete with a multitude of caves, inlets, and boulders to discover.

Snorkelling is a great activity which can be enjoyed in complete solitude, and equally being shared with friends

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If you are venturing over to Gozo, Wied il-Għasri should be on the top of your list. This gorgeous narrow and deep inlet is peppered with numerous caves and alcoves

to this pristine location offers a truly undisturbed and serene snorkelling experience. Another great area that is ideal for Posidonia seagrass meadows is Fra Ben Bay at Qawra Point, which is easily accessible and a great spot for families with children.

and family members. There are a number of places around Malta that rent out the appropriate gear and also offer guided tours, however more advanced swimmers can opt for independent snorkelling which allows more flexibility.

Malta’s coastal waters are home to several different types of colourful and interesting creatures that can be admired directly from beneath the water. Some of the most frequent sightings include the Mediterranean Shore Crab and Sea Slaters (Rock Lice), which live along the rocky shores just above the sea level.

Snorkelers who dive just under two metres next to the coast can observe a host of species that include the Red Starfish, the Common Octopus, Sea Urchins, and common species of fish such as the Damselfish, Wrasse, and Sea Bream.

Other larger fish such as the Bogue, the vibrant Parrot Fish, and the imposing Grouper can be encountered during a snorkel in deeper waters that are also located next to the shore.

In addition to rocky areas, visitors to Malta are also encouraged to also explore the Posidonia seagrass meadows. These underwater forests provide the ideal home for several diverse marine species, including the Moray Eel, the elusive Noble Pen Shell, and Fan Worms.

When it comes to finding a suitable snorkelling spot, visitors will find that they are truly spoilt for choice.

On the main island of Malta, some of the best and diverse spots include Għar Lapsi, the reefs in Żonqor Point in Marsascala, and Fomm ir-Riħ Bay. The latter is perhaps one of the most secluded beaches in Malta, as it is only accessible by boat or on foot, but a visit

If you are venturing over to Gozo, Wied il-Għasri should be on the top of your list. This gorgeous narrow and deep inlet is peppered with numerous caves and alcoves that are flanked by towering cliffs on each side, and will surely offer the curious snorkeler a delectable taste of the Gozitan shoreline. Other impressive spots include Mġarr ix-Xini, Ħondoq ir-Rummien Bay, and the sea around Dwejra.

And last but not least, the island of Comino is not to be overlooked for those individuals who want to experience the cyan waters of Malta.

The Blue Lagoon is as breath taking from beneath the water as it is from above, so it is highly recommended for any avid snorkeler. In addition, Santa Marija Bay is also a great location for discovering the various marine flora and fauna that prefer a sandier habitat.

Snorkelling is a very simple and cost effective way to uncover the beauty and tranquillity of the sea. The choice of snorkelling spots is endless; however one thing is certain – this experience can only be captivated through real life immersion.

Our Island Wedding LUXURY EVENT & WEDDING PLANNER

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e first met Sarah Young in September 2015 when we flew to Malta to view potential venues. As a child this was the yearly holiday destination of my family and I knew once Josh had seen the island he would fall in love with it too. We were immediately impressed by the service provided, incredibly proffesional, knowledgable and still extremely personable. We then fell in love with our venue, a lovely Palazzo in St Julianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and booked our date immediately.

Events

Wedd AN EYE FOR BEAUTY

AND A COMMITMENT TO PERFECTION

The process from start to finish was made so straight forward and stress free, any question we had was ready to be answered by email with impecable timing by Sarah, Michelle and the team which is of great appreciation and importance when planning your big day overseas. We knew our special day was in the safest of hands.

We arrived in Malta several days before the wedding along with the majority of our guests. On such a beautiful island with so much history we knew our guests would be kept busy.

The day itself exceeded even our expectations, we were overwhelmed by just how perfect it really was. Every detail was present, every transition was seamless and the catering service was beyond 5*. No guest wanted for anything.

We cannot thank Sarah Young, Michelle and the team enough for putting together our dream day and more.

For that we will be forever grateful."

24th of May 2017 Rachael Connor & Joshua Griffin Now known as Mr. & Mrs. Griffin.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plan Your Special Event +356 9925 3265 sarah@sarahyoungevents.com www.sarahyoungevents.com

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L O C A L S P E C I A LI T I E S

Festa & Fish - St Julian's

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WORDS BY Martin Antoine Spiteri

T

he feast of Saint Julian is celebrated every last Sunday of August in the seaside town which bears its name.

Once a sleepy fishing village popular with families from the harbour cities who moved there for the summer, St Julian’s is today Malta’s leisure and nightlife mecca boasting the biggest concentration of luxury hotels, clubs and restaurants. Down in Spinola Bay, the traditional centre of old St Julian's the fishing traditions linger on with coloured boats bobbing up and down and busy fishing folk hard at work.

The festa remains a very important event in the calendar of every Ġiljaniż – native of St Julian's – and much hard work goes into decorating the streets, illuminations, band marches and the much sought after Ġostra, the greasy pole challenge.

This annual event which takes place on the Sunday afternoon, a few hours before the processional statue leaves the parish church, is proudly sponsored by Gululu the casual Maltese diner down on the waterfront a few metres from where the Ġostra takes place. “We are honoured to help keep this old tradition going, the organisers are very enthusiastic and deserve to be supported. Apart from assisting financially, all those who participate in the setting up and taking down of the pole are treated to a free meal at our restaurant,” says

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03.

Julian Sammut, one of the proprietors of Gululu, “the festa makes us who we are, it gives us our identity and the Ġostra more so as it is practically unique to our town.”

Gululu, which opened some six years ago, has become synonymous with good Maltese food, typical dishes from the past and exciting innovative ones full of local flavours. “We thank God that Gululu has been well received by locals and foreigners alike. For us this is almost a vocation, a mission in favour of good Maltese food which was sadly so lacking for many years,” continues Julian, “only recently we opened a sister restaurant called Pexxi, right next door to Gululu, a fish restaurant to do justice to the centuries old fishing traditions of our home town. We take flavours and cooking methods from around the Mediterranean and our young local chefs work wonders with these.”

Gululu and Pexxi with their seafront terraces and balconies are ideal locations to dine at during festa week, when St Julian’s Bay comes alive with light and sound, a truly wonderful experience.

The feast of St Julian is celebrated during the last week of August with the celebrations reaching their climax on Sunday 27.

04.

02.

01. Pexxi and Gululu side by side in Spinola Bay 02. A St Julian’s fisherman 03. Jubilant Ġostra participants 04. Catch of the day, just off the boat at Pexxi

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C U LT U R E

Traditional

Mal t ese Instruments Malta’s unique traditional instruments were all but on the verge of extinction in the 1970s.

Now they are being appreciated for the intrinsic part they play in Maltese culture. Veronica Stivala tunes in to Malta’s musical heritage.

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hile Malta has its traditional instruments, such as the żaqq (bagpipe) and tanbur (tambourine), these were on the verge of extinction in the 1970s. But they have seen a revival, most recently with a concert at this year’s Malta International Festival, which saw the performance of music composed by local composers, featuring traditional Maltese instruments with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Composer Ruben Zahra, whose work featured in this concert and who is a strong advocate for the revival of traditional Maltese music comments: “The folk music of any nation is an important part of the cultural identity of the country. In Malta, we have our own language, with its own unique soundscape and we have our own music featuring a collection of instruments which (just like our language) are related to similar instruments in the Mediterranean basin”.

Here’s a look at some of Malta’s traditional musical instruments: Iż-Ż aqq – t he bagpipe Literally translated, this instrument is a ‘belly’ or ‘stomach’, and is made out of the skin of a goat or calf, although traditionally dog skin was used. It is smaller in size than the bagpipe we are familiar with, and features a

blowpipe made out of cane. The melody is controlled both by blowing through this pipe, as well as by the musician covering the finger holes on the chanter, also made out of cane.

Iż-Ż u mm a r a – t he r eedpipe The reedpipe is similar to the pipe seen on bagpipes and, as Anthony Baines, notes, it is the foundation element of all primitive bagpipes. Because of this, it can be found in various parts of the world, namely Europe, Asia as well as North and East Africa. A simpler version of the instrument was popular among children who, as they played in the Maltese countryside, had fun blowing into a bedbut: a single reed cut out of grass or cane. This only produces one note, but when fitted into a length of cane with finger holes, it elevated the sound and simple melodies could be created. This is the żummara.

I t-Ta n bu r – t he tambou r i n e This instrument is particularly interesting as its performance comes with its own idiosyncratic dance.

Performing with great verve, the

01. An 1891 oil painting by Gerolamo Gianni (18371895) National Museum of Fine Arts, Malta 02. It-Tanbur 03. Iż-Żummara 04. Iż-Żafżafa Resource: Zahra, Ruben: A Guide to Maltese Folk Music, 2006.

02.

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performer beats sharply on the drum with the finger tips, and also strikes the drum on the head, chin, elbow, knee, foot and other parts of the body.

The tanbur is made of a strip of wood, which is soaked in water in order to be able to bend it. The skin on which the performer beats is made of goat skin, and the plattini (the jingles), which make the jingly sound, are often made from the lids of food preservative cans.

03.

Iż-Ż a f ż a fa – t he f r ic t ion dru m As the name gives away, this unusual instrument produces sound not by beating, but by friction. Essentially, the Żafżafa is a drum, with animal skin stretched over its opening. A cane is tied to the centre of the skin and the sound is produced by rubbing it with wet palms.

Needless to say, a rather silly sound is produced – George Badger compared it to a horse moaning – and made the instrument quite popular during Carnival activities.

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T R AV E L TOOL S

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Smart safe travel with Visa

T

ravelling is getting easier and simpler in large part due to the great technological advances which have delivered apps and technology to ensure safe, simple and smart travel. With Visa this is now even simpler. Every day millions of travellers around the world use their Visa card to get the most out of their trip. And with Visa welcomed at over 44 million locations in over 220 countries worldwide, that basically means that you don’t need to carry great big wads of cash when travelling, you will always have the right currency even if hopping from one country to another and you have access to over 2.6 million ATMs worldwide.

As we enter the busy summer holiday period, countries like Malta will see

millions travelling to and from it. So, whether you are on this flight travelling on business or taking a well-deserved break, there are a number of ways to make your travels more secure, hassle free and enjoyable. The Visa Travel Tools App is one of these. Since Visa uses the same high-tech anti-fraud systems the world over you can put your mind at rest in the knowledge that all payments are made securely wherever you travel to and from. You also won’t need to worry about carrying large amounts of foreign currency especially since Visa is accepted in over 25,000 places in Malta. Don’t forget that selecting the local option when making a payment or withdrawing cash, choosing the local option will usually give you the most competitive rates.

There are a number of ways to make your travels more secure, hassle free and enjoyable.

Smarter Spending while in Malta • If you need cash while in Malta, it’s easy to use the ATM locator capability on the Travel app to quickly find out where to safely and conveniently withdraw money. With over 190 ATMs across the islands you will never be far from a supply of cash.

• Look up how much the basics cost in comparison to what they cost back home, such as a bottle of water or a taxi from the airport. The Travel app will assist you with a currency convertor, if needed, with official Visa exchange rates, so that your holiday budget will get a bit further. The currency conversion even works when you are offline.

• If you lose your Visa Card whilst on holiday in Malta, you can get immediate assistance with a worldwide 24/7 customer service helpline, accessible straight from the main menu.

The application can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or the Google Play store on a compatible mobile device.

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FI C T I O N

The Magical Island WORDS BY TCD

A

fter a day of travelling, the Anderson family finally stepped off the ferry onto Malta’s stunning little sister island. Loving husband and dad of two, Rich, had been waiting for this day for most of his life. As a young boy his mother would often tell him stories of Gozo and his long-lost family who still lived here.

They made their way to their rental car, parked right outside the terminal, and off they went in search of the three hundred-

year old farmhouse they had booked for their two-week trip. Driving through the capital city, Joy quickly noticed that the Mediterranean lifestyle was a far cry from life in Australia. As a fifteen-year old, this was her worst nightmare; a whole two weeks with her boring family, no friends and no freedom.

Anderson family arrived at the little village of Munxar, unloaded the car and entered a wonderful farmhouse. With his eyes still glued to his iPad, George, the youngest of the family, dragged his feet to the living room, sat on the sofa and continued on with his game, oblivious to the world around him.

‘Thank goodness for social media, and headphones,’ she thought.

Mrs Maddie Anderson quickly started to unpack, rummaging through suitcases full of summer clothes looking for her bright red bikini. Her plan was to spend these two weeks

After twenty minutes of driving through the streets of Gozo, the

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This had to be the house. A knock, a bonġu and a cup of tea later; bullseye

lazing by the pool reading the latest romance novel.

A very different itinerary to what Rich had in mind.

That evening, everyone was to be ready by 06:30 pm - Rich wasn’t going to waste any time trying to find his relatives.

First stop. Xlendi, there is bound to be a restaurant owner whose heard of a Mr Rapa living on the island. After a quick skim through the many restaurant menus displayed outside they opted for the little café close to the shore.

Gadgets seemed to be the popular choice of the evening. Rich was trying to make conversation with his family and when noticing that everyone seemed to be in their own little bubble and completely ignoring him, he turned to the waiter for a much needed chat. He had a lot to say and even more to ask. He told the gentleman his story; why Gozo, why now. And he asked for information on how he could find his cousin. There can’t be that many Gozitans with Australian roots, can there?

Apparently there can. With a quarter of the island having Australian heritage and double that having the last name Rapa. This was not going to be easy. He had a plan, he’d start in the morning.

Tonight was just for enjoying the beauty around him.

Rich was on his feet by 06:00 am the next morning. He had planned that everyone would join him on his quest for the missing relative but with a sulky teenager, an anxious wife and a son who thought he was still in Australia, he thought it would be a lot swifter alone.

All morning and half the afternoon speaking to locals and asking around, he was getting closer. As he stood outside the 25 th flamboyantly decorated house, a certain feeling washed over him. A mixture of nervousness and excitement.

This had to be the house. A knock, a bonġu and a cup of tea later; bullseye.

He found out that Mr Rapa’s mother was born and raised in Gozo, emigrated to Australia for a couple of years along with her parents and nine siblings, one of those sibling being Rich’s mother.

Missing her childhood sweetheart so badly, at the age of eighteen she decided to move back to the little island, marry said sweetheart and have five children.

Rich and his family met most of their relatives that week. Forty-five members in total, ranging from a two-month old baby girl named Lisa, to Carmen the ninety-twoyear old grandmother, and Rich’s auntie, who sat day in, day out making bizzilla for the many tourists who graced Gozo.

What surprised Rich mostly was how close a family they were. They knew everything about one another and they loved each other’s company. The teenagers even skipped the biggest parties and opted for a cup of tea and sponge cake at nanna Carm’s on a Saturday evening instead.

Rich was not a jealous man at all but at that moment he did feel a little envious.

His own children rarely spoke to him and Maddie was more interested in finding a new project to work on than spend some quality time with her husband.

Before he knew it, it was the last four days of the holiday. He’d met everyone, seen the iconic landscapes and even visited the Azure Window, which was now windowless of course.

There was one last thing on his bucket list. Santa Marija Festa in Victoria, Rabat.

The village feast that everyone looks forward to in August. With an array of colours lighting up the sky, the smell of doughnuts and candy floss tempting your nostrils and a bunch of locals carrying a huge statue in and out of the church, what was there not to look forward to?

Sunday evening: Church bells, fireworks, traditional brass band and people… so many people. ‘This is unbelievable,’ he thought out loud.

Suddenly, Rich felt Maddie’s hand intertwined with his. As he looked over he saw her eyes glistening. She was warm and loving, like the Maddie he’d fallen in love with many moons ago.

To the sound of shouting he turned to see Joy and George arguing about something, as usual. As he got closer he noticed something peculiar.

Joy and George weren’t arguing, they were laughing. Together. No mobiles, no electronic devices, no angry looks.

They were simply enjoying each other’s company. He took a step back and savoured the moment. Just maybe, Gozo had changed them.

This magical island brought his family closer, introduced him to his distant relatives and above all made his dreams come true.

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N O S TA L G I A

VacationinG

with a colourful Maltese personality WORDS BY Francesca Balzan

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e are in the height of the silly season. Emails bounce back with ‘Out of office’ replies.

Everyone and their dog seem to be on holiday.

This set me thinking…was it always like this? As usual, I turn to my favourite historical figure to see how he spent his leisure time.

There is a reason why he is my favourite historical figure – several, actually. First off, Olof Frederick Gollcher (18891962) was an artist, a lover of beauty, a collector of art and historical objects, - a person who appreciated the best things in life. And whether you are struggling through 2017, or living it up in 1917, I think you’ll agree that the best things in life can generally be classified under the headings ‘Travel’, ‘Good food’ and ‘Merry-making’. All of which Gollcher amply indulged in. Secondly, he was a gregarious character, loved by all. He was genuinely concerned at the destruction of cultural heritage and used his contacts and influence – he did move in the highest circles in colonial-period Malta – to preserve Maltese buildings of note and archaeological remains. His preservationist outlook was far ahead of his time. Thirdly, this man never aged. Throughout his life he persisted in taking up new interests, researching and writing

about them. In the very last years of his life, undaunted by old age and increasing health issues, he threw himself into the promotion of underwater archaeology around the Maltese islands realising there was much to be discovered in our waters. He was instrumental in setting up an institute for underwater archaeology and insisted that only the highest standards in data collection and scientific research were to be adopted – truly pioneering for his time.

How do we know so much about him? Quite simply, because he left so much information. His house, owned by the O.F. Gollcher Art & Archaeological Foundation and managed

by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, has been turned into a museum which is open to the public under the name Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum. Displayed throughout the house is the vast collection of antiques which he amassed throughout his lifetime – ranging from wonderful pieces of art, such as the exquisite Edward Lear watercolour of a Maltese landscape, to extremely rare objects such as a decimal watch made in 1797 to measure French Revolutionary time, to really curious pieces like the ‘medieval’ chastity belt. A significant library of historic titles helps us to gauge his interests even further. But perhaps the best insight is

N O S TA L G I A

the archive of papers he has left us. These include decades of correspondence, spanning the important periods of both world wars, diaries that record his various travels, and photographs that provide visuals to flesh out the documents.

Travelling was an essential part of his life from a young age. He descended from a shipping family and though born in Malta, was schooled at Dulwich College in England. As a young man he spent a number of years in Rome where he pursued his art and fell in with a merry group of artists who called themselves the Confraternity of the Pipe. Not only did they throw wild parties and occasional exhibitions but they would issue forth into the Roman countryside to paint and continue their revels, bearing their standard which featured the pipe. In Italy, Olof Gollcher pursued the hunt. After 1927 he settled in Malta in his Mdina house, which is now open to the public as Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, but we see him returning regularly to Italy and England where many of his friends resided. He even had his car shipped to Italy and drove overland visiting his favourite haunts and stopping at times to paint en plein air. His stops on the glamorous Amalfi coast resulted in a number of paintings that now hang at Palazzo Falson. Two of his paintings featuring Amalfi were accepted for the 1921 Royal Academy of Art Summer Exhibition.

1934 was one of the most adventurous years of his life. His diary for that year records an epic journey that took him from shooting wild boar in Monte Alto, Italy in January to Japan in August, travelling by boat from Naples to Japan in a journey that took him a full month, with several stop overs at places like Aden, Colombo, Singapore (where the diary records a dinner at the Raff les hotel), Hong Kong before arriving in Kobe, Japan. From there he travelled around visiting various sites and enjoying all that was on offer. After touring in Japan he embarked on the sea crossing to Honolulu and then onwards to San Francisco.

On 1 November he set sail again stopping in Los Angeles, Panama, Puerto Rico, encountered a hurricane, and finally

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landed in London on 5 December before heading off to Rome to spend Christmas there with his mother.

Later in life he married an Italian lady and focused his travels in Europe. In 1957 accompanied by his wife he visited Sweden where the Gollcher family originated. There he was able to do further research on the origins of the family and reconnect with family history. In 1949 another epic trip ensued, this time overland. Shipping his car to nearby Sicily he departed on a long three month journey from Sicily to Seville in Spain and back to Malta, sight-seeing and meeting various friends en route. The scars left by WWII must have been very evident then.

When in Malta and desiring a break he would head out into the countryside. Early on, he acquired a country house in Mġarr in the West of Malta and several tumoli of land surrounding it, set in rural countryside. Here he set up a little farm and records with delight that his donkey had a foal. He would go on long walks and swims in the nearby cove of Ġnejna, which is to this day a lovely untouched pebble beach, and also regularly entertain his friends to tea at Mġarr, on other occasions he invited friends and dignitaries to his splendid home in Mdina. Forays to the neighbouring island of Gozo to swim and relax over fishing and boat trips also occurred regularly.

A tour of Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum gives a measure of how Olof Gollcher spent his life, of his pursuits and interests. The vast collection of artefacts originating in different places are further reminders of his many journeys abroad and a lesson to us to always make time for a vacation.

Boxed text: The home of Olof Gollcher, Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, is open to the public daily from Tuesday to Sunday (Mondays closed) from 10am to 5pm (last entries 4pm). Audio guide provided on purchase of entrance ticket. Follow Palazzo Falson on www.palazzofalson.com, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

He was instrumental in setting up an institute for underwater archaeology and insisted that only the highest standards in data collection and scientific research were to be adopted – truly pioneering for his time

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en v i r on m ent

Natural August It’s hot out there, but there is still plenty of wildlife around if you know where to look. From the seabed to the cliff tops, Helen Raine guides you on a natural history tour of the wild Maltese Islands.

Water Wor ld At the height of the heat, the beach is the place to be. Grab a snorkel and fins to discover an underwater world as you cool off.

Għajn Tuffieħa is a great place to start – head down the long flight of stairs overlooking this beautiful bay and check out the ‘snorkel safari’ route on the southern side. You can also try Ċirkewwa, St Paul’s Bay and Għar Lapsi or head to Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo – you enter the water here via a bathing ladder.

It’s also worth making a special effort to get to Comino’s Blue Lagoon; stay overnight on the island at the only hotel and you’ll experience this blue beauty without all the tourists.

Once you’re underwater, look for Cassiopeia Jellyfish as they arrive in Maltese waters in summer to spawn. They have a convex yellow top, fringed with purple dotted tentacles (don’t worry, their sting is very mild for humans). Holes in the rock might be hiding a Mediterranean Moray Eel – they tend to rest during the day and hunt at night (give them a wide berth though as they have a savage bite if provoked). You could also see Purple Sea Urchins, snuggled into holes in the limestone, or a Flying Gurnard gliding along – look out for a patch of electric blue on its transparent ‘wings’ (they are actually oversized pectoral fins).

Di v e Deep If you get a chance to dive in Malta, you’ll discover some of the best underwater topography in the world. A good beginner site is the Statue of the Madonna off Ċirkewwa or there’s Għar Lapsi, which has a reef at 12m. In Gozo, some of the best diving is found at Dwejra – you’ll start in the unique inland sea, then go through a fissure in the cliffs to the open ocean, finishing at the Coral Garden. In Comino, Lantern Point is an exciting dive which includes a swim through an underwater tunnel filled with Cardinal Fish.

Painted Comber are a common fish around most dive sites – they have dark stripes and yellow fins, with a red and white scrawl on their face (hence the name). Shoals of Saddled Bream will often accompany you on your dive, especially in shallower

waters – they are a flashing, silvery blue. Maltese waters are also home to Red Scorpion Fish, an outlandish reddish pink creature covered in bobbles and tassels. You might see them in caves, but don’t touch – they have sharp, poisonous spines.

Lampuki (a fish also known as Dolphinfish or Mahi Mahi) migrate past Malta in August – although it’s rare to see them under water, you’ll certainly see them on the menu.

Sk y High You can spot birds in Malta no matter what time of year it is; over 400 species have been recorded here. Most are migratory, but around 20 species breed regularly on the islands.

In August, you’ll see early migrants, especially wading birds such as Greenshank, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Blackwinged Stilt (which are also a rare breeder in Malta), Common Sandpipers and Dunlin, as well as some herons (including Purple, Grey and Night Herons, as well as Little Egrets).

They’ll head for the wetlands, like BirdLife Malta’s Is-Simar and L-Għadira Nature Reserves.

Snow-white Spoonbills might arrive too – this rare visitor can sometimes be seen flying into the safety of the reserves. They use their strangely shaped beaks to scoop little fish, insects and crustaceans out of the water. Glossy Ibis are another uncommon visitor, their iridescent plumage reflecting the hot summer sun.

The breeding birds like Moorhen, Black-winged Stilt and Little Ringed Plovers will have seen their chicks hatch and fledge by August.

See the Se a While enjoying the views from the cliffs in Malta, look out for

12 - 18 MONTHS DURATION

our iconic seabirds. The famous Yelkouan Shearwaters have usually left the islands by late July, but Scopoli’s Shearwater (previously also known as Cory’s Shearwater) are summer birds.

They do breed in Malta, but the biggest colony is at Ta’ Ċenċ, Gozo. You’ll see them rafting (sitting on the water to rest) at dusk before they fly into cliff burrows to feed their young.

Coun try Life Out in the countryside, butterflies boom in the summer. You’ll see species such as the orange and black Painted Lady, the lovely Large White Butterfly or the Swallowtail Butterfly (Malta has an endemic subspecies, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world).

In the Foresta 2000 woodland nature reserve, look beyond the trees and you might well spot some of Malta’s reptiles. Cat Snakes, Mediterranean Chameleon and Maltese Wall Lizards are all relatively common – if you’re lucky, you’ll find them basking in the sun. They are widespread elsewhere if you keep your eyes open.

And just as the island seems totally parched and devoid of flowers, Seaside Squills bloom in August in the valleys, cliffs and garrigue (limestone coastal areas), their pale flowers supported by skinny stalks. Bees flock to them in the absence of almost all other flowering plants at this time of year (although in the garrigue you might still find some aromatic Thyme and on the fringes of sandy beaches, the occasional Sea Daffodil growing).

Before you flee back to the air-conditioning, there’s one more species to seek out; to catch its prey, the Praying Mantis can move faster than the human eye can see, but in between ambushes, you can get a good look at them, front legs held in a Zen-like pose. Find them near flowering plants or lights at night.

Visit one of the following McCafé outlets Airport | Bay Street | Bugibba | Għargħur | Gozo | Sliema | St Julian’s

ARCHITEC TURE

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A CROSSROAD OF

faith and culture WORDS BY Edward Borg

M

alta was no cultural wasteland before the coming of the Knights of St John. The island had enclaves of European sophistication as in Mdina and the Castrum Maris or Fort St Angelo, as it is known today in Vittoriosa.

Mdina itself is packed with history and culture stretching from the Phoenicians to the Romans, to the Arab period when its name, Melita, was changed to the Arab title, Medina.

In the heart of Mdina, adjacent to the magnificent Cathedral that dominates Archbishop Square, lies a treasure trove of art, archaeology and historical archives. The elegant and ornate Cathedral Museum, housing the largest private collection in Malta, is situated within an imposing Baroque palace built in 1744, opposite the south entrance of the Cathedral itself.

The male figures flanking the front door support the central balcony. This elegant edifice was purposely built to house the Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seminary mainly at the expense of the erudite Bishop Alpheran de Bussan (1728-1758).

Look out for the coat-of-arms of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736) and Bishop Alpheran de Bussan (17281758). They can be found at the base of the statue of St Paul.

The Museum collections owe their origin to the connoisseur and cognizant Count Saverio Marchese (1757-1833) servant and patron of the arts, whose family originated in St Tropez and settled in Malta during the 17th century. The Count made a fabulous donation. He decreed, in his last will, that once his family became extinct, all the artistic works the family possessed were to be given to the Cathedral Museum.

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ARCHITEC TURE

With this legacy, along with various works of art the Cathedral itself, its filial churches and subsequent acquisitions, a Museum was set up in the halls adjacent to the Cathedral.

archives are considered to be one of the outstanding gems of the museum; musicologists from all over the world particularly from the US, Italy, France and the UK, have been frequent visitors to the museum.

Early in 1969 all exhibits were transferred to the present building. The dormitories of the Seminary are now housing many treasures.

It is considered to be one of the best church museums south of Rome.

This Museum gradually developed into one of Malta’s foremost research centres, attracting scholars, academics and researchers, both local and foreign.

The Museum owes much to its curators foremost among them the late Mgr Edward Coleiro, Mgr Canon John Azzopardi, Mgr Aloysius Deguara and Fr Edgar Vella.

And with reason.

There is an extension of the Mdina Cathedral Museum at the magnificent 17th century Palazzo de Piro which lies across the square and has its own tale to tell.

In it can be found an extensive collection of the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, the legacy of Count Saverio, a collection that attracts so many, with its important engravings, woodcuts and copperplates by the artist.

Apart from the original Dürers, in the Cathedral Museum are a number of valuable forgeries.

The renovation and restoration of the Museum are at present being undertaken, and the plan is to give this valuable collection a better and more modern display.

The extraordinary Archives contain documents of immense value dating back from the 11th century. They also include the entire collection of the Roman Inquisition.

There is a splendid collection of coins covering Malta’s entire history from the Punic era through to the present day. Then there are the sacred vestments and magnificent 16th century choral books, engravings by Rembrandt, a set of 15 Silver and Gold statues of the Apostles and the impressive medieval painting The Polyptych of St Paul.

Let me not forget to mention the unique musical collection of baroque music in the museum archives. In fact, the musical

Three stately, inter-connecting rooms operating as an extension to the Cathedral Museum, this wing of Palazzo de Piro features displays of artistic and historical patrimonial artefacts from Maltese parishes and other sources.

There are so many paintings to appreciate. Among them Bernardo Strozzi (1581-1644) The Expulsion of Adam and Eve one of the pictures from the Count Saverio Marchese bequest which was acquired for just 10 scudi. Lovers of the exotic should look out for Antoine de Favray (1706-1798) Interiors with Orientals, for after leaving Malta de Favray lived in Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

There are confessional doors, boxes of relics, magnificent chausables, beautiful crucifixes and silver monstrances, Episcopal rings, sedan chairs and a bell or two.

Museum of Tools, Tr ades a nd Tr aditions Also at Palazzo de Piro is a unique museum which presents a single private collection of objects and tools related to an array of trades.

In the current display the prime role has been given to the artefact, both as a tool matching specific requirements and as a collectable in its own right, exhibiting aesthetic and historic qualities.

ARCHITEC TURE

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Joseph Zammit Tabona started his collection in the early 1970s when his wife Susan inherited a few items from her step-father, the late Dr Thomas Agius Ferrante. A consultant paediatrician, he had over the years, received several tools as presents, from the farming families he was visiting. This formed the basis of the collection and the start of a lifetime obsession.

During the following two decades the collection grew at the rhythm of the weekly visits to the Sunday market in Valletta, and also to local antique shops where old tools could still be found. The collection was regularly expanded, almost obsessively, with many items that were unusual and Maltese.

Each item has a story, a connection with the collector and in most cases with Malta.

Later on this year, the Mdina Cathedral Museum will be playing a very important role in the Mdina Cathedral APS Contemporary Art Biennale as it is going to be the sole location used for the international contemporary exhibition. Unlike previous years, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibition will be held in one location, allowing artists to interact directly with its collection and history.

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T H E R A PY

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Healing & AdventurES WITH HORSES WORDS AND PHOTOS BY Victor Paul Borg

W

hen I visited the Dream of Horses Farm the horseman told me that horses are like ‘mirrors’, however it took a while before I began to understand more. Over the course of the day, even though my quest was solely to take pictures and do research, I lost myself among these animals – issues that seemed to be troubling me throughout the day seemed to vanish and I unknowingly began to experience ‘mindfulness’ and that mirror-thing that the horseman had spoken about.

Luka Hadrych, a psychotherapist who had brought his clients for therapy at the horse farm, explained the nature of the horses he tended to later that day; “We say that horses are like mirrors to our psychology because if I come to a horse with a certain type of thinking the horse will reveal it to me. For example, I might not know what’s wrong with my relationships, but the horse would show it to me during our interactions.”

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That kind of awareness, as well as learning to be in the present, is the essence of mindfulness. Hadrych said, “Horses, like meditation, teach you to be in the present.”

The farm in Ramla Valley in Gozo, is the lifelong project of Victor Muscat, the proprietor who is fondly given the epithet of a ‘horse whisperer’ by volunteers at the farm.

Farmhand volunteers have become a regular fixture at the farm; some spend long stints running into many months on a kind of rural retreat. The farm remains a work-inprogress; Muscat has spent years building up a herd of horses by ‘rescuing’ some of the horses (from abuse, neglect, or untimely death), buying many of the rest, and now by breeding. “I am still building up a herd,” Muscat told me.

“It’s essential to have horses with different character so that I can match particular horses with particular clients according to temperament.”

In a wider sense, spending time at the farm even helps to take your mind off things, and shows you other possibilities in solving personal problems

He is talking about what’s known as equine therapy, which consists of two branches: physical therapy for disabled people and psychological therapy for those afflicted with emotional problems. “The program with horses is an extension of psychological therapy of some of the participants,” Hadrych told me. “For those who suffer from borderline personality disorder, which arises out of traumatic relationships in their childhood and interferes with their ability to have healthy relationships, interacting with horses helps them learn how to form healthy relationships.”

Muscat also mentioned that healing with horses can be particularly helpful to those undergoing rehabilitation

T H E R A PY

from addiction, as well as those afflicted by traumas and social problems. In a wider sense, spending time at the farm even helps to take your mind off things, and shows you other possibilities in solving personal problems, as I found out.

And being part of a bustling productive farm makes a great day out. Aside from the thirty-seven horses, there are a range of other animals – goats, geese, turkeys, hens and ducks – there is something to do at the farm all day long. Goat’s milk goes to make the famous Gozo cheeselets; learning to make fresh cheese from milk is another activity that takes place in the farm.

“Goats are better than cows because you only need to breed a goat once and it will give you milk for many years,” Muscat told me as I joined him hand-milking the goats. “By contrast you need to get a cow lactating every year. One goat will yield enough milk for a family.”

Muscat bristles with wisdoms about rural living, but it’s his way with horses that’s impressive. A soft-spoken man of fifty with a small stature and a bashful smile, he possesses some of the intuitiveness of horses – the sensitivity, perceptiveness, gracefulness and responsiveness of horses – that’s what gives him a sense for communicating with these animals. He bonds with all his horses individually; he understands each horse’s character and eccentricities. The epithet of a horse whisperer is not an exaggeration.

93

It has taken him thirty years to build up his skills as a horse whisperer. At seventeen he immigrated to Canada where he worked in a bus factory and, in his free time, volunteered at a horse farm that offered therapy for disabled people. He returned to Gozo after five years, getting into a string of odd jobs while pursuing his vocation after work: he rescued a horse, and began to offer horse-riding for disabled people, and later he joined forces with a German woman who brought children over to Muscat for horse-assisted therapy. He took a few courses to learn more about the subject, and began looking for premises for the horse-farm he has long envisioned. “It took me fifteen years to find this place,” he told me, “and now I have had the farm here for seven years. The next stage of the process is to build proper stables.”

Now he has all sorts of people seeking him for collaborations.

A number of people regularly turn up at the farm – to learn about horses and horsemanship, or Gozo cheese-making, or simply to spend a day working as farmhands – and then there are of course the therapists who bring groups for the special programs. Hadrych, the psychotherapist explained that, the team of therapists he works with are highly skilled in what they do. "I noticed the same thing in Victor Muscat – he has vast knowledge on horses, he is credible and reliable, I put my clients in good hands. He works hard, with passion and commitment.

That’s why this farm attracts so many volunteers. It’s like a little community here."

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E N VIR O N M E N T

The Pick Up

Queen OF MALTA

“

W

hat many visitors, friends and family included, have told me over the years, is that ‘Malta is beautiful, but…’, invariably leading to talk of the littering problem on the island”, starts Camilla Appelgren, founder of Malta Clean Up and the country’s foremost ‘pick it up and bin it’ advocate.

A friendly Swede with a charming smile and can-do attitude, Appelgren first came to Malta as an English language student, in 1999. She loved it here and returned often, culminating in her moving here with her kids in 2011. At first, she worked as a diving instructor, and it was then that she first got involved in clean-ups of the seabed.

“We collected 500 kilograms of waste from the seabed at Sirens in Buġibba in 2012”, said Appelgren, “and after that I started doing small clean-ups, initially just with my family, then a little bigger with very few loyal volunteers who kept coming.

Some of them still tag along today.”

Deciding it was time to grow some more, Appelgren set up a Facebook Group, Malta Clean Up, which had a steady stream of new members, and then, a supportive article on Lovin Malta brought a large upswing, swelling the ranks to just over 1700.

“Of course not all 1700 turn up on the day, but many more do now; we have even had 60 volunteers at one go, especially in more central areas; since we are mostly expats, many of us don’t drive.”

I also think people here are disconnected from nature, because they live in such urbanised surroundings I a sk ed a bou t t he e x pat qu es t ion; how come t he y’r e g oi ng on cl e a n-u p s, a n d t he M a lt ese a r en’t so m uch?

“The Maltese are always very supportive, but perhaps they don’t participate so much simply because they’ve given up.

Of course, the Maltese that do join are highly energised and motivated.

Some Maltese are consummate members of the clean-up brigade, and Appelgren mentions that the mayors and members of the Siġġiewi, Mosta and San Ġwann local councils are regular attendees, one of them even

WORDS BY Mark Debono

going to clean-ups straight from court given his work as a solicitor.

“Of course, all the local councils thank us and sponsor us for some things, dumping skips and landfill bags, for example, but sadly they do not help very much past that”, says Appelgren. “I would very much like to see increased cooperation that goes past photo-ops; providing more support, and even helping to maintain the cleanliness by placing bins in key locations. Maybe because I’m Swedish, but I’ve been very nice to the authorities so far, though maybe in future I shall have to be more insistent. A tiny mosquito in your bedroom will at some point force you to get up and deal with it, so just imagine what I can do”, she continues with an impish smile.

So w h at k i n d of l i t t er do t he M a lt ese t hrow away?

The most bizarre find from Appelgren’s clean-ups was a shark’s head in a plastic bag, atop the cliff in Lapsi. The more mundane includes sunbeds, cars, “even an antique computer, scanner, and speaker sets, which looked like they came from my childhood,” says Appelgren.

A consummate statistician, Appelgren keeps detailed spreadsheets logging exactly what is picked up from clean-up

E N VIR O N M E N T

sites, which she uses partly to know where the problem comes from, and also in order to make figures more understandable.

“900 kg of waste could just be a single scrapped car, or it could be many thousands of plastic bottles, and that makes the numbers have more meaning”, she continues.

“Also, I want to recycle everything we find, so we categorise everything. So far, clean-ups have yielded 55% to 60% plastic, 80% of those are plastic bottles.

“For example, at our recent clean-up of Manoel Island, we collected around 900 plastic bottles, so 15 bags’ worth, 1315 aluminium cans, equal to 11 bags, 563 glass bottles, equal to 11 bags, and 9 bags of mixed plastic stuff.”

W h y do peopl e l i t t er, I a sk.

“From an anonymous survey I conducted”, replies Appelgren, “one of the most common answers is that ‘someone else is paid to clean it up’, which is not a very good reason to litter. I also think people here are disconnected from nature, because they live in such urbanised surroundings, and don’t realise littering affects not

just the environment, but also our living environment. And of course, lack of education, although now kids are taught a lot more, but it will take some time before the results of that start to show.”

How a bou t pl a ns for t he f u t u r e?

Appelgren has them too, and they’re big.

“So far the biggest clean-up ever held here had around 2,000 volunteers. As an officially recognized leader of Let's Do It Malta together with JCI Malta, my plan is to have 22,000 people simultaneously working at different clean-up sites around the island.”

“22,000? W h y t h at n u mber?”, I a sk.

“5% of the population”, intones Appelgren. “The idea with Let’s Do It is to get 5% of the world’s population to help out on the day, even if it’s just for twenty minutes. 22,000 is 5% of Malta and Gozo’s population, adjusting upwards a little bit. So, we’re going to have 68 councils on board, seven clean up spots per council, and fifty people at each clean-up spot. This way we can involve sports clubs, band clubs,

95

hunters, Birdlife Malta, whatever; it’s a local clean-up, together, for all of us, and a global clean-up for the world.”

Ever an organised Swede, Appelgren is starting with a rehearsal on September 16 this year, in which she aims to have around 11,000 people helping to clean up sites, which will serve not only to clean, but also to review the organisation and progression in preparation for the big day, September 15 2018.

So how a bou t t he f u t u r e?

W h at does A ppelgr en t hi n k is n eeded her e?

“If there’s one thing I’d wish for Malta, it’s for the people to be more persistent.

If we just gave up and said, ‘No, things will never change’, they would never change”, she says. “I’m not deluded and saying that tomorrow all of the islands will be clean. But step by step, bottle by bottle, year by year, yes, I think so.

You have to think a little bit more long term, but I think in a generation’s time, yes, Malta will be clean. We may only be a small active minority with cleanups, but we have the silent majority behind us. All I want is for them to speak up, and pick up.”

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Restaurant

& bar guide

98

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

Marsaxlokk

TERRONE RESTAURANT, 1 Wilga Street Marsaxlokk +356 2704 2656

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.

MELLIEĦA

One80 Kitchen & Lounge,

30, Triq Wied ta' Ruman, Mellieħa, MLĦ 4023. +356 2152 1637 www.one80.com.mt one80@foodrinksconcepts.com Situated on the way down from Mellieħa centre, one80 enjoys picturesque views stretching from the majestic parish church perched on top of the hill, down to the lush greenery of ‘Wied ta’ Ruman’ and onto the largest sandy beach of the island, Mellieħa Bay. Perfectly positioned for a quick lunch if you are on the way to Malta’s sister island – Gozo.

Watch out though, as lunch might extend into a full-blown dinner. Enjoy a spectacular sunset view from the spacious terrace and every spot of this stunning restaurant. one80 is a food and drink destination for a complete night out. You may visit the lounge area for lighter snacks, cool cocktails and drinks.

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 www.palazzodepiro.com

info@xaracollection.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.

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

99

The Medina Maltese Cuisine Restaurant, Mdina +356 21450 560

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.

Trattoria AD 1530, Misraħ il-Kunsill, Mdina, MDN 10150 +356 2145 0560

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, Constitution Street, Mosta +356 2143 4444

www.tamarija.com

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

Charles Grech Bistro, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema +356 2132 0926

www.charlesgrechbistro.com

bistro@charlesgrech.com

The original tobacconist, bottle shop & Cafe on Republic Street Valletta has evolved, opening its doors as the elegant Charles Grech Bistro in Sliema, serving sumptuous breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch and dinner. The combination of the belle époque style décor, the clean smell of fine leather and the warm ambience are sure to hit all the right notes as you make your pick from the wide range of drinks and cocktails available at the bar. Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 12:00 till 22:30 Sat: 09:00 till 22:30 Sun: 09:00 till 16:00

10 0

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

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, 80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema +356 2133 7367

+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.

st julian’s

The Avenue, 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 and 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 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.

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

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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, 48-hour 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, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, XBX 1028 Ta’ Xbiex +356 2131 8801

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.

MARSALFORN, GOZO

ARZELLA, Il-Menqa, Marsalforn, Gozo +356 2155 4662

+356 7940 9924

bookings@ristorantearzella.com

The shimmering Mediterranean encircling our island has always been regarded by the islanders as an unfailingly reliable source of nutrition - and Ristorante Arzella is certainly no exception. It is with the same consistency that we ensure to deliver only the tastiest selection of fresh fish and seafood to our clients’ plates. Your host, Christian, will be delighted to recommend a dish perfectly suited to your tastes, which you can enjoy either during a leisurely lunch or a relaxed dinner on our open terrace whilst feasting your eyes on wide uninterrupted sea views. Choose from an array of colourful pasta dishes, meats, mouth-watering antipasti and a vast selection of wine guaranteed to make your dining experience the most memorable yet.

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A IR 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.

Air Malta

to restart Frankfurt route

A

ir Malta’s new Board of Directors met for the first time under the new Chairmanship of Charles Mangion and in the presence of Minister of Tourism Konrad Mizzi. The board reviewed the current financial situation and the commercial plans of the national airline and took its first commercial decisions.

One of the board's first decisions was to recommence services to Frankfurt as from next October, operating four times a week in winter and daily in Summer. The airline has now embarked on an intensive campaign to market this new route.

Air Malta had suspended its operations to Frankfurt this summer (2017). Air Malta’s new services will be supported through a more aggressive sales force engaged by the airline as it is reorganising its commercial effort in Germany and other main markets mainly across Europe.

Further changes are expected in the commercial area including a new product range. These will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information visit www.airmalta.com, or log onto

AirMalta.

A IR M A LTA N E W S

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© Alfredo Allais

Our Ocean feeds us, today and tomorrow

Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

I

f you're flying to Malta, you're probably looking forward to taste our delicious seafood. If you're leaving Malta, I'm sure you already miss it. I'm talking about our traditional lampuki pie, our rich aljotta (fish soup), our savoury klamari mimlija (stuffed calamari) Indeed, the products of the Mediterranean Sea are one of our most renowned and appreciated treasures.

Here in Malta and in other Mediterranean countries, many communities are inseparable from the sea. Fishermen are inseparable from fish. All of us, proud children of this sparkling blue sea, have a deep attachment to it. Our culture, including our gastronomy, is profoundly influenced by our relationship with the Mediterranean.

And yet, seafood is a shrinking resource in our waters, threatened by overexploitation, illegal fishing, pollution and climate change. As I always tell my grandchildren, the sea is very much a part of the family;

it's our past, our present and our future.

A heritage that we need to protect. If we don't act now, our millennia-old traditions will be lost forever.

That is why I brought together 15 countries from across the Mediterranean to sign the "MedFish4Ever" declaration. We will work together to restore fish stocks to good health, to support fishermen and to fight illegal fishing so that we can all continue to enjoy our seafood – responsibly and sustainably.

All this can be achieved solely in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among the Mediterranean countries.

Let me share with you a success story that I'm particularly proud of. One that demonstrates that we can protect our seas and everybody who depends on them, if only we work together. A decade ago, the bluefin tuna – an extremely important species to Mediterranean

MALTA, 5-6 OCTOBER 2017

fisherman – was on the verge of collapse.

The European Union came to the rescue with a 15-year recovery plan and led international efforts to enforce that plan. A mere 8 years later, this stock has started to flourish again and fishermen can catch more Bluefin tuna again – thanks to the concerted efforts of the the fishing community which worked hard to help these fish from becoming extinct.

This year is particularly important for the oceans. From Bali, to New York, to my home Malta, the world community is mobilising. And we should build on our successes.

Sustainable fisheries will be one of the key topics at the Our Ocean Conference, hosted by the European Union in Malta on 5 and 6 October. At the conference, industry and government leaders and civil society will commit to concrete actions for healthy and sustainably managed oceans for present and future generations to enjoy.

Find out more at www.ourocean2017.org or contact us via email at MARE-OOC-2017_BUSINESS@ec.europa.eu #OurOcean

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A IR M A LTA N E W S

Glitch Festival next month The biggest line-up ever to hit Malta

A

fter last year’s successful and ground-shaking debut, Glitch Festival is coming back with its second edition next month. Electronic music enthusiasts from all over the world are once again called to gather at the gates of the mystical House-and-Techno fortress for two solid days on a sonic adventure on the Mediterranean Island of Malta.

The 2017 edition of Glitch Festival will officially take place over the 7 and 8 of September at Gianpula Fields, framed against the iconic skyline of Malta’s fortified city, Mdina. Party-goers can lap up the last of the summer sunshine against a backdrop of sun-kissed house

and disco followed by darker, disjointed techno, acid and electro music which will take the party well into the night.

Glitch Festival will feature multiple stages and promises a diverse quality line-up of industry titans, including Maceo Plex, Jon Hopkins, Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock and Recondite.

A rare appearance by the legendary Mr. G will also be one of the festival’s highlights, together with Drexciyaaffiliated DJ Stingray, Blawan, Dax J, Legowelt, Vril, Palms Trax, DJ Seinfeld, Jupiter Jax, Hail Blk and more.

As though this year’s solid two-day line-up wasn’t mind-blowing enough

already, Glitch Festival will also set sail. Happening on Saturday 9 September, the day-time boat party will feature a carefully curated lineup of international acts – making this an unmissable, intimate, sunsoaked expedition. Space Dimension Controller, DJ Seinfeld and Jupiter Jax will take over the boat in a grandfinale, closing off the second edition of Glitch Festival in proper fashion.

Find the fortress, find the Glitch.

Air Malta is proud to be assisting this event and supporting initiatives that enrich the calendar of events happening on the Maltese Islands throughout the year.

Check out www.glitchfestival.com for more info.

A IR M A LTA N E W S

Air Malta assists INSPIRE

T

his August, Air Malta will be assisting the Inspire Foundation by collecting funds on board the airline’s flights towards this

cause.

Inspire believes that everyone has a right to equality and inclusion. Its mission is to try to help everyone with a disability achieve this, by providing individuals and their families with educational, therapeutic, and leisure services. Inspire also advocates for inclusion, educates the general public, raises awareness among peers, and holds the best knowledge base on disability on the island.

‘Today, Inspire helps over 1000 individuals with various disabilities ranging from Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. We do this through many services and disability programmes that are offered at a highly subsidised rate or sometimes even for free. But this is only possible thanks to the voluntary donations collected from the general public’, explained Antonello Gauci – Inspire’s CEO. Paul Sies, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer said, “Air Malta

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is More Than Just an Airline. Apart from our efforts to connect the Maltese Islands to main gateways across Europe and the Mediterranean we offer support to the community through a number of initiatives. We are proud to once again help Inspire to continue their commendable work within the local community and continue assisting hundreds of individuals and their families support services in time of need.”

This campaign also forms part of Air Malta’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, whereby the airline supports organisations that work hard in the Maltese community. As Malta’s national carrier, the airline is the only airline flying from Malta that fully supports the local community in all possible ways and every year carries an increasing number of medical cases, including stretcher cases for treatment abroad. No other airline operating to Malta provides continued support to voluntary and non-governmental organisations like Air Malta.

This initiative is also being supported by the airline’s catering provider – Sky Gourmet.

For more information visit www.airmalta.com, or log onto

AirMalta.

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A IR M A LTA N E W S

Life and Colours of Tunis PHOTOS BY Daniel Balzan/Air Malta

T

o promote the reopening of the Tunis route with the Maltese islands, Air Malta recently invited journalists and travel agents to fly over to the North-African destination.

Apart from visiting tourist attractions like Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet, Sousse, Port el Kantaoui and the old ruins of the city of Cartage, the group were also hosted to an evening event hosted by Air Malta to launch the route amongst Tunisian travel agents.

A IR M A LTA N E W S

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A IR M A LTA N E W S

Air Malta re-connects Europe to North Africa

A

group of Air Malta’s 80 social media followers had the opportunity to fly to Tunis to celebrate the inaugural launch of the three-times-weekly service to the North African city. The innovative launch

by Air Malta’s social media team to celebrate this milestone was a huge success and the response by the avid social media followers was simply overwhelming.

Upon their arrival at Tunis Carthage Airport, our guests were surprised with a special access to the VIP lounge. In the presence of H.E. Dr Mark Pace - Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia – along with Mr Mahmoud Said - General Director for Tunisair Handling, Mr Paul Sies - Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr David Galea - Air Malta’s Manager for North Africa, and the flight captain Mr Lawrence Mifsud Bonnici, celebrated the new link during the cake cutting ceremony.

This service also heralds the national airline’s return to North Africa. Thanks to short and convenient transfers through Malta International Airport, this new Air Malta service will offer seamless flight connectivity between Tunisia and the European cities of Vienna, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Prague, Munich, Brussels, Marseille, Catania, Milan and Zurich. Air Malta will also provide full cargo services on this route, opening up a new cargo gateway to/from Tunisia and beyond.

Mr Paul Sies, Chief Commercial Officer stated the launch of this route initiates Air Malta’s position as a carrier connecting the islands to important regions in Europe and North Africa, this besides the many connections it already offers across the Mediterranean and beyond.

We are very excited to be one of the first European airlines to resume regular services to Tunis. Through this launch we are not just offering another new destination on our route network but we are also extending our services by opening a new gateway connecting Europe and North Africa, and thereby facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo between the two continents. May many other (north) African destinations follow.

01. Passengers on board Air Malta’s first flight to Tunis.

02. Bernard Charles Mifsud - Chargé d’Affaires of the Maltese Embassy in Tunisia, H.E. Dr Mark Anthony Pace - Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia, Mahmoud Said - General Director, Tunisair Handling, Paul Sies - Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer.

03. The flight crew Jonathan Micallef, Anabelle Almerigo, Lyann Marie Abela, Liliana Mifsud, Mark Scicluna - In-flight Manager,First Officer - Chris Borg Barthet, Capt. Lawrence Mifsud Bonnici, together with Paul Sies - Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Galea - Air Malta’s Manager North Africa.

A IR M A LTA N E W S

il-bizzilla talks to

Nicky Camilleri Kelly Cabin Crew

How long have you been working with Air Malta?

I joined Air Malta in November 1994. Although I first began working at the company's Head Office, one of my wishes was to eventually become a flight attendant – something which I achieved in July 1998. In 2014 my husband and I were blessed with twin boys and have since been working on reduced hours. However, I am now looking forward to get back into my normal flying schedule.

Three words that describe your job?

Rewarding - It is always a pleasure to see happy and satisfied customers who thank you for the service provided on board.

Stressful - The erratic working hours can sometimes be very trying, as they do not allow you to get into a consistent work routine. Interesting - It allows you to meet and converse with people from all walks of life. First-time travellers, frequent travellers, families, politicians, music and sports personalities, as well as other travelling VIP’s.

What is the biggest challenge of your job?

No matter what you are going through in your personal life, or even simply your mood on the day, you always have to put on a familiar smile as if everything is just great. I truly believe that this is one of the biggest challenges I face while at work. However, there is nothing like hearing a simple ‘thank you’, or receiving the sweet recognition coming from a child before disembarking the aircraft. Believe me, as much

as it is challenging, it is always of such great satisfaction to see happy, contented passengers, both young and old alike, thanking you for having made their flight a memorable one.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love sports in general. In fact I played football for about 15 years before I had children, and now I love doing any kind of personal training. Travelling in general is of course something that I have always loved doing.

Which is your favourite destination and why?

As far as it being work related, I don’t really have any preferences. However, on a more personal level, South Africa is by far one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited.

What are your favourite spots or tips for anyone visiting Malta?

In my opinion, if you haven’t visited or even seen the Grand Harbour, you are truly missing out on something special.

Being a local myself, as well as an avid traveller, I really do believe that Malta is the most beautiful and comprehensive country in the world. From the Ġgantija Temples in Gozo – one of the oldest free standing structures in the world, to the various fortified cities left by the Knights of St John, such as Mdina, the Three Cities of Senglea, Bormla and Cospicua, together with the capital city of Valletta. Include some of the island's more modern and bustling locations like Sliema and St Julian’s, and one is bound to stumble upon a favourite destination for life. It is definitely for good reason that generations of world traders and travellers have constantly been referring to Malta as ‘The Jewel of the Mediterranean’.

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i n f l i ght i n f o r m at i on

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 ght i n f o r m at i on

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.

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Join our business class Upgrade to Air Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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-byair-malta/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-engb 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 canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Stockholm

ESTONIA

LATVIA DENMARK • Copenhagen

UNITED KINGDOM

REP. OF IRELAND

LITHUANIA

• Moscow

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 •

Marsille •

UKRAINE

• Prague

• Frankfurt

CZECH REPUBLIC

• Munich

FRANCE

• Warsaw

POLAND

HUNGARY

SWITZERLAND • Geneva

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA CROATIA Trieste •

Milan • Turin • Verona • • Venice Florence • • Bologna Genoa •

• Otopani

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

• Ancona ITALY • Pescara

Pisa •

SPAIN

• Bari • Brindisi ALBANIA Naples •

• Cagliari

BULGARIA • Istanbul

TURKEY GREECE

Lamezia Terme

Palermo •

TUNISIA

• Sofia

F.Y.O.M.

• Olbia

Tunis •

SERBIA

MONTENEGRO

• Rome Alghero •

MOLDOVA

• Budapest

AUSTRIA

• Zurich

• Nice

SLOVAKIA

• Vienna

• Reggio Calabria • Catania

Larnaca •

CYPRUS

Malta Tel Aviv •

ISRAEL

ALGERIA

LIBYA

EGYPT

IRAN

Air Malta direct flights airport

• Abu Dhabi

OMAN

SAUDI ARABIA

Weekly Flights

Amsterdam Berlin Birmingham Bristol Brussels Catania Düsseldorf London Gatwick London Heathrow Lyon Marseille Milan

8 1 1 1 10 15 2 5 15 3 2 7

airport

Weekly Flights

Moscow Munich Palermo Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly Prague

Rome Tel Aviv Tunis Vienna Zurich

2 10 2 7 9 2 10 3 (fortnight) 3 8 8

Code-shared RouteS • BRISBANE

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi

Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney

australia

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

• Sydney

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

• Melbourne

brussels AIRLINES Brussels Copenhagen

• Perth

via Catania via Brussels

Czech Airlines Prague

australia Swiss International Air Lines

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

Austrian Airlines

Zurich

Budapest Otopeni (Buc) Prague Sofia Warsaw

Emirates Larnaca

Meridiana Olbia Naples

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

via Rome via Catania

Turkish AIRLINES Istanbul

via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna

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E l ect r on i c d e v i ce i n f o r m at i on

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.

Laptops 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, Mediterranean Beauty You Deserve

Ramla Bay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photo by Nick Bugeja

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