Il-Bizzilla, June 2018

# 6 6 J U N E 201 8

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

I T ' S A L L I N T H E N A M E p. 30 Maltese family names and their roots discussed.

TA LK O F THE TOWN p. 50 A rural area with a stunning view - Dingli.

CASINO MALTA ACQUIRES BATTLE OF MALTA NEW NEW ADDITION ADDITION WILL WILL GUARANTEE GUARANTEE A A €1,000,000 €1,000,000 PRIZE PRIZE POOL POOL

Casino Casino Malta, Malta, the the country’s country’s newest newest and and largest largest Casino, Casino, recently recently announced announced that that it it has has acquired acquired the the rights rights related related to to the the famed famed Poker Poker Tournament Tournament “Battle “Battle of of Malta”.

Malta”.

This This tournament tournament was was started started in in 2010 2010 and and has has grown grown in in participants participants from from year year to to year year culminating culminating in in over over 2,000 2,000 entries entries in in the the 2017 2017 edition. edition.

The The 2018 2018 edition edition of of the the tournament tournament will will be be held held between between 25th 25th to to 30th 30th October October 2018, 2018, with with aa guaranteed guaranteed prize prize fund fund of of €1,000,000 €1,000,000 and and aa buy buy in in of of €550. €550.

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#66 JUN E 2018

CONTENTS

40

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

Facts and figures about the Maltese Islands.

14 . T H E P E R I L O F T H E T R E E

Conservation. Conservation must begin.

2 1 . L- I M N A R J A

The traditional feast for all the family.

24 . H I G H F LY I N G D E N T I S T R Y

Jean Paul Demajo gives us a lesson on dental discipline.

26 . D E S I G N E D I N M A LTA

Maltese elements in fashion staples.

3 0 . I T ’ S A L L I N T H E N A M E

Maltese family names and their roots.

32 . W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N M A LTA

A collection of events to keep you occupied this month.

40 . A N A F T E R N O O N AT T H E C O B B L E R

The sole of a Maltese tradition.

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

A Sicilian city worth its while.

5 0 . TA L K O F T H E T O W N

Let’s take a trip to Dingli - a rural village with a stunning view.

62 74

8 0 . R E S TAU R A N T & B A R G U I D E

54. ISL AND HIGHLIGHT S

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

58. THE THREE SIS TERS OF THE WES T

What are they hiding?

8 4 . A I R M A LTA N E W S

This is the sound of summer.

62 . VA L L E T TA F I L M F E S T I VA L 201 8

The cinematic event of the year in the Capital of Culture.

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

All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.

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

9 6 . E L E C T R O N I C D E V I C E I N F O R M AT I O N

74 . A F O C U S O N D I N G L I

A round-up of this month’s news.

9 4 . D E S T I N AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N

70 . O U T & A B O U T

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

92 . 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

60 . M A N ATA P U P I T S T O P

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

Head down to Dingli for an Instagram worthy shot.

7 7. W H E R E T E X T A N D I M AG E M E E T

The parallel development of artistic masterminds.

find the knight win a flight

&

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

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

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

Closing date is the last day of the month.

franksalt.com.mt

SALES LETTING COMMERCIAL

NAXXAR

SLIEMA

Ref. 911615 | €650,000

4

1

2

Ref. 655501 | €3,200 monthly

3

1

1

Sliema Branch - t 2342 1000 | m 9943 6494

Sliema Letting Branch - t 2276 5000 | m 9943 7540

Spacious HOUSE OF CHARACTER in a central part of Malta. Accommodation consisting of a hallway, living room with fireplace, dining room, fitted kitchen leading to a back garden, 3 bedrooms (main with en-suite shower) and main bathroom. Furthermore, a penthouse-style annex with 1 bedroom that is ideal for guests. Freehold.

Fully furnished seafront APARTMENT with 3 bedrooms (main with an ensuite), separate bathroom, study area, an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area leading to a south-facing balcony boasting spectacular views of Sliema Creek and the Valletta bastions. The property includes laundry room, dishwasher and air-conditioning.

L E T T I N G

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(00356) 23 794 794 | fs@franksalt.com.mt BALZAN I MOSTA I FGURA I GOZO I MARSASCALA I MELLIEHA I SAN GWANN I IBRAG I SLIEMA I SPINOLA I ST JULIANS I ST PAUL’S BAY I COSPICUA

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€ 900,000

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A very rare find! CONVERTED MILL located in the outskirts of this sought-after village having a spacious garden with a swimming pool. Accommodation comprises a hall, lounge, conservatory/ dining room and a large fully equipped kitchen/breakfast room with pantry. On the first floor one finds a master bedroom having an en-suite bathroom, terrace with far reaching views, two other bedrooms and a main bathroom. This old mill has abundance of character and a tranquil feel to a unique property.

COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS BEST – HIGHLY CONVERTED REF: 911681

l

€1,900,000

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MARSASCALA

A fantastic converted FARMHOUSE set on 1.9 tumoli of peaceful and tranquil land.

A welcoming hallway leads onto a very spacious living area. Modern touches such as intelligent lighting and computer controlled systems bring total comfort to this farmhouse.

Kitchen, living and dining area all open onto a fantastic pool and deck with lush lawns and landscaped garden. On the side one finds stables and paddock. Property has four bedrooms all with en suite/walk-in and an office on the ground floor. A very large terrace overlooks the gardens and pool below. This wonderful countryside property is perfect for those looking for luxury, country living in peaceful surroundings. Freehold

Homes of Quality, 211, Tower Road, Sliema Tel: +356 2342 0000 UK Tel: +44 (0) 871 711 8994 Mob: +356 9947 4340 Email: info@hoq.com.mt

6

ON THE COVER The sand, the sea, the sky - Malta's spectacular colours captured in one shot. The landscape surrounding the western coast creates the perfect setting for an outstanding photo.

MEET THE TEAM EDITORIAL AND DESIGN TBWA\ANG EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kristina Cassar Dowling SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Julia Grech CONTRIBUTORS Air Malta Alessia Caruana Claire Pace Monreal Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti Giulia Privitelli Jean Paul Demajo Paul Vassallo Sarah Chircop

TCD Valletta Waterfront Veronica Stivala PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Abela Charles Grixti ILLUSTRATIONS Steven Bonello

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON IL-BIZZILLA? For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with Julia on sales@il-bizzilla.com or (+356) 9945 2169.

For anything related to editorial or photography, contact Kristina on editor@il-bizzilla.com.

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

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

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

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

VISIT THE FULL RANGE OF MEDINA WINES AT: WWW.DELICATA.COM /DELICATA WINERY

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5 Bedrooms

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An outstanding HOUSE OF CHARACTER situated within one of Malta’s most sought after villages ▪ Beautifully converted to an exceptional standard ▪ Unique courtyard ▪ Lots of natural light throughout ▪ Entrance hallway ▪ Spacious open-plan kitchen sitting/dining area with access to the beautiful landscaped garden ▪ Swimming pool & sun terraces ▪ 5 bedrooms ▪ 5 bathrooms (2 ensuite) ▪ Guest cloakroom ▪ Laundry room ▪ Spectacular roof terrace ▪ SOLE AGENTS

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Tower Road - an elevated SEAFRONT APARTMENT on the much sought after “sunny side” of this prestigious location ▪ Fantastic entertaining space ▪ New top quality “Schuco apertures” ▪ Brand new fitted kitchen/breakfast ▪ Large sitting / dining room leading onto a balcony taking in wonderful open views of Spinola Bay, Portomaso & the open sea ▪ 3 bedrooms ▪ 2 new bathrooms (1 en-suite) ▪ Laundry room ▪ Storeroom ▪ Garage space ▪ Close to all the local amenities ▪ SOLE AGENTS

3 Bedrooms

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The Gardens - a new top floor residence, MAISONETTE type, in this sought after area ▪ Exquisite finish throughout ▪ Close to all amenities & the seafront ▪ Open plan layout ▪ Fitted kitchen/breakfast ▪ Dining & sitting area leading onto a large outdoor terrace with kitchenette/BBQ area - perfect for al fresco dining & entertaining ▪ 3 bedrooms ▪ 3 bathrooms (all en-suite) ▪ Laundry room ▪ Roof with airspace ▪ Underlying 2-car lock up garage ▪ Made to measure furniture included ▪ SOLE AGENTS

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Introducing ‘The Fountain’ - a brand new PREMIUM SEAFRONT OFFICE space in this sought after business district ■ Spectacular 180 degree views of the yacht marina & beyond to Valletta ■ Built over 5 floors (70m2 per floor) including a duplex penthouse with a 50m2 terrace ■ Can be leased as a whole or separately ■ Bright & contemporary workspace with a high standard of finish throughout ■ 8 passenger lift ■ Kitchenette & toilet facilities on each floor ■ Back-up generator ■ Air-conditioning throughout ■ Fire detectors ▪ Alarm system ▪ Ideal business location - equidistant to the commercial hubs of Sliema & Valletta ▪ Easy walking distance to amenities ■ SOLE AGENTS

▪ Collect your free copy of our leading real estate publication from the exit of the arrival lounge ▪ ▪ Our Letting department also offers a wide selection of both prime commercial & residential properties for lease ▪

perry.com.mt

8

FROM THE CEO...

FROM THE E D I TO R . . .

Merħba.

The month of June is one of our busiest

For more information about Air Malta

It’s summer. Whether the seasonal

months as the travel intensity of our

and our flight schedules please visit

calendar claims to fit the summer season

guests increases. This month we are

www.airmalta.com and

or not, here in Malta summer is in full

www.facebook.com/AirMalta and join

bloom. The beaches have been visited

our newsletter mailing list to receive

by many a local and daring tourist for

great offers directly in your inbox.

quite a while. The sand has welcomed

also launching two new destinations to complement our already rich summer schedule with regular flights to Kiev and Tarbes / Lourdes starting from 19th and

the creative hands of toddlers, eagerly

29th June respectively.

At Air Malta we put you, our guest,

stacking up their sandcastles on the

at the centre of all that we do and

shores while their parents bake on the

Air Malta’s digital team is presently

we are always keen to know what we

colourful sunbeds placed upon the local

could do better to improve your Air

sandy beaches.

overseeing a number of projects to improve communication with our guests and recently a new Customer Relationship Management system was deployed and is being integrated with the airline’s systems. There is more good news, since in the coming weeks we will be introducing a number of other innovations, including a Live Chat, designed to facilitate communication with our esteemed guests through our website.

The month of June is synonymous in our islands with the much-awaited village festas. On the 29th June the Islands celebrate one of the oldest feasts dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. During June the islands boast of an extensive programme of distinct cultural activities such as the Pageant of The Seas, a unique spectacle featuring different types of boats sailing in the Grand Harbour organised as part of the celebrations of Valletta as the European City of Culture for 2018.

Malta flight experience. We strive to improve our services to meet the

This month we’re taking you to Dingli,

changing expectations of our guests,

where the views are jaw-dropping and

and your feedback will contribute

the countryside is a short cry away from

to our change and improvement

perfect. If you time your visit properly,

process. Visit www.airmalta.com/ wearelistening to answer a few short questions about your flight with us and you can win one of 10 free return Air Malta flights we are offering every month. It really only takes 2 minutes!

Wherever you are flying with us I hope you have a great flight with us. Air Malta is much more than just an airline.

Thank you for choosing Air Malta. As our welcomed guest we hope to see you on-board another one of our flights soon.

Joseph Galea Acting CEO Air Malta

you’ll be happy to spot a few sheep grazing on the local garigue. Take a seat on one of the viewpoint benches and watch the sun set into the deep blue Mediterranean sea.

Dingli is magical, as is the rest of Malta and Gozo during the month of June.

It’s festival season too, local bands and artists come out of hibernation as soon as the sun comes out, while summer venues open their doors to the swarms of eager locals looking for a great spot to enjoy a drink in the sun. Live like the locals this June.

Have a safe flight,

Kristina

With 300+ associates and 28 offices covering the Maltese Islands, RE/MAX Malta is at your service.

With an extensive property database, we also have a vast range of RE/MAX Exclusive listings - guaranteeing you’ll find your perfect match.

For more exclusive properties, kindly visit exclusive.remax-malta.com

MELLIEĦA APARTMENT

€535,000

MLS 240211031-16

Large three-bedroom Apartment in the exclusive Tas-Sellum Residence in Mellieha. with a 190sqm internal layout & 20sqm terrace, perfect for entertaining. Includes a two car lock up garage and use of a communal pool & gardens. Freehold.

Call Joanne on 9940 1191

TIGNE’ APARTMENT

€1,975,000

MLS 240221007-75

Highly finished, fully furnished 6th Floor Apartment with access to Tignè Point Complex facilities, including communal Swimming Pool, with a front terrace enjoying view of Valletta.

Includes 2-Car Lock Up Garage (side by side).

Call Steve on 9940 1515

Call 2015 6800 Emall info@remax-malta.com

remax-malta.com

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PASSENGERS CARRIED ONBOARD AIR MALTA FLIGHTS:

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MONUMENTS IN VALLET TA

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THE MALTESE DRIVE ON THE LEFT

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DECL ARED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

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50,754,711

malta’s finest selection of meats and cheese Dine in cloud 9.

Perfect dinner Great food, cosy ambience, and a definitely attentive service.

The food is amazing, and the experience is a really pleasant one from start to finish. It is hard to book a table but so glad we managed to dine there.

Great for steak, wine and cheese

An indulgence From the perfectly cooked tender juicy meat, to the sides of buttery mash potatoes and truffle fries. This is an experience to indulge, not just a meal.

Excellent cuts of meat, superbly cooked and matched with a lovely red wine. Super friendly staff, attentive service. Too full for cheese, but they have an excellent selection of that too.

Best food in town (if you like meat, which I do!) and a good vibe too; packed with locals enjoying a Wednesday night out.

brassandknuckle.com

| (+356) 7940 5205

|

 

12

PROPERT Y

Homes of Quality appointed sole agents of exclusive property estate in Tuscany

H

omes of Quality (HOQ) & Frank Salt Real Estate announced their exclusive partnership with Borgo Case Bardi, a development in Tuscany, at a recent launch event at the HOQ branch in Sliema.

The development comprises 22 elegantly designed properties with a beautiful communal pool in the very heart of Tuscany. The selection of country villas and hamlet houses are all newly built in the traditional style associated with the region's architecture and offer private, spacious gardens, each one landscaped and overlooking 6 hectares of the stunning Tuscan scenery.

Within the Grosseto province and just a short drive away from the famous Porto Santo Stefano, Case Bardi is situated just two hours from Rome and Pisa airports and near the largest golf courses in Italy and the thermal baths of Saturnia. Grahame Salt, director of Frank Salt Real Estate said, “We are very excited to be promoting this project. The properties themselves are stunning and are managed by full-time staff, making them so easy to keep as holiday homes or rental investments. Tuscany is just magical and all the sites and medieval cities are within

easy reach of this project and great fun to explore – Siena, Montalcino, San Guminiano, Florence... the list is endless.

We want to offer our clients an opportunity to invest in their lifestyle and this is the perfect way to do so.”

The Italian themed launch event at HOQ invited guests to experience the estate through photography of the estate displayed on art easels along with video footage which walks one through the region and all the estate has to offer. Furthermore, Mr Salt pointed out that "a number of units have sold already and the level of interest we’ve experienced has been phenomenal. This project is up and running and ready for immediate occupation. We needed to ensure we are selling a quality product and this is one we are proud to associate ourselves with. Tuscany is after all one of the most renowned locations in the world”.

Properties are being offered highly finished with the option to have the property furnished. Prices start at just €320,000 for a 3 bedroom house and the running costs are very reasonable, averaging around €2,000 per annum, including taxes.

More information can be found at www.homesofquality.com.mt or you can contact our office on 2342 0000

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14

FLOR A

The Peril of the Tree

FLOR A

“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way” ~ William Blake WORDS GIULIA PRIVITELLI

T

aking back a step or two, or flying up high several miles into the sky, will often reveal a better, fuller picture. You might have noticed by now, or will eventually do so as you descend on Malta, that the islands are getting thirsty, very thirsty. Three months have already crept far into the dry season; the relatively few “green things” will soon, or have already become “burnt things,” while lush supple leaves stiffen and wither with every molecule of water squeezed out of them. If you have ever doubted whether a place surrounded by water could slowly turn into a desert, then I invite you to cast another “bird’s” eye on the Islands, and note how this oasis seems to have been turned inside out.

To be fair, the aridness of the islands is not something that could be completely helped, nor is it something we only tend to exaggerate nowadays, especially in the face of urban sprawls, construction sprees, and the chronic, compulsive need to fill “empty” spaces. The relatively dry environment has often been considered as a thorn in the Islands’ side, particularly in the eyes of those who had other ends in sight. For instance, during the nomadic years of the Order of St John following the loss of Rhodes, the Order sent eight commissioners to the islands in 1524 to draw up a report on the state of the environment, on the geography, demography, culture and way of life of the islands’ inhabitants.

Sure enough, their report paints an all but too sullen picture of Malta, in an obvious attempt to dissuade the Order from settling on the island (although the allure of the sea was, back then as it is now, far too strong). They describe it as “aridissima, e d’ogni sorte di selve, di boschi, e di legna spogliata e priva”; a bone-dry land where practically nothing grows. Harsh indeed, but who could really blame them? The commissioners visited the islands in the infernal months of July and August… on business, not pleasure.

That, or they were simply not looking close enough. The islands, in truth, boast a very rich biodiversity relative to their size.

Ironically enough, the Order of St John was itself responsible for starting up a number of landscaping initiatives, such as the semi-artificial woodland area in Buskett (limits of Rabat) and the lush gardens of their summer residences, or for the introduction of new species to the islands. The British too, so typically keen on their green spaces, introduced the idea of botanical gardens, garden-cemeteries, and the so-called Ġnien tal-Kmandant (the Commander’s Garden) set up in several towns and villages. Their intention? To increase the greenery of the islands, of course.

15

16

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17

Ironically enough, the Order of St John was itself responsible for starting up a number of landscaping initiatives, such as the semiartificial woodland area in Buskett

To date, over a thousand species of vascular plants, seven hundred of which are native, have been recorded on the islands. To put you in the picture, this amounts to approximately around a third of the number of floral species spread over and around the British Isles, which are collectively, a thousand times the area of Malta.

Moreover, a few of these species such as the Maltese rock centaury, the Maltese cliff-orache and Maltese spurge are endemic to Malta, which means they have adapted to a very specific habitat, so specific that they do not, or perhaps cannot, grow naturally elsewhere. No pressure.

Our responsibility to safeguard them and the delicate natural environment which supports them is hence, all the more critical. Yes, it is your responsibility too, dear traveller.

“Where does this responsibility come from?” one might ask.

Is beauty alone enough reason to protect the environment?

For those who think it is not; for those who are not moved “to tears of joy”; for those who consider that the blossoming of flowers competes far too much with the blossoming of human society and the economy, here’s one analogy that might (but only just) shed some light on the matter:

Why do children often seek out their old, faded, patchedup, one-eyed soft-toys after having begged their parents to buy them the newer, better-looking ones? Clearly, it seems, beauty is not the reason for their irreplaceability, but something with much deeper, far-reaching roots.

Perhaps, it is because of the child’s conviction that there can be no future without that old, loyal soft-toy, inexhaustibly present for those longer, darker nights.

Now, I don’t think we need much to convince us that there can be no life without our natural environment; nor do I think would we be able to do much good without having access to beauty. In other words, we need the little natural environment we have left.

Far too often, we tend to forget that the obstacle is not the tree which happens to stand right in the middle of a projected road, or an otherwise tree-less square. They are not the problem that needs to be plucked; the root lies elsewhere. The root of the problem lies in the egoistic heart of greed, which fails to appreciate that all there is above the ground, was once the ground. If we cannot appreciate or even acknowledge this, then how can we, really, be sensitive to the depth of our footprint on the environment? Or how can we harbour any sense of respect towards the surroundings that sustain us, which make every patch of land and sea unique, worth loving? The way we treat our natural environment is indeed, no different to how we treat each other as human beings. As our Indian mystic friend, Osho, would say: “If you love a f lower, don’t pick it up. Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a f lower, let it be. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.”

F E S TA

L -I M NA RJA A SPECTACLE OF M ALTESE CULTURE WORDS CLAIRE PACE MONREAL

Marking one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural and religious calendar, l-Imnarja is celebrated annually on 29 June. Exhibiting Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s religious devotion and its passion for food and cultural entertainment, this feast has been enjoyed on the Islands for centuries. It is, indeed, one of the oldest feasts in Malta and it commemorates St Peter and St Paul; the latter being one of the three patron saints of the Maltese Islands for bringing Christianity to Malta in 60AD.

21

The feast owes its origin to the old Roman festivity of Luminaria. As the name suggests, this was a celebration of light. Torches and bonfires lit the Mediterranean piazzas and winding streets and avenues, turning them into a canvas of shades of red and orange. Much like many other pagan feasts, the feast of Luminaria was assimilated by the Christian church and instituted as the Feast of St Peter and St Paul. This was later chosen as an official national holiday by the Knights of St John.

Paying heed to its roots, l-Imnarja is celebrated today with fireworks and bonfires that shed vibrant colours over the Islands during the dark hours following dusk.

enjoyment of this Maltese folk music. The distinct rhythm and cadences, evoking a Sicilian and Arabic aural familiarity, highlight the Maltese tongue-in-cheek sense of humour and urge to engage in friendly banter.

Traditionally enjoyed by farmers and housewives as a means of gossiping, the music necessitates advanced skill in order for the performer to express themselves clearly on the spur of the moment. This type of għana, referred to as spirtu pront, is the most popular type.

Coupled with the unique melody of the instrumental accompaniment, the sound of għana is not one that is easily forgotten.

Whilst celebrations have changed drastically over the years, seeing a shift from St Paul’s Grotto to the Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina in 1613, to the current celebrations in Buskett Gardens, similarities to the original feast may still be felt today. The festivities commence with the reading of il-bandu, a governmental announcement that has been part of the Mnarja celebrations since the 16th century. Liturgical services are also still held in Mdina with horse and donkey races taking place afterwards.

The prominence of rabbit stew during the festivities also reverberates the history of the feast. Under the Knights, l-Imnarja was the sole day when Maltese people were allowed to hunt and eat wild rabbit, which is today Malta’s national dish. In 1854 an agricultural show at Buskett was launched. The pride and joy of local farmers, this show, which plays a central role in today’s celebrations, is an exquisite display of Maltese harvest and local rabbit.

Nowadays, the lion’s share of celebrations on l-Imnarja take place at Buskett. The feast is a spectacle of food, religion, and music, much like the many other feasts that punctuate Maltese summers. Locals revel in traditional għana (folk-singing), and have a glass - or two - of wine with their fenkata (rabbit stew). The festivities of l-Imnarja provide a rare occasion for the

Bringing together three integral aspects of Maltese life: religion, food and entertainment, it is perhaps no surprise that l-Imnarja enjoys the popularity that it does on the islands. Whether a local, or a visitor this June, a visit to Buskett Gardens will definitely not be regretted. Pair this with a stop at Dingli Cliffs to enjoy panoramic views of Maltese countryside, or with a visit to Verdala Palace, built in 1586, for a memorable day on the islands.

24

MEDICAL

MULTIDISCIPLINARY DENTISTRY

W

hen it comes to advanced cases, more than one dental discipline is often required. This is quite a common scenario. In fact these cases might not look too complicated and would very often achieve a satisfactory result with routine dentistry.

However, very few patients are happy with a satisfactory result these days. Most patients are after very good results, which tick all their priority boxes, leaving them very happy and confident with their new smile. In order to achieve these optimal results, one must first start off with an in-depth consultation with the patient.

It is important for us practitioners to find out exactly what the patient likes and dislikes about their current smile and what result they wish to achieve. Once those questions are answered practitioners may devise a treatment plan involving one or more than one dental discipline.

More often than not more than one treatment plan is proposed. The plans might vary with the duration of treatment, the expenses as well as the nature of the dentistry required.

The main difference will always be the aesthetic result. Usually the more

complicated treatment plan with longer treatment time and higher expenses delivers the better results.

A CASE STUDY A young professional wishes to improve her smile. She is very conscious of the midline, which has shifted to one side, showing an asymmetrical smile. Studies show that when the midline shift is that much, it can be picked up by most people. This shift was exacerbated by the low attachment of upper lip fibres, attaching the lip to the gum as well as two genetically missing teeth. In the past the case was restored with a fixed bridge, but rightly so the patient remained unhappy with the overall result.

The patient was treated with orthodontics (braces), oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry spanning over two years. The result is not perfect but a large improvement.

One of the most important aspects in our line of work is for the patient to walk out happy. At times we may not be fully satisfied with the results but if the patient is happy, everyone is happy.

Ask your dentist.

Dr Jean Paul Demajo

DENTAL & IMPLANT SURGEON

Pre-treatment

During treatment

Post-treatment

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26

FA SHION

DESIGNE D IN MALTA VERONICA STIVALA TAKES A LOOK AT TWO OF MALTA'S UP-AND-COMING DESIGNERS – SAZ MIFSUD AND ROSEMARIE ABELA – AND HOW THEY INCORPORATE MALTESE ELEMENTS IN THEIR DESIGN T H E S I L K PAT H Rich blues, somber auburn, deep reds. The palette of Maltese designer Saz Mifsud is a veritable invitation into a world of colour. Indeed it is the way she puts colours together that makes her stand out: “I experiment, play with and mix unusual hues creating colour schemes that are different to most you’d find on the market,” she comments.

Inspired by her home country’s beautiful flora in all its shapes and textures, elements of Malta’s natural landscape feature strongly in Saz Mifsud’s silk scarves, headbands, and handbags, to name a few.

Her recent Begonia collection featuring round silk evening bags and scarves of various sizes saw its genesis in a Maltese garden: “I walked around and let the garden inspire me,” explains Mifsud. She then photographed different elements in the garden: fresh blooms, driedup stems, the textures of fresh leaves, the seemingly infinite amount of succulents… “they all worked together to create a gorgeous set of photographs”. Next she collaged this collection of paintings and photographs into a digital illustration. “These illustrations are printed digitally onto silks and that’s how my fabrics are created.”

Mifsud prints on a few different silks because one design can look so different depending on the type of silk. “Silk satin has a lovely sheen, silk cotton is soft and comfortable, while silk chiffon is translucent and light; creating a look that is soft and elegant. I only use natural fabrics as they feel wonderful against our skin.” she notes.

Mifsud’s ethos is to make products that are comfortable and easy to wear. Above all, she adores creating bold, richly coloured accessories “because you can wear the simplest outfit and all you need is a good accessory to make it pop.”

Although she has only been in business for some five years, Mifsud has already grown considerably, and is looking to expand further, this time internationally. “Although our Maltese clientele are lovely and so dear to us, we want to share our products across the globe,” she says.

FA SHION

27

28

FA SHION

Although Abela studied fashion in Florence, from where she says she has taken paying attention to detail and quality, it is 'all Malta' from where she gets the boldness which she gives to all her pieces

T O B O L D LY G O… A bold, white gown with printed reflections of an idiosyncratic Maltese landscape is definitely one of Maltese designer Rosemarie Abela’s signature pieces. Indeed bold is the operative word here, and is the driving force behind her creations.

Although Abela studied fashion in Florence, from where she says she has taken paying attention to detail and quality, it is “all Malta” from where she gets the boldness which she gives to all her pieces. “The Maltese people, Maltese culture, is bold. The Maltese are vivid, bright, distinct and pronounced,” she explains further.

From dresses, to wool-knit cardigans, tailored suits and evening gowns, Abela’s creations are varied to say the least. Abela takes her inspiration from practically everywhere, including just walking around or buying food at a grocery. But she finds colours, textures, cultures, and architecture incredibly inspiring. Indeed a creation she is most proud of is her new collection, Al-Magrib. Literally meaning ‘Kingdom of Morocco’, the collection is inspired

by Moroccan architecture in its colours, detail and prints.

Black, white and beige are core colours accompanied by denim, cobalt blue and burnt orange. The Moroccan silhouette is seen in the wide legs and a specified waist.

“The overall vibe is luxurious, detailed, powerful and bold,” explains Abela of her collection whose materials include neoprene, denim, cotton canvas, suede, jacquard woven cotton/polyamide, silk/polyamide, mesh, silk satin as well as silk georgette.

In addition to its boldness Abela is proud of the fact that her customers can wear her creations for various occasions, feel comfortable in them, and most of all, have an outfit that represents them and reflects their personality.

Abela is currently working on two projects with Napoli Fashion on the road and Spy New Magazine. Next year she is planning on opening her first shop.

30

H E R I TA G E

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME WORDS PAUL VASSALLO

A while back, I decided to open a web browser and type in my own surname. A good tenant, a messenger, or a feudal lord; anyone with access to the internet wouldn’t have too much difficulty looking up the origins of my surname, and the same can be said about yours too. Dating back to the 11th century, the Vassallo family is rooted in great antiquity.

Several other last names in the Maltese phonebook are marked by similar signs of age and history, many being derived from Medieval Latin or a truncated form of an ancient Spanish or French surname. Others still bear indications of old Arabic origins, an irony that should not be lost in this modern era of tolerance towards our fellow man.

The number of Semitic surnames in Malta is only around 50 but, despite this appearing to be a low number, Semitic last names are very prevalent among many of us, outweighing more modern Romance and European surnames. A general rule of thumb when attempting to distinguish Arabic surnames is to search for an ‘-a’ at the end of the surname, bearing a resemblance to Maltese feminine nouns when that is absent in the Arabic form. Thus places such as Raħal Farruġ became the Maltese surname Farrugia, Karwan became Caruana, Salib as Saliba, and Sultan as Sultana. This rule is not set in stone, however, as we can find surnames

which are assumed as having a final ‘-a’ because of its popularity among notaries at the time, such as Aquilina, Barbara, Cassia, Ciappara, Grima, and many others.

The 2011 census recorded 19,104 surnames, ranking names such as Borg, Camilleri and Vella among the most popular, to the surprise of no-one. More interestingly, 76 per cent of the population share the same 100 surnames. That’s 307,886 people (at the time of the census), running around with similar surnames that are centuries old. The top 20 surnames accounted for 38.6 per cent, while the three most common foreign last names were Smith, Jones, and Brown, although there are less than 80 people with each name.

Some of the oldest documented surnames in Malta are Grech, Calleja, Falzon, Attard, and Lentini. So if you’re signing off with one of these dinosaurs, just letting you know that you’ve got roots to be proud of. According to Maltese linguists, it is also possible to identify a person’s place of origin by their surname, such as Carabotts in Marsaxlokk, an abundance of Abelas from Żejtun, and Mdina playing host to many people bearing the surname Manduca.

“Such trends indicate that despite an increasingly mobile population, many surnames still have strong ties to specific

localities, even in a relatively small country such as Malta,” an NSO representative is quoted as saying.

Dating back to the times of the Angevin empire in the 12th century, the practice of keeping personal records in the forms of names and surnames was carried out by government officials. It’s assumed that this was an attempt to depopularise the official use of nicknames, a tradition that is still commonplace in modern-day Maltese society, where many people are known across the island not by their surname, but by their nickname.

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Older nicknames eventually evolved into family names, giving us surnames such as Preziosi (precious), Formosa (handsome), and Rossi (red-haired).

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The field of study of ancient Maltese surnames does not simply consider the initial documentation of these

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elsewhere in which they were documented. This field ranges from medieval Bangladesh to Renaissance Italy and Maltese surnames contain a spectrum of linguistic variation. It’s amazing what you learn about your roots when you decide to look up your surname’s origin.

St. Julians, Malta Tel: (+356) 2137 8672 Victoria, Gozo Tel: (+356) 2155 9202 Email: info@act.com.mt www.act.com.mt

32

EVENTS

EVENTS 31 May - 3 June ORGAN CONCERTS & MASTERCLASSES Various Locations The Organ Concerts and Masterclasses will be held in various locations around the island. Kicking off on the 31st May at St Mark's Church in Rabat, organist Paolo Oreni will stun the crowd with his exquisitely selected setlist. The following day will take us to the Parish Church of St Augustine in Valletta where organist Sara Musumeci will present her renditions of classical masterpieces. 2nd and 3rd June will bring the two organists together for the final concerts, both of which will take place in Gozo. Take a look at the Masterclasses on offer in both Malta and Gozo. www.noelgallo-organs.com

1 June - 16 June STREET PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION BY VINCENT KRAFT Art Galleries, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta Vulnerabilities, violence and societal brutality are harsh realities that transcend geographical boundaries. Capturing striking and compelling instants from 12 countries, STREET explores a raw transcription of society that pervades both human interactions and physical spaces.

Through the shocking juxtaposition of images, this exhibition is a thought-provoking journey in contemporary concerns. www.vincentkraft.com/exhibition/street

1 June - 29 July FOUND Ä&#x201A; MENTALISM II Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta Curated by Andrea Hilger & Antka Hofmann of Ostrale, Dresden, and part of the Spazju Kreattiv Programme, this major contemporary art exhibition at Malta's Centre for Creativity features the work of around 40 international artists, working in different media. The exhibition proposes a journey through a European culture that is simultaneously common and diverse, and asks if art can come to act as the mutual support between these diverse cultures. www.kreattivita.org/en/event/found-a-mentalism-ii

EVENTS

33

6 June A LITTLE CRUSH OPENING Surfside, Sliema

W E D N E S D AY S A T S U R F S I D E

Crush is an alternative gathering, with a huge focus on pushing eclectic, undiscovered music spanning various genres, from Soul, Disco & Funk, to straight-up feel good House music. Talented local jockeys join our resident DJs every Wednesday evening, to create the atmosphere that has made the event a staple on most people’s summer calendar. Think sunset cocktails, to the amazing Surfside view, in the company of some of the hippest faces in town.

Spread The Funk. www.facebook.com/ALittleCrushMalta

6 June ANASTACIA MFCC, Ta' Qali Superstar and pop legend Anastacia - the mega voice behind massive hits including ‘I’m Outta Love’ and ‘Left Outside Alone’ is performing live at the MFCC in Malta on the 6th of June. Anastacia is one of the most recognisable voices of our time and is celebrating her seventh album, ‘Evolution’, with the new tour. With over 30 million records sold worldwide, Anastacia’s performance in Malta, falling on the eve of a public holiday, forms part of her Europe-wide tour that commenced in Spring. The event is one of the biggest concerts in Malta this year! www.showshappening.com

16 June MOZART AT MIDNIGHT Teatru Manoel, Valletta Mozart loved a good party – whenever he had the funds to have one – and often hosted private concerts which ran late into the night, making him the perfect choice for a midnight concert. The second edition of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra’s Mozart at Midnight, under the direction of Michael Lessky, focuses on works from the final years of his career, including his Clarinet Concerto, with the MPO’s principal clarinet Giuseppe Recchia as soloist, and his 'Jupiter' symphony, his last - and longest – symphony. www.maltaorchestra.com

20 - 22 June MAP OF THE MEDITERRANEAN Maori, Triq il-Lanca, Valletta The ‘Map of the Mediterranean’ concert will focus on the theme of the Mediterranean Sea, with poetry by Antoine Cassar and new music by Luc Houtkamp and the POW Ensemble. It will also feature Guy Harries on flute, electronics and vocals, and Tom Armitage on keyboards. This music-and-poetry event explores how migration and travel have shaped Mediterranean culture and will premiere on UN World Refugee Day. Cassar will recite his own poem, intersected with songs and music. powensemble.nl/current-programmes/map-of-the-mediterranean

34

EVENTS

22 June BERLIOZ LE FANTASTIQUE Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta A night of 19th century French music under the direction of French conductor Raoul Lay, opening with Debussy’s ground-breaking Prélude à l’apres-midi d’un faune before moving on to two celebrated works by Hector Berlioz. Soprano Gillian Zammit joins the MPO for a performance of Les nuits d’été, a song cycle dealing with the progression of love, and the concert ends with the dreamlike Symphonie Fantastique, a musical depiction of an artist who takes opium whilst despairing over unrequited love.

www.maltaorchestra.com

22 - 23 June GĦANAFEST Argotti Botanic Gardens, Floriana

Għanafest celebrates Malta’s folk music heritage within a Mediterranean context, this festival serves a prime platform for Maltese folk musicians and singers to expose their talents to wider audiences. Għanafest is a multinational get-together, an event that celebrates multi-ethnicity and cross-border collaborations. The festival will also feature local produce and artisan markets, making it a great outing for the whole family. www.għanafest.org

29 June – 15 July MALTA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL Various Locations

Malta International Arts Festival organised by Festivals Malta forms part of Malta’s highly enriched cultural calendar, embracing site-specific curation, music, visual arts, theatre, dance, opera, installations, films, community projects, interactive and participatory events and education. Highlights of this festival include the grand concert by the world-famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the literally gravity defying Aria

by Italian dance company No Gravity. maltaartsfestival.org

30 June MEDITERRANEAN SOUL Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malta Youth Orchestra join forces for a concert which celebrates the musical heritage of the diverse cultures sharing the sea which Malta calls its own.

Under the direction of Sergey Smbatyan and featuring baritone Gevorg Hakobyan, the two orchestras will be performing works written by composers from the Mediterranean region, as well as other works drawing on the region’s rich musical traditions.

www.maltaorchestra.com

I S L E S TA P L E S

35

MADE IN

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A KEEP-SAKE, A TOKEN FROM YOUR LAST MALTA HOLIDAY OR WANT TO TREAT SOMEONE LIVING OUTSIDE OUR ISLANDS, THEN WHY NOT TAKE SOME GENUINE MALTESE PRODUCTS HOME WITH YOU?

MDINA GLASS Visit Mdina Glass at Ta’ Qali Crafts Village and 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 painstakingly handcrafted glass scenes of picturesque characteristics around the Maltese islands. A great way to remember your visit and fantastic gifts to take back home with you.

There is a vast range of small items that will fit easily in your luggage and Mdina Glass will be delighted to ship larger items to your door back home.

For more info tel: +356 2141 5786. You can shop at any of the eight outlets throughout Malta and Gozo or online with worldwide delivery at www.mdinaglass.com.mt Find Mdina Glass on

/mdinaglass

CARAVAGGIO Marsovin is a household name in Malta, synonymous with the production of premium wines. The roots of this well-earned status were planted a century ago when Chev. Anthony Cassar founded the company, way back in 1919. Today, the winery is still run under the direction of the Cassar family, now in its 4th generation, and continues to build on its strengths by pioneering the industry, culminating in the production of premium award-winning wines from Maltese-grown grapes.

Marsovin’s Caravaggio range is a selection of quality certified D.O.K. MALTA wines dedicated to the master himself. Caravaggio, a revolutionary in art was accused of imitating nature at the expense of ideal beauty. This range consists of 8 different wines, a Shiraz, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, a Chardonnay, a Moscato, a Chenin Blanc, a Cabernet Franc and a Pinot Bianco all of which bear one of the masterpieces on the front label of this truly great artist.

THE VALLETTA FOOD MARKET A DESTINATION YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS

The iconic Victorian-era structure in Valletta, affectionately known as Is-Suq tal-Belt, has been transformed from a derelict structure into a state of the art destination, where one can grab a bite, shop for food and relax in the city.

The Basement level is now open for the first time to the public as a food market with outlets serving fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, delicatessen, bread, herbs and spices, oils, gourmet foods, wines, fresh delicacies, and a great selection of local and international foodie gifts.

These include local favourites such as Vecchia Napoli: pizza, Zest: asian street food, Gululu: a typical Maltese kitchen, ImPasta: fresh pasta and The Pulled Meat Company together with; Venchi’s “chocogelateria”: quality Italian gelato and confectionery, Tapea by Pico Loco Spanish tapas, Bert’s Kitchen, T’Anna Mari fish grill, Konak Middle Eastern cuisine, The Salad Bar and Ta’ Kelinu Maltese pastizzerija.

discover a selection of freshly prepared culinary delights & take home a unique foodie gift

Upon heading to the ground floor be ready to have your senses tingled; with several bespoke stalls preparing a journey of international culinary specialities for immediate consumption.

Heading outdoors, the adjacent square has now been transformed into another open space in the capital city, where one can enjoy the glorious Maltese climate.

Catching up with friends in a perfect setting with great food and drinks from Star Café and Ginger Eatery. Be it a quick coffee to kick start your day, al fresco dining or a casual bottle of wine to share between friends; there is no better place to sit back and relax, all with the wonderful backdrop of Is-Suq tal-Belt.

FOOD TASTINGS ARE HELD DAILY AT THE FOOD MARKET ON LEVEL -1

IS-SUQ TAL-BELT, MERCHANTS STREET, VALLETTA TEL. 2210 3500 OPEN ALL DAY, EVERY DAY

www.issuqtalbelt.com

CHARIT Y

37

THE MARIGOLD ANNUAL SWIMMING CHALLENGE

It’s been four years of positive surprises from The Marigold Foundation topped by its annual Swimming Challenge undertaken by its Chairperson and Spouse of the Prime Minister, Michelle Muscat.

The 44-year old didn’t just stay put doing the occasional charity visit but together with Bank of Valletta set up The Marigold Foundation with the aim of giving a voice to the numerous NGOs dotting the islands, helping them to reach out to the wider community and making sure their real aims are reached. The Foundation didn’t just stop at this but made sure to address the vacuums that existed by setting up new NGOs addressing the needs of those unheard in our communities, giving patients with rare diseases a sense of self, putting them in contact with other patients and providing them with a community that emphasises and understands their predicament.

The Marigold Foundation was responsible for elevating the issue of autism to a national level, making sure that this condition does not turn into another taboo. Engaging with Aġenzija Appoġġ, attention is given to sixteen-year-olds living in out-of-home care and supporting them through the innovative Sweet Sixteen programme. Added to this there are the various upgrading projects giving a better quality of life to residents at Mount Carmel Hospital, San Blas, Oasi on the sister island of Gozo, Dar San Ġużepp, Dar il-Providenza and a myriad of other care giving NGOs that support the most needy in our community.

AND HOW DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND ALL THIS? Simple. Mrs Muscat undergoes an open sea swimming challenge. Training under the supervision of veteran trainer

and National Director of Special Olympics Malta, Anna Calleja, the first challenge was the Channel Swim in June 2015. Michelle Muscat swam 6 kilometres in Force 6 winds, braving the giant waves that dwarfed the accompanying boats and which kept all other boats ashore. The following year braving the sea in force 5 winds, swimming 8 kilometres from the South of Malta to the Grand Harbour. Not an easy feat. In 2017, Michelle did the North to Port swim - swimming 10 kilometres from the north of Malta to Marsamxetto Harbour.

AND THIS YEAR? What Michelle Muscat describes as her toughest swimming challenge on her own in the big blue Mediterranean Sea to date, will take her from rock to rock. Diving off a rock, swimming from one rock to another until she reaches the first ever mass Rock Band gig featuring some of the best local talent on one of our most beautiful beaches. So if you are in Malta on 7 July and would like to be part of this inspirational challenge, you can either follow Michelle Muscat on social media or else head to Għadira Beach to listen to the wonderful music while soaking up the sun on the white sand and following the final part of the swim heading to The White Party to celebrate yet another wonderful challenge... obviously dressed in beachy white summer attire.

Good luck Michelle.

For more information about The Marigold Swimming Challenge and The White Party contact the Foundation on info@marigold.org.mt or visit The Marigold Foundation Facebook page. If you wish to donate to the cause contact the Foundation or donate by sending a text message to 50619238 (€11.65) or call 51702052 (€15), 51802053 (€25).

38

BUSINESS

A NEW, MODERN MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE SETS ITS SIGHTS ON EXPANSION

T

he Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and although it is the national stock exchange of the smallest economy in the EU, it has its sights on “punching above its weight' says it’s Chairman Mr Joseph Portelli. The Maltese Bourse has historically acted as a domestic exchange, servicing the need of local companies, but according to Mr Portelli “It’s time the Malta Stock Exchange becomes more ambitious and looks beyond its shores to internationalise, institutionalise, and modernise."

To help guide the Exchange toward growth and modernisation, in 2016 it unveiled the National Capital Markets Strategic Plan, an ambitious plan, with almost two dozen initiatives. One of the Plan’s key initiatives was the extension of trading hours, along with the introduction of new products such as exchange traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), warrants, securitised products, as well as the development of the MSE Total Return Index.

The Exchange also plans to grow through the promotion of its new SME market called Prospects MTF, an admissions venue catering to the capital market needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. Also, last year the Exchange launched a new market called the Institutional Financial Securities Market, catering to issuers seeking to list wholesale securities such as asset-backed debt, convertible debt securities, derivatives and insurance linked notes.

Another initiative was the formation of the Malta Stock Exchange Institute, which aims to foster continuing

development amongst professionals and improve financial literacy amongst the public in general. For the first time in the MSE’s history it has embarked on a sustained strategy to market and promote its services outside of Malta. The Exchange was recently joined by the Maltese Finance Minister Prof. Edward Scicluna and other financial industry stakeholders on a highly successful road show to New York City promoting Malta and its financial industry. It has also embarked on promotional tours to Italy, Spain, Turkey, North Africa, the Middle East, selling its ability to passport into the EU cost effectively.

On the promotional front, the MSE recently signed an agreement to be represented by Maitland, a highly regarded London based PR agency and just last month began a 6-month advertising campaign on Bloomberg TV. Also in June the MSE will for the first time, sponsor an international conference; the prestigious Barcelona ABS Conference Europe’s largest asset backed security event.

The Exchange has also been a frontrunner on the technology front, forming a blockchain committee to actively explore opportunities within the FinTech sector. It has also

developed E-portfolio, an initiative which allows the Exchange’s 70,000 account holders to access their accounts online and view their activity in real-time. Another project realised in 2016 was the installation of a new 19 meter ticker and two electron video walls, a refurbished IT and training centre, and corporate board room.

Mr Portelli said: “Today Malta has the EU’s fastest growing economy, we have come a long way as a county and as an Exchange.

The MSE has served our country and economy well, I believe we’ve become an institution we can today, be very proud of."

An T Afternoon at the Cobbler

ony the cobbler was the proud owner of a shop no larger than a shoe box just a stone's throw away from the local fruit and vegetable vendor, tucked away in a street only your grandmother could direct you to. In his little shop he sits, head always down, radio faintly playing in the background, hammering and mending away with a trusty glass of kark tea beside him.

WORDS ALESSIA CARUANA

His flakey walls, were covered in religious photos, twenty-year old notices he never bothered to take down and all sorts of quirky memorabilia; it was like walking into a museum. My shoes would whisper all sorts of secrets to him, whether I granted them permission to or not. The cobbler could divulge the details of my week from each wobble and squabble of a high heel; he could tell me when I went out, which boy made me cry and what type of wine I managed to spill on them at

which restaurant. That’s how he spent his days, getting to know his clients through their shoes, their colours, their textures, and their stories.

There's a lot you can tell from someone's shoes, and a lot Tony can tell you about someone else through their shoes. He's so much more than just a cobbler, he goes through your walks of life with you. “Another night out?” he'd ask with a semi concerned tone; and there I'd sit as I waited for him to perform some sort of miracle on my relatively brand new-ish shoes. Half way down the line, heartbeat semi steady, I'd ask “are they going to make it?” and he'd shake his head, rub his beard and breathe out a convincing “of course they are”. I've been returning to the same cobbler since I was a tiny tot, my father trusted no one but him and swore that if anyone could save a shoe it was him. He was like family to us, I mean he'd only been mending

my shoes since before I could walk.

They say cats have nine lives, but I'm pretty sure that shoes have more. I've seen shoes’ life expectancy rates triple at his hands. He was nothing short of my local miracle worker. My black leather pumps owe a great deal to him, they went on to see me through three years of university, but sadly didn't cross the graduation finish line; they were close though. Sometimes I’d stop by just as he was about to close at 7pm, but he never turned me away. ‘’Sit’’ he’d say, and I’d watch him patiently mend and breathe new life into soleless shoes once more.

Those shoes, “his” shoes, were his pride and joy, and nothing made him happier than watching happy clients walk out the door with their good as new pair.

As I sat on this rusty metal chair that I'm sure was missing a few bolts, he’d ask me about my grandmother, if my uncle made it out of hospital and why my

brother hasn't stopped by in so long (he suspected he was going to the other cobbler in the town not far from ours.) Usually it was Tony who did all the asking and listening but one rainy September's day, I got stuck inside his shop waiting until the rain stopped. It was then that Tony expressed how sad it made him that none of his 3 boys chose to take on the business, a business he put his heart and “sole” into for decades. “If I close my doors who will fix your shoes then?” said Tony, and he was perfectly right.

It never dawned on me how important his trade was, that of the shoe maker, shoe mender and sole replenisher. Like everyone else I had to find another cobbler, but I'll have to confess none fit as snug as Tony did.

“You'll find someone else” he joked “but no one quite like me”.

Oh how right he was, how right he was indeed.

Alison Brincat (Leader of the Year iGaming), Laura Zarb Cousin (Young Leader of the Year) and Naomi Pottinger (Hidden Talent of the Year) are all nominated at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awards, but these is just a handful of the women playing a vital role at Videoslots.

This is not the first time Videoslots is represented at the Women in Gaming Awards, having won the Hidden Talent of the Year award in 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fantastic achievement which paved the way for further success.

In April, Videoslots was delighted to receive eight nominations at the prestigious Women in Gaming Awards.

Videoslots recognises the importance of diversity and actively puts it into practice. Important sectors in its business are managed by women, and the company has created an environment that encourages everyone to reach their full potential. These nominations recognise the contribution women are making to Videoslots, one of the most vibrant and fastest growing gaming companies in the world.

Dunya Siala (Employee of the Year), Lorraine Sammut (Innovator of the Year), Essi Frantsi (Excellence in Customer Service), Angel Jane Jane Agius (Industry Achiever), Megan Easey (Inspiration of the Year),

Videoslots has worked extremely hard to create a positive, progressive and inclusive work environment, but we also recognise that this is an ongoing process; therefore, we will be working even harder to achieve this.

The company is committed to its diversity programme, since it believes it is the best way to encourage the creativity and innovation that lead to success, although the real prize lies in setting an example which we hope will become an industry standard.

Videoslots SEND YOUR CV TO: Jobs@videoslots.com

www.videoslots.com |

Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. Videoslots.com is operated by Videoslots Ltd, a company registered in Malta having registration number C 49090. Panda Media Ltd is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority under licence number MGA/CL1/956/2014, MGA/CL1/1048/2014, MGA/CL1/1047/2014, MGA/CL1/1091/2015, MGA/CL1/1261/2016 and MGA/CL1/1262/2016 and the Gambling Commission in United Kingdom under licence number 000-039380-R-319311-007. The facilities provided to UK players is solely made in reliance on the latter licence.

S U M M E R F E AT U R E

SELF DRIVE BOATS Captain your very own speed boat and see the historic sights and beautiful beaches of the island of Comino, Malta and Gozo. No License required. We provide you with full safety briefing for safe family fun and a chance to sight see and anchor at any secluded beaches, accessible by boat only, where you can spend time relaxing on the boat, wading in the clear blue waters, or snorkelling along the coastline. info@bluewaveswatersports.com www.bluewaveswatersports.com +356 2152 5861 / 9982 6863

SOUVENIRS THAT DON’T SUCK Nestled in the heart of Sliema, you’ll find this hidden gem that’s trying to fight the worldwide epidemic of bad souvenirs.

Created by local designers, Souvenirs That Don’t Suck offers unique, modern and often quirky gifts that give a fresh perspective to colloquial Malta. www.souvenirsthatdontsuck.com hello@souvenirsthatdontsuck.com +356 7907 2313 souvenirsthatdontsuck

ESCAPE ROOM Scavenger Escape is a secondgeneration escape game. Players are locked in a themed room and have to complete a mission through solving puzzles and other challenges. The mixture of the escape room concept and the exciting treasure hunt experience with fascinating puzzles offers great entertainment for friends, colleagues and families. www.scavengerescape.com malta@scavengerescape.com +356 7903 9330

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T R AV E L

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GELA A SICILIAN CIT Y TO DISCOVER

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WORDS AIR MALTA

he short flight from Malta to Comiso provides the perfect gateway to the Southwest of Sicily. Carpeted with vineyards and olive groves, home to some of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious Greek archaeological sites and delimited by seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach, there is something for all tastes.

Inland, ancient mountain villages preserve ageold traditions and offer fascinating insights into the island’s history, but high on any visitor’s list should be a visit to Gela, just over half an hour’s drive from Comiso.

Probably the oldest town in Sicily after Syracuse and an important centre of Ancient Greek civilisation, Gela even has its own Acropolis.

Records date the city back to the late 5 th century BC and it contains ruins of houses and markets in addition to the remains of temples and sacred buildings, the likes of which cannot be found elsewhere in Sicily.

Highlights include the Capo Soprano, the Greek fortifications around the beach, the public baths, the medieval Castelluccio on the outskirts of the town as well as the beautiful Torre di Manfria, The mosaics at the Casale Imperial Palace, once one of the grandest villas in Sicily, are also an incredible sight not to be missed. After the ‘exhaustion’ of being immersed in history, Gela also offers the opportunity to relax on beautiful golden, sandy beaches by the Mediterranean Sea, many of which tend to be quieter in this part of Sicily than in the more visited regions.

Some of the best known, on an impressive coastline, include Bianco Grande, Bianco Piccolo, Cammarana, Lanterna, Baia del Sole, Lungomare

Federico I di Svevia, Baia Dorica and Passo Marinaro. History in Gela isn’t only contained to its castles and monuments. When it comes to food, Gela lays claim to having the first gourmet offering. That’s because it is said that Gela was home to Archeostratus, believed to the first true gourmet, who lived in the 4th century BC. Today, eating out in Gela is a culinary delight.

Because the region produces a remarkable quantity of wheat, wheat-based preparations are the specialty of this area, such as bread, pizzas and flat bread. In particular, the bread of Gela is renowned for being one of the tastiest of Italy (try the bread of St Joseph). The breadcrumbs are also used in many ways, such as stuffed with sausage, with cod, broccoli and spinach.

As Gela is also a maritime city, there are also numerous local seafood dishes including prawns, red mullet, squid, swordfish, octopus, squid, mullet, bass and a variety of others.

A typical first course dish is pasta with wild fennel, ricotta and cockles For a main course try the artichokes (cooked in a pot roast or stuffed), sausage or grilled pork ribs, blood sausage, and eggplant (fried or stuffed). Other specialities include fried olives, salads of all kinds, and the cchiappe (sundried tomatoes) and artichokes.

Among the desserts indulge yourself with ravioli filled with ricotta cheese (with cinnamon and a drop of chocolate) and the Sphinx (pancakes with honey or sugar). Un-spoilt, genuine and humble the southwest corner of Sicily with Gela at its heart has much to offer the curious visitor.

Book your flights to Comiso, less than an hour drive from Comiso now and experience this unique part of Sicily for yourself.

Air Malta operates a direct three weekly service every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between Malta and Comiso. One way prices start at just €39 including taxes and charges. Visit www.airmalta.com for more info.

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GOZO

GOZO IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS SUMMER

G

ozo is a destination for all seasons and summer is no exception. It is the season when local festas are in full bloom as fireworks, band marches, beautifully decorated village churches and patron saints take centre-stage in each village and town on the island. Add crowds of people, local food and a vibrant atmosphere and enjoy the sight and sound of a Gozo festa. Practically, every week during summer has a festa dedicated to a patron saint in a locality around Gozo, showing that this island is passionate about religious celebrations and traditions.

Summer is also the ideal time to enjoy Gozo’s many beaches and the leisurely way of life that this season brings with it. Enjoy a sip of local wine in the traditional pubs in village squares, places where you can meet the locals and soak in the laid back way of life.

Taking a boat ride around Gozo’s coastline can provide another alternative to simply staying on the beach, and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.

Diving is a mainstay during this period and many choose to enjoy the internationally renowned dive sites and scuttled wrecks along Gozo’s coastline. The various diving schools in Gozo provide expert and safe guidance for the enjoyment of the unique, underwater environment.

For culture vultures, Gozo has got plenty of events lined up this summer. The Victoria International Arts Festival is a feast for the senses. For five weeks in June and July, Victoria joins the festival cities of the world with an international composition of artistes and ensembles who leave a lasting imprint on the cultural soul of the island. The varied programme of cultural events includes a jazz festival at Mġarr Harbour, a Brass Festival, the Qala International Folk Festival, musical events in Xlendi, Mġarr, and Marsalforn and a film festival at the Gozo Citadel.

The warm summer sea, the relaxed way of life, the village squares coming to life in the evenings as the scorching sun sets, the festi… this is the place to be with family, friends or on a solo trip. It is pure fun. An experience to treasure.

For more information about events visit www.visitgozo.com

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LOCAL

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TA L K O F T H E TOWN WITH SO MANY CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES ON OUR LITTLE ISLANDS, IT’S HARD TO DECIDE WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO GO. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE’LL BE HIGHLIGHTING OUR TOP LOCATIONS FOR THE SEASON. THIS MONTH IT'S DINGLI.

DINGLI CLIFFS

FILFLA

Dingli Cliffs; the rural area known

Even though Filfla is most definitely not

for its spectacular views and

located in Dingli, the Cliffs provide the

garigue. A trip to the cliffs is

best viewpoint for this little rock. This

always a good remedy, whether

mostly barren islet is found 5km south

you’re a local unwinding after a

of Malta and forms part of the Maltese

long day or a tourist taking it all in,

Archipelago. The name Filfla is thought

Dingli is somewhat magical. Look

to be derived from the Arabic felfel

out for Filfla in the distance.

which means peppercorn.

BUSKE T T

RURAL LIFE

Buskett is a woodland found

Dingli is a top spot to take some

east of Dingli. Many a local will

artsy photographs. Most evenings,

talk about the family picnics,

farmers allow their flock of sheep

school trips and overall mystery

to graze on the garigue, pretty

that this fertile valley provides.

close to the footpaths and benches

Buskett is best explored on a

intended for non-sheep visitors.

Sunday, while the sun is gently

Grab a shot of these fluffy grazers

making its way through the tall

with the sunset in the background.

trees onto your picnic blanket.

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INSERT TEXT HERE

A GUIDE TO THE LITTLE

MALTESE ISLANDS

għasri

għarb

żebbuĠ

san lawrenz

xlendi

marsalforn

xagħra

victoria kerĊem munxar sannat

xewkija

nadur gĦajnsielem mĠarr

qala

comino

Ċirkewwa

st paul’s island mellieĦa

qawra 01

xemxija st paul’s bay

buĠibba

mĠarr

naxxar

Ġnejna mosta

attard

sa

mdina

qo rabat dingli qrendi

Żurrieq

filfla

INSERT TEXT HERE

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Valletta

birkirkara floriana

the three cities

ormi tarxien

marsa

marsascala żejtun

luqa

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marsaxlokk

birŻebbuĠa

Is-Suq tal-Belt Valletta Food Market Merchants Street, Valletta COOK. EAT. RELAX Open: 7am - 10pm Weekdays 7am - 12:30am Fridays & Saturdays Contact us on +356 22103500 www.issuqtalbelt.online

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LOCAL

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

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

PACEVILLE, ST JULIAN’S, MALTA 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.

BLUE L AGOON & 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.

INSERT TEXT HERE

BLUE GROTTO, QRENDI, MALTA 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.

ĊITADELL A , 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.

MARSAXLOKK FISH MARKET, MALTA If it’s a fresh fish market you’re looking for then Marsaxlokk [Mar-Sa-Schlock] should be on your day plan every Sunday. A selection of restaurants specialising in seafood dishes can also be found along the promenade serving fresh delicacies and traditional Maltese dishes.

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BUSINESS NEWS

DISCOVER MALTA ONE BITE AT A TIME The Definitive(ly) Good Guide Co, publishers of Malta's number one Restaurant Guide and website restaurantsmalta.com for over 18 years have used their vast experience in this field together with a great deal of legwork and research to bring a new angle to the cultural scene in Malta with Offbeat Malta Food Trails held every Saturday starting at St John’s CoCathedral’s, main entrance in Valletta.

This three hour food tour led by an experienced and enthusiastic guide will take you off the beaten track to discover Valletta’s culinary and cultural treasures while you graze on delicious food and drinks along the way.

Lisa Grech, Managing Director stated, “We are extremely excited to launch these walks as they offer food lovers the opportunity to discover Malta’s capital city as European Capital of Culture for 2018. The city has in the last few years taken on a new life and vibrance in particular in the culinary field. This is a perfect walk for anyone wishing to explore the city while tasting delicious food and drinks along the way”.

This exciting tour is a total treat for every foodie whether living in Malta or visiting on holiday. Be one of the first to experience these fascinating tours which can be booked on www.offbeatmaltafoodtrails.com Love food? Love history? Love Malta? What are you waiting for?

A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY LIVING Located at the waters’ edge and forming part of the award winning Tigné Point mixed-use development, the beautifully designed Q2 apartments boast an abundance of natural light thanks to their proximity to the sea, with interiors which redefine prestige and luxury living. Combining form, function and stylish innovation, the Q2 block offers potential residents a variety of stunning layouts to choose from, all with open plan living areas and sleek interiors. Well-proportioned terraces designed to maximize sea views and outside entertainment, complete them.

Located in the car-free environment of Tigné Point and in close proximity to all amenities, modern business facilities and a ferry ride away from the capital city Valletta, Q2 truly offers a new level of urban luxury living.

For further information interested parties can contact the Tigné Point sales office on +356 2065 5510 or visit the website www.Q2.com.mt

BUSINESS NEWS

DELICATA

SIMONDS FARSONS CISK

The 2017 vintage of the Victoria Heights Chardonnay, D.O.K. Gozo, Superior, won a silver medal at the Chardonnay du Monde contest in Burgundy and a bronze medal at the Challenge du Vin in Bordeaux, France.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc is celebrating 90 years since the launch of the breweryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first beer, Farsons Pale Ale, in April 1928. From a relatively modest brewing business, the company has grown into an increasingly diversified food and beverage group with an international dimension.

This award-winning unoaked wine is skilfully crafted by Delicata from hand-picked grapes from Gozo. In both competitions, it was the only wine from Malta to win this year. www.delicata.com Trade enquiries: sales@delicata.com

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Farsons Brewery brews the Classic Brews range of ales, which includes Blue Label Amber Ale, Farsons Double Red, Farsons India Pale Ale and the new addition to the range, Farsons Gold Label Pale Ale. Launched just last month to celebrate the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic 90-year milestone, Farsons Gold Label Pale Ale is an all-malt pale ale brewed using two types of malt and hopped using a special blend of five hop varieties which together give this beer its characteristic and unique hoppy flavour profile. The overall result is an innovative combination of the hoppy basic notes with exclusively fruity characteristics. Dominant hints of apricot, passion fruit and red berries, coupled with a touch of grapefruit, complement a very pleasant malt character with hints of biscuit flavour in the after taste.

Farsons Brewery also brews the Cisk range of beers: Cisk Lager, the original Cisk which has remained unchanged since 1929, Cisk Excel, Cisk Pilsner, Cisk Strong and Cisk Chill.

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FICTION

THE SISTERS OF THE WEST WORDS TCD

FICTION

For years the legend of The Sisters of the West baffled people. Locals would gossip while visitors to the village of Dingli would try their best to hunt the sisters down. They’d wait outside their family home; knock on the red door that kept the strangers out of the sisters’ home. One day, the eldest sister decided that they would move out of the family home and escape to their freedom. This legend dates back to 1692, the year the Salem trials began. You see the link between the three sisters and Salem is not entirely peculiar; there has been speculation that the girls who lived behind the red door were sisters of Salem, sorcerers, enchanters, some might say; witches.

Some families kept the legend alive, passing the story on from generation to generation but the legend faded into the memories of most locals.

Their story died the day the three sisters fled from their home; they fled for their life, they fled out of fear, they fled to the cliffs. There was one family though that could never forget the legend of the sister of the west. Some 50 years later, in 1742, a curious man with a hunger for clarity set himself the task of unravelling the legend of the Sisters of the West. Blake didn’t even know their names but he knew they were real and he wanted to know more about their history.

He would often visit the cliffs and watch the sun set over the tiny island in the distance. This soothed him, he felt at peace. Some evenings, he’d sit back on the garigue and stare up at the sky. On one visit, he fell asleep. The sun had set, the sky was black with the stars and moon as his only source of light. Blake rubbed his eyes and lifted his head off the ground. He thought it best to make his way home; when a swift movement in the sky caught his eye. He rubbed his eyes again, opened them wide and blinked a couple of times.

He stared out at the sky, waiting for the motion to happen again - it didn’t. Blake shook his head and stood up slowly. There it was again.

Once, twice, three times. Three swooshing motions flashing through the sky. Blake stood there wide-eyed and terribly confused. What could this be? He sat and watched as the flying objects came closer, cautiously heading towards the cliffs where he stood and stared. After a great deal of waiting, the flying objects came uncomfortably close to Blake. This scared him slightly but his curiosity was far stronger than his fear - this urged him to stay and watch.

A loud thump behind him made Blake jump and scream in fear. He turned around to see a girl with long curly hair and a pretty face staring at him. She stared Blake down and said, “Why do you come here every night Blake? What is it you want?”

“How, how do you know my name?”

“My sisters and I know everything about this town Blake, this has been our home for eons.”

Thump, thump. Two more figures appeared behind their sister. “We are the Sisters of the West. Your people drove us out of our home.

We’ve come here for peace but your people now seem to claim our new home.”

Blake stared at the girls, he rubbed his eyes and tried to focus on their faces; he wasn’t quite sure what he was looking at. “Are you witches?”

“We are the Sisters of the West; we fly through the skies in the dead of night and live off the land.

If that makes us witches, then I guess that’s what we are.”

Blake’s mind was racing, ‘I have to tell the officials’ he thought.

“If you tell the officials, they’ll never believe you Blake. They’ll call you mad and lock you up.”

“Well I have to do something, you’re a danger to our community.”

The sisters laughed at the mortal’s dumbfounded thoughts, “Humans never change. We’ve been on this land longer that you have boy, we’ve watched the planet change and watched your people come and go. We’re not going anywhere.”

Suddenly, Blake fell to the ground. His legs gave way and he instantly became incredibly sleepy. He couldn’t control himself, he drifted off without a chance to answer the sisters or protect his village.

The next morning, Blake found himself outside the red door; sleeping on the doorstep, without the foggiest clue of what had happened. He rose to his feet and scratched his head.

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MUSIC

ManaTapu Pitstop IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO STICK THIS LOCAL BAND AT THE TOP OF YOUR ABSOLUTE FAV LIST OF MUSICIANS. MANATAPU ARE HERE AGAIN, ONE YEAR AFTER THEIR IL-BIZZILL A DEBUT. KRISTINA CASSAR DOWLING GETS IN TOUCH WITH MALTA’S DARING YET FUN-LOVING BAND TO DISCUSS THE L AUNCH OF THEIR NEWEST ALBUM TUATARA.

T

here’s nothing better than sitting on a beach with a cold cerveza in your hand during the warmer months in Malta; but here on the rock, we’re always looking to make that summer vibe slightly better. The solution - ManaTapu. They’ve got this summer sound, a cool vibration that fills you with a surge of energy that soars through your veins urging you to dance, jump and party to their musical mastery. This summer they’re coming at us hard - with a good vibration album TuaTara; their second album release after their soaring success with their first EP, Timpana.

plans take shape - not to mention watching them jam out in their very own garaxx where the irie sounds of ManaTapu were conceived. Little did I know that things could get even better. ManaTapu are to me as catnip is to cats - I can’t get enough of them, I don’t know how to say no and they always get me ultra pumped; so when frontman Jogi dropped a little treat in my inbox I was psyched. “Here you go; wanted you to have this.” he wrote in reference to their full album, TuaTara, weeks before its release. As I picked my jaw off the floor; I sat back, hit the play button on my iMac and let their tunes fill the house. Gold.

Having devoured Timpana, fans were quickly asking for seconds that carried the same sweet sounds of ska, reggae and hip hop that they’d come to recognise as the ManaTapu sound. Some of the perks of coming to know these dudes include experiencing their passion while watching their

TuaTara is an expertly conducted album that captures the spirit of the band with the kaleidoscope of sounds they incredibly achieve in every five-minute track. It’s insane.

Fans will recognise a good number of these tracks; tunes they revealed in their live gigs last summer, but some new songs

will also tantalise the eardrums of the most loyal followers.

Kicking off the album is Id-Dottorat, a vibrant number sung predominately in Maltese and highlights the character of an entitled professional who, in a nutshell, doesn’t tolerate backtalk, needs things done his way all the while being pretty outspoken. Feature languages that pump this song with the ManaTapu sounds are English and French blasted out by the cool cat in the crew; Pupachille, contrasted with the husky Spanish rhymes of Tete. If having full disposal to Id-Dottorat isn’t enough; maybe knowing a kick-ass video will soon be taking shape - you’ve got to hold out for this one though; release date is aimed for May 2019.

Although Id-Dottorat, in my opinion carries the best storyline, the most riveting sounds and an over-the-top buzz factor, the ManaTapu sound, in my fangirl’s eyes, is best represented by Vivere Libere. Opening with the slick sounds of ska seamlessly pouring from Dario’s electric, complimented by Jogi’s acoustic guitar. Newcomer Ryan puts his stamp on the song as the drums effortlessly lead the band into a powerful chorus. Arron’s baseline can also be noted throughout the song, a therapeutic beat keeps the song solid. The ManaTapu vibe is mostly experienced through the vocals. It’s hard to classify their sound, it’s even harder to explain to those who’ve never heard it, let alone to those soaring through the skies as they read through this feature.

For those eager to discover more about this multi-national band who’ve rooted themselves in Maltese culture; this summer is a great time to start. In fact, it’s jam-packed with ManaTapu gigs, projects, video releases and of course the

TuaTara album launch that just passed on 25 May where some snazzy merchandise made everything totes legit.

To add some more originality, a quality ManaTapu aim to promote, a Petit Punch bar was set up for guests to enjoy. If you don’t know what Petit Punch is you’re going to have to listen to Sugarman, an original tune that gives a mention to a good amount of rum, a little bit of sugar and a splash of lemon. You’ll understand when you listen to the track.

Some of the events you’ll need to look out for are Earth Garden, taking place this month, BeerFest, usually held in August and The Bubble, a late summer festival that takes place in September. Apart from the Mur Imma Mur video released in April and the plans for the Id-Dottorat video in 2019. There’s a lot to fill the void in between. Check out the Vivere Libere video promo recently released in May and the Rollercoaster cartoon video promo aimed for release in September.

I’m not the only local going crazy from the iridescent sounds of ManaTapu, they’ve been recognised by the Malta Arts Council where their projects for the summer will be endorsed and fully supported by the Foundation. This support enabled the band to live their dream of promoting a happier Malta through music, good company and positivity. ManaTapu have also been nominated for the Bay Music Awards with their first song of the summer Mur Imma Mur; the anthem for Summer 2018 - a feel-good song with a catchy tune. These guys are aiming for the stars, their journey to stardom will not call a quits any time soon - as the title of this feature suggests, this is merely a Pitstop… ManaTapu say so.

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FILM

FILM

FILM IN THE CITY THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE VALLET TA FILM FESTIVAL WORDS SARAH CHIRCOP

T

he month of June sees the fourth edition of the Valletta Film Festival, Malta’s most important cinematic event showcasing a programme of quality films including feature films, documentaries and shorts.

The ten-day event, organised by the Film Grain Foundation, sees the programme of films and other events hosted in various indoor and outdoor locations around the city of Valletta, which this year holds the title of European Capital of Culture.

I sat down with one of the festival’s directors, Oliver Mallia, to tell me more about what goes on behind the scenes when transforming a city into a cinema.

HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE THE VALLETTA FILM FESTIVAL?

The Valletta Film Festival is a celebration of independent cinema that in just a few years became Malta’s largest cinematic event. It is a festival organised by a number of film professionals and tens of volunteers that dedicate time every year to make it happen. In 2015, Malta was the last EU country without a feature film festival and in 3 years we have already attracted over 23,000 patrons and showed

over 120 independent features and 75 short films. Between 8 and 17 of this month, we will present another 40 feature films and 24 short films as we look forward to welcome another 10,000 people to the festival.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A YOUNG AND INTIMATE FESTIVAL AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS EVENT?

I think many that attend the festival comment positively about the enthusiasm, energy and passion that drives us to plan and execute the festival. Every year there is a good vibe surrounding the city and the festival - one sees many young people, many nationalities and a lot of participation. The relaxed atmosphere of the festival is something that people really enjoy.

Being a young festival means we are still in our formative years - we are still learning what audiences like and dislike. We have been changing a few things every year and we will probably continue doing so for a few more years. Time will tell if we manage to make the Valletta Film Festival an important film festival in the Mediterranean or Europe. However, it’s always great

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FILM

to attend festivals in great cities and Valletta is one of them. Wonderful architecture, great atmosphere and some great locations too like Pjazza Teatru Rjal; the open-air theatre at the entrance of Valletta that is transformed into an open-air cinema during the event. This year we’re also introducing screenings at the Valletta Theatre Campus, a revamped theatre housed in a 16th century building that served as Malta’s first University - the Collegium Melitense back in 1592.

WHAT GOES INTO PROGRAMMING THE FESTIVAL? WHAT ARE THE PERKS AND HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO SECURE SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP EACH YEAR?

The number of films submitted to the festival is increasing year on year, and we do select a good number of features – plus, all the shorts come from submissions. Due to the limited amount of films we show it takes a long while to complete the selection but we try to present a good and varied selection every year. The main issue we encounter when closing deals is related to the fact that we are often pegged as a territory lumped in with either the UK, due to our colonial history and language, or Italy, due to our geographical proximity, which forces us to lose some titles because

Every year there is a good vibe surrounding the city and the festival - one sees many young people, many nationalities and a lot of participation

the distributors may prefer to keep them for release in their home countries. Nevertheless, we’ve started reversing this situation and we hope to eliminate it in the future.

THE PROGRAMME IS COMPILED OF A NUMBER OF THOUGHTFULLY CURATED SECTIONS. WHAT IS THE AIM TO PROGRAMME THE FESTIVAL WITH PARTICULAR SECTIONS TITLED ISLANDERS AND ‘WITHOUT BORDERS’?

The idea behind the Islanders section is to show films that are mainly set on islands or produced by film-makers that are citizens or residents of an island. There are 49 islands in the world that are sovereign states and just as many that are dependent on other states or regions. There are also thousands of populated and unpopulated islands, scattered like little dots, on the map of this planet that many call home. So Islanders is the cinematic archipelago of our planet, set in one of the smallest capitals of Europe – Valletta. Without Borders on the other hand is another curated section of the festival that focuses on cinema from a particular country or region. This year this section will focus on the cinema of Northeast Asia.

WITH VALLETTA HOLDING THE TITLE OF CAPITAL OF CULTURE, ARE YOU EXPECTING ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?

We were hoping Malta and Valletta would be under the spotlight and we would receive attention from more people outside Malta. However, it’s too early to say if V18 will help us in this sense. We are happy that our work was recognised and we were selected as one of the main events of V18. Nevertheless, the festival is here to stay so for us, 2019, 2020 and beyond will be as important as this year’s.

The Valletta Film Festival will run between 8 and 17 June. For more information about screenings, venues and other events head to vallettafilmfestival.com

OLD CHARM,

MODERN TWIST Behind the seemingly impenetrable thick walls, flanking Malta’s Grand Harbour, lies a hidden gem known as the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea), which is surprisingly off the tourist radar. Predominantly a maritime hub, rich in history, this area is reviving itself and the Rolling Geeks are paving the way with their modern take on touring.

Explore this gorgeous open-air museum full of architectural riches and breathtaking views, while cruising around in your eco friendly, smart technology vehicle.

The cars are unbelievably fun, safe and easy to drive.

Following a GPS guided route at an easy pace while listening to the commentary onboard in the language of your choice gives you the freedom to sightsee at your own pace. The online tracking and onboard communication systems enable the Rolling Geeks’ vigilant staff to provide assistance throughout the tour giving you peace of mind. The roads on the prescribed route are very quiet and it is very easy to park up and step out whenever you wish to.

The selfie feature in the cars adds to the fun, the rest is up to you to capture. Overall this is a great value for money experience, suitable for all ages.

Visit www.rolling-geeks.com for more information.

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POETRY

POETRY

Beneath the canopy of purple leaves a crippled sapling grows and weaves desperate roots in an earth that breeds the spores of mould and poisonous seeds.

The venom spills.

And the soil can't breathe, water settles like sweaty beads.

And the tramplers trample with their clumsy feet, worse in nature for what they've killed, they do not know, and they cannot see: the struggling sapling, a lesser tree.

WORDS GIULIA PRIVITELLI ILLUSTRATION STEVEN BONELLO

Walking in Circles is the working title of an artistic-literary project supported by the Arts Council Malta â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Malta Arts Fund. The illustrated-poetic journey, spanning over the cycle of one full year, will be launched in the form of a publication in October 2018.

Raising awareness through poetry on the occasion of 'World Environment Day' - 5 June

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#GetCheeky with Us

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BLOCKCHAIN

S

69

SUN, SEA AND THE DELTA SUMMIT

un, Sea and the DELTA Summit Malta is most wellknown for its hot summer days, its rich history that precedes the building of the Pyramids, and fresh, mouth-watering cuisine. Many come to Malta to take a dive into the cool Mediterranean, or visit one of hundreds of century old churches. Come October 2018, there will be yet another reason to catch an Air Malta flight and step foot onto the sunbaked island: to attend the DELTA Summit, a massive Blockchain and Digital Innovation Conference which will span from October 3-5.

Malta has recently been leading the charge towards regulating digital currency and the blockchain and the Delta Summit will bring together Fintech innovators from around the world for three days of discussion, networking, and lots of fun. The most exciting and relevant names in blockchain and digital currency will be there, including ChangPeng Zhao, founder and CEO of digital currency exchange supergiant Binance, Tim Byun from OKEX, and Justin Sun, who in just these past months have set up shop in Malta as well as speakers from IBM, BitFury, Thomson Reuters, and many other big international players. Indeed in a recent Bloomberg article titled “How Malta Became a Hub of the Cryptocurrency World” the article suggests many more exchanges will follow.

The other big-name in the Fintech universe who will be speaking at the Summit is Malta’s own Dr Abdalla Kablan. Dr Kablan is an award winning entrepreneur and academic specialising in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in fintech, and during his PhD work (2007-2011) he has researched the cryptographic hashing algorithms which then became an essential part of the whole concept of blockchain and DLT.

The speaker list also includes Parliamentary Secretary Hon Silvio Schembri, who has been instrumental in the passing of foundational legislation that provides the framework needed for blockchain to become accepted in the global community.

In addition, the DELTA Summit will also share the floor with His Excellency Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat who has been the main proponent for Malta’s transformation into the “Silicon Valley” of the Mediterranean.

Dr Muscat welcomed blockchain companies stating the goal for Malta is to become “global trailblazers”. By introducing new legislation and opening the dialogue for blockchain to become more normalised in the national conversation, Malta has produced an example of how financial technology can not only be incorporated into the national agenda, but can also be done smoothly and as a major benefit to a country’s trade, commerce, and economy.

With Bloomberg Media and Air Malta as the official media and travel partners respectively, the DELTA Summit is expanding on the growing potential for Malta to reach its goal of becoming the Fintech capital of the world. If innovations keep growing, and momentum continues to build at the present rate, Malta will blow away initial predictions and change the way people around the world think digital currency and blockchain.

The DELTA Summit will promote Malta as a serious contender for the title of “Blockchain Island” and this conference will amp up the dialogue for digital-currency whilst simultaneously strengthen the global blockchain community.

For more information go to www.delta-summit.com.

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LOCAL

HERE’S WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON, WHO’S BEEN SEEN AND WHERE THEY’ VE BEEN SPOT TED. MALTA’S HOT TEST NEWS, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

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VALLETTA WATERFRONT: THE HISTORIC DESTINATION WITH THE COLOURED DOORS

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 destination. The small chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family further creates a unique ‘village’ ambience.

For those in search of a relaxing time with good food and entertainment, the Valletta Waterfront’s many restaurants and bars present a variety of offerings catering to different tastes, with dining right at the water’s edge. The establishments’ indoor dining areas are situated inside the tastefully refurbished, historical stores, originally constructed by Grand Master Pinto in 1752. Today, ushering in a modern era, the iconic doors have been revived with an artistic impression of colour, representing the storage of goods from days past: 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 – from ceramics, mouthblown glass, jewellery, to that book you’ve been meaning to buy and more.

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

For more information visit www.vallettawaterfront.com

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

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

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

• Electric cabs are available from just outside Valletta.

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

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

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

01.

HAD-DINGLI TH E A NC I E N T V I LL AG E ON T HE EDG E OF A C L I FF WORDS IGGY FENECH

P

erched atop a stretch of cliffs that run for a few kilometres across Malta’s northern coastline, Dingli is a small village with an incredibly colourful history. In fact, although today it’s called home by some 3,600 people, Dingli’s remoteness has allowed its heritage to be left practically untouched for centuries.

Stretching to over 200 metres above sea level, many locals and foreigners head here to take in the breathtaking, open views of the Mediterranean Sea and of the tiny nature reserve of Filfla, an islet that contains various protected species of endemic flora and fauna.

Yet few are aware of the secrets stored in the repository of information under their feet.

Geologically, for example, the cliffs showcase all the strata of Malta’s rock formation, while the

caves and the rockface tell stories that date back to prehistorical times.

Indeed, archaeology has unearthed activity here dating back thousands of years including ancient grooves in the rock (known as cart ruts) and chambers believed to have served as Roman baths.

Not far away from these sites is also ‘Is-Simblija’, a medieval hamlet that consists of once-repurposed caves and various other structures, like a mill room, a cooking area around a courtyard, and a derelict church believed to be that of St Mary of Callus.

Rather unsurprisingly, churches are a recurring feature in Dingli, and the most prominent one is St Mary’s Parish Church, whose belfries offer the highest viewing point in all the islands. This is also joined by many chapels that dot the area, with the recently-restored St Mary Magdalene Chapel being the most famous.

Rebuilt in 1646, the church has become an icon of the cliffs with many photographers featuring it in their work. If you head here, make sure to check out the small marble plaque from 1777 which reads Non gode l’immunità ecclesiastica (‘This church does not offer sanctuary to troublemakers and outlaws’). This, possibly, points towards Dingli’s darker past when the fear of attacks from pirates was so widespread that many farmers used to spend their nights in caves, which they descended or climbed to using ladders before covering the entrances with tree branches and rubble.

Although those threats have subsided, the villagers’ relationship with the surrounding wilderness remains strong, and many venture here to enjoy the beautiful stretches of Maltese countryside. Among these areas is Buskett Gardens, Malta’s largest wooded area where Verdala Palace is located. Commissioned by Grand Master de Verdalle, construction of this three-storey castle began in 1586 and now serves as the summer residence of the President of Malta.

The fact, however, remains that Dingli is not frozen in time, and a recent revival in interest in the locality is changing its landscape. And the best symbol for that is probably the radar tower – erected 79 years ago on the cliffs’ edge – which stands testament to Dingli’s contribution to the creation of modern Malta, particularly through its role in World War II.

02.

01. Views of the Mediterranean Sea from the Dingli Cliffs in Malta 02. St Mary Magdalene Church, Dingli Cliffs

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A R T & C U LT U R E

77

When Two Worlds Collide WORDS FONDAZZJONI PATRIMONJU MALTI

“…to become increasingly aware of our unawareness till we feel like men who should stand beside a great cataract and hear no noise, or like a man in a story who looks in a mirror and finds no face there, or a man in a dream who stretches out his hand to visible objects and gets no sensation of touch. To know one is dreaming is to be no longer perfectly asleep. But for news of the fully waking world you must go to my betters” ~ C.S Lewis, The Four Loves

J

oan Miró (1893-1983) is poetically said to have edged his way into our universe from beneath the visible, or rather, emerged from deep within it, as the prehistoric shaman would have presumably emerged from the belly of the cave, illuminated and renewed. Victor Pasmore (1908-1998) strongly shared this approach wherein he viewed his creations not as the ‘result of a process of abstraction in front of nature, but a method of construction emanating from within’. And on Picasso (1881-1973) too it was written, that he ‘is tempted, as a saint may be tempted, to see things as he does not see them’. What results, on all three counts, is an image that surprises us by its “realness” as much as it does by the knowledge that it is not, in effect, quite what we think it to be, if we think anything of it at all.

‘Have you ever heard of abstraction-création?’ asks Miró. ‘And they ask me into their deserted house, as if the marks I put on a canvas did not correspond to a concrete representation of my mind, did not possess a profound reality, were not a part of the real itself.’ The artist was evidently not too keen on those who referred to his work as “abstract.” More bluntly put, is Picasso’s belief that ‘there is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward, you can remove all traces of reality.’ Nonetheless, “abstract” is often the term we, who perhaps do not know any better, would resort to when confronted by images that do not seem to belong to this world, to the visible world, that is. Miró makes references to birds, to women, to heads, moons and stars; Pasmore makes references to inland seas, to caves, to myth, to Psyche,

Joan Miró, Femme, oiseau, 1976 Oil on cardboard with hole, Sin marco: 59 × 47 cm Lucia Punyet Ramírez

Narcissus, Icarus. But we find no such images in their works. So, naturally, we’re left wondering at which point most of it got lost in translation.

In a way, to translate the image in words is to betray it. In Italian, the resulting play on words is even more revealing: tradurre è tradire; to translate is to betray. It is true even when we consider the origins of what we are so quick to read as “abstract.” Indeed, the generative basis for Miró’s art is the land, the sky, and the details of natural and earth-bound phenomena. ‘It is important to be in close contact with the land, to listen to the call of the land,’ Miró once told the novelist and poet, Camillo José Cela in The Call of the Earth (1957). But to merely stick to descriptions of the details of the natural world – which in pictorial terms, comes closer to representational or figurative art – is to overlook another, less visible reality which the viewed object triggers in the (sub) consciousness of the artist. Again, perhaps Miró explains this best: “I start my paintings under the influence of a shock that I feel and that takes me out of reality.

The cause of the shock can be a little thread coming loose from the canvas, a drop of water falling, this print that my finger leaves on the shiny surface of this table. Anyway, I need a starting point, even if it’s only a grain of dust or a flash of light. This shape generates a series of things, one thing giving birth to another thing.

In this way, a bit of thread can set off the world.

I arrive at a world starting with something apparently dead.”

Joan Miró, Femme oiseau, 1970 Oil on zinc, Sin marco: 97 × 76 cm Joan Punyet Miró

Looking at such works, we are struck by the realisation that alongside the artist, we are no longer the ‘man who observes nature… but the man in nature as part of its processes,’ as Pasmore would put it. The Renaissance model of gauging with the painted world no longer applies. The point of view has been inverted, turned upside down, and at times completely removed; the frame no longer serves to close off the painting but to highlight the work’s concreteness as part of the real, physical world. The torn canvases of Miró, the projecting shapes of Pasmore’s constructions, Picasso’s Sculptor in his Studio contemplating the corporeality of the sculpted figures, all in a dialogue between the act of creation and creation itself.

A R T & C U LT U R E

79

The Fall of Icarus 1992-1995 oil spray paint and graphite on board 240x112cm signed

It does not take a connoisseur, an art historian or critic to realise that artistically-speaking, the works of these three artists are several worlds apart. It does, however, take an attentive viewer to realise that there is a consistent, albeit unintentional, connective thread running between them. And what a precious thread. For it is not often that we are given the opportunity to weave this thread, more so when it concerns the work of such internationally-renowned artists. Picasso, MirĂł, and Pasmore, are but three of several artists who through their great power of observation, wit and sensitivity, may help us open our eyes to new ways of seeing and perceiving the world around us.

For news of the fully waking world I must go to my betters, tells us the ever-so-humble C.S. Lewis. Perhaps we all should, and we might very well find the opportunity to do so in Vallettaâ&#x20AC;Ś where a fraction of the works of these three artists may presently be viewed, read and contemplated.

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

RESTAURANT

& bar guide

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 clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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.

MARSAXLOKK

TERRONE RESTAURANT +356 2704 2656

1 Wilga Street Marsaxlokk

info@terrone.com.mt

www.terrone.com.mt

/terronemt

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: High quality, freshly cooked food with daily menu - Best meal we had in Malta - Good food, good service and good view - Unexpected jewel in Marsaxlokk - Amazing place not to be missed! - Terrone offers art on a plate! We invite you to look us up and read the details yourself or even better: come and try it! Booking recommended. Parking available outside. Short taxi ride from most locations including Sliema /St. Julianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s/ Valletta.

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

MDINA

81

DE MONDION RESTAURANT

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

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

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

PALAZZO DE PIRO – XPRESSO CAFÉ & BISTRO

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

www.palazzodepiro.com

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

THE MEDINA MALTESE CUISINE RESTAURANT +356 21450 560

www.medinarestaurantmalta.com

Mdina

info@xaracollection.com

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

TRATTORIA AD 1530 +356 2145 0560

Misraħ il-Kunsill, Mdina, MDN 10150

www.xarapalace.com.mt

info@xaracollection.com

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

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

MOSTA

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

www.tamarija.com

Constitution Street, Mosta

info@tamarija.com

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

SLIEMA

TA’ KOLINA

151, Tower Road, Sliema

+356 2133 5106

info@takolina.mt

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 whit its traditional Maltese interior and décor.A set menu comprising of traditional Maltese food offers a choice of starter, main dish, dessert and coffee for €22 per person. There is also vibrant a la carte menu and daily display of fresh local fish. Dining here is a true Maltese experience for reasonable price.

TA’ KRIS RESTAURANT & MALTESE BISTRO +356 2133 7367

80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema

+356 9984 771

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

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.

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

PARANGA

83

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

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

ZEST

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

+356 2138 7600

www.zestflavours.com

info@zestflavours.com

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

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

TA’ XBIEX

THE GALLEY

+356 2131 8801

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

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

VALLETTA

RISETTE

Casa Ellul, 81, Old Theatre Street, Valletta VLT 1429

+356 2122 4821

info@risette.com.mt

www.risette.com.mt

Risette is a tribute to the lady of the house. It is an informal fine dining restaurant set within the elegant Casa Ellul, in the heart of Valletta. The kitchen is led by Chef Andrew Borg. His extensive experience in kitchens throughout Europe has complimented and developed his devotion for fine cuisine. The menu combines cultures and methods into dishes which express Andrew’s passion for flavours together with his mastery of technicalities, complimented with attentive detail to the fine produce that he chooses to include in his dishes. Open for lunch and dinner.

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'S

NINTH AIRCRAFT JOINS THE FLEET

A

ir Malta’s newest aircraft arrived last month and soon joined Air Malta’s Aircraft fleet.

The Airbus A320 aircraft with registration 9H-AHS has been reconfigured to Air Malta specifications including the painting of the complex Maltese Airline livery. Etihad Airways Engineering applied Air Malta livery to the aircraft in its dedicated paint hangar at its Abu Dhabi facility. The complex livery change required strong expertise and experience in applying multilayered designs to the fuselage. Air Malta’s intricate livery was successfully applied by the proficient team of Etihad Airways Engineering using stencils, masks, and different grades and layers of paint.

The project, which included a large number of component changes and cabin reconfiguration to meet Air Malta’s criteria, also involved a 6-year heavy maintenance check.

Minister for Tourism, Dr Konrad Mizzi said that the growth of the Air Malta fleet is complimentary with

Air Malta aircraft at the Etihad Airways Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi before its departure to Malta.

the Government's vision of the airline to position itself as the 'airline of the Mediterranean'. He said that by means of a larger fleet and increased utilisation of aircraft Air Malta has increased its route network and flight frequencies.

Air Malta’s Chairman Dr Charles Mangion said, “We have started operating our Summer schedule that sees us fly to no less than 17 new routes, three of which are flights between European cities not involving Malta.

This aircraft will give us additional flexibility in operating these routes and the over 4,000 additional flights we are planning to operate this year. Air Malta’s management, together with the Board of Directors, are working hard to keep our commitment to strengthen the national airline and the fact that we are increasing our routes, frequencies, flights and are bringing in additional aircraft are clear signs of this. This

growth strategy is not only beneficial to the airline but to our country at large.”

Abdul Khaliq Saeed, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways Engineering, said, “Etihad Airways Engineering has a formidable track record in delivering a wide range of end-of-lease projects for airline operators from across the world.

We have the expertise and experience to effectively manage and deliver end-of-lease projects involving heavy maintenance, cabin reconfiguration, structural modifications and new livery application to meet the requirements of our customers and their respective regulators.”

Etihad Airways Engineering Aircraft hangars facilities cover approximately 42,000 sq metres, including 10,000 sq metres of aircraft painting facilities and a custom-designed hangar that can accommodate up to three Airbus A380 aircraft simultaneously.

AIR MALTA LAUNCHES SCHEDULED SERVICES TO TARBES PYRÉNÉES / LOURDES AIRPORT

THE FLIGHT SCHEDULE WILL OPERATE AS FOLLOWS MONDAY AND FRIDAY (ALL TIMES LOCAL) KM4438 DEP. MALTA 17:00 KM4439 DEP. LOURDES 20:15

ARR. ARR.

LOURDES 19:25 MALTA 22:30

Picture shows Air Malta’s Chairman Dr Charles Mangion announcing Lourdes services together with Mgr Xavier d Arodes from the Lourdes Shrine and Alex Cardona MIA’s Head of Traffic Development & Customer Services. Pic: Paul Mangion.

T

his summer Air Malta will be operating a twice weekly scheduled service to the enchanting French town of Tarbes / Lourdes every Monday and Friday as from June 29th. The new route was announced by Air Malta’s Chairman Dr Charles Mangion during the opening of AMITEX, the yearly travel fair organised at MFCC. Air Malta started operating to this "French town as a charter destination in March 1988, exactly 30 years ago, and have operated this route incessantly as a charter service throughout these years.

We are thus celebrating this important anniversary by offering this route as a scheduled service this summer in cooperation with our partner Britannia Travel. For the past 30 years we have carried an average of around 6,000 passengers each year to and from Lourdes on our charter services and the change to a scheduled one is intended to increase

this traffic especially since it has some good connections to other Air Malta destinations like Catania which will bring us a step further in the connect model we are building. Our Lourdes service is another step towards a successful growth strategy which certainly marks an important milestone for Air Malta. Air Malta’s Commercial Team is working very hard to make this growth possible and we are confident that the current plans and projections will bear fruit by increasing travel connectivity to the islands and generating new inbound travel.”

like the Betharram Caves considered as the most beautiful in Europe.

Visiting Tarbes situated in North of Lourdes is a must. Renowned for beautiful public gardens, a visit to this spectacular place will take any traveller into a magical place full of various tree species, lovely pathways and wonderful green spaces decorated with beautiful monuments and interesting statues.

Tarbes is definitely full of hidden charms

The proximity of Lourdes to the Northern Spanish region will give travellers the opportunity to visit intriguing locations in the beautiful surroundings of San Sebastian - a renowned resort town with lovely beaches and a cobbled old town. Bilbao is synonymous with fine art museums and Vitoria Gastiez is famous for its Gothic-style Santa Maria Cathedral.

From Tarbes travellers can easily reach Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, home to two world UNESCO heritage sites and Centre of the European Aerospace Industry. While strolling and exploring this dynamic city it is impossible not to notice the unique pinkish terracotta architecture which decorates numerous historical places. Toulouse is a city with a rich cultural heritage which covers 2000 years of history.

Customers can book flights through www.airmalta.com, by calling Air Malta’s Call Centre on +356 21662211 from Malta or 0826 102223 from France, from Air Malta sales office at Malta International Airport or from Travel Agents in Malta and France. Call charges may apply.

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A I R M A LTA N E W S

AIR MALTA CONNECTS MALTA TO UKRAINE WITH SCHEDULE SERVICES TO KIEV STARTING IN JUNE

THE FLIGHT SCHEDULE WILL OPERATE AS FOLLOWS TUESDAY KM 574 DEP KM 575 DEP

O

MALTA KIEV

16:00 21:05

ARR ARR

KIEV MALTA

20:15 23:15

n June 19th Air Malta will start operating a weekly (Tuesday) flight to Kiev, the Capital city of Ukraine. This new scheduled service announced during a state visit to the Ukrainian capital by Malta’s President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca last October will offer visa-free travel to both Ukrainian visitors and Maltese tourists wishing to explore this beautiful country.

visitors no longer require a visa to visit Malta and other European countries. This opens up a new passengers market.

Air Malta started promoting this new destination with Ukrainian tour operators. This is another welcome addition to Air Malta’s flight schedule and I look forward to see the airline secure more business and seek more opportunities to ensure further success and become the Airline of the Mediterranean.”

Mr Paul Sies, Chief Commercial Officer stated, "Kiev is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe. Through the introduction of this route we are now increasing our services to Eastern Europe and in the process we are consolidating our position in this region. We shall be tapping into a new market which will stimulate more passenger traffic between both countries. This announcement is another achievement and further good news from Air Malta that is continuing to expand for the benefit of the local tourism industry and the population of the islands who now have more opportunities to discover new destinations.”

With so many wonderful parks and outstanding tree-lined boulevards it is no wonder that Kiev is also considered as one the greenest capital cities in Europe. Its skyline dominated by golden domes of cathedrals and monasteries is definitely a unique attraction. Religion is an integral part of the local cultural heritage of the Ukrainian citizens and this is heavily corroborated by the presence of splendid churches and monasteries adorned with rich architecture and superb ornate interiors.

Air Malta’s Chairman Dr Charles Mangion, said: “We are launching our new route to Kiev, one of the 14 new routes which have been announced. Ukraine is a welcome addition to Air Malta’s 33 other destinations for this summer. With an ambitious schedule in place, the airline will be operating 4,155 (+30%) more flights than last year. Together with our partners, the tour operators, travel agents and other stakeholders, the airline and its motivated workforce are working hard to ensure success and fill up all the capacity we are floating on the market whilst enhancing tourism opportunities and supporting other economic sectors important to the island’s development.”

Minister for Tourism, Konrad Mizzi, highlighted: “Ukrainian

Walking through the streets of the Old town of Kiev is an excellent opportunity to explore all the major attractions of the city, such as the Golden gates, Sirotkin House, Khreschatyk Street, The Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), St. Michael’s Cathedral, St. Sophia’s Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Church. Visiting these iconic landmarks will help one to get to know more about the history of Ukraine.

Ukraine has also rich history of irresistible traditional cuisine renowned for scrumptious dishes and delicious desserts.

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

A I R M A LTA N E W S

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AIR MALTA CELEBRATES NEW ROUTES TOGETHER WITH MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LONDON SOUTHEND AND CAGLIARI AIRPORTS

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ast month Air Malta started its much anticipated flights between Malta and to London Southend, Malta to Cagliari and flights between London Southend, Catania and Cagliari Airports. Air Malta will continue to operate these routes in winter 2018/9.

The Maltese airline started operating a twice weekly flight to Cagliari in Sardinia every Wednesday and Sunday, a twice weekly flight to Catania every Monday and Thursday and three times weekly to Malta every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Customers travelling to/from London Southend can also opt to travel via Catania or Cagliari thus connecting Malta and London Southend with a daily flight.

During an event at London Southend Airport, Joseph Galea, Air Malta’s Acting Chief Executive officer stated: "We are delighted to launch our services to and from London Southend. This is not only a milestone for the airline, but it represents as well a strong commitment by Air Malta to better connect the Mediterranean region to major European gateways. Air Malta is following a growth strategy, expanding its operations with over 4,000 new sectors this year. Over the last six months we have launched 19 new routes some of which are not only connecting Malta to new destinations but are also offering intra-European services like Catania - Vienna and now London Southend – Catania and London Southend - Cagliari. We are aiming to continue expanding our operations as we become the ‘Airline of the Mediterranean’.

Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Aviation, owners of London Southend Airport said: “We’re delighted to welcome Air Malta to London Southend – the UK capital’s best and fastest growing airport. With our multi-award winning facilities offering the strategic advantages and capacity that airlines want, fast and frequent train services to London, market-leading record for punctuality and a unique customer service that our passengers love, we look forward to providing an excellent service to passengers wanting to explore Malta, Sicily and Sardinia.

Malta International Airport celebrated Air Malta’s inaugural flight to Cagliari in Sardinia. Picture shows (from left) cabin crew Anabelle Almerigo, Inflight Manager Richard Caruana, First Officer Chris Borg Barthet, Captain Chris Muscat, Maria Pace Aquilina and Vanessa Muscat after their arrival at MIA. Photo: Malta International Airport.

Picture shows Air Malta Acting CEO Joseph Galea (2nd right), Glyn Jones, CEO of Stobart Aviation, owners of London Southend Airport (2nd left), Capt Dominic Azzopardi (1st right) and cabin crew Vanessa Delia at London Southend Airport. Photo: London Southend Airport.

Minister for Tourism, Dr Konrad Mizzi, said: “This is a significant milestone for Air Malta and a further important step towards its growth. Over the last nine months the airline has increased its capacity by adding new aircraft to its fleet whilst planning to carry more passengers this year. As a Government we fully support its strategy since we believe that it is an important pillar for our economy.”

Customers can book flights through any travel agent in Italy, UK and Malta, www.airmalta.com, online travel agents, and by calling Air Malta’s Call Centre on +356 21662211 from Malta, 0207 660 0543 from the UK, and 199 259 103 from Italy. Call charges may apply.

Picture shows the Air Malta aircraft taxiing at London Southend Airport.

Photo: London Southend Airport.

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A I R M A LTA N E W S

ISLE OF MTV MALTA 2018 FULL LINE UP ANNOUNCED JASON DERULO, HAILEE STEINFELD, SIGALA, PALOMA FAITH, DIMITRI VEGAS, LIKE MIKE AND ELLA EYRE Global superstar, Jason Derulo, is confirmed to perform at Isle of MTV Malta 2018 Wednesday 27 June. Pop sensation Hailee Steinfeld and tropical house DJ Sigala – together with special guests Paloma Faith and Ella Eyre – join Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike for a star-studded night of outdoor live music.

singer, songwriter and actress Paloma Faith (‘Lullaby’) and Brit Awards winner and newly announced MTV Staying Alive Foundation ambassador Ella Eyre (‘Came Here for Love’), while celebrated dance music duo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, are set to close the show.

Three years after his first performance at the summer festival, US singer/songwriter, Jason Derulo, famed for his charttopping songs including ‘Talk Dirty’, ‘Want to Want Me’ and ‘Swalla’, will return to light up iconic Il-Fosos Square. He will be joined by MTV EMA 2017 ‘Best Push Artist’ win-ner and Academy® Award nominated actress, Hailee Steinfeld, who took the global charts by storm last year with her platinumselling single, ‘Let Me Go’.

For the second year running, the main show will be followed

by Isle of MTV Malta Music Week, bringing unmissable club nights to the island from 28 June to 1 July 2018.

Completing the line-up, DJ, record producer and remixer Sigala will take the stage at the historic Floriana Granaries for the first time, accompanied by double-platinum selling

For more information, to secure free tickets to the main show or purchase tickets for Isle of MTV Malta Music Week, please go to www.isleofmtv.com

MTV’s cameras will capture the action from Isle of MTV Malta, which will be streamed live and broadcast as a 60-minute highlights linear show airing across MTV’s international channel network from August 2018.

ESPLORA INTRODUCES A STORYBOOK ON BOARD AIR MALTA Photo: Charles Grixti

Malta is well known as an ideal family holiday destination, packed with fun and historical places to visit. Notwithstanding, it previously lacked a visitor attraction where children and adults could be immersed into the world of science. Since opening its doors in 2016 Esplora, Malta’s Science Centre, has become one of the island’s top visitor attractions.

Esplora is an informal educational and recreational facility suited to visitors of all ages and is located in Kalkara, overlooking Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour.

Apart from featuring over 200 interactive science exhibits, Esplora offers Planetarium shows, hands-on workshops and science shows all the year round. This summer it is offering a special programme bringing its most soughtafter activities together.

solve, taking them on a journey through various locations around Malta and Gozo - including Esplora and the Esplora Planetarium. But we won’t give the story away.

In order to introduce Esplora to young Air Malta passengers the Executive Chairman, Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, has come up with the initiative of commissioning an original children’s story book – Milo Mole and the Sleeping Lady for its young travellers to Malta and Gozo.

Children travelling on-board an Air Malta flight will receive this book to accompany them on their flight and to also serve as a “guidebook with a difference” during their stay in Malta.

Additionally, each book contains a voucher entitling one child to a free entrance to the Esplora exhibition.

The story follows the adventures of two agents: Agent Milo Mole and Agent Eleanor who are in need of a vacation and choose the Maltese Islands as their destination. Their holiday quickly turns into another mystery which they have to

Esplora, funded by the European Regional Development Fund was recently recognised as an emblematic project by the European Commission for the 30th anniversary of Cohesion Policy.

A I R M A LTA N E W S

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ROMANIA BACK IN THE AIR MALTA NETWORK NOW ALSO AS SCHEDULED SERVICE

THE FLIGHT SCHEDULE WILL OPERATE AS FOLLOWS THURSDAY

A

ir Malta has added another destination to its route network and started operating a weekly (Thursday) flight to Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. These new scheduled flights, which for years have been operated by Air Malta as a charter service, have now been upgraded to a scheduled one. Scheduled flights to Bucharest started last month. Go-Light hand luggage one-way fares start from just €39.

Paul Sies, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer stated, “Our new service to the capital of Romania is another achievement in connecting the Maltese Islands to major cities. We have been operating charter services to Bucharest for years together with our travel partners and we believe that the market is now mature enough for scheduled services. The introduction of this new service follows our current growth strategy that will enable us to tap into new markets together with our travel partners. We are working hard to make this and all the other new routes a success.”

Air Malta’s Chairman, Dr Charles Mangion, added: “This is more good news for Air Malta customers who now have the opportunity to visit Bucharest and Romania using Air Malta’s services. Today’s announcement is yet another step forward in the strategy to connect Malta with the rest of Europe and truly become the ‘Airline of the Mediterranean’. Together with our partners, the tour operators, travel agents and other stakeholders the airline is working hard to fill up all the capacity whilst enhancing tourism opportunities and supporting other economic sectors important to the islands’ development.”

The Minister for Tourism, Hon Konrad Mizzi said: “With an ambitious schedule in place, Air Malta will be operating over 4,000 (+30%) more flights than last year. We are continuing to work on

KM4526 DEP MALTA 12:45 KM4527 DEP BUCHAREST 16:45

ARR BUCHAREST 15:55 ARR MALTA 17:55

our growth strategy and expanding Air Malta’s network. The new routes and added frequencies to popular destinations are opening up more the Maltese Islands to new tourism, economic and cultural opportunities for the benefit of the local community.”

Bucharest is the largest city in Romania and overlooks the Dambovita River. Renowned for a fascinating mix of historical and elegant architecture that adorns various prominent buildings around the city, it is no wonder that in the early 20th Century the city was regarded as Paris of the East. Its beautiful tree-lined wide boulevards, spectacular parks, landscaped and botanical gardens, majestic buildings along with an incredible number of landmarks make Bucharest a unique destination full of hidden charms.

Wander through the streets of Piata Victoriei and Piata Natiunilor Unite and admire the outstanding Cantacuzino Palace and historical places such as the Revolution Square, The Military club, National Savings Bank Palace and The National History Museum.

Visiting the Old town and passing through the narrow cobbled stone streets of this splendid city is a must. Buildings in the old town are currently being restored and in the process the area is being transformed into one of the trendiest entertainment zones in Europe. The Old city is full of museums, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and cafeterias.

A visit to Romania is not complete unless you visit and explore Transylvania, a region which is home to medieval towns, the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saxon fortified Churches, the Dacian Fortresses and the most famous Castles of all, Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle.

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

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A I R M A LTA N E W S

UNITE WITH TOMORROWLAND COMING TO MALTA NEXT MONTH DATE & TIME: SATURDAY 28TH JULY 2018, 2PM – 2AM VENUE: MARSA SPORTS GROUND On July 28th the People of Tomorrow from Abu Dhabi, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan will witness a magical celebration with a massive line-up and a live satellite connection from the Tomorrowland mainstage in Belgium.

Under the colourful flags of UNITE With Tomorrowland, Malta will be part of a memorable global event shot through with that “indescribable Tomorrowland vibe”. Steve Aoki, NERVO and Vinai will fly to Malta to perform live on the magical stage designed by Tomorrowland. A magical connection will also be set up with Tomorrowland in Belgium and guests at UNITE with Tomorrowland will experience 3 DJ sets of Tomorrowland headliners, live from the legendary Belgium Mainstage and united with hundreds of thousands of people around the world, all synchronised simultaneously.

Thousands of people hailing from over 50 countries have attended last year’s event in Malta. The festival, which was very well received by those attending, was described as a big success.

HOW TO BU Y UNITE W ITH TOMOR ROW L A ND TICKETS We have teamed up with Unite With Tomorrowland Malta to offer Air Malta passengers exclusively the possibility to buy the ticket at the best price possible.

Scan QR code to buy ticket and enter the voucher code AIRMALTA2018 when booking.

HOW TO BU Y DISCOUNTED AIR MALTA FLIGHTS TO MALTA FOR UNITE WITH TOMORROWLAND MALTA 2018 Get up to 20% discount on your flight on selected routes.

Scan this QR code to find out more.

A NEW SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AT MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The security screening process is perhaps travellers’ least favourite part of the airport journey. Will I beep as I go through the metal detector? Am I wearing a decent pair of socks, in case my shoes have to come off? The inevitable inconvenience of having to remove belts, shoes, jewellery, and your laptop out of the hand luggage is, however, closely followed by the possibility of a delightful shopping experience at Malta International Airport.

Just as you step out of the security screening area, you are welcomed with a pleasant mix of scents emanating from the fragrance and beauty aisles of the airport’s newly revamped Duty Free store. Twelve new brands have been added to the shelves here, making the temptation to buy a small gift for yourself a little easier to give in to. Nuxe luxury products have just landed from France, Jo Malone’s fruity lotions and creams are here from London, and Benefit cosmetics have travelled all the way from San Francisco, widening the choice of products and the beam on many a face. What about

local products, you might be asking. If you make your way to the Spirit of Malta section, which is easily recognisable by a design infused with Maltese elements, you’ll find a little heaven of local delicacies beckoning you from their wooden shelves. Will it be peppery cheeselets, honey rings, or a homegrown olive oil that you take back with you for a lingering taste of the island that lasts until your next visit?

If you’ve left your little ones behind, you might want to grab a small gift to take back to them. While they’ll probably not be appreciative of a bottle of olive oil or a jar of pickled onions, you’ll surely be their hero for buying them something from the new children’s section. And if you get lost amid the aisles and the selection, do not worry because all gates are only a couple of minutes away.

A I R M A LTA N E W S

IL-BIZZILLA TALKS TO MARVIN CARUANA MESSENGER HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH AIR MALTA? I have been working with Air Malta for the past 20 years.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR JOB? Interesting, energetic and reliable.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR JOB? Prioritising when very urgent duties need to be carried out at the same time.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Travelling and collecting old and modern car models.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION AND WHY? My favourite destination has to be Eygpt due to the magnificent Pyramids and the amazing experience of cruising the River Nile.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS OR TIPS FOR ANYONE VISITING MALTA? Chadwick lakes and Buskett top my list when it comes to my preferred spots on the Maltese Islands as one can relax and enjoy the beautiful peaceful rural surroundings that both locations are renowned for. Travellers staying in Malta should definitely visit St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral in Valletta and admire the splendid baroque architecture and master pieces that adorn this majestic monument. The Mnajdra Temples which are a UNESCO world Heritage site and the Hypogeum underground, a pre-historic burial site, should not be missed.

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FLIGHT INFO

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.

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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 Malta’s Club Class for priority service.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GROUPS

AIRBUS 320

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

QTY: 9 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 94

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finland SWEDEN

RUSSIA

NORWAY • Oslo • Tallinn

Stockholm

• St Petersburg

ESTONIA LATVIA • Riga

DENMARK REP. OF IRELAND

• Copenhagen

UNITED KINGDOM

LITHUANIA

• Moscow

Vilnius •

BELARUS • Bremen

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

Luxembourg

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly •

Lyon •

• Tabres/Lourdes Marsille •

CZECH REPUBLIC

SWITZERLAND • Geneva

Florence • Pisa •

SPAIN

BULGARIA

• Ancona

MONTENEGRO

• Bari • Brindisi ALBANIA Naples •

• • Cagliari

TUNISIA

• Casablanca

morocco

• Sofia • Istanbul

TURKEY GREECE

Lamezia Terme • Reggio Calabria • Catania

Palermo • Tunis •

KOSOVO F.Y.r.O.M.

• Olbia

• Malaga

• Bucharest

BOSNIA & SERBIA HERZEGOVINA

• Rome Alghero •

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA CROATIA

Milan • Trieste • Turin • Verona • • Venice • Bologna Genoa •

• Lisbon

MOLDOVA

• Budapest

HUNGARY

ITALY • Pescara

portugal

SLOVAKIA

• Vienna

AUSTRIA

• Zurich

• Nice

• Kiev

UKRAINE

• Prague

• Frankfurt

• Munich

FRANCE

• Warsaw

POLAND

Larnaca •

CYPRUS

Comiso •

Malta Tel Aviv •

ISRAEL

ALGERIA

LIBYA

EGYPT

v

AIR MALTA DIRECT FLIGHTS WEEKLY FLIGHTS

AIRPORT

WEEKLY FLIGHTS

Malaga 2 Manchester 1 Marseille 2 Milan 7 Moscow 4 Munich 12 Palermo 4 Paris Charles de Gaulle 7 Paris Orly 9 Prague 2 Rome 14 St. Petersburg 2 Tel Aviv 5 Tabres / Lourdes* 2 Tunis 3 Vienna 8 Venice 2 Zurich 7

INTRA-EUROPEAN FLIGHTS Catania - London Southend Cagliari - London Southend

2 2

Catania - Vienna

2

CODE-SHARED ROUTES ETIHAD AIRWAYS Abu Dhabi

Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney

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

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

via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich

BRUSSELS AIRLINES Brussels Copenhagen

via Catania via Brussels

CZECH AIRLINES Prague

SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES Zurich

Barcelona Rome London City Frankfurt Pescara Alghero Cagliari Brindisi Ancona Bari Bologna Brindisi Cagliari Catania Florence Geneva Genoa Nice Milan Linate Moscow Palermo Paris CDF Pisa Reggio Calabria Tel Aviv Trieste Turin Valencia Venice Verona

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

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES EMIRATES Larnaca

AIRBALTIC Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Tallinn Vilnius Vilnius

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

Budapest Otopeni (Buc) Prague Sofia Warsaw Tel Aviv

via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Rome

MERIDIANA Olbia

TURKISH AIRLINES Istanbul

via Rome

*as from June 2018

AIRPORT

Amsterdam 8 Birmingham 1 Bucharest 1 Bristol 1 Brussels 9 Cagliari 2 Catania 21 Casablanca 2 Comiso 3 Düsseldorf 2 Frankfurt 7 Geneva 1 Kiev* 1 London Gatwick 7 London Heathrow 15 London Southend 3 Lisbon 2 Lyon 4

96

ELEC TRONIC DE VICE INFO

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

NON-TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

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

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

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

L APTOPS AND NOTEBOOKS

ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT USE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES?

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.

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 lithium batteries or devices is prohibited on-board Air Malta aircraft.