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PAGE26.pdf
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17/05/2013
11:52
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PAGE22.pdf
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23/04/2013
13:53
12 l 13
Image: © Wilfred Camilleri
Image: © Jeremy de Maria
CELEBRATING MEDITERRANEAN FOLK MUSIC 7, 8, 9 June
Image: © Jeremy de Maria
EVERY REGION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN HAS ITS OWN MUSIC LINKED TO ITS OWN CULTURE. EACH COUNTRY AROUND THIS SMALL SEA HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND SONG, AND MALTA IS NO EXCEPTION. To celebrate its music and that of neighbouring countries, Malta holds the 'Għanafest' festival on an annual basis in a bid to not only celebrate Mediterranean folk music but also celebrate its diversity. The festival's theme for 2013 is “Islands” and thus musicians from Crete, Corsica, Sardinia and Malta will perform at the Argotti Botanical Gardens on the weekend between 7-9 June. The Nafra folk ensemble will portray the musical journey leading to the revival of the forgotten Maltese lira. Apart from a series of concerts, the festival will include an exhibition and a series of workshops on traditional instruments plus a special programme for children. Visit Għanafest to sample traditional Maltese food and view a variety of Maltese crafts displayed in an artisans’ market. A truly holistic Maltese experience of unique traditions.
GÓANAFEST – Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival 2013 is supported by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. The Festival will be held on the 7-9 June at 7pm, Argotti Gardens, Floriana – within walking distance from Valletta. Tickets: €3 and €7 for a three-day block ticket available at the door. www.maltafolkmusicfestival.org
MATTIA PRETI
Image: Martyrdom of St. Catherine © Heritage Malta
FAITH AND HUMANITY
Who was the much acclaimed Mattia Preti? Why is Malta talking about him so much this year? Mattia was an acclaimed artist who was born precisely 400 years ago and whose work is not only found in leading locations such as Spain's Museo Nacional del Prado, France's Louvre in Paris, Rome's Musei Vaticani, Milan's Accademia di Brera and Naples's Museo di Capodimonte amongst others, but also in varied locations around Malta.
To celebrate this birth anniversary, Heritage Malta's National Museum of Fine Arts is collaborating with the Museo Civico di Taverna to present an exciting exhibition of some of Preti's major works, entitled 'Mattia Preti – Faith and Humanity’. The exhibition of 50 diverse works from this master is showing at The Palace State Rooms in Valletta until 7th July 2013. This exhibition presents aspects of his life, faith and works with several hypothesis and interpretations made possible also thanks to modern x-ray investigations and other technologies. It is being complemented by a series of intensive workshops that delve into techniques of Preti's times and the ones he specifically worked with. Senior curator Sandro Debono will be giving a number of specialised tours to discuss the topic in detail. Late night viewing and gallery site talks will also be presented. For bookings and information check out info@heritagemalta.org or call Heritage Malta’s Head Office on 22954000.
Image: Blue Lagoon © Ted Attard - Ministry for Gozo
www.visitgozo.com GOZO’S OFFICIAL TOURISM WEB PORTAL The Ministry for Gozo recently launched the official tourism web portal for the islands of Gozo and Comino – www.visitgozo.com. The website is in seven different languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Russian. This is intended to put Gozo on new level in the increasingly changing world of on-line interactivity, predominantly in the field of social media. The site contains a vast collection of tourism-related information which is presented in a user-friendly format categorised by what to do, where to stay and where to go. The three Es of Experience, Escape and Enjoy, capture the what to do category.
and theatre or else directly through the upcoming events RSS feeds. An interactive map with a number of enhanced features will also be available.
Whilst the majority of the operators are present on-line, this portal is expected to create a visitor experience, providing an interactive interface where people can compare and relate all forms of tourism-related services on the islands. This is intended not only for people who are simply planning their trip, but also for those who are yet tallying with the idea of visiting Gozo and Comino. Even for guests who are already in Gozo, and have not planned anything beforehand, this portal gives them the ideal opportunity to plan their stay.
Interactivity will have two facets, the visitors and the operators. Tourism operators are responsible to update their profile through the private and secure members area. Visitors to the portal will also be able to post reviews and, upload photos and videos of their experience.
Features such as My Gozo and Plan My Trip, help the visitors create their own personalised itinerary according to their tastes. The site suggests places of interest and upcoming events, reflecting the preferences of the visitors during their stay. Users can also subscribe to events by category such as religion, culture
Enhancements to the site are ongoing. A user-friendly mobile version of the portal is also being developed and will be available in the coming weeks.
The value added provided by this site is that the Ministry for Gozo has sought to identify the needs of visitors to the destination, focusing on the information they would require whilst staying here. Moreover, it has sought to provide that level of interactivity which savvy visitors demand. On a ‘community’ level people can also interact through social media networks such as facebook and twitter.
The site will also complement and link with the efforts of other established websites namely: www.visitmalta.com (MTA); www.islandofgozo.org (GTA);
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Image: Tal-Ìurdan Lighthouse © Ted Attard - Ministry for Gozo
Image: G˙arb feast © Ted Attard - Ministry for Gozo
GOZO EVENTS DURING JUNE 14-16
Fiori d’Argenta – Cultural and Historical Festival. Main Square and streets, Xewkija. 21558822 – www.xewkija.gov.mt
14-16
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Religious feast and social activities in the square and main streets of Fontana. 21556097 – www.qalbtagesu.com
RockAstra (1st Edition) by the La Stella Philharmonic Society led by Mro Sigmund Mifsud. Independence Square, Victoria. 21556256 / 21550985 – www.lastella.com.mt
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Leone Goes Pop (6th Edition) by the Leone Band and Established Artists. Independence Square, Victoria. 21562974 – www.leone.org.mt
5-23
School of Art Annual Exhibition. Exhibition Hall, Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria. 22156400 – www.gozo.gov.mt
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Annual Show – Live Dance Musical by Yada Dance Academy. Villa Rundle Greek Theatre, Victoria. 99825077 – www.yada.com.mt
6-30
Paintings by Mario Portelli. Banca Giuratale Foyer, Independence Square, Victoria. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com
21-23
Feast of St. John the Baptist. Religious feast and social activities in the square and main streets of Xewkija. 21556793 – Xewkija Parish Church.
1-2
Feast of St. Anthony of Padova. Religious feast and social activities main streets of M©arr Hamlet, G˙ajnsielem. 21556095 – Franciscan Minors Friary.
2
Corpus Domini – Blessed Sacrament Processions. All villages. 21556661 – www.gozodiocese.org
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6
Sette Giugno – Commemorative ceremony for the tragedy of 1919. Bullara Street, Xag˙ra. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com 22-23
7-9
Feast of Christ the Saviour. Religious feast and social activities in the square and main streets of G˙asri. 21560137 – www.ghasri.com
Wirja Agrarja. St. Peter & St. Paul Square, Nadur. 21558080 – www.nadur.gov.mt
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Il-Ó©ejje© ta’ San Ìwann. St. John’s demi bastion, Cittadella, Victoria. 22156700 – www.gozoculture.com
Bis-Sa˙˙a – Wine Festival. Pjazza Santa Luçija, Sta. Luçija Hamlet, Kerçem. 99841080 – www.santalucija.com
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Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul. Religious feast and social activities in the square and main streets of Nadur. 21551649 – www.nadurparish.com
8
10
Jum il-Belt Victoria. Independence Square, Victoria. 21563344 – www.rabat.gozo.lc@gov.mt
12-30
Victoria International Arts Festival. St. George’s Basilica and annex. Victoria. 21556377 – www.stgeorge.org.mt www.viaf.org.mt
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15/03/2013
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Image: © www.viewingmalta.com
SOME MALTESE SWEETS TO TASTE
Image: © IMPACT PR
Malta has more to offer to the visitor besides sun, sea and sand. The Maltese Islands are rich in folklore. Sweets are an aspect of this rich heritage and the visitor must do his or her utmost to taste this heavenly food. The ‘Kannoli’ The ‘kannoli’ are made of tubes of sweet pastry which are deep fried. Their filling consists of ricotta, sugar, spices, chocolate and candied peel.
date filling is mixed with cloves, lemon peel, spices, anisette and rose water. All this is then enclosed in a soft pastry which is also made with rose water. When these are fried, they turn into a beautiful golden colour.
The ‘Imqaret’ If you want to taste ‘imqaret’ you have to find a man standing at street corners, boiling oil bubbling on a stand in front of him. These are date slices and they are excellent when eaten hot, straight from the pan. They are especially tasty since they are made of a melange of sweet and savoury ingredients. The
All these traditional sweets are indeed a menace to our visitors who are weight conscious. But when on holiday one can afford to spoil oneself to taste some sweets a la Maltaise. One can also take some home to offer to friends a taste of the Maltese cuisine.
LIVING IN MALTA & GOZO
MAL MAL TA&GOZO TA&GOZ 20 l 21
D A Y B Y D A Y
IMNARJA JUNE 29 IS A SPECIAL DAY ON THE MALTESE ISLANDS SINCE IT IS THE RELIGIOUS FEAST OF ST PETER AND ST PAUL. SUCH A TRADITION COMES A LONG WAY DOWN HISTORY AND ITS ORIGINS ARE BELIEVED TO BE AS EARLY AS THE 15TH CENTURY.
The feast, typically celebrated in areas where rurality is of great importance, allowed peasants to enjoy food whilst taking a break after the hard work of working the fields before the onslaught of the intense summer heat. However the feast really came into its own during the permanence of the knights of St John when they organised torchlight processions with the firing of petards. In the 16th Century celebrations started to include races for able-bodied men, boys and slaves. Donkey races were also organised. Trophies were in shape of swords, caps or handkerchiefs. On a more religious note, festivities moved into church with organ playing and choirs singing praise and thanksgiving. Today, the locations most connected with the Mnarja festivities are the localities of Rabat and Mdina in Malta and Nadur in Gozo. The event still attracts communal fetes of food and music with prevalence being given to the ‘fenkata’ the traditional and national delicacy of cooked rabbit. Again this originates from a time when wild hares were abundant in the rural garigue and provided food aplenty. An idyllic location for such communal celebration is the wooded area of Buskett. The full day of the holiday becomes a glorified picnic for families who share the only significantly large wooded area on Malta. Part of the traditional enjoyment comes in the form of traditional singing called ‘g˙ana’ which includes story-telling in song form. The day is also marked by the agriculture show during which farmers showcase their best products at Buskett.
Images: © IMPACT PR
If you are an expatriate living in Malta or Gozo...
you may regularly receive a link to the online version of this monthly magazine in your email. Simply e-mail us on: info@impactpr.com.mt Images © IMPACT PR
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PAGE28.pdf
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17/05/2013
12:04
26 l 27
MALTESE SUMMER FOLKLORE NIGHTS
Limestone and heritage come together in more ways than one on the Maltese islands. Siggiewi's own Limestone Heritage Park & Gardens recreates a typical Maltese cultural experience like no other, leading newcomers to the islands to encounter the Mediterranean lifestyle surrounded by good food, great entertainment and interesting people. An evening at the Limestone Heritage Park & Gardens typically includes a tour of the disused quarry that has now been transformed into a unique sight-seeing adventure. Learn about the story of limestone and how the locals learnt to utilise it to the maximum. Once the tour is over, you will be ready to start your culinary experience with stone-baked Maltese bread, appreciated for its crusty exterior and mouth-watering interior that becomes resplendently delicious when savoured with local olive oil. Add
some gbejniet, traditional goat milk cheeselets and combine with bigilla, a dip crafted from broad beans, herbs and plenty of garlic. What about genuine Maltese takeaway in the form of pastizzi or cheesecakes as the British incorrectly coined them? These are little pockets of filo pastry deliciously filled with creamy ricotta cheese or peas. The Maltese, when abroad for long stretches of time, typically hanker after them poignantly. Entertainment is also included in the evening and is particularly in abundance. Guests will enjoy seeing local dance troupes performing the Fisherman's and Farmer's dances, as well as other folklore routines, accompanied by sprightly mandolin music. Experience an evening with a different twist and you will learn to appreciate Maltese limestone heritage as well.
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PLAY GOLF IN THE SUN‌ ALL YEAR ROUND
THE ROYAL MALTA GOLF CLUB IS THIS YEAR CELEBRATING ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY WHICH PROUDLY RECALLS DECADES OF GOLF PLAYED ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA. WHILST GOLF WAS INITIALLY PLAYED AROUND THE MOATS AND BASTIONS FORMED BY THE FORTIFICATION WALLS OF THE CAPITAL CITY VALLETTA, THE ROYAL MALTA GOLF CLUB MOVED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION IN 1904, WHICH INCIDENTALLY, IS ALSO OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE. A CASE IN POINT IS THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN'S CHAPEL, NOW FOUND ON THE 10TH GREEN.
The British fell in love with Malta and realised the golfing on this sunshine-rich island could be total bliss. Hence the careful design of a well-balanced 18-hole course in Marsa, which offers golfers with varied expertise a truly challenging golfing experience at all levels. The Clubhouse was recently rebuilt to boast sleek, modern interiors that enjoy stunning views of the 1st, 2nd and 18th greens. Located within the precincts of the Marsa Sports Club which offers a variety of other sports, the Royal Malta Golf Club is a private members club, which initially welcomed British servicemen stationed on the island, and now openly welcomes visitors. Enjoying royal patronage, the club is one of an exclusive circle of barely 62 similarly patronised clubs worldwide. Its prestige increases with each celebrity it hosts and past celebrities to pass through include singer Michael Bolton, Manchester United former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, English former footballers Gary Neville and Paul Gascoigne, Welsh footballer Craig Bellamy and world cup winning footballers Alexander Del Piero and Mauro Camoranesi.
1888
The week-long golf activities in June, to celebrate this momentous anniversary will add to the golf club's historic and memorable events. Golfers from all around the world will meet to share the good times.... and of course the sunshine.
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PAGE31.pdf
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23/04/2013
12:20