Malta & Gozo Day by Day - November 2015 by IMPACT PR

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A message from the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Joseph Muscat

It’s not every day that we get to welcome the leaders of 52 other countries to Malta. This is an exciting moment as we finalise preparations for this November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Also coming to Malta are the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Certainly a welcome visit considering the historical ties that bind Malta and the British Monarchy. The countries of the Commonwealth represent more than two billion people and they have much in common. Most are former British colonies with a legacy of the English language, the rule of law and a sound judicial system. That said, the Commonwealth doesn’t often speak with one voice. My hope is that this CHOGM will be sharper and more purposeful. We have purposely selected the theme “The Commonwealth- Adding Global Value” to underline the strength and potential of the Commonwealth. One important topic on the agenda is climate change. No one, anywhere, can escape its effects and it is right that the Commonwealth decides its approach before global talks get underway in Paris in December. Indeed, we will also be welcoming to CHOGM both the French President, Francois Holland, and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. An initiative that we have taken is the introduction of a Women’s Forum. It will take place alongside the existing People’s, Youth and Business Forums and promotes the positive message of “Women Ahead: Be All You Can Be.” My hope is that the Women’s Forum becomes part of the Commonwealth architecture and grows in importance at future CHOGMs. This is an exciting time for Malta. We are welcoming visitors from every continent. It’s certainly going to be very colourful and an opportunity for the Maltese hospitality to be savoured to the full.

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3600 BC

750 BC

The Temple Builders Die Tempelbauer Les constructeurs des temples I costruttori di Templi

218 BC The Romans Römer Les Romains I Romani

The Phoenicians Die Phönizier Les Phéniciens I Fenici

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MILESTONES MEILENSTEINE ÉTAPE IMPORTANTE PIETRA MILIARE

60 AD

870 AD

Christianity Christentum Le Christianisme Il Cristianesimo

1090 AD

The Arabs Die Araber Les Arabes Gli Arabi

The Norman Conquest Die normannische Eroberung La conquête normande La Conquista normanna

1565 AD

1530 AD

1798 AD

The Great Siege Die Große Belagerung Le Grand Siège Il Grande Assedio

The Knights of St. John Die Johanniterritter Les Chevaliers de St. Jean I Cavalieri di San Giovanni

1800 AD

1974 AD

Republic Republik La république La Repubblica

* Image:Heritage Malta • Bild: Heritage Malta • Image:Heritage Malta • Foto:Heritage Malta

The French period Die französische Periode La période française Il periodo francese

Arrival of the British Ankunft der Briten L’arrivée des anglais L’arrivo degli inglesi

1940 AD

World War II Zweiter Weltkrieg La deuxième guerre mondiale La Seconda Guerra Mondiale

2004 AD

EU Accession EU-Mitgliedschaft L’accès à l’UE L’accesso all’UE

1964 AD

Independence Unabhängigkeit L’indépendance L’Indipendenza

LIVING IN MALTA & GOZO

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In collaboration with

Making Your Living Spaces Aesthetically Pleasing, Functional And Affordable Introducing Design Hub Malta Sean Cassar (BA Hons) UK - founder, owner and managing director of Design Hub Malta. ‘An artistically talented creator of functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Educated in UK boarding schools from the age of twelve where after his higher education came back to Malta to build up his profession as an Interior / Exterior Spatial Designer. He has been practicing in the field for the past eight years and has opened up Design hub since 2014. Over the past twelve months he has featured in different publications and recently won the ‘Malta’s Best Young Entrepreneur award 2015.’ His personal business mission is to be able to increase owner’s market value in properties by designing functional and stylish interiors / exteriors in Malta. Offering professional services to foreigners investing locally or overseas.’ Design Hub Malta Mission Statement Our priority is to deliver aesthetically pleasing, functional and affordable interior / exterior design solutions. Both local and foreign clients are welcome to a selection of design packages dependent on the client’s intentions budgets and briefs. These may range from building a property from scratch and taking it to the final design stages, or simply, re-designing one particular room within an existing space. Steered by varied clients’ aspirations, as well as their widespread experiences, the firm designs exteriors and interiors, which allow clients to fully express, what they are about and to what holds meaning to them. Our team, passionately dedicate efforts in illustrating designs to the highest standard, giving clients the ability to visualise the investment before any construction or manufacturing commences. Issuing detailed sketches, realistic visual renderings and finally precise working drawings. Design HUB offers interior / exterior design packages in - Residential, Hotel, Bar, Night Club, Commercial, Restaurant, Office, Custom Furniture, Landscaping, Façade, luxury Yacht’s and others. Residential - Apartment. Through weekly design meetings with clients all aspects of the interior are proposed and drawn up. By the use of sketches and renderings the concept and space allocation is illustrated dependant on the client’s briefs, budget and concept. Residential - Villa A larger residential premises including outdoor facilities and grounds hold many different areas to consider both internally and externally. Attention is taken to all functional and aesthetical factors required by the client. Office Design hub strives to be innovative in its corporate design approach, ideally enticing employees coming to work and valuing client’s first impressions. Corporate brand identity is taken into account and is reflected within proposed designs. Restaurant Catering establishment concepts and designs are offered as a package for customers. Package includes, creating the concept logo and brand identity dependant on client’s requirements. In tandem, the exterior and interior design, space allocation are determined benefitting from a holistic brand design approach. Hotel From boutique hotels to larger deluxe hotels we take pride in creating a competitive and innovative design attitude. Branding, aesthetics, functionality and general client / staff perception are of the highest importance. Design features and functionality must direct the right message and conditions for potential clients and competitors.

Design HUB Mallta Call 9944 1703 Email info@designhubmalta.com.mt Website www.designhubmalta.com

Gozo’s Autumn

Outdoor Fun Still On

Image: Rock climbing in Gozo © Laurence Gouault - Ministry of Gozo.

While November is generally associated as one of the quietest times of the year, Gozo seems to be an exception when it comes to outdoor activity and culture. Its cultural verve, in particular, seems to move at a faster pace than mainstream activity. October is most famous in Gozo for its operas. As the curtains of the two opera theatres are closing, among the burst of applause and the throwing of flowers after two remarkable performances, the artists behind the scenes are already busy preparing for other events. During the month of November the Festival Mediterranea presents an interesting array of lectures, performances and concerts. A representation of Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis on Saturday 14th November at the Teatru Astra, and the Annual Grand Concert by La Stella Philarmonic band at the same theatre, on Saturday 21st November will surely be captivating events for the discerning cultural visitor. This year’s Grand Concert will entirely feature compositions by Maestro Joseph Vella. Apart from his various achievements, Maestro Vella is also considered as a pioneer in the revival of early Maltese music. The Leone in Concert Annual Edition falls on Saturday 07th November at the Teatru Aurora, and the rock opera Ìwanninu at the Oratory Don Bosco in Victoria on the 14th, 15th and the 21st November. Ìwanninu, which tells the story of the young Don Bosco, was the first rock opera ever produced in Gozo, and is being re-staged 30 years after its highly successful initial run. Image: Xwejni Bay walks © Ted Attard - Ministry of Gozo.

14 l 15 During the month of November Gozo will also be hosting events linked to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. A short story workshop for emerging and unpublished writers will take place on Thursday the 26th November as part of the Commonwealth People’s forum. Fieldtrips for NGO representatives from all commonwealth countries as well as for Commonwealth Ministers of Foreign Affairs will also take place in Gozo. The month of November will also see the release of the film ‘By the Sea’. Shot in Gozo in 2014, picturesque scenes from around the island will form the backdrop of this drama written and directed by Angelina Jolie. The latter will play the part of Vanessa, a former dancer, who together with her husband Roland (played by Brad Pitt) an American writer, visit a seaside locality in France during the mid 1970s. With the first rains, Gozo turns greener. The island becomes a large playing field of green carpets, interspersed with undulating lines of rubble walls dividing small patches of land which are still cultivated to these days. Taking a quick trip to M©arr ix-Xini, where the film ‘By the Sea’ was shot, or through the countryside along Gozo’s coastline, amongs well kept chapels like San Dimitri in G˙arb, the hamlet of Santa Luçija or tal-Patroçinju in G˙asri, can expose untold secrets of silent religious quests delicately intricated with Gozo’s countryside. Culture, and tranquillity can provide the ideal backdrop for anyone in search of serenity. So why not start the journey in Gozo?

Image: M©arr Ix-Xini Bay, the location where ‘By The Sea’ was filmed © Reno Rapa - Ministry of Gozo.

Gozo Intricately beautiful

www.gozo.gov.mt

Image: Sunrise over valley from Ûebbu© - © Daniel Cilia, Ministry for Gozo

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PKFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Study On Female Participation A recent study done by PKF Malta shows that the female participation has been increasing in the past decade; however, when compared to other EU countries, Malta has one of the lowest female activity rates and one of the highest gender employment gaps. A positive observation revealed in the study is the fact that the female activity rate in 2014 of those aged between 15 and 24 is higher than the EU average of the same age group. From statistical regression analysis relating to this age group, it was established that the free childcare centre incentive is one of the significant variables that predict the female activity rate. On the other hand, lifelong learning has left a positive effect on the female activity rates for both the age groups 25-54 and 55-64.

A wide gender gap is particularly noticeable in entrepreneurship, where women still hesitate in considering it as a career. From one of the surveys done amongst female entrepreneurs, it was established that the majority of the respondents feel that it is more challenging for mothers rather than fathers to maintain a successful business career. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents feel that more incentives need to be offered in order to encourage more females to enter entrepreneurship. This study is finalised after several consultation meetings held with stakeholders including the Hon. Evarist Bartolo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Minister for Education and Employment, GRTU, Malta Chamber of Commerce, ETC, NCPE and MCWO. These all have shared their views and feedback on the subject.

35, Mannarino Road, Birkirkara. BKR9080 Malta email: info@pkrmalta.com | tel: +356 21 484 373 | www.pkfmalta.com or block 12, office 2/1 Tigne Place, Tigne Street, Sliema. SLM3137 Malta email: info@tunemalta.com | tel: +356 21 335 715 | www.tunemalta.com

Forming part of the PKF International network, PKF Malta is committed to excellence, which commitment doubles up into eloquently broadening horizons incessantly and successfully, in-keeping with the ever-changing pulse of the marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. Our turn-key approach of customised intermediation services affords us the adequate insight and resources necessary to see our clients through the respective financial services process and successful attainment of the envisaged goal. Janet Chetcuti, a Graduate in Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research is a Senior Statistician and heads the Statistics Department at PKF Malta.

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Valletta 2018 A Cultural Experience For All

Valletta was unanimously declared European Capital of Culture (EcoC) on the 12th October 2012 and has since been focusing its efforts on facilitating large-scale cultural regeneration. This regeneration is reflected in our four flagship infrastructure projects, namely the restoration of Strait Street, is-Suq tal-Belt (Valletta’s indoor market), the Malta Design Cluster at the Old Abattoir and MUŻA, Malta’s new museum of art. Such regeneration does not only benefit the tourist industry, but also the community in which these sites are located, thus resulting in social and economic regeneration. Culture of Ageing Exhibition during VIVA © Elisa von Brockdorff

Apart from our infrastructure projects, we’ve also devised a Cultural Programme which is both inclusive and innovative. It contains a European Dimension and celebrates European diversity. Divided into four themes - Generations, Routes, Cities and Islands – our Cultural Programme is made up of a variety of projects, from education projects to those which deal with the professionalisation of artists. The aim of our Cultural Programme is to create a cultural experience for all. Although Valletta is the chosen city to host the European Capital of Culture title, it does not mean that this title is solely confined to Valletta. This cultural celebration is also extended to the rest of Malta and Gozo. We want people from different communities and from all walks of life to partake in the cultural festivities which will leave a lasting cultural legacy that will live beyond 2018.

The Freshly Inaugurated St Paul’s Catacombs Project

Heritage Malta has recently inaugurated the new ERDF funded project at St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat, featuring a visitor centre, walkways and a number of catacombs accessible . The project which was undertaken by Heritage Malta is worth €9.2 million, 85% of which is co-financed through the European Regional Development Funds (Cohesion Policy 2007 – 2013, Operational Programme I – Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life). Apart from the works at St Paul’s Catacombs, the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project included also the conservation and embellishment of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ġgantija Temples and Tarxien Temples.

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St Paul’s Catacombs are an outstanding example of Malta’s catacombs and are also on the tentative list for future inscription as a World Heritage Site. The new extended site includes a visitor centre incorporating all amenities and interpretation facilities and a walkway which provides access around the site. The project also incorporated a number of scientific studies, including archaeological research, environmental studies and ground penetrating radar scans, the construction of new visitor facilities, 3d navigation through parts of the site, new interpretation of the site and its different phases, and access to previously inaccessible areas and to a number of catacombs. The site’s interpretation includes a number of audiovisuals with information on various aspects of the site. Heritage Malta has also implemented an interactive immersive experience of the Catacombs through a setup of virtual reality goggles and 3D navigation systems using the Oculus Rift technology. While this technology is still a prototype, the experience is “one of a kind”. This system has been implemented in conjunction with St Martin’s Institute of IT and is intended to give an experience of the St Paul’s catacombs, especially to those who cannot physically visit the tombs.

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Local Councils Events in November Celebrating Tradition, Folklore and Culture 13th-15th Jchallenge – The Youth Village Concert Ìnien Raymond Caruana Gudja. 20:30. This concert is to meet the aim of this event ‘Discover the youth in you’. This activity has the potential to bring different youths together in one particular space to enhance their talents in performing arts. This is going to be a concert with a difference where music, art and theatre are to meet together and offer a unique experience to the audience that will be encouraged to participate in different ways.

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