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PAGE14.pdf
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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
MILESTONES MEILENSTEINE ÉTAPE IMPORTANTE PIETRA MILIARE
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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
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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
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Arrival of the British Ankunft der Briten L’arrivée des anglais L’arrivo degli inglesi
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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
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Feast of ST PAUL The 10th of February is the national day which commemorates St Paul. Why St Paul and why does Malta celebrate him? As documented in the Holy Bible, it was St Paul who brought the Catholic faith to the islands. According to the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 27:13-44), a great storm led to a shipwreck on Malta. The ship was Roman and carried prisoners being taken from Caesarea near Jerusalem, to Rome. Amongst these men was St Paul who had previously been judged and found guilty of being Christian.
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Image: St. Paul’s statue in the Grotto at Rabat © www.viewingmalta.com
All men landed ashore safely and were welcomed by the locals. Paul immediately caught the attention and acquired the respect of the people on the island, after he survived the bite of a snake hidden in the brushwood he was collecting to help in lighting a fire. His permanence on Malta lasted three months - the duration of that entire winter, during which time Paul not only preached the faith and converted people, but also saved the life of the father of Publius the island's chief official. Tradition links several key locations to St Paul's arrival on Malta. St Paul's Bay is one of these, especially the smaller islands of St Paul, reckoned to be close to the actual site of the shipwreck. San Pawl Milqi indicates the site where Paul was welcomed by Publius. Naxxar - a location whose name is linked to the first Catholics (Naxxar could be a corruption of the word 'Insara' which means Catholic, or alternatively it could be a corruption of the word 'naxar' which means 'hang out to dry' and might indicate a location where Paul's clothing was hung to dry. Image: Chapel and remains at San Pawl Milqi © DOI
San Pawl tat-Tar©a is a location wherein St Paul preached. Rabat's St Paul's Grotto is a suggestive site where St Paul also preached. Mdina's Cathedral is dedicated to St Paul and traditionally it is believed that the cathedral was constructed on the palace of Publius himself. Other churches or chapels linked to St Paul are found in St Paul's Bay and Birkirkara in Malta as well as in Marsalforn, Munxar and Nadur in Gozo.
Image: Feast of St Paul in Rabat © www.viewingmalta.com
MUÛA Malta's national fine art collection is presently located in the National Museum of Fine Arts in South Street, Valletta. The entire collection, managed by Heritage Malta, is in the process of being prepared for the eventual relocation to larger and more prominent premises. The new museum will be within another historic Valletta building - the Auberge d'Italie, a short distance away, in Merchants Street.
Image: Death of Dragut by Maltese famous painter Giuseppe Cali Š Heritage Malta
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It was decided to start preparations in earnest, ahead of the unique events which will take place for Valletta's European Capital City of Culture 2018. The museum will return to the location which housed the fine art collection originally, in 1924. However the concept will be revised into a new museum typology created for the Maltese and branded MUŻA. This Maltese word which translates into inspiration or muse, serves also as an acronym that indirectly also refers to the Maltese term for museum - MuΩew. An international competition for the design of this new museum has been launched by the local government in a bid to secure the best design for an EU part-financed project that is estimated to eventually cost close to Euro five million. As Malta’s national institution for the arts, MUŻA will not be merely displaying the current national fine arts collection in its best light and seeking to periodically increment it in order to enrich it. The institution will work towards communicating art to the public in general, developing conservation, access and display methods that double up as tourist attractions in the long term. While the project is in the making, the current collection is undergoing conservation or further research as required, and being studied carefully with the assistance of local experts and international stakeholders, peer museums and related institutions.
Image: Mari tal-Bajd, the Maltese street vendor immortalised by Maltese artist Esprit Barthet © Heritage Malta
Image: Abel and Cain, a masterpiece by Maltese painter Lazzaro Pisani © Heritage Malta
LIVING IN MALTA & GOZO A PLACE IN THE SUN Malta and Gozo are becoming increasingly popular locations for the purchase or rental of second homes. Situated at the very heart of the Mediterranean Sea, with easy access from all major cities in Europe, North Africa and neighbouring states, the Islands have many advantages to offer, including the following:
WHY MALTA • An excellent climate with pleasant all year round weather. • Genuinely friendly and hospitable people who will make it easy to integrate within the local community. • Very low levels of crime which make Malta one of the safest places in the region. • A member of the European Union since 2004, Malta is an independent republic enjoying political stability. • English is one of the two official languages of the Islands and is spoken fluently by everyone. • The Island boasts a high standard of hospital and medical services, both private and public. • Excellent schooling, often exceeding international standards, with a choice of English-speaking schools and University. • A relatively low cost of living. • A stable property market offering a wide variety of properties in all price ranges, and good prospects for capital growth. These, together with an abundance of historical and cultural attractions, crystal clear seas, a variety of sporting facilities (including world class diving) and a lively calendar of events, make these Islands a favourite for those seeking their dream ‘Place in the Sun'. Moreover, the residency conditions are very attractive and include a favourable tax regime and the absence of Rates or Council taxes.
FLYING TIMES Malta – London 3.05hrs Malta – Frankfurt 2.35hrs Malta – Rome 1.15hrs
Malta – Amsterdam 3.05hrs Malta – Paris 2.35hrs Malta – Cairo 2.25hrs
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY BY NON-MALTESE BUYERS It is quite easy for a non-Maltese to purchase property in Malta and Gozo. Naturally, some conditions apply including certain restrictions regarding the minimum value of property that can be purchased and the use that the buyer will make of the property. Some buyers may also require a special permit.
MORE INFORMATION For further information and assistance, we recommend that you contact one of the excellent local Estate Agents who can offer professional guidance and advice to help you make the best choice.
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
Image: Gozo © DOI
The ‘Parata’ The traditional Maltese Carnival parade is tantamount to the entire festive event and is held in the main squares where carnival is celebrated - namely in Valletta and on a smaller scale in locations such as G˙axaq in Malta and Nadur in Gozo.
The main parade, known as 'il-parata' in Maltese, originates back in the times following the Great Siege of 1565 when the Maltese managed to thwart a massive Turkish invasion. To commemorate this event, groups of dancing men and children would 'fight' on the square with wooden swords. At the termination of the dance a beautiful girl called 'l-g˙arusa tal-parata' alias the bride of the parade, would be carried shoulder-high in celebration of the Christian victory over the Muslim Turks.
MAL MAL TA&GOZO TA&GOZ 16 l 17
Image: Gozo © DOI
A very old tradition, but the parade lived on in different formats. Through the times of the Knights of St John companies of dancers would dance in public as soon as the carnival festivities were allowed to commence. Wealthy people aiming to show off their financial prowess, would pay these dancers to perform in front of their home. Today dancers dressed in colourful bling perform atop and around carnival floats of immense proportions which glide along the streets and around the main square with loud music to accompany them. Each float has a theme that is reflected via the costumes, colours and music surrounding it. Certainly modern technology helps as does the mechanisation of different parts of the floats. Each company competes with the rest for the final selection of prizes which are awarded to the best of the best.
D A Y B Y D A Y
Images: top Nadur © IMPACT PR bottom: Floriana © IMPACT PR
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Prinjolata
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The name of this traditional carnival sweet derives from the word 'prinjol' which refers to the pine nuts used within the sweet and as decoration. The prinjolata has unknown origins but for as long as people can remember, it was a staple dessert at this time of year. You may find it on sale at all leading confectioneries and sweet shops as well as via mobile vendors who will sell it on the streets, apart from selling the other typical carnival sweets - the delicately coloured 'perlini'. You may choose to purchase one entire prinjolata in a small size and ready packed to give away as a gift. Alternatively, you may opt to buy your share by weight, cut out of the enormous sized variants that are found in shops for the purpose of serving clients according to their need. The prinjolata is instantly recognizable from a distance. An elongated shape, pretty much resembling a towering hill covered in snow, the sweet is composed of slivers of dry cake and shards of broken biscuits that come together with white sugared meringue that also includes candied fruit and nuts. The white meringue icing coating the prinjolata is generously sprinkled with pine nuts, melted dark chocolate and crushed nuts, the all peaked by a prominent red or green candied cherry. Being a speciality in Malta and Gozo, the sweet is uniquely sold in the run-up to carnival and during the actual days of carnival. It is not found on sale at any other part of the year. Confectioners claim the sweet takes too long to prepare and thus, it is not likely they will be making it at any other time of the year. And thankfully so, since it is extremely rich in calories, so that one small slice is enough to last you one entire year.
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MALTA&GOZO D A Y B Y D A Y
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