Malta & Gozo Day By Day March 2019 by IMPACT PR

MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY MARCH 2019

MINISTRY FOR TOURISM

[CONTENTS] MARCH 2019 Issue No. 199

Front Cover: Statue of St. Joseph, Rabat

Tourism Journalist of the Year Award

6 Welcome Herzlich Willkommen Bienvenue Benvenuti 7 March Events 8, 9 März Tag für Tag 10 Mars Au Jour Le Jour 11 Marzo giorno per giorno 12 Gozo - Spring 14 Gaulitana Festival 15 An Evening Of Music For String Orchestra 17 More Ice Age Animal Bones Discovered At Għar Dalam 18 Maltese Carnival 21 Maltese Falktales 22 Valletta Map Karte von Valletta Carte de la Valletta Cartina della Valletta 23 Maltese Islands Map Karte der Maltesischen Inseln Carte des îles maltaises Cartina delle isole di Malta 24 Maltese Recipes 26 A Message From The Ambassador Of France To Malta H.E. Brigitte Curmi

Partners Hotels Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay; Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa; Fortina Spa Resort; Hilton Malta; Hotel Phoenicia Malta; Intercontinental Malta; Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Resort & Spa; Radisson Blu Resort - St. Julian’s; Radisson Blu Resort & Spa - Golden Sands; Ta’ Cenc Hotel; The Palace Malta; The Westin Dragonara Resort; The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux.

Every feedback is welcome by IMPACT Public Relations 45A, South Street, Valletta VLT1101 Malta. Tel: (356) 21 251339 E-mail: impactpr@impactpr.com.mt www.maltaandgozo.com

Calypso Hotel, Cavalieri Hotel; Club Salina Wharf; Coastline Hotel; Cornucopia We are grateful to the Hotel; Dolmen Resort Hotel; Hotel Juliani; Hotel Kennedy Nova; Hotel Santana; Communications and PR Directorate - Malta Tourism Authority Il-Palazzin Hotel; Marina Hotel St. George’s Bay; Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa for their support and cooperation. Malta; Paradise Bay Resort Hotel; Park Hotel; Preluna Hotel & Spa; Qawra Palace Hotel; Ramla Bay Resort; Seabank Resort & Spa; San Antonio Hotel & Spa; Every effort has been made to ensure that the information Suncrest; St. Patrick’s Hotel; Sunny Coast Resort Club; The Riviera Resort & Spa; given was correct at the time of publication, but no responsibility The Victoria Hotel; The Waterfront Hotel. can be accepted for errors or omissions.

Tourist Information Offices Malta International Airport Arrivals Lounge Mellieħa Misraħ Iż-Żjara tal-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II - 26 ta’Mejju 1990 Mdina Torre dello Standaro, St. Publius Square Valletta Tritons Square Victoria, Gozo 17, Independence Square Valletta Waterfront Pinto Wharf Vittoriosa Inquisitor’s Palace, Main Gate Street Customer Care Freephone: (Monday to Friday 08:00 - 12:30 and 13:15 - 17:00)

Tel: 23696073/4 Tel: 21524666 Tel: 21448206 Tel: 21220193 Tel: 22915452/3 Tel: 21 220633 Tel: 21 800145 Tel: 80072230

Publishing House Publisher/Editor Director of Marketing

IMPACT Public Relations Chris Grima Chris Grima

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 05

[WELCOME] Message From The Ambassador of France to Malta, H.E. Brigitte Curmi

GOZO ALIVE

Dear friends of Malta and Gozo Day by Day, thank you for giving the floor to the French Embassy on the occasion of this month edition – March, as we celebrate Francophonie together, like every year, everywhere around the world. It is an honor for me to sign this editorial at a time when your beautiful archipelago has joined the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) as observer. As soon as this news was announced, our Embassy and other diplomatic representations in Malta which are also members of the OIF started to work together with the Maltese Ministry for Foreign Affairs in order to concretely strive for the great influence of Francophonie. Our first major rendez-vous will be from March 16th to 24th when a number of events are organized in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, FestivalsMalta and the Ministry for Gozo to celebrate French language and culture through music, pictures, literature and exchanges. I am delighted to see events being held in Malta and in Gozo, your sister island, willing to actively play its part in these festivities. Beyond the pleasure we have to meet on these occasions, these celebrations of Francophonie also aim at opening horizons, enable French language and Francophone culture to express their diversity, the alterity and the openings to other worlds. What neater place could we imagine to celebrate those values than the Republic of Malta, at the heart of this Mediterranean we cherish and is the melting pot of so many shared cultures. With you all in Malta and Gozo, having the chance to practice a rich Maltese language every day, full of nuances and influences as well as being perfectly bilingual, we wish to forge ahead and take up this promise of Francophonie. Now let us come back to the fun! We wish to see you all during this month: March 16th in Gozo in the frame of Lejl Imkebbes – The Festival of Lights, at the heart of the Citadel and March 23rd at the covered market in Valletta to listen to Cherif MBaw and his musicians from France and Senegal; and March 20th to attend the screening of “Place Publique” followed by a panel discussion with Agnès Jaoui, renowned director who will be accompanied by French actress Nina Meurisse. Numerous events shall gather us as well in the future. Each and every one of you, inhabitants of the archipelago, young and less young, with the Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée, your schools, French teachers and cultural associations are invited to celebrate the shared riches of our languages, and their meeting. I am sure that the grace of your islands is a natural setting for this diversity that is so essential to our common future in the Mediterranean. Thank you for this.

06 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

[WELCOME]

WELCOME... March is the month which brings longer days to enjoy the Maltese outdoors. A colourful and festive start to the month with the celebrations of Carnival across the Islands with the main celebrations in Valletta and Floriana with the floats and dancers parades and those in Victoria, Gozo. Not to miss is the famous spontaneous Carnival in Nadur, Gozo. For those who like theatre the Manoel Theatre holds its annual Opera and there are also more performances and concerts around the Islands. We hope that you enjoy the start of Spring with us in Malta and Gozo.

Carnival, Floriana © Festivals Malta

HERZLICH WILKOMMEN... Die längeren Tage im März geben uns mehr Zeit, die maltesische Natur zu genießen. Der Monat beginnt bunt mit Karnevalsfeiern überall auf den Inseln. Die großen Umzüge finden in Valletta und Floriana und in Victoria, Gozo, statt. Auf keinen Fall verpassen dürfen Sie die verrückte Karnevalsparty in Nadur, Gozo. Für die Freunde des Theaters führt das Manoel Theatre die jährliche Oper auf, weitere Veranstaltungen und Konzerte werden an mehreren Orten veranstaltet. Wir hoffen, Sie genießen mit uns den Frühlingsbeginn in Malta und Gozo.

Valletta breakwater bridge © Stefan Stafrace - www.viewingmalta.com

BIENVENUE... Mars ! C’est le mois où les jours deviennent plus longs permettant ainsi de profiter des activités de plein air. La célébration du Carnaval dans Malte et Gozo offre un début festif plein de couleurs au mois de mars. Les célébrations principales se déroulent à La Valette et Floriana ainsi qu’à Victoria à Gozo avec des chars et des défilés de danseurs. A ne pas manquer : le Carnaval spontané de Nadur à Gozo. Pour les amoureux du théâtre, le théâtre Manoël tient son Opéra annuel. D’ailleurs, il y aura des représentations théâtrales et des concerts dans plusieurs lieux des Iles maltaises. Nous souhaitons que vous partagiez le plaisir que nous procure l’arrivée du printemps à Malte et Gozo.

Mtaħleb chapel © Jacqueline Catania Galea - www.viewingmalta.com

BENVENUTI... Marzo è il mese che porta giornate più lunghe per godersi l'aria aperta maltese. Un inizio colorato e festoso del mese con le celebrazioni del Carnevale attraverso le isole con le celebrazioni principali a La Valletta e Floriana con le sfilate di carri allegorici e ballerini e quelle a Victoria, Gozo. Da non perdere è il famoso Carnevale spontaneo in Nadur, Gozo. Per chi ama il teatro, il Teatro Manoel tiene la sua Opera annuale e ci sono anche più spettacoli e concerti intorno alle Isole. Speriamo che ti piaccia l'inizio della primavera con noi a Malta e Gozo.

Argotti Gardens, Floriana © Clive Vella - www.viewingmalta.com

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 07

[EVENTS]

March Feasts

Festa Celebration: A typical Maltese ‘festa’ with band marches, fireworks displays and religious processions. Sunday 10 St Gregory The Great. Ta’ Kerċem (Gozo) Tuesday 19 St Joseph, Rabat. Public Holiday

Events

Friday 1 – Tuesday 5 Carnival In Malta & Gozo. A Season of Colour & Fun. All Maltese Islands. Sunday 17 St Patrick’s Day. Valletta. www.irishmaltesecircle.org.mt Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 Spring Equinox. Ħaġar Qim Temples. Heritage Malta will organise a special guided tour on the 20th and 21st March to witness the sun’s rays as they project themselves through the South Temple's main doorway and light up its main axis. A limited number of tickets for this event can be purchased from Heritage Malta’s sites and museums. www.heritagemalta.org Friday 29 Changing of the guard. St. George's Square, Valletta. 10:30. Formal Ceremony in which sentries providing ceremonial guard duties at important institutions are relieved by new sentries. Sunday 31 Freedom Day. (National Public Holiday) On 31st March 1979, the Defence Treaty with Britain came to an end as the last British forces left the Island. Activities commemorating this important historic date take place every year, mostly in Vittoriosa where the monument marking this event is situated.

Re-Enactments

Daily Firing of Noon and Sunset Gun. Old Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta. 12:00 & 16:00 respectively. Monday – Saturday Victorian Garrison. Fort Rinella, Kalkara. 14:00 - 16:30. 19th Century Victorian soldiers take visitors on an animated tour around the Fort recreating daily life of late 19th century British garrison. Visitors may fire a cannon or a soldier’s musket. Sunday 10 Relive 1565 - Experience a City Under Siege. Compagnia San Michele, Xgħajra. 10:00

Theatre

Thursday 7 – Sunday 10, Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 APOTHEOSIS. St James Cavalier, Valletta www.kreattivita.org Friday 15 – Sunday 17, Friday 22 – Sunday 24 An Inspector Calls. Blue Box Theatre - MSpace Msida. www.madc.com.mt Friday 15 – Monday 18 Macbeth - Unifaun Theatre Productions. Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 20:00-22:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Saturday 30 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat – The Musical. Teatru

Astra, Gozo. 20:00

Concerts

Friday 8 Women's Day Concert by Vox Dulcis Chorale. Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. 19:30-20:30 Saturday 9 Classics at the Museum. National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta. 19:30-21:00 www.showshappening.com Saturday 16 Queen Meets Coldplay. Aurora Opera House, Gozo. 20:00. www.teatruaurora.com Saturday 16 Mahler's Fifth-A Night of Great Music. Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. 20:00-22:00. www.mcc.com.mt Friday 22 & Saturday 23 Music Of Mystery And Magic (Schools’ Performance). Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 10:00 - 11:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Saturday 23 Movies in Concert. Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. 19:30-21:30 www.showshappening.com

Entertainment

Wednesdays and Fridays Ta' Marija Folklore Dinner Show. Ta' Marija Restaurant, Constitution Street, Mosta. 20:00 - 23:00. www.tamarija.com Every Wednesday Chamber Of Mysteries Dinner & Show. Ir- Razzett L-Antik, Qormi. A Night of Wizardry, Wine and Wonder. Sunday 10 Exotic, Luxury and Supercars at Mellieha in Aid of Puttinu. Mellieħa. 09:30-12:30 Friday 29 Valletta Ghost Tour. 20:00-22:00. €15 per person www.colourmytravel.com

Opera

Monday 4 – Sunday 10 Cosi Fan Tutte. The third of the Da Ponte/Mozart operas. Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 19:30. www.tearumanoel.com.mt Friday 8 – Sunday 7 April Gaulitana 2019. Victoria, Gozo. This year’s edition promises to be an exciting programme of events focusing on the theme “Women in Society”. Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 Ġensna 2019. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. 20:00. www.showshappening.com

Lectures

Thursday 14 Lecture by James Holland: Malta – An Island Under Siege (1940-1942). The Ballroom, Phoenicia Hotel, Valletta petragd@guisthall.com Monday 18 – Saturday 23 Valletta Film Lab Documentary Workshop. Valletta. Wednesday 27 Mediterranean Routes through Intercultural Dialogue. The Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. 18:00 This seminar is organised by Inizjamed and addresses how different local realities can be brought together to reflect a wider, more common Mediterranean reality, or set of realities, that inter-relate with one another. The event is supported by the Centre

08 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution, the Department of International Relations, The Department of Maltese and the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta. Thursday 28 Interpreting Blockchain Full-Day Seminar. Tower Business Centre, Tower Road, Sliema. www.aimacademy.com.mt Thursday 28 Cosmology@Malta2019: Understanding the Universe. Valletta University Campus. 19:00-20:00

Exhibitions

Friday 1 – Sunday 31 Exploring The Phoenician Shipwreck Off Xlendi The Citadel – Gozo. 08:00 - 16:00 The exhibition focuses on the discovery of a Phoenician shipwreck which dates back to 700 BC. Discovered off Xlendi in 2007, at a depth of 110m, this intriguing ancient vessel has attracted worldwide attention since it is the oldest wreck ever found so far in this region. Admission free of charge. www.heritagemalta.org Friday 1 – Tuesday 5 Filigree Masks Exhibition by Kevin Attard. Courtyard, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. An exhibition of Traditional Maltese Filigree by Master Filigree artist Kevin Attard focussing on masks www.artsmalta.org Friday 8 – Thursday 28 Where I lay down – visual arts exhibition by Ritty Tacsum. Art Galleries, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. www.rittytacsum.com Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 AMITEX Holiday Show. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. Friday 29 ‘Pastizzi’ by Kevin Attard. Courtyard, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. 19:00 We've eaten them long enough - it's time to immortalise them in traditional Maltese filigree to show our appreciation. Entrance is free. www.artsmalta.org

Events organized by the French Embassy for the Francophonie

Saturday 16 Victoria, Gozo. Concert of Cherif Mbaw, French-Senegalese singer + 1 musician as part of the Festival of Lights “Lejl Imkebbes” in the Citadella, Gozo. 18:00-00:00 In partnership with the Directorate for Culture at the Ministry of Gozo. Wednesday 20 Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta. Screening of the French Film “Place Publique” followed by a debate with the director, Agnès Jaoui, and one of the main actors, Nina Meurisse. 20:30 In partnership with the Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée Friday 22 Surfside, Sliema. Concert of Cherif Mbaw, French-Senegalese singer + 2 musicians. 21:00 In partnership with the Alliance Française de

[EVENTS]

March Malte Méditerranée. Saturday 23 Covered Market, Valletta. Concert of Cherif Mbaw, French-Senegalese singer + 2 musicians. 21:00 In partnership with FestivalsMalta.

Sports

Sunday 3 Triathlon Standard Distance Opener info@triathlonmalta.org Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 Tennis Europe Annual General Meeting. An important event on the annual calendar of World Tennis. Grand Hotel Excelsior. maltatennisfederation.com

Thursday 19:00. For Free Transport call on Tel: 21322752 or Mob: 79971433. Every Sunday St. Dominic’s Priory, Rabat 11:15 (English). Every Wednesday Archbishop Seminary, Victoria, Gozo. 11:00. Anglican Service in English. First and third Sunday of the month. Evangelical Ecumenical Andreas community, South/Old Bakery Street, Valletta. 10:00 First Sunday of the month. Church Hall, Holy Trinity Church, Sliema. 11:00 Quaker meeting for worship.

Museums National Museum of Archaeology 09:00 – 18:00 except for Jan – Feb 09:00 till 17:00hrs Palace State Rooms Monday – Friday 10:00 -16.30, Saturday & Sunday 09:00 – 16:30 Fort St Elmo and National War Museum 09:00 - 18:00 Ħal Saflieni – Closed until further notice Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra 09:00 - 17;00, Apr – Sep 08:00 18:00 Ġgantija Temples – May – Oct: 09:00 – 17;00hrs, June – Sept 09:00 – 18:00 Fort Rinella at Kalkara. Monday Saturday 10:00 – 17.00. Malta at War Museum, Vittoriosa. Mondays 10:00 – 16:30. Malta Aviation Museum, Ta' Qali, Monday - Friday 09:00 – 17:00, Saturdays & Sundays 09:30 – 17:00. Palazzo Falson, Mdina. Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 (last visit 16:00). www.palazzofalson.com Palazzo de Piro, Centre for Culture and Arts, 3, Triq Is-Sur, Mdina Tel: 2010 0560 www.palazzodepiro.com The Shipwreck. S. Sommier Street, Birkirkara. Monday - Friday 10:00 - 16:00, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 - 14:00. www.theshipwreckmalta.com

Religious Services

Monday - Saturday 07:30, 09:00 Every Sunday 08:00, 09:00, 10:15, 18:00,19:30 St Patrick's Church, Sliema. Holy mass in English. Sundays & feasts The Sanctuary of Our Lady, Mellie˙a 10:00. Holy mass in English. Every Sunday St Andrew's Scots Church, Valletta. 10:30. Sunday Service in English. www.saintandrewsmalta.com Every Sunday St Barbara Church, Valletta. 10:00 (French), 11:00 (German), 12:00 (English). Every Sunday St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta. 11:00. Sunday Anglican Service in English. Every Sunday Holy Trinity Church, Sliema 10:00. Sunday Anglican Service in English. Every Sunday St Catherine of Italy, Valletta. 10:30. Holy mass in Italian. For more information call on 22915440. Every Sunday Bible Baptist Church Gzira 10:15,

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 09

[VERANSTALTUNGEN]

März Feste

Festa Celebration: Eine typisch maltesische "Festa" mit Bandmärschen, Feuerwerk und religiösen Prozessionen. Sonntag, 10. St Gregory The Great. Ta’ Kerċem (Gozo) Dienstag, 19. St Joseph, Rabat. Gesetzlicher Feiertag

Veranstaltungen

Freitag, 1. – Dienstag, 5. Karneval In Malta & Gozo. Eine Saison voller Spaß und Farben Überall auf den maltesischen Inseln. Mittwoch, 20. & Donnerstag, 21. Frühlingssonnenwende. Ħaġar Qim Temples. Heritage Malta organisiert eine Führung am 2. und 21. März und zeigen, wie die Sonnenstrahlen durch den Haupteingang des Südtempels die Hauptachse des Tempels erleuchten. Eine begrenzte Anzahl von Eintrittskarten wird in den Heritage Malta Museen und Ausstellungsorten verkauft. www.heritagemalta.org Sonntag, 17. St Patrick’s Day. Valletta. www.irishmaltesecircle.org.mt Wachwechsel Freitag, 29. St. George's Square, Valletta. 10:30. Formale Zeremonie mit dem Wechsel von Wachen vor bedeutenden Institutionen. Sonntag, 31 Freedom Day. (Nationalfeiertag) Am 31. März 1979 lief das Verteidigungsabkommen mit Großbritannien aus und die letzten britischen Militärs verließen die Insel. Jährliche Veranstaltungen erinnern an dieses Ereignis, die meisten in Vittoriosa, wo auch das Denkmal zu diesem Ereignis steht.

Historische Vorführungen

Täglich Abfeuern der ‘Noonday Gun’ und der ‚Sunset Gun‘. Old Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta. 12:00 & 16:00. Montag – Samstag, Victorian Garrison. Fort Rinella, Kalkara.14:00 - 16:30. Soldaten aus der viktorianischen Ära des 19. Jh. führen Besucher auf einer animierten Tour durch das tägliche Leben einer britischen Garnison im 19. Jh. Besucher können eine Kanone oder eine Muskete abfeuern. Sonntag, 10. Relive 1565 - Erleben Sie eine Stadt unter Belagerung. Compagnia San Michele, Xgħajra. 10:00

Theater

Donnerstag, 7. – Sonntag, 10., Mittwoch, 13. – Sonntag, 17. APOTHEOSIS. St James Cavalier, Valletta www.kreattivita.org Freitag, 15. – Sonntag, 17., Freitag, 22. – Sonntag, 24. Ein Inspektor meldet sich. Blue Box Theatre - MSpace Msida. www.madc.com.mt Freitag, 15. – Montag, 18. Macbeth - Unifaun Theatre Productions. Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 20:00-22:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Samstag, 30. Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat – Das Musical. Teatru Astra, Gozo. 20:00

Konzerte

Freitag, 8. Konzert zum Weltfrauentag mit Vox Dulcis Chorale. Malta Society of Arts, Valletta.

19:30-20:30 Samstag, 9. Klassiker im Museum. National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta. 19:30-21:00 www.showshappening.com Samstag, 16. Queen Meets Coldplay. Aurora Opera House, Gozo. 20:00. www.teatruaurora.com Samstag, 16. Mahlers Fünfte – Eine Nacht großartiger Musik. Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. 20:00-22:00. www.mcc.com.mt Freitag, 22. & Samstag, 23. Geheimnisvolle und magische Musik (Schulaufführung). Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 10:00 11:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Samstag, 23. Movies in Concert. Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. 19:30-21:30 www.showshappening.com

Unterhaltung

Mittwochs und freitags Ta' Marija Folkloreshow mit Abendessen. Ta' Marija Restaurant, Constitution Street, Mosta. 20:00 - 23:00. www.tamarija.com Jeden Mittwoch, Kammer der Geheimnisse Diner & Show. Ir- Razzett L-Antik, Qormi. Eine Nacht voller Zauberei, Wein und Wunder. Sonntag, 10. Exotische, Luxus- und Superautos in Mellieha zugunsten von Puttinu. Mellieħa. 09:30-12:30 Freitag, 29. Valletta Geistertour. 20:00-22:00. €15 pro Person www.colourmytravel.com

Oper

Montag, 4. – Sonntag, 10. Cosi Fan Tutte. Die dritte der Da Ponte/Mozart Opern. Teatru Manoel, Valletta. 19:30. www.tearumanoel.com.mt Freitag, 8. – Sonntag, 7 April. Gaulitana 2019. Victoria, Gozo. Das diesjährige spannende Programm fokussiert sich auf das Thema “Frauen in der Gesellschaft”. Samstag, 30. & Sonntag, 31. Ġensna 2019. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. 20:00. www.showshappening.com

Vorlesungen

Donnerstag, 14. Vorlesung mit James Holland: Malta – Eine Insel unter Belagerung (1940-1942). The Ballroom, Phoenicia Hotel, Valletta petragd@guisthall.com Montag, 18. – Samstag, 23. Valletta Film Lab – Dokumentar-Workshop. Valletta. Mittwoch, 27. Mediterrane Routen durch interkulturellen Dialog. The Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. 18:00 Dieses durch Inizjamed organisierte Seminar betrachtet, wie unterschiedliche Realitäten zusammengebracht werden können, um eine breitere, gemeinsamere mediterrane Realität oder auch viele miteinander in Beziehung stehende Realitäten darzustellen. Die Veranstaltung wird unterstützt durch das Zentrum zur Untersuchung und Anwendung von Konfliktlösung, der Abteilung Internationale Beziehungen, der Abteilung für die maltesische Sprache sowie dem Institut für Tourismus, Reisen und Kultur an der Universität Malta. Donnerstag, 28. Was ist Blockchain? Ganztägiges Seminar. Tower Business Centre, Tower Road, Sliema. www.aimacademy.com.mt Donnerstag, 28. Cosmology@Malta2019: Das Universum verstehen. Valletta University Campus. 19:00-20:00

10 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

Ausstellungen

Freitag, 1. – Sonntag, 31. Exploring The Phoenician Shipwreck Off Xlendi The Citadel – Gozo.08:00 - 16:00 Diese Ausstellung zeigt die Entdeckung eines phönizischen Schiffwracks aus dem Jahr 700 v.Chr.. Es wurde 2007 vor Xlendi in einer Tiefe von 110 m gefunden. Dieses uralte Schiff erweckte weltweites Interesse, da es das älteste bisher in dieser Region gefundene Wrack darstellt. Eintritt frei. www.heritagemalta.org Freitag, 1. – Dienstag, 5. FiligranmaskenAusstellung von Kevin Attard. Innenhof, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. Eine Ausstellung traditioneller Filigranarbeiten durch Meisterkünstler Kevin Attard mit Schwerpunkt Masken. www.artsmalta.org Freitag, 8. – Donnerstag, 28. Wo ich mich hinlege – Kunstausstellung von Ritty Tacsum. Art Galleries, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. www.rittytacsum.com Donnerstag, 21. – Sonntag, 24. AMITEX Reisemesse. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. Freitag, 29. ‘Pastizzi’ von Kevin Attard. Innenhof, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. 19:00 Wir haben sie lange genug gegessen – jetzt ist es an der Zeit, sie als Ausdruck unserer Dankbarkeit in traditioneller maltesischer Filigranarbeit zu verewigen. Eintritt frei. www.artsmalta.org

Von der französischen Botschaft organisierte Veranstaltungen für die Frankophonie

Samstag, 16. Victoria, Gozo. Konzert von Cherif Mbaw, französisch-senegalesischer Sänger + 1 Musiker im Rahmen des Lichterfestes „Lejl Imkebbes“ in der Citadella, Gozo. 18:00-00:00 In Partnerschaft mit der Direktion für Kultur im Ministerium von Gozo Mittwoch 20 Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta. Vorführung des französischen Films “Place Publique“ gefolgt von einer Debatte mit dem Regisseur Agnès Jaoui und einem der Hauptdarsteller, Nina Meurisse. 20:30. In Partnerschaft mit der Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée Freitag 22 Surfside, Sliema. Konzert von Cherif Mbaw, französisch-senegalesischer Sänger + 2 Musiker. 21:00 In Partnerschaft mit der Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée. Samstag 23 Überdachter Markt in Valletta. Konzert von Cherif Mbaw, französisch-senegalesischer Sänger + 2 Musiker. 21:00 In Partnerschaft mit FestivalsMalta.

Sport

Sonntag, 3. Triathlon Standarddistanz Saisoneröffnung info@triathlonmalta.org Donnerstag, 28. – Samstag, 30. Tennis Europe Jahreshauptversammlung. Eine bedeutende Veranstaltung des Welttennisjahres. Grand Hotel Excelsior. maltatennisfederation.com

[L’AGENDA DES LOISIRS]

Mars Fêtes

Festa Celebration: Une "fête" typiquement maltaise avec des marches de groupe, des feux d'artifice et des processions religieuses. Dimanche 10 St Grégoire le Grand. Ta’ Kerċem (Gozo) Mardi 19 St Joseph, Rabat. Jour férié.

Evénements

Vendredi 1er – Mardi 5 Carnaval à Malte & Gozo. Période pleine de couleurs et divertissement Dans tout l’archipel maltais Mercredi 20 & Jeudi 21 Equinoxe du Printemps. Temples de Ħaġar Qim. Heritage Malta organisera une visite guidée spéciale les 20 et 21 pour regarder les rayons du soleil au fur et à mesure qu’ils traversent la porte principale de Temple du Sud éclairant ainsi son axe principal. Un nombre limité de billets pour cet événement est à disposition du public ; ces billets peuvent s’acheter aux sites et musées de Heritage Malta. www.heritagemalta.org Dimanche 17 Jour de la Saint St Patrick. La Valette. www.irishmaltesecircle.org.mt Relève de la garde Vendredi 29 St. George's Square, La Valette. 10:30. Cérémonie officielle où des soldats assurant la faction pendant les cérémonies officielles aux institutions importantes se remplacent par d’autres. Dimanche 31 Freedom Day. Jour de la Liberté. (Fête nationale) Le 31 mars 1979, le Traité de Défense entre Malte et la Grande Bretagne prit fin au moment où les dernières forces britanniques quittèrent l’Ile. Des activités commémorant cette date historique importante ont lieu tous les ans pour la plupart à Vittoriosa où se trouve le monument commémorant cet événement.

Reconstitutions historiques

Chaque jour Tir d’un canon à midi et au coucher du soleil.. Old Saluting Battery, Jardins d’Upper Barrakka, La Valette. 12:00 & 16:00 respectivement. Lundi – Samedi Garnison de soldats britanniques de l’époque victorienne. Fort Rinella, Kalkara. 14:00 16:30. Des soldats en uniforme du 19e siècle, donc de l’époque victorienne font une visite guidée animée autour du Fort reconstituant ainsi la vie quotidienne d’une garnison de soldats britanniques à la fin du 19e siècle. Les visiteurs peuvent tirer d’un canon ou du mousqueton d’un soldat. Dimanche 10 Revivez l’année 1565 – Découvrez une ville en état de siège. Compagnia San Michele, Xgħajra. 10:00

Théâtre

Jeudi 7 – Dimanche 10, Mercredi 13 – Dimanche 17 APOTHEOSIS. St James Cavalier, La Valette. www.kreattivita.org Vendredi 15 – Dimanche 17, Vendredi 22 – Dimanche 24 An Inspector Calls. Pièce de théâtre. Blue Box Theatre MSpace Msida. www.madc.com.mt Vendredi 15 – Lundi 18 Macbeth – Pièce de théâtre de Shakespeare. Unifaun Theatre Productions. Théâtre Manoël, La Valette. 20:00-22:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Samedi 30 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat – The Musical. Comédie Musicale. Théâtre Astra, Gozo. 20:00

Concerts

Vendredi 8 Women's Day Concert by Vox Dulcis Chorale. Concert à l’occasion de la Journée de la Femme. Malta Society of Arts, La Valette 19:30-20:30 Samedi 9 Classics at the Museum. Concert de musique classique. Musée Nationale d’Archéologie, La Valette. Samedi 16 Queen Meets Coldplay. Concert de musique de Queen et de Coldplay. .Aurora Opera House, Gozo. 20:00. www.teatruaurora.com Samedi16 Cinquième Symphonie de Gustav Mahler – Soirée de grande musique. Centre Méditerranéen des Conférences, La Valette. 20:00-22:00. www.mcc.com.mt. Vendredi 22 et Samedi 23. Musique de mystère et magie. (Concert pour enfants) Théâtre Manoël, La Valette. MACROBUTTON HTMLDIRECT 10:00 - 11:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Samedi 23 Movies in Concert. Concert de musique de films. Centre Méditerranéen des Conférences, La Valette 19:30-21:30 www.showshappening.com

Divertissement

Mercredi et Vendredi Ta' Marija Folklore Dinner Show. Dîner et spectacle de musique folklorique. Ta' Marija Restaurant, Constitution Street, Mosta. 20:00 23:00. www.tamarija.com Chaque mercredi Chamber Of Mysteries – Dîner et spectacle. Ir- Razzett L-Antik, Qormi. Soirée de Magie, Vin et Surprises. Dimanche 10 Voitures exotiques, de luxe et Supercars à Mellieha. Au profit de Puttinu. Mellieħa. 09:30-12:30 Vendredi 29 Valletta Ghost Tour. Circuit « hanté » dans la capitale de Malte. 20:00-22:00. €15 par personne. www.colourmytravel.com

Opéra

Lundi 4 – Dimanche 10 Cosi Fan Tutte. Le troisième de la série d’Opéras de Da Ponte/Mozart. Théâtre Manoël, La Valette. 19:30. www.tearumanoel.com.mt Vendredi 8 – Dimanche 7 Avril Gaulitana 2019. Victoria, Gozo. L’édition de cette année promet d’être un programme riche en événements ayant comme thème “La place des Femmes dans la Société” Samedi 30 & Dimanche 31 Ġensna 2019. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. 20:00. www.showshappening.com

Conférences

Jeudi 14 Conférence par James Holland: Malta – An Island Under Siege (1940-1942). (Une Ile en état de siège)The Ballroom, Hôtel Phoenicia. La Valette. petragd@guisthalolo.com Lundi 18 – Samedi 23 Valletta Film Lab –Documentary Workshop. (Atelier sur les documentaires). La Valette. Mercredi 27 Mediterranean Routes through Intercultural Dialogue. Itinéraires Méditerranéens à travers le dialogue interculturel. Malta Society of Arts, La Valette. 18:00 Jeudi 28 Interpreting Blockchain. Comment Interpréter le procédé de « Blockchain ». Séminaire d’une journée complète. Tower Business Centre, Tower Road, Sliema. www.aimacademy.com.mt Jeudi 28 Cosmology@Malta2019 :Understanding the Universe. Comprendre l’Univers. Valletta University Campus. 19:00-20:00

Expositions

Vendredi 1er – Dimanche 31 08:00 - 16:00 Exploring The Phoenician Shipwreck Off Xlendi MACROBUTTON HTMLDIRECT. La Citadelle – Gozo Cette exposition porte sur la découverte d’une épave phénicienne remontant à l’an 700 Av.J.C. Découvert au large de Xlendi en 2007, à une profondeur de 110m, ce vaisseau fascinant a attiré l’attention un peu partout dans le monde étant donné que c’est la plus ancienne épave trouvée jusqu’à présent dans cette région. Entrée gratuite. www.heritagemalta.org Vendredi 1er – Mardi 5 Filigree Masks Exhibition by Kevin Attard. Cour de Palazzo de La Salle, La Valette. Exposition de masques en filigrane traditionnel maltais par Kevin Attard, maître artisan de filigrane www.artsmalta.org Vendredi 8 – Jeudi 28 Where I lay down – Exposition d’arts visuels par Ritty Tacsum. Galeries d’art, Palazzo de La Salle, La Valette. www.rittytacsum.com Jeudi 21 – Dimanche 24 AMITEX Holiday Show. Salon des Vacances. MFCC, Ta’ Qali. Vendredi 29 ‘Pastizzi’ by Kevin Attard. Cour de Palazzo de La Salle, La Valette. 19:00 Nous les mangeons déjà depuis très longtemps. – il est temps de les immortaliser en filigrane traditionnel maltais afin de montrer notre appréciation. Entrée libre. www.artsmalta.org

Evènements organisés par l’Ambassade de France dans le cadre de la Francophonie :

Samedi 16 à Victoria (Gozo)- 18h - minuit Concert de Chérif Mbaw, auteur-compositeur, chanteur français d’origine sénégalaise + 1 musicien Dans le cadre de la Francophonie et du festival gozitain « Lejl Imkebbes » (en anglais : Festival of Lights) En partenariat avec la Direction de la Culture du Ministère de Gozo Mercredi 20 Place Publique. Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, La Valette. 19:30. Gratuit, réservation obligatoire. Version Originale sous-titrée en anglais. La projection de ce film est une collaboration entre l’Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée et Spazju Kreattiv avec le soutien de l’Ambassade de France à Malte et l’Institut Français.Vendredi 22 au Surfside (Sliema) – 21h Concert de Chérif Mbaw, auteur-compositeur, chanteur français d’origine sénégalaise + 2 musiciens Dans le cadre de la Francophonie En partenariat avec l’Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée Samedi 23 marché couvert (La Valette) – 21h Concert de Chérif Mbaw, auteur-compositeur, chanteur français d’origine sénégalaise + 2 musiciens Dans le cadre de la Francophonie En partenariat avec FestivalsMalta

Sports

Dimanche 3 Triathlon Standard Distance Opener.

info@triathlonmalta.org Jeudi 28 – Samedi 30 Tennis Europe – Assemblée Générale Annuelle Evénement important sur le calendrier annuel du Tennis Mondial. Grand Hotel Excelsior. maltatennisfederation.com

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 11

[COSÁ C’È IN PROGRAMMA]

Marzo Feste

Feste patronali: Festa tradizionale maltese con bande musicali e fuochi d’artificio e processioni religiose. Domenica 10 San Gregorio Magno. Ta 'Kerċem (Gozo) Martedì 19 San Giuseppe, Rabat. Festa nazionale

Eventi

Venerdì 1 - martedì 5 Carnevale a Malta e Gozo. Una stagione di colori e divertimento Tutte le isole maltesi. Mercoledì 20 e giovedì 21 Equinozio di primavera. Ħaġar Templi di Qim. Heritage Malta organizzerà una visita guidata speciale il 20 e il 21 marzo per assistere ai raggi del sole mentre si proiettano attraverso l'ingresso principale del Tempio meridionale e illuminano il suo asse principale. Un numero limitato di biglietti per questo evento può essere acquistato dai siti e dai musei di Heritage Malta. www.heritagemalta.org Domenica 17 St Patrick's Day. Valletta. www.irishmaltesecircle.org.mt Cambio della guardia Venerdì 29 Piazza San Giorgio, a La Valletta. 10:30. Cerimonia formale in cui le sentinelle che svolgono funzioni di guardia cerimoniale presso importanti istituzioni sono alleviate dalle nuove sentinelle. Domenica 31 Freedom Day. (Festa nazionale nazionale) Il 31 marzo 1979, il trattato di difesa con la Gran Bretagna si concluse mentre le ultime forze britanniche lasciavano l'isola. Le attività che commemorano questa importante data storica si svolgono ogni anno, soprattutto a Vittoriosa, dove si trova il monumento che segna questo evento.

Rievocazioni Storiche

Evento giornaliero Saluto a salve di mezzogiorno e al tramonto. Vecchia Batteria,Giardini di Barrakka Alta, Valletta. 12:00 & 16:00 Lunedì – sabato 14:00 - 16:30. Victorian Garrison. Fort Rinella, Kalkara. Comparsi in uniforme militare del periodo vittoriano (19mo secolo) accompagnano i visitatori per un tour animato intorno alla Forte ri-evocando la vita giornaliera risalendo alla fine del presidio brittanico del 19mo secolo.

Teatro

Giovedì 7 - Domenica 10, mercoledì 13 Domenica 17 APOTEOSI. St James Cavalier, Valletta www.kreattivita.org Venerdì 15 - Domenica 17, Venerdì 22 - Domenica 24 Un richiamo dell'ispettore. Blue Box Theater - MSpace Msida. www.madc.com.mt Venerdì 15 - Lunedì 18 Macbeth - Unifaun Theatre Productions. Teatru Manoel, La Valletta. 20: 00-22: 00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Sabato 30 Joseph e The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat - The Musical. Teatru Astra, Gozo. 20:00 Venerdì 8 Concerto per la festa della donna di Vox Dulcis Chorale. Malta Society of Arts, La

Valletta. 19: 30-20: 30 Sabato 9 Classici al Museo. Museo Nazionale di Archeologia, La Valletta. 19:30-21:00 www.showshappening.com Sabato 16 Queen incontra i Coldplay. Aurora Opera House, Gozo. Ore 20:00. www.teatruaurora.com Sabato 16 Mahler's Fifth-A Night of Great Music. Mediterranean Conference Centre, La Valletta. 20: 00-22: 00. www.mcc.com.mt Venerdì 22 e Sabato 23 Musica del mistero e della magia (spettacolo delle scuole). Teatru Manoel, La Valletta. 10:00 - 11:00 www.teatrumanoel.com.mt Sabato 23 film in concerto. Mediterranean Conference Centre, La Valletta. 19:30-21:30 www.showshappening.com

Intrattenimento

Mercoledì e venerdì Ta' Marija Folklore Dinner Show. Ta' Marija Restaurant, Constitution Street, Mosta. 20:00 23:00. www.tamarija.com Ogni Mercoledì Camera dei Misteri- Cena e spettacolo. Ir- Razzett L-Antik, Qormi.Una notte di magia, vino e meraviglia. Domenica 10 Esotico, lusso e supercar a Mellieħa in Aid of Puttinu. Mellieħa. 09:30-12:30 Venerdì 29 Valletta Ghost Tour. 20: 00-22: 00. € 15 a persona www.colourmytravel.com

Opera

Lunedì 4 - Domenica 10 Cosi Fan Tutte. La terza delle opere di Da Ponte / Mozart. Teatru Manoel, La Valletta. 19:30. www.tearumanoel.com.mt Venerdì 8 - Domenica 7 aprile Gaulitana 2019. Victoria, Gozo. L'edizione di quest'anno promette di essere un entusiasmante programma di eventi incentrato sul tema "Women in Society". Sabato 30 e domenica 31 Ġensna 2019. MFCC, Ta 'Qali. Ore 20:00. www.showshappening.com

Conferenze

Giovedì 14 Conferenza di James Holland: Malta - An Island Under Siege (1940-1942). The Ballroom, Phoenicia Hotel, Valletta petragd@guisthall.com Lunedì 18 - Sabato 23 Valletta Film Lab Laboratorio documentario. Valletta. Mercoledì 27 rotte del Mediterraneo attraverso il dialogo interculturale. La Malta Society of Arts, La Valletta. 18:00 Questo seminario è organizzato da Inizjamed e affronta il modo in cui diverse realtà locali possono essere riunite per riflettere una realtà mediterranea più ampia, più comune, o un insieme di realtà, che si intrecciano l'una con l'altra. L'evento è sostenuto dal Centro per lo studio e la pratica della risoluzione dei conflitti, dal Dipartimento per le relazioni internazionali, dal Dipartimento di Malta e dall'Istituto per il turismo, i viaggi e la cultura dell'Università di Malta. Giovedì 28 Interpretazione del seminario della giornata intera Blockchain. Tower Business Centre, Tower Road, Sliema.

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www.aimacademy.com.mt Giovedì 28 Cosmology @ Malta2019: Understanding the Universe. Campus della Valletta. 19: 00-20: 00

Mostra

Venerdì 1 - Domenica 31 08:00 - 16:00 Esplorazione del naufragio fenicio Off Xlendi The Citadel - Gozo La mostra si concentra sulla scoperta di un relitto fenicio risalente al 700 aC. Scoperto da Xlendi nel 2007, a una profondità di 110 metri, questa intrigante nave antica ha attirato l'attenzione di tutto il mondo poiché è il più antico relitto mai trovato finora in questa regione. Ingresso gratuito. www.heritagemalta.org Venerdì 1 - Martedì 5 Mostra di maschere a filigrana di Kevin Attard. Cortile, Palazzo de La Salle, La Valletta. Una mostra di filigrana maltese tradizionale del maestro artista filigrana Kevin Attard incentrata sulle maschere www.artsmalta.org Venerdì 8 - Giovedì 28 Dove mi sdraiò - mostra di arti visive di Ritty Tacsum. Gallerie d'arte, Palazzo de La Salle, La Valletta. www.rittytacsum.com Giovedì 21 - Domenica 24 AMITEX Holiday Show. MFCC, Ta 'Qali. Venerdì 29 "Pastizzi" di Kevin Attard. Cortile, Palazzo de La Salle, La Valletta. 19:00 Li abbiamo mangiati abbastanza a lungo - è ora di immortalarli nella tradizionale filigrana maltese per mostrare il nostro apprezzamento. L'ingresso è gratuito www.artsmalta.org

Eventi organizzati dall'Ambasciata di Francia per la Francofonia Sabato 16, Victoria, Gozo 18: 00-00: 00 Concerto di Cherif Mbaw, cantante franco-senegalese + 1 musicista nell'ambito del Festival delle luci "Lejl Imkebbes" nella Citadella, Gozo. In collaborazione con la Direzione per la Cultura del Ministero di Gozo. Mercoledì 20 Spazju Kreattiv, La Valletta 20:30 Proiezione del film francese "Place Publique" seguito da un dibattito con il regista, Agnès Jaoui, e uno degli attori principali, Nina Meurisse. In collaborazione con l'Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée Venerdì 22 Surfside, Sliema alle 21:00 Concerto di Cherif Mbaw, cantante franco-senegalese + 2 musicisti In collaborazione con l'Alliance Française de Malte Méditerranée. Sabato 23 Mercato coperto, Valletta 21:00 Concerto di Cherif Mbaw, cantante franco-senegalese + 2 musicisti In collaborazione con FestivalsMalta.

Sport

Domenica 3 Triathlon Standard Distance Opener info@triathlonmalta.org Giovedì 28 - Sabato 30 Tennis Europa Assemblea generale annuale. Un evento importante nel calendario annuale di World Tennis. Grand Hotel Excelsior. maltatennisfederation.com

[FEATURES]

Spring

Sunrise over Wied l-Infern © Daniel Cilia

Dream of spring colours where fields of gold, burgundy clover and the blue of the sea meet. Mellow days of soft breezes and a renewed sunlight that arouses an island’s spirit. Welcome to spring, with Gozo’s outdoors at their best. This is the time when the sea is already inviting with its warmer waters, where you can plan longer days of activity and soak in a mesmerising, unspoilt landscape. Spring is the season that heralds the first tastes of summer fruit, seasonal fish recipes like the traditional Lampuki pie and a spiritual longing for a new lease of life. The Faith and Traditions programme of events steals this season’s limelight but there’s much more to keep you entertained. The Gaulitana festival has become an established event for music and culture lovers while the newest edition to the spring line-up, Gozo Alive, promises to be as popular as it was in its first edition last year. For so many reasons, spring is indeed the time to visit Gozo.

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Gaulitana Festival “Gozo’s main classical music festival” returns between 8 March and 7 April 2019. This year’s edition promises to be an exciting programme of events focusing on the theme “Women in Society”. Gaulitana will include an eclectic mix of events with multifarious styles – orchestral, chamber, recitals, vocal, featuring international and local artists and ensembles. Held in various locations around Gozo (with some events in Malta), the festival incorporates multiple creative arts, from literature, to acting and live-painting, whilst presenting multiple genres (jazz, pop, musicals and folk music). The festival concludes with the OPERA+ Weekend (5-7 April), three days of cultural bonanza highlighted by the production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. More info: www.gaulitanus.com

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 15

[FEATURES]

An Evening Of Music For String Orchestra The Mediterranean Conference Centre in collaboration with the European Foundation for the support of culture shall be presenting a concert of music for string ensemble on the 24 th March 2019 at the La Vallette Hall MCC at 18 : 00 HRS. The string orchestra which shall be featured is the georgian Sinfonietta from Tbilisi.

by the late Joseph Vella whose works are already part of the concert repertoire in Malta and elsewhere and form part of the national cultural heritage of the islands. His Sinfonietta opus 36 shall be a fitting climax to a programme of music from the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Tickets from mcc.com.mt

The Georgian Sinfonietta has established itself as one today's leading chamber orchestras in the world. It not only plays regularly in Georgia and is the backbone of the Tbilisi International Baroque festival, it also tours Europe on a regular basis.Together with Alexei Galea Cavallazzi whose career takes him to some of the most prestigious halls in the world they shall present a programme of music for string orchestra. Mendelssohn's string symphony nos 9 shall open the concert followed by the Little suite by one of the most important composers of the 20 th century Carl Nielsen. Maltese Music shall be represented by "Music for strings" by Malta's most internationally performed living composer , Dr Jesmond Grixti. His works have been performed in prestigious halls such as Carnegie Hall.The last piece of the evening shall be

Conductor Alexei Galea Cavallazzi

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 17

[FEATURES]

More Ice Age animal bones discovered at Għar Dalam

The discovery of bones belonging to Ice Age animals which included those of elephants and hippopotami at the prehistoric cave of Għar Dalam, has always fascinated visitors at this site in Birżebbuġa. A recent controlled cleaning excersise inside a roofless hut close to the cave has shed some more interesting light on past excavations. Created during the early phases of the Ice Age by rushing water penetrating into narrow crevices and dissolving long stretches of rock, Għar Dalam is 144 metres deep, although only around 60 metres of it is accessible to the public, since the rest is difficult to access and hosts an endemic species of Wood Louse

18 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

scientifically known as Armadillidum ghardalamensis, because of which the cave has been afforded extra legal protection as a Natura 2000 site. When it was excavated, five main layers of interest were found. The lowest one being a clay layer highlighting the absence of any animal species. This is followed by the “Hippopotamus Layer” containing an extensive amount of animal bones which were deposited there by water during the Pleistocene era, around 500,000 years ago. The third layer consists of pebbles with sparse animal bones pertaining to species from the earlier layer. This is topped by what is known as the “Deer Layer”, dating from 25,000 to

18,000 years ago. A sterile layer corresponding to a volcanic ash layer present outside, lies over the deer layer and the top layer. The Cultural Layer holds the earliest evidence of human presence in Malta, some 7,400 years ago.

have brought to light more finds of prehistoric animal bones and pottery fragments. The current excavations are being carried out by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, and with the help of volunteers from the Classics and Archaeology Students Association (CASA).

The discovered prehistoric bones were presented in a Victorian style exhibition which is still displayed at Għar Dalam’s Museum. Yet, from the excavated material, broken and fragmented bones as well as minute teeth and bones pertaining to bats, reptiles and birds, were dumped just outside the cave. It appears that during these excavations, some of the material which was removed from the cave was deposited in a room located close by. The soil and other material when removed and sieved produced an amount of previously discarded bones, as well as tiny bone fragments and pieces of pottery. By time, shrubs and trees eventually took over the building, hiding its contents away from sight.

Such a find continues to highlight the significant value of Għar Dalam, particularly in view of other archaeological sites located in the area. This gives rise to the importance of a number of studies which are being planned to create physical and intellectual accessibility between Għar Dalam, Ta’ Kaċċatura, Borġ in-Nadur, and nearby sites.

A recent complex project which aims to place Għar Dalam within the context of its landscape and the nearby sites, involved the elimination of alien trees from the area as part of Heritage Malta’s efforts to replace alien and invasive species with indigenous plants and trees in collaboration with ERA. The removal of vegetation from above and around the dilapidated room that took place last May, uncovered the original (then blocked) doorway of the room. Preliminary studies of the section of material that was exposed after the re-opening of the door revealed numerous fragments of prehistoric animal bones that were typically found within Għar Dalam cave. This made it clear that this dilapitated room was filled in by soils of different types that must have been excavated from the cave. Further palaeontological and archaeological investigations, which are still under way,

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 19

[FEATURES]

Maltese Carnival

Carnival is one of the oldest historical festivals in Malta, with just under five centuries of credited and documented history dating back to the Knights’ of St John’s occupancy in Malta. New artistic creations are born while traditions are kept alive and revived, particularly with the revival of satire, a fundamental facet to the historical Maltese Carnival. The festival, which is organised by Festivals Malta, gels the community together, with a non-discriminatory participation of enthusiasts from different ages and social backgrounds. The Maltese Carnival is one of the world’s most unique carnivals whereby a celebration of artistic floats, dances and elaborate costumes are entwined with the grotesque and satire, making the genre exclusively a ‘Maltese Carnivalesque’. This one-of-a-kind modern take on the historical festival has provided a platform for artists to showcase their creations. It brings together people from all walks of life. Spreading over five days, the festival is celebrated across the island with the main activities happening in Valletta.

Whilst respecting heritage and traditions, it also pushes forward to revive past rituals, maintaining the philosophy of fun, entertainment and spontaneous merriment – the core of the festival encapsulates a joyful and social gathering while simultaneously adding more innovative approaches to further enrich past and present customs. A true example of this are the Qarċilla and the Parata; two traditional items that are synonymous with the Maltese Carnival. This year’s edition of the Qarċilla, which is being produced by Joseph Galea, is penned by Trevor Zahra. Throughout the years, Festivals Malta has striven to improve the quality of carnival installations as well as provide a decent space where these creations can be produced, exhibited and stored. It is through this shift in mind-set that a new project entitled The Malta Carnival Experience Project has been thought of, planned out and will soon become a reality. The new project will see to the construction of a Carnival village, which will be enjoyed by all throughout the whole year. For more information visit https://www.festivalsmalta.com/maltacarnival/

MARCH 2019 | MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY 21

[MALTESE FOLKTALES]

ĠaĦan and the statue Ġaħan’s mother felt exasperated watching her lazy son shuffling around the house wasting time. So she bought him a roll of linen, set him up with a hand-driven cart and told him: “Son...let us see if you are able to sell this roll of linen. You will make good use of your time and earn some money; but mark my words: don’t bother selling to anyone who is too talkative!” Ġaħan liked the idea and set off pushing the cart around the village yelling “Linen! Who will buy a yard of linen?!” Women began showing up on their doorsteps calling him to attract attention: “Come on over Ġaħan, come on over”. However, Ġaħan had his mother’s words still buzzing in his head and said to himself: “These women are so talkative...I will not sell them anything!” Many people gathered around him to inquire the price of the linen but Ġaħan refused to sell it to them and simply kept pushing the cart forward. On and on he went until Ġaħan left the village and came to a town. Right in the middle of the town square there was a statue of a woman with a bobbing head signalling the direction of the wind. The statue would lower its head when the wind blew south and tilt it back when the wind blew north. On that particular day, there was a south wind blowing and when Ġaħan saw the statue bobbing its head, he thought she was calling out to him. “Is it me you want, Ma’am?” he immediately asked. The statue kept tilting its head forward and Ġaħan pushed his cart towards her thinking: “I like this customer; she doesn’t utter a single word!” When he arrived beneath the statue, Ġaħan told her: “Would you like to buy a yard of linen, Ma’am? Yes? How much do you need?” The statue kept lowering its head seemingly approving of all his requests. Ġaħan was extremely pleased. “I have an idea!” he exclaimed. “Why don’t you buy the entire roll? Here you go; I’m going to place it at your feet. When will you pay me? No worries...how about I come back for the money tomorrow?” Ġaħan agreed that he would collect his money the next day. When he arrived home and related the whole story to his mother, she immediately sensed there was something fishy. Yet it never crossed her mind that Ġaħan would sell the linen to a statue. The following day, Ġaħan woke up early to go and collect his money; but that day a north wind was blowing. As soon as he arrived, Ġaħan saw the statue tilting its head backwards in a negating manner. The roll of linen was no longer there...lucky was he who found it. “Hey Ma’am, I came for my money” Ġaħan told her. “Don’t you remember me? Yesterday I sold you the linen! What do you mean by ‘no’? And today you were supposed to pay me. No?! You don’t intend on paying up? You better stop saying ‘no’ or I’ll stone you!” When he saw the statue stubbornly tilting its head back, Ġaħan began hurling stones with all his might. One of the stones landed on the statue’s head, shattering it to bits. To Ġaħan’s surprise, gold coins started spilling out of the statue’s head. “Now I see!” yelled Ġaħan. “That’s where you were hiding my money!” Ġaħan was right because no one knew that the statue was packed with gold coins. The king was soon notified. He sent for Ġaħan and when he heard the whole story, the king said: “Since you made the discovery, the coins belong to you. We will use some of the money to repair the statue...but the rest is yours!” Ġaħan managed to strike a better deal selling linen to a statue rather than to real people!

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[MAP OF VALLETTA]

& NATIONAL WAR MUSEM

Grand Master’s Palace

Fort St. Elmo

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Triton Fountain City Gate St. Andrew’s Scots Church St. James Cavalier Auberge of Castille, Leon & Portugal Upper Baracca Gardens Lower Baracca Gardens Siege Bell Memorial Sacra Infermeria / The Malta Experience Fort St. Elmo/National War Museum Open-air Market (Mon. – Sat.) Jesuit Church / Old University St. Paul’s Shipwreck Church

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Palazzo di Citta / Public Registry Cappellania Castellania St. James Church Auberge of Italy / MUŻA Palazzo Parisio Church of St. Catherine of Italy Our Lady of Victories Church Sovereign Military Order of Malta Republic Street Royal Opera House Palazzo Ferreria St. Barbara Church

27. Auberge of Provence 28. National Museum of Archaeology 29. St. John’s Co-Cathedral 30. Great Siege Square 31. Auberge of Auvergne/ Law Courts 32. Republic Square 33. National Library 34. Queen Victoria Monument 35. Grand Master’s Palace & Armoury 36. Manoel Theatre 37. Carmelite Church 38. St. Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral

VALLETTA WATERFRONT

PINTO WHARF

Tourist Information Tritons Square Valletta Opening hours Mon. to Sat.: 09:00-17:30 Sun. & Public Holidays: 09:00-13:00 Tel: 21220193, 21220264

39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

Auberge of Aragon Sliema-Valletta Ferry St. Andrew’s Bastion Auberge of Bavaria Admiralty House St. John’s Cavalier Hastings Gardens Church of Porto Salvo The Castellana Bus Terminus Cruise Liner Terminal Central Bank

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[MALTESE ISLANDS MAP]

24 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

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[MALTESE RECIPES]

Minestra (Thick Vegetable Soup)

Ingredients: 1.25L water 100g pumpkin 100g cauliflower 100g carrots 50g white onions 25g celery 25g grated cheese 25g tomato paste 25g pasta Grated cheese Seasoning Frying oil Method: 1) Wash, peel and cut all the vegetables in very small pieces. Place them in different bowls 2) Pour some oil in a medium sized pan and heat. When hot, fry the onions until tender, stirring all the time. Don’t brown. 3) Put this mixture in a saucepan. Add the water, all vegetables and seasoning. Mix well. Put on a medium flame until the mixture boils 4) Lower the heat and continue cooking until all the vegetables are cooked 5) Meanwhile, cook some short pasta. The pasta should be half cooked 6) Add the pasta to the soup 20 minutes before serving and check seasoning. Mix well. Continue cooking on a very low flame, stirring frequently 7) Serve immediately with plenty of grated cheese on top

26 MALTA & GOZO DAY BY DAY | MARCH 2019

[MARCH IN PICTURES]

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Malta & Gozo Day By Day March 2019

Articles inside

March 2019 cover St Joseph feast in Rabat