EBM Magazine #12

N° 12 / SUMMER 2020

BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Needless to say, it’s been… different. The past few months have forced many of us to rapidly adapt to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. While some may have had it better than others, none of us were prepared for the sheer scale of disruption that the virus has brought about. But a relatively mild lockdown and infection rate in Malta ensured that, at the very least, we had the luxury of continuing to enjoy relative normality, at least when compared to, say, our neighbouring country of Italy.

Now that a large majority of people feel safe and comfortable enough to go out and about, we’re happy to inspire you with ideas and suggestions of what you can enjoy.

EBM Magazine EBM No 12 / SUMMER 2020

We’re very happy to have Robert Andresson as our cover star for this 12th issue of EBM Magazine. Apart from being one of the nicest and most humble CEOs I have ever met, Robert’s CV is truly impressive, which makes it all the easier for us to tell his compelling story.

In tune with the holiday spirit – which you can still tap into, albeit with some restrictions – we take a stone’s throw trip down some of the island’s most stunning locations to take in the view and indulge in the food. It may feel as though everything in Malta is close by, but these destinations will remind you of the multi-faceted nature of our Mediterranean jewel.

Meanwhile, we keep it cozy and realistic with our travel tips by undertaking quick journeys to Gozo and Comino. But for the brave ones out there, we’ve also included an article on our six-day Italian coastal adventure, which will certainly whet your wanderlust for whenever it becomes viable.

Because it would be silly not to do so, we’re also directly confronting some post-covid work realities in this issue, looking into the changing nature of office spaces and the realities and dynamics of online seminars. And because keeping things educational and informative remains at the top of our agenda, we’ve included a couple of articles that we hope would be helpful to readers of all stripes, whether or not they’re involved in the igaming field. So we’ll help you out if you’re trying to navigate the pitfalls of living in a new country (especially if you’re a covid-stranded stranger in a strange land), while also looking into ways you can stay focused in these turbulent times (surprise, surprise: social media tends to not help in this regard).

As ever, we couldn’t but keep up our tradition of checking in on design trends – we strongly believe you’ll find our discoveries delectable.

So, please enjoy the issue! And do let us know what you would like to see more of next time around.

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How it all started In April 2013, EBM (formerly Events by Martin) was founded by iGaming & telecom sales veteran Martin Pettersson. After spending a few months on the island and realising that there was a lack of innovative high-end events, Martin organised EBM’s first invite-only event at a boutique hotel in St Julian’s and Events by Martin was born. EBM is now under the umbrella company of Ambassadör Events which was created by Martin and Managing Director, Pierre Lindh. Together, they have shaped Ambassadör Events into a one-stop shop for high-end experiences, concierge services and hospitality within the B2C and B2B sectors.

For sales contact Martin Petterson  sales@ebmmagazine.com For any other enquires  info@ebmmagazine.com

 hello@ebmmagazine.com  @ebmmagazine  @ebmmagazine #ebmmagazine

Pierre Lindh

Managing Director, Ambassadör Events

Martin Pettersson Head of Sales, Ambassadör Events

Julia Boikova Editor, EBM Magazine

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CONTENTS 10

20

A challenger on a quest Robert Andersson is in the business of rescuing companies in trouble. The serial CEO talks about adapting to change, breathing life into struggling businesses and starting a new job during an international crisis.

Luxury goes crypto A revered luxury brand meets the cutting-edge of tech as Edwards Lowell teams up with Instacoins to welcome crypto payments in store.

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La belle vie

31

Turning Coronavirus into opportunity

Upgrade your 9-5 As the impact of Covid-19 continues to affect businesses, SOHO House prepares for the new normal in office working with a positive outlook.

38

Summer in the city

44

Post covid-19 workspace

50

When life gives you lemons

64

Reading rituals

66

The pursuit of residenceness

The iconic Phoenicia Hotel reopens its doors and welcomes guests to sample its new look, a new menu and outstanding poolside experience.

Konrad Buhagiar takes a close look at how a balance between the natural world and humanity informs the groundbreaking designs of Alexander Nerovnya.

Tania Johannisson muses on the impact of reading in childhood and the writers that have inspired her, in business and in life.

70

Stop and play

72

Creating Joy

74

Gozo & Comino

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Cool recipes for hot summers

Architect Alan Galea looks at how architectural design will evolve in the wake of a pandemic that has made us rethink how a work space should look and function.

The House

Good food, local hospitality and plenty of Vitamin Sea make for a memorable summer sojourn around the Italian coast.

Moving to a foreign country sounds like a grand adventure but it’s not always plain sailing. Joanna Delia explores the challenges and triumphs experienced by those who chose to make Malta their home. become a strong driver for sustainable environmental change on the island.

Arabella Hogg samples the fine foods, exceptional service and unbeatable ambience at Beefbar on The Beach.

Coronavirus forced everyone to change their plans. For iGaming NEXT, it was a chance to challenge the status quo and transform the way they operate.

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We have never been more connected or less able to play. Gordon Calleja writes about how crucial it is to live in the moment through play.

Lockdown postponed parties and shut party venues. DJ JJoy has used this time to give back to the community while planning a (loud) return to the decks.

Using local, seasonal ingredients, The Maltese Olive blog brings fresh and refreshing recipes to boost your kitchen repertoire.

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Schedule of events

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Cover image BALMAIN dress, this page full outfit by DOLCE & GABBANA. All available from SARTO.

C O V E R S T O RY

A challenger on a quest Robert Andersson CEO of Acroud

Interview by Rachel Zammit Cutajar | Cover artwork by David Hollier

Successful businesses are those that can not only navigate the rough seas of change but seize new opportunities in situations which may otherwise be considered disastrous. Falling revenues and a global pandemic seem to be challenges that may make the average CEO tremble in his boots, but Robert Andersson thrives on turning businesses around. With his adapt-or-die attitude he has been employed by a number of companies that were in need of change.

Today he is CEO of Acroud and with the merger with parent company Net Gaming on the horizon, Robert has his work cut out for him.

successful business, there are many companies offering these services. What we are aiming for, more than to find unique services per se, is to present them in a way that injects a little bit more entrepreneurship along with that extra fun factor that will put Acroud at the top of the lead generation game.”

Founded in 2003 and known at the time as Highlight Media, the company is an authority in high-end lead generation, directing millions of visitors to clients’ websites through both online and mobile channels with high quality content. With a portfolio of 120 media brands in 30 different countries, taking the helm at this company is by no means a small task. As the company merges with its Swedish parent company Net Gaming – a company listed on the stock exchange – Robert will be the driving force, breathing new life into a company that has struggled over the last year or so. It will do so under the name Acroud.

“I have seen a tremendous will to change in the people at the company, though the old structures didn’t really allow for it. We are working to create a new style of working that allows the company to gallop into the future. The people have been incredibly welcoming to my being here and are excited about moving forward; an invaluable asset to any company.

One of the biggest issues I had to face so far was going into lockdown just a few weeks after my arrival. This was a new experience for everyone but I am really proud of how well everyone has come together and what we have been able to achieve as a team.”

This is not the first time Robert has instilled revolutionary change in a company. With over 18 years’ experience in leading positions, he is an established company builder. He started out as a programmer for Nokia in 2001, though he admits he wasn’t very good at it and was terrible at writing code. However, this

“We will be offering the same professional services that we did in the past, however the aim is to inject a sense of fun but also urgency into the company. We provide an entertainment service and fun is a fundamental part of both attracting and retaining customers.

"The industry we operate in is highly competitive and though a unique selling point will result in a

Robert’s focus during these last few months has been to unleash the potential of his workforce to achieve operational excellence that will translate into the company’s success.

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C O V E R S T O RY

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did give him a solid foundation for a career in tech – where an understanding of code is essential – even if you can’t write the code yourself. He later moved on to project management with a strong leaning towards business focus, until he was given the position of CEO at a floundering advertising agency, known then as Digital Advertising Agency, which had filed for bankruptcy just before he took the reins. The company was re-branded and, now known as River Agency, is still successful today and Robert still directs his new ventures towards River for their digital marketing needs.

As CEO of Catena Media, a role which he took on 2015, he took a small company with just 30 employees to an established lead-generation giant listed on the stock exchange.

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His latest accomplishment was the turnaround of Enlabs, an entertainment company specialising in online games and media, that was set in a downward trend with falling revenues. Today it is a thriving company with more than 200 employees.

Operating in a highly competitive environment that is more concerned with the next season than the current one, adapting to change has to be an integral part of the management system. Evolution has to become second nature and this is where Robert excels.

His general attitude is that change is the only constant in a business environment and this could not have been more true after his beginning at Acroud. Just two and a half weeks of Robert joined the company, the coronavirus hit and with it came a number of

C O V E R S T O RY

challenges for which no one could have prepared.

Adapting to the new working environment of video calls and teleworking was challenging. “Being the new CEO and trying to drive major changes from my home office was tough, especially being the new guy. I’m a people-driven person and like to deal with people face-to-face. It was quite daunting at first, but I am surprised at how much change we have been able to make just via video conferencing.”

As we emerge from the coronavirus lockdown, the economy has changed, and perhaps people with it. The companies that survive and thrive may not be the same as those that were expected to do so in the beginning of the year. Adaptability is at the heart of who will make it and who will not and for Acroud, the future seems bright.

roanriver

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C O V E R S T O RY

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NEWS

LUXURY GOES CRYPTO Edwards Lowell joins forces with Malta-based Bitcoin brokerage Instacoins Photography by Brian Grech

Malcolm Lowell

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NEWS

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NEWS

Malcolm Lowell & Adrian Kreter

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NEWS

Leading the way forward in Malta’s luxury goods sector, Edwards Lowell Co Ltd recognises the importance of continuous progress, and is keen to explore the economic evolution towards cryptocurrency. The family-owned retailer is proud to announce that is officially accepting Bitcoin as a payment method.

Keeping up with the ever-changing times, the company has teamed up with Instacoins – a trusted financial brokerage service that enables clients to purchase safely and quickly from any of their five boutiques through the use of Bitcoins.

“Edwards Lowell has always strived to position itself at the forefront of consumer demand and technology. We are proud to partner up with Malta-based technology company Instacoins to be able to promise our customers a safe and secure shopping experience when purchasing luxury goods with cryptocurrency. We believe this is the way of the future”.

Malcolm Lowell – Managing Director of Edwards Lowell.

Instacoins Ltd is a Maltese registered cryptocurrency brokerage. Their mission is to provide a simple and secure buying process. Through the partnership, Edwards Lowell esteemed clients will be able to use the reliable market leader as a crypto-to-fiat gateway.

“We strongly believe there is an ever-growing demographic who wants to use cryptocurrency to finance their purchases - from everyday goods to luxury items. Merchants have, however, generally been reluctant to offer this option to their customers. It is thus with great pleasure that Instacoins welcomes on board Edwards Lowell, who has once again shown it is the frontrunner not only in the luxury space but also in offering cryptocurrency payment options”.

Adrian Kreter – Founder of Instacoins.

edwardslowell www.elcol.com

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FOOD

LA BELLE VIE Words by Arabella Hogg | Photography by Francis Amiand & Stephen Galea

As the degrees slide up towards the 30s, there is nowhere I’d rather be than poolside - cocktail in one hand, book in the other. Choosing the right pool to welcome in the summer is essential. Personally, it’s an easy decision to make, as I have been desperate to return since my last visit to Beefbar on the Beach.

This seaside sanctuary provides all the ingredients for a perfect day: a dollop of dreamy location, a dash of distinctive style, a pinch of impeccable service and a generous sprinkle of scrumptious food.

Walking into Beefbar on the Beach, it’s hard not to be impressed. The glittering settings transport you right into a Slim Aarons photograph, the iconic American post-war photographer who captured the glamorous and elusive moments from the jet-set lives of the rich and famous – a throwback to the era of Jackie Kennedy, Cary Grant and Princess Grace of Monaco.

As my friend and I settled into one of the plush sofas in the bar area, we were instantly greeted by a very friendly, very helpful waiter who guided us through the drinks menu. He recommended I try the Ryoko from the Signature Cocktail list, a vibrant green concoction of wasabi-infused vodka with fresh cucumber juice and lime…yes, please! As it had been a while since my last visit, I scanned the room with new eyes; the setting exudes refined yet relaxed luxury, from the sumptuous furnishings and the tropical-style bar to the grand indoor plants swaying gently with the ocean breeze. The phrase “coûte que coûte” comes to mind, loosely translated to “no matter the cost” when describing Jean Paul Testa’s stance towards the construction and running of Beefbar. Working closely with design duo Humbert & Poyet to create this dream design, no corner has been cut, which is evident in the attention to detail. In his own words, Jean Paul stated that he could have spent a third of the total cost of the build, but he was adamant to maintain the highest quality in every aspect.

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We decided to order from the Street Food section of the menu as it was lunchtime and we felt like a few light bites. As the dishes arrived on the table, we tucked in eagerly. The food is exceptional; expect elegant Asian-fusion plates, morsels of flavour in delicate portions.

We started with cubes of Crispy Rice topped with the ultimate tartare of veal and tuna, followed by Wagyu beef Gyoza and fresh tuna Robata skewers drizzled with miso dressing. We also included a side of punchy Zesty Kale Salad with lashings of parmesan and creamy slices of avocado from the Leafbar menu. I have an unapologetically unshakeable sweet tooth, so spying the dessert menu before I’d even looked at the savory options, I knew I’d have to leave some room for the Gelato Mantecato to share. What arrived at our table exceeded expectations – a deconstructed DIY version of an ice cream sundae reminiscent of childhood memories, soft whipped artisanal ice cream, a crunchy nutty brittle and a little carafe filled to the brim with caramel sauce…dreamy.

Once we had finished our lunch, we made our way to the pool deck, which I can only describe as an oasis from which to admire the azure sea, the picturesque St. Paul’s island and beyond. Royalty, or those who want to feel like it, can luxuriate on one of the 60 ultra-deluxe sun loungers under the scorching Maltese sun from noon till dusk.

We picked our spot and the pool attendant unraveled plush Beefbar towels (each weighing an ample 2kg, we were told) on to our beds. I stretched myself out like the cat that got the cream on my luxuriously large sun lounger and ordered an ice-cold Côtes de Provence and some water – officially sending myself to the South of France. The pool deck offers both the infinity pool and private access to dip your feet right into the Mediterranean Sea.

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Beefbar was created by Monaco resident Riccardo Giraudi, who now boasts 16 of the most prestigious locations around the world. Unlike its international counterparts, Beefbar on the Beach is the only Beefbar in the world to have a combination of restaurant, bar and pool deck – a truly unique destination. There are only a handful of locations in Malta that can host an ultimate standout party, and this is undeniably one of them. The open space lends itself perfectly to throwing spectacular private parties, events and celebrations, with everything from the catering, bar and music taken care of in the most impressive way.

Some places are truly unforgettable, and Beefbar is certainly one of them. The ‘wow’ factor of this place begins as soon as you step into the polished concrete lobby and continues right through to when you leave, as the sun sets behind you and the pink skies fade. If service is a trademark of a great establishment, then Beefbar exceeds. The staff are more than happy to help, wanting you to enjoy every moment of being there. This spacious refuge sets a new benchmark for beach clubs on the island: an extraordinary spot where you can come and relax, indulge and have fun in comfort and style.

Beefbar on the Beach, 47 Darwet il-Gżejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta

beefbar_malta

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FA S H I O N

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EVENTS

Turning Coronavirus into opportunity Words by Rachel Zammit Cutajar

For most companies, coronavirus has been a challenge – goals were quickly switched from maximising profits to simply staying afloat and making it out of lockdown with as few casualties as possible. For iGaming NEXT, however, the coronavirus has forced the company to broaden its horizons and embrace opportunities that will place it at the forefront of the iGaming events industry. Co-founder and managing director, Pierre Lindh, explains how this happened.

In September of last year, iGaming NEXT launched its first event with unprecedented success, attracting keynote speakers from giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and the co-founder of Shazam. 2020 promised to expand on that, with this year's event extended over two days. Then coronavirus hit, arguably delivering the biggest blow to events companies – particularly ones that attract foreign delegates.

“In the long run, COVID-19 will have been a positive experience for us. It has been a challenging time that forced us to reflect on what we really should be focusing on, what could be cut, what we want for the future and who we want to be as an organisation,” Pierre explained.

While most other event companies were scrambling to transfer their events online in a copy-paste fashion, iGaming NEXT were quick to understand the potential of a digital strategy that could be incorporated into their calendar even after the threat of coronavirus had passed.

“After researching our potential for creating events following lockdown, we came up with four new products that could be launched. In May we hosted a webinar with eight online conferences, however we changed our approach a little bit.

Whereas normally you’d look at what’s happening within certain markets in the iGaming industry or compliance issues or the future of gaming, we chose to focus on personal and professional development from an HR perspective. We wanted to tackle issues on a more individual level; what can you do as an iGaming professional to further your career at this time?

We felt that this was much more relevant right now.”

With over 1,000 people registered for the first event and 600 simultaneous viewers at its peak, this unique format definitely paid off. Similarly, a series of podcasts were also adjusted to the requirements of the times. These took on a longer, more personal format, at approximately 45 minutes per podcast, and consisted of informal chats between Pierre and key players in the industry, making them more interesting. With 50,000 minutes of streamed content in the most popular episode to date alone, this is now the biggest podcast in the iGaming industry.

“We have had to postpone our in-person event that was planned for the end of the year, but we are launching what

will be the largest digital conference in the iGaming industry, on 13-15 October, with over 10,000 iGaming professionals gathering from all over the world.”

Pierre highlights how this has broadened the company’s potential demographic. “We are limited to the people who are able to travel to Malta for any in-person event. Moving this to an online platform means we can reach many more people from around the world, and we plan to keep taking advantage of this even after the threat of coronavirus has been lifted. In 2021, we plan to organise the in-person version of iGaming NEXT along with iGaming IDOL at the Intercontinental Arena Conference Centre, whilst concurrently running this digital twin with access to the same content online.”

2021 will present opportunities for smaller digital events. iGaming NEXT Power Hour, launched on 3 July, will continue to run throughout the year along with the popular podcasts.

“Power Hour is a weekly digital event that runs every Friday at 3pm where current topics are discussed. What sets this apart from other events is the triangular format we are encouraging, which, I believe, is the future of media. While in the past, traditional media was a one-way transfer of information from media operator to viewer, we are encouraging more interaction, not only including transfer of information from viewer to producer but also among viewers themselves, which makes this an invaluable networking asset. And as this reaches such an international audience, there is really no other way in which you can network with so many people from around the world. The digital world knows no boundaries.”

Even though iGaming NEXT have come out on top, coronavirus wasn’t a walk in the park for them either. “This all happened very rapidly. We were literally dead in the water when lockdown occurred, but we are fortunate to be a small, flexible company that allowed us to re-group and analyse what resources we had at our disposal to come up with new ideas.

Unlike the larger companies, we do not have huge overheads dragging us under which allowed us to be very quick to launch our first new product and that has given us a reputation in the industry which we are determined to exploit.

“It’s great to see other companies adapting to the new circumstances and we believe that these are the future of the industry as the ones that have remained stagnant will not be able to keep up with the changes happening so rapidly right now.” iGaming NEXT was set up to bring iGaming professionals together to discuss the future of the industry. Coronavirus has given them the opportunity to lead by example.

pierreobv

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COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

UPGRADE YOUR 9-5 SOH O O ff i c e S p a c e – T h e S t r a n d .

I nterv i ew w i th c o- ow n e r s M i c h a e l Pe d e r se n a n d Kr i s Pe t e r se n Words by Arabella Hogg I Photography by Olga Ruccya

“We have everything you need here, we’ve created our own eco-system,” beams Michael Pedersen, co-founder and director of SOHO Offices, when showing me around their latest co-working offices on The Strand.

Breaking the mould for traditional concepts of work environments, SOHO Offices provide ready and available workspaces for anyone who needs a desk around Malta. Founders, Kris Petersen and Michael Pedersen, wanted to create a business hub that promotes a sense of community, collaboration, learning, and sustainability. Their innovative approach creates a dynamic location for both freelancers and larger-scale companies. Not only does a SOHO membership provide a place to work, it also includes many non-work-related perks. SOHO Offices are currently Malta’s largest co-working organisation, with a total of three locations in the central business districts of the island and talks of more popping up soon! Beautifully designed, modern, luxurious (even down to the lavish palm tree Versace wallpaper) – the duo wanted to create workspaces to inspire.

I sat down with Michael and Kris to talk about their latest addition to the SOHO Office portfolio, how the pandemic affected their blossoming business, and SOHO’s exciting new rooftop ‘Event Space’.

Why do you think SOHO has been so successful on the island?

We provide a whole spectrum of benefits beyond just a desk to work from for our members. We work hard to

create a ‘home-away-from-home’ office where people are as comfortable just to hang out as they are to focus on work. I’m convinced that it is the community feel that has been essential to our success. It is key for both individual consultants, freelancers, and even largerscale companies.

SOHO is a multi-faceted community. Our networking events not only help you foster new social relationships with other like-minded business people, but they are also well-known for being effective new business leadacquisition opportunities. Essentially, we help you mix your business with pleasure in a relaxed yet effective and enjoyable environment!

We have seen businesses build long-lasting contracts and relationships from connections within our community, which have directly resulted in growth.

Many friendships have also been formed here. This is something we are extremely proud of. As most of our members are expats, it can be quite daunting to make new friends in a new country, so we try to facilitate that part of life too. We have an in-house calendar of events organized by our community manager and designed to create both business opportunities and friendships. For example, we host ‘SOHO Hikes’, Gin Fridays, live music events, games nights, movie nights and most recently, SOHO yoga classes.

How did the coronavirus outbreak affect your business and how did you, as a company, adapt to the situation?

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Photo by Julia Boikova

The coronavirus has impacted every area of our lives this year. SOHO was very much at the forefront of implementing social distancing and hygiene measures before they were ever introduced in government guidelines. We work with a fantastic cleaning company who have worked hard throughout this entire period to ensure that the offices remain sanitised and that all touch points are constantly cleaned. We also put a communication plan in place, whereby updates and requirements were sent to our community, such as asking members to ensure that their employees and consultants abided by self-quarantine measures when returning from certain locations.

During the lockdown period, we cancelled community events. A number of our members implemented working-from-home for their employees and we saw a reduced footfall in the office. We were able to take advantage of the situation to continue with internal improvements, to ensure that our members returned to an improved SOHO. It's good to see things returning to a new normal and we have lots of exciting things planned for our members in the coming months.

How do you think surroundings affect work productivity?

It is a fact that stimulating work environments improve creativity, encourage longer working hours and lead to higher job satisfaction. If you're simply scanning over your emails or reading a long document, why do you have to be confined to a desk? The heart of this office space is our roof terrace, which includes a lounge area, kitchen and eatery, with the option to sit out on the terrace and enjoy the sun while you are working and get some fresh air at the same time.

This current location has many amenities including an in-house bar and event space. We also have a boutique gym with showers, locker rooms and a sauna currently being built. The gym will also offer members functional training programs – both indoors and outdoors. There are a lot of extra touches you

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COMMUNITY

“WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE WITH INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, TO ENSURE THAT OUR MEMBERS RETURNED TO AN IMPROVED SOHO.”

Photo by Julia Boikova Photo by Julia Boikova

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wouldn't expect to find in a generic work space; for example, the women’s bathroom comes fully-fitted with a glam station mirror ( just in case you want to look extra special for that Skype call). All of the offices are very bright, filled with lots of natural sunlight and each floor has a lofty open-plan design, steering well away from that boxed-in feeling of a traditional office space.

What is your vision for the newly launched ‘Event Space’?

The Event Space has been created for the benefit of members and any company looking for a space to hold their corporate event. SOHO is a multifunctional venue; the space can be used for anything from conferences, networking events, talks and panel discussions, sit-down dinners, cocktail parties, large co-working functions, to outdoor barbecues.

We create ‘Boutique Events’ for companies who are both members and non-members. This can include everything from presentations and panel discussions, to private C-level dinners. The advantage is that the environment promotes confidentiality, brainstorming and creativity, as opposed to a traditional restaurant setting.

Any brand or company can book tailor-made events to include anything from a barbeque to a live band. We also provide a fully-functioning bar and catering from our professional chefs. When the event space is not being used for private functions, it’s the members lounge area where healthy breakfasts and lunches are served by our in-house chefs who prepare homemade, fresh and healthy dishes.

The tour of SOHO Offices really gave me an insight into an innovative approach towards office space. In a sense, the offices are like a neighbourhood, the connections are palpable. Michael and Kris’ keenness to create both a dynamic work environment intertwined with a sense of community amongst the members is commendable. “We try to add to job satisfaction and also life satisfaction.”

sohomalta

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EVENTS

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Summer in the city THE PHOENICIA MALTA Words by Arabella Hogg

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PLACES

Valletta, the beating heart of our island. An incomparable Baroque city, dating back to the 1500s. This UNESCO World Heritage city is overflowing with history of centuries gone by, and has, in recent years, undergone a revitalisation partially spearheaded by international architect Renzo Piano. Since surfacing from its year as 2018 European Capital of Culture, the city has continued to propel itself forward to become the centre of Malta’s contemporary scene, from shopping and dining to nightlife and hotels.

The city’s most historic hotel has also just experienced its own transformation. The Phoenicia Malta, a famous Valletta establishment located just a stone’s throw away from the City Gate, underwent a dramatic €25 million refurbishment in 2017, but its most recent renovation took place during Covid-19 lockdown. The dedicated staff continued to come into work to rejuvenate the entire hotel, gardens and pool area ahead of its re-opening.

I visited the hotel and sat down with General Manager, Brice Kemper, to talk about The Phoenicia’s latest initiative to open the pool area to the public for the first time since the hotel’s refurbishment.

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The hotel itself is majestic, its grandeur is remarkable. Built in the 1940s, this 5-star Art Deco hotel was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Malta and some staff members still remember her time there.. Nestled between the hustle and bustle of the capital city and the bastions built by the Knights of St. John, it’s a truly unique location. To get to the pool area, you get to walk through the most incredible immaculate garden scape. Seven-and-a-half acres of perfectly manicured plants, pathways bursting with bougainvillea and giant stretching palm trees, alongside the glorious smell of freshly cut grass – a rare but very welcome scent on the island!

As I arrive at The Bastion Pool, a spectacular view awaits. A sleek, modern infinity pool boasts panoramic vistas of the sapphire-blue Mediterranean Sea, Marsamxett Harbour and is flanked by vast ancient bastion walls. A juxtaposition of the contemporary and the historic joined in perfect harmony. In the past, this pool area has been exclusively available for hotel guests, but with the reinvention of the hotel came an opportunity to welcome people to enjoy this area for the day. “Mark Shaw, our owner, invested heavily in the refurbishment and repositioning of the hotel. The current situation offered us a wonderful opportunity to relaunch and repurpose the hotel” says Mr. Kemper.

Access to the pool area for a day comes at a daily fee, which is redeemable on food or drink from The

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PLACES

Bastion Pool Bar & Restaurant throughout the day. There are options to sit and lounge in the sun solo, or even book one of their custom-made luxury gazebos that fit up to 10 guests.

Truly a space to come and chill out, the pool is only accessible to guests over 18, to ensure a day of complete tranquility and serenity. Additionally, there will soon be access to the 12,000-square-foot spa, operated by French spa company Deep Nature, which will include a gym, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, salt room and five treatment rooms to completely succumb to relaxation.

When it’s time for lunch, guests can make their way to the alfresco restaurant and savour superb Mediterranean cuisine.

“Our Executive Chef Daniel Debattista has created a menu of light summer fare, perfect hot-weather dishes exclusively for The Bastion Pool accompanied by delicious desserts from Pastry Chef Mario” says Mr. Kemper. Grilled meats, fresh fish cooked to order, classic salads, pastas and risottos, including

gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, are all available from the poolside menu.

Brice, who previously worked at the world-renowned Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera, came to the island with a fresh perspective on The Phoenicia Malta and instantly fell in love with its charm and past. “The hotel is one-of-a-kind, its totally unique. The magnificent gardens, these unbelievable views that we are looking at and all so close to Valletta.”

The Phoenicia Malta exemplifies Maltese-colonial style and grace but poolside, you’ll find a hidden paradise perfectly located in the heart of the island’s capital – separate from it all, beyond a secluded secret garden. Poolside at The Phoenicia Malta is the perfect luxury daytime escape.

phoeniciamalta

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POST COVID-19 WORKSPACE How will this pandemic change the way we design office space?

Words by Alan Galea, Partner at MODEL

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DESIGN

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In the words of Norman Foster, ‘"as an architect, you design for the present, with awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown."

As restrictions are being lifted around the world, a pandemic like this one nudges us to design for an environment somewhat different to the one we were thinking of only four months ago. Where the mindset was one of grouping people together to create more collaborative spaces where whole teams would gather in areas for brainstorming, coaching and team-building activities, we are now facing a situation where we need to provide solutions to keep the same spirit alive but with social distancing playing an active role.

So where do we go from here? Design thinking needs to happen on many levels and needs to take care of the now, next week, next month and next year. Over time, the things we as architects think about now will become the way things just are in the workplace left by the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. The opportunity here is to adapt our mentality to make the workplace a safer place to work.

The priority for many businesses, schools, authorities and other organisations is to get back to a full working force as soon as possible and with people being so aware of the spread of disease, the safety of the people will be placed ahead of everything else.

In the short term, it seems likely that remote working will be fully integrated in our daily work life so the challenge then is to incorporate elements in the physical office to keep communication and interaction between colleagues alive. The changes at this first stage will probably be more organisational in nature with the implementation of strategic timetables for the workforce to ease into moving out of the kitchen office and back to their office desks in

coordinated groups. This too will allow space to react quickly to a second wave if that occurs.

The idea here would be to allow enough space between workstations that the worker would feel comfortable to be there once again. The thought process should take things as far as creating routes for the workers to limit the number of times they might encounter others while they circulate.

Thinking about the immediate future, once people ease into making the shift back to the office, many organisations will need to reconfigure the workplace to accommodate the same amount of people with a less dense ratio of people to space. Corridors will get wider, barriers will probably need to be placed between stations, cleaning and sanitising will most likely increase.

The need to travel for business meetings will most likely be challenged and therefore high quality video conferencing will become necessary to seamlessly merge the virtual and physical space.

What about a year from now? We all assume that a vaccine will be found and the virus will vanish but what can we take away from this period? We believe that there is no better time to promote versatility as opposed to dependability and to adopt a more fluid philosophy of adaptability. We will probably see a whole new wave of office furniture where the size is likely to increase again and materials will now have an antibacterial material as an expected standard.

People now have a whole new understanding and appreciation of being together and design thinking needs to take care of the people we design for.

model.mt

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DESIGN

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DESIGN

THE HOUSE Words by Konrad Buhagiar

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If there was one nursery rhyme that delighted me to no end when I was a kid, it was "This is the house that Jack built". It held an incredible fascination to my small mind.

I remember how thrilled I was by its long and, what seemed to me never-ending, list of objects and events and characters that were all connected to the house and to each other. Indeed, there was no description of the house, nor was its story ever told. Nor was Jack’s either for that matter. It was only about what was in the house, around it and generated by it. It described a cumulative, growing, dizzying and expanding vortex of colourful people – a maiden all forlorn and a man all tattered and torn, amongst others, and objects, and the happenings that connected them all together. And they all had their origin somehow in Jack’s brave and mysterious undertaking to have his house built.

The house as symbol, invisible as it sometimes was, continued to occupy an important place in my personal mythology, from childhood to adolescence, from the gingerbread house in Grimm’s fairy-tale Hansel and Gretel to the cautionary tale of the House of the Rising Sun. Later, at architecture school, having got caught in the seduction game that architecture likes to play, I discovered Marc-Antoine Laugier’s Primitive Hut, depicted on the frontispiece of his Essai sur l’Architecture (1755), that

explores the origins of Architecture and its practice. It is an allegory of man’s need for comfort, safety and shelter, and as a consequence, of his relationship with Nature.

The founding myths of architecture all somehow lead to this most fundamental relationship that informs the environment that Man has, throughout the millennia, moulded for himself. From the extremely artificial urban landscapes of the metropolis to the obsession with organic forms and growth that underlies the architecture of many modernist architects, lies a whole spectrum of connections between natural and man-made.

When I discovered the work of Alex Nerovnya, I was struck by the honest and balanced handling of this delicate relationship. The apparent simplicity of his York house, for example, achieved, clearly, thanks to a good dose of discipline and rigour, belies an understanding of the lessons of architectural history, from the symbolic primitive hut to Modernism and beyond. What I feel is most admirable of all, however, is that in all his projects there is somehow a sense that, like the house that Jack built, there is space for ‘Humanity (that) has always been and remains a part of nature’, to ultimately, and naturally, take over.

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FOOD

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DESIGN

KB. A number of your projects grow out of and complement the surrounding landscape.

Is this a leitmotif of your work?

AN. Yes, in the process of creating our architectural designs, we certainly always rely on the surrounding landscape. If we design a building, we try as much as possible to create an alliance between the structure and the surrounding nature, not to conquer it.

KB. In the struggle for dominance between natural and man-made, can we conclude that the lessons of Corb and Wright are equally balanced in your solution for the house or are you more sympathetic to one rather than the other?

AN. Choosing from natural and man-made, we always gravitate towards the natural - both in the choice of locations for our projects, and in the choice of materials for construction.

In our understanding, architecture should complement and decorate the natural environment, without forcing its residents at the entrance to switch from the natural environment to a fully synthetic one.

KB. The blurring of inside and out and drawing the landscape into the interior, are clear references to the Modernist thought, Aalto in particular. Can you say something about the architects whose work you admire most?

AN. Yes, in many of our works there really is a reference to the thought of Aalto. Our team of architects even visited several of his sites, and he became one of the inspirers of our architectural style. To the greatest extent, this, of course, is manifested in our desire to visually and physically connect the internal and external areas of the house. Speaking generally about our inspirers, the primary one has to be Wright, and not only because of what he did, but HOW he did it. Turning to history, we will see that his design idea was not understood and accepted by his contemporaries for a very long time. Despite this, he did not turn to the path of mediocrity.

Another example of my personal inspiration that I could point out is a fictional architect Howard Roark from Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead. I am inspired by his life principles, his path and fortitude. I often try to transfer the emotions and impressions that I draw from my favorite books into my work, creating a metaphorical monument to a particular writer.

KB. The symbol of the house in the collective subconscious has obviously been an arrival point in your design process. Are you interested in the founding myths of Architecture, the primitive hut and so on, and do these inform the design choices you make?

AN. As I reflect on the origins of my passion for architecture, I notice that I was not interested in design or beauty. I was interested in the opportunity to express comfort, safety and a feeling of a home in the most simple and “human” form. Humanity has always been and remains a part of nature, to our eyes there is nothing more beautiful than what nature has created. From this understanding I have drawn my desire to maintain parity between the concepts of “home” and “nature” in my work. The little things we, as a species, can bring to our environment do not have the right to redraw our ancient natural home, but can only try to become a part of it.

KB. How much of your design approach, materials and form is influenced by the aesthetic ambitions and taste of the client?

AN. It turns out that almost all the clients who contact us, do so primarily for our vision.

Of course, no project is the same, and the conceptual design process is always limited to a certain framework. However, fortunately, until now, we have had the opportunity to cooperate with many clients who truly suit us, with whom we think alike to a certain extent. Out of such cooperation, as a rule, the most inspired and unique projects are born.

alex_nerovnya

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T R AV E L

When life gives you lemons When life gives you lemons, you get your ass off the couch and head to where the best of them grow!

Words & photography by Vanya Rubin

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T R AV E L

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In a nutshell, or lemon peel, that is arguably the most important lesson my friends and I learned last summer, as we capped off a summer of hard work with a magical six-day boat ride around Italy. Our first port of call was Amalfi – a legendarily gorgeous little town with – yes – its fair share of juicily delicious lemons, delicious gelato and incredible Italian food (though to be fair, that latter one applies to the country as a whole). While most of the restaurants we visited offered great views and menus to match, it’s always wise to consult the locals whenever possible, as they are the ones who’ll help you spot and skip over the tourist traps. Our own erstwhile culinary consultants helped us discover the most memorable of places – most of them being family-run ventures like Da Gemma, and Donna Stella Pizza, which despite having a hipster feel also boasts pizza that is far from showy or pretentious. It knocked my fair-trade hipster socks off, at least.

(That’s a metaphor. As if I’d wear socks in summer. This is Amalfi, not Alaska).

However, a ‘traveller beware’ caveat: please remember that Italian espresso, which is often what they assume you mean by default when you ask for ‘caffè’, is far stronger than what we’re used to, so you may wish to bear that in mind if coffee is your designated nightcap drink. But please don’t skimp on the after-dinner limoncello, particularly if it’s a local variety. And that’s not the only lemon-related delight that Amalfi offers – my suggestion is to

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throw caution to the wind and just sample them all with hungry enthusiasm. Amalfi also boasts an adorable little beach, where we were surprised to discover that the bulk of fellow tourists were other Italians. Perhaps it was because we visited in August, when locals are accustomed to taking time off for ferragosto.

Next up, Positano! Delicious and pleasant too, with an even wider array of eminently Instagrammable views. Slightly more upbeat and touristy than Amalfi, though again, it was mostly other Italians. No shortage of great restaurants here either, but we have to single out Chez Black as our absolute favourite: proper cozy Italian food, family-run and traditional to the town. We also hit the dance floor at a local cave club, where we stumbled upon a karaoke room in a corner off the main floor, packed to the brim with frisky Italians singing and dancing their hearts out. It almost felt as though they were one big family, though I can assure you they were largely strangers to eachother. The spirit of classic Italian songs united them, and the magic in the air was palpable – an unmissable experience of genuine, communal and hedonistic delight that no supposedly picture-perfect tourist trap can ever hope to replicate.

But the jewel in our boat-shaped crown was undoubtedly the beautiful island of Capri. A world-famous celebrity magnet, it exudes effortless Italian charm in every nook and cranny. And as

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you may have guessed, our local consultant once again came up tops. The Aurora restaurant was a particular delight: family-run and delicious through and through, even if we did have to wait for an hour to get a table. But once we sat down we revelled in the very act: this is a small and special place and the simple fact of being there is magical in and of itself. Totally worth it.

As the food rumbled pleasantly in our bellies, we headed to Taverna, another famed celebrity haunt that welcomes you to cut a rug in style. ‘Taverna’ it is precisely what you’d expect it to be, hosting a local band playing all the beloved classics as patrons sing along and dance like crazy. Take a gander at the walls as you wait for your drink and gawp at the club’s many celebrity patrons: everyone from Beyonce and Jay Z to Armani and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Il Riccio, a restaurant on the opposite side of the island, is certainly also worth a look-in. Pleasant blue and white tones invite you into a world of culinary hedonism – it may be difficult for you to leave.

And while their main dishes are certainly top-notch, the ‘dessert room’ are where the true treasures lie. Once seen, it cannot be unseen, and you will probably dream of it for days on end. Yes, we all know that Italian desserts rarely disappoint, but here you’ll find some truly top-quality examples, especially when it comes to the traditional varieties. You’ll want to make room for these sweet

gems of goodness, even if you’re not a dessert person.

Last but not least, and feeling like the chillout tune that winds down a previously pumping DJ set, we edge our way into Ischia to round off our trip. Lunch was booked at one of the island’s many beach resorts, though as we sat down we felt as though the ground was moving under our feet after so many days at sea. But it didn’t matter, since we were still very much enwrapped in our little Italian fairy tale. The food, as ever, was excellent, and we found ourselves thinking: why doesn’t the rest of the world just make food this good? Cue my frantic Googling of Italian cookbooks and a burning desire to live there for the rest of my life.

Our final evening was spent eating pizza, because of course it was (and yes, just in case you haven’t spotted the pattern yet: it was delicious). But even then, I’m not sure. Things were starting to get a bit blurry … the dream was coming to an end. But the morning – ahem, afternoon – hike that followed marked a sweet transition back into consciousness. The island’s gorgeous views are truly bracing, even under the scorching sun. I drank it all in, as if trying to make it all last a little bit longer.

I woke up on the plane on our way back. It was all a dream, surely?

But then, I noticed the bottle of limoncello from Amalfi peeking out of my bag …

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BOOKS

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Photo by Julia Boikova

GOOD READS

Reading rituals Tania Johannisson

Director of Game Integrity & Risk at Evolution Gaming

When I was a child I remember being at my grandmother’s house.

Despite the simplicity by which she lived most of her life, her library was rich as far as I can recall – variety and even rare books that she literally stood in a night-long queue to buy. Investing in her kids’ intellectual foundation.

I read plenty of those from her shelves and my love for reading books has stayed with me to this day. I was never bothered or annoyed by the obligation to read at school either. I remember reading all four books of “War and Peace” books by Leo Tolstoy from cover to cover. And yes, the internet already existed and yes, I could have read a short version.

These childhood memories are probably behind my preference to read from a physical book even nowadays.

What kind of reader are you by the way?

Do you prefer to listen to an audiobook or use your Kindle device?

Perhaps you are like me, still into an old-fashioned way of reading – going to a bookstore, choosing among various titles and then enjoying the feel of holding a physical book in your hands.

This made me wonder the other day whether there is any scientific evidence favouring either reading or listening to books. According to recent studies, the science is still not conclusive but both print and audio have their place. Opting for an audio book when commuting or on a power walk seems like an obvious choice, but not ideal if your goal is long-term learning. Reading a physical book helps us to accept new information better, simply because it is presented in print.

While there are thousands of best selling self-help books on business, leadership and personal growth, how do you then choose the one that will make all the difference for you?

An interesting peculiarity with all the self-help books is that every single one can offer a reader a portion of valuable take-aways and immediate calls to action, but you will have to read lots of those if you want to build an adequate compilation of wisdom useful to you and your business.

Because in order to lead, you need to read.

For leadership – both professional and personal – I find that biographies of world heroes not only offer endless possibilities to experience different historical times, but also provide indispensable learning through real-world examples on how to achieve great things by making hard choices, overcoming life's obstacles and facing failures. If you have not read any biographies

of Nelson Mandela, do it now. This noble man and visionary was not born the man the entire world remembers him. Mandela became Mandela after spending 18 years out of his total 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island. Richard Stengel’s “Mandela’s Way” teaches how to stay true to your values and develop a strength of character so that you can fight anything life throws at you.

One of the last books that resonated with me was a memoir “Becoming” by a strong personality and incredible speaker Michele Obama. She advocates for staying authentic, having integrity, working hard and taking risks. Me being a working mother, worklife balance is one of the most common topics for discussion, and you should enjoy the balance while having some fun along the way. I believe that there is always going to be a balance, but it is you who actually decides to which side the scale goes.

For a good old-school business action book (need to have one of those too), “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is an easy choice. First published in 1936, it is considered one of the classics among self-help books. Many well-known people refer to the methods described in it as one of their secrets to success. The essence of that secret lies in our ability to hear and understand the point of view of another person as well as seeing things from that person’s perspective as well as from your own.

Most of us are guilty of doing more talking than listening. If only we tried to actually listen and hear our opponent a bit better, both our personal and business lives would be warranted a success.

There is one author and true guru however that takes most credit for inspiring change and instilling new successful habits in my life – Robin Sharma. Meeting Robin in person during one of his tours last year was a special experience. The man of how, who also unconditionally shares all his knowledge with you so that you can lead a memorable and successful life all in hopes of making the world a better place. Choose any of his books and you won’t be disappointed.

Today I would like to share a life-changing ritual with you taught

by Robin Sharma. A ritual of daily learning. Go and be a student for 60 minutes every day to learn about your craft. Knowing more about your field will allow you to be a professional within your area of expertise. And as you learn more, you will achieve more.

Read a book, listen to an audio book or go have a conversation with an interesting person. If you look around, you will find that our industry is built on ambitious, hard-working and inspiring people we can learn from.

tania.means.business

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FA S H I O N

The pursuit of residenceness How much of an ordeal is a move to Malta? And can we all really be one happy family?

Words by Joanna Delia

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FA S H I O N

Of a total population of less than half a million, 21% of people in Malta have immigrated here or where born here to persons who are not citizens of this country. When you compare that with the EU average of 10% it becomes quite significant.

This was not the case 10 or 20 years ago. Malta was and still is a very popular destination for studying English as a foreign language and back in the 90s, when the first big language schools opened their doors here, they would sell themselves as the ideal local showcase, projecting that their students might consider moving here in the future. And boy did they. After all, the Maltese economy and, why not, gene pool, certainly needed foreign investment.

I love that we are living in one of the most diverse societies around. Henry Petersen, a recruitment consultant from the Faroe Islands, says, “This is one main reason I love Malta: the multicultural hub in the Med.�

Maltese society has been moulded by centuries of foreign rule and is renowned for its hospitality to strangers as far back as to be mentioned in the Bible.

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SOCIETY

And yet...

Moving abroad is considered to be the third most stressful life event after death and divorce and can be inherently overwhelming and frustrating.

Add to that a good pinch of unfortunately loud xenophobia on Maltese social media platforms and local main stream media and one wonders how hospitable one in five members of our community are finding this little island.

Anxiety related to moving to a new country of residence certainly depends on a person’s personality. Introverts, who by nature prefer being alone might find it harder than extroverts as by definition an ‘expat’ life involves one being forced to be introduced to a new army of persons with whom one interacts regularly including a new boss and new colleagues, new neighbors and new essential service providers such as persons supplying food or medical treatments.

Feelings of insecurity and stress are also prevalent more frequently since one would have literally uploaded their new life in a place where there are very little to no persons of trust in whom one could confide or find respite with when in a difficult psychological state. And when new persons are found to fulfill these roles, which family and childhood friends usually cover, it is usually within an expat bubble.

Michael Salone, a Recruitment Consultant originally from Miami says he has an equal amount of foreign and local friends.

“One thing we like about Malta (at least in the Three Cities) is many of the "foreigners" we don't consider expats. That's a term I've only used for people and their partners being sent abroad for their work. Here we've found a large number of people who have moved here after their careers for an easier, more relaxing lifestyle. Alongside that, our community is very close so we have very many local friends. Now who we socialise with also depends on the occasion, but it's pretty equal.“ The expat bubble though, can prevent a person from socializing with locals, and in the long run prevent learning key integration behavior. It seems that with time though most persons manage to find more meaningful relationships, though this can be tricky for the ones who stay say less than a year as Nina Brysolf, COO of Mount Media Ltd. from Sweden muses.

“Friendship is different here. It seems more of a butterfly mentality, like most are used to the changing flow of people. So it was quite easy to start making friends and creating a network, but at the same time it’s more shallow relationships, which came and went in waves. To me that was hard in the beginning as I missed having close friends to rely on. I ended up feeling lonely despite all the people around me. But after 4 years that has changed! I

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in fact have a mixture of both local and foreign friends, but my closest are Maltese.”

In contradiction to Nina’s experience which seemed to improve as time went by, moving to a new country is widely thought to include a positive Honeymoon period followed by many realizations which might make the person regret their move.

Factors such as a different work ethic in Malta as well as different ways of solidifying a friendship might constitute a culture shock which certainly prevents successful integration. At this point one might feel exhausted and lose confidence in the possibility of ever feeling settled.

Most of the persons I spoke to did not recall much anxiety related to their move! “The move was not stressful at all,” says Henry, “but initially it was a temporary move, so it was more of a gradual process of me deciding to stay. I needed an adventure away from where I lived (Copenhagen).“ Michael Salone recalls, “The move was not at all stressful. I would say it was exciting, challenging and a pleasant surprise in fact. We had never even been to Malta before, but came for a week, made an offer on our property and moved shortly thereafter... As usual, not knowing the systems for example was annoying. Our estate agent helped somewhat, but the online local community forums helped the most.

We had also assumed that Malta was a strict Catholic country, so we assumed we'd have to be quite low key about our sexuality.

This idea dissipated rapidly of course and within 3 months we were invited to the local church roof for a barbecue where we also met several other gay residents. It was both warm and reassuring, and since then, have made so many friends in the Three Cities.”

Another way to look at the different reactions of an ‘expat’ is through the freeze, flight or fight model.

The frozen newcomer will feel helpless and approach integration passively. Although Maltese are usually very social and very apt to inviting say new colleagues to social events and gatherings, a passive expat might take a little longer to adjust to workplace norms and behaviors. In these cases an employer should do the utmost to support social integration. Most foreign owned say gaming companies seem to have an endless stream of regular planned events which have been extremely successful in building strong teams out of groups of persons hailing from widely diverse countries, and a happy, well-adjusted, stressless employee, expat or not, performs better!

Although rare, some expats adopt a ‘Flight’ reaction when feeling like a fish out of the water in a new country. They might leave soon after arrival due to finding themselves making excuses to avoid mingling with the new people they meet and never managing to make the new country their own.

SOCIETY

But the thought of returning home is another major source of stress. Studies show that 70% of expats who return ‘home’ experience difficulties that include boredom and a lack of appreciation of their foreign adventures and experiences by persons in their home country.

Many expats in fact, like Nina, above give themselves a grace period to test their adjustment abilities.

“I wanted to explore opportunities outside of Sweden, and was looking for jobs all over the world. When the opportunity in Malta came, I liked the idea of a smaller Mediterranean country and took the leap. It was super exciting and a bit nerve-wracking of course!

My mindset is always that everything in life is worth trying at least once. And for this move, I gave it a six-month deadline to “test and fail”, knowing that I could always go back. It made it easier to not look at it as a permanent decision. Now I consider it one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The thought of being stuck in Sweden for the rest of my life felt more stressful. Obviously the bureaucracy here was a matter of frustration as well, but to be honest it was equally frustrating from the Swedish side, they are extremely inflexible with people moving within the EU. "If I had to go back in time" I would probably have liked to know something of how much stronger I had to be than I expected.

There were really rough spots where you feel extremely lost, so one must have to trust in oneself more and be more daring to rely on one’s instinct. All in all it was more rewarding than I could’ve ever imagined.”

And there one sees how often persons become fighting expats – fighting to integrate and stay.

One must keep in mind that people move to Malta for different reasons. Mayda Toumi, originally from Libya and an architect by profession, was looking for a safer place for her family to settle.

“My daughter and I moved here from Greece to meet my Italian husband evacuated from working in Libya, when due to civil war it became unsafe for us to visit him or live there.“ She quickly became integrated in her community and says there is nothing she would do differently but then again she had already lived in places as far flung as Japan, Australia, Germany, and Canada before moving to Malta. A seasoned expat like Mayda has learned the ropes and manages a move from one country to another like an expert.

Abdul, or Basit as I like to call him, is originally from Ghana and found the move very stressful but now calls Malta home with the life he has made here with his artist wife Christine. “Getting to the door of a club and not being allowed in... Seeing my countrymen, Africans getting killed,” he says, did not make it easy.

Perhaps to integrate more smoothly, one should try and understand what irks those who consider themselves native of the island, Michael says.

“I think only recently I've come to realise that the Maltese don't have a lot of confidence due to their history, and moreso in the Three Cities, for being treated poorly in the past. From our viewpoint, we see the Maltese as equals and even higher up as we're their guests. We think we can strike up a conversation that might include criticism simply because we don't have that history with them. This can rub people the wrong way when in fact, some non-Maltese see it as a discussion among peers, not as looking down on the Maltese. It is evident that a Maltese can criticise a Maltese person or process, but nobody else. It's a shame in that we view it as "we're all in this together". So, I think I would have liked to have been prepared for that earlier.“ I believe in order to continue enjoying this fabulous metropolitan society, we must all understand that just because we speak a common language does not mean we are not struggling to accept each other and this goes both ways! Both host and guest should make a real effort to speak to people they meet, whether purely as an introduction as well as to make others feel welcome as this goes a long way.

In effect, one must make an effort to adapt - and once again this goes for both sides. A country with persons born in forty different countries mimics on a larger scale the challenges and tensions, as well as the adventures as an office with persons from the same geographical provinance. The different parties should learn about everyday life in not only the host country, but also in the countries of birth of one's colleagues and friends. One should try to figure out their priorities, both on a cultural and individual level. It is vital to keep in mind that economic reasons for migration may include wanting to have a better quality of life with ones salary and wanting to pay less taxes and not simply wanting a higher paying job.

Expat stress is certainly related to country of origin far more than to personality types. In order for harmony to exist in society, everyone should make sure to be aware of their privilege. And always show empathy. If this doesn’t make sense, it is always a good alternative to have an outlet for stress such as sport or a hobby. Try a new hobby! Swimming in the sea in Malta on a daily basis for instance is something most Swedish people have never tried before! And it is excellent for stress relief.

When asked what he would tell his past self to do differently before moving to Malta, he answered, “Be prepared to face injustice.”

joanna.delia

No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 69

SOCIETY

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SOCIETY

STOP and PLAY Words by Gordon Calleja

Never in human history has the presence of games been so pervasive yet play so sorely missing from our adult lives. That might seem like a contradiction.

Surely, the ubiquity of games means that more people are spending their time playing them, and thus, if anything, too much time is being invested in play. We carry a variety of game worlds in our pockets everywhere we go: phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, game consoles; all act as gateways to games ranging from brain-crunching abstract puzzles to vast, simulated worlds to be explored alone or with others.

Yet firing up a game does not necessarily engender a play experience.

Play is a mode of being that transcends any particular activity, a way of experiencing the world. It is the spontaneous movement between rigid structures, oscillating between order and chaos. Play thrives in spontaneity, is fuelled by imagination and coloured by uncertainty. Most importantly, play roots us in the joy of the present moment.

Contemporary, networked life is increasingly reducing the conditions that enable play. More specifically, the union of ubiquitous internet-connected smartphones and social media platforms have created a constant stream of distraction whose draw is increasingly more difficult to resist. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have not only been designed to hijack our attention when we’re idle, bored or bump into a challenge during our work-day, they have employed a small army of researchers to iterate on and hone the attention-grabbing powers of these platforms to a fine point. The result is an inversion of our relationship with the internet such that our default state is now one that is predominantly online, with breaks away from being connected, rather than the other way around.

The effects of this are well documented: a dramatic decline in the ability to focus, the prioritisation of online social connections in favour of face-to-face ones, an increased reliance on social media for a sense of self-worth, and a general fragmentation of the self that is increasingly less grounded in the present moment.

This has resulted in a sharp increase in stress, anxiety and depression.

We have entered a state of hyper-connectedness where the feedback loop with technology is accelerating to a point where it is becoming increasingly difficult to have a sense of being in the moment, to steer our focus without distraction and to allow our imagination

to roam. Our experience of time is becoming more compressed, our clocks are over-wound to straining point. We are complicit in the attempt to speed up our relationships, our passions and daily wanderings and cram them into timescales that cannot sustain them.

All this points to a state of being that is the opposite to play.

Play entails a focus on the present moment along with the openness and thus offers a perfect antidote to the negative effects of over-winding and hyperconnectedness. This state of affairs has created a situation where play experiences are yearned for but difficult to come by. One might argue that a century ago play was also similarly sought after, but hard to come by due to the harsher labour needs of the industrial age. The important difference, however, is that we have more control on the matter since it is our own mental state and habits that are getting in the way of play.

We need play now more than ever. Play is not a frivolous luxury, but an existential need.

Humanity’s ability to remember the past and simulate the future are marked by a preoccupation with death and cursed by the ability to examine our own existence without being able to understand it beyond fleeting flashes of insight that elude a holistic picture or answer.

Happiness is the goal of our existence, and we constantly strive for it, but we fail to have a handle on what it actually is; the moment we catch a corner of its slippery cape, it scuttles out of our grasp. In chasing happiness we paradoxically push it further from our reach, which creates a constant focus on the future, relegating the present to mere preparation.

More frustratingly, we are unable to fathom, let alone put into words, our overall purpose and thus true happiness.

Play offers a resting point from our frenzied wandering; a respite from a way of life anxiously split between dwelling on the past and planning for the future. Play replaces the multitude of shallow online connections with deeper face to face sociality that is made richer by sharing a play-world. Stop and play; you deserve it.

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PEOPLE

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PEOPLE

CREATING JOY Words by Rachel Zammit Cutajar

For most people, a party is an escape, a chance to forget responsibilities and let the music take over for a few hours. For John Refalo, better known as DJ JJoy, parties have always been a way of life. He talks about how music has given him such joy and how this forced break as a result of the coronavirus has given him the opportunity to give back to society.

For anyone in the music business, an affinity with sound starts at a fairly young age. When JJoy was just 13 years old, he joined a heavy metal band and played music at parties for his teenage friends. It was not till he was 16 that he was introduced to his first rave.

“I was completely mesmerised from that very first moment – the lights, the people dressed in costumes dancing like there’s no tomorrow and of course the music. The set was psychedelic trance and the rhythms and melodies touched my soul. It was my first taste of the underground music scene and I was completely hooked from the get-go.”

JJoy quickly understood that this was the branch of music he wanted to go into and started to learn to mix. He was given the opportunity to play at this first gig, a popular rave at the time, called Joy. This is how his stage name was born.

Over the years his style has varied from house to trance and techno, giving him the ability to master any dancefloor. He has played with some of the biggest names in the industry like Tiesto, Solomun, Faithless, Bob Sinclar and others, both locally and overseas.. Music has been an integral part of his life, while he juggles the party scene with running his car rental company, Autorentals Malta, by day.

Music has the power to bring joy to the crowds, and this is what inspires JJoy. The coronavirus has forced him off of the DJ stand for a few months, but this has not taken away his positivity. He wanted to create an alternative way of spreading joy, so he set up a voluntary organisation, Braveharts, where, with a team of 60 volunteers, he delivered food, medicine and books to the elderly on a daily basis.

“We also organised Thank You Tuesdays where we delivered food to people on the frontline. This time has really taught me to appreciate the important things in life – family and the bond we have with our fellow human beings as well as helping people who are in need. June is my birthday month and traditionally, I celebrate for a month.

This year, I decided to donate all my birthday presents to charity and also organised three Live Streams where people were allowed to donate to charity. While I wasn’t earning any money from it, I made sure that everyone listening donated some money to charity.”

Now that restrictions are being lifted, JJoy is looking forward to getting back into his usual swing with parties booked every weekend. “Now that this is nearly over, I’m looking forward to getting back on the road and I’m particularly looking forward to playing at Showers on 29th August.”

jjoyofficial

No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 73

Comino

T R AV E L

Gozo & Comino No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 75

T R AV E L

Gleneagles Bar

MÄ¡arr ix-Xini 76 - EBM MAGAZINE - No 11

T R AV E L

Ramla Bay

Wied il-Għasri 77 - EBM MAGAZINE - No 11

EVERY SUNDAY 7TH JUNE TO 13TH SEPTEMBER WITH DJ

FOOD

Cool recipes for hot summers Words & Photography by Rachel Zammit Cutajar

Travelling to work in different countries in my twenties made me realise something I never did before. Mediterranean people have a food culture that is not easily replicated anywhere else. We take the time to enjoy a meal, cooking is not a chore but a passion, and fresh ingredients trump supermarket brands and ready-made items every time.

After eight years of working in food media, running food magazine Gourmet Today as well as producing a food TV show by the same name, I left the industry but still retained a passion not only for cooking but also for making food look beautiful. After all, you eat first with your eyes. Having learnt to write recipes and take my own photos, putting something together to feed this passion seemed like an obvious next step.

This is where The Maltese Olive was born. A no-frills blog, this is an archive of my recipes hat also features the work of other incredible chefs I worked with over the years and still keep meeting today. The focus is to use the best ingredients found locally in both traditional and innovative ways.

The central focus of this blog is on locally sourced ingredients. Why The Maltese Olive? Though olives are used in many traditional dishes, most varieties are not indigenous to the island, save one.

The Bidni olive is Malta’s all but forgotten olive variety. Though the they are small, with very little meat on them, they pack a punch, are huge on flavour and make the very best olive oil. Like the Bidni olive, this blog will not be the most productive on the internet, but it will give you a go at easy recipes using ingredients easily found on the Maltese Islands.

No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 79

FOOD

SOBA NOODLE SALAD WITH LEMON MISO VINAIGRETTE

INGREDIENTS: ½ small red lettuce, leaves separated Approx. 24 basil leaves 10 cherry tomatoes 2 carrots, thinly sliced, lengthwise ½ cucumber, sliced ½ red chilli, sliced, seeds removed 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted 225g soba noodles LEMON, MISO VINAIGRETTE: 1/3 cup olive oil 1 ½ lemons, juice only 1 tbsp white miso paste 2 tsp sesame oil ½ tsp sugar 1-inch piece ginger, finely grated

80 - EBM MAGAZINE - No 12

Method 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Start by making the vinaigrette by placing all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisking until the mixture emulsifies. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the red lettuce leaves with the basil, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber and chilli.

Boil the noodles in salted water until al dente, approx. 3 mins.

Drain the noodles and place into serving plates.

Top with the veggie mixture.

Drizzle with miso dressing and top with toasted sesame seeds.

FOOD

JAPANESE TEA LEAF SALAD ON STICKY RICE INGREDIENTS: 30gr short grain rice 2 tbsp gyokuro or green tea leaves 1 tsp rice vinegar 1 tsp soy sauce Âź sesame oil Sesame seeds, to garnish

Method 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

oil the short grain rice in salted water.

B Steep the tea leaves in boiling water for 1 – 2 mins.

Drain (reserving the tea to drink) and steep again for 30 seconds and drain again.

Place the tea leaves in a mixing bowl and add the rice vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil and mix well.

Place the tea leaves on top of the rice and garnish with sesame seeds.

No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 81

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FOOD

ORANGE AND YOGHURT CAKE INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ cup sugar ½ tsp salt 1 cup yoghurt 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 oranges, juice and zest ½ cup flavourless oil (I used sunflower; canola is better if you can find it) 200g icing sugar

Method

1.

2.

3.

re-heat the oven to 180°C. P Line a loaf tin with baking paper.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

4. In a separate bowl mix together the yoghurt, eggs, vanilla extract, juice of one orange, zest of both oranges and oil.

5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together.

6. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 50 mins until a skewer placed into the centre comes out dry.

7. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour over the remaining orange juice, leaving a couple of tablespoons for the icing, and allow the cake to cool for in the tin for 5 mins.

8. To make the icing, mix the icing sugar with a few tablespoons of the remaining orange juice and mix into a thick paste.

9. Remove the cake from the tin and place on a wire rack.

10. Pour over the icing and allow to cool completely.

themalteseolive

No 12 - EBM MAGAZINE - 83

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS JUL 01 08 AUG

01 06 SEP

01

12

29

(Art Exhibition) Space C, Spazju Kreattiv, Castille Place, Valletta Free, Until 6th September . Monday 9:00–17:00hrs . Tuesday - Friday 9:00–21:00hrs . Saturday - Sunday 10:00–21:00hrs www.kreattivita.org

19

Slam tilt - the beach volley fest

26

MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2020

27 SEP

IGaming NEXT POWER Hour

(Digital Gathering) Online Free, Every Friday, 4:30–16:30hrs igamingnext.com/power-hour

29 30 SEP

EBM Sundays at SkyBeach

(Event) Intercontinental, St. George's Bay, St.Julian 12th November - 13th September, Every Sunday 12:00–21:00hrs

25

Malta Artisan Markets Summer Evenings at Palazzo Parisio

(Event) Palazzo Parisio, 29 Victory Square, Naxxar, Malta 25th July - 26 July 18:00hrs €15 | €18 www.edencinemas.com.mt

AUG 28

SEP

Agħti Kbir Alla. Isaac Warrington and Alessio Cuschieri

13 S EP

26 JUL

(Event) Café Del Mar, Saint Paul's Bay, Malta 29th August 14:00hrs €40 www.showshappening.com

Art+Feminism at Spazju Kreattiv

(Visual Art) Space A and Space B, Spazju Kreattiv, Castille Place, Valletta Free, Until 8th August . Monday 9:00–17:00hrs . Tuesday - Friday 9:00–21:00hrs . Saturday - Sunday 10:00–21:00hrs www.kreattivita.org

MISS UNIVERSE MALTA 2020 (Event) Hilton Malta, Saint Julian's, Malta 28th August 21:00hrs €20 | €25 | €35 www.showshappening.com

84 - EBM MAGAZINE - No 12

SHOWERS 2020 - Welcome to the jungle

(Festival) Golden Bay Beach, Mellieha, Malta 19th September 10:00hrs €185 | €550 www.showshappening.com

(Airshow) Malta International Airport 26th September - 27th September 14:30hrs www.maltairshow.com

IGaming NEXT2020 - Whats next?!

(Conference) Intercontinental Arena, St. George's Bay, St.Julian 29th September - 30th September 9:00hrs igamingnext.com

OCT 03

Notte Bianca

08

Malta Car Classic 2020

(Festival) Valletta 03rd October 19:00hrs www.festivals.mt

11 OCT

(Festival) Mdina 08th October- 11th October www.maltaclassic.com

17

EBM MASQUERADE 2020 PALAZZO PARISIO Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar, Malta 17th October 19:00hrs €40 www.showshappening.com

123, St. George’s Road, St. Julian’s, Malta

Offices will be finished to the highest standards and equipped with all necessary services and systems creating a modern, cutting-edge office space environment.

Located in the central part of St. Julian’s/Paceville area, this office block sits right opposite Mercury Tower, overlooking planned piazza. This property is located just 2 minutes away from bus stops, 5 minutes away from closest taxi stand and within walking distance from prime renting localities such as Swieqi, Pembroke, Ibragg and Sliema. These offices are within Malta’s prime entertaining/nightlife hub.

Mizzi Estates Limited, Mizzi Organisation Corporate Office, Testaferrata Street, Ta’ Xbiex, XBX 1407, Malta l Tel No: +356 2596 9556 l Email: info@mizziestates.com.mt

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86 - EBM MAGAZINE - No 11

Saturday

29 August 2020 from 2pm th

For more information and tickets, visit www.showers-event.com | ď‚š ď…­ / showersevent VIP table service +356 7995 9561. Duration: 2pm-1AM