ELIZABETH CASSAR
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MARSASKALA LOCAL COUNCIL EVENTS 2013
MALTA 2014
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Published by The Author
Š E. Cassar 2014
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted to any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the previous permission of the publisher and author.
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CONTENTS
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European Maritime Day
pg 7
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Arts in the open – JUNE 2013
pg 9
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199th Anniversary celebrations, Malta Police Force - 9th July 2013
pg11
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Marsaskala Local Council, HSBC Marsaskala & Divemed Diving Centre -Seabed Cleanup
pg12
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Agrarian Evening in Marsaskala – 10th August 2013
pg13
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Miss Malta in Marsaskala – 12th August 2013
pg14
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60's & 70's Night - Marsaskala Local Council
pg15
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Marsaskala Day- 31st August 2013
pg16
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10th Anniversary of the opening of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta.
pg18
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Iljieli Skalin - 19th October – 20th October 2013
pg19
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Another honour to our locality – Marsaskala , 26th October 2013
pg21
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Exhibition and learning how to do a crib – 30th November 2013
pg22
• Christmas Concert 2013 ~ Marsaskala
pg23
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European Maritime Day
On the 19th, 20th and 21st May, the Marsaskala Local Council participated in the European Maritime Day. For the occasion an anchor monument has been inaugurated. The Anchor was donated to the Council by a resident from Marsaskala. Apart from exhibiting various fishing tools and equipment in connection with the sea, a model of Marsaskala Bay and charts with childrens’ painting were done by the school children. An excellent show was set up by Flyboards Malta were spectators were given different displays with Fly Boards. Many people attended also for a demonstration of a Cyber and a racing competition in which Jet skis were involved.
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After the demonstration medals and mementos were given to the participants. It was a lovely evening where those present really enjoyed themselves.
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ARTS IN THE OPEN – JUNE 2013
After the success in celebrating the Malta Maritime Day in Marsaskala last May, Marsaskala Local council, prepared another event for the Locals and foreigners which we feel was another huge success. The amount of people who attended encourages us more to prepare these events. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th marks an important event in the calendar of Maltese. Maltese Talents were exhibited in Marsaskala Promenade amongst them were artists with their paintings, handmade necklaces, filigree, pottery, handmade cards, beautiful statues carved in wood and others sculptured in Maltese stone. We had also children painting, singing, dancing and even face painting. A Tunisian Village was made up and inaugurated by the Tunisian Minister, Tunisian Ambassadress and the Parliamental Secretary for Agriculture, Hon. Roderick Galdes. The Tunisians’ gave us one of their traditional but stunning shows in dancing whilst playing music. They also had food tasting and other colourful stands with pottery and handmade things amongst others.
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On 30th June, as part from ‘Arts in the open’, a guided tour of four of Marsaskala Chapels and niches was also organised. The guide gave us briefly, useful information about the arrival of the Knights in Malta and other information on the 4 Chapels that we visited, namely, St Anthony of Padua, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Light, Holy Rosary Chapel and St. Cajetan of Thiene Chapel. Other information given were about 2 niches, one of St Thomas and the other of St Spiridione and about the 3 crosses monument which is near the Chapel of Our Lady of the Light.
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199th Anniversary celebrations, Malta Police Force9th July 2013 As part of the celebrations marking the 199th anniversary of the foundation of the Malta Police Force, the precision drill team, the police band and the mounted police took part in an activity in Marsaskala. The band marched along Triq ixXatt, Marsaskala and then presented a musical programme in Pjazza Mifsud Bonnici. Policemen mounted also an exhibition with their dogs.
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Marsaskala Local Council, HSBC Marsaskala & Divemed Diving Centre Seabed Cleanup On Sunday 21st July 2013 an underwater clean-up was organised in collaboration with Divemed Diving Centre and HSBC Marsaskala together with Marsaskala Local Council. Various material were gathered from the seabed by divers and other volunteers’ taking part in the clean-up.
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Agrarian Evening in Marsaskala – 10th August 2013
Marsaskala Local Council together with the Cultural Committee organised and Agrarian Evening on Saturday 10th August in Dun Tarcis Agius Square. Fruit, vegetables, olive oil, Maltese goat’s cheese, honey, wine and hand creams made from herbs were exhibited and sold to the public.
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Miss Malta in Marsaskala – 12th August 2013
On the 12 August, Studio Seven in collaboration with Marsaskala Local Council organised Programme 5 of Miss Malta infront of Marsaskala National Pool. Entertainment and interview to Miss Malta contestants was given to the public who attended the event.
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60's & 70's Night - Marsaskala Local Council
On the 17th August 2013, Marsaskala Local Council presented Mario Morales and Rick O’Shay live on a 60’s and 70’s Night in Dun Tarcis Agius Square.
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Marsaskala Day- 31st August 2013
It was a dull day with bad weather and some rain. Although the pilgrimage with St Anne’s Statue on waters from St Thomas Bay to Marsaskala Bay had to be cancelled the whole programme was done. Instead St Anne’s statue came out of the Parish church with the clergy whilst the bells were ringing until they arrived in procession in Dun Tarcis Agius Square. Thanks giving mass was held on Marsaskala Day with around 700 people together the Mayor, Councillors, the Clergy and other NGO’s. After the Mass appreciations for the day were given.
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After all this the crowd moved to Marina Street were a Gastronomic evening was presented and accompanied by a vocal and Instrumental concert by St Anne’s Band Club. On Sunday morning 1st September, the whole programme closed by the blessing of pets were cats, dogs, birds and others were brought by the owners on the Church Parvis.
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10th Anniversary of the opening of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta. On 9th September the Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta hosted a programme in Dun Tarcis Agius Square, Marsaskala, by his Excellency Mr Cai and his wife in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta. Hundreds of people attended the event amongst them were The President of the China Malta Friendship Society, Mr Reno Calleja, Head of Chinese Cultural Centre in Malta. The programme was full of marvellous dancing and talents in which the audience really appreciated and left mesmerised. This programme will continue to strengthen the friendship with Chinese people and both our Cultures.
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ILJIELI SKALIN 19th October – 20th October 2013 19th October was a wonderful occasion for all Marsaskala residents and others who
visited Marsaskala especially those who visited the huge Tower funded by the Grandmaster Alof De Wignacourt, St Thomas Tower and its surroundings. The Tower was lent to us for the special occasion by ‘Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna’. St Thomas Tower and the surroundings were lit with flares for special effects whilst different events were happening around the Tower. Re-enactors took us to the past while acting some moments from the Knights era. The groups taking part in these events were En Guardia from the Ministry of Tourism, Legio X Fretensis Malta group, Anakron and the Renaissance Guard of Wirt Artna Foundation. Marsa Pageant Group also took part and explained to us the soldiers’ uniforms and different weapons used in the past. Inside the tower, exhibitions were displayed. St Thomas Moore College student’s exhibited models of the St Thomas Tower, Salt pans and other paintings related to our Locality. In the Exhibition one could find also some plates made of salt for the feast of Good Friday. Other exhibitions were also set up by Natura 2000, various Maltese handcrafts and Maltese artists. Old Motor Cars Association displayed also their classic cars adjacent to the Tower. On the other hand on Sunday morning, the Blue Sea Anglers Club organised a fishing event for the programme ‘Gurnata Sports bil-qalb’ where the money collected will be donated to the Community Chest Fund. After the success of the Visit around the Chapels toured by a guide in Marsaskala, another guided tour by the same tour guide took us around Historical Places in Marsaskala where we were given very detailed information on St Thomas Tower, Rihana Battery, Brinconet Redoubt, Mamo Tower and finally but not the least on the Historical Salt Pans.
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All this could materialise thanks to the Authority and Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Secretariat and Marsaskala Local Council for their financial help. Heartfelt thanks goes to the co-ordinator of the Cultural Committee, Mr Alfred Debono and all the Committee together with the Mayor of Marsaskala, Mr Mario Calleja and all the volunteers giving a helping hand for this wonderful event. As always, a special thanks goes to all those who visited, residential and outsiders, as it would not have been another successful event without all of you! Many thanks to all!
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Another honour to our locality – Marsaskala 26th October 2013
Another honour was brought to our locality from the beautiful and very sympathetic young girl, Nataya Curmi, from our locality who participated in the Miss Junior Malta competition in Le Meridien St Julians. Nataya was chosen for the best costume and she came second from her category. The competition was divided in different categories. Other models were chosen as well for the Year 2014 Calendar where one of them was the brother of Nataya, Kieran Curmi. One should encourage the children to participate in these activities as these will lead them to an independent life and helps them find their way in society. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.� – Lao Tze
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Exhibition and learning how to do a crib – 30th November 2013
A Crib exhibition was held in St.Anne’s Hall Marsaskala. We had so many cribs made from different materials. These cribs were created from the most unimaginable recycled things we use daily such as plastic bottle tops, recycled paper, knitting, boxes etc. etc.. We had many cribs made by the primary school children and others from adults. All these cribs brought us to the cave where Baby Jesus was born. The weather didn’t permit much as it was really stormy but the persons who attended could see how a crib can be created from the NGO ‘Ghaqda hbieb tal-Presepju’ who started this group about 28 years ago. During the exhibition, certificates were given to the children who participated.
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Christmas Concert 2013 ~ Marsaskala On Friday 20th December 2013 we had the Christmas Concert in Marsaskala Parish Church. It was in collaboration with the Cultural Committee within Marsaskala Lokal Council led by the co-ordinator Mr Alfred Debono together with the Mayor Mario Calleja and in collaboration also with the Chaplain and clergy. The concert consisted of Christmas Carols from Choir 'Ulied Santﾃ］na', Solists Joanna Magri & Henk Wolswijk accompanied from Laverene Callejja Pace, Romina Vella & Naomi Busuttil, the Boarding School "Malta Crown", Nolasco Ccapa with the Pan pipes and flute, Joseph and Mariosa Pavia, Helen Andrews, Isabelle Caruana, Trevor Zahara and last but not least St Anna's Choir. The Chinese ambassador and his wife were also present. It was a full programme with wonderful Christmas singing and music together with the beautiful poems done by the well-known writer in Malta, Trevor Zahara. The concert aim was Funds in Aid of Peru 2014. I really wish to thank everyone participating in this concert and everyone who attended. Another successful programme in our locality!
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