Au t u m n 2 0 1 5 Edi t i o n
EDITORIAL
General Information about the Hotel The hotel’s outlets Level 8 Executive Club Lounge The perfect place to discuss business matters, prepare meeting notes or share your special moments with family and friends during your stay. Level 7 Business Centre
Our team at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is committed to making every moment of your stay a memorable one. Whether you are planning an intimate event or a family celebration; a reunion with old friends or a new business connection, we promise intuitive service, unmatched attention to detail, and sophisticated style to create long-lasting memories.
Level 6 Hotel Entrance
We invite you to Live the Grand Life at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. With this hotel as your home you are only two minutes away from Valletta, Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take the opportunity to re-live Malta’s rich history whilst unwinding during a Mediterranean Luxury Escape.
Chartroom Lounge serving Traditional Afternoon Tea daily between 1500 and 1700hrs
Visiting Malta and Valletta will help you to affirm why the City was chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2018. Our prime location allows for easy access to all tourist locations around the Maltese Islands. We highly recommend that you take advantage or our private tours around Malta and Gozo and discover the unique and truly Mediterranean experience in style. Le Grand Spa compliments our luxurious accommodation, with excellent spa and wellness facilities. Its relaxing atmosphere is the perfect starting point for the journey toward equilibrium between your body, mind and spirit. We offer an indoor (heated) and outdoor swimming pool and also have the only private sandy beach in the Capital City Valletta. We wish you a pleasant stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, and look forward to living the Grand Life with you.
Our Reception Desk is manned and at your service round the clock and can be reached by dialling 0 Harbour View Lounge serving a selection of hot and cold beverages, wine, alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails 24 hours, 7 days a week
Level 5 À la Carte menu and Themed Buffet nights served in Admiral’s Landing between 1830 and 2230hrs Level 4 A lavish spread is available for Breakfast in Spice Island, level 4, between 0630 and 1030hrs Level 1 Le Grand Spa is open daily between 0900 and 1900hrs Guest Services: Room service is available 24 hours Check out time is 1200hrs noon Please let us know whether there is anything else you require during your stay. Nothing is impossible and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure your ultimate comfort and wellbeing.
Norbert Grixti General Manager
Grand Hotel Excelsior Great Siege Road, Floriana, FRN1810, Malta Phone Fax
+356 2125 0520 +356 2125 0522
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Grand Hotel Excelsior
Brand Ambassadors The Brand Ambassadors are team members from various operational departments, who are committed to providing an exceptional service standard to our guests. These team members were selected due to their high level of professionalism, positive attitudes, and after having received high levels of praise from our guests. The Brand Ambassadors programme is part of the hotel’s Total Quality Management system, and the selected individuals work in close collaboration with our Guest Relations Agent, passing on comments and feedback received from guests so that they can be followed up accordingly. The aim of this strategy is to provide a personalized experience to our clients and to continue to improve our quality of service. One of the most important aspects of this project is for the Brand Ambassadors to turn potentially negative feedback into positive consideration. The Brand Ambassadors are supported and mentored by members of the Management to ensure that comments received from guests are being acknowledged and that the relevant action has been taken. Guests are encouraged to approach one of our Brand Ambassadors should they have any queries or complaints. They will be sure to go out of their way to provide the necessary assistance and to ensure a pleasant and memorable stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.
the great wall of malta
victoria
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he Victoria Lines, originally known as the North West Front and sometimes unofficially known as the Great Wall of Malta, are a line of fortifications flanked by defensive towers, that span 12 kilometres along the width of Malta, dividing the north of the island from the more heavily populated south. The Victoria Lines run along a natural geographical barrier known as the Great Fault, from Madliena in the east, through the limits of the town of Mosta in the centre of the island, to Binġemma and the limits of Rabat, on the west coast. The complex network of linear fortifications known collectively as the Victoria Lines, that cut across the width of the island north of the old capital of Mdina, was a unique monument of military architecture. When built by the British military in the late 19th Century, the line was designed to present a physical barrier to invading forces landing in the north of Malta, intent on attacking the harbour installations, so vital for the maintenance of the British fleet, as their source of power in the Mediterranean. Although never tested in battle, this system of defences, spanning some 12 km of land and combining different types of fortifications - forts, batteries, entrenchments, stop-walls, infantry lines, searchlight emplacements and howitzer positions - constituted a unique ensemble of varied military elements all brought together to enforce the strategy adopted by the British for the defence of Malta in the latter half of the 19th Century. A singular solution which exploited the defensive advantages of geography and technology as no other work of fortifications does in the Maltese islands. The Victoria Lines owe their origin to a combination of international events and the military realities of the time. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, highlighted the importance of the Maltese Islands. By 1872, the coastal works had progressed considerably, but the question of landward defences remained unsettled. Although the girdle of forts proposed by Colonel Jervois in 1866 would have considerably enhanced the defence of the harbour area, other factors had cropped up that rendered the scheme particularly difficult to implement, particularly the creation of suburbs. Another proposal, put forward by Col. Mann RE, was to take up a position well forward of the original. The chosen position was the ridge of commanding ground north of the old City of Mdina, cutting transversely across the width of the island at a distance varying from 4 to 7 miles from Valletta. There, it was believed, a few detached forts could cut off all the westerly portion of the island containing good bays and facilities for landing. At the same time, the proposed line of forts retained the resources of the greater part of the country and the water on the side of the defenders; whereas the ground required for the building of the fortifications could be had far more cheaply than that in the vicinity of Valletta. Col. Mann estimated that the entire cost of the land and works of the new project would amount to £200,000, much less than would have been required to implement Jervois’ scheme of detached forts.
LINES
This new defensive strategy was one which sought to seal off all the area around the Grand Harbour within an extended box-like perimeter, with the detached forts on the line of the Great Fault forming the north west boundary, the cliffs to the south forming a natural, inaccessible barrier; while the north and east sides were to be defended by a line of coastal forts and batteries. In a way, the use of the Great Fault for defensive purposes was not an altogether original idea, for it had already been put forward by the Order of Saint John in the early decades of the 18th Century, when they realized that they did not have the necessary manpower to defend the whole island. The Order had built a few infantry entrenchments at strategic places along the general line of the fault, namely, the Falca Lines and San Pawl tat-Tarġa, Naxxar. In fact, the use of parts of the natural escarpment for defensive purposes can be traced back even further, as illustrated by Nadur Tower at Bingemma (17th Century), the Torri Falca (16th Century) and the remains of a Bronze Age fortified citadel which possibly occupied the site of Fort Mosta. Consequently, it was considered necessary to build new barracks capable of accommodating a regiment and later a full battalion of infantry, and a new site was chosen to the rear of the Dwerja Lines, at Mtarfa. Although initially designed as a series of detached strong-points, the fortifications along the North West Front were eventually linked together by a continuous infantry line and the whole complex, by then nearing completion, was christened the Victoria Lines in order to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The long stretches of infantry lines linking the various strong-points - consisting in most places of a simple masonry parapet - were completed on 6 November 1899. For a detailed guide to hiking the Victoria Lines visit -
http://www.victorialinesmalta.com
Typical Maltese TRADITIONS
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hristmas is an important time for most Maltese. The majority of locals are Catholics and many attend the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. One of the local Christmas traditions is ‘Priedka tat-Tifel’ meaning preaching of the child. On this special occasion the preaching of sermon is not delivered by a priest. Rather a seven to ten year old child tells the story of the birth of Jesus in Betlehem. Another common activity organized by local churches is a minipageant wereby children dress up as nativity characters such as sheperds, Joseph and Mary carrying a baby doll. This reenactment starts at 11pm and is followed by High Mass at midnight. During Christmas time, churches are embellished with lights and nativity cribs called ‘Presepju’. It’s also a tradition to decorate the cribs with figurines, called ‘pasturi’. Cribs date back to centuries ago when they were first introduced in Malta by rich Italian noblemen. It is believed that the first true Maltese crib was built in 1617 and was displayed in the Domenican Friars Church in Rabat. A crib dating back to 1670 can be found in St. Peter’s Monastery in Mdina. This is treasured and looked after by the Benedictine Nuns. As the popularity of cribs increased, the Maltese made their own style of cribs which started replacing the Italian ones. Moreover, imported Italian ‘pasturi’ were very expensive and many could not afford to buy them. As a result people started making their own “pasturi” of rough clay and plaster. Over time the popularity of cribs decreased and by the 20th Century they were considered old fashioned. To reverse the declining popularity of Christmas, in 1907, a priest called George Preca founded the children’s charity and society called ‘MUSEUM’. In 1921 he started a tradition of Christmas Eve procession during which a life size a life size figurine of the Baby Jesus is carried carried at the head of the procession. In 1921, on Christmas Eve in the streets of Hamrun, locals gathered to partake in the procession. The streets were lit up with different types of lamps, lanterns and Venetian light to light
up the path for the procession. The idea became very popular with people of all ages, and so the very special Maltese traditions started. These processions are still popular today and form part of the Christmas Eve celebrations. Christmas is highly celebrated in Malta and most Maltese households are adorned with the cribs, wreaths, candles and all kind of decorations. It is a also very common practice to place a figurine of the baby Jesus in a crib, settled in grass-like shoots in the window. Apart from these traditional decorations families set up the Christmas trees and other familiar decorations. It is also common to see Santa Claus hanging from the window or balcony. Although English is widely spoken and English carols are very popular, Maltese have their own Christmas song ‘Ninni la Tibkix Izjed’ which translates to Sleep and Cry No More. Similarly to many other countries, presents are delivered by Christmas Father on Christmas Eve and are opened in the early morning of Christmas Day. Christmas is also celebrated at schools with the children working on their performance consisting of Christmas themed plays, mimes, poetry recitals, Christmas Carols and many others. It is also a common practice for class to organize a small party prior to Christmas holidays when everyone brings some homemade food, presents are exchanged and a donation is collected for one of the local charities. In the past, the traditional Christmas meal differed to today’s one consisting of turkey, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies; which is a result of the British influence during their rule in Malta. Traditionally, the Maltese house-wife would keep the largest rooster, ‘Hasi’ for Christmas Lunch, roasted at the local bakery in a casserole full of potatoes and vegetables. The traditional desert served at Christmas was the Treacle Ring, ‘Qaghqa tal-Ghasel’, and to finish it off, a hot Chestnut and Cocoa Soup, ‘Imbuljuta tal-Qastan’, which was and served as a cosy night cap during the cold December days in Malta.
MELLOW DOWN to
desi ca mpbell on fridaYs Start off your weekend on a positive note Unwind with good food and wine whilst listening to sweet sounds Every Friday from 21.00 hrs onwards. Due to limited seating availability, reservations are recommended. Kindly contact our Food and Beverage Department on 21250 520 or send an email on food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt
maharlika t r e at m e n t s Inherited from Philippine ancestors and used for Royal pampering, the Maharlika therapy relaxes body mind and spirit. It assists with relieving physical imbalance, improves blood circulation, eliminates toxins and stimulates the energy flow throughout the body. A Maharlika treatment at Le Grand Spa never fails to leave a lasting impression. If you enjoyed our signature aromatherapy range, please ask our Therapist and purchase a treat to take with you to enhance the aromas of your private retreat at home. With the aid of your therapist and your senses, create a body treatment that is totally personalized and specific to your taste and needs. For more information or should you wish to book one of our spa treatments kindly contact Le Grand Spa on spa@excelsior.com.mt or on extension 2115
1O Grand things
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to do at
Grand Hotel
Excelsior
1)
A Grand private breakfast on your room terrace
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Relaxing by the indoor heated pool
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Healthy lunch at the Admiral’s Landing
4)
Private chauffeur-driven tours around Malta
5)
Afternoon tea at the Chartroom
6)
Spa treatment at Le Grand Spa
7)
Cocktails at the Harbour View
8)
Themed Nights at the Admirals Landing
9)
A là Carte dining at the Admiral’s Landing
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3
10) Family pampering with our Royal Sunday Buffet Lunch
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When on holiday in Malta, take advantage of its small size and visit as many sites as possible. The distance from one place to another is relatively short so your stay can be truly mesmerizing and filled with plenty of different experiences. After all, holidays should be about exploring new and unknown, perhaps even typical for the country visited.
Valletta Enjoy a cup of coffee at Cafe Cordina, Valletta’s oldest cafè Explore Valletta’s grid system of streets Visit St. John’s Cathedral and admire Caravaggio’s ‘Beheading of St. John the Baptist’ Enjoy the view from the Lower Barrakka Gardens Visit the open air market outside Valletta on a Sunday Morning Visit The Saluting Battery Visit the National Museum of Archeology Visit Lascaris War Rooms Admire The Magesterial Palace & Armoury Visit the National Library Visit the Malta War Museum in Fort St Elmo Attend a concert or play at the Manoel Theatre
Mdina, Rabat and Dingli Cliffs Explore Mdina by Night Go to Dingli Cliffs, limits of Rabat, and enjoy the stunning views Visit St. Pauls Catacombs in Rabat Wander around Buskett Gardens close to Rabat See a Norman House by visiting Palazzo Falzon in Mdina Admire the mosaics at The Roman Villa in Rabat Visit the Museum of National History in Mdina Experience the Mdina Dungeons Enjoy the beautiful views from Fontanella tea rooms in Mdina
The Three Cities Explore underground shelters at the Malta War Museum, Vittoriosa Walk around Fort St Angelo Go to the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa Visit the Inquisitor’s Palace
Gozo Book a unique tour of Gozo at our Transport Desk Visit the Azure Window Climb the hill towards Citadella Soak up the sun at Ramla Bay beach Drive to the salt pans in Qbajjar Visit the sacred shrine of Ta’ Pinu Eat by the water’s edge at Xlendi Bay Attend the Gharb carnival in Gozo in February Go back to the past; visit the Ggantija Temples Drive to ‘Ta Kola Windmill n Xaghra Go to a summer party at ‘La Grotta’ nightclub Go to Mgarr Ix-Xini cove Visit the ‘Azure Window’ in Gozo
things to do when in Malta Local Foods & Drinks Try a traditional Maltese rabbit dish ‘fenkata’ in Mgarr Taste the famous Maltese ‘pastizzi’, filled with ricotta or peas Taste ‘bebbux’ (snails) Enjoy a bottle of Maltese wine Try one of the Maltese traditional liquors called ‘Bajtra’ (prickly pear) Another must is to taste freshly bakec Maltese bread Try Maltese sausage, available from village butchers Enjoy Gozo cheeselets During summer months enjoy delicious local fish called ‘lampuki’ Have a pint of Cisk – Malta’s local beer. Refresh yourself with a local soft drink Kinnie Try a packet of Twistees, a local snack Enjoy the delicious ‘mqaret’ the Maltese traditional date filled pastries Savour ‘hobz biz-zejt’, maltese bread with tomato paste and tuna filling
Ideas for Winter Visit Hagar Qim, Malta’s prehistoric freestanding Megalithic temples, situated in Qrendi Practice your photography Go out cycling. Channel your inner artist and try painting and sketching Go karting in Ta’ Qali Try horse riding at least once in your life. Take a trip out to the newly opened National Aquarium in Qawra Dance the night away at one of the nightclubs in Paceville Visit the ‘Kordin 111 Neolithic Temples’ Go to the ‘Malta War Museum’ in Fort St Elmo in Valletta. Visit the Royal Navy Prison Museum in Corradino See the ‘Fat Lady’ at the Tarxien temples. Take time to explore at least one seasonal cultural event
7,000
of
years Civilisation 5000 BC
First settlers arrive in Malta from Sicily
3600-2500 BC
Construction of Megalithic temples
800-480 BC
Phoenician Rule
218 BC
Roman rule begins during Second Punic War
60 AD
St Paul the Apostle shipwrecked off Malta
395-870
Byzantine Rule
870-1090
Arab rule
1194-1530
Norman rule
1194-1530
Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese rule
1530
Islands ceded to Knights of St John
1565 The Great Siege, Ottomans besiege Malta with an overwhelming force but are defeated by a small army of knights and Maltese. 1566
Founding of Valletta, the new capital city, named after Grand Master La Valette, hero of the Great Siege
1798 French army under Napoleon Bonaparte invades the islands on the way to to Egypt Knights of St. John expelled after 268 years in Malta 1800
Maltese revolt against the French who are expelled, heralding the start of British rule
1974
Malta becomes a Republic
2004
Malta becomes a member of the European Union
WHAT’s on NOTTE BIANCA 03/10/2015 18:00 - 23:59 Notte Bianca is once again set to light up the cityscape of Valletta, with a spectacular nocturnal celebration of people, culture and arts. The streets and cultural venues in the Maltese capital will play host to a motley assortment of entertainment. State palaces and museums will open their doors to delight patrons with visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the open-air streets and piazzas will showcase some of the finest local Venue Eden Cinemas Phone: +356 23710400 Email: elg@edenleisure.com http://www.edencinemas.com.mt
IN GUARDIA PARADE 08/11/2015 11:00 - 12:00
ANIMAE GOSPEL CHOIR LIVE IN CONCERT 30/10/2015 - 31/10/2015
The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a reenactment that portrays an authentic event that took place regularly inside Malta’s major fortifications of the Order of St. John. The re-enactment portrays the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment, of the fort’s garrison - some 55 re-enactors in all - are kitted-out in their uniforms to perform their military drill to demonstrate to the Grand Bailiff its state of readiness. The show begins at 11.00 a.m. and lasts 40 minutes.
Entertainment.com.mt presents Animae Gospel Choir Live in Concert 2015, happening on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October, both nights at 8PM, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
Admission tickets Adults : Euros 7 Children (6 – 12 years) Young Adults (up to 18 years) : Euros 3. In case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstance the event may be cancelled without prior notice. When in doubt it is best to contact the Tourist Information Centre at Auberge D’Italie, Merchants Street, Email: info@heritagemalta.org http://www.heritagemalta.org
Following Animae’s last national concerts in 2012, where the audience was treated to some of Malta’s best local talent, these events once again promise to be an unmissable spectacle for all those who love live music. Tickets will be on sale from MCC and online closer to the dates. Venue Mediterranean Conference Centre Phone: +356 25595215 Email: sales@mcc.com.mt Website: http://www.mcc.com.mt
MALTA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE MARATHON 2015 20/11/2015 - 22/11/2015 07:30
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S IN MALTA & GOZO 01/12/2015 - 06/01/2016
The Malta International Challenge Marathon’s first edition was held in 1991 and is still going strong. This Marathon is a unique one for the Maltese islands as it is spread over 3 consecutive days, measuring a distance of exactly 42.195KM. Each day consists of a marathon in different parts of the Maltese islands. Day 1 covers a distance of 11.195KM and starts off in the medieval city of Mdina and runs through the western part of Malta, boasting great panoramic views of Dingli cliffs. Day 2 takes you down south, to Birzebbugia where a marathon of 6KM takes place. The final day consists of a 25KM marathon which starts off in the Northern area of Malta, St Paul’s bay and continues down towards Sliema, finishing in Malta’s capital City, Valletta.
Christmas is a highly celebrated festivity in Malta and Gozo, both for its religious significance a well as in its more social aspect. The season is celebrated to its fullest on the Maltese Islands, with the active participation of many; Nativity scenes, displays of cribs, carol services and other events are organised in each locality.
Contact: Malta International Challenge Maraton Email: bmw@ marathonchallengemalta.com www.marathonchallengemalta. com
Christmas street decorations. For a very special, spiritual evening, join the congregation at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for candlelit carol singing. Other Baroque parish churches across the Islands are just as awe-inspiring during advent. Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches have a calendar of events, ranging from the procession of Mary and Joseph, to streets with groups of children carol singing. Cribs are positively everywhere, from private houses to small chapels. Visiting cribs is a popular activity at Christmastime and many locals spend time going round touring the various ‘presepju’ displays. Some are very artistic and elaborate, with figures moving around mechanically and a degree of detail that comes from hours of meticulous work by dedicated craftsmen. A Christmas highlight, which is popular for children and adults alike, is the annual pantomime held at the Manoel Theatre and at other venues. It’s a happy mix of good slapstick humour for children and satire for adults. Restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs all have their own entertainment, making for an abundant choice of what to do and see.
mdina
Grand Prix 2015
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he Mdina Grand Prix Classic Car Event will take place between the 8th October and 11th October. As late summer beckons the arrival of early autumn, the Mdina street circuit, set in the idyllic countryside beneath the imposing bastions of the Old Capital City, will be host, for the fourth consecutive year to the Mdina Grand Prix, Classic car racing will take place on the 10th and 11th, while a variety of cultural activities will be organized during the days preceding the races. These include guided tours of Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities and also a tour of the sister Island of Gozo.
Thursday 8th October - Hillclimb
A stand alone event that gives the competitors a chance to shake down their vehicles in preparation for the Mdina races over the weekend. Set outside the picturesque village of Mellieha, the competitors will have to tackle the ‘Ta’ Pinellu Hill, a fast 2.5 km stretch that with some ‘interesting’ bends and corners that will test the cars and the drivers’ attributes to the max. This year’s event will be held at night thus adding a new ‘flavour’ to the mix of events.
Friday 9th October “Le Concours d’Elegance.”
The Concours d’Elegance has become the premier such Concours in Malta. This year, the Concours will be staged in the recently renovated gardens outside the imposing walls of Mdina. The organizers will be inviting selected car collectors to bring out some true automotive gems and display them in a setting like no other. Visitors will be able to feast their eyes on rare and fine examples of what could be classified as nothing less than automotive art.
Saturday 10th October & Sunday 11th October
“Gentlemen (and Ladies), start your engines”. The challenging circuit outside Mdina’s fortified walls, awaits. An early start on both days where the demanding 2.2 kilometer street circuit will see the race cars put through their paces on a track with a combination of tight bends, sweeping curves and inclines that wind their way through the valley below Mdina Saturday morning includes two practice sessions to allow the drivers to acclimatize themselves with the circuit. The afternoon sees the cars let loose individually on the track so as to define the starting order for Sunday’s grid. On Sunday the real racing kicks off. The cars are grouped into packs of 8 to 10 and set off around the circuit to provide a thrill for drivers and spectators alike. The unforgiving nature of the circuit will bring out the very best of performance driving by both the drivers and their classic racing automobiles. A spectacle like no other. A chance for classic race car owners to put their cars through their paces at a circuit in a location like no other and a chance for spectators to feast their eyes on some examples of fine classic racing machinery going at speed around this fantastic circuit. The Mdina Grand Prix draws to a close on Sunday evening with the presentation dinner, where the winners are announced and awarded. For more information visit http://www.vallettagrandprix.com
Sunday,
Time to Gather Make it a special moment Sunday Lunch at the Grand Hotel Excelsior offers an abundant choice of international cuisine, delicacies and over 20 different types of desserts. Whether you wish to sit down with your closest ones over a delicious meal or celebrate a special occasion, we can certainly make this experience a memorable one. For more information and bookings, feel free to contact us on 2125 0520 or send an email on food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt.
Our Food and Beverage team will gladly assist you.
ROLEX middle sea race
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metres gathering at the start of the race. Lee Satariano, skipper of team Artie, the J/122 boat which won the 2014 edition of the Race, together with co-skippers Christian and Sebastian Ripard and the crew plan on returning to the race in October. The Royal Malta Yacht Club is expecting another great fleet for the 36th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race next October.
The 608 nautical mile race, is a highly rated offshore classic blessed with unsurpassed scenery, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Yet it is also a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. 2014 was a highly successful year with 122 yachts from 24 nationalities ranging in size from 9.5 to 30.5
The diverse fleet is continuously growing and includes many very competitive boats as well as some large multihulls. The race follows a long but varied course in which smaller boats can compete against the biggest and the best and sometimes even win. The 100 foot (30.5m) hull length limit has been lifted by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Royal Malta Yacht Club for the 2015 editions of the Rolex Fastnet and Rolex Middle Sea Races. This will allow supermaxis to compete in these two races which, together with the Caribbean 600 and the Transatlantic Race, will make up the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series. The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts on Saturday, 17th October 2015. www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
he Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney - Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a “must do” race. Entries are being accepted for 36th edition of the 2015 Rolex Middle Sea Race which is scheduled to start on Saturday 17th October. Entries from Italy, Portugal, France as well as more distant countries such as Australia, Canada have been submitted. Among these is Maxi 72, Robertissima III owned by Roberto Tomasini Grinover who will make a welcome return to the race after missing 2014. Others have indicated their intention to take part.
Image from ViewingMalta
V alletta
8 1 0 2 ed
r a h S be o t e c n e i r e p An E x
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alletta 2018: An Experience to be Shared. Since October 2012, when Valletta was officially declared European Capital of Culture (ECoC), the Valletta 2018 Foundation has been hard at work, constructing an engaging Cultural Programme as part of the run up to the year 2018. However, the work will not stop in Valletta or in 2018. The Valletta 2018 foundation wants this opportunity to be shared by the whole of Malta; an opportunity to forge a basis on which the cultural industry, and all who operate within it, can develop further. They are creating cultural projects which are inclusive of different communities and social groups and which also possess a European and Maltese identity. 3rd October brings with it one of the most highly attended cultural events of the year – Notte Bianca. For one night, hordes travel to Valletta to enjoy the cultural activities such as theatre productions, dance performances and live music. Valletta 2018 has a strong presence within the Notte Bianca festivities through the L-Ikla t-Tajba project. Under the guidance of local chef David Darmanin, a group of teenagers from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, will be serving up a menu of decadent original dishes created from local ingredients. If you’re a foodie who’d like to sample something Maltese with a twist, make sure to stop by - and don’t forget to bring your appetite! The Valletta 2018 Foundation is also collaborating with Teatru Manoel, Malta’s national theatre and one of the oldest functioning theatres in Europe, on ‘Dido and Aeneas’, an opera written by English Baroque composer Henry Purcell. The opera will be performed by Teatru Manoel Youth Opera and the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble and will grace Teatru Manoel’s stage on the 9th and 10th October. The Valletta 2018 Foundation believes in tomorrow’s generation as the students
of today will carry on our cultural legacy beyond 2018, which is why the Foundation collaborates with educational institutions such as the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). Each year, the Foundation works with MCAST Art and Design students on audio-visual 3D shows that are showcased during the Christmas season with a special countdown performance set for the 31st December. The 3D images are projected
onto the façade of the Grandmaster’s Palace at St. George’s Square and are a huge crowd attraction. In fact, following the special countdown, the people crowded in St. George’s Square kick start their year in the city. The foundation is committed to carrying on vision of creating quality cultural events that have both a European and Maltese identity and that will leave a long lasting impression on our islands beyond 2018.