Sunday Circle Issue 232 by JessDoodles

www.sundaycircle.com

alfred sant The former Prime Minister takes on Europe page 29

APRIL 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ISSUE NO. 232

The Fine (ArT oF) PrinT Rediscovering the joys of oldfashioned printing page 79

Good Me, Bad Me Living with Multiple Personality Disorder page 49

Jonathan Shaw The European Parliament candidate on can-do politics, championing youth, and inspiring people to think differently page 14

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. contents . INTERVIEWs

14 everybody’s business

For European Parliament candidate Jonathan Shaw, the upcoming campaign is first of all an opportunity to inspire people to think differently, he tells Philip Leone-Ganado

29 the eurorealist

10 years ago, former Prime Minister Alfred Sant was the staunchest opponent of EU membership. Now he’s hoping to represent Malta in the European Parliament. He tells Philip Leone-Ganado why that’s no contradiction

musIc

20 lady in red

Ruth Abela (a.k.a. TroffaĦamra) is the Maltese voice on the streets of Barcelona. David Schembri finds out more about the girl behind the (red) fringe

socIETy

57 marshall’s plan

In speaking to MCCA chairman Albert Marshall and his wife Jane, David Schembri discovers a man on a mission – and it’s personal

65 maltese as a foreign language Precious few people learn Maltese as a foreign language. David Schembri speaks to those who, for some reason or another, are doing so

sPoRTs

73 Queen of the court

Ivan Borg meets Steffi De Martino, who before the age of 21 has already established herself as a mainstay of the Malta women’s basketball national team

HERITAGE

39 the pub landlord

43 crimes of deception

100 years after first opening its doors, City of London bar remains as popular as ever. Philip Leone-Ganado meets the landlord – and grandson of the original owner – Julian Borg

49 good me, bad me

Brought up on a diet of digital, David Schembri gets to grips with the nuts and bolts of traditional printing

How do fraudsters thrive, and how can you protect yourself from scams and cons? AnnaMaria Zammit meets police officers of the Economic Crimes Unit to find out

The life of young mother Emma Borg was rent apart by dissociative identity disorder. Now on the mend, she tells David Schembri how she’s been putting it back together

culTuRE

34 state of the booK

The local publishing industry has improved but there’s still a need for more intelligent books, and books that break boundaries, Veronica Stivala finds out

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Make your special day even more special with Sunday Circle’s 8-page Wedding Guide. see page 89

W eddRYings DIRECTO

GOODIE BAG WINNER:

79 the fine (art of) print HEAlTH

69 tooth mobility

Dr Jean Paul Demajo on tackling the problem of increased tooth mobility

REGulARs

7 a word from the editor | 8 c body 10 c fashion | 12 c style

The winner of our February Goodie Bag competition is Stephania Cuschieri, who wins a range of prizes including a Coccinelle handbag. Ms Cuschieri is pictured here with Nick Formosa from Network Publications

Send your letterS to: Philip Leone-Ganado, the editor, Sunday Circle, Network Publications Ltd, Level 2, Angelica Court, Guzeppi Cali Street, Ta’ Xbiex, XBX 1425, or email: philip@networkpublications.com.mt. The editor reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and where space is limited. For advertising enquiries email: renee@networkpublications. com.mt or call: 2131 6326/7/8. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole, or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed in the Sunday Circle are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor and publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or illustrations. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome, but cannot be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The editor is not responsible for material submitted for consideration. The Sunday Circle is printed by Progress Press and distributed free with The Sunday Times every month.

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A word from

the editor We always strive for an element of

timeliness in the topics we choose to cover in the pages of this magazine. Occasionally, that timeliness is fortuitous. One of our stories this month talks of living with dissociative identity disorder, and though I didn’t know it when I commissioned it, I now feel that a story identifying the human face behind the vague and clinical language of mental illness is more timely than ever. Because if the last few weeks have shown us anything, it’s that our society is still pretty clueless when it comes to dealing with mental illness. Take the way the suicide of a fifteen-year old has been turned into a media circus: there are clear guidelines on reporting suicide, aimed at protecting the vulnerable, and neither public speculation, nor Google Map directions to the place of death (and a detailed account of the chosen methods) fall anywhere within those guidelines. Or the case of the socalled Mosta Cat Killer: if an individual suffers from mental illness, and if we can accept that mental illness is an illness like any other (albeit one

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where the symptoms manifest themselves in terms of behaviour) then the repeated public broadcasting of his name and face starts to seem quite sinister. People get their information about mental illness from the media. Whether it’s an unfair depiction or a throwaway remark, what people say colours their perspective. The stigmatisation of mental illness is a serious problem: according to one study, workers would rather say they had been imprisoned for a crime than admit that they had been hospitalised for mental illness. More than one in four people in Malta will suffer from mental health disorders at some point in their lives. There is a pressing need to counteract the negativity and ignorance that surrounds it with honest, lifeaffirming portrayals. Some of this, and more, inside. Thanks for reading.

THIS MONTH

PUBLISHER

ON THE COVER

John Formosa Network Publications Ltd

PUBLICATION & SALES MANAGER Renée Micallef Decesare

EDITORIAL www.sundaycircle.com

ALFRED SANT The former Prime Minister takes on Europe page 29

APRIL 2014 – ISSUE NO. 232

THE FINE (ART OF) PRINT Rediscovering the joys of oldfashioned printing

page 79

GOOD ME, BAD ME Living with Multiple Personality Disorder page 49

Philip Leone-Ganado EDITOR

David Schembri DEPUTY EDITOR

Veronica Stivala Ivan Borg AnnaMaria Zammit CONTRIBUTORS

Jonathan Shaw The European Parliament candidate on can-do politics, championing youth, and inspiring people to think differently page 14

ART & DESIGN Sarah Scicluna Jessica Camilleri GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

COVER PERSONALITY Jonathan Shaw

SALES & MARKETING

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Sunday Circle | April 2014

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Sunday Circle | April 2014

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Sunday Circle | April 2014

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cover story

EVERYBODY’S

BUSINESS For EuropEan parliamEnt candidatE Jonathan Shaw, thE upcoming campaign iS FirSt oF all an opportunity to inSpirE pEoplE to think diFFErEntly. philip lEonE-ganado SitS down with him and diScovErS an inFEctiouS EnErgy and EnthuSiaSm to gEt thingS donE Photography Kris Micallef

Furniture courtesy of OnePercent

There’s a moment, midway through my interview with Jonathan Shaw, where he suddenly turns the tables on me. We’re talking about business, and he’s explaining that no matter your role within a company, there’s always space to be entrepreneurial. “For example, as an editor,” he offers, “there are plenty of things you can do to generate more sales, even if it’s not within your remit. That’s what employers need today.” I think he judges from my expression that I’m not used to being given advice during interviews, because he breaks off suddenly. “It’s your fault,” he laughs. “You’re the one who got me talking about business.” It is a moment that quite neatly sums him up. An MEP candidate on the Nationalist Party ticket, Jonathan approaches politics with the same attitude that has served him so well in business. “Business is the efficient management of resources,” he says. “Politics is like that nowadays. You need to be efficient, you need to inspire

Sunday Circle | April 2014

and empower, make the best of what you have, and communicate.” So he shies away from speaking only on the broad policy-overview level so favoured of politicians, preferring to consistently offer practical examples and tangible tips that he believes people can make use of. At 41, he is still quite young for a politician, and brings to the table a certain energy and fresh-faced enthusiasm that he hopes to translate into a hands-on, innovative, and networked approach to the role of an MEP. He also enters the political field as a total newcomer, albeit having achieved considerable success in the business sector, where he is currently partner in a leading retail company. In the past, he has produced television programmes and the popular annual Teatru Unplugged concerts at the Manoel Theatre, as well as founding his own business consultancy and working overseas for big companies in Sydney and New York.

cover story

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 15

“There’s a segment of the population that wants a new style of politics,” says Jonathan. “They want people who are ready to take a stand, making decisions not based on how many votes you’re going to win or lose.” He calls for a new approach, one that comes down to respecting the electorate’s intelligence, stimulating people to think rather than giving them answers, and understanding people’s perceptions. “Coming to the political field now, I’m not tainted by established systems and ways of seeing things. I take a common sense approach.”

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In fact, Jonathan has launched his MEP campaign with the express intention of leaving an impact regardless of the final result. “I think candidates have a responsibility to add value to the campaign,” he says. “A campaign shouldn’t just be about getting exposure for yourself, shaking hands and getting likes. The way we speak and the way we give exposure to good initiatives has to inspire people. Your integrity goes beyond getting elected or not. I’m staying true to who I am, I’m taking a stand, and I’m pushing for a mature style of politics.”

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Particularly important to him is the idea of inspiring youth, championing a generation that he feels is often taken for granted. The issue resonates particularly strongly because of Jonathan’s own career path: in his university days, he started an events promotion company with two friends, and he believes it was this hands-on experience, at such a tender age, of marketing, managing, and negotiating, that made him what he is today. “We don’t need to create jobs for the young,” he says. “We need to create opportunities, and then they’ll create their own jobs, they’ll create their own successes. I want to be a catalyst to facilitate it.” Jonathan points to family businesses, a key part of the Maltese economic make-up, as a perfect example of an area where the young should be encouraged and given the space to add value. “How many stories have we heard of parents whose children don’t want to work with them, or aren’t ready when the time comes? My appeal is: give your children the space to work. Give guidance, but don’t micromanage. That’s how to prepare them for the future.” For their part, he says, young people need to stand up and demand attention. “Youths are often taken for granted because they’re not a big political force. If you want change, be part of it. Go out there, vote, and vote for people who want to be part of it with you. Youths need to create a revolution and show that they have a voice.” I ask Jonathan what he would make a priority were the electorate to grant him five years in Brussels. “I want to achieve a constant bridge of communication between

000 Sunday Circle | April 2014

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Europe and Malta,” he explains. “The biggest benefit of EU membership is a sense of belonging, but it’s also the biggest challenge, to make people feel the tangible benefits of EU membership. I want to get rid of this us and them mentality. We are Europe. “I’m passionate about Europe. I’m passionate about this project: Malta, a success story in Europe. But we have to work hard at it. It’s a populist approach to claim every success on a local level, and blame every problem on Europe.” The key, he believes, is focusing on the cultural mindset. Economy and growth figures are important, but they do not fire people’s imaginations. “When we think of EU membership we think of EU funds and freedom of movement, but it affects our life in a more day-today way. The challenge is to communicate this and get people inspired and get them to understand. The European Union is everybody’s business.”

cover story

The environment – which, combined with animal rights, is another issue he feels very strongly about – is one area in which Jonathan suggests the practical effects of EU membership can be felt and communicated. “It’s no coincidence that we’ve had amazing sea these past few years,” he says. “It’s the way the EU adopted benchmarks and directives on water quality. In this way, everyone contributes, and everyone benefits.” He is keen to encourage a form of futuristic thinking on issues that affect a broad spectrum of society. Taking the example of public transport, he suggests that we need to look beyond the immediate cost and consider the social and environmental costs. “An inefficient infrastructure costs millions in lost productivity every week. If the country invests that amount of money in something futuristic, we’ll get it back very fast. We need to think big. We need the solutions of 20 years in the future, not ten years in the past. It may be radical, but by working well within a European framework, we can access the resources we need to make it happen.” There are no half-measures with Jonathan. It may be 20 years since he took his initial, tentative steps into the business world. And it is evident that a similar energy and attitude to make things happen drives him now.

This feature, including the cover, is a paid advertorial.

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 17

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LADY IN RED

Ruth AbelA, A.k.A. tRoffAĦAmRA, is the mAltese voice on the stReets of bARcelonA. As she ReleAses heR fiRst full-length Album, she tells DAviD schembRi About meRging mAltese AnD spAnish influences, blenDing physiotheRApy with music – AnD the folly of moving to spAin DuRing A Recession 20

Sunday Circle | April 2014

ed and green are, after all, complementary colours, and proof of this is the way Ruth Abela’s green walls in her Barcelona apartment complement her red hair – the inspiration behind her stage name, TroffaĦamra, a nickname she got from back home. “Colour is very important in my life,” a smiling Ruth says. “This room is green, but there are red walls in another room, and a red sofa somewhere, then my curtains are multi-coloured, too,” she says.

Her polychromatic Catalan apartment is an intrinsic part of the TroffaĦamra story, but the roots stretch back to Ruth’s Żabbar childhood. The daughter of a drummer, Ruth started learning guitar at five years old, when her uncle brought in a pastardin (the smallest of the Maltese għana guitars) and started teaching her the instrument – which she mastered at

Y D

MUSIC

an early age before, inexplicably, she switched to the piano because she thought it was “cooler” when she was a teenager. “I used to protest that my parents had forced me to learn the guitar and that only old people played it,” Ruth laughs.

went through a rough patch in her life. “I’d done the Camino de Santiago, and that had inspired me. So I decided to come to Spain and spend some time travelling around the country, meet musicians and play.”

In the time she stopped lessons, teenage Ruth took up the piano (which her brother had been learning), and started playing clarinet with the Banda San Mikiel of Żabbar. “Picking up another instrument is easier once you’ve learnt how to play music. The classical guitar is hard, because there are a lot of notes at once that you have to play, not like the saxophone and the clarinet where all you have is a melody line,” she says. (She tried picking up the oboe, too, but quickly put it down when she realised how much practice was involved.)

She moved to Barcelona for a physiotherapy placement, felt at home, and decided to stay there. During the two months of her placement, Ruth was working alongside a physiotherapist who was also a musician as well as a music therapist, and it was there that she discovered neurologic music therapy, which uses music – particularly rhythm – to train movement.

In fact, Maltese audiences know Ruth first as a woodwind player with the funk jazz outfit Zizza Ensemble (Zizza being her brother Mark’s nickname) and with Brikkuni, with her jazzy woodwind licks punctuating the band’s first album, Kuntrabanda.

Rhythm synchronises with the part of the brain that controls movement, and it was found that rhythm can help people regain their neurological functions, such as control over their limbs, stabilise movement and other functions. “You can also use music to improve cognitive functions, attention, concentration, memory – it’s a vast field. Music is also used to help people who lost their speech after a stroke to regain speech. It’s really impressive.”

But she never let the guitar go: “The guitar is the instrument you pick up when you want to write a song or take to a barbecue, it’s a social instrument,” she says. It was also the instrument she took with her to Spain in 2010, when she decided to pack her bags and leave Malta for a challenge and a change as she

Ruth decided to marry her profession with her passion and enrolled into a Master’s course in music therapy in Barcelona itself – which also gave her an excuse to live in the city and have study leave from her job back in Malta, which would have given her something to fall back on had she decided to return. April 2014 | Sunday Circle 21

MUSIC

“They’re my two favourite things: music, and the fact that I’m a therapist working with patients. I love my job: it requires a certain dedication, and I feel I have something that can help patients, and feel it’s my duty to help them.” Moving to Spain in 2010 was hardly the wisest economic choice a person could make, especially as Ruth could not work in Spain as a physiotherapist for a year. “I’m happy I came here, but if I used my head I wouldn’t have come here in the midst of an economic crisis,” she says. Ruth turned to her musical talents to provide her with some cash, and she took up busking to start making ends meet. “I was thinking of busking with the saxophone, but I didn’t want to play to a backing track so instead I decided to sing and play guitar,” Ruth says. “I didn’t sing in public before, so it was a real challenge to get started. Then I realised that the thing I loved most doing was singing, even though I don’t have a phenomenal voice. “And I started to sing my own songs, songs I had written over the years but I had never used. And as I started to sing my songs in the Metro, I started believing in them more, people would ask me whose songs they were and how could they find them online, and I was like ‘Wow! That’s my song!’” “I had long wanted to do something with these songs, because I liked them, but I never wanted to give my songs to someone else, because they’re personal and I can’t see anyone else singing them. But since no one knew me here I just went for it,” Ruth says. Back in the music therapy classroom, Ruth met Maria, a conservatory-trained tuba player from Barcelona who introduced her to Eloi, a trumpeter. In the meantime, Ruth met Rafa, an electric guitarist, who then added Feliu to the fray. “We started playing, enjoyed it, and we decided to go on,” Ruth says, and TroffaĦamra y Los Mechones was born. “Mechones”, in case you’re wondering, means “tufts” in Spanish, essentially translating the band’s name into “Red Tuft and the Tufts”. Barcelona is divided into quarters called barrios, and the band’s first gig was at a fiesta del barrio in Maria’s barrio, Barrio la Sangrera. “That was the greatest day of my life up to that point,” Ruth says. “Many people, including a lot of our friends, came and we decided to keep on going.” Last year, the band recorded an EP of six songs which had been ready until that point, and after receiving funding from the Malta Arts Fund, Todo es más bonito, TroffaĦamra y los Mechones’s first album was recorded and mixed over the first two months of 2014. 22

Sunday Circle | April 2014

People would ask me whose songs they were... and I was like ‘Wow! That’s my song!’

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A lot of people think I’m Italian here because of the melody in our intonation Because of the close link she feels to the songs, she arranged the music and produced the album herself, with the help of a recording engineer, and wanted the album to be as close to the group’s live performance as much as possible. The album starts off with the unmistakable sound of a band march, then segueing into the song itself – more than a clear nod to Ruth’s Maltese heritage (she wrote two band marches in her time in Banda San Mikiel) – but she didn’t set out to mimic a village band. “The songs in the album are all songs I’ve written since deciding to come to Barcelona and reflect this period of my life. I don’t write all that many songs, in fact, I write songs when I’m going through strong emotions – I write them because I need to.” Her style in this album is different from her previous effort, and is influenced by the diverse music she is exposed to in Barcelona. The Spanish language learning tapes and Almodóvar films she watched before she left to Catalonia seem to have paid off, as apart from English and Maltese, Ruth also sings and writes songs in Spanish, and sings a song in Catalan, which was the language of instruction for her Master’s course. TroffaĦamra’s music, with all the different languages and influences, is ultimately a reflection of who Ruth is, and unapologetically so. When singing in English, she doesn’t affect a British accent. “I feel much freer to express myself in singing here than in Malta. A lot of people think I’m Italian here because of the melody in our intonation. I don’t write songs so I can sing, I sing so I can express the songs I’ve written. And I don’t have to worry about people judging me for my English diction – because their English here is much worse. I think we’re obsessed with trying to sound English when we’re not – why should we, if we’re Maltese?” TroffaĦamra y los Mechones are launching Todo es más bonito in a performance at the Rock the South Festival at Zion Reggae Bar, Marsascala, on April 12th. The album is available to buy or stream at www.troffahamraylosmechones.bandcamp.com Check out an exclusive performance for Sunday Circle on sundaycircle.com

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 000

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POLITICS

the euroreluctant 10 years ago, former Prime minister alfred sant was the staunchest oPPonent of eu membershiP. now heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hoPing to rePresent malta in the euroPean Parliament. he tells PhiliP leone-ganado why thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no contradiction Photography Steve Muliett

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 29

POLITICS

o much has been said and written about Alfred Sant that it’s difficult to know where to start. But when I catch up with him at his homeoffice in Birkirkara, he still has at least one surprise in store. As I venture out into a small, well-kept garden, I catch sight of a large Indo-Chinese peafowl wandering about. “I’d be careful, he doesn’t like strangers,” Sant warns me when I venture to take a closer look. Any suspicion I may have had that he is overstating matters is quickly dispelled when we sit down for our interview… and the bird takes up position just beyond the window, from where it intermittently breaks into a cacophony of aggressive squawks. The former Prime Minister cuts a more relaxed figure. Since stepping out of the limelight in 2008, Sant has remained au fait with ongoing political affairs (he was of course still a Member of Parliament until last year) but there’s been a bit more time to pursue other interests. He has, for example, developed some literary projects that had 30

Sunday Circle | April 2014

been in the pipeline for some time, and appeared (as himself ) in the art film Sant Sant. While he was it, he also set himself the task of learning Latin, though he admits his “only” achievement in the language so far is having completed Caesar’s Bello Gallico. Sant’s intellectual leanings have always been a large part of his persona. Seated amidst floorto-ceiling bookshelves, I point out that the mix of titles strikes me as quite different to what we’ve come to expect from a politician’s bookcase. “But this is the literature section,” he says quickly, getting up to walk me through the collection. “You’ve got Russian literature, American literature, Italian, Central European…” Then he points through to other rooms. “In there you’ve got sociology and archaeology; there I’ve got thrillers, short stories; at home, I’ve got my English lit, French lit, history, economics, religion...” Has being so well-read helped him in politics? “It’s part of my make-up,” he shrugs. “Has it helped me that I can drive?”

Currently, he’s working his way through a book on Palestinian archaeology, the memoirs of an 18th century French galley slave, and the work of Chilean author Roberto Bolaño. “But frankly, I’m a bit stalled,” he frowns. “The campaign is very time intensive: I can’t even finish the newspapers right now.” The campaign in question, of course, is May’s European Parliament elections – where, if the polls are to be believed, he is a clearcut favourite for election. So why the return to politics? “Joseph Muscat had actually suggested that I present myself for the 2009 MEP elections,” says Sant. “But at the time, I was just emerging from cancer. I was also still in the national parliament: I didn’t like the idea of giving up that mandate. For a long time, I kept myself in the background so as not to interfere with the new team in town, and now that’s not a problem anymore.” Although Sant has his fair share of European experience (his very first work assignment, in fact, was the Maltese mission in

politics

We are a continent of nations. We can only identify as European because we're first Maltese

Brussels in the 70s), the thought of him taking up a post in the European Parliament is still, on the face of it, a strange one. After all, one of the defining moments of his political legacy is his vociferous opposition to EU membership just over a decade ago. And today, he says the jury is still out. “Many of the claims that were made have not been realized,” he says. “Claims that investment was going to increase: in relative terms, it’s decreased. Claims that there would be strong modernization: it happened, but it would have happened anyway.” He is ready to admit that there have been benefits, but argues that those benefits have not been distributed fairly. “There are two strata of the population. One has done very well – I’d imagine it to be in the region of 30 per cent – while the rest have either stayed stationary or gone backwards.” But Sant insists that there is no hypocrisy or illogicality involved in his decision to seek a position within the EU. “My opposition to Europe was based on our conclusions at the time about the implications of membership: the advantages and the disadvantages. And we had said that once the people decide in 32

Sunday Circle | April 2014

a general election, which they did, we will move forward. Now Malta is inside the EU. So now it’s a politician’s duty to make sure that Malta’s position is continually improved.” His biggest concern is that Europe is moving consistently towards a federal structure – camouflaged in control over government budgets, financial management, tax structures, and the possibility of central taxation – which he believes would be disastrous for Malta. “You can’t have Malta in symmetry with France or Germany. We’re already marginalized in certain areas, and that will continue to happen. Being small gives us a certain flexibility, but once you start applying one-size-fits-all policies on a continental basis, you lose that flexibility, and you lose the advantage of being small. You end up with the disadvantages of being small, and the disadvantages of being part of this large structure.” Despite overtly calling for “less Europe”, Sant does not consider himself a Eurosceptic in terms of ideology. “Eurosceptics are those who believe the European construct is fundamentally a bad thing. I believe it is a good thing as long as it is done in line

with European characteristics: a Europe of nations.” This, he explains, means looking at the European forum primarily as a forum for national aspirations. “We’re not like the US, where you had a melting pot where everyone went in and came out as a homogenized structure; or like China, where its unity is structured in terms of long centuries of assimilation. We are a continent of nations. We can only identify as European because we’re first Maltese.” The term he favours is Eurorealism: “We joined Europe in terms of the glorification, and that hasn’t come true, and I think a lot of people are disillusioned. I favour saying realistically what’s going on, the good and the bad.” Which is what he is hoping to achieve with his campaign. Spending days going door-todoor, campaigning in his own name, must feel strange for a man more used to leading an entire party campaign – but Sant is happy to get back to basics. “You introduce yourself, you find out what they want to say. You are what you are. You knock on the door. If they open up and they recognise you, that’s great. If not, not.”

MILLA JOVOVICH MARELLA.COM

Reading between the lines

BOOKS

t is safe to say that as recently as 10 years ago the state of the local book was dire. As erudite retail assistant at Books Plus Kris Green notes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only books produced seemed to be large, expensive coffee table books with a small print run.â&#x20AC;? As for fiction, the supply was not enticing. We do not like to admit it, but we do judge a book by its cover, and it was close to impossible to find a novel or book of short stories that looked appealing. Who wants to read a book where even the quality of the printing leaves much to be desired? 34

Sunday Circle | April 2014

Fast forward to today and the book scene is different. There is considerably more choice, more colourful and beautifully designed books and far more variety in terms of content, and quality. Admitting his bias, author Teodor Reljic comments how Merlin Publishers (who have just published his first book, Two) have unquestionably been game-changers in the field of local book publishing over the past few years. He is right, however, as the publishers were the first to not only up the quality of the book in Malta but they also were pioneers in introducing an element of fun and interactivity to books.

BOOKS

The local publishing indusTry has improved buT There is sTill a need for more inTelligenT books, and books ThaT break boundaries. and when will we be brave enough To wriTe an eroTic novel? veronica sTivala finds ouT

Some will remember the launch of Simon Bartolo and Loranne Vella’s Fiddien magic realism trilogy, launched in 2007, which marked the start of this revolution. Book launches for the three books included characters from the book coming to life, a mystery ride in a school van and even a cake with the book cover printed on it. Of course a fancy cake and some made-up actors would mean nothing if the books were rubbish. “Content being king, [Merlin] have managed to secure key contemporary literary voices with

something to say, such as Ġuzé Stagno, Clare Azzopardi, Alex Vella Gera and Pierre J. Mejlak,” comments Reljic. Immanuel Mifsud is also an author worth singling out for attention. Reljic notes how his work has been consistent in quality, and the fact that he has managed to get translated and gain accolades in Europe is a definite plus. “His pro-active approach towards his work – organizing regular readings at unique, off-thebeaten-track venues – is also admirable, and perhaps something other authors might want to make a note of.” April 2014 | Sunday Circle 35

BOOKS

Malta has probably never had the wide-ranging selection of top-notch authors we have today. Chris Gruppetta, publishing director at Merlin Publishers, acknowledges that this is not to say there weren’t great authors – and many of them at that – in the past, “but perhaps for the first time contemporary authors are branching out into many different genres, including some that for too long were underrepresented…We also have a generation of very well-travelled authors, including many who have lived or are living abroad, giving a dose of cosmopolitanism to their writing that comes from their realities”. Speaking of cosmopolitan, a due nod must go to cultural organisation Inizjamed, who, among other things, organise an annual Mediterranean Literature Festival which has been both a consistent success and unique in establishing relevant links between the Maltese literary scene and other neighbouring regions – and which includes both African and European countries. “This is important,” says Reljic who believes “culturally, Malta still tends to retain a knee-jerk sense post-colonialist attitude towards the English-speaking world”. So what is being produced locally? In terms of genres Gruppetta observes how the traditional “Maltese novel” (if there is such a moniker) tended to be introspective, examining aspects of the Maltese reality and never too far from the influences of the powerful triad of politics, family and religion. Things have changed, he notes and “over the past decade or so, we have had very welcome incursions into many other genres, including ‘European’ fiction (including its sub-genre ‘Brussels’ fiction), science fiction, fantasy, dystopian fiction, detective novels – even the latter, amazingly enough given its popularity, was never a genre in Maltese fiction until Mark Camilleri came along – and others. “One genre that hasn’t yet taken off big time in Malta is the erotic romance genre, possibly due to cultural hangups or simply due to lack of manuscripts.” The demand for this genre is definitely there, as Green notes about the many copies of Sliema Wives, possibly Malta’s first homegrown erotic or pseudo-erotic novel, sold last Christmas.

“Some authorS have been trying out exciting new writing StyleS and they deServe the expoSure and readerShip that i hope they will get”

Sunday Circle | April 2014

A word must also be said about bookshops. Professor of History and Director of the Institute of Maltese Studies Henry Frendo notes how although publishing quality has improved, the quality of bookshops has gone down the drain and public libraries still leave very much to be desired. He wholeheartedly endorses National Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri’s appeal to revive the bookshop. “In Boston I was impressed by how you could browse in a bookshop at will at night and even have a coffee there. Obviously one cannot expect a Blackwells or a Heffers here but, given the required nous, nothing stops a bookshop from putting up a blow-up of a well-known author when a new book comes out.” So what does the future of books in Malta look like? Gruppetta says he hopes to see even more experimentation with genres and – more importantly in terms of literary development – with writing styles. “Some authors have been trying out exciting new writing styles and they deserve the exposure and readership that I hope they will get,” says Gruppetta. What would we like to see more of? Green would love to see more of a literary culture in Malta as well as more diversity in the local market, more genre fiction in general, and more in English. “Maltese fiction in English tends to be literary, and a bit pretentious. It would be nice to see something a bit different,” he notes. He also sees a lot of younger people looking for fiction in Maltese. “They’ve read all the [Gino] Lombardis and [Anton] Grassos and they’re eager for something like it that speaks to them in their own language,” he comments. Speaking about children’s literature, author Clare Azzopardi would like to see more ‘arty’ and intelligent picture books in the local market. “Somehow,” she notes, “they haven’t caught on here, for various reasons. It could be that the parents still look for the conservative type of book with a moral lesson; or else it could be that the market is too small and no publisher would risk a ‘different’, ‘irreverent’ story with eccentric illustrations. But it could also be that we, as parents and as educators, lack the knowledge of how a picture book works, what it gives to the child, and how powerful its effect could be on the child’s intellect.” The unifying message here seems to be a plea for more books that take risks, that are intelligent and ‘arty’. As Reljic notes, “my real wish is for [Merlin and Inizjamed] to have bona fide competition. My wish is for a real ‘third way’, an alternative to take root. Something that is perhaps more on the ‘art-for-art’s sake’ side of the spectrum and that takes brash formal risks while never losing sight of a sense of fun and adventure.”

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SOCIETY

The Pub Landlord

100 years after fIrst openIng Its doors, CIty of London bar remaIns as popuLar as ever. phILIp Leone-ganado meets the man standIng behInd the bar – just LIke hIs father and hIs father before hIm Photography Jacob Sammut

Perched above the water’s edge, with a view out over Balluta Bay, the unassuming City of London bar has for a century been the favourite watering hole of many a thirsty customer. For 70-year old landlord Julian Borg, it represents a lifetime of memories. “When I was a young boy, my father ran the bar and I would give him a hand here and there,” he recalls. “We had a games room in the back, and I used to serve tea and coffee while the men played cards.” The history of the bar stretches back a further generation. Established in 1914 by Julian’s grandfather Karmnu Borg (known as Il-Fossa), the bar took its name from some of its most enthusiastic patrons: the soldiers of the Royal Fusiliers City of London regiment, stationed in nearby Pembroke.

With the outbreak of the Great War, they took to the bar like fish to water. “They were young, they made merry, they drank as if there was no tomorrow,” says Julian. Now in its hundredth year, City of London is one of the oldest bars on the island. Julian, its third-generation landlord, took over the bar from his father 36 years ago, but not before forging his own path for a number of years. His first job was at the newly-opened Hilton, where, in a story straight out of a film, he first set eyes on his wife – herself a Londoner. “She was on holiday at the Hilton and I was working behind the bar. Normally these holiday relationships fizzle out, but I asked for a transfer to the London Hilton and moved there with her.” April 2014 | Sunday Circle 39

SOCIETY

In London, Julian found work in the booming casino industry, working as a croupier at The White Elephant club in the heart of Mayfair, where each chip was worth as much as £1000, and players ranged from Arab Sheikhs to stars like Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner. He also had his fair share of interesting experiences. “I remember one boy who lost everything,” he says. “We gave him credit and he lost that too. So he came to me and asked whether I wanted to buy his Mercedes for a pittance. We went into the bathroom, I counted out the money, and he handed over the keys.” But when one day his father called and said that he was looking to pass City of London on to the next generation, Julian packed his belongings into an old Volkswagen van, and was home within the month. From drinking competitions and pub quizzes – then relatively novel in Malta – to theme nights and a Personality of the Year award, he quickly went about establishing the bar as a beloved community hub. “It was hard going at first, but there weren’t many bars to compete with. Now you’re competing with everyone,” he says. The clientele has changed in 36 years – from locals and older expatriates, to a young, international crowd – but the essential character of City of London remains: a traditional English pub, with Julian as it’s traditional pub landlord. “Everything’s changed, but the sign of success is the same: when the customer keeps coming back. You can’t afford to lose one single customer.” His idea of what makes a good landlord is equal parts idealistic and pragmatic: be present, be open-hearted, and have a good stock. “Small is beautiful,” he says. “If you have a big place, nobody knows who you are. Here, you get to know everyone. People come in with their laptops and their newspapers and you find out who they are and what they drink. It’s that personal touch that makes the difference.” These days Julian’s role is more behind the scenes than behind the bar. Day-to-day management is in the hands of his trusty sidekick Asia Caruana, who joined the team in 1997 as an 18-year old girl, and is now part of the family. “She was a key piece in the jigsaw,” says Julian. Family is as important as ever: the longest serving barman is Julian’s nephew Noel Tonna, and his daughter, currently living in New York, is primed to take City of London into its fourth generation when the time comes. But first, there is a year of centenary celebrations to orchestrate, culminating in a huge street party on August 24th, for which guests are expected to arrive from five countries. And Julian isn’t ready to call time just yet. “Unless my health fails me, I’m not going anywhere,” he says, casting his eye around the pub. “I love this place so much – more than my home, in fact.”

Sunday Circle | April 2014

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CRIME

CRIMES OF

DECEPTION How do fraudsters tHrive, and How can you protect yourself from scams and cons? annamaria Zammit meets superintendent paul vassallo and inspector ian abdilla of tHe economic crimes unit

In the wake of PricewaterhouseCoopers’s 2014 global economic crime survey, PwC’s Steven Skalak lamented the marked worldwide increase in economic crime. “Like a stubborn virus,” he said, “economic crime persists despite ongoing efforts to combat it... Those committing economic crime succeed by adapting to shifting global conditions like reliance on technology and the expansion of emerging economies.”

some form or other since the mid-80s. Today, it is a highly specialised unit consisting of ten investigating teams each led by an Inspector and supported by a sizeable contingent of nine Sergeants and sixteen Police Constables. It boasts experts in various relevant fields, who undergo regular training abroad to keep abreast with constant developments and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their foreign counterparts.

But law enforcement efforts are shifting too. The Malta Police Force’s Economic Crimes Unit has existed in

The Unit processes some thirty reports per month, including anonymous information and tip-offs,

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 43

CRIME

and is responsible for an ever-increasing litany of crimes, ranging from fraud to misappropriation, currency counterfeiting, money laundering (to which three of the ten teams are exclusively dedicated), offences related to customs, credit card, gaming and VAT, as well as corruption, computer misuse and intellectual property rights protection. Not only do the Unit’s officers investigate a variety of economic crimes, but they also proceed to prosecute these cases in court.

power”, distributing our data makes us easy prey for anyone seeking to defraud us or exploit our vulnerabilities.

Superintendent Paul Vassallo, who heads the Unit, and his colleague, Inspector Ian Abdilla, who specialises in currency counterfeiting and plastic card fraud, explain that the Maltese tend to be quite lax in protecting their data. One’s name and surname, date of birth, place of work, residence and haunts are personal details which they identify as “desirable” to fraudsters.

They consequently receive expressions of interest and, if successful, payments from unsuspecting purchasers. The Superintendent points to some red flags, including the alleged seller claiming that he or she is not in the country where the advert was posted, and, even more suspicious, requesting that money be transferred to yet another country. He and Inspector Abdilla strongly recommend a simple Google search to determine whether other persons have identified an advert as a scam.

“People who commit fraud are very intelligent people,” Supt. Vassallo explains, “and they use all the facts that you give them against you.” He expresses frustration at the volume of information continually shared over the internet, particularly Facebook, and advises, for instance, that plans be made privately, rather than locations, attendees, and the like being shared publicly for all to see. Inspector Abdilla adds that although victims and offenders alike hail from all social classes and walks of life, many offenders are clever people, skilled at carefully reading people before targeting them. In a classic example of “knowledge is

Turning his attention to the Unit’s day-to-day work, Supt. Vassallo launches into an animated account of car purchase scams, of which the Unit has been receiving frequent reports. In these cases, scammers tamper with genuine adverts on websites such as eBay and Maltapark by altering contact numbers or email addresses slightly, such that the change goes unnoticed by the actual seller.

People are also often conned into overpayment scams. Supt. Vassallo supplies a typical scenario: one is selling a car and receives a cheque from a buyer for an amount exceeding the quoted price. The buyer, or rather the fraudster, asks for the balance to be refunded forthwith via an alternative remittance system, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, even before the cheque is cleared by the bank (which could take a few weeks). The cheque then turns out to be counterfeit, and the money trail virtually untraceable.

“Distributing our data makes us easy prey for anyone seeking to defraud us or exploit our vulnerabilities”

Sunday Circle | April 2014

CRIME

The difficulty of investigating crimes that occur through cyberspace or are otherwise cross-border cannot be understated. Unlike criminals, police are limited by international borders, and the Unit’s jurisdiction is restricted to the Maltese Islands. In the time it takes to observe proper procedures, submitting requests to a country to pursue an investigation or to arrest and extradite a person, or obtaining requisite court orders, perpetrators are usually long gone and relevant data likely to have been deleted by service providers, some of which only retain records for a month. On the topic of persistent problems, they highlight the widespread misconception about certain economic crimes, among them product counterfeiting, as “victimless crimes”. As a taxpayer, a person who buys contraband cigarettes, for example, is the victim of his own crime, Supt. Vassallo remarks. If the Government

fails to make up its income, taxes will be increased to remedy the shortfall. Besides, there is an elevated health risk. Analysis reports show that tobacco used in contraband cigarettes is of an inferior standard, and contains more carcinogens and tars, while the filters are the cheapest available, making them virtually ineffective. With regard to identifying counterfeit items, Supt. Vassallo and Inspector Abdilla agree that if the price is particularly low one should assume the worst. For the police, public awareness is at least as important as the number of people brought to justice. There is little sympathy for people who, temporarily blinded by a good bargain or a possible opportunity for gain, become myopic and throw caution to the winds. “Everybody should take on board the fact that they have a responsibility to protect themselves,” Supt. Vassallo concludes.

Protecting Yourself: advice from the Police • Do not indiscriminately distribute personal information. • Under no circumstances provide personal or card details to purported banks and institutions via email or over the phone. • Chequebooks should not be left in cars, especially visible, for obvious reasons. • Make good use of internet and mobile banking by checking your account frequently to ensure that any suspicious • Debit and credit cards should be signed. If your card is stolen transactions are detected as early as possible. and the signature on receipts does not match yours, you are at least exonerated from liability.

•

Watch out for shoulder surfers at ATMs. Do not hesitate to cover the keypad with your free hand while entering your PIN number.

• •

Do not write your PIN number on your plastic cards.

•

Use cash rather than cards in what can be described as ‘dodgy’ or ‘shady’ establishments, and in any case never let a card out of your sight.

Do not leave receipts and statements in the bins beside ATMs. These contain information which could make you a target.

Sunday Circle | April 2014

•

If you have a joint bank account, make sure each holder has a separate card. The more controls there are, the easier it is to spot irregularities and to conduct an investigation.

•

When booking holidays or accommodation, use a reputable agency. Pay by cheque, which can be stopped or traced, or by card, but never by cash.

•

In general, look before you leap and remember that, as the old adage goes, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.

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SOCIETY

Good Me,

BAD ME

The life of young moTher emma Borg was renT aparT By dissociaTive personaliTy disorder. now on The mend, she Tells david schemBri how she’s Been puTTing iT Back TogeTher “To this day, I still can’t explain what was going through my head at that point.” The past is not just a foreign country for Emma Borg: it is another person. Now 25, she struggles to remember chunks of the past three years of her life, blighted by depression, bipolar disorder and dissociative personality disorder. When she became pregnant with her daughter Kim*, Emma put down her anxiety and depression to the hormonal changes, and thought it would pass. She was wrong. With a history of domestic abuse at the hands of her father and her parents going through a separation, Emma was already prone to fits of uncontrollable anger, and by 18, she was out of the house. “Looking back, I put it down to my personality disorder,” she says. Having returned to her mother’s house and left her job to focus her attention on her

daughter, Emma’s daily routine was: wake up, take care of Kim, do house chores, sleep, spend time with Kim and sleep – she was “totally devoted” to her daughter. “If I didn’t take her out, I wouldn’t go anywhere. Even going shopping became a difficulty, because I decided I was going to stay at home,” Emma says. Her daughter, it turned out later, was the one hinge holding her in place. When, at a year and a half of age, Kim was sent to playschool, Emma was on her own. “I came to a point where I had to decide what I was going to do with my life. And when I was faced with that choice, I started acting very strange and became very confused,” Emma says. Her confidence levels very low, she convinced herself people were speaking behind her back, and stopped going out of the house, stopped doing house chores and entered a vicious cycle of overeating, putting on weight and watching TV.

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 49

SOCIETY

She recognises the signs of my sickness when I used to have attacks, she used to call me ‘Emma’, not ‘mummy’

In the meantime, her behaviour became more erratic and inexplicable. This included doing things which weren’t normally done, like going to the shops in her pyjamas, or buying €50 in detergents when she was on around €400 a month. This behaviour, in retrospect, was symptomatic of her split personality, what she and her psychologist refer to as ‘Good Emma’ and ‘Bad Emma’. Asked to recall more of her behaviour during that time, she admits she can’t. “That time is blurred. I don’t remember the whole year: I’ll remember something that happened in January, then something that happened in June, but I won’t see the time difference. I was so taken over by Bad Emma that it is only now that I realise it was her all along,” Emma says. Things came to a head on an October afternoon, just before Kim’s second birthday. “I left the house and just walked. To this day, I still can’t explain what was going through my head at that point, I left and started walking. I was overcome by sadness and I wanted to die. I didn’t answer their calls,” she says. She even threatened suicide. She got home at around 3 p.m., and when she realised her mother had already called the police and the polyclinic. “When I discovered a doctor was coming, I freaked out and left the house again. And then my mind suddenly remembered I had a daughter, and I wanted Kim to come with me – I really had no idea what I was doing,” she says, somewhat guiltily. The police came and she was taken to the polyclinic for assessment: by six in the evening she was admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital. The initial diagnosis only saw her depression: her bipolarity and dissociative identity disorder (what was commonly referred to as multiple personality disorder) was only diagnosed later. “Dissociative identity disorder doesn’t affect everyone in the same way: in my case it affected the way I thought – I would believe things which weren’t true, like that someone was plotting against me, while at the same time acting friendly to them,” Emma says. Her first six months in hospital were a blur. “I don’t remember what happened. I only remember odd bits, I remember I was very sick, I was mixing up dates – I was in my own little world,” Emma says. As time went by, she started having periods of leave at home – first for a day, then a weekend, then a week. “If there were improvements, they were slight. I was very sick at the time.” Her daughter used to visit her on Sundays. “We never tried to hide the fact that I was mentally ill. She knows Mount Carmel is for mental health and Mater Dei for general health: I’d rather have her be aware of what mental health is. She recognises the signs of my sickness – when I used to have attacks, she used to call me ‘Emma’, not ‘mummy’,” she says. She was even open on what her pills did, and what happened when you took too many of them. “I overdosed twice, and it was very intentional. I wanted to die. And she knows mummy swallowed all her tablets to die. I don’t know whether it’s good or not, but I’ve always been open with her,” Emma says. As she was in hospital, full custody of Kim was transferred to Emma’s mother, who quit her job to be a mother to her granddaughter. “If it weren’t for my mother, I have no idea where I’d be today. That she decided to halt her life completely and turn it upside down to take care of my daughter… it’s a miracle,” she says, tearing up as she does.

Sunday Circle | April 2014

SOCIETY

It is estimated that one in four people in Malta suffer from some form of mental illness – “Just as through our lifetime we have the potential to go through physical conditions, we have the potential to experience mental health difficulties. The key is to ask for help,” clinical psychologist Fleur Mifsud Bons says. “Nowadays, thanks to advances in the medical field and in psychotherapeutic approaches, treatment is available. The first point of contact can be your GP or a psychiatrist, a psychologist, counsellor or psychotherapist. Organisations such as Richmond can also help. Ideally, a GP would refer you to a mental health professional, and vice versa – the evidence is in favour of having a multidisciplinary approach.” “If you suspect that a member of your family is mentally ill, make sure you support the person. Family members have to be very aware not to judge or stigmatise the person, but to be there and support the person – fear will often reduce the chance of a person seeking help when they need it.”

In February last year, she was sent back home from hospital – and Bad Emma was back. “I’d wake up to eat, then go back to sleep. It was so cruel to my mother,” Emma says. “Today I laugh, but those days weren’t funny. I basically wasted two years of my life.” It is Good Emma that is speaking from the lounge in Villa Chelsea, a community run by Richmond Foundation where mental health patients are reintegrated into society. In Emma’s case, Villa Chelsea’s programme provided her with a structure to her life. Starting off as a day user – spending the day between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. doing various duties, attending groups and eating together with the community, she was then accepted as a full-time resident, which was more intensive and accompanied by a care programme, which addressed practical concerns such as time management, budgeting, structure and routine, finding work, housing. Having reached all her goals and stable following treatment and therapy, Emma is on her way to make her next step, into a shared flat managed by Richmond Foundation itself. “I’m really looking forward, but I’m sad at the same time, because it will mark the end of my time here. To live in a community of people who can understand you is a beautiful experience.” And Good Emma is on her way to becoming Better Emma. Having dealt with and boxed away the abuse and events of her childhood, she has a future to look forward to: “Emma today is a 25-year-old girl, with lots of dreams that are slowly coming true. I work in a cafeteria, and I want to start training to become a pastry chef. I want to sort out matters with my daughter, so I can be able to give her everything a mother should give her,” she says. “But for now, it’s going well.” *The child’s name has been changed to safeguard her identity. A walk in aid of Richmond Foundation is being held on Sunday April 13th at 10:30 a.m., starting from Bisazza Street, Sliema, against a donation of €10 for adults and €3 for children. For more information, call 2122 4580 or 7744 4180 during office hours. www.richmond.org.mt 52

Sunday Circle | April 2014

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16.10.12 10:44

promotion

The Mifsud Family: Edward, Stefan, Desirée, Antoinette & Marcel Karl

years

of service

For 40 years, PharmaCos has been at the ForeFront oF Providing healthCare ProduCts and PharmaCeutiCals to maltese soCiety – and it hasn’t been a walk in the Park Photography Jacob Sammut

Sunday Circle | April 2014

A little over 40 years ago, Pabros was part of one of the largest business conglomerates in Malta, and Marcel C. Mifsud was at its forefront. Shortly after, with the collapse of the Bank of Industry, Commerce and Agricultural (BICAL), the business collapsed. “We went from riches to rags,” Antoinette Mifsud, his widow says. Then a father of four, Marcel C. went from being a high-flying businessman assisting the heads of a conglomerate of local business to a man with nothing except for wellhoned business acumen. But that – along with dogged perseverance – was enough to get his own business off the ground. “He had the know-how, but didn’t have the money,” Antoinette says. A friend, Dr Stabile, loaned the new business money and Pharma-Cos started operating from an office on South Street, Valletta, importing products including, Tabac Original, Carlo Erba and Armour His passion for

the job was unrivalled – working from dawn to dusk and at weekends – building his new kingdom, Pharma-Cos, one of the most successful in its field. As time went by, his four children – Marcel Karl, Desirée, Edward, and Stefan – all joined the business, injecting new blood as the company went on to break new ground. When Marcel Karl joined the business, the company, which had hitherto focused on the pharmaceutical market, branched out into the medical equipment and medical devices fields, with the requirements of setting up local dedicated technical support. Now, Pharma-Cos is one of the main suppliers in these fields. In the 1980s, the company kept contributing to local healthcare by introducing pacemakers to the island: a decade later, the company pioneered the importation and supply of heart valves. Meanwhile, the move into medical equipment was paying off, as

promotion

Mr. Marcel C. Mifsud with his staff

Pharma-Cos was entrusted with installing all the operating tables at St Luke’s hospital, giving it a 100% market share. As his children joined the company, tensions between experience and youth started pushing the company into the future and adopting more contemporary business practices. “The generation gap created some tension,” Marcel Karl says. “It was purely down to different ways of thinking: we wanted to be out by five in the afternoon, while he was a workaholic who even worked on Saturdays.” In the 1990s, the company’s operations had expanded to the point that their offices on South Street (now a Scholl foothealth centre) could no longer accommodate them all, and Marcel C. bought a property in Santa Venera, where the offices are today. Sadly, he was not able to work in the new offices, as he passed away suddenly in 1996. This proved to be one of the most

challenging times for the Mifsud family, as it fought to consolidate its business. The company pulled through, however, and has been going through periods of expansion, such as when it entered the incontinence field.

were a problem, the modern economy has brought challenges of its own.

Nowadays, Pharma-Cos represents names such as Scholl, Citizen (Medical), Leo Pharma, GE Healthcare Radiopharmaceuticals, Tena and many others across its varied portfolio, with a turnover of €6million a year and employing over 40 members of staff.

“9/11 has changed the way people do business, there is no trust left and suppliers insist on cash up front,” Edward complains. Another problem due to the result of globalisation is mergers and acquisitions: as two companies which are represented by different distributors merge, one of the distributors is set to lose while the other stands to gain. This is how the company lost its insulin business.

All throughout, the family has remained united, even though board meetings are, by the siblings’ description, “at times a bit like the Maltese parliament of the 1980s”. That said, no one has ever stormed out of the office, and, thankfully, infighting was never an issue. Which is just as well, as the company faces enough challenges from the outside. While in their father’s time, cash flow and import restrictions

Local businesses in distribution also face a problem with economies of scale. “At times, we receive orders for one piece of a product from the hospital and trying to convince our supplier to supply is a challenge in itself,” Marcel says. “But we try and manage as you’re either in business to give a service, or you’re not. Because we know that there is a patient out there needing the requested product.”

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 55

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17/03/2014 18:19

CULTURE

MARSHALL'S PLAN In speakIng to albert Marshall and hIs wIfe Jane, davId scheMbrI dIscovers a Man on a MIssIon – and It’s personal

Photography Jean Marc Zerafa

This time last year, Albert Marshall was lying on an operating table, his chest open as an ENT consultant and a cardiac surgeon wrestled with a thyroid swelling which was threatening to intrude onto his wind pipe or his heart. It could have killed him; he survived. As he was recovering, people were coming over to congratulate him on his new posts within the culture sector. He lost his voice, frail as it was, speaking to his friends. Albert Marshall is, by his own admission, a nomad. His CV reads like an itinerary – Malta, London, Malta, Australia, Malta, Luxembourg – but as much as it is evidence

of a restless soul eager to explore new horizons, it is testament to the man’s deep ties to his home country. Having been one of the pioneers of the Moviment Qawmien Letterarju and theatre movement X’Se Nuru?, Marshall, back in the sixties, was concerned with giving a voice to his generation – and that voice spoke Maltese. Now in his sixties himself, Marshall speaks Maltese in our interview – a rich Maltese, showing all the different shades the language has to offer. It was his passion for language, and writing in it, that got him into theatre back in the day. April 2014 | Sunday Circle 57

CULTURE

“In the sixties, my friends and I wanted to be innovative, and we wanted to use theatre as a means to launch new movements in literature and theatre,” he says. “The sixties were a very exciting time. It was a time of innocence– but there was an air of revolution, we were tired of being dominated by very conservative cultural elements.” Because of the daring (for their time) nature of their works, the movements he was in encountered opposition, as it was stirring the “stagnant waters” they were working in – particularly when issues relating to the Church were broached. Nowadays, Marshall says, times have changed. With censorship laws now a thing of the past, “if an author or director is afraid to dare to experiment and explore new spaces, even if they’re anti-establishment, and you don’t have the balls to do so, then you’re to blame, not the system,” Marshall says. 58

Sunday Circle | April 2014

Talk of daring and anti-establishmentarianism might jar with Albert’s various roles in different culture-related posts. Yet Marshall feels that his executive chairmanship in the Malta Culture Council for Culture and the Arts, his deputy chairmanship at PBS and his positions on various boards, including the Valletta 2018 Foundation and the Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali, are part of the trajectory he has been on since his young days – which has taken him in and out of Malta. “By the end of my term as MCCA chairman, I want to have three things accomplished: resolve the false dichotomy between ‘high’ and ‘popular’ culture in the local sphere, have more artists do their work professionally, and put Maltese art and artists on an international stage.” “International” is a common word in Marshall’s book. His first foray out of Malta was, in fact,

to London, where he had gone with a young promising actress he had taken under his wing – Jane, the woman he has called his wife for over four decades. While Jane studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Albert worked away in the NCR entertainment unit and directed performances at a small theatre called the Cockpit, getting to grips with how a professional theatre operated. After two years there, Albert and Jane came back to Malta, got married and picked up where they left off. “I felt I had learnt enough to start doing more ambitious projects,” Albert says. That included television, a medium which Albert had to adapt his theatre sensibilities to. It was a largely selftaught journey, with books and his theatre training providing the base for his work. It was then television’s turn for Albert and Jane to make waves, with the infamous adaptation of Ġużè Diacono’s Il-Madonna taċ-Ċoqqa.

masthead

This again irritated religious sensibilities with its story. “We, and our families, used to receive threats, and I felt unsafe,” Jane says. However, it wasn’t the threats that spurred the Marshalls’ next move – the longest – to Australia, where their children, Mark and Kristina still live. Life Down Under lasted 15 years – at which point Albert, who had embarked on an academic career in cultural studies and was starting his PhD, decided to come back. “In my research I read that immigrants who didn’t leave their adoptive country after fifteen years would never return to their country. And I said to myself: this is scientific, if I’m staying here, I’m not going back to Malta. It’s too grandiose a term, but I felt I hadn’t finished my mission here,” he says. The move wasn’t easy for Jane, who was very sick for two years upon coming back, after having settled comfortably in Australia. “My whole life has been packing and unpacking. Albert is restless,” she says. With their children and their grandchildren planted firmly in Australia, part of the Marshall’s life is inextricably linked to the place.

"It's too grandIose a term, but I felt I hadn't fInIshed my mIssIon here" Which is why Jane was adamant that, after three years of not seeing her daughter – she and Albert would go ahead with the trip that had been planned for two years. “People think we were on holiday. We weren’t. My daughter had lost a baby. She was building her house, and we were trying to help her: the bushfires were nearing, and we were clearing up the area for her safety. It would have been a huge blow to my daughter had we not gone,” Jane says. Now at the helm of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, he wakes up at 5:00 in the morning to answer emails and goes to bed at 11:00 to repeat the cycle again. At his age, doesn’t he feel he should have stopped working, rather than taken an important position? His wife certainly seems to think so. “I didn’t want him to take up the positions, but once he did, I had to support him. He can’t say no, and once he starts something, he gives his 200%.” “My work is part of the passion of why I live,” Albert says. “When I stop working, it’ll be because I’m dead.” April 2014 | Sunday Circle 000

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Climbing the Real estate laddeR It takes a lot of heart, mInd and soul to make It In the property busIness, but for these two executIves from frank salt real estate – both of whom won the best consultant award In theIr area for 2013 – the sky Is the lImIt Ludwig Farrugia was in hotel management for 12 years before he made the switch into property. He is also a familiar face, known for his acting role on TV show Katrina. There’s no doubt that Ludwig feels at home working in property. In fact, he wonders why it took him so long to consider a career in it in the first place. “I was in the process of changing jobs when someone suggested I might be good at selling or renting real estate. When I looked into it and saw the wage potential, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it before,” he smiles. “I honestly imagined the industry to be very different to the way it really is, and I was originally put off by the fact I wouldn’t have a set monthly wage. How wrong I was! I am proof that, if you work hard, give your all, remain dedicated, give fantastic customer service and work wisely with targets in mind, then you can do very well for yourself. In fact, in all honesty, I wish I had started doing this job years ago. For the first time in my career I look forward to going to work each morning, and that’s something I am very grateful for.” Ludwig’s Top Tip: “Working in this in-

dustry is a lot like having your own business. If you manage yourself and your time well, then the sky’s the limit.” Julian Caruana is thrilled to have discovered the many benefits of working in property. Having joined the industry from the sports and leisure sector, he loves the freedom of not having to stick to a routine, as well as the prospect of generous financial reward.

Julian is the first to admit that he didn’t have a particularly good impression of the property industry before he joined it. “I imagined I’d be working with ‘sharks’ in an environment with no teamwork,” he explains. “But I was so wrong! I am blessed with great colleagues and actually consider them to be an extension of my family.” “We often travel together and, recently, were even treated to a work-holiday in Las Vegas. It gave us the time to brainstorm and share our ideas for the future of the company, while also having fun. It’s not everyday that a company involves its employees at strategy level, so it was absolutely fantastic to be a part of that.” “What’s also good about Frank Salt Real Estate,” Julian continues, “is that support is provided to new members of the team financially, as the company understands their initial concerns about working in a commission-based industry.

Ludwig Farrugia

Julian is also grateful for the professional way that the company is run, the focus on customer care, as well as the quality service that is offered to its clients. Real estate is all about honesty and integrity. If you falter on this, you have lost your client and, even worse, your reputation. JuLian’s Top Tip: “This sector is a numbers game and I believe you can get incredible results by putting in the numbers – number of clients assisted, number of hours dedicated to each client, number of new houses viewed, number of properties shown, and so on. Numbers are the key to everything.”

www.franksalt.com.mt

Julian Caruana

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 63

d ah

CULTURE

Maltese as a Foreign language

h ie

h a yh aa hd aie a xa a t ie h h

d aa h ieh k b j y a a ie a a x

Precious few PeoPle learn Maltese as a foreign language. DaviD scheMbri sPeaks to those who, for soMe reason or another, are Doing so

When, as a 14-year-old, Luke Borg moved to Malta from London, Maltese was foreign to him. “My parents spoke to me a bit in Maltese, but it was very fragmented. I used it mostly to speak to my grandparents,” Luke says. Faced with the daunting task of passing the Maltese O-Level, the 14-year-old had to start from the very basics – the things they teach in primary – by intensive private lessons, until he worked his way to the O-level – which he passed. Now in sixth form, his Young Enterprise company, Platinum, is promoting a web-app, called MaltEasy, to reinforce basics of Maltese to children in primary school.

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 65

CULTURE

“Basically, this was inspired by the experience me and my teammates – who mostly speak English at home – had of learning Maltese. I would have really benefitted from something like this when I was starting out,” Luke says. But although Luke had a very real objective to learn Maltese for – he had an important exam coming up and he was, after all, Maltese, surname and all – there are people who, despite having very little ties to the country, choose to learn the language. “Maltese is a source of fascination for many linguists, because it’s somehow managed to marry together two languages – Arabic and Italian – which are radically different from each other,” Michael Spagnol, a lecturer in Maltese and linguistics, says. “While Arabic works with a system of roots (l-għerq), Italian works using concatenation,” Michael says. Furthermore, because of its strong Arabic element, it is considered to be one of the easier Semitic languages to access, because it employs the Latin alphabet. “When I was at the Max Planck institute, I used to have professors popping into my office asking me questions about Maltese. Being at the centre of attention felt a bit strange,” he laughs. Since Maltese tends to be a bit of an “inside joke” between the few inhabitants of this island, it is uncanny to read a Facebook message from a very American-looking Michael Cooperson written in flawless Maltese. Being very familiar with classical Arabic in his role as professor in the department of Near

“The first time I saw some examples of written Maltese, I was hooked”

Sunday Circle | April 2014

Eastern Languages at the University of California, Los Angeles, Michael notes that the Arabic element of Maltese is very old, and that practically everything that has come into the language since the 11th century comes from the Romance Languages or English. “The first time I saw some examples of written Maltese, I was hooked,” he says. Having visited the island in 2002, as a tourist, he decided to try and learn Maltese, and he bought some books: Joseph Vella’s Learn Maltese, and Antoinette Camilleri’s Merħba Bik, but it took him another six or seven years to get around to it. After working through the two textbooks, he could read and understand a lot, and two years ago he decided to come to Malta and stay for three months with the goal of learning to actually speak the language. “But I soon discovered that most people in Malta have no experience speaking Maltese with foreigners and naturally use English instead. It’s great for Malta that the Maltese are bilingual, but it makes language learning difficult,” he says. “Fortunately I made several friends who understood what I was trying to do and did their best to help me,” Micheal says.

He is now studying TV series Deċeduti for the way it deals with foreign characters speaking Maltese, is a fan of series Déjà Vu, and considers himself a big fan of writers Ġużè Stagno and Pierre J. Mejlak. Slavomír Čéplö, 39, is something of a linguistic junkie, having learnt many languages and studied outlier varieties of Arabic such as Judeo-Arabic, Christian Arabic, Arabic pidgins and creoles. So, he sat down a textbook and once he had the basics down, it was all a matter of expanding vocabulary. “Compared to some languages, it was somewhat easier,” Slavomir says. “The chief problem I had was that Arabic kept interfering, but with increased exposure, this eventually went away.” For 21-year old Dunya Abou El Hassan, Maltese was an amazing discovery. Born to an Egyptian father and a Tunisian mother and living in Naples, Maltese is a mixture of all the languages she knows – with Tunisian being the closest Arabic dialect there is to Maltese. “My interest started when I started chatting with a Maltese boy about our own languages – in my case the Tunisian dialect. When I found out all the similarities that my dialect has with Maltese, my interest grew and now I’m trying to get closer to this language and the culture behind it,” she says. In fact, this is one of the reasons that people who have studied Maltese as a foreign language took it up. Manwel Mifsud, a professor of Maltese and a tireless advocate of the language, had coordinated a Maltese language course for foreigners. “Most of our students were living in Malta. Their main reason for coming was normally that they wanted better quality contact with the locals, and language is always the key to this,” Manwel says. “I remember a person who’d told me he’d been here for 20 years, and he always used English, and that made him lazy. And many people, to boot, would ask him what the point of learning Maltese was. He was married to a Maltese woman, and he envied the contact she had with her son, and wanted to learn the language to speak to his own son,” he says. Michael Spagnol notes that many choose to learn the language out of necessity: shopkeepers, foreign students of medicine in Malta and migrants have all taken to learning the language, to help them in their work and to better integrate in society.

Kids

And it is not just foreigners who are interested in the language: many adults are choosing to brush up their knowledge of Maltese through courses – like the University’s proofreading certificate in Maltese, or even Facebook, in groups such as Kelmet il-Malti or pages like Michael Spagnol’s Kelma Kelma. This key called Maltese, it seems, doesn’t only open the door for foreigners to understand our culture: it helps us discover ourselves.

Tigne’ Place, Tigne’ Street, Sliema

T: 2133 3344 E: info@misseyandbo.com

Tooth MOBILITY

HEALTH

Dr Jean Paul DemaJo on tackling the Problem of increaseD tooth mobility

Teeth are suspended in their bony sockets with the help of periodontal ligaments. These ligaments are elastic, allowing slight tooth mobility, which is normal in health. On the other hand, increased tooth mobility is abnormal and must be addressed.

Causes of TooTh MobiliTy 1. Gum Disease: Loss of periodontal ligament and supportive bone. Periodontal fibres do re-attach but lost bone cannot grow back. 2. Dental or periodontal abscess: Deep gum pockets around your teeth are impossible to c lean with conventional methods. Surgical approaches help in allowing sub-gingival descaling and potential bone grafting. 3. Trauma: tooth fracture or bruising may cause broken bony walls to recede leaving less supportive tissue. 4. Bone loss due to associated systemic diseases: certain medical conditions like diabetes cause more bone loss and periodontally unstable teeth. 5. Long-term smoking: smoking reduces the blood flow to the gum tissue reducing nutrients and the natural immune response giving way for bacteria to take over and cause slow destruction of tooth tissue. 6. Overloading of teeth: several missing teeth may cause an overload of biting forces on the remaining teeth, possibly aggravating already diseased teeth leading to even more tooth mobility. Gum disease is one of the most common diseases in a population. Approximately 85% of any population has some degree of gum disease. When disease progresses, abnormal tooth mobility may follow. This is an indication that active disease is present and must be treated. General treatment involves basic home and clinical hygiene maintenance. Removing bacteria will in turn eliminate a source of inflammation allowing our immune system to overcome and repair damaged tissue. The old wife’s tale of descaling your teeth (in Maltese, “tnaddafhom”) causing tooth mobility does

not stand. Calculus deposits in between your teeth harbouring inflammatory bacteria for a long time, may cause mild-severe bone loss. Removing wedged calculus between these teeth will remove the inter-dental wedging effect and as a result the once immobile teeth will start to move. This is only until the inflammatory process subsides and the gum tissue heals to steady them up again. In some cases however, the bone loss is so extreme that the teeth are too long gone to survive and have to be removed. Radiographs showing very low bone levels may predict this tooth loss and allow a Dental Surgeon to prepare the patient for tooth replacement. iniTial TreaTMenT 1. Radiographs. 2. Update medical history. 3. Thorough descaling and root planning. 4. Extraction of teeth that have a very poor prognosis with high degree of mobility. 5. Review the periodontal status. TooTh replaCeMenT TeChniques 1. Removable prosthesis: dentures may replace 1 tooth to a full arch of 14 teeth. 2. Fixed prosthesis: • Tooth-borne bridges: Teeth are crowned and bridged to replace missing teeth. For example if the lower four anterior need to be extracted then the adjacent canines may be crowned and a bridge fit in. •

Implant-borne bridges: using the same example as above, two implants may be placed in the position of the two missing lateral incisors and a bridge constructed over the implants. 4-6implants may replace a full arch of 14-teeth.

Prior to deciding which treatment modality to take up to replace the future missing teeth, it is the duty of the dentist and the interest of the patient to stabilize the remaining dentition and re-establish health. If this is not addressed, then whatever the chosen tooth replacement technique is, the shorter the life span it will have. Think what is best for you and what level of comfort you wish to attain and relay this information to your dentist. Let your dentist guide you into making the right choices.

Dr Jean Paul Demajo, Dental and Implant Surgeon, trained in London and works in private practice in Malta.

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 69

promotion

Smart Heart, Pretty Face

SmartCity malta may be a Centre of knowledge-baSed exCellenCe, but itS Stunning laguna walk, opening thiS weekend ShowS the plaCe iS about beauty aS muCh aS it iS about intelligent infraStruCture

martCity Malta CEO, Anthony P. Tabone has never had a better view from his office. Indeed, with the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea, SmartCity Malta’s main building – SCM01 has, you wouldn’t blame him and the increasing number of SmartCity Malta tenants to keep this south-facing view to themselves.

will possibly give not only value to the Maltese economy but will also generate jobs,” Tabone says. But it’s not all work and no play: “SmartCity Malta is also a place where people can relax, and spend quality time with their families and friends.”

Businesses, in fact, keep moving in, and more and more companies are choosing the modern business park as their strategic base – the latest addition being German touristic operator, FTIAS, whose 250 employees will be occupying 3,900 square metres to host their operations.

And no one’s keeping the view of the Mediterranean Sea to themselves – far from it. “This is not a gated community” the CEO says, and the numbers back that claim. Of the €94 million invested in the stateof-the-art, environmentally accredited development through Tecom Investments, a full €34 million have been invested in the public areas.

“The focus of SmartCity Malta is that it’s a knowledge-based township where we focus on supporting those companies that

“Laguna Walk at SmartCity Malta is a place for the Maltese public to enjoy open views and open spaces,” Tabone says. In fact, SmartCity

Sunday Circle | April 2014

PROMOTION

fact, SmartCity Malta’s leisure hub, the Laguna Walk includes a promenade which will join the existing promenade in Xgħajra to create a seaside walk two kilometres long, and thus giving any other promenade on the Maltese islands a run for its money. The promenade is just the start, however. The name Laguna Walk is no gimmick, and at the heart of SmartCity Malta’s outdoor offering is the lagoon itself – an impressive body of seawater with a choreographed seawater fountain, powered by a dazzling array of LED lights, and multidirectional nozzles which can send the seawater to heights of 30 metres, providing a magical centrepiece to this seaside city. Overlooking the lagoon are the Grand Steps, inspired by the legendary Spanish Steps in Rome and the stairways of Valletta, from which the lagoon and the sea can be enjoyed. This lagoon will be a centre of activity all year round, with activities ranging from Zumba to more glamorous occasions, such as concerts, fashion events, weddings, staff parties and other events such a spectacular location can lend itself to. No seaside leisure area would be complete without restaurants, and the Laguna Walk is no slouch in that department. No less than seven restaurants will be gracing this space very soon, with different cuisines which are sure to appeal to virtually all sorts of tastes. Chocafé, as the name implies, is a café with a specialisation in fine coffee beans and artisanal Italian ice cream, while Londoner Pub, opening in May, will provide a more British feel to proceedings. In addition, Wejla by Tartarun will be providing patrons with the fishbased fine dining Tartarun is already known for. Walking around Laguna Walk, one cannot fail but notice the exceedingly high standard of design and finish the place has been endowed with – the whole SmartCity Malta development, in fact, has LEED certification, US-based environmental specifications which go into all details of a particular project, going down to the kind of stone used. Although strolling around this lagoon feels like walking through an artist’s impression of the project, the good news is that the Laguna Walk is as real as things get, and its doors are opening for everyone

this weekend, with another open weekend planned for next weekend, the 12th and 13th of April. Filled with fun events for the whole family, these open weekends will feature pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, animators and go-karts – giving you absolutely no excuse to pop over to Malta’s most exciting leisure destination. For the full programme of events visit: www.lagunawalk.com.mt, Tel: 2164 6666, Facebook: SmartCity News. April 2014 | Sunday Circle 71

sports

queen of the court Steffi De Martino haS alreaDy eStabliSheD herSelf aS a MainStay of the Malta woMen’S baSketball national teaM anD attracteD the attention of clubS anD univerSity teaMS overSeaS – all before the age of 21. ivan borg finDS out More about thiS riSing Star Photography Marija Grech

he ideal basketball player should have size, speed, strength, and great hands. In reality, lots of players managed to have very solid careers without ticking all the boxes. Size often comes at the expense of foot speed, for instance, but smart players find a way to play to their strengths. However, when a player appears that seems to have all the tools, it’s hard to miss the sheer talent. Steffi De Martino could very well turn out to be that very special sort of player.

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 73

sports

Malta is not accustomed to a player with the size to play close to the basket, but also the speed and the skills of a perimeter player. Certainly not from home-grown players – and not too many imports over the years could make that claim either. Watching Steffi play, there’s no doubting the natural talent. At times she seems to be running on a different gear, and she often manages to outshine the foreign imports for talent. I catch up with Steffi as her Luxol team is about to approach the business end of the season, having already won two honours – and gearing up for a semi-final date with her former team in the most important Maltese competition, in the league play-offs. “As a team we’re doing well, but we could be doing better,” Steffi tells me. I ask her about the prospect of facing her former team, mostly made up of the same players she won the league with last year: is it nostalgic, or is it an ‘I want to kill those guys’ mindset? Steffi goes for the latter option. “If that’s the choice, I want to kill those guys”, she quips. For obvious legal reasons, it bears underlining the figurative nature of that statement. Mischievous fighting words aside, Steffi has a ton of respect for other players. She highlights former teammate Sam Brincat

as a potential threat in the playoffs, and she heaps praise on her tenacity and shooting prowess. However, it’s impossible to avoid talking about her earliest basketball influence. After all, if anyone was born to be a basketball player, it’s Steffi. Her mother, Madeleine DeMartino, was a long-time competitor for the Maltese national basketball team. This meant a lot of early exposure to the game, back when Steffi was still a child. “I was ten, and playing with the senior players. There were some very good players, including my mother, so I was able to learn from them,” she explains. Steffi credits her early exposure to the game as a major influence. I ask her if there were any other players who have had an influence on her playing career. She highlights current Luxol teammate, Mandi Sciortino. For a player with Steffi’s athleticism, it speaks volumes that the player she admires the most is known for her smarts and intangibles more than anything else. Steffi tells me her friend Mandi took her under her wing early on, especially during her first forays into the national team, and her club heavily relies on her leadership. “I definitely look up to her a lot, and the team would really suffer if she weren’t there...”

I was ten, and playIng wIth the senIor players. there were some very good players, IncludIng my mother, so I was able to learn from them April 2014 | Sunday Circle 75

sports

“I’d want to move to a better league, but not to a level where I’d get lImIted playIng tIme It’s hard to believe that Steffi still hasn’t turned 21. She’s already a veteran for the national team, and has had success as far back as a triumph in Armenia back in 2010. I ask her what’s different about playing for Malta. “The level is usually higher than we experience in the league, that’s the biggest adjustment,” she tells me. As she recounts her surprisingly long national team career, it becomes clear playing for Malta means everything to Steffi. It’s also clear that she has more experience in basketball than her age suggests – and it tells in her approach to adversity in the game. “If my shot isn’t falling, I try to find other solutions,” she tells me. “There’s always someone shooting well on my team, so it’s a matter of finding and playing for that player.” She’s clearly come a long way since her national debut during the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, and the team’s nail-biting victories in Armenia shortly afterwards. I ask her what she’s envisioning in her immediate future. “The problem I have here is time for training. I’d want to find time to train more,” Steffi tells me. It’s no secret that she is strongly considering playing abroad, with a foreign club or university team. She gets her share of offers every year, and as she closes in on her undergrad degree the time for the move abroad might be closer than we think. “I’d want to move to a better league, but not to a level where I’d get limited playing time,” she says. I ask her if there’s an area of her game she wants to improve before moving abroad. “I’d definitely want to improve my outside jump shot, so I can shoot a better percentage in games. I’m going to keep improving as long as my body allows me, however long that is...” It’s scary to think that in many respects, Steffi can still grow into her huge potential. She’s already matching up well with foreign imports, and her skills are only going to get better. For any sports fan worthy of the name, and even for the casual punter, it would be a shame to miss out on Steffi’s play. Every athlete lives with a sword hanging overhead, but in Steffi’s case there’s the very real possibility that she’ll be plying her trade overseas before long – so take in a show before it hits the road. 76

Sunday Circle | April 2014

0-6YRS SPRING/SUMMER â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;14 COLLECTION

The Plaza, Sliema | Dun Karm Street, Iklin | St. Martha Street, Victoria Gozo For further enquiries please call 2385 9350

HERITAGE

Photography David Schembri

Brought up on a diet of digital, david SchemBri getS to gripS with the nutS and BoltS of traditional printing

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 79

HERITAGE

The acrylic sheet resists the pen as I try to trace the lines of my sketch onto the transparent sheet. The deeper the line is, the more ink it will collect. That is hardly a problem right now, as my impatience means my pen has barely scratched the surface as I rush over the lines. I dab ink over it with cotton wool over it to see if it sticks: it doesn’t, and I have to trace again. The lines I’m tracing over are a sketch of different details I found of Valletta, joined together into one composition, which I am now tracing with my increasingly aching hand. It is a programme which Michelle Morrissey, the owner and curator of Studio 104, a fine art studio and gallery in St Lucy Street, Valletta has launched – visitors go round Valletta taking sketches, then go back to the studio, etch their composition onto a printing plate and pass it through a print press. It is an entirely mechanical behemoth, requiring only a gentle pull on its large operating wheel to press the plate over the printing paper. “If you have a look at the plate, when your plate is running through it, it’s picking up each mark you leave, millimetre by millimetre,” says Michelle, who studied art and design in the UK. The pressure it exerts is hardly gentle, however; it is so heavy that the foundations beneath it had to be recast. The press itself was originally used with copper plates to create reproduction prints, and they were manufactured by A.M. Devereux in Valletta on drafts made at the Malta Drydocks: it was used in a Marsa Factory until 2010. “I feel so lucky to have this. In other places I know about, such as colleges, their print press hasn’t got a patch on this.” Being around Valletta sketching details made me notice things I had never noticed before. While I am interested in the details that make up the cityscape, and often stop to take pictures of small details with my phone camera, stopping in front of a view and transferring what you see to paper with your own hand is a totally different experience, and each stroke of my pencil teaches me something new of what I’m printing. The disconnect from our surroundings the digital realm has ushered in becomes more evident with each pass of the etching pen over the acrylic plate ahead of printing. To me, printing has always been a question of plugging in a printer into a wall, connecting to a computer and keying in Ctrl+P, then let the printer do the job for me. And while printing is still a very physical process, I never had to actually physically print anything. This was different. Each line, each burrow I made would translate directly into print: I was the one responsible for what came out. This disconnect hasn’t gone unnoticed: Margaret Buhagiar, who runs the Salesian Press in Sliema and who lectures on the topic at MCAST notes that many designers who go through the college are not aware of the needs of printers – even though they may be excellent in the design aspect of their work. The Salesian Press is home to an old Heidelberg letterpress machine – at 50 years old, it still has a place within the modern world – although you won’t see a magazine such as this being printed there. 80

Sunday Circle | April 2014

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NATIONAL NUTRITION CONFERENCE 2014 Conference Programme A Healthy Diet & what it involves The Psychology of Eating in relation to obesity & the family Nutrition in Children Nutrition & Eating Disorders Nutrition in Sports Nutrition in Food Allergies Date: Friday 9th May 2014 Venue: The Dolmen Resort & Spa, Qawra Contact Mobile: 99822288 Contact Email: axiakg@yahoo.com Price: €45 per person / €35 for students Cheques addressed to: Nutrition Conference 2014 Booking: www.nationalnutritionconference2014.yolasite.com or by mail to 32, “White Rose”, Triq ix-Xitwa, Mosta MST 4061

HERITAGE

“Ink on paper... people want to feel things”

“Many printing presses have phased out these platen machines .We’ve kept it because it does numbering, perforation, it prints using polymers, die-cutting and blind embossing. We also have another machine which does ink embossing – that’s another old process which we still provide,” Margaret says. Although the machine itself is far more complex than the press at Studio 104, you can see what the machine is up to, and can notice immediately when something goes wrong. Strangely enough, it can be used to finish certain jobs: particularly small runs, such as business cards, faster than other machines which do the same thing. Zvezdan Reljic, a book publisher and a designer, has worked in prepress and design for over three decades, and was in Malta when desktop publishing was still in its infancy. Although he probably wouldn’t be able to carry out his job as a newspaper designer nearly as fast as he does without the use of a computer, he does acknowledge that the digital revolution has contributed to the decline of the craft previously associated with design and printing. “I think the designs of many famous graphic designers worsened after they started using computers,” he says. “Today with the stilllarge demand for print designs in a market-oriented economy, you have to work fast and that speed is killing creativity.”

“New offset digital presses look like huge wardrobes: you have buttons and settings which you must follow: if artwork or some parts are bad, that’s what you’re going to get. Before, printers could see it and adjust it. Technology is killing the craft: soon you will only be able to print what some huge company making the machines decides,” he says. And yet, machines like the Heidelberg at the Salesian press are still used, and like the return of some photographers to analogue photography, Zvezdan believes that there is a resurgence in the use of older print techniques. “It seems there is revival of the use of older machines like the platen, and guess what, the best designers want their small jobs printed there,” he says. “Ink on paper,” he says. “And people want to feel things – I remember when we were in school, when I’m mentioning these platen machines… you had to adjust the machine [matrix] so that it only kisses paper,” he reminisces. “And recently someone asked if he can get that slightly embossed print with ink – in practice you increase pressure as the block hits the paper,” the veteran designer says. “People feel the need for that imperfection, as I think that is what makes us human.” April 2014 | Sunday Circle 83

VW - Malta

The MOVE up!

The surprisingly spacious up! For just €10,490 The Up! comes standard with Power Steering, Remote Central Locking, Air Conditioning, Electric Windows, Radio CD, ABS, Colour Coded Bumpers, Rev Counter, tinted glass and much more.

The Polo Comfort Plus+ Same Price Better Value! For just €15,490

The Polo comes standard with 5 doors, Power Steering, Remote Central Locking, Front & Rear Electric Windows, Electric Heated Mirrors, 4 Air Bags, ABS, 16’’ Alloy Wheels and now with added Factory Bluetooth, Factory Parking Sensors, Climate Control, 6.5’’ Colour Touch Screen, On Board Computer, SD Card Reader, Radio CD with CD changer and much more. Continental Cars Ltd, Princess Margaret Street, Msida, MSD1330 | Sales: 23476 315/6/7 | Mobile: 9943 3330 | E-Mail: vw@ccl.mizzi.com.mt Mizzi Motors Showroom, Mġarr Road, Ghajnsielem, GSM9016 | Sales: 2155 6942 | Mobile: 9978 2000 | E-Mail: jcassar@mizzimotors.com.mt

1. Ingrid Zerafa, Ray Meli & Pierre P. Vella

4. Matthew Mullan, Mrs. Mullan & Clement Hassid

3. Aaron Mallia & John Peel

2. Martin Dimech & Tonio Darmanin

5. Léonie Pace Vincenti, Lelly Fenech & Eliza Gera

6, Ramona Depares, Daniela Baldachino & Colin Fitz

PAPARAZZI • 1-3: The New Kia Carens Launch at Cars International Showroom, Mdina Road Qormi on 7 March. • 4: Hilton Malta bids farewell to General Manager Clement Hassid on 15 January. • 5: Les Petits Gateaux celebrate their first birthday party over tea

7. Mandy Nicholl, Daniela Baldacchino & Lauren Mizzi

8. Andrew Mangion Randon, Daniela Baldacchino & Natalie Mangion Randon

• 6-8: Catrice Launch held at Level 22, Portomaso on 27 February. • 9-13: Launch of the new Nissan Qashqai at Villa Arrigo, which took place on the 7 March. * For inclusion in Circle Paparazzi contact Renee Micallef Decesare on renee@networkpublications. com.mt ** For more Paparazzi photos log on to www.sundaycircle.com

9. Sarah Mizzi

11. Maurice Mizzi

10. Philip & Corinne Apap Bologna, Julian Zammit Tabona, Fiona Cachia, David Cremona & Veronica Zammit Tabona

12. Matias Camilleri De Marco & Fiorella De Marco

13. Ian Mizzi, Faye Zammit, Maxine Camilleri, Taryn Mizzi, Liane Gauci, Jason Aquilina, Joe Duca & Johann Debattista

WEDDINGS

ELEGANT. EXQUISITE. ETERNAL.

At Antonio Piscopo Wine & Spirits, we offer our customers free advice on the quantity and range of beverages required for that special day…Your Wedding Day! Delivery will be made free of charge, while a pick up service may also be provided upon request for a small fee. Antonio Piscopo Wines & Spirits, 115, Zabbar road, Paola. T: 21697074. Piscopo’s Cash & Carry, Triq L-Erba’ Mwiezeb, St Paul’s Bay. T: 2157 0375. E: weddings@piscopo.com.mt W: www.piscopo.com.mt

Creative Catering At C. Camilleri & Sons (Catering) Limited we have built a reputation for creative catering and coordinating dream weddings and other elegant events. From casual to formal, standing to seated, we bring together all the elements necessary for a memorable occasion, leaving our clients to relax, confident in the knowledge that everything will run smoothly. The principle behind our catering is translated into a desire to please our clients in a personal way. We offer the opportunity to be individualistic with an emphasis on imaginative foods and presentations, which are not only delicious, but also exciting. We also constantly strive to update our catalogue, inclusive of 300 plus items, to include a balance between imaginative foods and traditional, sought-after items. Special offers available for 2014. C. Camilleri & Sons (Catering) Ltd., 13-20, M. Borg Gauci Street, Tal-Handaq, Qormi QRM 4000. T: 2147 2255. Jonathan Attard, Food & Beverage Executive, E: jattard@camillerigroup.com or info@camillericatering.com

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 89

WEDDINGS

Wedding Essentials 1. BVR – a brand name with over 43 years of excellent quality and

service – proudly presents their new flagship outlet: BVR the boutique, specializing in formal and occasional wear. Parking and private appointments are now also available upon request. Let our experienced staff help you choose from our vast selection of individual designer dresses. BVR - The Boutique Savoy Gardens, Rue d’Argens, Gzira T: 2131 6902/3. St. George’s Square, Victoria, Gozo T: 2155 1287. Facebook: BVR The Boutique.

2. Scholl introduces new Party Feet™ Pocket Ballerina™ flats.

They fold up neatly into a woman’s handbag, ready to use at any time to provide immediate relief and comfort from the pain of high heels. Treat your female guests to these foldable, comfortable shoes allowing them to enjoy your night and keep them on their feet for longer. Pocket Ballerina™ shoes are available from Scholl Foothealth Centres, leading Pharmacies and Supermarkets. Pharma-Cos Ltd. T: 2144 1870. W: www.schollfoothealthcentre.com/footcare

3 3. Pure and Precious Bridal Shoes offer a large range of attractive and elegant shoes for the Bride and her bridesmaids. They have a great fit and are designed to offer comfort throughout the wedding. These beautiful shoes come in various heel heights and extremely competitive prices. We also offer a dyeing service for satin shoes and handbags to match to your chosen colour. This service is convenient for bridesmaids, mother of the bride/ groom, wedding guests and evening shoes for all occasions. The Dance Studio, 322, Sliema Road, Kappara. T: 2138 8186. E: info@dancestudiomalta.com. W: www.dancestudiomalta.com

Sunday Circle | April 2014

WEDDINGS

POP WEDDINGS CULTURE

1 2

Beauty & Luxury

at Raphael Azzopardi 1.

Raphael Azzopardiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for fine quality products is evident and outstanding. The home collection, which includes porcelain, fine-bone china, crystal, silver or silver plated and stainless steel, includes world-renowned brands such as Versace, Rosenthal, Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Egizia, Sambonet and Arzberg. Such a range of brands makes Raphael Azzopardi the ideal outlet for compiling the perfect gift list. Items range from the plain and simple contemporary pieces to classic and elaborate pieces.

A skilled Antwerp qualified gemologist with over twenty years of experience in the business, Raphael Azzopardi specialises in topquality internationally certified diamonds and diamond jewellery. Be it an engagement or wedding ring, customers can choose from branded diamond collections to custom-designed collections.

The selection of wedding list items, be it cutlery, dinner sets or stem ware, ranges from everyday basics to more luxurious pieces. Gift lists are made available online and customers can make their purchase from the comfort of their own home. Couples placing their wedding list will be given a pair of 18kt gold wedding bands for free.

The variety offered at Raphael Azzopardi includes gifts of all kinds, for every occasion and to suit a variety of budgets. 6, Uqija Street, Ibrag. opposite Luxol Grounds, round the corner from ex-Jessieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar now Pepe Nero T: 2137 3812.E: info@raphaelazzopardi.com. W: www.raphaelazzopardi.com. Facebook: Raphael Azzopardi

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 91

POP CULTURE

Make every moment count Special Occasions Package Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your special day and there will be a million magniďŹ cent moments to cherish forever. So make the start of your trip a memorable one with our special occasions package. Make your airport transit like an A-lister in luxury, style and comfort.

Luqa LQA 4000, Malta Tel: (+356) 2369 6292 / 6016 Freephone: 8007 6666 Email: info@lavaletteclub.com 000 Sunday Circle | March 2014

WEDDINGS

The Epitome of Catering by Busy Bee

If you are planning a wedding, let Busy Bee Catering handle all the details for this special day. With over 75 years’ experience in this demanding industry, we have the know-how to make your day a memorable one. Our aim is providing constant, optimum-quality service. Our staff will help you plan the cuisine whether it is a small family or a larger celebration; whether you require a traditional selection of food items, or recentlyintroduced delicacies, or an y combination of the aforementioned arrangements. We customise all menus to meet our clients’ unique requirements, ensuring that clients get a bespoke service. The vast experience of Busy Bee Catering staff in wedding catering is a guarantee of the smooth running of the wedding function in all its stages. So you need only concentrate upon enjoying yourselves, while we take care of the rest. All our fare is locally-sourced, thus ensuring optimum freshness and quality, and, most importantly, doing away with the need for long storage and preservatives. Apart from ensuring catering excellence for weddings at Villa Mdina, Busy Bee Catering facilitates customers’ wedding arrangements by operating in the majority of wedding venues and locations throughout Malta and Gozo. We are only too happy to assist you through each step of this process and with any queries you may have. Busy Bee, 7, Antonio Bosio Street, Msida. T: 2134 0400, 2133 1738. E: info@busybee.com.mt. W: www.busybee.com.mt

April 2014 | Sunday Circle 93

WEDDINGS

The Perfect Wedding

1. Whether for 20 or 500 guests, Paradise Bay Resort Hotel can

definitely make your wedding a day to remember. Venues for wedding receptions include the Il-Merill Restaurant which offers an unobstructed view of the clear blue Mediterranean Sea and can accommodate up to 1,000 people (standing). Alternatively, why not have your wedding under a Bedouin tent on our private sandy beach? There is also extensive terrace space surrounding the outdoor pools overlooking the picturesque Paradise Bay, which can accommodate small or large parties. Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, Marfa Road, Cirkewwa. T: 2152 1166. E: events@paradise-bay.com W: www.paradise-bay.com

2. Your wedding is one of the most special and personal events

of your life. At Osborne Caterers, we understand this and limit the number of weddings we style and cater to each year, giving us the time to really get to know each couple, understand their dreams and, importantly, their budget. Our service is “hands on” – we can provide you with bars and waitering staff, as well as marquees, tables, chairs, linen, cutlery, crockery, décor, flower arrangements and all you may need to make your function an outstanding success! Villa Arrigo, San Pawl Tat-Targa. T: 2142 3214. E: info@osbornecaterers.com W: www.osbornecaterers.com

Sunday Circle | April 2014

POP CULTURE

The Villa, a tastefully-renovated 19th century country house overlooking Balluta Bay caters for small, intimate celebrations as well as larger, full-scale events, including weddings, within its three outdoor terraces, two large indoor venue and an intimate private dining room. Located within the Le Meridien grounds, the award-winning restaurant is run as an independent venue by chef patron Chris Hammett, who leads a team of experts and a brigade of chefs at the ready to organise any occasion to the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specifications and budget. Whatever your event or budget contact us!

39, Main Street, Balluta Bay, St. Julians | E-mail: info@thevillamalta.com | Tel: 2311 2273 | www.thevillamalta.com

WEDDINGS

Castello Zamitello limits of Imgarr, Malta

Luxury Catering

by Catermax

Catermax Open Day at Maxtura Ivory Suite Catermax, Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury brand for catering, is organising an open day in its fine Maxtura Ivory Suite in Gozo on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April. This occasion brings together a number of wedding suppliers to provide a one stop shop to all those who wish to wed in Gozo. This open day gives one the opportunity to view the venue and a number of wedding suppliers, including a beautician, nail technician, photographer, videographer, car rentals, musicians, marquee and setup services, souvenirs, beverage supplier, florist and more. The convenience of finding all wedding requirements under one roof makes this a not to be missed occasion for all those who are planning to wed in Gozo. For this open day Catermax has set up a coffee shop too... here you can sit to have a coffee and snack on the selection of savoury and sweet goodies whilst enjoying the environment. BBQ season with Catermax Summer is just around the corner. This makes us think about barbeques and the fun feeling generated during the lovely summer evenings spent with friends or colleagues. Catermax has prepared some interesting packages for the coming summer months

Maxtura Ivory Suite, Gozo

Sunday Circle | April 2014

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