Oh My Malta Magazine January 2023

JANUARY 2023

Plenty of people only think of sunny Malta as just a summer destination but that’s a mistake. If you're prepared for the (slightly) cooler temperatures and spontaneous showers, January can be a great month to see a low-key, untouristy side to Malta, with fewer crowds, lower prices and some excellent deals available. The beaches might be a no-go for swimming, but before the notorious heat kicks in again, this is a terrific time to get in some fresh air and embark on a trek off-the beaten path areas to explore some of Malta and Gozo’s spectacular scenery.

Now that Christmas and New Year festivities have fizzled out, the island falls into something of a winter slumber. Locals are also more relaxed at this time of year, so you may well see a more authentic side to the country. Explore galleries, museums, restaurant and cafes in peace as you sidestep the crowds and don’t let any chances of rain put a dampener on your trip; just nab a spur-of-the-moment table at a restaurant of your choice and make the most of Malta’s gastronomic charm by indulging in one of our traditional comfort foods to keep you warm. But don’t worry, you’re bound to catch some winter sun too, it’s "sunny Malta" after all.

We couldn't be happier to welcome you home!

Issue 26 • January 2023

Oh My Malta is a B2B publication, published monthly in partnership, with the Malta Tourism Authority. It promotes Malta and Gozo as a destination and treats readers to different aspects of Maltese life, culture, culinary delights and business. Visit www.ohmymalta.com.mt for more information.

Published by

Coordinating Editor Philippa Zammit

Sales Coordinator Marisa Schembri mschembri@mediatoday.com.mt

Content Writers

Terrence Mifsud Tiana Formosa Emily Francis

Design Philippa Zammit

Registered Address

Vjal ir-Riħan San Gwann SGN9016 Malta Email pzammit@mediatoday.com.mt

Contact Number +356 2138 2741

Cover

Red door in Mdina Photo credit: James Bianchi

Mdina Gate

Photo Credit: James Bianchi

As a Mediterranean island that is historically renown for reputable and warm hospitality, the local tourism industry continues to be a key player in Malta’s economic ecosystem. Signficantly, for the past seventy years it provided thousands of jobs for Maltese hard working families. Notwithstanding the evident challenges that this country faced in the past few years, it is imperative that we pursue this successful and resilent story to the next phase by undertaking a rethinking process of our tourism product.

Malta’s tourism industry has not only grown in tourism numbers but has widened its seasonal intake, diversified geographic source markets, expanded the age demographic and tapped into an expanding range of motivational reasons as to why tourists should visit the Maltese archipelago.

The Maltese Islands are competing in a world that is changing everyday. The demands of visitors are shifting to an approach that requires quality across the board throughout their vacational experience. Our vision for the rethinking and revitalising of Malta’s tourism is spearheaded by an idealistic set of objectives that seek to maximise tourism returns while minimising the cost of tourism activity. There is every intention to achieve this by aiming for types of tourism that respect and complement Malta’s location, character, human-made and natural landscapes, culture and traditions: be they social, religious, gastronomic or celebratory. It is a tourism project which seeks to maximise returns not only in terms of increased monetary inflows to operators and the economy but also by building tourism on more sustainable foundations. Eventually, it needs to lead to enhanced visitor satisfaction and reduced local impacts.

CLAYTON BARTOLO Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection

events

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Few things bring us all together more effectively than a captivating performance. From tongue-in-cheek comedies and music performances to new theatrical smashes and dance shows, Malta has some incredible entertainment lined up this month!

MSA’s 100 years at Palazzo de La Salle celebration

Malta’s finest musicians will be joining forces to celebrate the Malta Society of Arts’ 100 years at Palazzo de La Salle with a series of monthly concerts and masterclasses. In this first concert, Christine Zerafa’s piano quartet will perform Carmelo Pace’s Conversazioni, Mariella Cassar Cordina’s new commission as part of the celebrations and other works. Get your tickets from showshappening.com

Palazzo de La Salle 219 Republic Street, Valletta

After a sold out tour in Austria, international touring Stand up comedian Mustafa Algiyadi is performing his solo show in Malta! In "A little killing hurts no one", Mustafa Algiyadi manoeuvres through the European way of life from the lens of an Arab, longing so bad to be part of it, yet confronted with some cultural differences that makes it....confusing!

If you are up for deconstructing people's behaviours, talk about war, religion, meditation, velvet sofas and to learn that maybe some killing is not so bad after all then you got to see this stand up comedy show and enjoy all that with laughters along the way.

Get your tickets from showshappening.com

The Black Pearl, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta

Lasallian Nights 2023: Charmed

Follow the story of Prince Charming and his romantic endeavours!

He crosses paths with an array of colourful candidates, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella, but who of these princesses is his true love? This dynamic tale makes for an exuberant evening filled with laughter, excitement and emotion, topped off with many dazzling songs and dance numbers. Get your tickets from showshappening.com

De La Salle College, St Edward Street, Birgu

Spanning over three weeks, the festival offers a quintessential experience of all that is Baroque as it takes place in exquisite venues such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, The Verdala Palace, Palazzo Parisio, and Teatru Manoel to name a few. These venues are authentic Baroque spaces adorned with lavish decor, sculptures and paintings that are typical of this period. the festival highlights the enormous versatility of the baroque idiom and its mass appeal. Above all the festival’s strength lies in the wonderful baroque settings that one finds in Valletta and the Maltese archipelago; a precious legacy that each and every one of us Maltese treasure. For more information visit www.festivals.mt

Electric Café Concert

JAN

In this fast-moving, ultra-connected, and complicated world, it’s always a pleasure for us humans to find refuge in nostalgic sensations. They take us back to a time and place where our minds were free from all the noise. One of the most powerful man-made inventions, that’s been with us for thousands of years, that can also take us back into these blurry yet vivid recollections — is music. And Electric Café will take us there.Electric Café was the very first concert Electronic Music Malta produced back in December 2015. In 2023, they’re eight years older, with one of our most ambitious lineups to date. This time they gather 10 of the finest local artists, not to jam but to interpret some of electronic music’s timeless classics by the likes of Daft Punk, Boards of Canada and Yazoo, amongst others. Get your tickets from ticketenginex.kreattivita.org

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Soprano Renée Fleming makes her highly anticipated return to the Met in the world-premiere production of Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts’s The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel. Get your tickets from www.kreattivita.org

Space C, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

FOOD AND DRINKS

Malta has everything you and your family could wish for on holiday and the cusine is just sometihng else. Here's our pick of food-related activities to keep the whole family entertained

Folklore dinner Show

A cultural celebration through dance, characterised with local ‘Folklore’ performances. Enjoy a Maltese dining experience alongside this authentic tradition. For more information visit tamarija.com

Ta’ Marija, Mosta

Glass & Class: Italy-Campania Wine Region Masterclass

Malta’s leading wine educator Aaron Rizzo will be guiding this masterclass session, where he we help all attended understand what’s in that glass, what went behind it, who made it, where it came from and why it’s so good. Get your tickets from showshappening.com

Villa Bighi, Kalkara

Tajine Workshop

Learn about the use of the tajine that delivers such fantastic flavours, ingredients, spices, as well as how it all comes together. The preparation of the tajine was typically reserved for celebration days, weddings and highly-esteemed guests. Create your own representation of this famous North African dish. Everything will be provided including as an apron as well as the ingredients, and equipment needed for the duration of the session. For more information visit www.mcamalta.com Mediterranean Culinary Academy, Naxxar

The Whiskey Festival

Throughout the event there will be a wide selection of both blenden and single malt whiskeys paired with the right food, besides other entertainment for all the family throughout the evening.

Limestone Heritage, Triq Mons Mikel Azzopardi, Siggiewi

28 JAN 14, 21, 28 JAN

Valletta Food Tour

Discover the culture and cuisine of this unique Mediterranean island in a food-filled three hour walking trail packed with curious and exciting information by an experienced guide - Graze while you go! The food tours offer a sumptuous glimpse into this world of local restaurants and gourmet food shops and featuring artisan cheeses and crusty bakes from local ovens, rich hand-made chocolates, local wines and local beer. Suitable clothing and sensible footwear are a must as trails will be held in all weather conditions. Tours are only available in English. Book your spot by visiting offbeatmaltafoodtrails.com

Meeting point: Front entrance to St. John’s CoCathedral in St. John’s Square

Maltese Rural Cooking Class

Choose this experience for a three-hour hands-on cooking class. You will have the opportunity to cook a full blown menu, from appetiser to dessert, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. Whilst every dish will be introduced by a family story or a local tradition, you will learn the tricks of my grandmother’s traditional cooking. You will discover the secrets of the local peasant country cooking. For more information visit diarilbniet.com

Diar il-Bniet Farmhouse Kitchen, Dingli

This workshop will showcase a range of dishes influenced by Lebanese dishes which will result in a feast of colours and textures bursting with flavours. By the end of the evening a beautiful spread of hummus dip, pita bread, tabbouleh salad, falafel balls, and a tahini dressing will await you together with a glass of wine. For more information visit www.mcamalta.com

Mediterranean Culinary Academy, Naxxar

Lebanese Mezze Workshop 31 JAN

ART AND CULTURE

We’ve pulled together a rundown of promising arts and culture events to stir the senses in the new year

An exhibition highlighting underwater archaeologist Honor Frost's connection to Malta. Honor Frost was a pioneer of underwater archaeology and amongst the first to combine the discipline of archaeology with diving. Frost’s first dive experience in a well in London in 1953 and her first dive on an ancient shipwreck a year later sparked a lifetime of underwater exploration. Her connection to Malta began in 1967, when she travelled to the island to map and excavate a 3rd century AD Roman shipwreck located in Mellieħa Bay.

National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta

The exhibition centres around the use of colour, texture and 23.5 karat gold leaf, as a form of expressing the artist’s personal journey over the past year and a half. Despite the turmoil and trepidation, through the darkness, colour, light and gold have shone through. The gold leaf is symbolic of the instances of beauty, growth and timelessness which were intertwined within these difficult moments in the artist’s life. Moreover, the dual metaphoric symbolism of the gold and gilding techniques used in creating these abstract pieces, reflects the relevance that the traditional and timeless technique of gilding has in the realm of art. Through her paintings, Rebecca finds a form of escapism from the bitter realities of this period in her life while also celebrating the triumphs experienced in the face of adversity.

Unseen and Unheard is an exhibition that sheds light on overlooked or previously unrecorded war narratives and microhistories from Malta and elsewhere. It brings together items and artefacts drawn from different collections, with a primary focus on wartime experiences of women and girls. The exhibition was inspired by a series of conversations between the Storm Petrel Foundation and Dr Robert Attard. Dr Attard had found a collection of letters written by a young German woman during the Second World War, some of which will be on display in the exhibition, together with other artefacts from a number of collections. For more information visit www.stormpetrelfoundation. org

Honor Frost’s Malta: A Pioneer in the Centre of the Mediterranean

17 JAN-14 APR

The Storm Petrel Foundation, Triq Sant Anton, Attard

Unseen and Unheard

Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta

Enlightenment Exhibition 5-25 JAN

Anamnesis

20 JAN-26 FEB

The project is an introspective visual art exhibition by Clint Calleja, consisting of paintings, sculptures, photography and installations revolving around the theme of ‘Trauma and Memory’. The artworks will be unfolding through autobiographical recollections that remain imprinted in his memory.

Curated by Kenneth Cassar, this exhibition is an intimate confession through four life changing tragic chapters which have marked the artist and his family in a short period of time.

C, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

The In Guardia Parade is a 16th century historical event that can be traced back to the Knights of St John. The noble order – also called the Knights Hospitaller and the Order of Hospitallers – arrived in Malta in the year 1530 and settled on the islands for 250 years. During this time, the Knights would frequently hold this event, which involved a regular inspection of the fort and garrison by the Gran Bailiff who was in charge of military affairs.Nowadays, the re-enactment has proven to be a popular spectacular for both locals and tourists. The event is rooted in the Knights’ history, and includes performances of drills, fencing, fire arms and canon firing by the bombardiers. Get your tickets from heritagemalta.mt

C'est La Vie: Sculpture Exhibition

20 JAN-12 FEB

The solo exhibition by ceramist Joseph Agius focuses on various aspects of life. The exhibition title is meant as a tongue-in-cheek or sarcastic comment to highlight the alienation that we are surrounded with and the ‘laissez-faire’ way of life that we are so used to live in. The aspects tackled are various and origin from different strata of life as well as from different countries. The sculptures presented in this collection are all executed in ceramics, a signature medium for Agius who has been working for over 30 years and all come with very evocative titles, which is very typical and expected of Agius’s provocative works.

Il-Kamra ta' Fuq, Mqabba

19, 24, 28 JAN

Teatru Manoel Exclusive Tour

Teatru Manoel proudly presents a new exclusive tour, in collaboration with House of Tours. Theatre is part of our civilisation, it is, however, a fleeting art. The moment a performance is over it continues to exist only in the memory of the spectator. Nevertheless, there is one permanent expression of this art, the theatre building and all its stories. Every theatre tells us something new, about it’s founders and their stories, about the relationship between audience and artists, and the changing times. Book your spot on www.teatrumanoel.com.mt

Fort St Angelo, Birgu

In Guardia Parade

15, 22 JAN

Space

Manoel Theatre, Valletta

FOUR DAY

ITINERARY MALTA

THE MUSEUM EDITION

Neolithic habitation on the island dates back around 8,000 years, and the remains of the first settlers may still be observed. Large Neolithic temple buildings may still be seen in Gozo and the southern part of Malta. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that Malta has a tonne of interesting and distinctive museums. We at OhMyMalta are prepared to educate ardent museum-goers and lead them through the greatest and most intriWguing museums on the island.

DAY 1: VALLETTA AND BIRGU

Malta's museums are easily accessible and reasonably priced to visit. Valletta, the capital of Malta, is unquestionably the place to go if you're in a hurry and wish to see a variety of museums in one location.

Valletta is sometimes referred to as ‘one giant museum’. The Local World Heritage Site houses over 20 museums, so it will be quite a strenous task to encompass every single museum you should visit when you’re in Valletta. We will, however, highlight the most sought-after sites and what they mainly provide.

The Grandmaster's Palace is one of Valletta's most spectacular structures. The palace was built during the 16th and 18th centuries to serve as the residence of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John. The Grandmaster's Palace's courtyard is home to a separate door that leads to the Palace Armory, which holds the biggest collection of weapons and armour still kept in its original home in

the whole globe. The collection offers an interesting look at some of the tangible remnants of earlier eras and waged wars.

While in the capital, you should wend your way to the National Museum of Archeology. This museum offers visitors a magnificent collection of artefacts from Malta's several ancient eras, starting with the Għar Dalam phase (5200 BC) and continuing through the Tarxien phase (2500BC).

The majestic Fort St. Elmo is one of the most beloved hotspots in Valletta. This consequential fort has been keeping watch over the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour for centuries. It was restored to its former splendour after playing a significant part during the Great Siege in 1565. Inside the Old Drill Hall of Lower Saint Elmo is where one can find the Malta’s National War Museum. The museum showcases antiquities from the Bronze Age all the way up till the Second World War, albeit the most

Fort St Elmo Photocredit: CatHouseProduction

significant collection of the museum is related to World War II. Various photographic panels document wartime life in Malta, highlighting the challenges encountered by civilians and the destruction wrought by aerial bombardment.

The most recently established museum you can visit in Valletta is ‘MUŻA’. The museum’s moniker,‘Muża’, is an abbreviation for the Maltese translation of the National Museum of Art, ‘Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti’. By reconsidering a museum's function and value in the community, MUŻA aims to stretch the bounds of what is deemed to be a ‘conventional museum’. The museum is housed in The Auberge d'Italie, where the Italian knights of the Order of St. John once had their headquarters. It was initially built by 1629 and had several alterations to accommodate its many shifting uses throughout time.

you have some free time. A must-see attraction, the Inquisitor's Palace captivates tourists with its wellpreserved artefacts and offers a fascinating window into the past. Additionally, one of Grand Harbour's principal bastioned forts, Fort St. Angelo is situated near the point of Birgu and faces the eastern side of Valletta.

National Museum of Archeology

Bus Routes

Valletta to Tarxien: 82, 84, 85, or 88

Valletta ro Hypogeum Temples: 81, 84, or 88

Valletta to Mnajdra (Ħaġar Qim Temples): 71, 74, or 73

Wied il-Għasel

Ħaġar Qim, Photo credit: Elisabeth Ertl

TarxienTemples

The Maltese temple complexes were built over a considerable amount of time and at a number of different locations. While each site has unique characteristics, they all share a rather common architectural style. Big limestone blocks were used to construct the megalithic temples of Malta and Gozo, thus the term "megalithic" (Latin for "large stone"). They often have what have been referred to as "apses," which were discovered to have included carved female

The two temples Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, which are situated on Malta's south-eastern shoreline within 500 metres of one another, are by far the most well-known by both locals and

Ħal-SaflieniHypogeum

Tarxien Temple is a lesserknown but no less stunning temple. The Tarxien Temple is a collection of Neolithic structures that was subsequently utilised as a Bronze Age cemetery, and it is located back on Malta's more populated eastern side.

Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground rock-hewn burial complex unearthed in the early 20th century, is only a short stroll from the Tarxien Temples. A stone mason who was constructing the foundation for many houses in 1902 unintentionally discovered it. Unforunately, most of the houses had been built by the time the discovery of the Hypogeum was disclosed. Consequently, the monument's upper level suffered permanent harm. The site was public property by the end of 1903, and excavation continued there until 1911.

The discovery of these temples greatly enhanced Malta's sense of national identity by firmly establishing the existence of a vibrant ancient civilisation on the island. Additionally, the discoveries sparked a widespread interest that led to a first-time public concern for the preservation

Mnajdra

DAY 3: GOZO

For such a small island, Gozo boasts a great number of museums with intriguing exhibits. The art shown at Gozo's museums and galleries ranges from 5000-year-old statuettes to moon rock, historical graffiti to contemporary works of art. The Citadel is home to the majority of the museums, with the other ones scattered around the villages. They cover a wide range of topics, including archaeology, crafts, theology, science, toys, and jail cells, but all give insight into the heart and spirit of Gozo, both in the past and the present.

Victoria is where you can find the the Old Prison. While a separate block of six individual cells makes up the remainder of the prison, which was in use from the middle of the 16th century until the beginning of the 20th century,

the entrance hall from today's prison served as a communal cell in the 19th century and is now home to a permanent exhibition on fortifications. The Knights of St. John utilised this jail to house their noisy and disruptive members right away when they arrived in Malta.

One of the few windmills from the Knights' Period still standing in the Maltese Islands is the Ta' Kola Windmill in ix-Xagħra, Gozo. Dating back to 1720, Villagers used to bring their grain to be crushed into flour when the wind conditions were favourable. The top of the mill still has the large millstones attached to the main milling machinery, which is surrounded by the living and working quarters of the miller.

MuseumGozoNature

OldPrison

Behind the mediaeval Courts of Justice, in one of the twisting corridors of the Citadel, lies the Gozo Nature Museum, another attraction showcases the environmental history of the island, its natural resources, and how the island's inhabitants utilise them.The museum is located in three adjoining homes from the first half of the seventeenth century. The structure was used as an inn in the eighteenth century and as a shelter for families fleeing aerial bombing during World War II. The displays on the lower level center on the island of Gozo in particular, geology, minerals, and the development of humans and other animals. The upper level displays the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the Maltese Islands. A little garden at the Museum's back features a number of native and garigue species, including the Maltese Rock Centaury, which serves as the nation's official plant.

Ta'KolaWindmill

Bus Routes

Valletta to Ta' Qali: 54 or 56

Valletta to Rabat: 50

Valletta to Mdina: 51, 52, 53

DAY 4

Rabat and neighbouring Mdina, the ‘silent city’ are rich in history, packed with museums and enticing attractions that cater for all the family. For instance, the Wignacourt Museum stands out because it caters to tourists of all preferences. The museum presents an exhibition of numerous paintings, relics, and other religious artefacts in what was formerly the baroque home of the Chaplains of the Knights of the Order of St. John. Proceed to St. Paul's Catacombs, a maze of underground tombs, underneath the museum. Interestingly, these catacombs are Malta's earliest archaeological representation of Christianity.

The Mdina Dungeons are located beneath Vilhena Palace, just inside Mdina's main gate. Explore the rooms and underground corridors while screaming your way through an immersive tour into the sinister past of the city. The different forms of torture that took place when Malta was a colony under the reign of the Romans, Arabs, the Knights of Malta, and even the French are recreated here by a variety of wax figures. (p.s this is a tad on the

PalazzoFalson

MdinaDungeons

gruesome side. Thus, this is not recommended for the faint-hearted!)

You cannot truly soak in the Palazzo Falson. The two-story Palazzo Falson building was initially constructed in the Middle Ages and later enlarged. The museum has a number of displays of antiques and artwork in addition to housing its most recent occupant, who lived there permanently in the early 20th century, and his vast collection of historical artefacts. It belonged to Olof Frederick Gollcher, a descendent of a Swedish-Maltese family who made a fortune in Malta in shipping. Olof was an artist, a philanthropist and art lover who collected objets d’art, mostly from travels throughout his life. Olof’s house in Mdina is filled with antique furniture, silver pieces, oriental carpets, paintings, ship models, armoury, rare books, watches, jewellery and many other valuable artefacts. Gustav Café is also open to guests for refreshments on the rooftop terrace of the museum.

The Domus is situated halfway between Mdina and Rabat. These museums were unintentionally found to contain the ruins of an aristocratic Roman mansion in 1881.

Since then, the exquisite mosaics and the artefacts on show provide an engaging viewing of what is known about Malta during the Roman era.

The Malta Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali, which covers everything about planes and the history of aviation, is just ten minutes away from Mdina. The museum, which is situated in three hangars, details the history of aviation on the island and has artefacts, particularly from the Second World War and the post-war eras. Some of the planes being maintained and restored by the museum are still in working order.

MaltaAviationMuseum

StPaul'sCatacombs

A TOUR OF GOZO’S VICTORIA

Gozo’s been dubbed as the rewarding extra mile. This is no exaggeration because this little island off mainland Malta offers a mosaic of rich experiences, amazing views and historic places interwoven with culture.

San George's Square, Basilica and Old Part of Victoria

Even a visit to the capital of Gozo, Rabat or Victoria will confirm this.

Victoria, named in honour of the famous British Queen's Golden Jubilee in 1887 is the island’s hub or mecca that should be visited by all. Here’s a list of what to do and see in Victoria that will fill more than a whole day of touring.

the piazzas or squares are an ideal place to stop and enjoy a coffee or a drink or a quick bite. One can say that each square is dominated by a church. The conventual church of St. Francis, which celebrates the early winter feast of the Immaculate Conception in December overlooks St. Francis’ Square while St George’s Square is under the dominion of St. George’s Basilica. Independence

Squares and Piazzas

There is no doubt that the squares in Victoria are at the centre of daily life for locals and visitors alike. Brimming with the life of the shops, cafés and bars,

Square, known by the locals as It-Tokk, is presided over by St. James’ Church on one side and the Banca Giuratele on the other side. All three squares all within easy walking distance from each other.

Churches and Basilicas

The number of churches in the old city of Victoria is no surprise. Gozo’s faith and religious traditions have ensured a good dose of worship places. Take time to visit the baroque Basilica of St. George where nothing has been spared to lift one’s gaze to splendour. The smaller yet evocative churches of Savina and St. James Church too have their own interesting story. Apart from

Narrow winding streets inside the Citadel

Archeology Museum inside the Citadel

Villa Rundle Garden

these churches, Victoria is also home to different religious orders - the Conventual Church of St Francis of Assisi, the Church of St Augustine and the annexed priory, the church of Our Lady of Pompei which is next door to the convent of the Dominican sisters, the Franciscan nuns' convent and their church in Palm Street. The church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, located on the main road to Marsalforn is the base of the Capuchins Friary.

The Citadel

One cannot visit Rabat in Gozo without taking a couple of hours to explore the Gran Castello or the Citadel. The Citadel, sitting like the crown jewel at the centre of the island of Gozo, was an important part of the island’s defence when the corsairs roamed the Mediterranean. Walk along the fortified bastions to admire the views, and visit the Cathedral, the grain silos, the war-time shelter and the several museums as explore you wander along narrow-cobbled streets.

The old part of the town

Make sure you take some time to visit the old medieval part of the town, where the narrow streets and alleys offer a peek into what the city looked like in times gone by. Admire the vernacular architecture, look out for the devotional niches and you are bound to stumble on the artists’ district of the city of Victoria. While you’re exploring these old quarters in Victoria you might smell

the whiff of freshly baked bread, in which case it is suggested that you follow the scent as you’ll end up at a bakery that is literally tucked away in one of the alleys.

Theatres

If you’re looking for more interesting things to do in Victoria, make sure you note the two rival theatres located on the same main street, a stone’s throw away from each other. While the rivalry between the two can be hot and fiery, there is no doubt that the notable levels that La Stella and Leone Societies have achieved in the musical and opera spheres know their origins in the spurring and combative spirit that rages on from generation to generation.

Villa Rundle

For a dose of serenity and greenery, take a stroll through Gozo’s most prominent public garden. Villa Rundle Garden dates back to colonial times and it was named after the British General Sir Leslie Rundle. The garden is not only a recreational space, but also one where several activities are held throughout the year. If you’re here during the Christmas season, a visit to Villa Rundle Garden in the evening is one of the highlights of what to do in Victoria during the season. The garden is transformed into a winter wonderland with a dazzling array of Christmas lights and Christmas stalls.

FIVE BUCKET LIST HIKING TRAILS IN MALTA & GOZO

Words by Tiana Formosa

January in Malta tends to be colder than December but still comfortable enough to get out, take in some fresh air and walk on one of Malta’s many hiking trails. Malta’s hills make the island a good hiking choice as it challenges its hikers and pushes them to walk on a variety of land types - those being sandy, dry, rocky and smooth, amongst others. Additionally, expect to walk past and through numerous landforms such as beaches and cliffs.

The Dingli Cliffs are found on the west coast of Malta. Located in the locality of Ħad-Dingli which is home to one of the highest points in Malta, you can expect to see stunning views overlooking the Mediterranean sea and plenty of cliffs as you explore throughout the hike. As this trail is set on much

higher land and overlooks the ocean, it is best to bring a windblocking jacket to keep you warm and protected.

Whilst up there, Filfla and the tiny islet of Filfoletta can be seen, where you can admire their long untouched beauty.

Dingli Cliffs, Dingli

Photo credit: RevealMallta

Begin in Xemxija and cross the coast to get a glimpse of the popular Golden Bay from afar. Throughout the hike, you’ll walk through built-up towns and past empty fields, exploring views and environments you perhaps haven’t before. This hike is for experienced hikers as on average, it takes just over two hours and requires some uphill climbing.

Once you reach the west coast, you can sit down and take some time to enjoy the stunning ocean views and fresh air in the open space. On the way back, you’ll be trekking past farms and hills, giving you a break from the usual built-up scene and hustle and bustle.

Wied il-Ghasel, which translates to the ‘Valley of Honey’, is full of flora and rock formations. With many grasscovered paths, exploring this natural beauty with its tranquil atmosphere will make you never want to leave. The valley is just around the corner from Mosta, fortunately meaning that the city centre is only a quick walk away if you become peckish, need to rehydrate or require something quickly.

This hiking trail is very popular amongst hikers and is a definite go-to when you want to go out and take a nice, adventurous walk.

This hike is perfect if you’ve got an extra couple of hours up your sleeve. Found in the southwestern region of Malta, Siġġiewi is quite popular with hikers, as it is sprawled with fields and a generous amount of spacious land. Surrounded by the Maltese countryside, hikers will love this area as they can challenge themselves with the many routes on offer.

This specific Għar Lapsi hike is looped and takes around two and a half hours on average to complete. Ideally, interested hikers should obtain experience, as this trail at times can be quite rocky and close to the edge of multiple cliffs - so look out.

Ramla Country Walk, Gozo

With Gozo being a more relaxed and quieter island, hiking there is a definite must. This route starts from Marsalforn Bay, passing through the village of ixXagħra, and ends in Ramla Bay, classified as a Natura 2000 protected site. A very scenic route, as you pass through vast open fields and coastline cliffs. When hiking on the coast of Ramla Bay, view the stunningly crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and head up to the beautiful Calypso Cave, located in a cliff just off Xaghra.

Exploring this much of Gozo takes time, so if you have between three and a half to five hours available, this route would be a good fit.

Xemxija Loop, Xemxija

Wied il-Ghasel, Mosta

Għar Lapsi, Siġġiewi

Photo credit: Experience Gozo

Photo credit: wikiloc

Photo credit: pudina

Photo credit: Maltatina

EXPLORING

XEWKIJA

Words by Terrence Mifsud

XEWKIJA

Located right between Victoria and Għajnsielem, Xewkija is the oldest settlement in Malta's sister island, Gozo. The village’s name is derived from the term ‘xewk’ which denotes to ‘thorns’ or ‘thistles’. On Nevember 27,1678, Xewkija became the first Gozitan village outside of Victoria to become parish. It also became the first "contrada" area to be referred to as a "casale" or ‘hamlet’.

The Rotunda of Xewkija, a church honouring St. John the Baptist, is undeniabiliy the most acclaimed structure in Xewkija. It was constructed from Maltese stone by local masons and craftsmen, and it served as the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John. Interestingly, it is the biggest church in Gozo, and the settlement is dominated by its dome. Designed by Ġużè Damato, the current Rotunda replaced an older church whose priceless masonry is currently on display at the Rotunda's Art Museum. Pietro Paolo Azzopardi created the wooden figure of Saint John the Baptist that bears his name in 1845.

16th century historian Gann-Frangisk Abela noted that the area of Xewkija has been inhabited since the very early times. This hypothesis is mainly based on a prehistoric temple at Xewkija. Trial excavations conducted in the meadows east of the parish church in 1904 continued to confirm this hypothesis. The region of Xewkija has been occupied since the Neolithic period. Malta and Gozo were settled by the Phoenicians in 700 BC, and afterwards by the Carthaginians. Punic artefacts have been found within the limits of Xewkija.

The Majmuna Stone with its Arabic inscription

was discovered in this quaint town. It honours Maymnah, a young Arab woman who passed away in 1174, nearly a century after the Norman invasion of Malta in 1091. It is believed that Islam was the nation’s dominant religion before 1224. On the underside of the massive marble slab where the text is etched, there is a Roman sign. It was first translated into Italian by Brother Gabrijel D'Alappo, and then into Maltese. It has now been transferred to the Gozo Museum of Archaeology.

The feast of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on the last Sunday of June. At around noon, the marching band performs throughout Xewkija's main thoroughfares, often followed by a musically timed fireworks show.

Some of the top Maltese stone masons from Gozo come from Xewkija. They are also renowned for their fishing prowess, and the fishermen of Xewkija have preserved the expertise of creating conventional cane fish traps.

The coat of arms of Xewkija has a crimson horizontal strip between two thorns, one above and one below, on a gold backdrop. Xewkija’s motto is ‘ Nemo me impune lacessit, or "No one shall assault me with impunity,".

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN XEWKIJA

XEWKIJA ROTUNDA

The Rotunda, which has the third biggest unsupported dome in the world and is 28 metres in circumference and 75 metres in height, was constructed in the 20th century to honour St. John the Baptist. The enchanting dome is supported by eight concrete columns that are housed inside the striking white limestone building. The interior displays both the versatility and texture of local limestone as well as the skill of local artisans. The floor is polished Carrara marble, and the great altar is similarly sculpted from precious marble.

WINDMILL

As one approaches the town, the remnants of a windmill from the Knights' era that Grand Master Perellos had built may be spotted. This mill stands out from the others in Gozo due to its octagonal ground floor, which depicts the eight primary wind directions. Two parallel chambers and a spacious entry hall may be found in the windmill. In the middle of the structure is a spiral staircase going to the mill roof. Upstairs in the foyer is where the birth chamber is situated. The windmill was still in operation up until 1886.

MĠARR IX-XINI VALLEY

The stunning, unspoiled Mġarr ix-Xini Valley and access to the serene Bay of Mġarr ix-Xini, a delightful area to swim, snorkel, and dive, are located on the coast beyond the town. In the winter and spring, Xewkija makes a great base for both trekking and abseiling. The lovely walk from the bay to the valley’s watchtower has just been refurbished, and it is now available to the public. It is most well-known abroad as the setting of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movie "By the Sea".

MADONNA TAL-ĦNIENA (OUR LADY OF CHARITY)

The ancient chapel known as Madonna tal-Ħniena (Our Lady of Charity) is also worth admiring. It is named in honour of Saint Bartholomew (San Bartilimew), an apostle who was flayed alive as a kind of martyrdom. The chapel's original façade was quite plain and included a modest parvis up front. In order to provide travellers to and from the harbour with some cover during storms, Feliċ Axiaq financed for the parvis' roofing in 1705. Dun Ġużepp Attard, who took over maintenance of the church in 1933, constructed a new vestry and an adjacent hall for catechism instruction. The chapel was expanded between 1955 and 1956, and the parvis was added as part of the expansion.

THE RESTORATION OF ROMEO ROMANO GARDENS

In one of Malta’s busiest and high traffic zones lies Romeo Romano Gardens. This garden used to form part of Palazzo Manoel, which was later renamed as Casa Leoni. Built by Grand Master Antonio Manuel De Vilhena in 1730, this palazzo is one of many other major projects that were carried out during his reign as Grand Master of the islands, which also include Fort Manoel in Gżira, Manoel Theatre in Valletta and many other buildings in Floriana. In 1977, the large garden – part of this palazzo – was opened to the public as ‘Romeo Romano Gardens’.

Ongoing works at Romeo Romano Gardens

A calm oasis that brings tranquillity to an otherwise chaotic surrounding being only a few hundred metres away from one of the arterial roads in the country. This garden brings nature right into the place where one lives and works. Something that has become more important than ever.

It was for this reason that last year, GreenServ took over the restoration of an area of this garden that had been closed off to the public. An area that contained a disused sienja, a water lifting apparatus installed in the 19th century to water the gardens; and an underground bell-shaped water reservoir that connects to a unique irrigation system covering the whole garden, as well as many mature citrus trees. These

historical features were restored as part of this project that also included the restoration of the garden walls, fountains and pathways to make this garden safe and accessible. Indeed, the water reservoir was cleaned and restored so that it could harvest water whilst the sienja and irrigation system were restored.

In its restoration, GreenServ sought to modernise this garden without compromising its baroque design characterised by walkways and stone carved fountains attributed to the French military engineer Francois de Mondion. Benches, lighting, a children’s play area and a raised deck area were also added.

Natural materials were used for these new additions to respect the character of this garden and the surroundings. Wood was chosen as the primary material for the play equipment, with the use of plastic restricted as much as possible. Instead of the commonly used rubber flooring for the play area, natural wood mulch was used. The deck areas will be transformed into a sensory area with carefully chosen elements having different textures and creating sounds in order to stimulate the sense of hearing and touch. Young citrus trees were also planted to add to the existing trees, as well as a number of shrubs.

The first phase of the restoration project led by GreenServ was inaugurated

last December by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli. However, this will not be the end of this project. In the second phase of this project, an old building that originally served as the gardener’s residence, will be transformed into an educational centre with a focus on the environment in collaboration with local NGO Nature Trust. A second deck area will also be added to serve as a community garden to build healthier lifestyles as well as educating kids and adults alike.

Like with all other GreenServ projects, this will be another green space that supports a healthy, active living and is environmentally resilient and sustainable. Attributes that GreenServ has now become synonymous with.

Make time to visit this enchanting place where you are guaranteed to receive a warm welcome by the colony of cats that for years have made this garden their permanent home.

Emily Francis

Photo Credit: James Bianchi

EMILY IN MALTA FINDS THE TASTE OF JOY

Interview by Philippa Zammit

After moving to Malta with her family in 2020 during the worldwide lockdown and pandemic, Emily A. Francis learned insider secrets to Malta and Mediterranean living through writing her local column Emily in Malta for the local tourism magazine, Oh My Malta. Here she interviews local farmers, fishermen and chefs about the way foods are grown, harvested, caught and prepared on the island. Now taking this information and turning it into a book The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom For a Life Worth Savoring, we sit down with our own, Emily Francis to find out more about how all of this became possible.

soft place to land when we arrived. To this day, they continue to take great care of all of us at the company.

A: My first impression is so subjective because we literally got off the airplane and were taken directly to our new home for a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The whole thing was surreal. We chose a home through a local realtor who took copious videos to help us decide. Showing up to a new life in a foreign country for someone such as myself who is not at all a traveler, it was overwhelming, terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. We moved here with my husband’s company. We were not the only family to make the move out of the states and into Malta, but we were the last people allowed to cross the border before they closed to the rest of the world due to the pandemic. We received our travel papers at the layover in the Netherlands. Talk about trusting the process! It took everything I had to stay fixed to the goal of arriving here safely with the whole family in tow. We had each other to lean on which, of course, helped. We got off the plane to see our boss and his wife waiting for us with a key to our new home. They had already grocery shopped for us and had our kitchen fully stocked. They gave us a

Moving across the world to a place I had never even visited, took a giant leap of faith and trust that this was where my family was meant to be. So, my husband and children, three dogs and one cat all hopped a plane and landed in the Mediterranean to begin a completely new life. What I thought about Malta based on what I saw on the way to our house was that it was very brown and dry. We moved here at the beginning of August during a heat wave. I saw a few beautiful buildings (which the Maltese architecture is absolutely stunning and I pray it always remains that way). The dry, brown desert look, however, scared me. It looked nothing like all the videos I had spent months watching on YouTube! Also driving on the left side of the road made me feel dizzy. It was a sensory overload making me think that we were going to have a head-on collision with every car passing by! Getting my bearings here took many weeks to months. It wasn’t love at first sight. It was hope at first sight. Hope for a new life and a safer and healthier life for my family. This is followed by a hard-

earned and incredibly sublime love affair. Now, Malta is my one and only. It is my home and it has my heart.

Q: Who is Emily in Malta? What is your story?

A: As an American author with five books on body healing, it was only natural to want to continue to write. Finding exactly what I wanted to write about, however, and making it happen was something else entirely. Until moving to Malta, I was in practice as a clinically trained bodyworker specialising in lymphatics treating a specific chronic condition known as lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs most notably following cancer treatment. I have been in practice for more than twenty years and studying anatomy and the muscular system in relation to human emotion since the later 1990’s.

Moving to Malta, I did not open a practice. I started over completely. I created something entirely new based on my curiosity and excitement. I only wanted two things in my quest to leave the United States. Those two things were:

1) Living in a safe country with regard to

Q: What was your first impression of the island?

gun violence for my children, especially in schools.

2) Living in a country where GMOs are not used in our foods. GMO stands for genetically modified organisms, or more easily stated as highly toxic chemicals that are sprayed on our crops with extensive research linking them to cancer and other autoimmune disorders. Malta was the first in the EU to ban the use of GMO’s which put me on ‘team Malta’ from the start.

Q: What’s it like living in Malta? Do you feel welcome here?

A: Living in Malta for our family has been something of a dream come true. I often refer to our life here as Heaven on Earth. As for feeling welcome, I feel very welcome and loved in Malta! But this was not immediate, nor was it easy. This was me getting out there and doing everything I possibly could to meet new people and learn about the culture. I was the school van supervisor that first year simply because I had no idea where my children would be going to school! It was during Covid and we could not tour the school, or find the classrooms or meet their teachers. This was terrifying to me! When I spoke with the government transport to sign my kids up, they let me know that they were short-staffed that year because of the pandemic and that our van wouldn’t have a supervisor. So, I volunteered. I rode that van with my children from the first day of school to the last. It was such a great experience of really getting to be the fly on the wall and watch everyone around me without anyone knowing I wasn’t just the supervisor, but a parent at the school. The other van supervisors were very kind to

me. I owe them a great deal for making me feel included.

What I saw with our school exceeded any and all of my expectations. The way that the children are greeted every morning by the school staff made my mummy heart explode with delight! The teachers here are very warm and loving. Children are greeted with actual hugs! I learned quickly the word “pupa” (doll). “Good morning, Pupa!” They would say each morning as the children filed in line waiting to have their temperature taken and their hands sprayed with sanitiser. It makes me a very happy mother to see that the school here, and I don’t think it’s only our school, has an amazing education system. Teachers still love their jobs! The education system is not broken here and you can tell right away that this is the case. Children feel loved and cherished and valued. It isn’t just about tests. It’s about raising the whole child here. The concepts of personal wellness and emotional balance are taught from a young age here. This is the biggest difference between the world I’ve known verses the world my children are getting to experience lies within the education system and Malta has that one beat, hands down. My children have grown into very strong, balanced and confident people with the help of their school here. This, for me, is of the utmost importance in my enjoying life in Malta. As a mother, when your children are supported, happy and growing in balance and love…there is nothing more valuable than this.

Then little by little, I began to meet the parents and make friends with families from our school. This is where you really learn the ropes of the locals and expats

alike. Everyone that I have become friends with puts family first. Lucky for us, once you are close friends, you are taken in as part of their family. The people that I have met in Malta, both local and from surrounding countries have made my life here exponentially more delicious.

On top of finding my way as a parent in Malta, I then took steps to figure out how and what to write in Malta. I reached out to a few news outlets and magazines and got very little interest in response. And then, one fine day, the clouds parted and the sunshine came in the form of Oh My Malta. I emailed the editors and to my great surprise, they responded with interest! One phone call later and we decided to give it a go. And so began my new journey of becoming Emily in Malta and interviewing the local farmers on the island both in print and in live video interviews!

Q: You are the woman behind all our interviews with farmers and producers. What makes you so fascinated with everything local?

A: My introduction to writing this column was with potato farmer, Paul Zammit. He was the greatest introduction to Maltese farmers I could have ever asked for. He is the reason that I have fallen madly in love with the local farming community in Malta! If you have lived in Malta all your life, you may take for granted or underestimate how absolutely charming and lovely the people here really are, especially the farmers and fishermen. They don’t make them like that in the states! It’s like a dream I didn’t really know I had come to life in finding these people. The

Maltese farming community is all heart. They are without a doubt the kindest, most generous, hardest-working people I have ever known. And traveling all over the island and also in Gozo, I have met the most beautiful humans that this island has to offer. I often say that the backbone of this country is made up of the local farmers and that the heartbeat of the island beats straight out of the fishing village. The brain and spine, the farmers and fisherman, this is where the heart and soul reside. They are my most treasured people. I am aware that through this opportunity I have been given a life so unique and so beautiful and I do not take it for granted. It is a gift that I want to share with the whole world that these people are the liveliest characters any story could ever have!

Also, I need to add that finding the farmers beyond Paul at the beginning was excruciating. No one handed me the contact list and told me who to call. It wasn’t easy and it took more effort than I’d like to admit to keep showing up and asking to be invited into a very tight circle. I had to make my way through it, little by little and one by one. And after a few months of interviews, the farmers began to make calls to their friends and vouch for me that I’m “good people” and from there they would finally begin to let me in. I also try hard to maintain my friendships with them following up and visiting still.

Q: You’ve taken your column with Oh My Malta to the next level with a brand-new book “The Taste of Joy” that hits this month. Can you tell us more about it?

A: Absolutely! I realised fairly quickly that what I was getting to experience here was unlike anything anyone else has written about; especially from the USA. My life in Malta is quite surreal and the people that have given me their time and their stories mean more to me than practically anything I’ve ever written about. I can honestly say that I have never felt as happy and joyful in my life as I have become through living here in the Mediterranean.

Malta gave me a whole new life. At first, I wanted to create a coffee table book, then I thought maybe a cookbook and I tried to meet with local publishers. The publishing world here is totally different from the US publishing business in every possible way. I have to admit that, unlike the local farming community, the local publishing

market here has yet to let me in any of the doors and so I had to shelf those ideas, for now at least. I am very lucky that I have put in more than 15 years of writing and publishing in the states otherwise, this book would never have been born.

Thankfully, I still have my literary agent in New York and I called him to see what way I should play with this next book idea. After he and I crafted a strong book proposal, we submitted it to one of my former publishers in the United States and they said YES! And so my coffee table book/cookbook turned into a happiness, self-help book with local recipes at the end of each chapter. This book is intended to introduce the world to the Mediterranean way of life and Malta specifically. It is like a love letter to my farmers and fisherman and I take some of the gems of wisdom that they shared with me and pass it along throughout the book.

Q: How will you be celebrating the launch of your new book in Malta?

A: This is the question we have all been waiting for! I am incredibly honoured and proud to share that Oh My Malta and I have teamed up to create the first the Taste of Joy Festival! This festival will be on Saturday, March 11th 2023 and it is open to the public and free for all to enter. This not only celebrates my new book (and I will be there doing a book signing, of course!) but it is our way to give back to our farmers and food community that made this whole thing possible. The local farmers are invited to come and sell their own signature products and nibbles to the public. This book release can’t just be about me because it took a village to

make it happen. And at this festival, we are celebrating with our whole village!

What: The Taste of Joy Public Festival

When: Saturday March 11th (I do have the following Saturday, the 18th reserved just in case of bad weather)

Where: Vincent’s Eco Farm, Mgarr

Time: 11 am to 5 pm

Q: where can people get their hands on this book?

A: This book will be in bookstores around the world through my US publisher. The Local specialty shops will carry it here as well. I will be selling it at the festival and I’m happy to come and talk or do a book signing anywhere people want me! You can always order from Book Depository where shipping is free if you can’t find it in the stores. The book is available in Kindle, Paperback and Audio- recorded locally in Malta with Emily as the narrator and two others who narrate the preface and foreward. We were incredibly grateful to get the foreward to be written by Clayton Bartolo, MP Minister for Tourism in Malta.

Emily A. Francis has a BS in Exercise Science and Wellness with a minor in nutrition and a Master’s Degree in Human Performance. She is a clinical and neuromuscular massage therapist and is fully trained as an MLD/CDT therapist through the Dr. Vodder School international. Since moving to Malta, Emily has become a local columnist learning about foods and how they are grown on the island. Find Emily at: www.mymaltalife.com

OLIVIA LILITH

We sit down with campy and glamorous Malta-based drag artist and Malta's Got Talent Golden buzzer girl

Interview by Terrence Mifsud

Photo credit: Mark Soler

A: I’ve always been drawn towards the performing arts. I used to be absolutely fascinated by the fact that as an artist, you can transform into anything that you could possibly imagine. It was never part of my artistic plan to become a drag artist. In fact, I discovered drag at the age of thirty-four. Whilst growing up, I started to attend drama classes as a way to explore who I am and as a medium to come out of my shell and build my own confidence. This beautiful journey also led me to an employment in the entertainment industry that later became my full-time job for around ten years. Here, I developed a greater passion than ever in dance, learned more about music, and also honed my creative abilities.

It dawned upon me that I find these skills very empowering, and I feel great and motivated when I am creating and developing something myself. At this point, I felt strong and safe enough and became curious of what I would be able to do if I combined all my various artistic skills together into one project. This is where drag really took flight. I realised that I could overcome challenging periods in my life by using my sense of humour. I realised that through this art I might be able to express myself artistically but also pave the path to others who can relate to my journey.

Drag is an intense art form. You have to be so confident in yourself and come up with a drag persona. You are also expected to learn how to design and sew costumes. On top of making outfits, you are expected to be able to take care of all the other piece of your aesthetics such as styling wigs and do your own make up and nails. This of course comes with an extensive financial burden as you need to by all your make up, shoes and undergarments. Then when it comes to performing you need to have the necessary skills to market yourself and scout for opportunities, create your own routines, jokes and much more. With all this said, I felt that I was able to handle all of this thanks to the support of my partner and close friends.

Q: Do you feel more comfortable in drag rather than out of drag?

A: I do not see any difference in relation to how comfortable I feel in or out of drag. With this being said, I feel a considerate increase in confidence when I am in drag.

I feel that this superpower is there all the time, however I tend to be much more reserved when I am out of drag.

Q: You recently had the opportunity to co-host Malta Pride 2022. How was this for you?

A: As a famous quote states: "We are all born naked and the rest is drag", we all perform in drag in one way or another in our lives. I had pervious experiences in hosting events, but to be honest, nothing made me so proud of myself and my community than when I hosted the Pride concert 2022. Firstly, I was absolutely honoured to be entrusted with such a big opportunity by ARC (Allied Rainbow Communities), and secondly, I was overjoyed to be paired up with Eileen Montesin amongst others.

Q: Do you think the Maltese drag culture is evolving? If so, how?

A: I think that the drag culture is evolving on a global level not just locally. Ever since drag was launched on national television stations across the globe, this imposed the need for change and the need for drag artists to up their game. Moreover, it also expanded how the general public understands the core values of drag. Our islands are not new to drag performers. During the war and in the eighties, we had a very strong drag culture. Unfortunately, the drag community was very competitive and for some reason or another the interest and the whole art slightly faded away, leaving very few artists and opportunities.

I believe that the amendments of our legislation together with more awareness and open discussions, our island is leaping forward. This allowed people to be happier, more open to new things and have fun. Drag is art, and like any other good show, it can be enjoyed by anyone not just the

LGBTIQ community. In my opinion the drag culture locally is creating a lot of curiosity and the public would like to see what we can do on such a small island.

Q: You were recently in ‘Kwijns’, Malta’s inaugural Christmas drag show. How has been this for you?

A: Kwijns was a mind-blowing learning experience. What made it really special was the team of professionals that worked with us drag artists to help creating the show. This project was directed by Ray Calleja, who is no stranger to the drag art, together with numerous professionals from all sectors. When you plan a drag act such as a lip sync, most of the time it is a solo act, and you have to plan and prepare everything yourself. Kwinjs required so much coordination and rehearsals as it brought five drag artists together in one story.

This very energy consuming production was worth all the time and money invested and the audience feedback was fantastic.

Q: What would you like to say to future drag queens or kings?

A: In my opinion, drag is art and it is also fun. Drag is intimidating sometimes as it is quite demanding and costly especially if you want to create a unique costume and concept from scratch. My secret is research, read and watch videos, take notes, ask questions! Drag is an art that allows you to entertain and express yourself in ways that you never thought of before.

Q: What’s next for Olivia Lilith?

A: Well, Olivia now is heading straight to the live semi-finals on Malta’s Got Talent season 2. This came as a huge surprise after we achieved the golden buzzer during the audition. After a short breather, Olivia is ready to prepare some exciting new surprise for 2023 that will be launched at a later date.

Photo credit: Nick Andrews

Q: What inspired you to start the art of drag?

FERRIES

Cirkewwa, Malta – Mgarr, Gozo

Operates daily Departure time: Approx. every 30 mins

From 12am – 23:15pm Crossing time: Approx. 25 mins

Cirkewwa Malta - Blue Lagoon

Operates daily Departure time: Approx. Every 30 mins

From 8:30am – 5:30pm

3 Cities – Valletta Operates daily Departure time: Approx. every 15 mins

Monday – Saturday from 6:45am –23:30pm

Sundays & public holidays from 9:00am – 23:30pm

Sliema – Valletta ferry

Operates daily Departure time: Approx. Every 15 mins

Monday – Saturday from 6:45am –11:45pm

Sunday & public holidays from 8:45am – 11:45pm

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Fexserv Financial Services Ltd Alpine House, Triq In-Naxxar, San Gwann +356 2576 2576

Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 6pm, Saturday from 9am12.30pm

MEDICAL SERVICES

Mater Dei Hospital +356 2545 0000

Triq Dun Karl, Imsida Opening hours: 24/7

St. James Hospital +356 2329 1000

Triq Gorg Borg Olivier, Sliema St James Square, Zabbar Opening hours: 24/7

Floriana Health Centre +356 2124 3314

F.S. Fenech Street, Floriana Opening hours: 24/7

Gozo Health Centre (Victoria) + 356 2215 6820

Triq Enrico Mizzi, Victoria, Gozo Opening hours: Monday-Sunday

07:00-20:00

CAR RENTAL

GoTo Car Sharing

Car Sharing Services Malta Ltd, Mdina Road, Zebbug, ZBG 9017, Malta

TAXI SERVICES

Cool Ride-Pooling +356 2014 7600 eCabs +3562138 3838

HAIR SALONS

Toni&Guy +356 2138 0129

7, Uqija Street, Ibrag Swieqi, Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 10am – 7pm