NOVEMBER 2021 AUTUMN 2020
We bade farewell to the summer season and the accompanying heat a couple of months ago, despite being treated to a delightfully significant amount of warm, sunny days. As we dive headfirst into the month of November, however, wind and chill are fast becoming our closest companions. In spite of this, Maltese autumns are definitely considered to be mild and pleasant, with many activities still taking place outside, provided the rain stays away. For this reason, in this issue, we focus on cultural sites such as the Tarxien Temples and Borg in-Nadur, which you should schedule into your trip. We go on to shine the brightest of lights on local talent. After all, a vast number of artists, sportspeople and film-makers have, as of late, been mentioned and featured in international media. We also delve into the stunning town of Għarb, on our sister island of Gozo, where day-trips and lazy weekends are the order of the day. We feature special spots that you should grab the family and visit, to ensure a fun and culture-filled holiday. Local food, features on the best burgers in town and an interview with Australian-Maltese restaurant owner fill the pages of the food section, providing you with a clear and structured plan for your feast-like-a-local days, should you desire. With regards to the pandemic, travel restrictions are eased and measures associated with dining, partying, leisurely activities, as well as everything else you can get up to on the islands, are as lax as they have ever been. That being said; be safe, be aware and fully embrace everything these beautiful islands have to offer.
There is a sense of optimism amongst the hospitality sector. This year the restart has been consistent and the industry has been spared the detrimental effects of fluctuating tourism flows that were prevalent in 2021 due to the lack of vaccination. Malta is benefitting from the dual advantage of having the most highly vaccinated European population which is already receiving booster doses coupled with an entry regime which only allows fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country. This is leading to a sense of positvity as tourism volumes and airline connectivity gradually move towards the preCOVID-19 normality. Despite this encouraging news, we are working hard not only to sustain our touristic product but take it up to the next level. Malta will be the first country in the world to adopt the Forbes International Star programme. The Forbes Travel Guide is the global authority on luxury hospitality. In fact, their professional inspectors travel the world to assess hotels, restaurants and spas
based on 900 objective standards that determine their coveted annual star ratings. Through this programme, our hospitality industry will have the opportunity to be assessed on 4 processes that include award of labels and training.The combination of quality award and training to reach and keep such levels is a holistic approach which will enable the Maltese tourism operators all the opportunities to improve their service product and ensure continous delivery to the highest standards. Through this project all hotels across the Maltese Islands will be invited to start the health security verification process by accessing tutorials and guidance material. Together with other initiatives, this programme put us a closer to our vision of making Malta a centre of tourism excellence in the Mediterranean. The road to achieve this goal is an ambitious one but I believe that we are on the right track to make it happen.
CLAYTON BARTOLO Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection
CONTENTS Issue 12 • November 2021 Oh My Malta is a B2B publication, published quarterly 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 Published by
WHAT'S HAPPENING Coordinating Editors Amy Micallef Decesare Philippa Zammit Sales Coordinator Marisa Schembri mschembri@mediatoday.com.mt Design Amy Micallef Decesare Philippa Zammit Photography James Bianchi Registered Address Vjal ir-Riħan San Gwann SGN9016 Malta Email mschembri@mediatoday.com.mt Contact Number +356 2138 2741 Cover by James Bianchi
6 Events happening
around Malta and Gozo
HISTORY AND CULTURE 17
Shining a light on Żurrieq
18
Your Gozitan culture fix
20
Spotlight on: Għarb, Gozo
24
Rewinding time...
34
38
26
LOCAL TALENT
FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!
YOUR STAY
26 Prickly pear picking
42 Shoreline residence
36 Malta World Cup
30 Top burgers and
44 New fliexible way to
38 Interview with artist:
where to get them
34 Interview with: Jesse Caruana
releases apartments explore Malta
qualifiers
Ġulja Holland
WHAT'S ON 2 November
The Feeling of Serenity St Catherine of Italy Church, Victory, Valletta | 12:30-13:30
Barocco Foundation will present a delightful recital for flute and piano by husband-and-wife duo Silvio Zammit and Ramona Zammit Formosa. The programme will include works mostly from the Baroque period featuring “Arioso” by J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi’s “Sonata No. 5 in C” and Alessandro Marcello’s “Adagio”. The recital will also feature three different Ave Marias: Schubert’s and Silvio Zammit’s whilst Ramona will perform the third Ave Maria by Caccini. Silvio and Ramona Zammit have been active as a duo for the past 20 years. They are both Fellows of the London College of Music and teach music in the Malta School of Music in Ħamrun, besides having performed extensively in Malta and abroad. Particularly due to Ramona’s versatility on the piano, flute, and harpsichord, the duo can perform in the different combinations of instruments.
Irvine Wlesh
Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of 10 euro. One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue itself or by email: baroccomalta@gmail.com or phone 79680952. Patrons are being graciously asked to wear masks during the performance and to produce a vaccine certificate before entrance.
2 November
Stand Up at Storeroom! Storeroom, ix-Xatt ta’ Ta’ Xbiex, Ta’ Xbiex
A a fun night of stand-up comedy hosted by Andrew Bonello, who will introduce several guest performers during the evening. He'll also wax lyrical about a life half-lived - and how you might do better. All whilst you enjoy drinks with friends in the comfort of Storeroom.
3-7 November
Irvine Welsh at The Malta Book Festival 2021
MFCC Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre , Millenium Stand, Level 1 National Stadium, Ta' Qali
The Malta Book Festival is the foremost book celebration in the country's cultural calendar. Annually, the MBF boasts an attendance rate of 40,000 visitors, the participation of more than 40 exhibitors, and offers extensive networking opportunities for industry professionals. The international guest of the 2021 Malta Book Festival is world-renowned writer Irvine Welsh. The master author of dark, gritty, seedy no-nonsense ‘say it like it is’ Scottish culture novels, Welsh has been an influence on contemporary literature and an icon of the 1990s. Welsh shot to fame when he published the novel 'Trainspotting' in 1993, which was subsequently adapted into a film in 1996 by director Danny Boyle. This year the Festival will be making use of an expanded exhibition space for publishers, booksellers and NGOs, and activity areas for the numerous book presentations and discussions. For more information visit ktieb.org.mt
3 November
Las Ovejas no Pierden el Tren at Spanish Film Days Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, St James Cavalier, Valletta
Las Ovejas no Pierden el Tren (Sidetracked) is an optimistic comedy
about the manner in which a group of friends who have hit the forty-year mark, face the challenges posed by present-day society.
Las Ovejas no Pierden el Tren at Spanish Film Days
The lack of work opportunities and the need to keep up-to-date with practically everything, love stories which no longer conform to the premise of ‘forever’, and the feeling that nothing quite fits within the promises of the past, encircle a set of characters who will do whatever it takes in order to redirect their lives.
4 November
Malta Indie Shorts Spazju Kreattiv Cinema
Malta Indie Shorts is an exciting event for local filmmakers and audiences. Each month, three notable short films which were produced and shot here in Malta, are showcased, as well as a chat with each of the directors. This audience interaction is vital for filmmakers. The public also gets a great chance to learn
about filmmaking, through artists working right here in Malta and Gozo. Get your tickets from www.kreattivita.org
5 November - 5 December
Past Continuous Spazju Kreattiv Cinema
What significance does the word ‘archive’ have in our contemporary and digitally connected world? And how can artistic practice engage modern technologies to instil new meaning in archival material?
Joseph Calleja and Andrea Bocelli
A new body of work by artist Alex Urso takes these questions as a starting point, revisiting and reinterpreting material found in the Magna Żmien archive. This exhibition is part of the Spazju Kreattiv programme and ŻiguŻajg Festival.
5-7 November
Flea Market at the Farmoury Triq il-Kappella tal-Militar, Manikata | 10:00
A shoppers delight for all thrift lovers: stalls selling vintage clothing, home decor, repurposed antiques, books, organic veg and more! For more information call on +35699440405
SiGMA - World's iGaming Festival
6 November
Feel the Magic of Wind Quintet Church of St Augustine, Victoria, Gozo | 19:30
The concert will feature members of the Saint Paul's Metropolitan Orchestra, with a programme including works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Shostakovich, Respighi, Piazzolla and Garland. Register through www. eventbrite.com.
6 November
Ghost Hunt Buskett Gardens
Investigate Buskett Gardens with a Psychic Medium, Ramon as well as his team of investigators. Take part in séances using various types of ghost hunting equipment, glass/object divination, table tipping, the wall and the infamous human pendulum. Take part in vigils in groups, or on your own. For more information visit the Facebook page @paranormaltoursmalta
6 November
Historical Interpretation of Sciuto Tower Wied iz-Zurrieq, Qrendi | 10:00 - 17:00
Historical interpretation from 1648 having the guards at the Ta' Sciuto Tower. Entrance is against a donation and all proceedings will go to the restoration and up keep of the tower. For more information call on +35679866618.
8-11 November
SiGMA - World's iGaming Festival
The week will also play host to the second edition of Med-Tech World, a digital health conference which will be held at the Hilton, Malta. Malta Week is a chance for investors to leverage the significant crossover potential for multi-faceted business deals and to double down on opportunities to connect with some of the leading affiliates, policy makers, thought leaders, suppliers, and operators in the industry.
MFCC Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Millenium Stand, Level 1 National Stadium, Ta' Qali
For the first time ever SiGMA Group is bringing its 4 leading shows together for the mother of all conferences. From the 16th to 19th November, SiGMA, alongside AGS and AIBC will bring the best in the business to a first-class meeting point at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC).
For more information visit sigma.world/ en/ and get your tickets from sigmamalta. events/sigma-malta-2021
10 November
Chopin Recital by Dmitry Ishkhanov Teatru Manoel, Old Theatre Street, Valletta | 20:00-21:00
A collection of works by Frederic Chopin performed by piano prodigy Dmitry Ishkhanov. Renowned pianist Dmitry Ishkhanov performs Frédéric Chopin's Four Mazurkas, op.17, Nocturne, Op.27 no. 1 and 12 Etudes, Op.25. Dmitry Ishkhanov is an outstanding young interpreter of classical music, “Evgeny Kissin, Grigory Sokolov - your successor is coming.” (Luzerner Zeitung) Apart from showing incredible potential,
Birgu by Candlelight
he already demonstrates mature and unique artistic capabilities. Amongst his biggest accomplishments, at the age of 14, Dmitry has debuted in Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium performing Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and conductor Miran Vaupotić. Furthermore, in September 2016, at the age of 11, Dmitry represented Malta at the Eurovision of Young Musicians held in Cologne, Germany, and became the youngest finalist in the Eurovision history.
12 November - 03 December
Act Aeon by Franco Navarro MPM Arts Hub, 135 Archbishop Street, Valletta | 10:00 - 16:00
IA collection of paintings and drawings by Franco Navarro exploring the moral side of ancient myths. What happens when humans meddle (as they often did) with Earth and Mother Nature? How do we today play out our often inconsistent relationship with our surroundings? Dedicated to Actaeon the hunter, we witness the terrible punishment meted out to unthinking individuals.
13 November
ladyfinger sponges and using them as the base of Tiramisu. You’ll be soaking them in a combination of some of life’s great pleasures: coffee, chocolate and liquor. All the while the chefs will be guiding you through the process of customising this dessert, known for having so many variations, to your personal taste. To create the alternating layers you’ll be finishing your creations with a whipped vanilla mascarpone and topping each layer with a dusting of high quality, dutch processed cocoa powder.All the recipes, tools and ingredients you need are all provided and the fruits of your labour are all yours to take home and share with your loved ones (there’ll be plenty for you to taste during the session itself).
13 November
80s Tiramisu Workshop NEURO The Vault at Gianpula Village The Pod, Spinola Park, Triq Mikiel Ang. Borg, St. Julian’s
In this workshop you will be guided through the process of baking your own
Chopin Recital by Dmitry Ishkhanov
Joseph Calleja and Andrea Bocelli
Get ready for a great night of New Romantic, Synth Pop, Electro, Alternative and more with DJ Alex Grech and Guest DJ Mozzer (Tonio Pace). Expect the best from Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Ultravox, Human League, Yazoo and many more 80s artists. Get your tickets from www. ticketline.com.mt
14 November
Feel the Magic of Flute & Piano Music
Ministry for Gozo, St Francis Square, Victoria | 19:30
A concert of flute and piano music featuring Silvio Zammit on the flute and Ramona Zammit Formosa on the piano. The exciting concert programme includes works by Chopin, Arrieu, Chaminade, Galea and De Angelis. Entrance for the concert is free but due to limited seating capacity you should register here www.eventbrite.com.
17 November
Sisters With Transistors Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, St James Cavalier, Valletta | 19:30
Sisters with Transistors is the remarkable story of electronic music’s female
Photo: Paul Herrera
pioneers, composers who embraced machines and their liberating technologies to transform how we produce and listen to music today. Theremins, synthesizers and feedback machines abound in this glorious ode to the women who helped shape, not just electronic music but the contemporary soundscape of today. Avant-garde composer Laurie Anderson narration accompanies fascinating archival footage tracing the history of technological experimentation of sound, the deconstruction of its parts and the manipulation into something different. While traversing a range of musical approaches and personalities, from academia to outsider art to television commercials, we meet Clara Rockmore, Bebe Barron, Suzanne Ciani, Laurie Spiegel and Eliane Radigue, among many other fascinating and enigmatic musical geniuses and their peculiar way of hearing the world. This screening is part of Circuits 2021 organised by Electronic Music Malta (EMM).
18 November
Middle Eastern Sharing Plates Workshop Races
De La Salle College, Triq San Dwardu, Vittoriosa | 7:00
Sisters With Transistors This workshop will showcase seasonal vegetables creating a diverse range of dishes to create a feast of colours and textures. The fruit and vegetables that you will use are sourced from local, young farmers, growing organically. Drawing upon flavours from the Middle East and the Mediterranean each dish will highlight how beautiful and satisfying vegetables can be if treated in the right way. With a little help from some, perhaps, unfamiliar seasonings like Sumac, pomegranate molasses and preserved lemon, amongst others each dish becomes an exciting explosion of flavour. The chef instructors will demonstrate how to create a balanced yet dynamic spread of food that will have all your friends showering you with compliments and asking for the recipes! You will be shown little tricks that will make entertaining a breeze but have your guests thinking it took you
hours in the kitchen. From home-made crackers and fresh cheese, they have you covered. The session will be split into two parts. During the first part of the session, the instructors will demo a number of dishes that can be prepared ahead of time to keep you calm on the day. The demonstrated dishes will then compliment the final spread. The second half will see the chef instructor walking you through the small dishes that you will then replicate. Book your place on www.mcamalta.com
19 November
Metropolis The Vault at Gianpula Village
Step into a dystopian world that is set in a futuristic utopia, and immerse yourself in the deep hypnotic sounds of techno. N.B: All attendees must be fully vaccinated and present a vaccine certificate and I.D card upon entry. Get your tickets from www.showshappening.com
19 November
NICHE present THEOS The Playground, Paceville
Théo Palisseaux, better known as THEOS, moved to London at the age of 18 to pursue a career in music at Point Blank Music Academy and has since taken the scene by storm. His sound is inspired by various OH MY MALTA
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Breathtaking When
meets
The historical Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta offers you a vast range of venues where you can celebrate your special day - be it inside or outside. Choose from our centuries-rich indoor venues, steeped with character and beauty, or opt to go for the lavish novelty of our rooftop terrace - a stateof-the-art outdoor space with unbeatable views of the Grand Harbour. Either way, you would have certainly selected the perfect venue for your wedding.
Cuttlefish have an amazing variety of colours and patterns A.D
. 1574
MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE CENTRE VA L L E T T A
Beautiful
M A LT A
T: +356 2559 5215 • sales@mcc.com.mt • www.mcc.com.mt
THEOS musical styles from his childhood including hip-hop, jazz and funk, as can be heard in his most recent release on the acclaimed Shall Not Fade label. THEOS also boasts a string of stellar releases on other respected labels such as Happiness Therapy, Pont Neuf Records, Rawsome Deep and Whoyostro. He is also supported by different artists in the electronic music scene including Chris Stussy, Oden and Fatzo, and Baccus. For his performance, THEOS will be incorporating a synthesizer into his DJ set, adding a layer of impromptu chords and melodies over his selections.
19 November
Glass & Class: The Wines of the Adriatic Coast Villa Bighi, Kalkara | 19:30-21:00
This wine tasting experience is a 2-hour event where guests have the opportunity to try a selection of wines from the Italian regions of Le Marche and Abbruzzo, which includes: Abbruzzo Pecorino Colecivetta DOP – Passetti, Verdicchio Classico DOC – Velenosi, Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo DOC – Velenosi, Roggio Del Filare DOC – Velenosi. The wine is also paired with a selection of gourmet nibbles such as cured meats, cheeses, fruit, bread and vegetable sticks. The session will be a seated event respecting COVID-19 measures issued by the Public Health Authorities. In this respect each guest is required to present a copy of their vaccination certificate including identification upon entering the venue.
19 November
Glow Box Presents Jungle
Edition
Gianpula Mainroom,Żebbuġ | 21:30 Gianpula Mainroom will be transformed into a neon jungle like you have never seen before. Magical clubbing with the most crazy vibes, real life-sized illuminated creatures, confetti showers and much more. Get ready to go bonkers and be amused. Get your tickets from www. showshappening.com
19, 20, 21 November
Haunted Walkthrough Attraction
Orpheum Theatre, Triq Sir Patrick Stuart, Gzira, Malta Dare to enter a haunted house attraction? Head over to the first ever Haunted Theatre Attraction in Gżira! 7 rooms will be filled with terror, shows and some adrenaline rush! Place your courage to the test and get the feeling of being the main character in a horror movie. Meet the talking mirror, be aware of the crazy mother spooking around and take a seat at our big haunted dinner table. Get your tickets from www. showshappening.com
Wine tasting experience
19 -28 November
2044 Teatru Manoel, Triq it-Teatru l-Antik, Valletta
It’s 2044. It has been 20 years since the formation of New Leaf; a society which radiates joy. Everyone is positive every single second of every single day. And why wouldn’t they be? Everyone has work. The environment is flourishing. Life is perfect and nothing ever, ever, goes wrong. Nothing that is, until Sophie’s mother goes missing.An edge of your seat futuristic thriller about discovering the truth, even when it might cost you everything. Get your tickets from www.ziguzajg. org/2044-2/
20 November
Midnite Snack: Saoirse
Liquid Club, Tal-Balal, San Ġwann | 21:00- 03:00
control of her sound - A sound that is the product of an already long and varied musical journey. Her interest in and comfort with such a range of genres means she is capable of effortlessly weaving sounds together, with equal measures of ease and style. Hard graft and unforgettable sets have gained her wider recognition across the UK, Europe, and the USA. Her broad, diverse record bag and genrejumping antics is a combination that has seen her booked for a wide range of parties, across a number of different scenes. Whether it’s playing alongside Ricardo Villalobos in London, supporting DVS1 in Amsterdam, or playing next to Objekt in Paris, it’s clear that promoters trust her ability to deliver, whatever the setting.Get your tickets from midnitesnack.mt/liquid
Saoirse
20 November
Nebular Festival Having spent the best part of 15 years collecting records, Saoirse has now established herself as a respected name within the electronic music community. As a DJ, Saoirse is confidently in
Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil
They will be delivering a night full of psychedelic stoner-doom grooves! Get your tickets from www.nebularfestival. com/tickets/
21 November
La Salle AC Road Races
The Garage, Żebbug
De La Salle College, Triq San Dwardu, Vittoriosa | 7:00
Nebular Festival is back with the threepiece instrumental stoner/space rock band from Belgium; Atomic Vulture alongside Pyramid Suns and Victims of Creation!
A fast route with an epic start and finish at the De La Salle College Track. Opt for the 5k route (open and U18) or the shorter 3k route (U14, U16, U18). There is even a 1k non-competitive fun run for the kids, which will be held within the school ground, in an enclosed and totally traffic-free area. For more information regarding applications visit www.whatson.com.mt
25 November
Sip and Paint Għargħur
Meet new people or take along a couple of friends, to join you during a fun evening out, releasing your inner artist for two hours with a glass of wine. Take home a nice masterpiece made by you.
No artistic skills are required. A session costs €30 and this includes all the materials as well a a glass of wine. For more information regarding the registration form and payment procedure, send a message or call on +356 99728425
25 November - 18 December
FIERI by Cirque du Soleil
Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta The famed Canadian troupe will present 28, 75-minute performances of the show exclusively at the Mediterranean Conference Center, a majestic 16th-century landmark in the historic city of Valletta. The new show, which will feature the same signature style acrobatics and visual artistry that fans worldwide have come to expect and appreciate, will be tailored exclusively for Malta,
celebrating the country’s singular cultural diversity and history. FIERI by Cirque du Soleil is an uplifting journey inspired by the cultural roots of Malta. A rallying tale of resilience from the heart of the Mediterranean, the show is a modern take on the unifying spirit of the Maltese archipelago. The show weaves a shining, contemporary mosaic inspired by the jewel of the sea.
EBM Masquerade 2021
Get you tickets from www.visitmalta. com
27 November
EBM Masquerade 2021 Palazzo Parisio, 29, Victory Square, Naxxar | 19:00 - 01:00
With an evening dedicated to Venetian masquerade beauty in the stunning
Baroque ballroom, this exclusive event will fuse class and style with our highend entertainment and atmosphere. Finger food and welcome drink included in the ticket price. For tickets send an email to martin@ ambassador-events.com or call on +356 79959561
A Journey into Mystery
Hal Saflieni
HYPOGEUM
To book tickets: booking.heritagemalta.org For further information: heritagemalta.org/hal-saflieni-hypogeum
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ŻURRIEQ
Wandering off the well-trodden path is often rewarded with the discovery of charming nooks, surprising finds, and the most authentic of experiences. Malta’s smaller villages and hamlets may very well be the island’s best-kept secrets, and although they do not draw as many tourists as the capital, Valletta, and larger towns, they are still worth a visit. Tucked in the south-west of Malta, a short drive or bus ride away from Malta International Airport, is the village of Żurrieq. At its core, the present church dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria has watched over the village and its inhabitants for five centuries, and in its shade, members of the older generation while away the time and dutifully size up any visitors before eventually welcoming them with a hearty ‘Bonġornu’. The Żurrieq parish church is a veritable trove of art and precious artefacts, and its intricate architecture earned it protection as a Grade 1 monument in 2011. Upon stepping into the ornate church, the trained eye may immediately recognise the distinguishable hand of Baroque master, Mattia Preti (1613–1699), in the titular altarpiece The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. This painting is considered to be one of Il Calabrese absolute masterpieces from among an oeuvre of some 400 works executed during his 40-year stay on the Maltese islands. A look around the church quickly reveals that this is not the only work of art by the celebrated artist to adorn this place of worship. The church, in fact, houses seven Mattia Preti paintings, one of which is currently not on display as it is being conserved and restored with the support of the Malta
Airport Foundation. Saints Roque, Blaise, Dominic and Nicholas of Tolentino interceding for plague stricken was painted by Il Calabrese at the height of the plague outbreak which ravaged the Maltese islands in 1676. Measuring almost four metres high and more than two metres wide, the imposing painting which depicts the eponymous four saints together with other figures, underwent a number of interventions over the years, which obliterated Mattia Preti’s hand and unique artistic technique in some parts. Through the current intervention, which is being carried out by a team of three painting conservators, the aim is to recover as much as is possible of Mattia Preti’s original paint layer, and return the painting to its rightful place within the church by the third quarter of 2022. A number of other churches around the island boast works of art by Mattia Preti, due to the fact that during his stay in Malta he painted both works commissioned by the Knights of Saint John as well as for the local Maltese communities. It could be that the parish church of Żurrieq houses a significant number of paintings by Preti, since the artist resided and worked in this village for several years, at Number 4, Flowers Street, where he moved from Valletta to seek shelter from the plague. These are only a few of the attractions that make this village a gem which should not be overlooked. We will leave it up to you to discover the rest of the village and its surroundings!
OH MY MALTA
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GET YOUR GOZITAN CULTURE FIX Did you know that Gozo's history can be traced back to 5000BC? In light of this, we thought it fitting to focus on a handful of some of the island's most mesmerising and culture-rich sites
Photo: Paul Herrera
ĊITTADELLA Location: Victoria The Citadel, or as the locals refer to it: Ċittadella, is an ancient fortified city and stands out as Gozo’s major landmark, a beacon that is visible from all over the island. It has been occupied since the Bronze Ages and the site is also believed to have been the acropolis of the PunicRoman city of Gaulos. The Citadel has been included on Malta’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998 and contains churches and historical buildings, including the Cathedral of the Assumption. Grab a bottle of water and a camera because a visit to this stunning and historical site is a must.
ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES Location: Xagħra Built before the Stonehenge, the two temples that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site came to be between 3600 and 3200 BC. They fell into disuse in around 2500BC and weren’t revealed to the public until the 19th century. The name Ġgantija is derived from the Maltese word ġgant, which means giant, as Gozitans believed that the temples were built by a race of giants. In fact, some of these megaliths exceed five metres in length and weight over fifty tons. Archeologists believe that like other Neolithic sites on the islands, Ġgantija was a temple complex dedicated to a fertility diety.
MĠARR IX-XINI TOWER Location: Għajnsielem Built in the mid-17th century at the entrance of the narrow way of Mġarr Ix-Xini is this historic Knightsperiod coastal defence tower. It arrived too late to prevent the Ottoman Turks from using the inlet in the attack during 1551, when most of the Gozitan population was taken into slavery. It’s one of the 14 coastal towers that were built around the Maltese and Gozitan coasts, during the reign of Grand Master de Redin, between 1658 and 1659. This tower was built by the Universita of Gozo to a plan by Mederico Blondel, an engineer of the Order of St John at an estimated cost of 867 Scudi (about €166).
ST ANTHONY'S BATTERY Location: Qala St Anthony’s Battery, also known as Ras il-Qala Battery, was built by the Order of St John between 1731 and 1732. It was named after Saint Anthony, as it was built during Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena’s reign. The battery was originally designed with a semicircular gun platform and two blockhouses at the rear. It was eventually built with a semi-hexagonal front and therefore, the landward defences incorporated a free-standing redan trace with thick walls and a load of musket loopholes, which were shielded by two flanking traverses. The battery is one of the only two surviving batteries in Gozo, the other one being Qolla l-Bajda Battery in Żebbuġ.
The village of L-Għarb is one of Gozo’s oldest, as archeological excavations have revealed the remains of both Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. The Phoenicians made L-Għarb their home, followed by the Romans and Byzantines. However, the name is Arabic and means ‘west’, suggesting the establishment of an organised community during Arab domination between 870 and 1090 AD. The village is also one of the most traditional. Its character is distinctly rural and until very recently, was populated almost exclusively by people who worked the surrounding fields in this extremely fertile area of Gozo. They retained an old Maltese dialect, with a rich vocabulary of old words and pronunciations, which were discarded by the rest of the population years ago. The inhabitants of the village are renowned craftsmen, known primarily for the manufacture of the unique L-Għarb blade, a traditional sharp knife known as the Sikkina ta’ L-Għarb. Even today, the village is home to locksmiths, blacksmiths, cotton weavers, lace makers, carpenters and masters in cane-work. This makes it an appropriate place for the L-Għarb Folklore Museum, which occupies a historic house in the heart of the village. The 28 rooms contain all sorts of curiosities linked with traditional trades and crafts. Interestingly, the building that houses the museum was once home to a man popularly known as Frenc ta’ L-Għarb, a saintly man who cured many with a mix of medicinal herbs and a prayer to Our Lady. Historically, L-Għarb played a vital role in safeguarding Malta. Its coastal lookouts were the first to signal the arrival from Sicily of reinforcements for the beleaguered Maltese, under the Knights of St John during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. During the time of constant threat from the Ottoman Turks and marauding Berbers, the L-Għarb lookouts were crucial, sending smoke signals to Malta to warn of approaching danger. The village is the second oldest village parish on the island of Gozo, and was established in 1679. The old church, which is known as Taż-Żejt today, served as the parish church for 50 years. Taż-Żejt, which means oil in English, is named as because legend has it that an old woman found oil oozing from the side of the church and spread it all over her body. As a result, she was cured of all her ailments and ills. Today’s parish church and collegiate basilica, which dominates the pretty square at the heart of the village, was built in 1699 and consecrated in 1729. It’s dedicated to the visit of Our Lady to her cousin St Elizabeth, popularly known as the Feast of the Visitation.
Folk Festival
CHECK OUT THESE SPOTS IN GĦARB, GOZO
TA’ PINU SANCTUARY
GĦARB FOLKLORE MUSEUM
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu (yes, that is its full name), is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine, located on the outskirts of L-Għarb. In 1883, a woman from the village named Karmni Grima allegedly heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that then occupied the site. Today’s monumental and architectural masterpiece was then built between 1920 and 1931. The sanctuary was constructed in front of the original chapel, which remains intact and still contains the paint-ing of the Assumption to Heaven of Our Lady, from which the voice is said to have spoken to Karmni.
The privately-owned L-Għarb Folklore Museum is a unique 18th century village house, which was said to belong to Frenc ta’ L-Għarb, who was famously apparently able to cure a myriad of ailments. The house consists of 28 rooms, full to the brim with historic objects associated with Gozo’s traditional trades, crafts and pastimes. The objects on display range from milling to printing, carpentry to wine-making, fishing to smithing. Visitors can also visit workshops and antique rooms, as well as a collection of other memories from the past. The museum offers fantastic insight into the island’s traditions, and a glimpse of everyday life, both in the distant and not-sodistant past.
SAN DIMITRI
WIED IL-MIELAĦ WINDOW
An early 15th century chapel was rebuilt in 1736, to create the building we see today. The alter-piece above the altar shows St Demetrius on horseback with an old woman praying, and a young man in chains. This relates to one of several legends about the chapel, about an old woman nicknamed Żgugina, who prayed to the saint to bring her son back to her. The chapel’s mosaic pavement was laid in 1935, and the walls were coated with mosaic in 1950. There is also a group of megaliths near the chapel, an impressive natural phenomenon. The upper coralline crust, familiar from Gozitan flat-topped hills, has broken up into scattered blocks.
The window is a natural limestone arch and though lesser known than the Azure Window, which collapsed in March 2017 following a heavy storm, it is just as beautiful. The arch itself is a great place for rock-climbing and underwater rocks and caves are generally easilyaccessible, making it a rather popular place among divers and swimmers. The window is surrounded by a valley, perfect for those on the hunt for an adventure. As part of an initiative called EcoGozo, the area around the arch underwent a major renovation in recent years, allowing for better access to the area. OH MY MALTA
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Għar Dalam
REWINDING TIME... Heritage Malta shed a light on some of Malta's oldest historical sites, ranging from Għar Dalam to the famous Tarxien Temples
Flying low over Malta's bleached and arid landscape with its sparse vegetation, it is almost inconceivable to imagine that small-sized elephants and hippopotami once roamed the island's forests. And yet, in Għar Dalam, a long and deep cave in the southeast of Malta, the evidence reveals itself in animal bones unearthed from the bottom-most layers, which date back to the Pleistocene era, some 500,000 years ago. Set around a peaceful pond and garden planted with indigenous plants and trees, the site and accompanying museum are of enormous paleontological and archaeological significance. Maltese history can be said to have been born in this cave. The earliest evidence of human presence on the islands, dating back to circa 7,400 years ago, was found buried under strata of sediment and volcanic ash.
Borg in-Nadur
Għar Dalam is one of four pre-historic sites featured in a Heritage Malta combo ticket that also allows access to Ħaġar Qim Park, Borg in-Nadur, and Tarxien Temples. Located in close proximity to Għar Dalam, the neolithic site of Borg in-Nadur was excavated in the 1920s by eminent archaeologist Margaret Murray. Consisting of a four-apsed structure and fronted by a large enclosed area, Borg in-Nadur was in use during both the late Temple Period (3,150 – 2,500 BC) and the Bronze Age (2,400 – 700 BC). Perched on a hilltop and commanding panoramic views of the islet of Filfla below, the temple of Ħaġar Qim, along with the other UNESCO listed 'Megalithic Temples of Malta', is one of the earliest groups of freestanding structures in the world. At sunrise, on the first day of summer, the sun's rays pass through an elliptical hole, hewn out of one of Ħaġar Qim's enormous megaliths and gradually illuminate a stone slab inside one of the Neolithic Temple's chambers. Although we may not know much about the origins of the people who built these awe-inspiring edifices, they must have been captivated by the movement of celestial bodies, aligning architectural features, and even whole buildings to mark their passage.
Ħaġar Qim
The lower part of a colossal statue of a skirted figure stands sentinel to the dawn of civilisation in the highly decorated South Temple within the Tarxien Temples site. Discovered in 1913 by local farmers, the Tarxien Temples complex consists of four megalithic structures built between 3800 and 2200 BC. Evidence of arched roofing in the unique six-apsed Central Temple helps visitors to imagine how these temples might have looked when covered. Travel down the annals of time from the Ice Age to the Stone Age with one of these Pre-historic Combo tickets. Valid for thirty days, the tickets may be purchased at all Heritage Malta museum and site shops or online: shop.heritagemalta.org
Tarxien Temples
PRICKLY PEAR PICKING Follow along with this column by Emily A Francis, as we explore further into the culture and cuisine of the Maltese Islands, starting off with fresh foods as a single item, grown and harvested locally
Wo rds by Emily A F ra nc is
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Bajtar tax-xewk tree
What is it with all of the cactus plants growing all over the island with their large, spiked, paddles, that line almost every road around Malta? If not prickly pear season, you might find yourself wondering why there are so many and what benefits, if any, they have.
Tony Borg
The paddles themselves are known in Mexican cuisine as 'Nopales' and are medicinal in their own right. They are used in food, juices, jellies and other varieties to treat ailments such as diabetes, cholesterol, liver balance and alcohol detox. They’re also known to help with weight loss and also come with a high number of vitamins such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin C. I’ve also heard that you can slice right down the centre of the paddle and use the gel to help prevent sweating. At least, that is what I learned from Tony Borg, my go-to expert on all things bajtra tax-xewk. We met Tony of Mellieħa Homemade Jams and visited his incredible land, where large caves dwell above, natural spring water is offered as a gift from God and where prickly pears, figs, carob, and many other fruits grow in order for him to make his incredible homemade jams. The only resemblance to prickly pear that I’ve ever come across in the United States is prickly pear margherita mix; a bottle of hot pink bar mix that you add tequila to and serve. Then I moved to Malta. The little hairy beasts are everywhere around the island, even in my own backyard! Until springtime and early summer, you might not know that those simple cactus plants with wide paddles will soon offer yellow flower blossoms, which the bees love to nose dive into and shimmy down to the bottom and play around for weeks to months at a time.
Fig tree
If you are like me, you might think that the flowers themselves are the big showcase of these cactus. Then comes August and the flowers turn into prickly pears or known locally as Bajtar tax-xewk. Once you get up close to the bajtar, you’ll see that they’re full of pins and pricks and touching them in even the most gentle and speedy of ways gets those needles into your fingers, up your arms and into your clothes from the moment contact is made. For any sane person who has not been picking these lovelies for a lifetime, they need to wear sturdy gloves in order to grab a hold and twist and pull them from the tree. Tony Borg however, is the master of pulling bare handed and dropping them into his bucket. He picks one after the next after the next and doesn’t even notice if the pins are in his hands and over his arms and clothes.
For the pears that can’t be reached by hand, he uses a very nifty contraption, a wooden pole with two open cans on each side. He places the pear into the can and twists enough to get the pear to release and come down inside the can, to be dropped into the bucket. When I first started looking for a person who can show me how to pick and cut prickly pears, my local grocer told me that it was a lost art and that only the original farmers around the island still know how to cut and use the bajtar. These are the treasures of Malta, do not let them die ever! These longstanding family traditions not only need to continue to be passed down but also taught to people outside their family lines so that the tradition is not lost through time and translation. This beautiful fruit is still said to be under-utilised here and more widely used into an array of different offerings throughout Italy. Still in Malta, so many of these incredibly healthy and delicious fruits are used as a wind breaker, and for walls and even used as fertiliser. How to cut a prickly pear once you have it in your bucket: 1) Wear gloves! If your name is not Tony Borg, do not handle these without sturdy gloves. 2) Do not wash them. The water and rain change the texture and dynamic of these pears. 3) Place the pear flat on the cutting board (again, unless you are Tony, because he uses those bare hands to rip right into them and take the skins off). Take a sharp knife and cut the top and the bottom of the bajtra off. 4) Once the top and bottom have been removed, slice a straight line down the pear from top to bottom, in a vertical line. Then, peel the skin back until it’s fully removed from around the fruit and throw the skin out. WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU PRICKLY PEARS… YOU TURN THEM INTO JAM The prickly pears have large seeds in them, however this is no big deal. You can eat them directly from being cut as a fresh fruit, you can squeeze the juice out and make drinks with the juice. Or, like Tony Borg, you can turn them into jam. Here is something fascinating: when Tony makes the jam, he puts them straight into the pot without peeling them. He says that at the high temperature, the pins actually dissolve. Once they have cooked down and the pins are gone, he removes them from the pan and peels them.
Tony makes it in very small batches by hand; jar by jar to be sold in stores around the country. To find any of Tony’s jams, you can buy them at any local Mr. Fruit store as well as from Tony directly, from Mellieħa Home Made Jam. FROM PRICKLY PEARS TO FIGS Tony Borg’s story doesn't end here, however. Next, he shows us figs, the oldest cultivated fruit on the entire Maltese Islands, of which there are believed to be 32 different varieties around the islands. Fig trees come as either male or female trees. Some need the other sex in order to procreate but others are just fine producing fruit on their own, such as the white fig and the star fig. The fig trees that Tony uses happen to be cross pollinating trees of three varieties, which he says together make the sweetest figs in the world. In his case, the three varieties have two seasons of fig making. The early figs start in February and grow through the last week of May to the beginning of June. These are known to the locals as Bajtar ta’ San Ġwann. The second round of figs, known to the locals as Tin, start on the 21st of July, once the early figs have come and gone. The kicker? Mosquitos! All my life I have questioned WHY mosquitoes exist. It turns out, we now have an answer. It’s for the figs! The mosquito eggs are laid inside the figs and since the trees do not have visible flower blossoms, the eggs hatch inside the figs themselves. Tony waits and watches for the fig to open up and for the mosquitos to fly out. That’s when he knows that between his varieties of figs, they will be cross pollinated and the sweetest figs will grow. The mosquitos fly from the original egg to the next figs and the next trees until they pollinate all his figs. Now we know that if it weren’t for those pesky mosquitoes, we would not get to indulge in the sweetest and most succulent figs. It is important to note that in Malta, the bark beetle have become a huge problem for the fig trees and more than half of all the fig trees on the islands have already died as a result. Buying fresh, local figs is now more difficult but also more important than ever. Figs themselves are known to be a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. We must do all that we can to preserve and protect these sacred fruits and support those who continue to grow and harvest them. Buy Tony Borg's delectable home-made jams from his store in Mellieħa
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DELICIOUS BURGERS AND WHERE TO GET THEM FROM Fancy a burger? Of course you do. The chicken, beef or veggie pattybetween-bread combo is always a winner, whether for a fast-food fix or a gourmet feast
OLIVE 3 We cannot stop raving about this place. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff is possibly the most polite people we have ever met in an eatery. The food is incredibly delicious, well-prepared and very satisfying. The menu includes a selection of burgers, salads and even fresh poke bowls! The Breast Burger in Town? Oh, we can
guarantee it’s the best one in town, with guacamole, garlic beetroot may, melted brie and spinach. Simply Excellent
Triq L-Imprendituri, Zone 3, Central Business District, Birkirkara | +35627511333
BURGER'S INK
DANNY'S
This local burger chain is located all over the island and includes a massive variety of original burgers, hot dogs and even sweet pancakes. The Black Duck burger is on another level, with a double beef patty, pulled duck, a fried egg, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce, making it as mouthwatering as a burger can get! Get your hands on this work of art… now!
From the outside one might think it’s just a takeaway place but when you check out the menu it’s a completely different ball game. The food is incredible and the decor is stylish. Danny’s is a sensational brunch place, but according to many reviews, the menu also includes one of the best burgers of all time. Don’t miss out on this one!
Old Theatre Street, Valletta | +356 7793 0060
Mrieħel Bypass, Qormi | +356 2144 1171
BLACKPAW
NOVI
A lovely spot in the heart of Buġibba with a nice atmosphere, superb food and a vast menu that will surely suit all tastes. The establishment promises to provide a variety of hotdogs and burgers at a Gourmet standard. We’d definitely recommend the double chicken burger with provolone cheese, fried egg, crispy onions and sriracha mayo. All ingredients work in harmony, truly mouthwatering!
If you only order one thing at this little dining room in Gzira, make sure it’s the Surf & Turf, utterly brilliant burger. It’s the stuff of dreams, a sloppy, messy thing comprising of a 200g beef patty with Cajun grilled shrimps, spring onions, rucola and tequila-lime sauce. You’ll be swooning after the first mouthful. Oh and the combo of quality and price is hard to beat in Malta - maybe impossible.
68, Sacred Heart Street, Buġibba | +356 2756 3626
202, Triq ix-Xatt, Gzira | +356 2780 2740 OH MY MALTA
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THE MILL GASTROBAR
DE MARTINO'S
This restaurant is tucked away in the quiet village of Naxxar, making parking quite efficient. The menu is vast and while everything is super tasty, their burgers are near the top of the list, with a variety of delicious options to satisfy your hamburger hunger. Next time you're craving a juicy beef burger, try The Mill’s very own Bacon Butter Burger with bacon, burnt butter, caramelised onions, crispy pancetta and crunchy lettuce.
This place is known for their killer beef burgers, but they make a pretty mean veggie burger with a kick too! The vegetarian patty is enclosed in a brioche bun and accompanied by cheddar cheese, red Leicester, crunchy lettuce and curry mayo sauce. We cannot fault the mac and cheese bites, which are to die for. This place is definitely worth a visit or even a delivery. Excellent and delicious.
Triq Il-Forġa, In-Naxxar | +3562718 1850
41, Constitution Street, Mosta | +3567753 2532
HERMANOS BURGERS At Hermanos Burgers, the team takes pride in the quality of the meat used for each and every burger. They create mouthwatering recipes from all around the world and every burger tells the story of a particular city through a specific selection of ingredients and mix of flavours. All recipes are 32 OH MY MALTA
authentic and complimented with homemade sauces to bring out the characteristics of the different cities in just one bite.
20, Triq Paceville, San Ġiljan | +3569933 3540
FERDINAND'S BAR AND BURGER
TIFFANY'S BISTRO
This little bar, with a small outdoor area, right next to the Church of St Nicholas in Siġġiewi is the ideal place to unwind and watch the world go by with a glass of wine in one hand and a burger in the other. The patties are tasty, well-seasoned and it is clear that all ingredients are fresh and burgers are made there and then. You won’t get a friendlier welcome anywhere else. This one comes highly recommended.
Located right next to the Sliema Ferries is the perfect place for a meal in this buzzing locality. One of their burgers is made out of crispy chicken (because nobody really wants a dry piece of breast meat, grilled, do they?) and is packed in a bun topped with even crunchier bacon and a drizzle of sriracha mayo, all on a bed of the freshest rucola. This one's a biggie.
Pjazza San Nikola Siġġiewi | +3569930 3122
18A, Tigne Seafront, Sliema | +356 9958 6280
oto: Paul Herrera
INTERVIEW WITH: JESSE CARUANA We ditched the office and headed ove r to Two Buoys restaurant in St Julian's, to chat with owner Jesse Caruana about his innovative menu, obsession with brunch and plans for the future
GREETINGS, JESSE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MALTA?
HOW DO YOU THINK THE LOCAL INDUSTRY CAN ADAPT AND IMPROVE?
I moved to Malta in January 2019 and came here wanting to open an Australian-style restaurant because there were none in Malta and I wanted to be the first. I wanted to bring the Australian cuisine. Brunch is the one thing that every suburb has got back in Australia. They’ve all got their own brunch place, good coffee and really great-quality smashed avo and they’re everywhere. In Malta, I’d wake up at 11am, feel like smashed avo and there were only a couple of places that had it. So I wanted to bring my type of food here and I did and now smashed avo is the word on the street.
Here, in the last two years, COVID has taught people that they either have to have a niche to be successful, offer something different or offer the same thing at a better price and better quality. If there are 10 places that have opened up and you’re going for a cheaper price but better quality, that doesn't make sense financially. If you are selling steak, for example, and there are 10 other places in your area that are selling steak, what sets you apart from those places? You have to be better quality for the same amount or you have to offer something other than the food, such as live music. When you just offer the same thing, it doesn't set you apart.
WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING PART OF A MALTESE COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA AND THEN COMING TO MALTA? In Australia, we still embraced our Maltese roots in the type of food we would have. We went to Australia but we didn't lose our Maltese culture. We had three generations living in Australia and I was coming back to show everyone what we had learnt. It’s like setting someone free, they go forth on adventures and gain experience and then they come back to show everyone what they’ve learnt. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TWO BUOYS? We’re using locally-sourced ingredients and vegetables, with an Australian vibe. This is what Australian brunch cafes and restaurants are like. It’s a good vibe, good atmosphere, good food and we just like to have fun with our clientele. That’s also an Australian quality – of taking the piss out of people – we like to have really good banter, make jokes with people. We don't want people to only experience the food, it looks good, it smells good, we want you to walk in and feel safe, comfortable and at home. TELL US MORE ABOUT THE COMBINATION OF AUSTRALIAN AND MALTESE CULTURE There’s a large Maltese population in Australia and when I came here, a lot of my life and upbringing made a lot more sense. It was a lot of ‘that’s why they do that’ and ‘that’s why they say that’. The Maltese have an amazing community vibe. In Australia, if my car broke down and I asked for help, no one would stop to help. In Malta, if my car broke down, within 30 seconds someone stops and is asking to help. They’re also offering me a lift home. The community vibe that they’ve got going on helps because when the Maltese really like something, they tell people about it. Here, word of mouth is your best advertising tool.
TELL US SOME SPECIAL THINGS ABOUT YOUR MENU Most of our menu is gluten free, or you can change the bread to our potato rosti, which are also gluten free. We have symbols on all of our menu, which let you know which are vegan and vegetarian and if dishes are not vegan or vegetarian and you want them to be, we can take something out and replace it. All the yoghurt we use is vegan and lactose free and we only use gluten free flour. We don't use normal flour though there are a couple of dishes that have breadcrumbs, like the Chicken Parma, which can’t be changed. With these elements coming in to Malta, the vegan and vegetarian options, the focus on catering for intolerances and allergies, as well as people becoming more aware of them and changing their habits, will help the the industry a lot. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN PEOPLE MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR MENU? A big thing in Australia is that you could open your restaurant, people look at your menu and say ‘wow I love your menu and love what you’ve done. Can I have this but change this to Halloumi?’ That’s just how it is. We’re used to people changing things to suit them and that’s how we are at Two Buoys. You don't want to have tofu and want Halloumi instead? Easy, we’ll do it. We don't want you eating something that you don't want to eat. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR TWO BUOYS? The future plan for Two Buoys here is always to renovate and think of new ideas. We do have some ideas regarding how we can expand the restaurant, not necessarily with another venue but maybe with some food trucks. We’ll see!
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MALTA TO FACE CROATIA AND SLOVAKIA IN LAST TWO GAMES OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 55 teams are currently competing for the 13 spots up for grabs from Europe. With two games to go to complete their group commitments, Malta will now first face Croatia home on November 11, before facing Slovakia on November 14
A total of 55 teams are competing for the 13 spots up for grabs from Europe. There are 10 groups, with the winners of each automatically qualifying for the World Cup. Malta was handed a tough start to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as the national team was drawn in a tough Group H, one of the ten UEFA groups in the World Cup qualification tournament to decide which teams will qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals tournament in Qatar. Group H consists of six teams: Malta, Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia and Cyprus. So far, Malta has managed to produce strong displays in this World Cup qualifying group, even against the likes of Croatia and Russia, where the national team was lauded by its opponents. Last September, Malta won its first World Cup qualifier in eight years, beating Cyprus 3-0 with two goals from right-back Cain Attard and leaving Cyprus at the bottom of the group. This marked the team’s first-ever win in a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali. Other World Cup qualifier victories for Malta came away from home against Estonia in 1993 and Armenia in 2013. With two games to go to complete their group commitments, Malta will now first face Croatia home on November 11, before facing Slovakia on November 14. Russia and Croatia are confirmed as the top two in Group H, with 19 points and 17 points respectively. Croatia fell behind in the race after drawing 2-2 with Slovakia.
Russia is likely to qualify if they beat Cyprus and Croatia fail to beat Malta. Croatia must match Malta's result to stay alive in the race. Should that be the case, the tie between Russia and Croatia on November 14 becomes a mouth-watering affair. Only the group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament with the second place entering a playoff with the other runners up in the qualification groups. The 10 runners-up will be joined by the two highestranked teams from the Nations League, who have not already qualified or finished in second in their respective World Cup group. The 12 countries will then be split into three groups of four, whereby two knockout rounds - being a semi-final and final - will take place in each, all in March 2022, to determine the side that qualifies. Malta and Cyprus are currently joint at the bottom with five points. Remaining fixtures in group H are as follows: • Russia vs Cyprus (November 11) • Malta vs Croatia (November 11) • Slovakia vs Slovenia (November 11) • Croatia vs Russia (November 14) • Malta vs Slovakia (November 14) • Slovenia vs Cyprus (November 14) Now it’s time for the national team to step up and regroup to avoid bottom place in a qualifying campaign for a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup qualifications. OH MY MALTA
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INTERVIEW WITH:
ĠULJA HOLLAND We head over to have a little chat with the talented Maltese artist Ġulja Holland, about all the exciting projects she's worked on, her artistic journey, and everything she has in the pipeline
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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ARTS
WHERE AM I
Art has always been a part of and a way of life for me and I recognise how lucky I was to have supportive parents. Art was always something I excelled at, at school and I think at a young age, it was the only thing I really excelled at. I’ve always enjoyed painting and drawing and the validation probably did contribute towards me pursuing a career in the arts. I spent countless hours with my mum around the kitchen table, creating these elaborate art exercises as we went along and I used to really enjoy them and think that it was great fun. Even though I’m not an only child, I spent a considerable amount of my childhood on my own, playing with my crayons. I think it’s always been a lifestyle for me, a way of life, which I fortunately, never stopped doing. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE HARDEST PART OF PURSUING A CAREER IN THE ARTS? I remember my mum telling me that this is a really tough industry. I gave it a lot of thought but I figured that I could always get a side job and continue to pursue my artistic career on the side, so it didn't really give me much anxiety growing up. I think later in life, only recently, did I realise just how difficult it is to sustain yourself solely from your practice. Even if you are doing commissions and giving art lessons, it’s just a really difficult thing to do.
THE WATCHERS
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PAINTINGS, THEMATICALLY? My paintings have always had an existential quality to them, even as far back as my A Level work. I often get comments, all the time really, especially from friends of mine. They tell me that there’s such an incongruity between my jovial, outgoing personality and my dark works because they’re quite dark, thematically. I think it comes from a very young age, growing up in such a religious country and amongst friends who would all go to Sunday Mass. I think that religion is quite a central aspect for so many Maltese people. However, my parents very casually told me: ‘Oh, we’re Atheists!’ and so, from a very young age I had to grapple with the idea that there’s no Santa Claus and also, by the way, there’s no God either. Maybe that is why my art tends to explore the darker aspects of
THIRTY
the human psyche and have a rather existential quality. Therefore, art has always been incredibly important to me, and has always been an expressive tool and I guess that’s never really changed.In fact, today, my paintings retain the same concerns and anxieties; they have just matured thematically and stylistically. TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR WORKS’ EXISTENTIAL TOPIC MATTER My last solo show touched upon the Anthropocene. My work often delves into my own existential anxieties which are, quite a millennial kind of anxiety, in a sense. It focused on the Anthropocene, in relation to how human beings have affected the natural landscape, but from an aerial perspective, and with an abstract style. My works have become a lot more intimate. I think there’s only so much you can say from an aerial perspective and what I’m trying to do with these works is draw the viewer in and get quite specific about the concerns that I have, in relation to everything we’re facing politically, emotionally, personally, on a global perspective. Also, how the news really filters in to our anxieties on a day-to-day basis. WHO WOULD YOU SAY WERE YOUR MAIN INSPIRATIONS AND WHY? Growing up I was into Picasso and Van Gogh and Gauguin, Dali too; all the obvious big ones. Then, while I was at Leeds College of Art, I discovered Marlene Dumas and Luke Tuymans. I think, though, that Francis Bacon is my ultimate favourite artist. I also love the work of Louise Bourgeois. I think that they are two great artists, who managed to capture the zeitgeist of their times and communicate the violence of their times, which is, essentially, in a big way what I’m trying to do with my practice.
as part of the submission process. So, I locked myself into the college bathrooms and I had to paint a self-portrait, which I managed in under three hours! I thought that there’s no way it would ever get picked, but it did! I’m really glad, actually, that I took part. I don't think I’ll ever do it again but it was a proud moment and it was a pretty fun experience, too. HOW DO YOU FEEL THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR ART? I think I really managed to channel the pandemic, actually. It provided me with a concrete subject, which is universally relatable to everyone. Francis Bacon had the war and I guess, we have the pandemic and it’s certainly as subject which I want to make use of in my work, and capture the mood of. It’s been one of the greatest catastrophes that man has endured in recent times and it’s changed our lifestyle and our world. On a personal scale, I’m sort of interweaving a very different narrative, which has nothing to do with the pandemic and has a lot to do with the claustrophobia of getting older as a woman. It also has to do with having to grapple with my biological limitations and what it means for a woman to turn 30. I think that it’s a really under-represented facet in the arts, so I wanted to communicate that aspect of womanhood. DO YOU THINK BEING MALTESE HAS HAD AN INFLUENCE ON YOUR ART? I think my colour palette tends to be very vibrant and maybe more vibrant than that of my peers. I’m sure the colour palette is influenced by the quality of life in Malta. It definitely filters through my work in more ways than one. Not so much in these works but in previous works, I also tend to reference religious paintings and Baroque artists and I think that certainly has to do with our more traditional educational system, as well as our culture. That definitely filters through.
YOU FEATURED IN UK-COMPETITION PORTRAIT OF THE YEAR BACK IN 2020…
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE?
That was a really strange experience, but a really positive one. I never thought that I had the stomach to be on TV, without literally feeling sick, because it was a really nerve-racking experience. Funnily enough, my friend told me about the competition on the last day and we had to submit a self-portrait
I don't really have any concrete plans at the moment, for life after college. At the moment I’m really just applying for residencies, group exhibitions and grant applications, as well. I’m just kind of preparing for life after college, which is a really scary thought at the moment. OH
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Seek new horizons NEW UNITS RELEASED
SHORELINE RESIDENCE RELEASES
SEAFRONT APARTMENTS
The Shoreline Residence, currently being developed at Smart City Malta, has just released 50 new one and two-bedroom apartments, which will be officially on the market on 18 October 2021. These new properties which are available for sale on plan will be completed by 2023 and include the last remaining one- and twobedroom sea facing units in the project. These units overlook the residents’ private plaza and have open sea views. Andrew Gatt, Sales and Marketing Manager at The Shoreline, said, “Anyone visiting Smart City can see for themselves the rapid progress that is now being made on The Shoreline project. With the release of these new apartments, all of which have generously proportioned terraces, we are offering an unparalleled mix of luxury accommodation, superb views and community amenities together with genuine potential for substantial capital appreciation for investors. Endusers, holiday home buyers and buy-to-let clients all have a unique opportunity to acquire great properties in a state-of-the art development.” Existing clients and prospective buyers can now also gain a better appreciation of what life at The Shoreline will be like following the completion of a
show apartment which directly overlooks the site, laguna and open sea beyond. The Show Apartment, constructed by Koray Group, The Shoreline’s design and build contractor, has been fully furnished by C. Fino and Sons Limited and includes an adjacent section which showcases a selection of finishing materials for the added convenience of clients in making their choices of materials and styles. The Shoreline Residence offers a varied selection of 370 studios, 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and penthouses, many overlooking outstanding sea views and all benefitting from substantial terraces, as well as the use and enjoyment of a landscaped 7,000 sqm private plaza for residents. As a Special Designated Area (SDA), both EU and non-EU nationals are free to purchase multiple units without limits or restrictions, whether for investment, resale, rental, holiday home or as a lifestyle choice, without the need for permits from the authorities. Units are all offered finished to the highest standards. More information is available at theshorelineresidence.com or on +356 9949 7518. OH MY MALTA
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TAKE ME HOME
We’re sad to see you go but to make your departure a little bit sweeter, IlLokal has created a guide for you. They are a community of local designers, artists and independent brands
TERAZZO WALL CLOCK A functional art piece, locally crafted and assembled in their studio in Malta. This limited edition wall clock comes with the Quartz movement mechanism and is packaged in a custom wooden box, by Form Matters
NWAR CUSHION Each UK-made, feather filled cushion is made of 100% Cotton Panama, elegantly finished with natural white piping. The feathers are sourced from sustainable and cruelty-free sources and re-used for the textile industry, with each timeless cushioned pattern making a statement by Stephanie Borg
MEET THE LOCALS
CAROB CHOCOLATE Carob, nougat and sea-salt chocolate, packaged in Maltese ‘tberfil’ style and absolutely delectable, they are all worth a try. Browse through an extensive range of exclusive chocolate varieties, by Chocolate District
Meet the Locals is a series of five prints by one of Malta’s top illustrators Ed Dingli. The series was produced last summer in Marsalforn, Gozo, during a national lockdown. It’s a nostalgic tribute to the simplicity of the Gozitan lifestyle, by Ed Dingli
MALTA DOOR KEY CHAIN The traditional Maltese door has always been a staple and icon, both for Maltese people as well as for those who are visiting the islands. Here are your favourite Maltese doors, in miniature. Get your acrylic key-ring, by Que
CIAO GĦALIKOM PRINTS A collection of illustrations that celebrate and highlight the simple things, details and traditions that characterise Malta and its daily life, ranging from folklore, traditions to the island’s flora and fauna, shops and architecture, by Italian Egyptian living in Malta, Magda Azab
CLAY NECKLACE MALTA TILEINSPIRED UTENSILS Mix tile bamboo salad utensils and Nanna blue tile effect olive wood salad utensils and you’ve got your Sunday lunch covered. By Londonbased artist Mia Anastasi Sammut, her work is hand-crafted and original, which means that every single piece and creation is 100% unique, by Bonnymia
Fun, colourful and 100% unique. These geometrical necklaces appear to many as an extension of Richard England’s architectural work in Malta and are beautifully created for those who wander into the unusual, daring by nature and are curious to experiment, by Frankly Bold
VOLACANIC STONE TABLE TOPS Here are Casablanca and Marrakesh volcanic stone table tops, locally produced by Maltese craftsmen, with an artisan touch, inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle. There’s an array of stunning designs to choose from, by Mediterranean Ceramics
TUBE MAP OF MALTA The Tube Map of Malta was created to celebrate the long-lasting connection between Malta and UK capital of London. It is festooned in details in history and wit. It will also help you navigate around the islands, by John Galea
Visit Il- Lokal at the ir sho p o n 15 Triq it- Te atru Antik, Va l l et t a or buy online on il-lokal . c o m OH MY MALTA
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SERVICES FERRIES
PHARMACIES
CAR RENTAL
Cirkewwa, Malta – Mgarr, Gozo Operates daily Departure time: Approx. every 30 mins From 12am – 23:15pm Crossing time: Approx. 25 mins
Brown’s Pharmacy +356 2124 4366 Marina Apartments, 10, Marina St, Pietà Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 8am – 9pm
Unicar Hire Services Ltd
Cirkewwa Malta - Blue Lagoon Operates daily Departure time: Approx. Every 30 mins From 8:30am – 5:30pm
M4 Pharmacy +356 2143 6531 Attard Road, Attard Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 1pm/4pm-7pm, Saturday from 8am – 1:00pm
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
Royal Pharmacy +356 2123 9682 271, Republic Street, Valletta Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 9am – 7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm
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
MEDICAL SERVICES
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
St. James Hospital +356 2329 1000 Triq Gorg Borg Olivier, Sliema St James Square, Zabbar Opening hours: 24/7
Fexserv Financial Services Ltd Alpine House, Triq In-Naxxar, San Gwann +356 2576 2576 Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 6pm, Saturday from 9am - 12.30pm
66A, St. George’s Road, St. Julians +356 2576 2785 Opening hours: Monday- Sunday from 9.30am – 8pm 61, Republic Street, Valletta +356 2576 2278 Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 9am to 2pm and from 3pm to 6pm
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Mater Dei Hospital +356 2545 0000 Triq Dun Karl, Imsida Opening hours: 24/7
Floriana Health Centre +356 2124 3314 F.S. Fenech Street, Floriana Opening hours: Mon-Sun 24 hours Gozo Health Centre (Victoria) + 356 2215 6820 Triq Enrico Mizzi, Victoria, Gozo Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 07:00-20:00
+356 2345 8706 9 Empire Stadium Street, Gzira www.unicarmalta.com GoTo Car Sharing Car Sharing Services Malta Ltd, Mdina Road, Zebbug, ZBG 9017, Malta
TAXI SERVICES Cool Ride-Pooling +356 2014 7600 www.cool.mt
Ecabs
+356 2138 3838 Head Office, Triq Santu Wistin, Paceville St Julians – STJ 3180, Malta
HAIR SALONS Prive Hairdressing +356 21 433 072 Prive Hairdressing, Triq it- Tin, Naxxar, Malta Toni&Guy +356 2373 3420 Hilton Malta, Portomaso, St Julians Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 9am – 7pm Shimmer N Shin Hair and Beauty Salon +356 2789 4555 128, Triq il-Qaliet, Marsaskala, Opening hours: Monday from 10am - 6pm, Tuesday - Saturday from 9am - 7pm