FIRST April 2024

A CAPSULE OF THE WORLD

Irresistible Lightness of Spring

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?”

NELTJE BLANCHAN

3-12 MAY

ST GEORGE'S SQUARE, VALLETTA

“Nature’s free bounty and useless extravagance had never appeared so fantastically beautiful as it did this spring. I had an uncomfortable suspicion that Nature had come to reconquer the earth for herself.”

Yukio Mishima, Confessions of a Mask

VERNAL SUNSHINE

IRRESISTIBLE LIGHTNESS OF SPRING

“I

n our part of the country, spring passes quickly. If you haven’t been out for five days, you find the trees in bud. If you don’t see the trees for another five days, you discover that they’ve put out leaves. In another five days, they’re so green you wouldn’t recognize them. It makes you wonder: Can these be the same trees I saw a few days before? And you answer yourself: Of course they are. That’s how fast spring goes by. You can almost see it. From far away it comes racing toward you. And when it reaches you it whispers in your ear, ‘I’m here,’ and then runs swiftly on. Spring –what a rush it’s in. Every place seems to be urging it to come. If it delays its arrival a bit, the sunlight fades and the earth turns to stone. Trees especially can’t endure any delay. Let spring dally even briefly on the way, and many lives are lost. (“Spring In A Small Town”)”

Xiao Hong, Selected Stories of Xiao Hong

PhotographMatthieu Salvaing.

ROYALS. Kate, Princess of Wales. Photograph AP File /Laurence Griffiths.

FAST CARS. The Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photograph courtesy Goodwood.

LA DOLCE VITA. The Most Famous Hotel in the World. The Savoy. Photograph © The Savoy/ DamienHewetson.

INTERIORS.Contemporary Living –Peter Pennoyer Architects. PhotographEric Piasecki, courtesy Vendome Press.

FRAGRANCE. Ode to Parfum Chanel N°5. Photograph courtesy CHANEL. ALMOND DACQUOISE. A Classic French Showstopper.

This page: The now iconic stainless-steel sign over Savoy Court was erected in 1929. Photograph © The Savoy/ Damien Hewetson.

“For the gondoliers-themed birthday dinner, the hotel obligingly flooded the courtyard to conjure the Grand Canal of Venice. Dinner was served on a silk-lined floating gondola, real swans were swimming in the water, and as a final flourish, a baby elephant borrowed from London Zoo pulled a five-foot high birthday cake.”

Olivia Williams

The Secret Life of the Savoy: Glamour and Intrigue at the World’s Most Famous Hotel

THE MOST FAMOUS HOTEL IN THE WORLD

THE SAVOY

The Savoy was the first purpose-built deluxe hotel in London, setting new standards for luxury, comfort and service unheard of in the hotel world of the day. As the first hotel of its type in London, it was a magnet for the wealthy, the famous, the glamorous, and even the notorious; their stories have accrued over the decades to become part of the legend of this truly unique hotel.

Photography courtesy The Savoy.

LA DOLCE VITA

Top and below: In 2005, billionaire Prince Al Waleed purchased The Savoy Hotel, to be managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and in 2007 the hotel closed for a complete and lavish renovation, reopening 3 years later in 2010. The interior design, by Pierre-Yves Rochon, is very much in the spirit of the hotel’s original Edwardian and Art Deco influences. Photograph © The Savoy/ Damien Hewetson. Left: When The Savoy opened in August 1889, it caused a huge sensation around the world. The Savoy was the first hotel in Britain to introduce electric lights throughout the building, electric lifts, bathrooms in most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold running water and many other innovations. Photograph © The Savoy.

In 1246, the uncle to King Henry III’s wife built a palace on a stretch of land given to him by the King. The land lay between the Strand and the Thames, and the grand building was called the Savoy Palace, after its creator, Peter, Count of Savoy.Over 600 years later, impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte chose the location to stage the famous operettas written by his friends, Gilbert and Sullivan. He decided to call his new building the Savoy Theatre, and from then, the productions were known as the Savoy Operas.

BRIC'S MILANO EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT PORTO.

Italian handmade quality since 1952. Premium leather goods and artisanal workmanship. This is the craftmanship of Bric’s. Taking care of what is precious to accompany every traveller through time.

PORTO BOUTIQUE

HILTON MALTA, ST. JULIAN’S AND DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON, QAWRA

TEL (HILTON): + 356 2373 3765

FACEBOOK.COM/PORTOHANDBAGS WWW.PORTOMALTA.COM

D’Oyly Carte also spent a lot of time producing Gilbert and Sullivan’s shows in America, and was so impressed with the new hotels there, that he decided to build his own hotel back in London. The hotel was built on a plot of land, next to the Savoy Theatre, that Carte originally purchased to house an electrical generator for the theatre, which was the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity.The new Savoy on the river took five years to build and was financed by the profits from the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership, particularly from The Mikado. It finally opened on 6th August 1889, causing a huge sensation throughout the world. The Savoy

was the first hotel in Britain to introduce electric lights throughout the building, the first ‘ascending rooms’–electric lifts, bathrooms in most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold running water and many other innovations.

Well-known hotel manager, César Ritz, was brought in to add luxurious finesse to this new wonder hotel;and Auguste Escoffier, the leading ‘celebrity chef’of his day, ran the kitchens. The Savoy soon attracted distinguished and wealthy clientele, headed by the Prince of Wales. Aristocratic women, hitherto unaccustomed to dining in public, were now seen at the Savoy dining and supper rooms.

Above: Regarded as the heart of the hotel, the Thames Foyer is a stunning glass-domed atrium.. An impressive gazebo takes centre stage from which a pianist plays during the day, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Home to gorgeous afternoon teas and where the concept of a dinner dance was very first born. Below left: Details inside the Thames Foyer. Below right: River views at The Savoy. Photography this page © The Savoy/ Jack Hardy.

From the moment the hotel opened its doors in 1889, the most glamorous, famous and fashionable people of the day poured through its doors. One of the first and most notable regular guests was the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt, accompanied by her Irish red setter, Tosco. Bernhardt was thrilled to be reunited with her childhood friend, now The Savoy’s maitre-chef, Auguste Escoffier. Other notable divas included opera singers Adelina Patti and Dame Nellie Melba. For Melba, Escoffier created Peach Melba and Melba toast for her to enjoy at The Savoy.

By 1904, the hotel was such a hit that the blocks on the Strand were added, designed by Thomas Collcutt – and the American Bar and Savoy Grill moved into this new part of the hotel. The new Art Deco style was introduced, and the iconic stainless-steel sign over Savoy Court was erected in 1929.

In2005, billionaire Prince Al Waleed purchased The Savoy Hotel, to be managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and in 2007 the hotel closed for a complete and lavish renovation, reopening in 2010 with a bang. Within The Savoy’s famous entrance are some of the top London restaurants and bars including The American Bar – the longest surviving cocktail bar in London and one of the most renowned in the world. The American Bar first opened in 1893 and has since served countless well-known faces, from Winston Churchill to Ernest Hemingway. An icon in cocktail history it has played host to legendary bartenders – historic figures such as Harry Craddock, author of The Savoy Cocktail Book, and Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman. Part of the renovation project included the opening of The Beaufort Bar which stands on the hotel’s former cabaret stages – here a dramatic Art Deco interior of jet-black velvet furnishings and gold leaf on the walls now takes centre stage.

This page: The Royal Suite is the jewel in The Savoy’s crown of suites, comprising an open-plan procession of rooms spanning the entire riverside of the fifth floor, offering panoramic views of the River

Thames and London landmarks.

Photography this page © The Savoy/ Jack Hardy.

Gordon Ramsay presents the best of British at theSavoy Grill and The River Restaurant and exceptional fine dining in Restaurant 1890.One of London’s most iconic restaurants, the Savoy Grill is home to hundreds of years of Hollywood and history. The Savoy Grill has been a restaurant of choice for some of the world’s most famous faces. Winston Churchill, James Dean,Marilyn Monroe and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself have all passed through its gilded doors and Art Deco dining room.Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay

opened at The Savoy in February 2022, with a menu inspired by dishes created at the Savoy by Auguste Escoffier. This February the restaurant received its first Michelin Star. With a tasting menuonly format, the glamorous and intimate restaurant serves just 24 guests.

A London institution – The Thames Foyer,with a winter garden gazebo under a stained-glass cupola is the venue for the hotel’s famous Afternoon Tea, which guests have been coming to enjoy for over a century.

Top: The American Bar at The Savoy is the longest surviving cocktail bar in London and one of the most renowned in the world. It has played host to legendary bartenders – historic figures such as Harry Craddock, author of The Savoy Cocktail Book, and Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman. Below: The dramatic jet-black and gold décor of the Beaufort Bar provides the perfect setting for glamour and luxury. Photography this page © The Savoy/ Jack Hardy.

Today The Savoy offers 267 luxury guest rooms and suites that are decorated in either an elegant Edwardian or Art Deco style. The Savoy has welcomed the most notable of guests throughout its history, and has named a selection of its top suites after some of these personalities –‘Personality Suites’ – each suite overlooks the River Thames and provides guests with the chance to take in the same spectacular views that once inspired Claude Monet to paint some of his most famous works, and the likes of Maria Callas, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Katharine Hepburn to return to The Savoy time and time again. And there are also Butlers – Butler service was reintroduced to the hotel, and Savoy Butlers are available throughout the whole stay for guests staying in One-Bedroom River View Suites and above.

PAST CELEBRITY GUESTS

FRED ASTAIRE Astaire stayed at The Savoy for one month in 1923 whilst appearing in ‘Stop Flirting’ at the Strand Theatre. Fred and his sister danced along The Savoy rooftop. CHRISTIAN DIOR Christian Dior made his British debut at The Savoy in the spring of 1950, and more than 4,000 people applied for the 500 two-guinea entrance tickets. MARILYN MONROE

On her sole visit to Britain, Monroe did only two press conferences, both at The Savoy. Monroe’s costumes for ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ were fitted in a suite on the 5th floor, now part of the Royal Suite. ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Taylor arrived at The Savoy for the first night of the European leg of her first honeymoon, after marriage to hotel heir, Nicky Hilton, in 1950. AVA GARDNER A regular guest before, during and after her marriage to Frank Sinatra, Gardner favoured 5th floor River View suites for stays which ranged from a few days to two months.NOEL COWARD A regular guest at The Savoy, Coward headlined the Savoy Coronation Ball cabaret in 1953, and celebrated his 70th birthday at the hotel in 1969.

Top and centre: Situated on the riverside of the sixth floor of the hotel, The Savoy Suite is a light-filled haven in the heart of London with spectacular floor-to-ceiling views of the River Thames, stretching from Westminster and the Houses of Parliament, past Big Ben and the London Eye, and all the way along to the City and Canary Wharf. Left: A magnificent light-filled swimming pool is situated in its own atrium at The Savoy. Photography this page © The Savoy/ Jack Hardy.

This page: For this country estate, PPA designed the stone house in keeping with the golden era of country estates at the turn of the twentieth century.

“In our studio, we eschew potted history, instead we passionately scrutinize our sources and ideas to shape architecture that lasts.”

Peter Pennoyer

BEAUTY FOR CONTEMPORARY LIVING

PETER PENNOYER ARCHITECTS

CITY/ COUNTRY

For more than three decades, Peter Pennoyer Architects has upheld the gold standard of classically inspired residential architecture, using scholarship and history as guiding principles to achieve harmony, proportion, and beauty for contemporary living. In the past decade, PPA has expanded from a practice specializing primarily in single-family residential projects to a firm with diverse commissions around the globe – including museum exhibitions, theatres, highrise buildings, and historic preservation projects. The firm has also expanded artistically – adding interior design to their métier – and technologically. Though hand-drawing remains central to the practice, new digital tools have become a crucial part of the firm’s ever-evolving approach to design. The result is a dynamic creative process and expansive projects that represent the best of modern classical architecture.

PETER PENNOYER ARCHITECTS: CITY/ COUNTRY, published by Vendome Press, the first monograph of the firm’s work in more than 12 years, features 19 projects from the last decade, ranging from urban townhouses, apartments, and apartment buildings to rural retreats, island abodes, and coastal homes. Written by architectural historian Anne Walker, the book is divided into7 two sections, “City” and “Country,” and whether in an urban setting or in the countryside, each project reflects PPA’s imaginative interpretation of history and a commitment to instilling its work with an authentic sense of place.

Photography by Eric Piasecki, courtesy Vendome Press.

Founded in 1990, Peter Pennoyer Architects is an awardwinning architecture and design firm based in Manhattan and with an office in Miami. Recognized as a leader in new construction, renovation, and historic conservation for residential, commercial, and institutional commissions across the United States and globally, the firm’s work is characterized by sophisticated detail, high-quality craftsmanship, and a nimble balance between comfort, beauty, modernity, and continuity with the past. With more than 200 built projects, Peter Pennoyer Architects has been widely published, and is a member of Architectural Digest’s AD100.

Above: In this duplex, new finishes in the paneled dining room include a gilded cove ceiling and light oak floors. The round table is centered on a Calacatta Vagli marble mantel. Left: In the kitchen, glossy gray tile and white oak wood floors laid in a herringbone pattern are enlivened by pops of brass and orange.

In the book’s introduction, firm founder Peter Pennoyer asks, “What about architecture is meaningful, and what kind of architecture endures?”

“At PPA, our library, a long room at the center of our office, is the core of our firm, the wellspring of inspiration for architecture, design, scholarship, and advocacy. Our partner Gregory Gilmartin buys books continually– from dealers, university presses, and more obscure sources. His new acquisitions are arrayed on a round table that we all pass daily, then shelved among thousands of other volumes, all carefully organized according to Gregory’s system. This extensive collection is constantly turned to for quick consultations and deeper study. A designer may wonder how a gate might be set into a garden wall or how to resolve the final volute of the railing on a curved stair. A patient search yields illustrations of a variety of historical models. Rather than settle on a single image or approach, we understand that admired architects have solved the same design problem differently. What we cull from these various sources is an interpretation of the wisdom offered by tradition. The books serve not as a crutch but as a spur to our imaginations–imaginations that are continually enriched by looking outside of our world.”

Above: An enfilade of arches connects the entry hall and stair hall in this country house. Below left: Lit by three arched French doors, the conservatory of this country house culminates the axis to the west; with wood floors painted to simulate stone, Redd Kaihoi decorated it to complement the Italian panoramic wallpaper and greenery outside. Below right: The great window in this double-height living room overlooking a pond is flanked by pedimented doorways and upper windows supported by brackets.

“O

ur study of historical precedents becomes internalized once we harness it for a design. Each project builds fluency, and– as with language – fluency is proliferative. It can yield original ideas and reify those once lost to history. Between our print archives and built reality lies the question: what will endure? This exacting inquiry is the philosophical fulcrum of our work at PPA, straddling aesthetics and profession. To practice architecture inspired by classical and traditional sources in the twenty-first century, I believe, bears the precondition that truly enduring design is neither a prescriptive quality nor a replicated form; it is not a fait accompli. Today, however, traditional architecture is often experienced more as an echo than as an art, overwhelmingly expressed through an uncritical vocabulary of fixed historical elements, rearranged and reconstituted. In our studio, we eschew potted history; instead, we passionately scrutinize our sources and ideas to shape architecture that lasts. We hold classical design to a hypercritical standard: every ornate detail, every flourish, must be studied and justified; historical sources must be fluently resolved within the contemporary context. The pursuit not only of inherent beauty but of a sui generis communion with the present, a sense of belonging: that is what is meaningful, that is what endures.“

Above: In the kitchen, new glossy variegated-white tile on the walls and marble countertops join the salvaged wood beams of the ceiling and historic floor planks. Left: In this country home, an upstairs bedroom with salvaged ceiling beams illustrates the compact domestic scale of seventeenth-century dwellings.

“H

istory, scholarship, and drawing continue to be central to our practice, but digital programs, software, virtual reality, and 3D printing now rule the profession. Hand drawing endures as the principal medium of our office because it is the best expression of our work. Over the past decade, however, new technologies have transformed the practice of architecture in ways I could not have imagined; accelerating the pace and tools of design has had unforetold consequences for both the profession and the built environment, for better and worse. Our commitment to advancing our practice at the pace of technology has had clear benefits but has taken such an investment that I often joke we are a quasi tech firm. To reconcile history and tradition with industry standards, we have forged our own best practices for digital design. For example, our CAD drawings emulate the best hand-drafted work, not the other way around. The resulting

and on paper.”

drawings and renderings work on screen

Above: For this apartment entry hall, PPA designed faceted ends to create an elongated octagon; the walls are lined with peacock-blue verre églomisé panels flecked with silver and gold leaves by Miriam Ellner. The glazed front door is sheathed in a sinuous bronze grille. Right: From the paneled entry hall with its honed-limestone floor, an arched opening leads to a small vaulted hall, paneled stair hall, and stone terrace beyond.

The extraordinary projects in Peter Pennoyer Architects: City/ Country embody the firm’s work at its very best: projects designed for today’s living that will endure as the result of scholarship, creative invention, high-quality craftsmanship, and rewarding collaborations with prominent interior designers, including Katie Ridder, Redd Kaihoi, Steven Gambrel, Jacques Grange, Victoria Hagan, and Robert Stilin, landscape architects such as Miranda Brooks and Hollander Design Landscape Architects, builders, and artisans.The “City” section of the book features residences designed with both history and the energy of urban life in mind, while in “Country,” romantic estates and coastal homes

take centre stage.

Above: For this kitchen, PPA found artisans to create new tile for the kitchen walls to match the crackled glazing and age of the originals. The reclaimedlimestone slabs covering the floor were imported from France and laid in a random pattern. Left: For this country house, a new sweeping wood stair, set within the curve of a tower topped by a pepper pot roof, has treads chiseled to imitate diamond-shaped blocks of stone, giving each a three-dimensional profile.

In this era of constant change and innovation, the Artie novelties blend in perfectly with the Hometrends existing collection, creating a unique ambiance that brings people together. Award winning international design team

ABOUT THE AUTHORS.

PETER PENNOYER is the founding partner of Peter Pennoyer Architects, a New York–based architecture and design firm with an office in Miami. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he is the co-author, with Anne Walker, of five books on early twentieth-century American architects and the author of A House in the Country, written with his wife, interior designer Katie Ridder. Recent projects include a house for the Jeff Koons family, an Art Deco–style apartment building on Madison Avenue, and Rowdy Meadow, an award-winning Czech Cubism–style house in Ohio, the subject of a book published by Vendome Press in 2021.

Architectural historian and author ANNE WALKER holds a master’s degree in historic preservation from Columbia University and received her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College. In 2000, she joined Peter Pennoyer Architects and has since collaborated with Pennoyer on five books on early twentieth-century American architects. She is the author of Peter Pennoyer Architects: Apartments, Townhouses, Country Houses and Rowdy Meadow: House, Land, Art, and the coauthor of Life at the Top: New York’s Exceptional Apartment Buildings with Kirk Henckels and The Finest Rooms in America with Thomas Jayne. Walker served as an adjunct professor at New York University for ten years and has appeared as a commentator in National Geographic’s television series American Mansion.

Architecture and interiors photographer

ERIC PIASECKI contributes regularly to Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications nationally and internationally. His books include Peter Pennoyer Architects, Katie Ridder: Rooms, Katie Ridder: More Rooms, A House in the Country, and Rowdy Meadow: House, Land, Art

PETER PENNOYER ARCHITECTS: CITY/ COUNTRY byAnne Walker. Introduction by Peter Pennoyer.Photography by Eric Piasecki. Published by Vendome Press. Hardcover with jacket. 350 full-colour photos, plans and drawings, 304pages.

Above: The interiors in this country house are open, informal, and bright, with lots of doors leading to exterior spaces; in the living room, French doors open out to a porch. Left: For this waterside country estate, a trellised seating area extends from the fieldstone tennis pavilion overlooking the bay.

Bottom: The fireplace wall is the focal point of this living room: a walnut, mirror-backed jali screen, hand carved by Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan, frames a bolection mantel with a surround of Moroccan Zellige tile in shades of turquoise.

ODE TO PARFUM CHANEL N°5

A Philosophy of Scent

Perfume throughout the ages has been an intimate sophistication of the human panoply of ritual and culture. But one scent has captured the collective essence and imagination of modernity all unto itself. Chanel N°5 with its at first glance quite unassumingly simple yet bold appearance portrays our dynamic new world with a belle epoque elegance and innovative know-how that belies its pervasive fame. Beauty will save the world, was Dostoevsky’s antihero Prince Mishkin’s retort to all things evil as a mode de vivre to abide by; and perfume justifiably earns its place as one of the aesthetic achievements of our age as much as art, music and architecture. There to provide solace, awe and wonder, all dependent on the emotive response of the graceful beholder, writes lifestyle contributor Kris Bonavita.

FRAGRANCE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CHANEL.

THE PRIMORDIAL INTIMACY AND FEELING OF SCENT

The sense of smell is part and parcel of our being, as much functionally there for our survival in procuring food or sensing danger as for our enjoyment in discerning and feeling who or what we love. Scents conjure up nostalgic memories of our past or infuse a feeling of miasmic mystery, often more than other senses and in ways that give meaning to our storied emotions both inherent to the way we think and feel about the world and equally viscerally part of our own being and identity.

We shape our understanding and are in turn shaped by our modes of perception; and scent and smell are intricately related to the way we do this, regardless of our evolution or cultural sophistication and in contrast to or in tandem with the animal kingdom and natural world. Scents can exhilarate, perturb, heal or entice us, even if we are often not willing to concede their primordial role in the way we are constituted. Perfume is one of the realms which allow us to explore defiantly and symbolically; or give us space so to speak; to indulge in the benign world around us; or add that sense of wonderment to transcend our existence, over and above the nuts and bolts of life.

So it is no coincidence that perfume can define and communicate or shape and sculpture how we would like to see and be seen in the world. In a sense, perfume is a powerful tool of embodiment, expression and freedom, and something which Mademoiselle Coco Chanel and the Chanel House are no strangers to. The scent world of the 19th century was characterised and constrained by the restrictive use of single note, often garden flower variety, perfumes at least in the upper echelons of society; with only the demimonde of actresses and prostitutes delving into mixed concoctions of seductive indulgence laced in indolic elements of

animal musk or oilier racier cloying notes.

Coco wanted to revolutionize this and at the forefront of her thinking was freedom as a powerful feminine aesthetic, realised in scent form for a woman to overcome the stifling constraints of the society of the day. However, it would take a chance encounter with the perfumer of the Russian royal imperial family, Monsieur Ernest Beaux, to result in the creation and historically first sophisticatedly complex perfume and more importantly endorsed by an eponymously named fashion house, all in 1921. To emphasise this philosophy even the shape of the bottle, in contrast to elaborate rounded vials of old, was designed with strict and rigorous linear features bejeweled by a strong almost dare I say masculine decanter like diamond cut chiseled stopper redolent of the geometry of Place de la Vendome visible from her Ritz rooms in Paris.

The French Russian chemist and perfumer Beaux was instrumental in the imperial palace of St Petersburg’s fame for its perfumed courts and at the heart of his creations where the dual use of rose and jasmine. Yet it was his experimenting with aldehydes, organic chemical compounds laced in iris and oris roots and musks that helped encapsulate and boost scent into longer lasting and cleaner notes that would change the nature and history of perfume making forever. A war time stationing in the Arctic outpost of Arkangelsk with its polar ice, frigid seas and snowy landscape would be his inspiration for capturing the crisp Nordic ambience as ‘a melting winter note’ or third pillar feature trifecta for his new scent.

Chanel wanted a perfume that had the scent of a woman but equally evoked her freedom. Almost an ambassadorial means of poetic ersatz and dialectic on how she wished to be seen in wearing the scent and how she was to pass through this world; no different from her ingenious sartorial creations and as Chanel house best describes it, a subtle note of expression between the Creator and the created.

At the heart of our love for all things fragrant is our affinity to flowers, at once the most ephemeral of nature’s gifts, and yet beautiful and benign.

AFFINITY TO FLOWERS

THE PARFUM, EAU DE TOILETTE, AND EAU DE PARFUM

Coco Chanel had a healthy obsession with all things 5 and explicitly chose the fifth sample out of ten she was presented with, hence the name. Since its creation in 1921 Chanel has joyously come out with five expressions or variations of the Parfum, with each head perfumer who succeeded Ernest Beaux having the solemn duty of protecting the legacy of the Parfum by preserving its secret recipe, and overseeing the procurement of its raw materials throughout the calendar year to maintain its production and exceptional quality adhering loyally to the original encapsulation.

The Parfum created in 1921 by Beaux is a potent blend of powdery florals, aldehydes, jasmine, neroli (bittersweet oranges) and sandalwood. Described by Chanel herself as a bouquet of abstract flowers, with over eighty ingredients, N°5 is a perfect balance between rose and jasmine followed by vibrant wood notes of sandalwood, vetiver and vanilla. Its signature feel is powerfully harmonious with no dominant note and flexible to the body chemistry of its wearer. It is an institution in its own right as a cultural heritage both symbolically high octane traditional and revolutionarily new.

The Eau de Toilette was created in 1924 by Ernest Beaux. Inspired by his original Parfum, he was taken to creating a lighter expression which could be used more liberally. While still having a powdery floral

bouquet of jasmine, rose and ylang ylang at the heart of its being, the first distinguishable notes upon application are woodier warmer scents of sandalwood, vetiver and vanilla, with a fresh racy bittersweet orange citrus composure, less redolent than the Parfum, while still slowly melting into the powdery florals one so fondly associates with N°5. The EDT is both powerful and flexible allowing for direct application in as a great a dose as one's mood wishes, without necessarily compromising on a balanced overall elegantly light-handed clean complexion. Incredibly modern in its feel, it is hard to believe that this fragrance is exactly a century old in the making.

The Eau de Parfum created by the famed Jacques Polge in 1986 as a third expression of N°5 is a nod to Beaux’s original creation. The EDP has a concentration that veers closer to the Parfum in contrast to the EDT both in the powerful elements, colouration and general aura or cloud of presence. Indeed Polge’s intention was to preserve as much of the richness of the original perfume as possible in the olfactory dimension and composition with a beautiful forward glow of luminous hints of fresh flowers in opulent lavish tones of jasmine, vanilla and rose, all veiled in powdery tones yet cleanly delivered in an aldehyde intensity and freshness. The wood tones and subtle complexity of ingredients are in the background just providing support for what is essentially a gorgeous bouquet of sweet and fresh flowers ever new and blossoming yet with a seductive and sensual lingering trail.

Chanel is distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

Facing page: In 1952, Marilyn Monroe revealed that she wore nothing but “a few drops of N°5” to bed. This confession, which she later discussed in a 1960 interview for Marie Claire, consecrated the legend. N°5 has since established itself as an absolute icon.

Marilyn Monroe with Chanel N°5, photographed by Ed Feingersh in 1955. Image Source: Wikipedia Commons.

“I am well. I am getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal.”

Kate, Princess of Wales

KATE, PRINCESS OF WALES

One of the most photographed and talked-about women in the world is fighting a very personal battle. After weeks of media speculation about her health ever since January, when she was hospitalized for unspecified abdominal surgery, Kate, Princess of Wales, announced this March that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. The princess disclosed her condition in a video message recorded in Windsor. The revelation went alongside a request for “some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.” Here we share the transcript of Kate’s statement in full.

In February this year, the royal family announced that King Charles III was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer. King Charles’ relative openness about his diagnosis was a departure for the generally secretive royal family. Now this March, after weeks of speculation, Kate, the Princess of Wales, announced in a video message that she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Wearing a casual striped sweater and jeans, Kate sat on a wooden bench in front of a lawn dotted with daffodils. The flowers, which bloom in early spring, are often used as a symbol of hope for people fighting cancer.

Facing page: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stands on centre court during the trophy presentation after Serbia’s Novak Djokovic defeated Switzerland’s Roger Federer during the men’s singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2019. Photograph AP, File/ Laurence Griffiths. Above: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge watches

Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic of Croatia play Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell of Australia in the final of the men’s doubles on day thirteen of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 2022. Photograph AP, File/ Kirsty Wigglesworth.

“I

wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.”

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”

“In is of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”

“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”

“As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body, and spirits.”

“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now, I must focus on making a full recovery. At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

Above: Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London, April 2011. Photograph AP, File/ Gero Breloer. Below: Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London, April 2011. Photograph AP, File/ Martin Meissner.

A space to experience exquisite flavours, fragrance and a feast for all the senses.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF CELEBRITY CANCER

ANNOUNCEMENTS: HOW THEY INSPIRE HOPE AND SUPPORT When a well-known individual discloses their battle with cancer, the world often responds with an outpouring of support and encouragement. This public acknowledgment not only shines a spotlight on the individual’s journey but also has ripple effects that extend far beyond the realms of celebrity, and can have a profound impact, not only on fans but on individuals facing similar battles. One of the most significant impacts is the sense of solidarity it fosters among those facing similar challenges. Furthermore, the visibility of a high-profile cancer diagnosis can help destigmatize the

disease and open up conversations about it. By sharing their story, celebrities and public figures can raise awareness about the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and the significance of prioritizing one’s health. On a personal level, individuals grappling with cancer may find solace and inspiration in the words of encouragement and well wishes from strangers around the globe. The overwhelming support serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for compassion and empathy even in the face of adversity. In a world often characterized by division and discord, these moments of unity and compassion offer hope and reaffirm our shared humanity.

Above: Kate, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, December 2023. Photograph AP, File/ Kin Cheung. Below left: Queen Elizabeth II, right, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge watch a fashion show at De Montfort University in Leicester, March 2012. Photograph AP, File/ Oli Scarff Below right: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave Buckingham Palace on their way to the Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping the Colour ceremony to mark the official birthday of the Queen, in London, June 2011. Photograph AP, File/ Akira Suemori.

“You must always strive to be the best, but you must never believe that you are.”

Juan Manuel Fangio, Argentine Motorsports Racing Driver

MOTORSPORT'S ULTIMATE SUMMER GARDEN PARTY

The goodwood festival of speed

First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Nowhere else will you get so close to the cars and bikes as they blast up the Hillclimb track; nowhere else will you enjoy such unrestricted access to the machines and the drivers who made them famous. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue, Forest Rally Stage, Supercar Paddock, Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams|Cars Auction.

Photography courtesy Goodwood.

This page: Goodwood House is a stately home located in West Sussex, England. It serves as the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Richmond and is situated within the Goodwood Estate. The house dates back to the 17th century, with its architecture reflecting both Baroque and Palladian styles. With stunning interiors and state apartments adorned with fine artworks and tapestries, Goodwood House is also known for its extensive grounds, which host various events throughout the year, including the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. Goodwood House, photographJames Fennell.

Every year, automotive enthusiasts converge on the picturesque estate of Goodwood House in West Sussex for an event unlike any other: the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This four-day event celebrates the rich heritage of motorsport while showcasing the latest innovations in automotive technology.

The history of the Goodwood Festival of Speed dates back to 1993 when the 11th Duke of Richmond, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, conceived the idea as a means of bringing motorsport back to the Goodwood Estate, a location steeped in British motor racing history. What started as a small gathering of historic racing cars ascending the iconic hill climb has since evolved into one of the most prestigious events on the motorsport calendar.

At the heart of the Festival of Speed is the famous hill climb course, a winding 1.89km (1.16 mile)route that twists and turns its way through the lush grounds of the Goodwood Estate, climbing 92.7 metres (304 ft), with an average gradient of 4.9%. Against the backdrop of Goodwood House, drivers pilot a diverse array of vehicles, from vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars, in a quest to set the fastest time with spectators lining the course.

While the hill climb is undoubtedly the main attraction, the Festival of Speed offers much more than just racing. The event features dynamic displays, static exhibits, and interactive activities. Visitors can explore paddocks filled with historic racing cars, modern prototypes, and concept vehicles, seeing some of the most iconic machines in automotive history.

Above: The Fiat S76 The Beast Of Turin taking on the hillclimb at the Festival of Speed 2023. Photograph John Nguyen/PA Wire. Left: Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel drove his own Williams FW14B on the Startline at the 2023 Festival of Speed. Photograph Tom Baigent.

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, the finest concours d’elegance in the world, where some of the rarest, the most beautiful and the best kept cars can be seen in the metal. In addition to the on-track action, the Festival of Speed hosts a wide range of entertainment and hospitality options, from live music performances and celebrity appearances to gourmet dining experiences and luxury marquees.

This year’s theme for the Festival of Speed is Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power, celebrating the essence of Goodwood’s love affair with motorsport. From the birth of organised competition, 130 years ago, with the Paris-Rouen Trial of 1894, the quest for speed has gone hand-in-hand with developments in engines, propulsion and power. The 2024 Festival of Speed will celebrate the many thrilling advances that have propelled motorsport to where it is today, and look at what new ideas may drive things into the future.

Above: Porsche 356 Gmund SL Hillclimb action at the 2023 Festival of Speed. Photograph Jordan Butters. Centre: Driving a Tojeiro-Jaguar sportscar, The Duke of Richmond opens the hillclimb at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photograph Jochen Van Cauwenberge

Bottom right: Hillclimb action at the Festival of Speed 2023. Photograph John Nguyen/PA Wire.

The entry list for that Paris-Rouen event, on Sunday 22 July 1894, included vehicles powered by everything from steam, petrol and electricity, to gravity, compressed air and hydraulics, reflecting the fact that, in the early years of the ‘horseless carriage’, there was no consensus as to the best power source. After a century dominated by the internal combustion engine,

we once again find ourselves at a crossroads, with electric, hydrogen, hybrid and sustainable fuels all offering potential solutions for a greener future. As well as remembering how far the automotive and motor racing industries have come in the past 130 years, ‘Horseless to Hybrid’ will, crucially, look ahead at what comes next. The theme will be reflected throughout the event, from the cars and drivers taking to the renowned Goodwood hill to immersive experiences in Future Lab, exhibiting some of the most innovative new technology.

Above: McLaren Solus GT hypercar, 2023 Festival of Speed shootout winner. Photograph Jochen Van Cauwenberge.

Below: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team Hillclimb action at the 2021 Festival of Speed. Photograph Jayson Fong.

The Festival of Speed has long championed emerging technologies. In 2023 it welcomed four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel as he drove his exNigel Mansell 1992 Williams FW14B and ex-Ayrton Senna 1993 McLaren MP4/8 on sustainable fuel. Vettel brought his “Race Without Trace” campaign to Goodwood, encouraging the adoption of alternative fuels by both the motorsport industry and wider world. In 2024 the Goodwood Revival will serve as a landmark moment in

motorsport history, as the entire weekend of historic racing is set to take place using sustainable fuel.

Beyond the excitement and spectacle, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is a chance to witness history in the making, as iconic cars and legendary drivers come together to push the limits of speed and performance, and where the spirit of motorsport comes alive in all its glory.

The2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place from Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 July. More information and ticketsat goodwood.com.

Above: The pure electric 2022 shootout winner, the McMurtry Speirling at the Festival of Speed. Photograph Drew Gibson. Below: At the heart of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the famous hill climb course, a winding route that twists and turns its way through the lush grounds of the Goodwood Estate. Photograph Jordan Butters.

Team Maximum Lock, Precision & Stunt Drivers

This page: The monu¬mental roof is designed to unify the scattered elements of the site while also becoming an iconic element for the new MICAS space.

“Form follows function-that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”

Frank Lloyd Wright

MICAS MALTA INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE BY IPOSTUDIO ARCHITETTI

Nestled within Floriana’s fortifications, the MICAS campus, designed by Ipostudio Architetti in Florence, is set in the San Salvatore Bastion area. The military architecture of this area, characterized by vast, intricate, and secluded spaces, had long been neglected and almost forgotten. Ipostudio Architetti’s design strategy aims to reconcile the historic monument –the fortress –with the contemporary function of the new structure. To achieve this, they proposed a monumental roof, uniting the disparate elements of the site and creating an iconic feature for the new MICAS space.

Images courtesy Ipostudio Architetti SRL, Florence.

The Ospizio complex in Floriana is part of a sprawling complex of buildings and fortifications that dates back to the time of the Knights of St John, and characterizes one of their most complex builds on the island. The site has a long chronology and chequered history, and started life as a polverista – or

gunpowder store.The realization of the new Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) at the Ospizio complex is part of the renovation of the whole fortress area that aims to be a cultural pole, enhancing its unique identity and attracting artists and visitors all year round.

The location for the MICAS galleries is the San Salvatore

area rich in historical landscape due to surrounding fortifications and ramparts, which compose the site. The formation of the military architecture in this area offers large, intricate, and intimate spaces, which for many years were left unexplored and to a large part forgotten. The San Salvatore ditch, also commonly known as “the Ritirata”, was identified as an ideal area to host the Contemporary Art Space.

Bastion area in Floriana, an

Above: Level 3 incorporates the main entrance to MICAS. Below: The roof is designed to be a structurally iconic element as well as a functional one, providing natural lighting and ventilation.

SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE HAND SELECTED STONE FROM AROUND THE WORLD. Your complete source of natural and artificial stone products. Our extensive selection of the highest quality portfolio of marble, granite, travertine, hardstone, onyx, porfido and quartz makes J&J Gauci the leading importer of natural and artificial stone slabs in Malta.

We take pride in having provided works for MICAS –Malta International Contemporary Art Space.

Above: The main entrance was designed to include a ticket office, information point, bookshop, storage lockers for visitors, as well as the main gallery-atrium. Below: All the gallery spaces are oriented towards the Arco Barbara. The Barbara Arch is what is called a skew arch, and takes its name from its creator, the Maltese architect and military engineer Giovanni Barbara. Barbara was the Capomastro delle Opere della Religione – the principal architect of the Order –from 1681 up to his death in 1728. The arch was his greatest masterpiece and is a key part of the space’s internal gallery.

The design is based on the main idea of overcoming the inevitable conflict between the monument –the fortress – and the new structure, housing a contemporary function. For this reason, the design proposed the realization of a monumental roof, that could unify the scattered elements of the site, becoming an

iconic element for the new MICAS space. To create a dialogue with the old bastion, the roof continues vertically and becomes the main façade. This impressive structure aims to highlight the contemporary character of the intervention, in contrast with the existing monument of the bastion. The peculiarity of this site, an empty space

between two bastions, entails great restrictions for the project. In order to respect the existing levels, the building is conceived as a series of terraces between the bastions, covered by an expansive roof structure. All the gallery spaces are oriented towards Arco Barbara –the Barbara Arch, a “window” facing the sea.

The building can be easily approached from Floriana through a pedestrian and car route on the northeastern side. That is the main entrance to the MICAS, from the third level of the building, +25.40 metres above sea level.

Considering that the site is an old

fortification bastion, there are some existing tunnels that create paths under the bastions and allow the connection of different outer and inner spaces. Moreover, a secondary access to the building leads to the outdoor space of Level 0 directly from the adjacent Sa Maison Gardens.

At the lowest level direct access to the outside garden allows the space to also be used for external events and exhibitions. Level 1 hosts a media gallery–black box and a semi-permanent gallery. While Level 2 accommodates a second gallery and a space for workshops and other activities.

This page: The impressive roof structure aims to highlight the contemporary character of the inter-vention, in contrast with the existing monument of the bastion.

Afacilities area for secondary uses, such as technical systems, toilets, staff changing room, is accessible through an internal corridor.

At the same level a “terrace” hosts a gallery for experimental art. The main entrance to MICAS at Level 3 was designed to include a ticket office, information point, bookshop, storage lockers for visitors, as well as the main gallery-atrium. This is a large open space conceived to offer maximum

flexibility and for the exhibition of large art pieces. From this point, the visitor has an overall view of the MICAS space: the two lower gallery levels (L2, L1), the higher level with the restaurant and offices located at Level 4, the Barbara Arc, and the sea in the background.

The restaurant on Level 4 is directly connected to the existing garden of the fortress, which has been transformed into an external art and event gallery. The landscape

design follows the natural slope of the terrain. The garden is divided into different levels, as a sequence of concrete paths and natural terrain where artwork can be exposed. The slope ends in an amphitheatrical staircase that could be used to set up events – at the same time it works as a containment of the terrain. A ramp runs parallel to the bastion, which on the one side allows a direct view of the sea, and on the other provides access to the different levels of the garden.

Above: In order to respect the existing levels, the building is conceived as a series of terraces between the bastions, covered by the expansive roofing. Below: The restaurant on Level 4 will be directly connected to the existing garden.

The concept of flexibility was one of the main design principles achieved through the interplay of the large roof and the floors underneath. The galleries are designed with floating floors. The floating structure allows for the provision of systems and electrical outlets and may also be temporarily removed in the case of heavy artworks, according to the needs of each exhibition set up.

The roof is designed to be a structurally

iconic element as well as a functional one. It provides natural lighting and ventilation and carries all the systems for moving, hanging, and lighting the galleries underneath. In essence it is a grid made from welded steel beams of 1.20x0.60m that intersect to create a modular system of 3x3m squares. Externally, the void between the beams is used as a gutter for water management. To ensure natural lighting the roof is covered with floating

glass, on top of which is placed a solar shading system. Internally the roof provides technical machinery that allows different exhibition scenarios. Internally, the void between the beam intersections is used for the lighting systems. Furthermore, the beam profile of 1.20m combined with the roof modularity enables the roof to bear loads, providing flexibility to accommodate different art settings.

Above: The location for the MICAS galleries is the San Salvatore Bastion area in Floriana, an area rich in historical landscape due to surrounding fortifications and ramparts, which compose the site. Below: An external view by night.

“Bon Appétit.”

Julia Child, My Life in France

A PARISIAN LANDMARK SINCE 1582

La Tour d’Argent

Standing in Paris’ 5th arrondissement at 15, Quai de la Tournelle with panoramic views across the River Seine and Notre Dame Cathedral, La Tour d’argent is one of Paris’s oldest dining establishments, with records dating back to at least 1582. Legend has it that it was here that France’s King Henri III was introduced to the innovative three-pronged eating utensil known as the fork. The enduring fame of the restaurant’s signature dish, Le canard à la Presse –Pressed Duck, devised by 19th-century owner Frédéric Delair, endures to this day, complete with its elaborate tableside presentation. La Tour d’Argent is also home to one of the world’s largest wine collections, with over 300,000 bottles in its cellar – Santé!

This page: On the 6th floor the restaurant overlooks the Seine, Notre-Dame and the Ile Saint-Louis, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Paris for a timeless experience. Photograph Matthieu Salvaing.

Sitting on the bank of the River Seine, with clear views of Notre Dame just a few metres away, stands the culinary icon steeped in centuries of history and gastronomic excellence – La Tour d'Argent. With a legacy dating back to 1582, this legendary restaurant has long been hailed as a bastion of French culinary tradition and innovation.

André Terrail, the grandfather of the current owner, bought La Tour d'Argent from Frédéric Delair in 1914. In 1947, his son Claude took over and under his leadership, the Tour d'Argent opened a second restaurant in Tokyo and celebrated its 400th anniversary. His son André now carries on the history of La Tour d'Argent, and took over from his father in 2006.

Entering La Tour d'Argent, diners are greeted by an atmosphere of timeless elegance and refinement. The dining room, with panoramic views of the city, sets the stage for a gastronomic journey led by Chef and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) Yannick Franques. Trained by Eric Frechon at the Bristol, Christian Constant at the Crillon, Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV and also by Jean-Louis Nomicos at the Grande Cascade, Yannick Franques passed through the Château Saint-Martin in Vence where he obtained two stars in the Michelin Guide and then through the Réserve de Beaulieu. He joined the Tour d’Argent in 2019, where he has worked since as Executive Chef.

Above: Chef and MeilleurOuvrier de France (MOF) Yannick Franques. Trained by Eric Frechon at the Bristol, Christian Constant at the Crillon, Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV and also by Jean-Louis Nomicos at the Grande Cascade, Yannick Franques passed through the Château Saint-Martin in Vence where he obtained two stars in the Michelin Guide and then through the Réserve de Beaulieu. He joined the Tour d’Argent in 2019, where he has worked since then as Executive Chef. Photograph Matthieu Salvaing. Right: The restaurant was owned in the 1890s by Frédéric Delair, who began the tradition of presenting a numbered certificate to each person who ate the restaurant’s signature dish, pressed duck. To this day La Tour d’Argent gives guests a card recording which duck number they received. Photograph La Tour d’Argent Paris.

La Tour d'Argent is not a museum but a theatre and for André the challenge is to pass on the family heritage with an eye to the future. In 2022 he dared to take the boldest gamble since the 1936 renovation by his grandfather who took the restaurant up to the 6th floor. Architect Franklin Azzi brought a modern airy feel to the interiors, including a light shimmering metallic ceiling and a kitchen opened to the dining room. A new work by artist Antoine Carbonne brings the restaurant’s dining room to life, with a colourful energetic medieval inspired map of Paris.

But it is not just the ambiance that makes La Tour d'Argent a culinary destination like no other – it is the unparalleled excellence of its cuisine. At the helm of the kitchen is a team of master chefs, dedicated to crafting dishes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of France while embracing modern techniques and flavours.

“What guides me at La Tour d'Argent: the great classics that make up the authenticity of the House, its heritage and respect for our values,” says Yannick Franques.

Left: An exquisite marriage of Osciètre Caviar with langoustine tartare, all sublimated by a delicate dressing with cloves and Kalamansi.

Below left: A roasted lobster tail, delicately enhanced by a hint of plum powder, accompanied by a cream of fresh onions, butter-sautéed chard, and elevated by a tangy lobster bisque. A flawless fusion of flavours crafted by Chef Yannick Franques.

Below centre: Mystère de l’oeuf (The Mystery of the egg), Chef Yannick Franques’ signature dish. A flowing egg yolk surrounded by an airy snow white, topped with a toasted brioche hat, rosemary needles, sautéed cloves on a creamy chicken broth and grated white truffle. Below right: An iconic dessert at La Tour d’Argent, les Crêpes Mademoiselle.

Photography this page: La Tour d’Argent Paris.

GASTRONOMY

One of the most iconic aspects of La Tour d'Argent is its legendary dish – canard au sang, or pressed duck. First devised by 19th-century owner Frédéric Delair, this signature dish has been enjoyed by discerning diners and dignitaries from around the world. Prepared tableside with meticulous care and precision, the duck is expertly carved and served with a rich sauce made from its own juices. It is a culinary spectacle that epitomizes the artistry and craftsmanship of French cuisine.

This page: Sa majesté le Canard, Frédéric Delair. First devised by 19th-century owner Frédéric Delair, La Tour d’Argent’s famous pressed duck endures to this day, complete with its elaborate tableside presentation. Photograph La Tour d’Argent Paris. Facing page: La Tour d’Argent’s celebrated duck press. Photograph Thomas Campion.

Beyond its culinary offerings, La Tour d'Argent boasts a rich history that is intertwined with the fabric of Parisian culture. It is said that King Henry III of France first picked up a fork at La Tour d'Argent, thereby popularizing its use in French dining. Over the centuries, the restaurant has played host to royalty, celebrities, and luminaries of the arts, cementing its status as a cultural institution.

Beneath the bustling dining rooms lies a labyrinth of historic cellars, where time

seems to stand still. Dating back to the Middle Ages, these cavernous spaces house an extensive collection of rare wines and spirits, some dating back centuries. Guests can embark on a journey through the annals of oenology, guided by knowledgeable sommeliers who curate bespoke wine pairings to complement the exquisite cuisine above. Collector's items and great vintages from incomparable years - nearly 300,000 bottles are gently waiting to be served.

As Head Sommelier, the cellar and its immeasurable historical heritage are the focus of Victor Gonzalez’s attention, as he

oversees both its preservation and its development. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor David Ridgway – La Tour’s Chief Sommelier for over 40 years – Victor Gonzalez is the protector and guardian of many hidden treasures, all brought to perfect maturity, including the Burgundy wines for which La Tour is particularly renowned. Friendly relationships with the winemakers, some of which have lasted for over 150 years, are also key to this cellar, where the prestige of each bottle lies as much in its appellation as in the winemaker and its history.

Above: From April 2022 to August 2023 the restaurant underwent an extensive renovation. A masterly work by artist Antoine Carbonne now brings the restaurant’s dining room to life, depicting a colourful medieval inspired map of Paris. Below left: On the first floor, Bar des Maillets d’Argent (before 1936 the initial restaurant was located here). Below right: In the kitchen, now open to the dining room, Chef Yannick Franques reinterprets the emblematic recipes from the Tour d’Argent’s gastronomic heritage in a contemporary style. Photography this page: Matthieu Salvaing.

In 2007, La Tour d'Argent left an indelible mark on popular culture when it served as inspiration for the Pixar animated film Ratatouille. The fictional restaurant, "Gusteau's," drew parallels to the real-life establishment, capturing its timeless elegance and culinary excellence. The film's portrayal of haute cuisine and the pursuit of gastronomic perfection further solidified La Tour d'Argent's status as a culinary icon, transcending its physical boundaries to captivate audiences worldwide.

In a city known for its culinary prowess, La Tour d'Argent stands as a beacon of gastronomic excellence and a testament to the timeless allure of French cuisine. With its rich history, exquisite cuisine, and unparalleled service, it is no wonder that La Tour d'Argent continues to capture the hearts and palates of diners from around the world, making it a must-visit destination for epicurean adventurers.

Bon Appétit

Above: Salon Frédéric at Bar des Maillets d’Argent, where you can enjoy a cocktail surrounded by antique furniture, green walls and some reverie-inducing armchairs.

Left: La Tour d’Argent, facade view from Pont de la Tournelle. Photography this page: Matthieu Salvaing.

SHOW TIME

ALMOND DACQUOISE

If you want a showstopper, classic Almond Dacquoise with four layers of almond meringue is sure to impress with its light and airy texture, complemented by the rich almond flavor and creamy whipped cream filling.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FIRST MAGAZINE.

The French word Dacquoise is derived from Dax, a commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France, where the dessert originated. Legend has it that in the 17th century, Clément Lassagne, a member of Louis XIII's court, crafted this confection to honor the Duke of Aquitaine following his return from battle. Almond Dacquoise is made from layers of almond meringue that are baked until crisp and then sandwiched together with a filling, such as whipped cream or buttercream, and sometimes fruit or nuts. The meringue layers are made from egg whites, sugar, and finely ground almonds, which give the dessert its light and airy texture. It has become a popular dessert in French patisseries and restaurants, where it is often served as a light and elegant finale to a meal. Its simple yet sophisticated flavours and elegant presentation make it a timeless classic that is sure to impress.

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line 4 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until frothy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.

3. Gradually add caster sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat egg whites. Beat until stiff peaks form and mixture is glossy.

4. In a separate bowl, sift together almond flour and icing sugar. Gently fold mixture into beaten egg whites along with vanilla extract and salt until well combined.

SERVES 8 TO 10 FOR DACQUOISE LAYERS

6 large egg whites

1 1/4 cups caster sugar

2 cups almond flour

1 cup icing sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar pinch of salt

FOR THE FILLING

2 cups heavy cream

1/3 cup icing sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract icing sugar, for garnish home-made or good quality (not too sweet) apricot compote, if desired

5. Transfer mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 4 large circles (about 10-12 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure they are evenly sized.

6. Bake in preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until layers are set and lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets.

7. While dacquoise layers are cooling, prepare filling. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip heavy cream with icing sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. If desired at this stage, fold in a good

dollop of home-made or good quality apricot compote into the whipped cream.

8. Once dacquoise layers are completely cooled, carefully remove from parchment paper. Place one dacquoise layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of whipped cream over top. Repeat with remaining layers and whipped cream, stacking them on top of each other.

9. Once all layers are assembled, sprinkle liberally with icing sugar. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until ready to serve.

Free admission to over 20 sites when you become a member

PATRON

As individuals approach retirement age, the concept of active ageing takes centre stage and how to live your best life when you decide to retire. Active ageing encompasses a holistic approach to life after retirement, emphasizing physical activity, social engagement, and lifelong learning to promote overall well-being, but at the heart of active ageing lies effective pension planning, providing financial security and independence to support a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. Retirement may seem like a far off concept, but the reality is, planning ahead makes huge differences in your life.

NAVIGATING RETIREMENT AND PENSION PLANNING

Retirement marks a significant transition in life, offering newfound freedom and opportunities for personal growth. However, the key to making the most of retirement lies in careful pension planning. Pension plans serve as a financial safety net, ensuring a steady income stream to cover living expenses, healthcare costs, and leisure activities during retirement years. By starting pension planning early and making informed investment decisions, individuals can secure a comfortable retirement while enjoying peace of mind and financial stability.

Photography Hannah Olinger.

Effective pension planning involves several key considerations. Firstly, individuals should assess their current financial situation and determine their retirement goals and objectives. This includes estimating retirement expenses, such as housing, healthcare, travel, and leisure activities, and calculating the amount of income needed to maintain their desired lifestyle.

Next, individuals should look into the various pension options available to them, including employer-sponsored pension plans, individual retirement accounts, and government pension schemes. Each type of pension plan has its own features, benefits, and tax implications, so it's essential to research and compare different options to find the most suitable plan for individual needs.

Once a pension plan - or a pension path - is chosen, individuals should develop a contribution strategy to maximize their retirement savings. This may involve setting aside a portion of income each month for pension contributions or taking advantage of employer matching contributions to boost retirement savings. Additionally, individuals should regularly review and adjust their pension contributions based on changes in income, expenses, and investment performance.

Investment strategy also plays a crucial role in pension planning, as the performance of pension investments directly impacts retirement income. When possible individuals

should try to diversify their pension investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, to minimize risk and maximize returns. It's essential to regularly monitor and rebalance pension investments to ensure they remain aligned with your retirement goals and risk tolerance.

Furthermore, individuals should consider factors such as inflation, longevity, and healthcare costs when planning for retirement. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of retirement savings over time, so it's essential to factor in inflation when estimating retirement expenses and income needs. Longevity risk refers to the possibility of outliving retirement savings, so individuals should plan for a longer retirement period and explore options such as annuities or longevity insurance to mitigate this risk. Additionally, increased healthcare related costs can significantly impact retirement finances, so individuals should budget for possible healthcare expenses in retirement.

Effective pension planning is essential for ensuring financial security and independence in retirement. By carefully assessing retirement goals, exploring pension options, developing a contribution strategy, and implementing an investment plan, individuals can build a solid foundation for a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. With proactive pension planning and prudent financial management, you can enjoy peace of mind and confidence for retirement years ahead, embracing the opportunities of active ageing with financial security and independence.

ACTIVE AGEING AND GOOD RETIREMENT PLANNING

Active ageing and good retirement planning are intertwined because they both contribute to a fulfilling and healthy life in later years. Retirement planning ensures financial security, allowing you to pursue activities and experiences that promote active ageing. Conversely, active ageing, characterized by staying physically, mentally, and socially engaged, enhances overall well-being and can positively impact retirement planning by reducing healthcare costs and increasing longevity. By investing in both retirement planning and active ageing initiatives, you can enjoy a balanced and enriched lifestyle, fostering independence, vitality, and quality of life in later years.

Beyond financial considerations, active ageing emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical health and fitness throughout retirement. Regular exercise not only promotes physical well-being but also reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Engaging in regular physical activity not only enhances quality of life but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and vitality. In addition to physical health, social engagement plays a crucial role in active ageing. Building and nurturing social

connections can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation commonly experienced in retirement. Whether attending social events, joining interest-based clubs, or connecting with family and friends, maintaining an active social life promotes emotional wellbeing and enhances overall quality of life during retirement.

Lifelong learning is also a cornerstone of active ageing, offering opportunities for personal development, intellectual stimulation, and creativity. People can pursue educational courses, workshops, or online classes to explore new interests, acquire new skills, and stay mentally sharp. From language classes to art workshops and

university degrees, there are endless possibilities for people to engage their minds and expand their horizons, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in retirement.

Embracing active ageing through retirement involves a multifaceted approach that encompasses pension planning, physical activity, social engagement, and lifelong learning. By prioritizing pension planning and making informed financial decisions, people can enjoy financial security and independence in retirement. Moreover, staying physically active, socially connected, and intellectually engaged promotes overall well-being and enhances quality of life.

bovic@bov.com SCAN HERE Further information on the plan may be obtained from the Key Features Document available from our website www.bov.com.

- If you stop paying your plan before the chosen retirement date, you may not get back as much as you invested.

- If you invest in this product, you will not have access to your money before the retirement date.

- The value of your investment may go down as well as up.

- Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances. Tax legislation and the amount of rebate may change in the future. The Product is

Unless you are planning to delay your retirement to maintain your current standard of living, you may need additional sources of income aside from your state pension: highlighting the importance of private pension plans. Saving into these plans is not merely prudent; it’s a strategic move towards ensuring financial security and stability in the golden years.

ENSURING FINANCIAL SECURITY AND STABILITY FOR RETIREMENT

PRIVATE PENSION PLANS

In Malta, the state pension depends on the National Insurance system, where the contributions of younger generations fund the pensions of retirees. This is known as the Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system. The system's sustainability therefore is conditional on having a healthily growing and productive labour force capable of collectively covering the public's cost of retirement amongst current retirees. With an ageing population and a low fertility rate, the burden on future generations to sustain our state pensions will become more challenging writes Mark Bezzina, B.Com (Hons) (Melit), Pension and Private Pension Expert at ĠEMMA.

Photography Anne Nygard.

Furthermore, unless you are planning to delay your retirement to maintain your current standard of living, you may need additional sources of income aside from your state pension: highlighting the importance of private pension plans. Saving into these plans is not merely prudent; it’s a strategic move towards ensuring financial security and stability in the golden years.

The monthly minimum premium required for saving in pension plans can vary among providers. Moreover, investors have the flexibility to opt for either With-Profits or Unit-Linked options, tailored to their risk appetite and financial objectives. It is worth noting that fee structures associated with private pension schemes may differ between companies, underscoring the importance of thorough comparison before selecting a plan that suits individual needs.

Furthermore, contributors to private pensions may qualify for a tax rebate of 25%, capped at €750 annually (up from the capping of €150 provided initially), on their savings. Access to accumulated funds becomes available between the ages of 61 and 70, offering the opportunity to withdraw up to 30% of the total amount as a lump sum, with the remainder distributed as regular pension income, as outlined by the prevailing legislation.

During the recent Financial Literacy Conference launching the OECD data for Malta organised by ĠEMMA – Know, Plan, Act, Hon. Dr Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights, highlighted the importance of private pension schemes. Minister Falzon's message resonates loud and clear –investing in private pension plans is not admitting defeat, but rather a proactive measure to safeguard our financial future.

PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY

Organisations like ĠEMMA - Know, Plan, Act play a pivotal role in promoting financial literacy in Malta. By empowering individuals with knowledge and resources, ĠEMMA equips citizens with the tools to make informed financial decisions, including those pertaining to private pension planning.

In conclusion, the landscape of retirement planning in Malta necessitates a holistic approach. While the National Insurance system provides a foundation, it's imperative to complement it with private pension provisions. By understanding the options available, taking advantage of government incentives, and starting early, individuals can pave the way towards an assured and prosperous retirement. Remember, the choices we make today shape the quality of life we will enjoy tomorrow.

This article is not designed to offer financial advice and should not be used in isolation when making a decision about your financial planning. You may wish to seek financial advice before starting a long term savings contract. Any statement about taxation is based on our understanding of current law and tax practice. Future changes in law and taxation, or your own financial circumstances, could affect the treatment of this plan and the amount of tax payable.

Invest wisely, retire happily.

Investing wisely is crucial for a flourishing financial present, but planning for your future is just as important. IVApension by IVALIFE offers flexible and tax-efficient retirement solutions to help ensure that your retirement years will be as fulfilling and prosperous as your active ones.

Benefit from a tax credit of 25% up to €750 annually.

INVESTING IN YOUR POST-RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE WITH PRIVATE PENSION PLANS

BUILDING A NEST EGG

Everyone looks forward to retirement. Most envision a time when they can indulge in hobbies, explore new interests, and relish the freedom from the daily grind. However, the joy of retirement is deeply intertwined with financial stability. Without the means to sustain the lifestyle one enjoys, retirement can lose its sheen. As life's expenses continue to climb, relying solely on a state pension is increasingly impractical and this is why it has become essential for one to have a personal pension plan, writes Joanna Azzopardi, Business Development and Insurance Officer at Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited.

At the heart of personal pension plans are two core benefits that resonate deeply with our desire for financial security and independence. Firstly, these plans serve as a disciplined approach to building a nest egg, turning the vision of a serene retirement into an attainable goal. Secondly, the state currently sweetens the deal with tax credits, making it even more rewarding to contribute for your future.

The idea of investing might seem daunting to some, but some pension plans demystify this process. Starting with contributions as modest as €25 per month IVApension is designed to be inclusive and flexible, offering everyone a shot at a happy retirement. Your final pension amount is a reflection of your contribution journey, and the growth strategy of your investments, underscoring the personalised nature of these plans.

Unit-linked pension plans add an exciting dimension to the investment spectrum. These are not one-size-fitsall; they adapt to your comfort with risk, where IVApension offers a range of strategies; conservative, balanced or adventurous. It's about aligning your investments with your life's rhythm and financial aspirations.

When the much-anticipated retirement day arrives, it brings with it a host of benefits. You're greeted with a lump sum payment that's tax-free and equivalent to up to 30% of the total amount accumulated, providing a substantial boost when you're ready to step into a new chapter of life. The remaining funds are managed through pension drawdown income, ensuring that your financial well-being is sustained over the long haul.

TAX CREDIT

The icing on the cake is the tax credit, a gesture from the state that acknowledges your foresight in planning for retirement. This benefit, which can reach up to €750 annually, is a testament to the value of investing in your future. This effectively means that if we contribute up to €250 per month (€3,000 in one year), we will benefit from the full tax credit which we will receive in the following year, over and above any investment return on the plan.

Choosing to invest in a personal pension plan is not just a financial decision; it's a pledge to ensure that your retirement years mirror the lifestyle you cherish today. It's about making a prudent choice today that your future self will thank you for, reinforcing the adage that the best time to start planning for retirement is now.

Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited (C 30176) is an enrolled Tied Insurance Intermediary under the Insurance Distribution Act for IVALIFE Insurance Ltd (IVALIFE) for class III – linked long term business of insurance. IVALIFE (C 94404) is authorised under the Insurance Business Act and both entities are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

IVApension is manufactured by IVALIFE and distributed by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Ltd (JMFA). Money invested within the Pension Sub-Account will not be accessible before the age of 61.The tax benefits depend on individual circumstances; and the amount of tax benefits together with the Maltese tax legislation may change in the future. The value of your investment may go down as well as up and you may lose some or all of the money invested.

Prospective clients should refer to the Product Information Documents, which may be obtained from the JMFA offices in hard copy free of charge or electronically by e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com on request.

ACTIVE AGEING CENTRES

Active Ageing and Community Care provides the service of Active Ageing Centres in over 30 localities which offer a variety of recreational and lifelong learning opportunities, as well as opportunities to meet new people. These centres play a crucial role in promoting active ageing and empowering older adults to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Each centre offers a different programme of activities and may include drama, arts and crafts, informative talks and discussions, IT training, intergenerational programmes, and outings

Senior Citizens and Active Ageing through Retirement

Retirement is a milestone eagerly awaited by many persons engaged in paid employment. It is envisaged as a period of relaxation and a time to engage in activities one enjoys without the time restrictions imposed by full time employment. However, retirement must be planned well in advance to ensure that one remains actively engaged throughout the senior years writes Cynthia Formosa, Senior Manager, Active Ageing and Community Care.

In today's society, retirement is often perceived as a time for rest and relaxation after years of hard work. However, for many seniors, retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for active ageing.

Active ageing refers to the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It emphasizes staying physically, socially, and mentally engaged to maintain a positive overall well-being. Retirement provides the perfect opportunity for seniors to focus on these aspects of active ageing and explore new interests, hobbies, and activities.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

One of the key components of active ageing through retirement is staying physically active. Regular exercise has been proven to improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Moreover, staying socially connected is equally important for active ageing. Maintaining social relationships has been linked to better mental health and cognitive function in seniors. Spending time with family and friends, participating in group activities, volunteering, or joining clubs and organizations can help seniors to stay engaged with their communities and foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Retirement offers seniors the chance to pursue lifelong learning and personal development. Many retirees choose to enroll in classes or workshops to explore new interests or develop skills they've always wanted to learn. Whether it's taking up painting, learning a musical instrument, or studying a new language, retirement provides the freedom to pursue passions and hobbies without the constraints of work schedules.

Furthermore, retirement can be a time for seniors to focus on their mental well-being and emotional health. Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind, such as puzzles, brain games, or reading, can help seniors maintain cognitive function and prevent cognitive decline. Additionally, practicing mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and promote overall emotional resilience.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, regular medical check-ups, and preventive care is essential for active ageing. Seniors should prioritise their health and well-being by adopting habits that support longevity and vitality.

INTENTIONALITY AND PLANNING

While retirement offers many opportunities for active ageing, it's important for seniors to approach this stage of life with intentionality and planning. Many people have difficulties adjusting to this transition due to loss of identity tied to a career, social isolation, financial concerns, and the adjustments to a new routine. Financial preparedness is crucial to ensure that seniors have the resources they need to support their desired lifestyle and activities. Careful planning for social connections and engagement in meaningful activities is crucial for retirees to embrace retirement as a fulfilling chapter of life.

With proper planning and a proactive approach to health and wellness, retirement presents seniors with a unique opportunity to embrace active ageing and live life to the fullest. By staying physically active, socially connected, mentally engaged, and emotionally resilient, seniors can enjoy a fulfilling and vibrant retirement.

ACTIVE AGEING CENTRES

Active Ageing and Community Care provides the service of Active Ageing Centres in over 30 localities which offer a variety of recreational and lifelong learning opportunities, as well as opportunities to meet new people. These centres play a crucial role in promoting active ageing and empowering older adults to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Each centre offers a different programme of activities and may include drama, arts and crafts, informative talks and discussions, IT training, intergenerational programmes, and outings. Active Ageing and Community Care offers several fitness sessions adapted for seniors in a number of Active Ageing Centres. These include walking, line dancing, aerobics, and Tai Chi. Moreover, Active Ageing Centres offer an opportunity for members to share their skills and abilities with others. These informal interactions allow older adults to learn from each other in a relaxed and supportive environment, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among participants. The sense of purpose and fulfilment that comes from sharing one's skills with others can have a profound impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. By remaining actively engaged in their communities, older adults maintain a sense of relevance and belonging, leading to greater satisfaction and happiness in their later years.

Further information may be sought from the Active Ageing and Community Care website: aacc.gov.mt or by contacting Active Ageing and Community Care on 2278 8900 or from the Servizz.gov website servizz.gov.mt or by contacting Servizz.gov on the Freephone 153.

“You don’t live on earth, you are passing through.”

Rumi

WORLD EARTH DAY

EMBRACING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Since its inception in 1970, World Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, has served as a global reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable living. This year, the official theme, Planet vs. Plastics, underscores the urgent need to address the growing environmental crisis posed by plastic pollution. As the world faces escalating challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, the significance of Earth Day has never been more pronounced. The question is do each of us try to do our best in the Planet vs Plastic battle?

At the heart of World Earth Day lies a fundamental call to action: to foster greater environmental awareness and promote responsible stewardship of our planet. It serves as a catalyst for individuals, communities, and governments to reflect on their environmental impact and take meaningful steps towards positive change. From local – and even personal and family based – initiatives to international policy agreements, Earth Day inspires collective action on a global scale.

One of the central tenets of Earth Day is the promotion of sustainability, a concept that encompasses a range of practices aimed at minimizing ecological harm and preserving natural resources for future generations. Going carbon neutral is a key component of sustainability efforts, as it involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero levels by offsetting any remaining emissions through initiatives such as reforestation or renewable energy projects. By embracing carbon neutrality, individuals and businesses can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and safeguarding the health of the planet.

In addition to carbon neutrality, sustainable living encompasses a wide array of practices aimed at minimizing

environmental impact across various sectors, including energy, transportation, and waste management. From adopting renewable energy sources to embracing zero-waste lifestyles, there are countless ways for individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future. By making conscious choices in their daily lives, people can collectively effect positive change and help build a more resilient and equitable world.

In our daily lives, there are countless opportunities for each of us to contribute to a more sustainable future. Simple actions like reducing energy consumption by turning off lights and appliances when not in use, conserving water by fixing leaks and taking shorter showers, and minimizing waste by recycling and composting can make a significant difference. Choosing to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving alone in a car reduces carbon emissions, while opting for reusable bags, bottles, and containers helps cut down on single-use plastics. Supporting local and sustainable food sources, such as farmer’s markets and community-supported agriculture, not only reduces our carbon footprint but also promotes healthier eating habits. By making these conscious choices in our daily lives, we can collectively effect positive change and contribute to building a more resilient and equitable world for future generations.

PHOTOGRAPHY MASAAKI KOMORI.

“All we have to do is to wake up and change.”

Greta Thunberg

Environmental awareness and care are integral to the ethos of World Earth Day, serving as a reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural world and the importance of preserving its beauty and diversity. By protecting biodiversity and conserving natural habitats, we can ensure the continued survival of countless plant and animal species for generations to come.

Plastic pollution represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with devastating impacts on marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. It is a growing concern due to the formation of microplastics and nanoplastics, which can enter the body’s cells and tissues. Recent research by Drs. Wei Min and Beizhan Yan of Columbia University revealed that a litre of bottled water contains an average of 240,000 tiny plastic pieces, with 90% being nanoplastics. These particles, including polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate, pose potential

health risks, although the exact effects are still unclear. The study, reported in January this year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the need for further research to understand human exposure to nanoplastics.

The theme of Planet vs. Plastics underscores the urgent need to address the plastic pollution crisis through concerted efforts to reduce plastic consumption, promote recycling and waste management, and advocate for policies that prioritize sustainability over convenience. By embracing alternatives to single-use plastics and supporting initiatives aimed at cleaning up our oceans and water, individuals can contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

By embracing environmental awareness, sustainability, and a commitment to positive change, people can work together to build a brighter future for. Isn’t it time to really recommit ourselves to the cause of environmental stewardship?

MALTA

FARM TO FORK – A LIVING INNOVATION EXPERIENCE

FRESH, AFFORDABLE, SUSTAINABLE... LOCAL?

Malta has a kaleidoscopic choice of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish for our consumers. It’s important more than ever, that we continue to showcase it, writes the team at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights. Just recently the local culinary sector has been the centre of much-needed attention and appraisal by the general public. In the light of prevalent challenges like climate change, the determination and imagination of our local producers remains not only laudable, but also necessary for our local food security, and the general well-being of our country.

Photography Parliamentary Secretariat for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights.

The second edition of the Malta AgriFair tookplace at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali this April, with local entities, producers, and associations alike, presentedunder one roof for the general public. This year’s conference, under the theme of Farm to Fork – A Living Innovation Experience, servedas a platform for local companies to feature their diverse range of products, from fresh fruits and vegetables to artisanal cheeses, honey and backed goods. Such a diversification of food sources is important for food security, as it reduces

reliance on over-stressed crops or products, while ensuring continued access to nutritious food. By focusing on sustainable food systems, our country remains more resilient to external shocks when compared to large-scale industrial agriculture.

This year’s event also focused on the role that agriculture and fishing has on our local communities. By continuing to support our producers, we can better withstand disruptions caused by economic downturns, pandemics and regional conflicts. When consumers get to know the people who produce their food, there’s a greater sense of trust, accountability and appreciation for

AGRIFAIR 2024.

our local food security.

Additionally this year’s AgriFair put an emphasis onthe educational aspect of such events. Thanks to a number of demonstrations and exhibitions related to topics such as food preservation, nutrition and sustainable agriculture, we aimed to empower Maltese and Gozitans alike to make more informed choices about food purchases, and the ways in which we can all contribute to our country’s long-term food security.

A Fishing for Recipes students competition was also hosted at this year’s AgriFair. Over the past monthsthis competition has

received a number of innovative recipes, from students with different tastes and backgrounds, using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. After a rigorous selection process, the top-rated recipes will be showcased for the general public. This year’s attendees hadthe opportunity to witness these students cook their plates face-to-face, which also gave the opportunity to learn and getinspired on how to incorporate the different produce used into their own home cooking.

All in all, this year’s AgriFair continuedto build on the foundations of the previous edition, while aimingto grow, innovate and

inspire the general public. It reached its goals toact as a bridge between producer, distributor and consumer alike, ensuring continuous access to local produce, and the health of all Maltese and Gozitans alike.

LONDON CALLING

The Last Caravaggio

ARROGANT,

REBELLIOUS AND A MURDERER, CARAVAGGIO’S SHORT AND TEMPESTUOUS LIFE MATCHED THE DRAMA OF HIS WORKS.

In a new exhibition The Last Caravaggio (until 21 July 2024 at the National Gallery, London), The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, 1610, lent by the Intesa Sanpaolo Collection (Gallerie d’Italia – Naples) will be displayed alongside another late work by the Italian artist from the National Gallery Collection, Salome receives the Head of John the Baptist, about 1609–10. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) is one of the most revolutionary figures in art. His strikingly original, emotionally charged paintings, with their intense naturalism, dramatic lighting and powerful storytelling, had a lasting impact on European art and reverberate to this day. The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, which was only reattributed to Caravaggio in 1980 following the discovery of an archival letter describing its commission, presents a rare opportunity to explore the final period of Caravaggio’s life.In The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula Caravaggio departs from the traditional iconography of Saint Ursula where she is generally portrayed only with the symbols of martyrdom and in the company of one or more of her virgin companions. Instead, he chooses to depict the very moment in which the saint, having refused to marry a Hun who did not share her Christian faith, is shot by him with an arrow. The tightly cropped composition gives the scene tremendous dramatic emphasis,imbued with a complex interplay of chiaroscuro, characteristic of Caravaggio’s paintings. The viewer is faced with an intricate depiction of hands: the guilty hands that have just shot the arrow, Ursula’s hands framing the fatal wound in her chest, and the bystander’s hand, thrust between the two protagonists just moments too late. Caravaggio includes his own self portrait on the right of the painting, looking on, helpless.This exhibition presents an opportunity to explore Caravaggio’s late paintings, the representation of violence in his work, and to reflect on violence in our own times.

At National Gallery, London, until 21 July.Admission free.

This page: The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, 1610. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, oil on canvas, 143 x 180 cm. Intesa Sanpaolo Collection , Gallerie

d’Italia –Napoli.

Photograph © Archivio Patrimonio Artistico Intesa Sanpaolo / foto Luciano Pedicini, Napoli.

Lombard Bank Malta p.l.c.

Published in collaboration with the European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament.

David Casa is an MEP and Partit Nazzjonalista’s Head of Delegation in the European Parliament. He has been the EPP’s coordinator on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Quaestor in the Bureau of the European Parliament, and the lead negotiator on several key pieces of social legislation, from the Work Life Balance Directive to the Social Climate Fund, and has recently finalised negotiations on the EU Disability Card pending the final vote in the European Parliament’s final plenary session of the 9th legislature.

After all, that is the best and only guarantee of a better future for our country.

And with your support, we will continue to achieve stronger results for our society, through social protections but especially through as stronger democracy and rule of law.

Just look at the heights that Roberta Metsola reached as President of the European Parliament helping to steer Europe through one crisis after another. But this only comes through competence, experience, and the determination to stick to one’s Christian democratic principles in fighting for a future for our children that is better than the one we had growing up.

In short, that which happens in Europe has a concrete positive influence in our lives. And this is what keeps me going. Partit Nazzjonalista’s team in Brussels has totally exceeded expectations for what a small country – the smallest in the EU –can deliver for citizens not just in Malta and Gozo, but for the European Union as a whole.

This is the work that we must continue to do on the rights we secure at the European level, just as we must continue to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the context of my recent negotiations on the EU Disability Card. In that case, the free movement of people –a fundamental tenet of European Union membership – was not being enjoyed by all. Those with disabilities find it difficult to access services abroad.

This is what the Work Life Balance Directive is really about, and it represents a leap in the rights offered for Maltese working families. Despite that, it is still the bare minimum that the Directive allows by law. And I am disappointed that the Maltese Government decided not to budge from that bare minimum.

For fathers, a new 10-day paid paternal leave will enable them to be present for what I believe is the most special day of their lives, the birth of their child. And for children, enabling parents to work flexibly could improve the quality of their upbringing, which has been proven to have long lasting positive effects for the rest of their lives.

Not only would it improve the quality of employment, but it is about systemically reducing the inequalities that pervade our society. For mothers, it is about sharing the caring responsibilities with fathers, enabling them to

ut my proudest legislative achievement would have to be the implementation of the Work Life Balance Directive. While I was still in charge of negotiating the European Parliament’s position on that law, the different political groups were ambitious. We kept in mind the effect it would have on employers, but we were convinced that investing inworking families was without a doubt the correct approach, and that employers themselves would also benefit from having flexible workers, who would be happier and more productive.

BWORK LIFE BALANCE DIRECTIVE

purpose of the Social Climate Fund that I negotiated on behalf of the European Parliament, and that will see €60 million mobilised in favour of Maltese households and micro-enterprises.

Similarly, let’s invest in making homes, offices and transport more energy efficient, so we can sustainably reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint ahead of the pressures of climate change. This was in fact the

When we plan and work to support the most vulnerable in our societies, it is not about charity. But by neglecting those who cannot fend for themselves as future challenges approach, we are setting ourselves up to fail in our ambitions. Let’s equip people with skills for better employment in future, so we do not have to pay out unemployment benefits when they may fall out work.

remain at work more flexibly through paid leave, contributing effectively to a reduction of their pay, employment and pension gaps.

Above: “In short, that which happens in Europe has a concrete positive influence in our lives. And this is what keeps me going,” says MEP David Casa.

This is what the European Social Fund + was about, through which €200 million in funding is being mobilised for Maltese citizens. It is already working to the benefit of students, youths seeking training and employment, workers striving to improve their skills, and organisations working to improve society.

The more I have met people and organisations with a stake in the stronger social policy that I negotiate in my parliamentary work, the more I understand the damage that unaddressed corruption has on the day to day lives of ordinary working families and small businesses. It is vital to continue fighting against it and all the while pursuing policies for a stronger social Europe.

This is the opposite of what politics should be about. If my career in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has taught me anything, it is that politics can be catalyst for positive change, especially for those who need additional support the most.

ut next we must ensure that they face justice. If not, ordinary citizens will pay the price, as they already have been. To dupe the world that the justice system in Malta works, Labour has been strong with the weak and compulsively weak with the strong.

Above: MEP David Casa at Ħal Qormi Open Market.

Despite Labour’s near-total grip on state institutions, we have done a lot and come a long way from the situation in 2017, together with civil society. Most of the perpetrators are out of politics.

And not only has the anti-SLAPP Directive been approved as law, but we also have a Media Freedom Act as a tool to bolster editorial independence and improve the transparency government expenditure in the press. By now, thanks to our constant efforts, the European Parliament has repeatedly resolved clearly to monitor and follow up the severe threats that still loom over the prospect of justice in Malta. And there is a deadline to effect the necessary changes to make sure that something like Daphne’s assassination can never happen again.

When they would not mention her by name, I led the effort to establish the Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism in my role as Quaestor.

When they compulsively destroyed her memorial in Valletta, we named the Parliament’s press hall in her honour.

Labour Government did so much to bury it.

European Parliament, has consistently voted against the line propagated by Castille. That’s right. The Socialists had condemned Robert Abela for his defense of corruption and have supported the European People’s Party in its campaign in favour of the Maltese when it comes to corruption. Importantly, we did a lot to keep Daphne’s memory alive when the

family, the Socialists and Democrats in the

While they sought to target, harass, and litigate against journalists for their hardhitting investigate work into organised crime and corruption, I called for a European directive to combat strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).

Robert Abela’s own European political

The resolutions I negotiated over the past five years were not, as the Maltese government self-servingly alleges, hostile partisan attacks. But the truth is that even

Most importantly, on the rule of law, we in the EPP Group have worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork for a scheme of monitoring of Maltese institutions, in the long term to make sure that they are free from the toxic political influence they came under in the past decade. In the short term, it is because progress is only ever made when the Maltese government comes under pressure.

here is so much to say about the challenges and the decisions of the past five years that it is easy to omit mentioning the priorities for the future. In fact, the calls that we made during the last five years are a strong blueprint for the action we must continue taking in the future.

launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, bringing a scale of war and migration to our continent not seen in generations. All this against the backdrop of a climate crisis, writes MEP David Casa.

strewed by the pandemic. And barely was Europe out of the woods than

profound corruption in which the highest echelons of government had been engrossed, to wit the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Protests

In 20 years of public service in the European Parliament, no single legislature has been marked by a more potent concentration of crises and notable events than the last five years. Malta was plunged into a rule of law crisis, sparking outrage

THE PAST FIVE YEARS

David Casa

opposite of what politics should be about."

"To dupe the world that the justice system in Malta works, Labour in Government has been strong with the weak and compulsively weak with the strong. This is the

at the

were

Putin

Above: MEP David Casa, PN Leader Bernard Grech and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Left: (From left to right) Former Prime Minister of Malta Lawrence Gonzi, MEP David Casa, Former Prime Minister and President Emeritus Edward Fenech Adami, and Former PN Leader Simon Busuttil.

challenges & decisions of the past five years

MEP DAVID CASA

Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has taught me anything, it is that politics can be catalyst for positive change, especially for those who need additional support the most”

“If my career in the Employment and

4 PAGE