FIRST December 2016 by The Malta Independent

RICHARD ENGLAND INTERVIEW . TRAVEL TO ESTONIA . FASHION FOR BABIES A TRIBUTE TO MISSONI . MAKING QUALITY BEER . ARTIST INTERVIEW WITH JULIEN VINET . RELATIONSHIP ADVICE . AN A-Z ON HOW TO ENTERTAIN THE CHILDREN . GIFT IDEAS . CHRISTMAS IN GOZO . FESTIVE RECIPES . COMPETITION

DECEMBER 2016

Photograph by Alan Carville

A festive season rant: The Christmas season can be so busy – catching up with work, family, friends… and that end-of-the-year feeling can be as relieving as it is demanding while you tidy up loose ends. Nevertheless, I plan to be less of a Scrooge this time around and get into the swing of things. Christmas celebrations are not everyone’s cup of tea; they can seem more of a bind than a pleasure, when you have to be here and there without any say in the matter but, after all the atrocities and mayhem in the world, a day off to reflect can only be healthy and necessary for us all, and I know I need one of those days! I just wish everyone had the opportunity to spend the holiday with their loved ones in a happy home enjoying a warming cooked meal and opening their presents – given with thought. As we all know, this isn’t the reality for everyone, and with this thought I wish us all to be thankful for what we have. In the words of the Dalai Lama: “When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself: “Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need.” This issue will hopefully make you smile – with the inclusion of our first baby fashion shoot since I’ve been the editor, styled by fashion blogger Bibiche. Thankfully it wasn’t too much trouble to get a snap of them looking so lovely in their festive outfits (page 29) – and we welcome our new fashion stylist, Dorianne Mamo, who took to the job like a duck takes to water (page 39). You will also meet Dorianne in First Word (page 14). Albert Delia has found another inspiring person in Malta, John Borg Barthet, who has a passion for making good quality craft beer (page 64). Lisa Gwen Baldacchino catches up with the prolific architect, artist, and poet Prof. Richard England to find out more about his latest book of poems called Orpheus: His Song and His Music (page 68). Dacha Lia from Baltazar Bistro and Nicole Pisani cook up some treats and share their recipes for Chicken soup, Eggnog, and cookies (pages 73, 74 & 76). Cat Calabrese gets us in the festive mood sharing some event highlights in Gozo (page 83). Dini Martinez takes us to Estonia (page 58). And last, but not least, we meet the talented French artist Julien Vinet, whose latest drawings are currently on display at my art gallery, with paintings by Japanese artist Naoya Inose, until 24 December (page 102). I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! And we meet again in January, when we can think about the meaning of some words, such as detox and cleanse.

EDITOR LILY AGIUS LAGIUS@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ADVERTISING & ADVERT PLACEMENTS CLAIRE BONDIN GAFA CGAFA@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTWORK COORDINATOR CHRISTINE SPITERI CMIFSUD@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT CONTRIBUTORS ALBERT DELIA, CAT CALABRESE, CATHERINE TABONE, CLAIRE BUGELLI, COLIN FITZ, CORYSE BORG, DINI MARTINEZ, DORIAN FLORES, DORIANNE MAMO, JULIEN VINET, JOANNA DELIA, JONATHAN BORG, LINE YOUNG PETERI, LISA GWEN BALDACCHINO, MARLENE VASSALLO, MATTHEW B SPITERI, NAOYA INOSE, REBECCA PACE, ROBERT AGIUS. PUBLISHER STANDARD PUBLICATIONS, STANDARD HOUSE, BIRKIKARA HILL, ST JULIAN’S. TEL: 003562134-5888 PRINTER PRINT IT E-MAIL FIRST@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ONLINE WWW.INDEPENDENT.COM.MT FACEBOOK FIRSTMAGAZINE COVER DETAILS DRESS, ¤119, TOMMY HILFIGER, COEUR DE LION BRACELET, ¤53, PORTO. FIRST IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY.

Inside

14 FIRST WORD

With this issue’s fashion stylist, Dorianne Mamo

16 INTERESTING FACTS

Ripani bag, PORTO

64 A BREW FOR THE WINTER

Albert Delia meets an enthusiastic beer maker

68 THE POET WHO BUILDS

About Christmas

19 FASHION ICON Missoni: The fashion brand known for its colourful knitwear

22 GIFT GUIDE

Lisa Gwen Baldacchino catches up with the prolific Prof. Richard England

73 SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Gift ideas for all

A warming soup for the winter by Nicole Pisani

25 TWINKLE TWINKLE

74 CHRISTMAS COOKING

Gift ideas for the children

Dusha Lia from Baltazar shares recipes, for eggnog and gingerbread cookies

27 FROM A TO Z

How to entertain the little ones at home

83 FESTIVE IN GOZO

A photo-shoot with four little angels

39 GOING TO THE CHAPEL

92 DEAR CLAIRE

This issue’s fashion shoot

Dealing with unreciprocated attention in a relationship

58 ESTONIA

102 LAST WORD

The next travel destination

Dress, Stole, MEI BOUTIQUE

Cat Calabrese gives us a roundup of where to go in Gozo this Christmas

29 WINTER WONDERLAND

With the extraordinarily talented illustrator and artist Julien Vinet Booties from KIDS AROUND MALTA

29 73

64 12

first word Dorianne Mamo is a 31-year-old fashion blogger who enjoys everything that’s good and graceful in the world

I would like to learn how to... drive

a motorbike. And a speedboat. And a plane. To experience that adrenalin rush I sometimes fear so much.

The book I am reading is... yet

another novel by Sophie Kinsella – Twenties Girl. Yes, I’m quite fond of ‘chick lit’!

The website I will often browse is...

anything to do with the latest fashion trends.

The most beautiful building in the world is... St Helen’s Basilica in Birkirkara. Birkirkara is my home town, so I may be a bit biased there.

The most spectacular city in the world is... Paris.

The objects I would never part with are.... a number of notes Mum used to write for me when I still lived with my parents. Her loving words of wisdom, noted down on a number of post-it notes which she used to leave scattered in my room, make me feel safe.

An indulgence I would never give up...

is wine. And chocolate. I’m thinking I should throw in cheese, salami and my Mum’s cooking as well!

My favourite space in my house is... my living room. I must admit I have a very comfy couch and accompanying throws which are always very inviting, so I somehow always end up lying there.

The most inspirational person in my life is...

The thing you will always find in my fridge is... white

my father.

If I could get away for the day... it

Definitely. di Cuba. The locals there have the bare minimum but their life isn’t complicated.

The last place I visited is... Milan for Milan Fashion Week. It was my first time in the city of fashion, but I’m planning to revisit very soon.

The last thing I added to my wardrobe is... a Massimo Dutti 14

would have to be to

Florence.

The most unforgettable place I’ve visited is.... Santiago

mustard coat.

wine

from Argentina or Chile.

One thing I never get round to doing and wish I did is... going for The best gift I have received recently is... a Jo Malone candle that smells of lime, basil and mandarin. Up & Up by Coldplay. Or Io Ho Te by Biaggio Antonacci. No, it must be one of those Marthy Robbins golden oldies they play on the radio.

The last song I listened to was... probably

long drives on my own to find myself every now and then.

My most luxurious habit is... I guess it’s to live every minute to the full with the ones I love. Follow Dorianne on her blog www.askdorrianne.com and see inside for her latest fashion shoot for FIRST.

FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT

CHRISTMAS

Most of SANTA’S REINDEERS have male-sounding names, such as Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely to be either castrated males or females. In AD 350, Pope Julius I, Bishop of Rome, proclaimed 25 December the official date for the celebration of the BIRTHDAY OF CHRIST. Some argue that this was derived from Saturnalia, the pagan Roman winter solstice festival – a public holiday celebrated around 25 December in the family home, characterised by feasting, goodwill, generosity to the poor, the exchange of gifts and the decoration of trees. According to the Guinness World Records, the TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE ever cut was a 67-metre Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington. Each year more than THREE BILLION CHRISTMAS CARDS are sent in the US alone. The TRADITIONAL THREE COLOURS OF CHRISTMAS are green, red, and gold. Green has long been a symbol of life and rebirth; red symbolises the blood of Christ and gold represents light, as well as wealth and royalty. CHRISTMAS TREES usually grow for about 10 years before they are sold. Bolivians celebrate Misa del Gallo or ‘MASS OF THE ROOSTER’ on Christmas Eve. Some people bring roosters to the Midnight Mass, a gesture that symbolises the belief that a rooster was the first creature to announce the birth of Jesus. In Poland, spiders or SPIDER WEBS are common Christmas trees decorations because, according to legend, a spider wove a blanket for the Baby Jesus. In fact, Polish people consider spiders to be symbols of good luck and prosperity at Christmas. Because they viewed Christmas as a decadent Catholic holiday, the Puritans in America BANNED ALL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS from 1659 to 1681, with a penalty of five shillings for each offence. Some Puritan leaders condemned those who favoured Christmas, calling them enemies of the Christian religion. A Yule Log is an ENORMOUS LOG that is typically burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas (25 December – 6 January). Some scholars suggest that the word ‘yule’ means ‘revolution’ or ‘wheel,’ which symbolises the cyclical return of the sun. A burning log, or its charred remains, is said to offer health, fertility and luck as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits. Santa Claus is based on a real person, ST NIKOLAS OF MYRA – also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker, Bishop St Nicholas of Smyrna and Nikolaos of Bari – who lived in the fourth century. Born in Patara (in modern-day Turkey), he is the world’s most popular non-Biblical saint. Early illustrations of St Nicholas depict him as being stern and commanding and holding a birch rod. He was more a symbol of DISCIPLINE AND PUNISHMENT than the jolly, overweight version children know today. According to legend, the first person to decorate a Christmas tree was the PROTESTANT REFORMER Martin Luther (1483-1546). Apparently, he was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining between the branches of a fir tree that he brought an evergreen tree home and decorated it with candles to share the image with his children. The word ‘Christmas’ is a contraction of ‘CHRIST’S MASS’, which is derived from the Old English ‘Cristesmæsse’ (first recorded in 1038). The letter “X” in Greek is the first letter of Christ, and “Xmas” has been used as an abbreviation for Christmas since the mid 1500s. 16

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AU T U M N / W I N T E R C O L L E CT I O N AVA I L A B L E AT L A B O U T I Q U E AT PA L A Z ZO PA R I S I O

Angela Missoni and Rosita Missoni

MISSONI THE ITALIAN KNITWEAR BRAND

here is nothing more luxurious than wrapping yourself in a soft, knitted cardigan, especially if it’s a Missoni. No matter whether or not you are interested in fashion, there is just something about this Italian-run fashion house and its patterns that makes them one of life’s absolute musthaves. My own first Missoni was a skirt, in the brand’s recognisable pattern, and as light as a feather. Even if I was wearing with it the most boring black t-shirt, I always felt great when I wore that skirt. The Missoni label is a unique brand in ready-to-wear Italian fashion. What started off as the tiny workshop of a newly-wed couple has become a leading trend-setter for Italian knitwear, its multicolour and geometrical weaves seen on the streets of every city in the world. The Italian fashion house was founded in 1953 by Ottavio “Tai” Missoni and his wife Rosita Jelmini. They had met in 1948, at the London Olympic Games, where Ottavio was competing in the hurdles event and Rosita was in the crowd. It was love at first sight and from

By Line Young Peteri

that moment on they were never apart. The couple’s breakthrough came in 1964 when they met the French designer Emmanuelle Kahn and agreed to produce a knitwear collection together, which they showed in Milan two years later. The French-Italian collaboration brought the Italian designers success – helped by the controversy created during the presentation of their collection at Palazzo Pitti in 1967. Missoni’s models had to walk down the runway bra-less – Rosita’s idea, as she thought their underwear did not go with the dresses. Neither the public nor the critics liked the transparent effect, but the ensuing

publicity helped introduce the Missoni name to a wider public. Magazines all over the world featured the ‘scandal’ and began comparing the Italian label to Chanel. Meanwhile, Missoni held shows in Milan, Paris and other capital cities and began winning accolades and prizes – from the Moda Mare award in 1969, to the Neiman Marcus Fashion award in 1973. The Italian fashion house began spreading the ‘made-in-Italy’ concept across the world, opening boutiques in Italy, New York, Japan, France and the Middle East. In the late 1990s, Tai and Rosita handed over control of the business to

their three children: Angela, Vittorio and Luca. In January 2013, a private plane carrying six people, including Vittorio (CEO of the business at the time) and his wife Maurizia Castiglioni, disappeared on a flight from the island of Los Roques, off the coast of Venezuela, to Caracas airport – a journey of less than an hour. It was not until late June that the wreckage of the plane was found in the sea near Los Roques and the remains of the passengers identified. Sadly, a month earlier, Tai Missoni had died in hospital, after a short illness, at the age of 92. Today the company is run by three generations of Missoni women: Rosita, her daughter Angela and granddaughter Margherita. The Missonis have survived the years intact, with no scandals, shootings or skeletons falling out of the cupboard. And they remain in control of the business – unlike, for example, the Fendis (five Fendi sisters have run the company since the death of their father in 1978 but the company is owned by LVMH.) As Angela says: “We have grown with the cult of the family. To my mother that has been the most important achievement: family harmony was always her goal.” www.lineyoung.com https://www.instagram.com/lineyoung/ 19

MoMA FILM BENEFIT

A TRIBUTE TO TOM HANKS The Museum of Modern Art, New York

The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit honored Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks on last month. CHANEL collaborated with MoMA on the ninth annual Film Benefit to celebrate Tom Hanks and his outstanding contributions to the industry.

he event was attended by Tom Hanks (honoree) and Rita Wilson, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, (co-chairs), Anna and Graydon Carter, (cochairs), Ellie Bamber, Leon Bridges, Alexa Chung, Stephen Colbert, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, David Letterman, Damien Lewis, Steve Martin, Meg Ryan, Diane Sawyer, Leelee Sobieski, Christy Turlington, Emma Watson, Brian Williams, Fabiola Beracasa, Derek Blasberg, Dan Colen, Poppy Delevingne, Zani Gugelmann, MarieJosée and Henry R. Kravis (honorary cochairs), Kelly Meyer, Wendi Murdoch, Cynthia Rowley and Bill Powers, Rajendra Roy (Chief Curator of Film, MoMA), Lauren Santo Domingo, Jerry I. Speyer and Katherine Farley, Chesley Sullenberger, Lizzie Tisch, Vanessa Traina, Jason Wu.

Alexa CHUNG

wore a black leather tunic, look 7, from the 2016 Chanel Paris in Rome collection.Chanel shoes, bag and fine jewellery: “Plume Poire” earrings and “Comète Spirale” ring in 18K white gold and diamonds, and a “Coco Crush” ring in 18K yellow gold. Make-up by Chanel.

Kristy TURLINGTON

Christy TURLINGTON wore a black silk dress,

look 87, from the 2017 Chanel Cruise Cuba collection, Chanel shoes bag and fine jewellery: “Panache” earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds and “Duo de Camélias” ring in 18K white gold, diamonds and black spinels. Make-up by Chanel.

Ellie BAMBER wore an embroidered pink

dress, look 81, from the 2017 Chanel Cruise Cuba collection and fine Jewellery: “Plume Poire” earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds, “Colibri” ring in 18K white gold, diamonds and cultured pearl. Makeup by Chanel.

Poppy DELEVINGNE wore a multicolour lace

dress, look 60, from the 2017 Chanel Cruise Cuba collection. Chanel shoes and clutch, and Chanel fine Jewellery: “Jardin d’Hiver” earrings in 18K white gold, diamonds, emeralds, tsavorites, tourmalines and cultured pearls and “Camélia Ajouré” bracelets in 18K yellow and rose gold. Makeup by Chanel.

Ellie BAMBER

Poppy DELEVINGNE

GIFT GUIDE

It’s that tough decision time

Let the music play on, with a wireless speaker for the shower! (¤31, prezzybox.com) An animal adventure pet photo box is a silly gift they will love, as much as you. (¤9.59, Iwantwantofthose.com) This fun pack comes with a single cotton pillowcase and 10 bright wash out pens so they can doodle, wash and re-doodle again and again! (Approx ¤19 plus p&p, wickeduncle.co.uk) The brand new Lupu Lupettu box set, with 2 new books translated by 22

Clare Azzopardi and a Lupu soft toy, all packaged in a durable and colourful box, is a lovely gift idea for the little ones. Available from all bookshops. This won’t fail to please, if the receiver has a sense of humour – “Victor Calleja’s book of confessions is a fascinating insight into the life of an ordinary man told in an extraordinary way.” Available at all book stores (¤25). For the woman who can pull this off, this hat from Tommy Hilfiger (¤89.90) is right up her street.

For the man who is always late, or, always on time, an Armani Jeans watch is a perfectly thoughtful present to give. A woman can never really have enough handbags, and this Emporio Armani handbag is a great gift and... just, handy! The scent that is never out of fashion – a bottle of CK Eternity Now is a great gift idea for him. Keep him home and those toes warm, with a pair of cosy Tommy Hilfiger slippers (¤54.90).

DESIGNER CHILDREN’S WEAR

Level 3, The Plaza Shopping Centre, Sliema. Tel. 21373630 ext 5 Kids Around Malta

Boss: The German premium brand that offers high quality garments, style and also mini me options.

from ages 0 – 16

Star jumper, €69.90, TOMMY HILFIGER

Marina Coat, €70, MONSOON CHILDREN

Poppy Red tutu skirt, €77, MISSY BO

Checked pinny and top, €32.50, M&CO

Twinkle twinkle little star

Boss Bag, €72, KIDS AROUND MALTA

Dress, €84.99, TOMMY HILFIGER

Skirt, €69.90 , TOMMY HILFIGER

Gift ideas for the little ones

Boss dummy, €37, KIDS AROUND MALTA

Percy Penguin Backpack, €19.90, ACCESSORIZE

Karl Lagerfeld shoes, €59, KIDS AROUND MALTA

Blue Boss shoes, €81, KIDS AROUND MALTA

THE

for...

adventures – of the indoor variety Who says adventures need to be outside? The next time the rain sets in and you find yourself stuck inside all day, just whip out our ultimate guide to some of the simplest, yet most tried-and-tested boredom-busters around.

is for... board games For older children, a family game of Monopoly (complete with a healthy dose of competition) can provide hours of amusement.

OF OLD-

R A I CHIL NY-D DREN’S

Gis for...

gingerbread men Baking is the ultimate rainy-day winner as far as kids are concerned, and making gingerbread men has the added fun factor of being able to decorate a whole family of characters.

His for...

is for... colouring Crack open the crayon box, pick a subject (or not – abstract is good too!) and get colouring.

hide and seek Even when all the hiding places have been exhausted, there is something about the endless repetition of hiding and then jumping out that will leave them asking to play again and again.

Dis for...

Iis for...

E is for...

Jis for...

dancing Make a rainy-day playlist and dance like a loon – nobody’s watching! egg carton crafts Egg cartons are something we always have in our recycling box – who knew you could do so many things with them?

F is for...

fancy dress Keep aside a box of old clothes and costume jewellery for your children to rummage through and experiment with – and make sure you take photos of the results!

SCHOOL

instruments When a saucepan is a drum, a kitchen roll is a trumpet, and a box of rice is a maraca, pretty soon you’ll have a whole orchestra! jigsaw The ultimate rainy-day game of perseverance and satisfaction; kids will love seeing their chosen image come together piece by piece.

Kis for...

kicks And there you were thinking ball games were a no-go indoors! For sports fanatics, simply blow up a balloon and have a game of balloon basketball from the

A ACTIVIT Y IES

comfort of your own living room – the no-injury, no-breakage alternative to playing outside.

L is for...

Lego contest Have a competition to see who can build the most impressive Lego creation – no instructions allowed!

M is for...

make believe 1) Take one cardboard box. 2) Pretend it’s a pirate ship/ancient castle/steam train. 3) Watch as their imaginations take flight.

Nis for...

noodle necklaces Zero mess, zero expenditure, all you need is some thread and some dry pasta. They’ll go brilliantly with their fancy-dress costumes!

O is for...

obstacle course Turn the living room into an indoor assault course with a tunnel under dining chairs, string laid in a straight line for tightrope walking and a long jump pit in the hallway.

P is for...

play dough Ridiculously easy to make,

wonder, kids will love draping blankets over furniture and marvelling at how different the world looks from under the table!

is for... umbrella crafts When better to make a cardboard umbrella than on a rainy day!

children will have hours of fun rolling, kneading, cutting and creating. Oh, and it’s pretty therapeutic for adults, too!

is for... vegetable prints Splash mats at the ready, because this could get messy! Kids will love creating their own prints using almost any vegetable you can think of.

Q is for...

W is for...

quiz Compile your own ultimate rainy-day quiz, complete with bonus rounds. Where there are quizzes there are prizes, so make it exciting with a little something for the winner, plus a snack prize for participation!

R is for...

race tracks Make a racetrack worthy of Formula One for all those toy cars by laying two parallel trails of masking tape around the room, including over the sofa and under the table. Brrrrrrmmmm!

S is for...

story time Take advantage of not being able to go outside and rediscover all your children’s favourite stories. It’s even better when combined with the next idea....

T is for...

tent building Building an indoor den has got to be THE original rainy-day activity. Filled with magic and

weaving Weaving is a great calming activity to keep little hands busy.

X is for

marking the spot Have fun creating weathered old treasure maps by scrunching up some paper and ‘aging’ it with cold teabags.

is for... yellow It’s the brightest, happiest colour around and therefore the perfect antidote to miserable weather. Why not make your indoor day a yellow day by dressing everything in yellow and seeing who can find the most yellow things around the house?

Z is for...

zoo Get all the toy animals together and section different areas of the bedroom off into enclosures. Then have the children pretend to be each animal in turn, complete with actions and sound effects! 27

MERCHANTS STREET VALLETTA T. 21 233 221

REPUBLIC STREET VALLETTA T. 21 241 633

THE STRAND SLIEMA T. 21 310 811

NAXXAR ROAD Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;KARA T. 21 491 655

ZABBAR ROAD FGURA T. 21 802 004

Winter Wonderland The best of all gifts around any Christmas three is a bunch of babies wrapped up in cute outfits.

LOCATION: Lily Agius Gallery (www.lilyagiusgallery.com) ART DIRECTOR AND STYLIST: Bibiche (www.b-biche.com) PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul TGF (www.paultgf.com) MODELS: Emilia, Lola Alba, Harry, Lola Olivia

FROM HEAD TO MISSILE-TOE, HERE WE GO! LOLA OLIVIA Baby Lola Olivia it’s cold outside! Our cuddly Christmas angel wears... Winona dress, starting from ¤43, Brums eco-fur coat, ¤79.90, MISSY BO. Accessorize hair clip, set of 6 ¤7.75, ACCESSORIZE. Carrement Beau gold shoes, ¤43, KIDS AROUND MALTA

EMILIA Holiday hugs and mistletoe kisses from our lovely Emilia, wearing... Karl Lagerfeld cat ears, ¤30, Billy Blush tights, ¤20, KIDS AROUND MALTA. Two-piece dress, ¤32.50, M&CO. Marina coat, ¤70, MONSOON. Faux fur blanket, ¤325, Straw bin, ¤80 for a set of 3, Cherry napkin ring, ¤10.50 each, THE HOUSE SHOP.

LOLA ALBA Cute little Lola, wrapped in a little bow from... Changeable bows dress, ¤34.50, M&CO. Faux fur bolero, ¤37, shoes, ¤15, MONSOON. Headband, ¤6, ACCESSORIZE. Rug, ¤270, chair, ¤147, Cherry decorations, ¤50, THE HOUSE SHOP.

The smallest things take the most room in our heart Faux fur blanket, ¤325, faux fur pillow, ¤120, THE HOUSE SHOP.

Our three wise woman are dressed in LOLA ALBA Little Marc Jacobs dress, ¤125, Litte Marc Jacobs cardigan, ¤80, Billieblush toy, ¤15.50, KIDS AROUND MALTA.

EMILIA Faux-fur bolero, ¤37, dress, starting from ¤66, shoes, ¤15, MONSOON. Tiara, ¤6, ACCESSORIZE.

LOLA OLIVIA Carrément beau gold shoes, ¤43, KIDS AROUND MALTA. Dress, starting from ¤66, Cardigan, starting from ¤28, MONSOON. Headband, ¤6, ACCESSORIZE.

HARRY And the handsome man wears Three-piece suit, starting from ¤110, MONSOON. Hugo Boss sneakers, ¤85, KIDS AROUND MALTA.

HARRY Harry, the boy that brings so much Christmas joy! Dream big, be brave and wear Boss.. Hugo Boss sneakers, ¤95, Hugo Boss shirt, ¤74, Hugo Boss hat, ¤41, Hugo Boss scarf, ¤52, Karl Lagerfeld jeans, ¤70, KIDS AROUND MALTA. Rug, ¤294, chair, ¤147, THE HOUSE SHOP.

Sliema - Valletta - Gozo T. 21 31 79 51 - 21 34 60 80

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris introduces a new sparkling fragrance, inspired by Paris, the city of intense love. Red berries and pear immediately exude sensuality and femininity. The exotic white Datura flower, the soul of the fragrance, embodies desire and seduces the senses. Finally, this modern and daring floral scent is balanced by creamy white musks and patchouli. It’s a passionate and unforgettable whirlwind journey to Paris.

Jimmy Choo Illicit Flower has been created for a graceful woman, unafraid to toy with the rules but never goes too far. The fragrance opens with voluptuous notes of apricot, zest of mandarin and the floral notes of freesia. In the heart, enhanced by a vibrant duo of grapefruit flower and jasmine, the ultra-feminine rose weaves her charms, whilst delicately wrapped in a soft and sensual musk. In the base, sensual woody notes of cashmere meet the creaminess of sandalwood to perfectly close the fragrance.

Mr Burberry Classic is contemporary, sophisticated and sensual. The new fragrance for men captures the essence of London and its moments, fusing classic scents of British perfumery with unexpected ingredients. Fresh and crafted top notes of crisp zesty grapefruit with a seductive base of earthy vetiver and smokey guaiac wood.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebombhas received a more intense successor –Spicebomb Extreme. It has explosive composition, which highlights aromatic lavender in unique way thanks to hot and tart spices. Lavender is mixed with caraway and black pepper, leaving a trail of hotness above masculine shades of tobacco and subtle, comfortable vanilla.

Aigner Cara Mia is perfume with that certain something - it is sophisticated and exquisite, effervescent and fresh, but with utmost sensuality. The top note is a perfect blend of sparkling bergamot, fresh mandarin and aromatic coriander, with a hint of black pepper providing an irresistible counterpoint. The heart note, a combination of the delicate, feminine essence of jasmine, peach and iris, is

classic and serene. Patchouli, cashmere musk, olibanum and labdanum leave an enticing “amber” afterglow reminiscent of passionate, gently whispered words of love. Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy is playful at heart, wrapped in decadent desire. Inspired by Ariana’s seductively sweet, fun and sexy personality, unlock your most delightful daydream, flirt with the delicious possibilities and find yourself tickled pink with temptation. A luscious burst of sugar-frosted blackberry and juicy Italian bergamot sparkle with delicious addiction, while velvety layers of crŁme de cassis, fluffy marshmallow and sexy vanilla blend together to leave a sexy trail. Carven Pour Homme Cologne embodies the very essence of Carven style in a masculine mode. A fragrance with woody, spicy, aromatic notes in the Carven tradition of great men’s fragrances, yet with a burst of modernity that will carry it through the years. Violet Leaf dominates the top notes, its spontaneous freshness underscored by that of Grapefruit. A spicy trio of Nutmeg, Cedar and Sage lends warmth to the heart. Vetiver, with its many rich facets, lends its distinctive signature to the base, softened by milky notes of Sandalwood.

Exclusively distributed by Chemimart. Tel. 21492212

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue evokes a feeling of the freedom of the big, blue sky and the energy of the open waters, combined with an invigorating blast of fresh air. This lush fragrance for men is a fresh blend of aquatic accords combined with spicy basil, verbena, and clary sage, softened with soothing notes of washed suede, velvety moss, and sheer musk.

STYLING: DORIANNE MAMO (WWW.ASKDORIANNE.COM) PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW B SPITERI HAIR: ROBERT FROM STRANJEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HAIRDRESSING, ATTARD MAKE-UP: MARLENE VASSALLO (MARLENE HAIR AND MAKE-UP) MODEL: REBECCA PACE, NOTICED MODELS MANAGEMENT Dress, MEI BOUTIQUE 39

Cardigan, ¤125, Culottes, ¤175, Hat, ¤90, KAREN MILLEN Shoes, ¤89, ALDO SHOES & ACCESSORIES. Coeur de lion necklace, ¤117, and Chiara P bag, ¤140, PORTO 40

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OUTLETS FEATURED 1-2-3, Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s. Tel. 21375781; ALDO Shoes & Accessories, The Point, Tigné, Sliema. Tel: 20601104. Mob. 99751057, Zachary Street, Valletta. Mob. 99892331, Paola Square, Paola. Mob. 99892332, Arkadia, Gozo. Tel: 22103319; Karen Millen, Old Theatre Street, Valletta. Tel. 99897642; Mei, Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s. Tel. 21376690; New Look, The Point, Valletta, Fgura and Gozo; O’hea Opticians, 191 The Strand, Gzira. Tel. 21315590; Porto, Portomaso Shopping Complex, St Julian’s. Tel. 21372079; Tommy Hilfiger, Republic Street, Valletta. Tel: 21233877. Baystreet, St Julian’s. Tel: 20100712. The Point, Sliema. Tel: 20601163.

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Making scents

There’s something in the air

BOSS CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF SEDUCTION WITH MESMERISING NEW 1. FRAGRANCES FOR HIM AND FOR HER: Be prepared to have your senses enthralled by BOSS THE SCENT for her –the new seductive fragrance for women from BOSS Parfums. Inspired by the art of seduction and irresistible act of getting closer, the luxurious and sensual perfume is the inimitable female counterpart to the male scent, designed to elicit a hidden seductive power that envelops the woman who wears it with a captivating allure. Meanwhile BOSS THE SCENT reveals a different aspect to the BOSS man paying tribute to his personal rather than professional achievements. This is a man whose success has always proved seductive. It is evident in the way he carries himself, the cut of his suit, and his self-assured charisma. Receive a BOSS Travel Bag when purchasing BOSS THE SCENT edt100ml or a BOSS Tote Bag when purchasing BOSS THE SCENT FOR HER Edp100ml. Offers valid from authorized doors only. For local trade enquiries contact VJ Salomone Marketing Ltd tel: 8007 2387. PRADA: AS AN OLFACTORY CHIMERA, LA FEMME PRADA IS AN INVITATION TO EMOTION. Straying from fragrance’s more familiar routes, 2. a sultry journey is evoked by its Frangipani wake. This solar note, a hyper-sensual floral, evokes the dewy humidity associated with the faraway flower. The note is interwoven with Ylang-Ylang, its spice made smooth with Beeswax, Vanilla and Tuberose. A distilled Vetiver finishes the fragrance, grounding and rounding its feel. 50

PRADA L’HOMME: THE INSTINCTIVE, HUMAN, HIGHLY CRAFTED AND BOUNDLESSLY IMAGINATIVE APPROACH that Prada ascribes to the making of fragrance is everywhere present in the ‘olfactory maps’ for both La Femme Prada and L’Homme Prada. Designed to take the wearer on a voyage through place, memory and time, somehow there appears a sensual meeting point for these distinct female and male fragrances to consummate an aesthetic relationship through experimentation and tradition. L’Homme Prada is a fragrance of pairs, of doubles, of juxtapositions and layers. The classic codes of the male FougŁre are all present in Neroli, Geranium and Patchouli. Yet the interchangeable male/female Prada signatures are present, too, in the shape of Iris and Amber, the principal elements. It is a mix that is both airy and yet purposefully, highly sensual GUCCI GUILTY: A NEW DAWN, A NEW CHAPTER: A new dawn has broken 3. over Gucci Guilty with the fragrances embodying the new edge to the brand signifying freedom, by breaking with traditional male and female fragrance ingredients. GUCCI GUILTY is defined by a signature accord of geranium, commonly used in men’s scents, while at the heart of GUCCI GUILTY Pour Homme the floral, sensual orange blossom doesn’t conform to a classic male fragrance’s notes, heightening the scent’s allure. Intimate and magical lilac flower laced with amber in GUCCI GUILTY radiates warmth and grace with a powerful lasting impression. This is a scent created for a

libertine of her impact. GUCCI GUILTY Pour Homme opens with invigorating lemon traces and intensified with seductive notes of lavender and patchouli. Receive an exclusive Gucci toiletry pouch when purchasing GUCCI GUILTY or GUCCI GUILTY Pour Homme. Offer valid on large sizes and from authorized doors. For local trade enquiries contact VJ Salomone Marketing Ltd tel: 8007 2387. NINA RICCI: NINA LUNA IS A FRAGRANCE, WITH EXQUISITE CURVES 4. AND GOURMAND ACCENTS, TO THE CASCADING LAUGHTER AND THRILLS OF YOUNG GIRLS.An unprecedented fragrance dedicated to life’s explorers. A tribe of women in the making, a myriad of girls full of promise, they have the aura and the energy of youth, evade compulsory figures, watching the horizon, stretching towards the unknown. Plural, disarming, unpredictable. Free, vivacious, captivating. They enter life as if they were biting into an apple. VALENTINO: VALENTINO UOMO INTENSE IS FOR A MAN WITH A CHARISMATIC ALLURE AND AN ASSERTIVE DOMINANT MASCULINITY 5. WITH A DISTINCTIVE AURA. An eau de perfume concentration with a long lasting trail to enhance a man’s everyday charisma or for a special occasion. A suave leathery fragrance, a deep, unforgettable olfactory signature: black leather and suave vanilla accords.

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LA FEMME PRADA 54

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;HOMME PRADA

he year 2016 sees the launch of La Femme Prada and L’Homme Prada – the q u i nt e s s e nt i a l Prada fragrances. Each is set to delineate and define the chic and elegant feminine and masculine worlds of Prada, while emphasising a sensual dialogue and exchange between the two. The coming together of La Femme and L’Homme in the Prada world reflects the contrasted and complementary nature of gender for Prada, as well as the fluid nature of identity itself. In the words of Miuccia Prada: “I wanted to present these fragrances together, with the same concept, with the same photographer, so that they are really interchangeable. We have two actresses and actors who each play three or four roles. This is the main concept: that there isn’t a single icon representing the dream of a woman or a man. It is actually the opposite, that these people represent the reality, the differences and so on.” The question of identity is at the heart of L’Homme Prada. Who is the Prada man? There is no simple answer for Miuccia Prada. Somewhat contrarily, she exercises her fascination with fluid identity

and difference through the idea of a singular L’Homme Prada fragrance. L’Homme Prada is designed to reflect duality in the masculine identity: a fragrance of pairs, doubles and juxtapositions, a certain chilly distance is contrasted with a rich and sensual submersion. Masculine traditions are set against feminine notes in the utilisation of layered, high-quality ingredients. Nevertheless, a far-reaching, inclusive and confident conclusion is made: L’Homme Prada has arrived. L’Homme Prada is a fragrance of pairs, of doubles, of juxtapositions and layers. The classic codes of the male Fougère are all present in neroli, geranium and patchouli. And yet the interchangeable male/female Prada signatures are also present, in the shape of iris and amber – the principal elements. It is a mix that is both airy and yet, purposefully, highly sensual. As an olfactory chimera, La Femme Prada is an invitation to emotion. Straying from fragrance’s more familiar routes, a sultry journey is evoked by its frangipani wake. This solar note, a hyper-sensual floral, evokes the dewy humidity associated with the faraway flower. The note is interwoven with ylang-ylang, its spice made smooth with beeswax, vanilla and tuberose. A distilled vetiver finishes the fragrance – grounding and rounding its feel. 55

SILHOUETTE EYEWEAR The Atelier Collection

ver since it was founded in 1964, Silhouette has focused on the development and design of premium-quality eyewear. The story begins with Annelise and Arnold Schmied, two visionaries who dedicated themselves to realising their own distinctive concept of eyewear. They saw glasses as they should be seen, as an integral part of the wearer’s personality. Their legacy is an appreciation for outstanding design that is lovingly upheld in this family-run company, and now their passion has evolved into a new and luxurious dimension – the Silhouette Atelier Collection. Glasses from the Silhouette Atelier Collection are as unique and inimitable as the person who wears them and as valuable as the precious moments seen through them. Designing glasses for people with exquisite taste requires a clear affirmation of intent and our aim is to create contemporary eyewear that underlines the unique personality of the wearer. All the models in the Silhouette Atelier Collection are crafted from 18kt yellow, white or rose gold, with either a hand-polished or brushed surface finish. The sparkle of hand-picked gemstones or inlays of exquisite woods from certified sources lend the finishing touch to these exclusive designs. Our craftsmen work with their entire repertoire of skills to create individual,

bespoke pieces. Every model in the Silhouette Atelier Collection is custommade to the client’s specifications in our workshop, where the best in their field employ state-of-the-art precision manufacturing and traditional artisan techniques. Outstanding design and luxurious materials, continuously refined workmanship and our love of detail combine to produce these high-end masterpieces. The Silhouette Atelier Collection is our pride and joy – handcrafted in the heart of Austria. All over the world, meaningful moments are seen through Silhouette glasses. They help artists gain a unique individual perspective. They travel with astronauts as they explore the vast expanses of space. They accompany models on the major catwalks of the fashion world. Even monarchs rely on their exquisite craftsmanship. The history of great moments continues with Silhouette Atelier Collection – a collection created for connoisseurs of distinction who love the finer things in life and appreciate sophisticated details. Thanks to the incomparable wealth of design options, hand-set gemstones and customisable lens shapes to suit the wearer’s face, each pair is a made-to-order piece and one that becomes an integral part of the personality of an exceptional individual. Silhouette Atelier Collection is exclusively available at O’hea Opticians, 191 The Strand, Gzira.

ESTONIA Are you in need of a bit more space and tranquillity before heading head-over-heels into the silly season? Has a European escape been on your wish-list for this year but not quite materialised yet? FIRST has found the perfect off-the-beaten-track destination for you. It has just over double Malta’s population but is almost 144 times its size!

atural wonders

Over half of Estonia’s land is covered by forest and, not surprisingly, the biodiversity is astounding. One square metre of woodland can be home to more than 70 different species. Watch your step, nature lovers, and hold on – because it gets even more exciting! There are 1,500 islands, 1,000 lakes and 7,000 rivers in Estonia, as well as almost 4,000 kilometres of coastline (Malta has just over 150 kilometres) bordering the rugged Baltic Sea. You don’t need to worry about exhausting hikes, however, as Suur Munamägi (Big Egg Hill), at 318 metres high, is the highest in the Baltic region. According to a tale from

the Estonian national epic poem Kalevipoeg, Suur Munamägi was made by the giant Kalevipoeg for a pillow on which to rest his head. Even though this story lacks documentary evidence, the hill is still a good six metres higher than the highest point in Latvia – a point of much pride for its northern neighbours! Going deeper for something different, Estonia has the highest number of meteorite craters per square kilometre in the world. The Kaali crater in Saaremaa is what remains of the last giant meteorite to hit an area populated by humans. It fell to earth with the power of a nuclear bomb over 4,000 years ago.

Spa and Relaxation

If you like to chill out, the small town of Kuressaare is the place for you, with over 1,200 spa beds. Mud baths, saunas and sea air a-plenty, this has been the place for

spa procedures since the times of the tsars. Moreover, the healing mud of Haapsalu and Narva-Jõesuu, not to mention the pine forests and pristine sands, had already made the towns popular in the 19th century. All over the country, saunas are part of everyday life; in fact most homes have their own. If you are on the move, you can even take a sauna bus or erect a sauna tent! During the popular annual sauna race in the winter capital, Otepää, hundreds of competitors sweat to visit as many of the outposts as possible in the shortest time. Last February, over 900 participants from 217 teams, including 12 international ones, had to track down and visit the participating saunas, spending at least three minutes in each. As a bonus, there were also ice holes, plunge pools and other attractions and entertainment provided by sauna owners. »

«Facts and Records Estonians are ranked the third tallest people in the world and have produced the highest number of international supermodels per capita, including Carmen Kass and Karmen Pedaru. In 2001, Estonia won the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2011, Tallinn was designated the ‘European Capital of Culture’. In October 2016, a littleknown 46-year-old and mother of four, Kersti Kaljulaid, was elected the first female president of the republic. Defined as a liberal conservative, she has spoken in favour of conservative economic policies, but at the same time has liberal views on many social matters, such as gay and lesbian rights and immigration. Last year, her country agreed to receive around 500 refugees who had reached Italy and Greece, although so far protection has only been granted to a few and the majority of applications for asylum have been rejected. »

Above: Suur Munamägi Left: Tallinn medieval city in Northern Europe Below: The popular annual sauna race in the winter capital Otepää

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Above: Kaali Meteorite Crater in Saaremaa Left: Kuressaare castle Below: Tallinn Christmas Market «Tallinn, the political capital Estonia’s capital lies less than 100 kilometres south of Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland and roughly on the same latitude as Stockholm in Sweden. So we are talking Nordish here and were it not for the moderating effects of the Baltic Sea currents and breezes, it would get much colder. Estonians make up the majority of the population, but other minority groups are also wellrepresented, including Russians and Ukrainians. Most people speak Estonian, Russian, English and possibly another language. Some say that Tallinn is the best-preserved mediaeval city in Northern Europe. It dates back to the 13th century and a great deal of effort has gone into preserving its mediaeval appeal. This, coupled with generally cheap prices, many other attractions throughout the republic and an internationally-praised airport, makes Tallinn an easy-to-reach and at times very popular tourist destination. Coming outside the summer season, the main sights of the city suddenly become accessible without having to fight through a crowd of elderly German ladies or drunken British stag groups. Moreover, in winter you get the added benefit of a walk through an eerily quiet town dotted with slowly falling snow-flakes, or maybe a sleigh ride in the Song Festival Grounds followed by a warming glass of the mulled wine that cafés and outdoor vendors offer in every variety for two to three euros. During December, you can celebrate with the locals at the Tallinn Christmas Market – where Santa is a regular visitor. Christmas holidays officially start on St Thomas’ Day, 21 December, which marks a period of rest after lengthy preparations, including brewing beer, butchering animals and preparing food. With relatively few Estonians declaring themselves as religious, the Christmas period also honours their pagan heritage. Winter solstice festivals all over the country are reminders of why December was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ. Estonia not only cherishes its past, but also vividly embraces the future. While other countries are still thinking about it, in 2005 Estonia became the first country in the world to embrace online voting. Ninetyfive percent of tax returns are completed online and businesses can be registered in minutes. You can sign legally-binding documents using your ID card or mobile ID and even those living outside Estonia can benefit from the e-residency scheme. Estonia is the 131st smallest country in the world (Malta ranks as the 187th) by land mass. Yet, according to the Wall Street Journal, it produces more start-ups per capita than any other country in Europe. It has produced global firms such as Skype, Hotmail, TransferWise and GrabCAD, to name but a few. And yes, it’s true, you get 4G coverage even in the middle of the woods! 62

CHRISTMAS

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A BREW FOR THE WINTER By Albert Delia. Photos by Jonathan Borg

ohn handed me a long-stemmed glass on a wet Sunday evening as he poured some grains in my other hand and told me to chew them gently. Apparently what I was chewing was ‘Vienna Malt’, one of the main ingredients for that evening’s beer-tasting. He then pointed towards a draught beer tap slightly covered in white frost and invited me to pour my first drink for the evening. As I took my first sip of the gold, cold Indian Pale Ale, patiently prepared by our evening’s host, my eyes widened as the well-defined tastes of John’s brew started materialising. The beer tasted refreshing, slightly fruity – almost verging on citrus, giving the impression of being teasingly sweet yet restrained in its bitterness. What followed were several hours of discussing the intricacies of brewing that ultimately ended up with setting a date for this interview. A week later, John Borg Barthet is at my kitchen table and I am, with pen and paper in hand, unaware that the next two hours will be arguably my most demanding, technical interview to date. At first glance the art of brewing appears to be simple enough. Beer is a composition of primarily four ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. Any variations in these ingredients results in the myriad of iterations and tastes one finds in what is arguably the oldest alcoholic beverage in existence, beer. John is a 29-year-old with a definite interest (read ‘fixation’) in making quality beer; most weekends for the last couple of years he has been brewing with the thoroughness of a chemist. His interest in making his own craft beers, however, was sparked even earlier. John smiles as he tells me that once an idea creeps into his head he has no alternative but to pursue it. The idea of brewing his own beer came to John while visiting his aunt in Munich seven years ago. During his stay in Bavaria he came across a perfect pairing of pork knuckle and cloudy beer, a Hefeweizen he recalls fondly, and a combination that impressed him to the point where he decided to start making it himself. After that, following a steady supply of books on the subject coupled with a generous serving of online video tutorials, he began to slowly experiment with his own recipes. When making a beer, you start off by identifying the right kind of water for your base. The kind of water you use is particularly important. John tells me how, for example, a century ago Burton-on-Trent in England was arguably the brewing capital of the world – primarily because it had access to a plentiful water source with a specific profile that was very well-suited to the brewing of hoppy ales. In fact, it is a specific example of a winning water profile. Brewers often defined their style with the water to which they had access. Most industrial brewers now make use of basically distilled water and add the required minerals such as calcium sulphate, calcium chloride and sometimes carbonate, for example, later. These are all naturally occurring minerals and healthy for the body.»

GOLDINGS FROM ENGLAND, SAAZ FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HALLERTAUER FROM GERMANY ARE JUST A VERY SMALL EXAMPLE

«The next step is selecting the right malt. Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been left in water until they begin to sprout, at which point the process is halted by toasting the grains in a kiln. The type of grain chosen and the variety of barley – wheat or rye, for example – are crucial steps in slowly constructing the taste of your beer. The next important step is how the grains are toasted, which also has a hand in determining the texture of a beer. If you were to just take a handful of the grains you are using for your recipe and start chewing them, you would begin to get a subtle indication of what the final product will taste like. There is a whole spectrum of malts to choose from, depending on the type of beer you want to make – starting from the lightest to the darkest – from Pilsner/Lager, Pale Ale, Vienna, Munich and Crystal/Caramel to Roast Malts like Chocolate and Carafa. The wine-influenced name here comes from the fact that Carafa grain, like wine, contains tannins. Beer, however, should ideally be free of – or at least low in – tannins. The last step is crushing the malt to make a pulp. The way this is done can also make a difference, depending on how finely the malt is crushed, and it is then mixed with the water. Hops come next; these bulb or cone-like flowers are used to add the beer’s signature bitterness. Even here you will find a wide range of options that will ultimately affect the final taste of the brew. Most countries famed for brewing boast of having their own signature strain of hops. Goldings from England, Saaz from the Czech Republic, Hallertauer from Germany are just a very small example. Increased hybridisation of hops has resulted in an in66

tense variety of options from which to choose. The use of hops simply for bitterness and zest has been diminishing over the years and they are now contributing more towards enhancing the taste of the beer in some cases by providing a more citrusy flavour, for example. With experience, the brewer begins developing a better-tuned and mature palate which helps in predicting how the final outcome will taste. The thing about beer is that you’re never really sure until about two weeks after the brewing. It is only once the fermentation process has taken place that you can gauge the success of a recipe. Sadly, a recipe does not always work and unless you are on point, accurate and employing the best of hygienic practices, you risk churning out a bad batch that will eventually have to be thrown away. Furthermore, brewing is somewhat more difficult in Malta since a more temperate climate is preferable for the fermentation process. Ales, for example, require a stable temperature of 20°C. This kind of natural, quality brew is, however, also healthier than its more commercial counterparts and also quite filling. The saying that beer is liquid bread is actually quite accurate in a way; in fact, the ingredients are also quite similar, as is the nutritional value of both to a degree. Despite having only four major ingredients, the variations that can be achieved are mind-boggling. John tells me that he has also experimented with making a beer that tastes similar to qagħaq tal-għasel (honey rings). His aim is to use his brewing skills to taste as many variations as possible and, in the process, encourage others to develop a love of the brew. For more information visit www.strettacraftbeer.com/home

THE

POET WHO BUILDS By Lisa Gwen Baldacchino

harles Knevitt once described me as ‘the poet who builds’,” Richard England confesses with a smile. It’s a description that I find most fitting for the man I have always regarded as so much more than an architect. My encounters with Richard England are always special: each visit to his home and sanctuary quite unlike the last. Unequivocally, I am bound to find a new array of delicious hard-back design, art and architecture-related publications, ceremoniously placed on various surfaces, as well as his most recent drawings, inks and projects, displayed or propped up against walls or bookshelves. Being a self-declared visual magpie, I can’t help but feel somewhat sponge-like in an attempt to absorb as much as I possibly can from these glorious candy-filled surroundings. A squarish, boldly illustrated blue and white book sitting on top of the coffee table quickly catches my eye: all at once betraying the magical and mythical contents ensconced within. Entitled Orpheus: His Song and His Music, this book is actually the realisation of a project on which Richard has been working for quite a while. Whilst leafing through the publication, its almost naive, magical and child-like quality leaps out at me, as do the illustrations in the form of line drawings – chiefly contributed by Christina Darmanin. The intricate visuals have a dream-like quality that immediately captures the mystique of mythology whilst simultaneously acting as a counter-balance to the highly structured poems. As I get comfy on the sofa, in this wonderland of a study, Richard recalls a quote by Michael Ende – “I can’t stop growing old, but I can stop growing up”. He explains how Orpheus is thus the expression of a struggle to retain parts of his childhood. »

The Gates of Hades. Drawing by Richard England Drawing by Christina Darmanin «Richard’s work always revolves around the themes of love, life, death and loss – themes which found perfect embodiment in the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. “The wonderful thing about myths is the interface with reality,” he tells me, as I continue to leaf through the curated pages which, even at a glance, appear to have been composed and built in a way that only one preoccupied by all forms of space could have conceived. “Poetry for me is, in a way, building with words and sculpting in sound” says Richard. “It is the taste of words that I savour, and the silence of the pauses. For poetry is a continuous crossing over of the threshold between sound and silence. One reads not only what is written but also that which is not written. One reads the lines, the words between the lines and the invisible words too; the heard and the unheard, the said and the unsaid. It is how musical and meaningful one can make these passages which elevate poetry from prose. Poetry must move even before it is understood. The 70

real poet must cast a web of magic that has the capacity to carry the reader away.” His words immediately explain the palpable and striking sense of negative/positive space and rhythm that I grasped as I scanned the short, seemingly sculpted, texts. To my mind, Richard has always possessed a playfulness which has become manifest in every aspect and medium of his work; a quality that is perhaps most evident in the bold colour choices dominating his builds and structures, or in the short, succinct and often humorous poems and anecdotes, or even in his inked cities that hover over nothingness. It also becomes manifest in creative collaborations such as Orpheus which, on proper scrutiny, reveals several impressive contributors who have been brought together – ranging from Victor Pasmore and Sandrina England to Joseph Calleja and Marcello Sestito – and others still. The luscious publication also features a foreword written by the great Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind. In his text, Libeskind explains: “What is remarkable in England’s ever-insistent, ever-probing, ever-intensifying quest for the invisible is that he succeeds in making his reader his companion on a journey both mysterious and terrifying (as only such

AS A READER I ASCEND AND DESCEND ON THESE ‘LADDERS’ OF MEMORY INTO THE CORE OF THE EARTH AND THE DARKNESS ‘WHICH THE BLIND DO SEE’

Drawing by Christina Darmanin journeys can be).” The quest for the invisible, in-between spaces – or even ‘voids’, as Richard describes them – is a recurrent preoccupation pervading his work to the extent that, during our conversation, he refers to Calvino’s Invisible Cities on more than one occasion. I soon discover that he is currently engaged in the laborious task of illustrating this classic book. Referencing Shakespeare, Libeskind perfectly captures the mood and the oscillation of Richard’s poetry: “As a reader I ascend and descend on these ‘ladders’ of memory into the core of the earth and the darkness ‘which the blind do see’.” Before we part, Richard explains how “Poetry comes; [yet] it doesn’t come in order. Orpheus was completed about a year ago, and since then no poetry has come.” I have no doubt that the poetry will come, and neither have I any doubt that it will consume until it has once again been exhausted. And thus, the cycle will once again be set in motion.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

METHOD In a large mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the turmeric, fennel seeds, chilli flakes and groundnut oil. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the curry leaves and stir for a few seconds to infuse the oil. Remove the leaves with a slotted spoon. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and brown on all sides, then pour in the hot stock, garlic, bay leaves and lemon zest. Simmer gently for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat easily falls off the bone. Meanwhile, boil two of the eggs for six minutes (start timing when you add the eggs to the boiling water). Cool them under cold running water, then

remove shell. Put the flour in a wide shallow bowl and season, beat the remaining egg in a second bowl, and put breadcrumbs into a third bowl. Heat the oil to 160°C/320°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by carefully dropping in a small cube of bread, which should bubble immediately; if it drops to the bottom, the oil isn’t hot enough. Dip each boiled egg in the flour, then the beaten egg, then the breadcrumbs. Gently lower into the oil with a slotted spoon and fry for about five minutes, or until crisp. Carefully remove from the oil and drain on kitchen paper. Remove the chicken pieces from the soup and take the meat off the bones. Return the meat to the soup along with the peas and beansprouts. Divide the soup among the bowls and top with an egg.

INGREDIENTS SERVES 2 Four chicken drumsticks or two large chicken thighs, skin on, bone in ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp fennel seeds A pinch of chilli flakes 1 tbsp groundnut oil Olive oil, for frying Approximately 500ml hot chicken stock 4 dried or fresh curry leaves 2 cloves garlic, bashed, with 2 bay leaves A few strips of unwaxed lemon zest 50g fresh peas 50g beansprouts For the eggs 300ml vegetable oil 3 eggs 50g plain flour 70g panko breadcrumbs

This recipe was published in the recipe book Magic Soup by Nicole Pisani and Kate Adams, available in hardback (£18.99; eBook £9.99)

A satisfying meal in itself by Nicole Pisani, from the book Magic Soup.

THAT

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Dusha Lia from Baltazar Bistro shares two recipes that will get the Christmas spirit going

Eggnog INGREDIENTS SERVES 8 3 cups (700ml) whole milk 1 cup (240ml) heavy or double cream 3 cinnamon sticks 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds removed 1 tsp freshly-grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish 5 eggs, separated 2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar 3/4 cup (175ml) Bacardi, dark rum or bourbon

In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla pod, vanilla seeds and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and set aside to infuse. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until combined and the whisk leaves a thick trail when lifted out of the bowl. Strain the milk to remove vanilla pod and seeds, then add to sugar and egg mix, stirring until everything is well combined and smooth. Stir in the rum or bourbon. Refrigerate overnight or for up to three days. Before serving, beat the egg whites in a large bowl or stand-mixer until they form soft peaks and gently fold into eggnog until combined. Serve, garnished with freshly-grated nutmeg. 74

Photoby Kevin Malia

METHOD

Gingerbread Biscuits

METHOD Pre-heat oven to 190ºC. Sieve flour, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon together in a mixing bowl. Chop butter into small pieces and rub into dry mixture until consistency of fine breadcrumbs, then add the sugar and mix in, followed by the beaten egg. Mix everything together to form a dough. Roll out on a floured surface (ensure you flour both the rolling pin and the worktop well as this helps when cutting into shapes once rolled) to about 3mm thick, then cut out into whatever shapes you want. Put onto a tray lined with baking paper and give them a good sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar – yummy! Cook for approximately 15 minutes, depending on the size of biscuit. When cooked, leave biscuits on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. 76

INGREDIENTS 1 cup plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp mixed spice Pinch of salt 50g unsalted butter ½ cup brown sugar 1 egg, beaten

Photoby Kevin Malia

Santa Claus is coming to town with presents for all the good little boys and girls, so when he comes down your chimney looking for soft, warm gingerbread cookies, surprise him with these homemade marvels.

DELI . O RG A N I C . FR E SH . D A I LY . BI O . C OFFEE TEA S . A P ERIT I VO . W I NE S . C OC K TAI LS . C RAFT A LE S . D RA U G H T BE E R . PA N I NI . S A NDW I C HES CHEES ES . D IP S . PAT Ã&#x2030; . C OL D C UT S . P I ES CA KE S . C U P C A K E S . SW E E T S . M ILKS HAKES CR E P ES . S MOOT H I E S . J A M S . PRES ERV ES EAT I N . TA K E AWAY

new concept OPENING THIS FESTIVE SEASON

LA BOTTEGA . 200 MERCHANTS STREET . VALLETTA La Bottega . email labottegavalletta@gmail.com . call 99425645, 99490456

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS AT

hristmas time is a special time for everyone. Whether you are a Christmas fanatic or a complete Scrooge, it is a time that brings everyone together. At Franks, the Christmas season starts much earlier than for most, with preparations for the merry season starting as early as summer. The preparations kick-off with the choice of the annual Franks campaign, a process that begins around July in order to have everything ready by the end of November. For the past four years, Steves & Co. has been in charge of bringing to life the brief and dreams of the Franks management team and once the campaign is chosen, the fun begins! The annual Franks marketing campaign is launched towards the end of November and lasts until the following summer. All Franksrelated advertising and branding changes every year in relation to that year’s campaign. Once the campaign is chosen, we book our advertising campaign, we order bags that reflect the campaign, we change branding in the shop and our social media presence, we publish branded diaries and we issue our yearly publication, Lux, which is distributed to clients throughout December. Basically, anything ‘Franks’ with which the customer comes into contact is themed to that year’s campaign. Franks has just unveiled its new 2016-2017 campaign – and the theme and era this year are the 1980s and 1990s, with the tag line ‘We Are the Franks Generation’. This year’s campaign is a tribute to the children of the 1980s and 90s, who have all these different memories of Franks and have grown up with the company. From childhood memories of shopping with parents at Christmas-time, through the teenage years and possibly buying a present for the first boyfriend or girlfriend, and then into adulthood – this generation has always known Franks. For them, Franks has always been there. As tradition goes, the first people to see the campaign are the Franks staff members. Since Christmas is such an important and special time at Franks, the management treats the staff to an annual get-

together during which preChristmas goals are set, hype is built and the campaign is revealed and explained. This meeting is a crucial part of the Franks’ calendar, since it is here that our front-liners from all the different shops come together to share in the excitement, and the management provides the needed morale boost to get into the Christmas spirit. The campaign is then launched for the public during a campaign launch party event which is held at our flagship outlet in The Plaza. The entire outlet, as well as the atrium of the shopping complex, is transformed to reflect the theme of the campaign. Our top clients, suppliers, staff and friends of Franks are invited for this celebration, during which, apart from the unveiling of the muchawaited campaign, we all have the opportunity to mingle in a fun atmosphere and continue building on our special relationships. Throughout this process, there are another million-and-one things happening backstage – from the gruelling task of preparing a working schedule for the numerous staff for the crucial weeks, to ordering products and seasonal gift ideas to make sure our shops are well-stocked in time for Christmas, to preparing the Christmas decorations for all seven outlets as well as organising all the beautiful items that will adorn the shop windows throughout December. Christmas at Franks is a real feat! Franks was founded over 120 years ago and it goes without saying that it has undergone many transformations to become what it is today. Currently under the management of the fourth generation of the Abela family, the priority is to always stand by the company’s philosophy, which is to make luxury accessible to everyone and to offer impeccable service with the value added that only Franks can offer. The company is now gearing up towards its 125th anniversary which will be celebrated next year. Keep an eye out for the exciting events that will be organised to commemorate this extraordinary milestone. The Franks team is looking forward to celebrating this special anniversary with a bang!

Give the moment a shot

Jägermeister is a herbal liqueur enjoyed by millions around the world. Best served as an ice-cold shot, straight out of the freezer at -18˚C, with its unmistakable flavour and warming character, Jägermeister is one of the world's best-loved drinks, bringing people together wherever it is enjoyed! The Jägermeister taste is not a matter of chance, but rather the result of decades of experience, and a special secret recipe, a recipe that has remained unchanged since 1934, and includes no less than 56 natural botanicals, which go through a gentle, and lengthy, maceration process. Before Jägermeister can be poured into a

shot glass, it matures for a year in exactly 450 oak barrels, with a capacity of over 3.7 million litres! When it comes to Jägermeister, it’s not just about the actual production. In fact, Jägermeister has to run through 383 quality inspections. All materials get tested at several stages of the production, from the raw materials like herbs, blossoms and roots, to the sugar, pure alcohol, and water. It is no surprise that Jägermeister can boast a unique, yet unmistakable taste. This festive season, #GiveTheMomentAShot with an icecold shot of Jägermeister amongst friends. And remember, enjoy the #JagerMoment responsibly!

UNWRAPPING GOZO THIS CHRISTMAS Words by Cat Calabrese

f the cacophony of Christmas has been making you feel a little worn down and jaded perhaps this year it’s time to take Christmas back from the big red Coca-cola trucks, make peace with the jingle bells of it all and embrace this festive time of year in a more traditional style. There was a time when the sound of bagpipes was the music of Christmas Eve in Gozo, paying homage to those tending to their flock in the fields. Sadly – or mercifully – those unruly drones are merely a folk memory now. However, traditions are still at the heart of Christmas in Gozo and they are a breath of fresh air. Community spirit is the bedrock of the season and Gozo prides itself on taking the celebration of Christmas back to its roots. Being more classically flavoured, Christmas in Gozo might be the perfect place to find a moment of serenity and remember the feelings of wonder and warmth that Christmas poured over our childhood. In Gozo, Christmas can be many things. It can simply be taking the family out for a long country walk in the peaceful winter sunshine and then coming home for tea and cake.»

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE SOUND OF BAGPIPES WAS THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS EVE IN GOZO, PAYING HOMAGE TO THOSE TENDING TO THEIR FLOCK IN THE FIELDS 83

Photos on this page: Stills from the short film ‘Three Red Hills’ by Three Generations Down

«Or it can be strolling through the narrow lanes, feeling lit up by the warm, twinkling lights that glow through the windows of homes all decked out in their festive finery. Christmas can be the taste of Imbuljuta tal-Qastan (a drink comprised of chocolate and chestnuts) and honey rings, or warm mince-pies and mulled wine while sitting in a square enjoying the general hustle and bustle, or it could be listening to the soaring voices of a choir singing hymns and carols while you are wrapped up warm on a cold night. Gozo has a magic of its own, and when it is infused with music and spices it’s almost impossible not to feel your spirit lifted – no matter how Scroogish you may have become! Christmas choir concerts are being held in almost every village throughout December. A small selection from the many wonderful performances are St George’s Basilica on Sunday, 18th December; Zebbug parish church on Thursday, 22nd December, St Margaret’s parish church in Sannat on Friday, 23rd December and the Il-

GOZO HAS A MAGIC OF ITS OWN, AND WHEN IT IS INFUSED WITH MUSIC AND SPICES IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO FEEL YOUR SPIRIT LIFTED – NO MATTER HOW SCROOGISH YOU MAY HAVE BECOME!

AT THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS IN GOZO IS THE NATIVITY – AND WHETHER YOU’RE DEEPLY RELIGIOUS OR OF A MORE SECULAR PERSUASION, THERE IS PROBABLY A MEMORY FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD OF WHEN YOU WERE PART OF A NATIVITY PLAY Hagar Heart of Gozo Museum on Saturday – Christmas Eve. At the heart of Christmas in Gozo is the Nativity – and whether you’re deeply religious or of a more secular persuasion, there is probably a memory from your childhood of when you were part of a nativity play. In primary school it was the highlight of our school year and I remember – with pride – playing the part of the great and noble donkey! In our house, alongside our tree, we always had a crib because for my Italian father, Christmas would not be Christmas without one. Cribbuilding is an art and a passion in the Maltese Islands, and throughout the Christmas season there are some marvellous ones to see. They are on exhibition across Gozo in numerous churches and village halls. Some highlights include a mechanical crib featured at the Boy’s Museum in Xaghra and an artistic crib by artist Paul Stellini, incorporating terracotta statues by Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia, which is on display at Ghajnsielem parish church. The pageantry of the processions and live cribs bring the island to life and it’s where the community spirit really comes into its own. Again, almost every village will proudly show its commitment to its faith with its own procession. One example is on Sunday, 18th, in San Lawrence, when the entire village comes together to present the story of the Salvation of Mankind. This is its 48th year: it takes months to prepare and is played out on the streets and even makes use of local houses.

Over the last eight years, the staging of Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem has grown into a major event; last year it was visited by over 20,000 people, and you can visit it this year on various days up to 8th January. The ‘Guiding Light Group’ of Xagħra will once again be staging its live crib along the Ramla Valley Road leading to Xagħra from Monday, 26 to Wednesday, 28. Its innovation has been to turn this event into a ‘drive through crib’. Yes, you can stay warm and comfy in your car while still enjoying the atmosphere of this inspirational itinerant theatre, so no excuses. Undoubtedly, Santa Claus reigns supreme as the undisputed King of Christmas for children the world over. After all, he brings the magic (and the presents), and Gozo happily embraces this modern incarnation of St Nicholas. On Saturday, 17 December, the Gozo Christmas Parade fills Republic Street with snowmen, toy soldiers and a host of other children’s favourites, as well as Father Christmas himself, of course: a shiny, happy evening for your little ones. A trip to Gozo during the festive season could be just what you need this Christmas and there is plenty to fill your senses. As 2016 comes to a close, it seems that now, more than ever, we need to soothe our souls with a little joy and spread a little extra love and goodwill to our families, friends and neighbours. For a full list of events in Gozo this Christmas you can view the brochure at www.chirstmasingozo.com

FERRAMODA

La Moda è Cultura

erramoda has been in existence for 12 years and its aim is to protect not only culture and the environment, but also children in care. The children are helped in various ways – not only financially, but also when it comes to their education and any other type of help they may need. This year, Ferramoda is presenting La Moda è Cultura, a collection that was shown to the audience in a totally different manner, including music and theatre. It showed the work of two young designers: Amanda Biscossi and Grazia de Carlo, from Accademia Italiana, following a protocol signed between Ferramoda, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Chamber of Fashion (Malta) – which was founded by Dr Juliana Scerri Ferrante. The collection is inspired by the eclectic design of the 1980s and 1990s and is the work of Italian interior designer Alessandro Mendini, leader of the Alchimia group, hence its name. Following Accademia Italiana, they presented Sophia

Loren – La Dolce Vita, by Emilio Schuberth, represented by marketing manager Rita Genevese. Emilio Schuberth’s Collection 2017 is dedicated to the women living the dolce vita, particularly Sophia Loren. It was created and directed by Elena Perrella, an expert in fashion communication and historical brand management and a professor at Università Sant’ Orsola in

Naples. Mrs Perrella is a lecturer of international renown at many universities and fashion institutes. After the Made in Italy designs were presented, the audience was shown the Made in MaltItaly designs, which have been exhibited in Rome and Vienna. Ferragiu presented Revival, the 2017 collection of Made in MaltItaly, a fine use of noble Italian fabrics and artisan work – Maltese finishes that included lace, wool and ganutell which had already been exhibited at the beginning of the show. Elegance is interwoven with the fine fabrics, a design created two years ago to reflect the inter-cultural motive, as well as to preserve the cultures and traditions of Malta and Italy. In Juliana’s words: “Protecting the culture and the environment increases a respect for values which, unfortunately, tend to be forgotten. If everything that was presented tonight is valued, it could create more employment.” Luxury Outlet also participated. Voila! La Moda è Cultura, Ferragiu presents: Revival!

DRIVING SAFELY DO WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

his year has not been a good one as far as fatalities and serious injuries caused by road accidents are concerned. Despite all the roadsafety campaigns, educational video clips and stricter driving tests, things seem to get worse rather than better. So what is wrong with our driving? What do we need to do in order to reach a better standard? We don’t have answers to either of these questions – and suspect that not many people do, but we need to think hard and critically and perhaps try to learn from other countries by looking at some of the initiatives that have been adopted elsewhere. Mobile phones have changed our lives, mostly for the better but probably for the worse when it comes to driving. The UK police have just started an experiment to crackdown on motorists who use their mobile phone while driving. While fines and penalty points for this offence have been doubled, police officers will be using unmarked vans, helmet cams and high-seated vehicles to catch offenders. Their aim is to make ‘driving distracted’ as socially unacceptable as drink driving. The key phrase in that sentence is ‘socially unacceptable’. In Malta, as in the UK, drink-driving is illegal, but the level of enforcement of the law cannot be even compared. What is more worrying, however, is that many people do not appreciate the need to have zero tolerance for drink-driving. When out for the evening – be at a dinner party or a wedding, or elsewhere – it is rare for anybody to pay any attention to limiting their alcohol intake because they will be driving home or, even worse, that anybody else to remark on it. There is, of course, the widely-held belief that the alcohol limits are too strict and that, in reality, one can still drive safely even if one is “not too much” over the limit. This, of course, has been proved to be totally incorrect in every study ever carried out. So we need to really start accepting that drinking alcohol and then driving is simply irresponsible and therefore totally unacceptable, and we should not hesitate – or be embarrassed – to say so when faced with it. Using a mobile phone while driving and drink-driving

‘ENFORCEMENT’ IS A FINE WORD; IT MAKES US THINK OF GENTLEMANLY, WELL-MANNERED YET FORCEFUL AND DISCIPLINED POLICE OFFICERS AND TRAFFIC WARDENS WHO ARE ABLE TO CLOSE A KINDLY BLIND EYE TO MINOR TRANSGRESSIONS BUT ARE MERCILESS WITH BULLIES AND BLATANT OFFENDERS are certainly not the only causes of accidents. Many accidents, more than many would believe, are caused by carelessness, indifference and a lack of respect for other road-users. Why else will some drivers double-park, blocking traffic, drive slowly in the outer lane causing vehicles to overtake on the inside, not give precedence to cyclists and pedestrians, ignore stop signs and give-way signs, jump red lights, not use indicators and make illegal manoeuvres like U turns or driving against one-way signs? Some drivers put their own convenience and comfort above everything else and are totally insensitive to the fact that their actions may cause danger to others – and sometimes to themselves. It seems that no amount of road-safety campaigns and educational messages make any difference, as attitudes remain unchanged. So where does that leave us? Some of you are probably shouting out “better enforcement” at this point. ‘Enforcement’ is a fine word; it makes us think of gentlemanly, well-mannered yet forceful and disciplined

police officers and traffic wardens who are able to close a kindly blind eye to minor transgressions but are merciless with bullies and blatant offenders. Well, we can dream on, because this is very far from reality, and we all know it. Unless we get proper enforcement in place that is not only fair but is also seen to be fair, then we have little hope that the attitudes of some people will change. We need to start by having the required number of officers available, who are well-equipped and, more importantly, properly trained. Perhaps we also need to reconsider the penalties and sanctions handed down by our courts in respect of illegal driving. The idea of having a demerit point system on one’s license is, of course, an excellent one as it can act as an effective deterrent. Another idea might be requiring offenders to attend safe driving classes (in use in the North German state of Flensburg) or take specialised driving tuition and a driving test to reacquire a suspended licence (adopted in The Netherlands). Finally a word about speeding – that one major cause of accidents. Someone recently observed, perhaps jokingly, that the fact that we are spending so much more time in bumper-to-bumper, slow-moving traffic means that when we then get a clear road, we vent our frustration by over-speeding! Whether that is true or not I cannot say, but certainly I have, like many of you, seen some crazy drivers weaving from one side to the other at an inappropriately high speed, and not all of them were wild young drivers in souped-up cars. Do speed cameras not help? Of course they have done, but we all know how we see cars suddenly slow down when approaching one, and then speeding up again once safely past it. Other measures are clearly needed but, more than anything, it comes down to a driver’s attitude towards safe driving. Is it all negative? No, of course it isn’t, and we cannot ignore the fact the we have better roads, better markings, more traffic lights and a driving test that produces better drivers than we had before. What we really need, though, is a change in mentality, a totally different outlook on driving and a true appreciation of the risks involved. Essentially, we need to grow up and act like responsible adults rather than like over-excited children playing with their favourite toy. www.gasanmamo.com

the art of making

COFFEE Every year Costa Coffee organises the ‘Barista of the Year’ competition which allows Costa baristas all over the world to showcase their talent and skills. The competition is in three phases: the local competition held in Malta, the European Finals and the ‘Champion of Champions’. Coryse Borg speaks to the winner of this year’s European Finals – local boy Daniel Attard – about how it feels to be the winner and what expectations he has for the last leg of the competition, to be held in London in January.

arista Daniel Attard is only 21, but he already has an amazing title under his belt. After a mere two years working with Costa Coffee in Malta, last October he won the ‘Costa Coffee Barista of the Year’ European finals, held in Warsaw, and in January he will be competing in the global competition for the Champion of Champions title, in London. “I’ve always loved coffee,” Daniel confesses to me with a smile, “In fact, you could call me a coffee addict. I initially started working with Costa part-time but now I’m a full-timer and I love it here. I decided to take part in the competition for the first time, but I never thought I’d get this far!” His win in Poland this year comes after Malta’s representative two years ago, Wayne Falzon, came second. In a lovely ‘full circle’ kind of way, Wayne was one of Daniel’s trainers and he accompanied him to Poland. I ask Daniel to take me through the intricacies of the competition. “The competition in Malta took place last July. There were 14 baristas to begin with and then, by a process of elimination, there were nine of us left. The final consisted of the technical round, in which we had to adjust the grinder – we call it ‘the grind and dose check’ – and then we had to make two cappuccinos, two cafe lattes, two flat whites and two espressos, which had to be up to Costa standards – all this in 30 minutes,” he explains. “The second round saw about a hundred people, including family and friends and three judges, watching us make our own speciality drink – we had to make two of them in 10 minutes.” Daniel’s signature hand-crafted beverage – which he called the ‘Iced Zesty Mocha’ – was judged on its taste, presentation and inventiveness, and found to be the best. I ask him what the ingredients are but he laughs and tells me that the recipe is top secret for now. “I really didn’t think I was going to win,” he says with a grin. “It certainly was a tough challenge, as some of the contestants had taken part in the competition before and this was my first time. When I won, my parents and my girlfriend Chaileen were so proud!” After his local victory came months of intense training with Wayne and Jennifer

Sant, his other trainer (who had trained Wayne two years ago), mainly to further develop and improve his unique beverage. And then, in October, it was off to Poland. The other contestants came from Cyprus, France, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Russia and Spain. Contestants in the European stage of the competition are judged not only on their skills but also on the passion and personality they show – and it is clear that Daniel is very passionate about his chosen craft. “I just like making coffee, especially the flat white – it’s like painting, like art. It’s more than just coffee, it’s the knowledge you need to get it right,” Daniel tells me earnestly. At this point, we are joined by Brand Manager Stephanie Ganado, who says that Daniel’s victory was a big achievement for the company and had put Malta on the map. “At Costa Coffee, we are given the opportunity to learn so much about coffee,” she says. “It’s like wine. What kind of beans are used, how they are picked and the roasting process – they can all affect the consistency of the coffee. People take good coffee for granted, but it really is an art.” In Poland, the competition was almost a carbon copy of the Malta leg but more intense. “I literally got there and went straight into the competition,” Daniel says, “I just had a few minutes to get used to the coffee machine. The pressure was a bit different to what I was used to. I wanted to use my own milk so I had to bring two cartons all the way from Malta in a cooler in my luggage. So it was Maltese milk that won the competition, really!” For the technical round, contestants had an ‘espresso race’ – in two minutes they had to produce as many perfect cups as possible. Then for the second round, they had to prepare their signature drink again, while the judges asked them questions and the presenter spoke to them, in front of about 150 people. So – no pressure! After that, the judges deliberated and the contestants waited anxiously. “My adrenaline was pumping; I felt excited, apprehensive. Then the judges went up on stage and announced the winners. When they said my name, I just froze!” he says with a smile. Come January, and Daniel will have the opportunity to prove himself again at the Champion of Champions finals in London. Perhaps, if he wins, I’ll finally get him to disclose his secret recipe – who knows!

DEALING WITH A DILEMMA

Dear Claire

A few months after we were married, my husband fell ill. Ten years down the line, he is still combating this condition that debilitates him with pain for weeks on end. We moved to Malta from our country due to the cold weather at home, hoping that the warmer weather would alleviate his symptoms, which did partly work. He has now also undergone some new treatment which has been very effective, so much so that he has recently been able to find a job and contribute to the finances of the family. During these years I have been the person in charge of everything there was to be done: caring for all his needs and those of our seven-year-old son and managing the household, as well as being the main breadwinner. I feel very tired. Our relationship has been very one-sided and now that my husband seems to be getting better, I expect him to start reciprocating. But he is not; he does his own thing and has taken me completely for granted.

once read that in a relationship, our joys are multiplied, whereas all hardships and difficulties are divided. We are there for each other, providing company and support as we go through life. Normally it goes in phases: there are periods when our partner may require more attention and others when we are the ones on the receiving end. It seems that, due to the circumstances, you have concentrated exclusively on giving, and now you are drained. Ten years is a long time and despite having done all this out of love, it is about time you also began focusing on your own well-being. It is only natural that you are tired and the fact that your husband’s condition is a little better has now offered you the hope for a change in your life. You now have the opportunity to modify this relationship into one in which both parties are equally respected and receiving the attention and affection they need. This will require a little work on your part, since over the years those around you have become accustomed to you continuously doing the giving and now see it as the norm. Things can and will change but, once again, you must be the one to set the ball rolling. It is time to change strategy and usher your husband into more responsibility in financial and practical – as well as emotional – matters. Only in this way can you reestablish balance in your life. You need to find ways of blossoming as a woman. You were, and will still be, a devoted wife as well as a loving mother. But now you need to concentrate on finding other sources of self-

fulfillment that go beyond your responsibilities brought about by the roles you have occupied up to now. Carve out time to care for yourself. Spend some time every day doing something you enjoy and during these moments relish the freedom of not having to consider anybody else’s needs but your own. Replenish your soul, your whole being, with renewed energy. Redirect part of the love and attention you have been giving to your husband and son back onto yourself. Sit still and just be. Open your heart and your mind to this new situation and the endless opportunities it can and will give you. In doing this, you will also be indirectly assigning increased responsibility to your husband. He will have to deal with your son as well as household

OPEN YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND TO THIS NEW SITUATION AND THE ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES IT CAN AND WILL GIVE YOU

duties while you are not around. This will not only alleviate your workload, but will also help him to appreciate you more. Your husband is now better and whereas you have had to forego your needs to attend to his, it is now time to stand by each other and reconfigure the us. This is another important step. You have been strong when you needed to be, but it is time to receive attention from your partner. We don’t get married to face life alone: we desire and need each other emotionally as well as physically. When your young son has gone to bed, sit together and reminisce over your early encounters. Remember the things about each other that made you fall in love and choose to spend a life together. They are still there – they’ve just been obscured by events in your life. Share your hopes and wishes for the future; make plans and discover each other once again. These 10 years have not been easy for either of you. I am certain that, taken seriously, this process will help you revive your initial attraction and help create an even deeper respect and appreciation of each other going forward. The benefits will be twofold: you will once again ignite the passion and uncover the affinity you have as a couple and you will also reclaim your life as a woman as well as a wife. Your relationship will change into one of give and take, which is how it should always be. This being the December issue, I would like to wish all readers and their families a Blessed Christmas and Prosperous New Year. May this be a time of joy and peace for everyone.

FLYING CARS AND VERA TASTEE THIS CHRISTMAS!

rofessor Patrick Pacificus Potter may be a mouthful to pronounce, but the dear man is just that – peaceful and patient, as his name suggests. Well, one would have to be if one was an inventor with repeated failures and an empty bank account. But Prof. Potter never gives up – he is optimism personified, and when Dame Vera

Tastee happens to drop in, bringing home the Professor’s two children who have, again, played truant from school, we know right-away that his luck is about to change! Vera, the only child of a wealthy business man, brings him a car – a piece of old junk – and asks him to restore it for her. The Professor quickly dons his thinking cap and pulls out all the stops – literally. After locking himself away in his garage for weeks, he emerges with a

ALONG THE WAY, IT BECOMES EVIDENT THAT THERE IS MORE THAN JUST THE CAR THAT’S IN THE AIR... LOVE IS IN THE AIR TOO FOR THE TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS VERA AND PROF. P.P. POTTER! sparkling car that has not only been souped up, but that can even fly. He was obviously aware of the current traffic problems. Vera is ecstatic – at the Professor’s good looks. Oh – and by the car, of course! The two of them pack the children, and a picnic lunch, into the Safra – that, apparently, is how the car was known in its Monte Carlo races heyday – and off they fly on an adventure. Along the way, it becomes evident that there is more than just the car that’s in the air... love is in the air as well for the truly scrumptious Vera and Prof. P.P. Potter! Come and fly with us this Christmas and meet Dame Vera Tastee (Alan Montanaro) and Prof. Patrick Pacificus Potter (Antony Edridge) at the MADC pantomime – Un-Believe it! – at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali from 22 December to 8 January. For booking visit www.madc.com.mt, send an email to booking@madc.com.mt or send an sms to 7777 6232. But hurry! The tickets are flying, as well! Un-Believe It! promises to live up to the MADC guarantee for entertainment, providing gags and laughs, a large singing and dancing cast, spectacular costumes and set designs and – a flying car! Don’t miss it!

BOOK AT WWW.MADC.COM.MT OR BOOKINGS@MADC.COM.MT OR SMS 7777 6232

1. 2.

Named for the founding family of the company, Ballantine’s is one of the classic blends, created as the house whisky of the family’s grocery in the mid-1800s. Over the years it has grown to be one of the best-selling Scotch whiskies in the world, with a flavour profile focused around single malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie. Ballantine’s range available in Malta are: Ballantine’s Finest, Ballantine’s 12YO, Ballantine’s 17YO, Ballantine’s 21YO and Ballantine’s 30YO. Ballantine’s is soft, elegant, heather honey aromas with a hint of spice to the nose; tastes well-balanced, with subtle flavours of milk chocolate, red apple and vanilla tones; it’s rounded, soft, sweet and complex,

with a light gold colour and the sophisticated after-taste that gives a fresh, floral and rounded glow. Ballantine’s is marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Co. Ltd. The Brewery, Mdina Road. Mriehel. BKR3000. Trade Enquiry 2381 4400

Suffering from flat, lifeless hair? Help is at hand. Use a few pumps of Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray from root to tip, and then give your hair a blast of warm air to activate the thickening proteins and give roots some more oomph! Root Boost by Nanogen is a light and fast-absorbing hair thickening spray that lifts each root and thickens every

strand. The result? Thick, bouncy hair that’s full of life. For more information contact Hair Professionals Malta, Santa Venera, on 2144 0424, 27440424 or 79210578, or email sales@hairprofessionalsmalta.com Chanel presents Sublimage Le Teint, an exceptional light-generating foundation for incomparable radiance. So incredibly creamy and soft that it feels like a skincare product, its exquisitely sensorial texture instantly melts onto skin. It evens out the complexion and offers 12 hours of continuous hydration – promising 8-hour hold and 12-hour hydration – with unmatched luminosity for a

sublime and glowing complexion. Sublimage Le Teint is only available in selected Chanel retail stores only. Chanel is distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

Do you know someone who likes the ancient Greek style, it’s philosophers or icons? Henri Luxury Boutique has a range of classical statuettes, bookends, candleholders and sculptures, all with a contemporary twist. Get a great deal at the Henri Open Week with 15% off all stock items until 13 December. PjazzaTigné& Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 20106306. www.henri.com.mt or facebook/henrimalta 99

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New handmade glass pineapple candlesticks, embellished with 22 carat gold leaf, come in a range of colours and are perfect for original Christmas decorating whilst adding a warm ambience in the evening. Available at Mdina Glass outlets and online at mdinaglass.com.mt.

COMPETITION Win: A bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Coffret Question: What are the four primary ingredients for making beer? Send your answer, including your full name and contact details, by Monday 23 December to First Perfume Competition, The Malta Independent, Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s. Good luck! 100

Check out the range of Italian gemstone jewellery with a contemporary touch for beautiful gift ideas this Christmas, including necklaces, earrings and bracelets, at Henri Luxury Gift Boutique. Get a great deal at the Henri Open Week with 15% off all stock items from until 13 December. PjazzaTigné& Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 20106306. www.henri.com.mt or facebook/henrimalta

What can be more touching than a love story? The stars of the story are interpreted with a modern twist, unique style and irony. A cute little frog, a beautiful princess and the magic of a kiss that turns the little frog into a handsome prince, for a love that will last forever and a fairytale make-up look. Available in selected pharmacies and perfumeries. For more information contact Medimports, tel. 21483139, email medeva@go.net.mt, Facebook Pupa Milano in Malta.

Handmade glass baubles by Mdina Glass, including baubles with gold leaf or personalised engraving, as well as Christmas trees, hanging angels & cribs and much more for distinctive festive decorations are available at Mdina Glass outlets and online at mdinaglass.com.mt. Get great discounts at the Mdina Glass Open Week until 13 December. For more info call 21415786 or email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt. Follow at facebook.com/mdinaglass

WINNER from the NOVEMBER ISSUE Steve Cachia from Mosta has won a La Mâle perfume and Shower Gel (worth ¤60) from Ta’Xbiex Perfumery. Congratulations!

Elyseum

Depth

LAST WORD

Julien Vinet was brought up in the South of Paris by his parents who introduced him to an eclectic mix of music and films. His father, who was a talented illustrator, introduced him to drawing, and from then on the artist inside him was set free... How would you describe your childhood and education?

how does Malta fit in with the whole picture for you as an artist?

I had a happy childhood with lots of friends and I met a lot of very interesting and inspiring people and teachers while studying Fine Art at university. I continued my studies at an art and design school which defined the basics for the style I was going to develop later, as one of my teachers became a very close friend and my mentor.

I love my life in Malta. I have seen the country accepting and supporting more and more contemporary art, which is a great sign for the future of this beautiful island. By being here, my art has radically changed because the beautiful light that we enjoy every day is a prime component of my works now, whereas in Tokyo, black was prominent in my creative process. I have also met a lot of people dedicated to art who have made me believe that Malta could have an outstanding place in the art world in the future. I feel that I have an inexhaustible list of things that I need to achieve, as each artwork, or each show, I’ve done are just steps in the construction of my art.

The sun goes dim

Who trained you as an artist? I would say my mentor, Kkrist Mirror, and the lifestyle that I had in Paris, and Tokyo – where museums, libraries and galleries are everywhere and were daily destinations and gave me my ultimate training. It was a very eclectic and fun way to learn about art, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I could have visited more countries to encounter more and more artistic ideas, but I didn’t.

When did you know that you wanted to be an artist? When I was 12. At 17, however, I worked as a cartoonist and illustrator but I soon found it too restrictive. As an artist, you have infinite ways of expressing yourself, so now I do both.

Uncover

Where do you consider the most special place you have exhibited — and the most important career wise?

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The most special was at the Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta, organised by Lily Agius, a place which never was designed to house an art exhibition, but which looked spectacular. I would say that the most important, career-wise, was in the biggest art centre in Tokyo, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, but it might also be my next show – in China next April – at the Yan Huang Art Museum.

How would you describe your time in Malta and

How did you latest collection come about? My latest collection is the result of months of experimentation in being able to express the blacks I use in a very particular way, because I use glue as the main support of my colours. Evolving that way generated new questions and new reflections about my whole creative process – and its results. I hope it will help people in Malta understand the non-value – the insignificance – of the material used to create, and that the artwork should just be the path of an important shock.

What plans do you have for the coming year? At the moment, a show and one-month art residency in Tokyo, a show in Beijing at the Yan Huang Art Museum and a very big project – a six-month collective exhibition in Malta –are my main plans for 2017. Julien Vinet is currently exhibiting his latest collection of artworks at Lily Agius Gallery, 54 Cathedral Street, Sliema, until 24 December. www.lilyagiusgallery.com

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