Sunday Circle (December 2018)

DECEMBER 2018 – ISSUE NO. 286

AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSAULT Where are we heading?

ONE OF US

Making a migrant’s life easier

TARYN MAMO CEFAI

Talent, heart, brains, looks

LONDON WITHOUT THE KIDS

Fully-interactive digital edition.

Download TOM Mag from Apple Store or Google Store.

tel: 21245999

CONTENTS COVER STORY 12

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BIG TALENT, BIG HEART It’s been a big year for actress Taryn Mamo Cefai and it’s going to be an even bigger Christmas season, as she gears up for her first Kilimanjaro challenge.

Interview by Iggy Fenech.

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SPORTS 34

SOCIAL ISSUES

A CULTURAL ICON Mariella Pisani Bencini is an institution on the arts scene, with her TV show Meander celebrating its 25th year. Iggy Fenech catches up with the lady herself.

AN ABSURD TAKE ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSAULT Victor Paul Borg ONE OF US Helping migrants build a new life for themselves in Malta, Project Integrated has turned out to be a lifeline for many. Maureen Saguna learns about the success stories from Aditus Foundation director Neil Falzon.

LEADING THE BOYS It hasn’t been an easy start for our national football team’s fresh coach, Ray ‘Żażu’ Farrugia. As the team enters a new chapter in its story, Iggy Fenech heads to Ta’ Qali National Stadium to interview him.

DESIGN 48 71

CELEBRITIES 28

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SLAYING THE HOLLYWOOD GAME Will the next stop be the US for father-son filmmaking duo Winston and Joe Azzopardi? As their latest fulllength feature The Boat, continues to bring in the rave reviews, Paula FleriSoler catches up with lead actor Joe.

FOOD 82

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THE ACCIDENTAL CHAMPION Bikini Pro Champion Leanne Bartolo – recently appointed ambassador for Malta International Airport – tells Iggy Fenech about how her passion for the sport started.

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THIS PUBLICATION IS BEING DISTRIBUTED AS PART OF:

LONDON FOR KIDULTS Madame Tussaud’s and Primark are all very well and good but, sometimes, you just want to spend a decadent, adults-only weekend in the Queen’s capital. From fine dining to cocktails and spa sessions, Ramona Depares does it all.

MALTESE FLAVOURS AT CHRISTMAS Pippa Mattei returns with a mouth-watering array of festive fayre. Photos by Rachel Zammit Cutajar

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T R AV E L

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SLAY ALL DAY (AND NIGHT) Top looks for the top season.

LOUDER THAN LOVE Her striking creations, many inspired by classic 1990s songs, have made her the darling of local fashion circles. Ramona Depares catches up with Martina Guillaumier to find out more about her bespoke jewellery pieces.

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY The book that celebrates feats of architecture around Malta.

REGULARS 06 08 10 88

A word from the editor C Body C Style C Living

Send your letters to: Ramona Depares, executive editor, Sunday Circle, Allied Newspapers Ltd, Mrieħel, or email: ramona.depares@timesofmalta.com. The executive editor reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and where space is limited. For advertising enquiries email: renee.mdecesare@timesofmalta.com or call: 9947 7193. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole, or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed in the Sunday Circle are not necessarily those of the editor-in-chief or publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor-in-chief and publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or illustrations. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome, but cannot be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The editor-in-chief is not responsible for material submitted for consideration.

A WORD FROM

the editor

Welcome to December, a.k.a. the month of

braver than I am that’s for sure) souls who

so if you’re looking to update your look we

madness. Holidays, shopping, food, work

will be scaling Kilimanjaro later this year as

have the right options for you.

deadlines… everything seems to conspire

part of a team in order to raise €90,000 to

to turn the run-up to Christmas into a

build a centre in Ethiopia for children with

actor Joe Azzopardi striking it big abroad,

nightmare of stress. Hopefully, the

disabilities. Check out what she has to say

important human issues like integrating

December edition of Sunday Circle will

about the whole experience.

migrants within our society (and making

serve as an oasis of calm for you, a good

Another wonderful lady is Martina

There’s more, of course: homegrown

them feel welcome!), environmental

excuse to put your feet up with a cuppa

Guillaumier, who creates such beautiful

concerns via political cartoonist Steve

and enjoy some well-deserved me-time. It

jewellery taking her inspiration from the

Bonello… We hope you’ll take a moment to

is Sunday, after all!

likes of the late singer Chris Cornell and his

mull on these too, and not just on the fun

music. Getting to meet all these inspiring

stuff!

Our cover lady this month is none other than Taryn Mamo Cefai, who

people is truly one of the best part of this

seriously seems to be something of a

job – the never-ending deadlines,

your vegging session, don’t forget that this

wonderwoman. She acts, models, pursues

however… well that’s a different story

month we’re back earlier than usual. Call it

a highly-successful career in real estate

altogether!

an early Christmas gift, and make sure you

and also finds time to scale mountains for

Our fashion editorial this month is as

charity. Yup, she is one of the brave (well,

seasonally fabulous as you could hope for,

Before I leave you to your cuppa and

get your copy with the Sunday Times of Malta on December 16.

GO BACKSTAGE WITH TARYN MAMO CEFAI ON TOM MAG! Sunday Circle is back with extra content, extra interactivity and extra fun thanks to the new edition of our digital version, available for free via TOM Mag. This month, our wonderful cover lady Taryn Mamo Cefai has a frank chat with us on camera, talking about her upcoming Kilimanjaro challenge for charity and about life in general.

Another lady with a lot to say is Martina Guillaumier, her of Marpesia fame – check out her wonderful creations and watch her as we capture the process on video. This lady is truly rock ‘n roll, and tells us that her inspirations include some of the most badass rock classics!

Meantime, if you are still unsure how to get to all the fabulous content, the TOM Mag digital app is available both through the Apple Store and Google Play. So if you have not yet done so, simply download the TOM Mag App and click on the December edition of Sunday Circle. Enjoy! And if you’re social

TOM MAG

media freaks like us, follow us on Instagram by looking up @SundayCircleMag, and on Facebook!

PHOTO: MATTHEW B. SPITERI

PUBLISHER Allied Newspapers Ltd.

PUBLICATION SALES MANAGER Renée Micallef Decesare

COVER Taryn Mamo Cefai Photography: Matthew B. Spiteri

DESIGN Joseph Schembri

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Iggy Fenech, Ramona Depares, Anna Marie Galea, Pippa Mattei, Rachel Zammit Cutajar, Caroline Paris, Kristina Cassar Dowling, Victor Paul Borg and Anabel Attard

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ramona Depares ASSISTANT EDITOR Iggy Fenech

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St Julians BOSS Store, Ross Street Malta International Airport BOSS Store, Departures Lounge

BODY 1

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3

1. THE REINVENTED GUCCI BLOOM

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Intensely sensual and feminine, the Gucci Bloom Nettare di Fiori celebrates the intimate and authentic character of a woman. Rose and osmanthus flower resonate in an enigmatic, woodier blend together with the notes of the original Gucci Bloom. Available from SV Beauty. Tel: 8007 2387.

2. INTRODUCING THE NEW GOLDEA THE ROMAN NIGHT The Bvlgari Goldea The Roman Night Absolute is the new version of the Bvlgari fragrance Goldea The Roman Night. Housed in an iconic, round black bottle, the fragrance evokes the desire to live a passionate night in the eternal city of Rome; but after dark and when lights are out. Bvlgari fragrances are exclusively distributed by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel: 2142 4079/80.

3. THE RETURN OF A CLASSIC When Givenchy first launched L’Interdit in 1957, it was the House’s first daring fragrance.

Now, 61 years later, L’Interdit is a tribute to freedom; a fearless new classic that is devastatingly elegant thanks to its contrasts of a white flower and a black accord.

Givenchy fragrances are exclusively distributed by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel: 2142 4079/80.

4. A SENSUAL CREATION The Narciso rouge woman is ardent, confident and irresistible. With this fragrance, the alchemy of attraction is rekindled thanks to the heart of musk. With its subtle blend of romanticism, it creates floral poetry; while the deeper, darker sensuality of Narciso rouge bewitches and stirs the senses. Narciso Rodriguez fragrances are exclusively distributed by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel: 2142 4079/80.

5. A NEW FRAGRANCE FOR MEN Coach Platinum is a warm, sensual scent inspired by the spirit of the open road. It opens with fresh notes of black pepper oil, pineapple and juniper berries, giving way to a distinctive blend of masculine, floral clary sage and geranium with a rich base of refined patchouli, sandalwood and leathery vanilla. Coach fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart. Tel: 2149 2212.

6. AN ICON GOES RED For the first time in the history of the House, the legendary clear-glass bottle designed by Mademoiselle Chanel herself is donning a fiery cloak of red. A unique limited edition, Chanel N°5 L’EAU Eau de Toilette and N°5 Eau de Parfum (100 ml) in mass-dyed red glass is now available at selected Chanel outlets only. Exclusively distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

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STYLE

WIN

JIMMY CHOO FEVER A hypnotic play on contrasts between floral and gourmand, Jimmy Choo Fever is an addictive new scent that carries its wearer into the night, leaving a sensual trail behind her. Win a 100ml edition of Jimmy Choo Fever worth €100 through the digital edition of Sunday Circle, which can be downloaded through the TOM Mag app.

Jimmy Choo fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart, Tel: 2149 2212.

WIN

WITH BOSS The game of seduction is a sensory experience; a powerful game of equals. The closer you get, the more addicted you become. And that is the spirit of BOSS The Scent Intense for Him and for Her, whose aphrodisiacal ingredients are an invitation to reawaken our senses and rediscover seduction. Win a 50ml edition of BOSS The Scent Intense for Her worth €88 and a 50ml edition of BOSS The Scent Intense for Him worth €77 through the digital edition of Sunday Circle, which can be downloaded through the TOM Mag app. Boss fragrances are exclusively distributed

by VJ Salomone.

REPORTING A SCANDAL!

Jean Paul Gaultier presents Scandal by Night – and it’s Scandal with a capital S. Scandal

by Night is the friend of the night; the one you meet in the Paris of Jean Paul Gaultier. It’s the scent of freedom, a Honey Tuberose.

Scandal is still there with its honey, but now it’s partying with its intoxicating tuberose, sandalwood and tonka bean… An even more addictive blend. Exclusively distributed by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. Tel: 2133 1553.

ALL WE WANT FOR XM·A·C

Whether you love a velvety matte finish, glossy glam or holographic shine, M·A·C Cosmetics’ lipsticks and pencils are cult classics for a reason.

This December, pick any M·A·C lipstick and match it with a lip pencil to create your custom XM·A·C KISS kit for €29.50 (RRP €35.90). It’s the perfect gift for your makeup-loving friend or, even better, for you! Find your perfect shade and get your free samples at M·A·C Cosmetics, Tigne Street, Sliema, M·A·C Cosmetics, Zachary Street, Valletta, or M·A·C Cosmetics, Debenhams, The Point. Instagram: @maccosmeticsmalta.

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WIN

SHISEIDO SKINCARE

The Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream is a silky smooth cream that actively works on dehydration, dullness and skin fatigue. Non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested, it’s perfect for normal to dry skin-types. Win a 50ml jar of Shiseido’s Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream worth €73.15 through the digital edition of Sunday Circle, which can be downloaded through the TOM Mag app. Shiseido is exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd.

COVER STORY

Big on talent, big on heart TARYN MAMO CEFAI IS CURRENTLY GEARING UP TO CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO FOR CHARITY. THE CHALLENGE, AS IGGY FENECH FINDS OUT, COMES AT THE END OF A YEAR THAT HAS SEEN THE ACTRESS REVALUATE HER LIFE.

Had I interviewed Taryn this time last year, this article would have

Something just had to change for Taryn and, last January, she

had a very different flavour. The actress, who has become

set her mind to let go of all the things that were holding her back

renowned for her roles in Il-Klikka and Strada Stretta on TV and in

and all the negative energy that had taken over her thoughts.

the Adult Panto in theatre, to mention a few, was going through a particularly tough time.

“I was losing my mind,” she tells me as she curls up in an

She started by being more selective about the TV roles she took on and invested her time in doing theatrical products instead.

That was coupled with a new exercise regime that boosted her

armchair. “I was not passionate about life anymore; I had become

endorphins, buying the house she had been looking for over two

constantly lethargic. I felt like I was stuck in a rut and it all

years, and replacing the car that had left her stranded a few times.

culminated when I collapsed from exhaustion.”

“I became much more assertive in the way things were shaping up around me; I couldn’t allow myself to become a bystander in my own life. I decided to focus more on my needs and on me becoming a better person. For that to happen, I had to change my vision, my goals and my priorities.

“You know, sometimes, we simply go on autopilot and we think that so long as we have a job or a relationship, we’re okay.

But I’m not okay with feeling stuck. I want to know that I am moving forward; that I am actively doing things that make me happy; that make me feel like I am somehow contributing to this world.”

The chance to contribute came when Taryn’s best friend, Jade, proposed the Ġesù fil-Proxxmu Kilimanjaro Challenge to Taryn. Mulling it over, Taryn was quite ensure about the prospect: for starters, it wasn’t something she’d have normally done; then there was the fact that the financial and physical commitments were going to be incredibly taxing on her.

“I had just come back from a trip in Australia, bought a car, and signed a promise of sale on my house; forking out €5,000 to be able to pay for my way to get to Ethiopia seemed like absolute madness. But something in me told me that I should do it, so I said yes on a whim.”

Starting from March, Taryn and the 19 other team members who will be doing the 12th Kilimanjaro Challenge had training once a week. This intensified as the months went on, with the team practising regularly during the week, often going on walking and camping trips over weekends, and even climbing Mount Etna as practice.

“It hasn’t always been easy to juggle everything, particularly when I was presenting TVM’s World Cup programme and was in the studio from 11am till 11pm every day. The training then was even more of a nuisance than ever. Yet everyone on the team has their own cross to bear; and it hasn’t been easy for any of us. Then

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COVER STORY

Photography Matthew B. Spiteri Clothes Charles&Ron Hair Becky V & Nicole C @ Dean Gera Salons Make-up Karl Zammit Nash using Make-Up Factory Nails Beauty Inc by Sue Caruana Location The Villa Corinthia, Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Attard

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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COVER STORY

again, it’s not meant to be easy. Everyone is in this for a purpose and has the drive to do it.”

The idea to climb the 5,895 metreKilimanjaro for charity was born out of a dream by Fr George Grima, who sadly passed away at the age of 66 in September last year.

This year’s challenge would have been a particularly special one for him as the funds collected – around €75,000 at the time of writing – will go to finish one of the most important projects he ever worked on.

“The money will go towards building a centre for Ethiopian children with disabilities,” Taryn explains. “Many of them are found thrown out on the street by their families for various reasons and, already coming from a very poor background, they are doubly disadvantaged. This centre and the people who will work in it will be teaching these children basic life skills and seeing to their necessities.”

While there, Taryn and the rest of the team will get to meet these children and it’s one of the things that has kept Taryn going over the months.

“There’s something special about having the ability to help someone else… In fact, I always keep in mind that while our mountain will take eight days to climb, their mountain is their life; they constantly have to battle it out for things that we take so for granted. That is heartbreaking for me but, if I can help, then I certainly will.”

One of the hardest parts of the climb, however, will be whether the whole team will manage it. Their biggest worry – which cannot be avoided or trained for – is altitude sickness, which hits at over 3,500 metres. Caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen, symptoms include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness – all of which could cause fatal accidents. What this means is that, for some, the dream of reaching the summit come New Year’s Day could come crashing to an end mere hours before.

“I’m terrified of getting it, but I know enough to know that, if it hits me, I will simply have to stop,” Taryn tells me as we talk about the biggest challenges of her upcoming adventure. “Although, so far, the biggest hurdle has been overcoming people’s stereotypical attitude on seeing me doing it.

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“I was not going to be a bystander in my own life”

COVER STORY

“For once in my life, I want to do something that makes a difference to others and that isn’t about me.”

“So many have wondered how I would survive eight days of not wearing make-up or fancy clothes, or how I would be doing my business outside… Like, seriously? I may be an actress, and blonde, and tiny but I have no problem with having no layers of make-up and clothes to cover me up…

“I guess it’s really opened my eyes to the fact that people’s idea of who I am is not what I thought it was; but, I don’t care. For once in my life, I want to do something that makes a difference to others and that isn’t about me.”

With the team departing from Malta on December 24 and, hopefully, reaching the summit on New Year’s Day 2019, it also means that all 20 team members will be missing Christmas celebrations with their families – something Taryn is particularly sad about.

“I am a huge Christmas person and I normally disallow people from missing Christmas – but here we are! So, instead, my family and I are celebrating on the 23rd. And, since we’re going to be flying on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I’ll be asking for extra food on the plane and getting the rest of the team to sing Christmas carols with me,” Taryn concludes.

You too can help the Kilimanjaro Challenge with its work by joining their Farewell Fundraiser at Madliena Lodge tomorrow, December 3.

Those who would like to donate can do so by calling 5150 2084 (for a donation of €5), 5160 2028 (€10) and 5180 2095 (€25).

They can also text 5061 8062 (for a donation of €4.66), 5061 8861 (€6.99) or 5061 9261 (€11.65). You can also deposit directly in the Bank of Valletta account called Kilimanjaro Challenge 12 (IBAN: MT24VALL22013000000040025324242).

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Exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel: 2142 4079

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CONTROVERSIES

An absurd take on environmental assault

BY VICTOR PAUL BORG

Marie Briguglio describes the prose in her

and message teasingly set and made by

recently-published, well-received book, No

cartoons. Outwardly, the hard-cover book

environmental state of affairs as it is. It’s

Man’s Land, as “academic research meets

feels clunky; but inside the cover it

like an outsider looking in and making

cartoons”. The book is a collaboration

contains 233 cartoons and just 10,000

observations that can, at times, be a bit of

between Briguglio, an economist and

words of prose spread over its 240 pages.

a caricature – in this way, the cartoons and

environmentalist, and Steve Bonello,

That’s less text than contained in this

the prose fuses. There is no deep analysis

longtime cartoonist for The Sunday Times.

magazine; it’s a book that can be perused

as to why people behave as they do

In a way, it’s something of a tome on thirty

at random, its text caressing and its

towards the environment, no attempt to

years of assault on the environment, but

cartoons dripping absurdity, or it can be

make observations on larger or profounder

it’s “a bit of an experiment really”, as

read from cover to cover in one or two

ethos. Yet, at the same time the book has

Briguglio puts it – a light read, its mood

sittings.

scholarly resonance because it’s peppered

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The book describes the tragic

CONTROVERSIES

with references, in brackets, to academic

makers who have little time to dredge

cartoons he had drawn over a period

studies.

through academic libraries but who may

stretching for almost thirty years.

“It’s always been frustrating to see so

find some references useful for their work,

“The environment recurs in my

many reports and papers written that do

of politicians who may be inspired, of

cartoons,” Steve said.“For the very simple

not make it past academic repositories,”

people at protests, in clean-ups, in NGOs,

reason that the assault on it, in various

Briguglio said. “So this book also bridges

on their bike, in the countryside and in

forms, has never really abated. I think it

scholarly work and readability. As I wrote

their own homes doing their bit.”

it, I was thinking of different kinds of

It helps that Steve Bonello has made

appeals to readers because they can relate to it, and it’s a non-divisive issue most of

people – of my University students who

the environment a recurrent theme in his

the time. One of my small satisfactions in

look for research on environmental

cartoons. Briguglio found a trove of

life is seeing reproductions of some of my

pressures and governance, of policy-

cartoons when he turned over to her the

cartoons in environmental protests.”

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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CONTROVERSIES

The book describes the tragic environmental state of affairs as it is Drawing from cartoons over a 27-year-period makes the book partly the story of the environment stretching over a generation, it reminds us of issues and battles that have since faded from the public consciousness. It also reminds us of the critical situation in our state of the environment, and how we got here.

Yet, there is no sense of bitterness or culpability in the book. Rather, it’s a kind of lulling or lullabying lament.

Briguglio elaborated: “There were moments during the writing when I felt that the book is a swan song for Malta’s environment – a ‘goodbye’. You know, things are happening so fast right now: mega road projects, mega construction projects... on top of all that’s happened in the past 30 years or so. I am not sure if politicians or anyone will behave differently because they read a book – but at least they’ll have easy access to some background, some theory, some evidence, the bigger picture, a way of seeing how all this comes together… in a very quick read, with a little smile on their face.”

No Man’s Land: People, Places, and Pollution by Marie Briguglio and Steve Bonello, is published by Kite (https://www.kitegroup.com.mt/)

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CONTROVERSIES

Excerpt from the first chapter, titled ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ Make no mistake, we Maltese do exceedingly well at acquiring and looking after our private property and interests: to each, his own. And we do own quite a lot. For a start, we own first and second homes at higher rates than other Europeans (European Central Bank, 2016) and we own cars at rates that few other countries in the world can compete with (World Health Organisation, 2015).

We carve our very own private place – in public places. We mark our territory using our cars and powerboats, our boathouses and our makeshift gazebos…

But we are not so good at managing the commons. For the commons are a strange thing.

Unlike stuff which people own, the commons, by definition, belong to everyone. No single person can own or limit their use. Public space, trees, beaches, air quality, peace and quiet are free for all. Naturally, as with anything that is free, the commons get overused. In fact, they get positively abused.

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www.demajowinesandspirits.com

FILM

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FILM

Slaying the Hollywood game WILL THE NEXT STOP BE THE U.S. FOR FATHER-SON FILMMAKING DUO WINSTON AND JOE AZZOPARDI? AS THEIR LATEST FULL-LENGTH FEATURE THE BOAT, CONTINUES TO BRING IN THE RAVE REVIEWS, PAULA FLERI-SOLER CATCHES UP WITH LEAD ACTOR JOE. In 2016, father and son filmmaking duo Winston and Joe Azzopardi celebrated the success of their short film Head, which won many honours in numerous festivals abroad. Now, two years later, they have realised their ambitious plan to expand it into a full-length feature. Rechristened The Boat, the film is receiving numerous accolades abroad.

“The Boat is a work of pure mastery… It ranks easily among the year’s best horror films, best adventure films, and best films period. Welcome aboard indeed.”

(Rob Hunter, filmschoolrejects.com) “As the only man on screen, and with minimal dialogue, Joe Azzopardi commands attention from the off. … As bewilderment gives way to abject terror, and determination to desperation, the audience has no choice but to ride in his wake.”

(Screen International) You’d be forgiven for thinking that these comments are directed at a Hollywood blockbuster – yet these are just a couple of the rave reviews The Boat has been receiving since debuting at the Fantastic Fest in Texas, US, in September, and the numerous festivals where it has been screened since.

The Boat expands Head’s tension-filled 24 minutes into a tautly-written and tightly-directed feature in which a solo fisherman (Joe Azzopardi) sets out to sea on an idyllic Maltese summer morning. The clear skies suddenly disappear as our protagonist is enveloped in fog, and he bumps into an abandoned yacht. Yet he is not sure if an accident happened… or if something more sinister is afoot.

Joe Azzopardi was born in Malta to British/Maltese parents. He started acting on the stage from an early age, studying drama at Masquerade and Stagecoach. Joe received a BA Hons in Acting from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and launched his professional career in 2007 as Young Siward in Macbeth. From

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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FILM

After the premier at Fantastic Fest we had to open up another two screening rooms for the film as there was such a demand for tickets then on, he has built a solid resumé on stage, TV, and film, both in Malta and overseas. Among many accolades, Joe wasnamed Best Overall Actor at the Best Actors Film Festival in San Francisco for Head.

“The short film seems so long ago now!” Joe exclaims. “We pretty much went into development for the feature script right after the short film. We didn’t have the funding to do it at the time but we thought with an intricate, extended script we could attract some interest from studios or private investors who believed in the project.”

Developing a full-length script from the original short must have been a rather challenging endeavour. Joe concurs. “The short was only 20 minutes long, a short amount of time in which my character, known only as The Fisherman had to hold an audience’s attention. I now had the challenge of doing it for 90 minutes. So, the writing stage was crucial to come up with new challenges for him to overcome through his journey.

“When it came to actually performing, it was a whole other challenge in itself as I kept asking myself why would an audience support a character that they know nothing about?’ I trusted in the fact that you support him because of his aptitude – thinking of ways out of a situation that the audience wouldn’t have thought of –- and for the simple fact that you just did not want to be in his shoes.”

One of the things many striking things about The Boat is how the story unfolds with barely any dialogue – there is no recourse to exposition or voice-over to drive the narrative forward. This must have been a challenge in and of itself, and quite a difficult decision to take for Joe and Winston.

“It was something that was heavily discussed before,” recalls Joe. “We argued back and forth about putting in a scene in the beginning with a loved one to give the character a tie back home. But after a few podcast lessons from Christopher Nolan (acclaimed director / writer /

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FILM

producer of Interstellar and Inception fame) we decided that the

directed. One has to ask: how was the director-actor dynamic

story was strong enough without it.”

affected by the father-son one?

The film features just Joe and, well, the titular Boat. The

Joe laughs at this. “We fought… a lot,” he says without batting

character has to overcome various physical, emotional, and mental

an eyelid. “But every fight was always worth it as we’d always find a

challenges – how did Joe prepare for the role and what were the

great middle ground between our two styles of filmmaking.”

hardships he had to face while making the film?

“The biggest physical hardship about the actual filming process

And the results are there to be seen. The Boat has earned all the accolades it has received to date and continues build on the

was getting in the tank of the film studios. We filmed in winter and

reputation Malta is building not only as a filmmaking hub for foreign

the water was absolutely freezing, which I guess helped the

companies; but for the work by Maltese filmmakers themselves. As is

performance,” he says drolly. “Having to get in and out so often

attested by the quotes above, The Boat has definitely been a hit. It

ruined me!

must be rather humbling to have a labour of love be so well-received.

“From an emotional side it was weird what little prep I had to

“It’s been a bit overwhelming to be honest.,” says Joe, with a

do,” he continues. “It’s a very challenging

warranted touch of pride. “After the premier at

role, but one that does not require much

Fantastic Fest we had to open up another two

prep purely from an acting point of view

screening rooms for the film as there was such

because the whole story is situation-

a demand for tickets. I can only really be

based. No backstory, no other characters

extremely grateful to the people that have

that you have to work with. It’s just playing

watched and complimented the film. The fan

the situation at it unfolds. The best thing

base it is developing on social media is really

you can do in this instance is play it as

driving the film to new highs.”

truthfully as possible and also help the

The Boat is now looking for British and

crew out behind the scenes when possible.

American distribution; and after that, Maltese

It was most definitely a team effort, so

audiences will get the chance to see it here in

even I was getting my hands in helping out

local cinemas. And what is next for Joe

different departments. When I was

himself? “As for me and the actual boat, I

trapped in the head (which is the maritime

think we are going to plan a nice trip together

word for ‘toilet’) I had to clap the board

where it doesn’t – spoiler alert – lock me in the

myself a bunch of times!”

bathroom.

From the time Head was made until this summer, when The Boat was doing the

“Although, my girlfriend probably will instead!”

rounds across the US, Joe and his father spend loads of time together. Apart from acting in both films, Joe shared writing and producing duties with Winston, who

32 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

We filmed in winter and the water was absolutely freezing, which I guess helped the performance

SPORTS

Leading the boys IT HASN’T BEEN AN EASY START FOR OUR NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM’S FRESH COACH, RAY ‘ŻAŻU’ FARRUGIA. AS THE TEAM ENTERS A NEW CHAPTER IN ITS STORY, IGGY FENECH HEADS TO TA’ QALI NATIONAL STADIUM TO INTERVIEW HIM. I meet Ray just outside the national coach’s office,

“Results, unfortunately, don’t come often enough,

where an intense conversation is taking place between

so it’s easy to be disheartened,” he continues. “Yet, I

him, Branko Nisevic (the senior assistant coach),

believe that, if we work together, we can go forward.

Ronald Vella (the assistant coach), Charles Sciberras

But I don’t say this because I have some magic wand

(the goalkeepers’ coach), Stephen Grima (the director

that will make us win every game – no one does – but I

of coaching education at the Malta Football

do believe that we have a lot of football talent in Malta,

Association (MFA) and Luca Pagani (the team’s

and we need to hone that.”

physical trainer) about the tactics to be used in their next UEFA Nations League games.

“No photography or you’ll give our game away,” he jokes as he shakes my hand and introduces himself.

Accompanied by Ray’s long-time friend, Kevin Azzopardi, who is responsible for the media and communications department at the MFA, we find a

Although Ray has only been the national coach for six months, his plan to bring more unity in the team and to help each player bearing our flag prouder – which, in turn, he hopes, will make them play better – is already in full swing. And it all started with the little things many often overlooked.

“From now on, when playing away, Malta’s team

quiet place in one of the lecture rooms of the main

will have a chartered flight to the destination to ensure

Technical Centre building.

the boys arrive there at a decent time and get their

On first impression, Ray strikes me as a very open and calm man; as being grounded and joker, too. Yet, Ray’s career in football, which has had quite a few

proper rest; and we have also just refurbished the national team’s dressing room.”

Ray’s idea here is that, by elevating the status of

highlights, also reveals something else: he’s very

the national team, the team’s morale and performance

determined, and something tells me that he doesn’t

will become better, too.

take no for an answer.

“I’ve waited a long time for this position,” he tells

“I think that, first and foremost, it’s about believing in yourself, that you have a good attitude,

me when I ask him how he feels about being appointed

and that you respect your team members. It’s also

coach to Malta’s men’s national team, “and it’s by far

about wanting to win and about believing you can win.

the proudest moment of my career so far… I’ve always

“All this, however, will undoubtedly take time,

wanted to be able to give something back to local

work and patience but we also need people’s support

football in the way it has given me many opportunities,

even when things aren’t going well. I, however, do

and I want to start by the national team gaining the

believe that the overall feeling of the team has

respect it deserves.”

improved, particularly after playing Armenia and

Ray goes on to describe his team as ‘the mirror

Georgia in Austria about three months ago. It has

to all Maltese football’, in that the less respect the

helped us gel as a team, and we’ll be using that to our

national team commands, the less people will believe in

advantage in the next few games.”

the smaller clubs that make up Malta and Gozo’s football scene and leagues.

34 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Since then, the team has played six games as part of UEFA’s 55-member Nations’ League, which

SPORTS

PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

“I’ve waited a long time for this position”

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

35

SPORTS

could have sent Malta to the Euro 2020 play-offs. The team has

coach since 2012 – is bringing a lot to the table, particularly in

had two away defeats – 3-1 against Faroe Islands and 3-1 against

terms of experience.

Kosovo – one home defeat against Kosovo (5-1), two draws with

Ray, in fact, played abroad for many years, most notably in

Azerbaijan, and a draw with the Faroe Islands. All this obviously

Australia with Sydney’s Paramatta Melita Eagles, which he was with

means that Malta did not qualify.

when they advanced from the State Leagues to the A League (the

“In the 118 years of existence for the MFA, the national team

Australian equivalent of Italy’s Serie A or the UK’s Premiere League).

has only won a handful of competitive games – one per 23 years on

Such was Ray’s contribution to football in Australia that, in 1989, he

average,” Ray explains. “Needless to say, I am looking forward to

was honoured by Bob Hawke, the then-Prime Minister, when he was

improving that record…

nominated for Best Maltese Achievement; while he was also the first

“We’ve had mixed results in the UEFA Nations League but the performances have been encouraging – the 3-1 away defeat to Faroe Islands and the 5-1 defeat against Kosovo were certainly

sports person in Australia to be given a testimonial game to mark his time in football by the Parametta Melita Eagles club.

Retiring from playing at 42, Ray’s career in football includes

harsh but, on the positive side, we’ve had three very good games

two stints as Malta’s national coach for under-21s, opening the

which resulted in draws.

Żażu Football School, and coaching Pietà Hotspurs, Marsaxlokk

Whether Malta’s record improves in the long term remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that Ray – the first Maltese national

and Sliema Wanderers. Yet his career has also shaped his personal life in many ways.

“Results, unfortunately, don’t come often enough, so it’s easy to be disheartened. Yet, I believe that, if we work together, we can go forward.”

It was when he was playing with Floriana at the Cup Winners’ Cup in Poland that he met his wife, Kasia, who was the interpreter. The whirlwind three-day romance saw Ray secure a visa for Kasia to move to Malta – a feat considering Poland was then under Soviet control – and they got married just three months later. Then, while in Australia, the couple decided to adopt two children from Korea, Sasha and Jamie.

Today, Ray and Kasia are the proud grandparents of Maya, Sasha’s daughter.

Football, it seems, is both the mould that has shaped Ray’s life and the glue that keeps it together. And it’s this ardent passion and love for the game that he seems to have brought with him as he took on the reigns of Malta’s men’s national team – something that is clear from all his interviews so far.

“I’m a happy person and I like the simple things in life.

Nothing too complicated, you know?” he tells me. “But if there is one rule I live by it’s that when I want to do something, I do it there and then. No waiting around. I don’t like phrases like ‘u ijja’, either. Do it well, or don’t do it at all.”

That is the attitude he is using in his role as coach, and one which will hopefully bear fruit. Of course, it hasn’t been an easy start for Ray so, as the Malta men’s national football team enters a new chapter in its story, the question is, will Ray succeed? We’ll have to wait and see.

36 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

PEOPLE

A cultural icon MARIELLA PISANI BENCINI IS AN INSTITUTION ON THE ARTS SCENE, WITH HER TV SHOW MEANDER CELEBRATING ITS 25TH YEAR. IGGY FENECH CATCHES UP WITH THE LADY HERSELF.

PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

38 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

PEOPLE

I still remember the first time I watched an episode of Meander. I was six or seven years old and a feature about some historical site came up on TV. As a child, my dream was to become a historian or archeologist, so I got pretty excited by the show.

Since then, I’ve got to work with Mariella Pisani Bencini, the lady who is the face and brains behind the show, a couple of times, and I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that she actually does embody the spirit of Meander and all that this cultural institution has come to stand for. To give you an example: walking into Mariella’s house is like taking a trip through history, with furniture from different eras stacked next to one another, and artworks by past-and-present prominent Maltese artists lining the walls.

But I was also quite surprised to discover that Mariella’s first love was for writing.

“As a child, I used to take pride in inventing and creating stories,” she tells me. “Writing’s always been my artform… In fact, I believe that writing is – dare I say – the most intimate of artforms as it allows the artist to expose his or her soul.”

Be it the scripts for the features on Meander or poems that have only been read by a handful of close friends and relatives, Mariella writes on an almost-daily basis. Yet, for Mariella to actually publish something is always a calculated risk.

Back in 2004, when she published Tlett Nisa u Mara, she had actually said that that would be her first and last novel – even though the book went on to be hit with readers and even garnered her a National Literary Award. And it seemed like she would stick to her word, too… Until now.

“The story starts with a neighbour; a certain gentleman called Herbert Lewis Creighton, who we knew fondly as Roger,” she reveals. “He fought in the trenches in France during World War I and came very close to dying… I remember he used to tell us the story of how he was just about to have both his legs amputated due to frostbite, but he came to just before and told the doctors and nurses that he’d prefer it if they would just let him die.”

He didn’t die, of course, and ended up being posted in Malta during World War II. And the island must have left an impact on him, as he returned here on his retirement. That was when Mariella, who was around eight years old at the time, got to know him, and the two shared a bond that defied age, culture and experience.

“There are two things I always remember him telling me: the first, was that this little mid-19th century ladies’ writing desk, which he referred to as ‘a family

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

39

PEOPLE

“Writing’s always been my artform… In fact, I believe that writing is – dare I say – the most intimate of artforms as it allows the artist to expose his or her soul.” heirloom’, would one day be mine; the second was that ‘we belong’. I didn’t understand what he meant by the latter for many years, but he kept his promise with the former, and now this desk is one of my prized possessions.”

The desk arrived to Mariella’s house in 1986 full of items and papers, and as she discovered more about her late friend, the idea for her second novel was born… But it had to wait. In fact, it was only eight years ago that Mariella started writing We Belong, and she is adamant that it is in no way an autobiographical piece of literature.

“Of course, a writer can only write what he or she knows and, ultimately, there are parts of me in it, but it’s a novel; it’s fiction,” she tells me. “As a concept, however, it is that we are continuation of each other, and that our present self is an amalgamation of our past and future selves.”

In the novel, the heroine also inherits the ladies’ writing desk, and the part of the book that describes it sounds very close to what I would imagine Mariella experienced: ‘It was calling out to me,” she writes. “My hand trembled. I lifted the lid. A piercing light suddenly blinded me, a light that filled the whole room, a light that illuminated my whole being.’

The story that follows is inherently different to that of Mariella’s,

had got married or had children, but I’m sure people who know me

however. In fact, it was so important for Mariella to leave the story

and my family will assume it is about my grandson Max, who was

open and interpretable to the reader that none of the characters

born with big blue eyes!”

have names “because, in reality, I think that it’s a story that could spark off many people’s imagination,” she explains.

This was quite a challenge to work around, but the result is one

As the interview draws to a close, Mariella sees me out to the front door. But before I leave, I ask her: “Will the readers discover what Roger meant by ‘we belong’? Do you know what he meant?”

that truly gets the readers to create character profiles in their mind.

To which she smiles and says, “I don’t know if I’ve fully

‘Secret? What secret is the lady speaking about?’ asks one character

understood it but I think what he meant was that we were kindred

to another in part of the story. ‘I looked at them both, she sitting

spirit. You know when you meet someone and you feel like you’re on

down on the edge of the settee with her back as stiff as a rod, the

the same wavelength; like you can understand that person and you

older lady just in the act of standing up…’

As we continue chatting, Mariella explains the process of how she writes her novels, and it’s often by allowing the characters’ stories

feel like they get you? I think that’s what he meant; that we belong – or, belonged, now – to the same dimension; made from the same matter.” – A concept that is tackled in the book, and which

to flow through her. Indeed, she won’t even know the ending herself

culminates in the words: ‘We were two beings made one in a world

until she’s finally written it

made just for us.’

“There’s an incident in the book when the husband of the

And that is the story Mariella wanted to share through her

heroine dies and I was so shocked I had written that outcome that I

nameless characters, whose emotions and words could be anyone’s:

spent a month unable to write,” she says. “There’s also a bit about a

The idea that we could be connected by more than mere physicality…

baby being born with big blue eyes. I wrote this before my daughters

But there’s only one way to find out the whole tale!

40 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

ISSUES

While waiting to meet Neil Falzon, director of Aditus Foundation, I observed him and his colleagues as they went about their day. It was immediately obvious how dedicated they are to their job and how strongly they feel about the people they help – and my conversation with Dr Falzon confirmed these feelings.

The job of those who form part of human rights NGO Aditus Foundation is multifaceted, working to create awareness about issues involving minorities and assisting migrants who seek refuge in Malta. They are also a government watchdog, while simultaneously collaborating closely with certain ministries, especially that for European Affairs and Equality.

When I met Dr Falzon, I was particularly interested in Project Integrated which, as the name itself suggests, helps refugees to integrate in Maltese society and aims to sensitise the public, as well as the institutions, to the challenges faced by migrants. Since this project, which is also supported by UNHCR, is a joint effort between three NGOs (JRS Malta, Aditus Foundation and Integra Foundation) the approach taken is an integrated one, offering migrants legal and practical help, serving as a bridge between them and the government and referring them to organisations like JobsPlus, LEAP and Appoġġ which, in turn, provide them with tools to find their feet in Malta.

Like most Maltese, my personal experience with migrants is extremely limited. I pass them by in the street; I join the queue along there side, waiting to pay at the shops; I see them going about their daily jobs… but that’s about it. I had never given much thought to the very long process they had gone through to reach this stage, or the hardships they have had to endure and are probably still enduring, to get to be customers at my village grocery shop. We have all seen the pictures of the overcrowded boats reaching our shores, but that’s all we choose to see. Most of us do not see individuals running for their lives. We are not aware that those famished men and women, packed like sardines, have left careers behind them in their own countries, have trained and works as doctors, teachers, mechanics and engineers.

As it turns out, the overwhelming majority of Maltese rarely get close enough to a migrant to get to know their story, which is a real shame. Dr Falzon and his colleagues assured me that many refugees they have helped over the years (and they have helped hundreds) have built a new life for themselves and would be considered success stories by anyone’s standards. They tell me about Jacob*, who fled his native Ivory Coast and was one of the early arrivals here in Malta. Jacob now owns a successful business and employs both Maltese nationals and migrants. He married a Maltese woman, with whom he has a family

Most migrants want to contribute to our society.

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

42 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Most migrants have gone through harrowing conditions to make it to Malta.

ISSUES

One of us HELPING MIGRANTS BUILD A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES IN MALTA, PROJECT INTEGRATED HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A LIFELINE FOR MANY. MAUREEN SAGUNA LEARNS ABOUT THE SUCCESS STORIES FROM ADITUS FOUNDATION DIRECTOR NEIL FALZON.

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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ISSUES

Project Integrated has helped many migrants take on a successful role within the Maltese community.

and he is also a community leader, helping others with their own

even though your dream was once that of becoming a lawyer.

integration process. They also told me about Jane*, who is a nurse at

Imagine, after all this, not being paid your wages having spent days

Mater Dei Hospital and about two other migrants from Africa who

working under the beating sun or in pouring rain. Imagine seeing

were already well-qualified back in their country but furthered their

people avoid you in the streets and on buses, being spat on or

studies in Malta and now work in banking and in aviation, respectively.

thrown bottles at just for having a different coloured skin.

The general perception, however, seems to be that immigrants

Imagine being a mother who lost her husband in the war back

keep to themselves and stick together. There might be a grain of

home and is not able to find employment because there is nobody

truth in this, but have we ever stopped and asked ourselves why this

to look after her children. Imagine being refused a job because you

is the case? Research carried out by Project Integrate shows that

wear a headscarf. Would you feel inclined to approach the natives

most migrants want to build a safe home in Malta and to be part of

of the island that is now your home? Would you feel confident and

our society. Although most end up facing discrimination and racism,

make new friends easily? Most migrants have, at one time or

very few want to move on to another country. After reading about

another, gone through these exact same scenarios described about.

their daily difficulties in our country, this fact surprised me. Imagine

Yet, somehow, most of them still consider the Maltese to be kind

you had grown up in a war zone, lost most of your family to violence

people and want to contribute to our society.

and finally managed to find a way out of your country. Imagine you

Unfortunately, many Maltese still see migrants as a threat, and

never had the chance to get a proper education and are now unable

some politicians and media outlets try to capitalise on that fear. Dr

to study for the career you had dreamed of. You do not speak or

Falzon observed that, at a time when our country is experiencing an

understand the language, without which you cannot find

economic boom, there are more homeless and more vulnerable

employment once you are recognised

people than ever before, contrary to

as a refugee. This means that you

the image being portrayed. He added

cannot afford accommodation unless you are sharing with another seven migrants who are all in the same situation as you are. Circumstances mean that living conditions are likely to be pitiful. Imagine working as hard as you can to learn English, finally finding employment as a menial labourer –

44 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

At a time when our country is experiencing an economic boom, there are more homeless and more vulnerable people than ever before

that, while some ministries are taking an active part in helping out, government’s tone in general is still negative and this has a huge impact on the people. Rent prices are forbiddingly high and most still feel that immigrants are only suited to jobs that are usually shunned by the locals.

ISSUES

Many Maltese still see migrants as a threat, and some politicians and media outlets try to capitalise on that fear

Migrants taking English language lessons at integration courses.

Integration Strategy, which Dr Falzon says is a very important step towards making the integration process more effective. As for the rest of us, he suggests that the first steps towards helping migrants integrate are simple ones. A greeting on the bus, for starters. Or maybe the braver step of including a diversity of people in advertising or electoral campaigns. This, Dr Falzon says, would help normalise the presence of migrants while The upside to this, he adds, is that MCAST and other

reminding everyone that they are members of society just like us.

educational institutions, together with JobsPlus are flooded with

Finally, he emphasized the importance of fact checking before

applications by migrants, while Appoġġ can barely keep up with the

commenting or repeating stories we hear.

demand for lessons in English. It would appear that, upon reflection,

So, next time you meet an immigrant on the bus, wish them a

if we think that migrants are not integrating very well in our society, a

good morning. Chances are you were the first person to show some

big part of the reason is our society itself.

respect that day.

The good news is that some progress has been made. Last December, for instance, the government launched the Migrant

*names have been changed

STYLE

slay all day and night Styling and Creative Direction Caroline Paris @ Caroline’s Fashion Styling (carolinefashionstyling.com) Photography Kurt Paris Make-up Jennifer Dimech Model Sarah Zerafa Hair Neville Roman Zammit Location Palazzo Consiglia Boutique Hotel & Spa – Valletta

Caroline Paris is a fashion and personal stylist whose portfolio includes television series, local celebrities, magazine work and campaigns. She won the Best Stylist Award at the Malta Fashion Awards three times and currently blogs on www.carolinefashionstyling.com Kurt Paris is a fashion photographer whose technical expertise in lighting manipulation enables him to explore different paths of creativity while ensuring the image quality is never compromised. Kurt won the Malta Fashion Award for Best Photographer these last three years.

48 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

STYLE

Dress, Hat: River Island Boots: Darmanin

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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STYLE

Trousers, Jacket: River Island Shoes: Darmanin Earrings: Stylist Own

Trousers, crop top: Topshop

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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STYLE

Jacket, Shorts: River Island Socks: Stylist Own

52 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Jewelry is made of 18Kt gold and some items are made of 18Kt gold combined with sterling silver (925)

www.tirisi.com

STYLE

Anorak, Dress: Topshop Tights: Stylist Own Shoes: Darmanin

54 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

SPORTS

The Accidental

CHAMPION

AS WFF EUROPEAN BIKINI PRO CHAMPION LEANNE BARTOLO KICKS OFF A NEW SEASON OF FITNESS COMPETITIONS, SUPPORTED BY MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SHE TELLS IGGY FENECH HOW SHE MANAGES TO PUNCH SO FAR ABOVE HER WEIGHT. Although I’ve never met Leanne before, I recognise her as soon as she walks into the café. Indeed, even while donning comfortable gym clothes, there is still something about her that screams ‘star’.

She walks up to me and flashes her perfect smile, but my eyes are drawn to her false eyelashes and her perfectly-manicured hands. This contrast between being glammed up while also being demure and relaxed is what, I think, perfectly sums up Leanne.

“I’m quite a tomboy,” she tells me later on in the conversation.

“I also believe in keeping it as natural as possible whether it’s in real life or on stage. In fact, I think that finding what your forte is and using that to your advantage can be more impactful than trying to be someone you’re not.”

That philosophy seems to have worked for Leanne, whose life was turned upside down in summer 2017, when a nutritionist suggested she should take part in a national competition.

“I was there to get a diet plan that would help me look my best for a sport shoot,” she reveals. “I’ve been an athlete all my life and it was something I’d wanted to do for myself for a long time…

In fact, when the nutritionist asked me if I’d like to compete, I said no even though I had no idea what she meant or what for. But, when she asked me again, I decided to challenge myself.”

While Leanne didn’t follow the strict diet the nutritionist assigned her for the competition, she trained harder than usual to make up for it. As she tells me about how difficult it was to eat broccoli and chicken multiple times a day as her family tucked into double portions of pasta, she also explains how she ended up on the stage of Miss WFF Bikini Malta.

“When I went for my follow up before the competition, the nutritionist asked me if I had got my bikini and if I had sorted out all the other stuff that was needed for the competition. You know,

“I was quite unknown and not very confident, so I obviously

finding a hairstylist, a nail technician, somewhere to buy my bikini

assumed that I wasn’t going to win. In fact, after I went out on

from. I was shocked! Until then, I had thought she had signed me

stage, I went backstage and tucked into the bagful of sweets I had

up for a fitness or gym challenge, or something!”

taken with me… Then, they announced me as the winner of the soft

Not one to let people down, Leanne bought a second-hand bikini – the special bikinis used in these competitions are not easily

look bikini category. I was dumbstruck.”

The soft look in this bodybuilding-style sport means that,

available and can cost upward of €600 (more often than not, they

rather than just looking at the mass of muscles, the judges take the

are also only used once). Then, in October 2017, she took part in

whole package into consideration including proportions and the

her first ever bikini competition.

contestant’s smile, pose and walk. Leanne, it turns out, is

56 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

SPORTS

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

57

SPORTS

naturally gifted at this and, just a few weeks after, she placed third (out of hundreds of contestants from 63 countries) in the same category in Cyprus – this time for the WFF World Championship!

There was really no stopping Leanne.

In fact, in June this year, she moved even more upwards in this world as she was crowned the champion of the WFF European Bikini Championship, giving her the coveted ‘pro-card’ title.

“I’d gone up with a suitcase full of corrections that had to be finished urgently,” Leanne, who is actually a primary school teacher by profession, continues. “I mean, yes, this time round, I knew I had to be more prepared. I trained more, followed my diet, and even got my own bikini. This gave me much more confidence on stage, but my goal was to place, not to win! I didn’t think I had the chance to win…”

That win was much more than a new medal for Leanne; it gave her a ‘pro-card’, which means that she can now only compete among other winners, raising the bar on both expectations and level. But she’s already proven herself among them, too, as in her first pro competition – the World Fitness Federation’s World Championships in California – she placed third.

“Seeing Malta place along with Australia and America was an incredibly proud moment for me,” she says, “particularly as it’s been quite the sacrifice to juggle everything. Then again, I’ve grown to love it and I’m very lucky to have found people who believe in me, even though there isn’t a lot of support for the sport in Malta.”

One of the entities that has lent its

“What this accidental series of events has taught me is that you have to take risks to move forward.”

support to Leanne’s journey in soft bodybuilding is the Malta International Airport, which itself punches above its weight and champions local talent that does the same.

“I feel incredibly lucky for this collaboration. It’s of immense

“Working in so many different things has made me realise how each job has its own ups and downs, but it’s also taught me the importance of time management, of keeping myself motivated,

support and I couldn’t be more grateful that they see the work and

and of always pushing myself to be better. In reality, what this

dedication that goes into such sport, and that they entrust me with

accidental series of events has taught me is that you have to take

being one of the faces of such a great brand.”

risks to move forward, and I’m very excited to compete again

The future for Leanne seems just as bright too. As she continues her work as a teacher, she’s also opened her own fitness

soon!” she concludes.

Will Leanne continue to take her game forward? Only time

studio to promote healthy living and body positivity by creating a

will tell but, what’s certain is that her story continues to inspire

space that caters to people who want to feel better rather than just

many to try something outside of their comfort zone.

lose weight. Meanwhile, she is gearing up for a number of competitions in 2019, including the WFF Expo in Shanghai, China.

58 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

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CIRCLE PROMOTION

Pride in the Job SUNDAY CIRCLE CHATS TO DANIEL CILIA, THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES AT THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY, TO FIND OUT WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO WORK AT THE FOREFRONT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

When the Environment Protection

Together, these allow the Authority to take

dynamic, which also ensures that

Directorate (EPD) became the Environment

care of everything from permitting to

tomorrow’s leaders in the protection of the

and Resources Authority (ERA) nearly three

outreach, and from waste management to

environment are properly and responsibly

years ago, a lot changed.

biodiversity protection. Working within the

equipped when the time comes for them to

legal parameters set nationally and at an

take the lead.

“Having the powers of a Directorate within an Authority is very different to being

EU-level, this means that the number of

an Authority in your own right,” Daniel

employees (called ‘officers’) has also had to

an international level are on-going and

explains. “As an Authority, we now have our

grow: from around 80 three years ago to

encouraged so as to help advance

own Act within the law, meaning the

around 200 now.

knowledge and skills in the various areas.

obligation to make our own evidence-based policies lies directly with us.”

From the Corporate side of things –

“Moreover, training and networking on

“Our officers come from various

Just recently, for example, our financial

backgrounds and have many different skills,”

controller was invited to the UK to meet

Daniel continues. “Of course, we have

other people in his position from similar

which, at ERA, includes Information

officers who are national experts in the field;

Authorities around the globe – this allows

Technology (IT), Human Resources (HR),

but then we also have generalists who work

him, and us, to see how other government

Administration and Finance – things also

within the many different Directorates and

entities work, find solutions to problems

changed, and the Directorate has now

Units to help piece the puzzle together.

being faced across the continent, and create

become autonomous in its work to support

These are then supported by the officers

valuable links with our counterparts

the ever-expanding Authority that ensures

working in IT, HR, pay rolls, marketing and

abroad.”

the protection of the environment for a

procurement, among others.”

better and more sustainable quality of life

With an organic gender distribution of

As 2018 comes to an end, ERA is now preparing its to-do list for the new year,

55% female and 45% male, the Authority is

which, on top of the on-going work, will

made up mostly of officers aged between of

include a facelift for its website to make it

Directorates: one for Corporate Services,

31 and 40 (37%), followed by those who fall

more user-friendly, the launch of three new

one for the Environment and Resources, and

within the age bracket of between 21 and 30

e-forms related to waste for the public; the

another for Compliance and Enforcement.

(34%). This gives the Authority a great

continuous refurbishment of its premises

for Malta’s citizens.

Today, ERA consists of three main

62 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

CIRCLE PROMOTION

“Ensuring ERA remains relevant, updated and in touch with the public are key to each officer’s duties, but we can’t do it alone.

People reading this and beyond also have to play their part in creating a healthier environment for all.”

(Hexagon House in Marsa) to accommodate

enjoyable. We have Unite, a committee

the increasing number of officers, and the

which takes care of various social events

recruitment of new officers to continue

throughout the year; the Flimkien Fund,

giving its ever-growing service.

another committee where we encourage

“As our remit grows, so do the

employees to give a very small amount of

responsibilities and work,” Daniel explains.

money every month to help those of us

“Over these past few years, ERA has

going through a difficult period in our lives,

expanded substantially, meaning that almost

which helps sustain a sense of community.

every area within the Authority needs more

We also have our own ERA football team,

manpower.

which competes against other Authorities;

“Meanwhile, a number of roles in

as well as various charitable work and

certain sections of ERA – like Legal, ICT, PR

teambuilding events we do together.”

and Communications, and Engineering – are

As Daniel continues to explain, ERA’s

yet to be filled. By 2019, we hope that we

philosophy is that every employee should

will continue with our recruitment drive not

take pride in their own role as part of a team

just to ensure that we honour our pledges at

striving towards safeguarding Malta’s

a national- and EU-level and get the job

environment.

done, but also to continue facilitating the

“Ensuring ERA remains relevant,

relationship between ERA and Maltese

updated and in touch with the public are

citizens.”

key to each officer’s duties, but we can’t do

The benefits of working at ERA are

it alone. People reading this and beyond

numerous; indeed, competitive salaries

also have to play their part in creating a

backed by a collective agreement for both

healthier environment for all,” Daniel

professional and technical employees, and

concludes.

flexitime that allows people to start work at any time between 6 and 9am to make life

Whether you’d like to take on an

easier for working parents and those

active role within ERA by joining their team

studying, are just some. Nevertheless, it’s

or a more active role within your

the culture at ERA that makes it worthwhile.

community through your day-to-day life,

“I believe that one of the best things about working here is that we work towards

please visit era.org.mt for more information.

making the environment and, by extension, people’s lives and the country, better. That is incredibly rewarding and gives us all a sense of pride. The fact my children have experienced turtles hatching twice on our shores, and I also form part of an entity which one of its main aims is to guarantee a healthy environment for present and future

Hexagon House, Spencer Hill,

generations, is much more special than

Marsa, MRS 1441

words could ever say.

Tel: (+356) 2292 3500

“Then there is the fact that we always try to make work more meaningful and

Email: info@era.org.mt Website: era.org.mt

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

63

TRAVEL

London

for kidults MADAME TUSSAUD’S AND PRIMARK ARE ALL VERY WELL AND GOOD BUT, SOMETIMES, YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND A DECADENT, ADULTSONLY WEEKEND IN THE QUEEN’S CAPITAL. FROM FINE DINING TO COCKTAILS AND SPA SESSIONS, RAMONA DEPARES DOES IT ALL.

The Bar at K-West

As fabulous a family destination as it may be, few things beat an

the fun. Enter the K-West Spa Hotel (www.k-west.co.uk), located just

adult weekend in the Queen’s capital. There comes a point when the

centrally enough a few metres away from Shepherd’s Bush tube

usual rounds – Primark for the cheap polyester panties; the

station. The hotel is geared towards hip, young professionals and has

umpteenth rerun of Wicked; and an all-you-can-eat buffet in

the aesthetic to match. The building also boasts its fair share of

Chinatown – don’t cut it. What you need, my friend, is a good round

intriguing history as it was used as a BBC recording studio. Edgy

of ‘kidulting’, a decadent two days enjoying the most luscious

artists like David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and The Kinks have played

activities London has to offer – while the kids spend some quality time with their games console (and an adult babysitter) back in Malta, preferably.

Which is exactly what I found myself doing a few weeks ago, doing London as it should be done with a surfeit of fine dining, weird locations and much pampering. I call it kidulting, because never were two days spent so pointlessly, and yet so fruitfully. The following, in no particular order, are my top London choices for the adult that never quite grew up.

Rock ‘n Roll spa and high tea Budget accommodation in central London is a nightmare. Since this is about you, you and you, ditch the budget part and focus on

64 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Snow Paradise at K Spa

TRAVEL

few minutes in the snow room, the proper Finnish way. I used to snigger at people who use phrases like: “I left feeling born again”. Not anymore.

The Great Hall at Baluchi

A quick shower and some prettying up (the spa actually has a small tumble dryer to dry your swimsuit – I can’t even!) and off we went, straight for our Rock ‘n’ Roll High Tea. Prosecco, mini-

there; in fact that you will find any amount of music-related books

sandwiches, fresh scones, macaroons, mini cheesecake bowls and a

that you can borrow throughout your stay. I mean, I actually found a

rather fine selection of teas. This is all served on…vinyl players! An

book about Joy Division, penned by bassist Peter Hook. What are the

affectation, sure, but a fun one. We finished off the evening at the

chances of that?

cocktail bar; the vibe is laidback, the music set list veers between

But more importantly, the hotel comes with a fully-functioning cocktail bar that somehow gets away with live DJ sessions on the weekend. On Friday, it was gone midnight and we were buzzing without having had to bother taking a cab anywhere. And, crucially, it

indie and classic rock, moving on to curated DJing later at night every Friday and Saturday.

To sum it up, there is enough decadence to keep any selfrespecting rock star in clover. Kidulting level – off the charts.

comes with an adult spa that is pretty out of this world.

So, I booked my afternoon session at the wet spa, followed by the hotel’s Glam Rock Tea. The hydrotherapy pool comes with

Fancy cocktails and dinner I don’t know about you, but I love a good excuse to dress up

recliners; just lie back and let the jets pummel the stress out of you.

for dinner. Heels, red lipstick and cocktails – does it get more

Oh, and do try the waterfall in the pool itself – just make sure you

decadent than that? Add dinner at The Baluchi, which is part of The

hold on to your bikini top, as it’s pretty much like a high-pressure

Lalith Hotel and described as a pan-Indian restaurant, and the answer

massage. You will soon forget that there was ever such a thing as

is a resounding ‘yes’.

‘responsibilities’.

The cherry on the cake is an actual Snow Paradise cabin

We got there by cab, an indulgence that was to set the tone for the entire evening. The Baluchi (www.thebaluchi.com/london/) is

containing nothing but natural snow powder at -15 degrees. What

located in the Tower of London area and has its own separate

you do is this: clean out your pores in the steam room, followed by a

entrance from the hotel.

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

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TRAVEL

Get ready to be impressed as soon as you walk in – the

part is particularly interesting, as it is a mix of syrup, seeds, jelly and…

restaurant is located within a massive hall that is simply gorgeous,

wait for it… fine noodles. Who’d have thought ice-cream and noodles

with a vaulted ceiling sporting hues of blue and dark wood, with

would make a good marriage? And yet…

funky chandeliers.

The Baluchi offered an evening of fancy cocktails and food

Dressing up is certainly worth the effort, as – despite the contemporary approach to dining – the team at the Baluchi observes

without any stuffiness. Kidulting level – delectable, delicious, decadent.

all the beautiful, old-world courtesies. The waiting staff come with impeccable manners, cocktail menu at hand, unobtrusive, ready with

Bite-sized mouthgasms in Soho

good tips. The restaurant is headed by the famed Santosh Shah, who

I know, I know, the chaotic conglomeration of cheap Soho

relocated from Gujarat, India, in 2011 and counts the Michelin-starred

buffets is hardly the definition of luxurious decadence. But bear with

Benaras and Dishroom on his portfolio. The man knows what he is

me a second and follow me as I walk into a very unobtrusive

doing, and has turned dinner at the Baluchi into a journey of sensorial

restaurant bang in the middle of all the hideous all-you-can-eats.

delights, rather than a simple food experience.

Baozi Inn. The restaurant

And so, since this was all about

(https://baoziinn.com) has notched

decadence, we started out by sampling a good

up numerous accolades – including

chunk of the cocktail menu. The Baluchi is the

the decidedly impressive ‘best

sort of place where you’ll want to linger, rather

dumpling in London’ by Time Out

than just get on with it. And linger we did, over

2017.

some signature cocktails like the Kashmir

Dumplings, I will have you

Martini (edgy vodka, sensual crème de cacao

know, are a bit like the adult version

and some other magic touches, in case you’re

of children’s happy meals. They’re

wondering) and a delicate, Earl Grey infused gin concoction that packs an unexpected punch.

Bapadoi at the Baluchi

A word about the food – the Baluchi comes with its own Naanery bread bar, and a team of chefs that take the art of making this flatbread to a new level. My favourite – the mango and coconut naan, little bits of fruity heaven interspersed within the dough. I asked for a demonstration on the tandoori at the back of

Baozi Inn

the kitchen, and the whole process is pretty impressive. As is the wont of the Maltese, we ordered a bit of everything from the menu. There are ample vegetarian offerings and enough classic favourites and innovative offerings to keep everyone happy. Like me, who enjoys the traditional lamb shank – but also the intriguingly textured and flavoured tandoori octopus, served with puffed quinoa and coriander chutney.

This dichotomy in approach is one of the most seductive aspects of the Baluchi, orchestrated by head chef Shah, who clearly appreciates the value of keeping patrons guessing. Mostly with wonderfully unusual ingredients and pairings, like the use of the colocasia leaf with the afore-mentioned octopus, or the specialty dip using black lentils that are prepared overnight for maximum creaminess.

Tradition scored high with my dessert choice, which was pistachio Indian ice-cream served with falooda and rose syrup. The falooda

66 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Matcha cake at Baozi Inn

TRAVEL

super indulgent, you can put them away by the dozen, they look pretty and – here’s the kidulting part – they can be dressed up as much as you wish. And at Baozi Inn they certainly dress them up to the nines, elevating them from little parcels of dough and filling to delectable mouthgasms.

The restaurant is located in a converted townhouse and comes with a fair share of history, beautifully dimmed lighting and unobtrusive décor that marries the modern and the traditional. It seems to be universally accepted that Baozi Inn was responsible for bringing dim sum (which they serve all day) with a Sichuan and Hunan influence to London, and it is easy to see why.

Arming ourselves with some Asian beer, we ordered enough

The library at the K-West

dumplings and dim sum to make us forget the screaming, selfietaking hordes outside. My favourites – Pork Baozi in beetroot juice dough, which produces a ‘soup’ effect as soon as you bite into it; the Ruby Prawn dumpling in beetroot pastry, its colour so rich, its flavours so fragrant; and the Watercress Prawn dumplings in turmeric

Daytime boozing at a weird bar The Last Tuesday Society (http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.

spice pastry, an explosion on my taste-buds. Honorable mentions,

org) sounded more like a book club than anything else. It wasn’t.

there were plenty. The problem with Baozi Inn is that with every

Carrying the tagline The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, this bar-

morsel of dim sum you try, it suddenly becomes a new favourite. And

cum-museum in Hackney comes complete with a specialised

you just want to keep on discovering more and more. “Just one more

absinthe menu and a house of weirdness in the basement. I have to

side order” pretty soon escalates to “Oh, we tried every single thing

confess that the biggest attraction of the place involved the fact that

on the menu”.

it seemed to encourage noon cocktails on a rainy day. The definition

Obviously, I just had to ask about the secrets to creating such wonderfully distinctive flavours that somehow intertwine without

of decadence. We were in.

The place itself is very small, holding barely six tables and

overpowering each other. In reply, I got a smile and the fact that the

pretty much as soon as it opens its doors. You also need to pay a

Baozi Inn chefs are all sent to Sichuan to catch up with their training

modest entry fee to gain access to the basement – it’s totally worth

every year.

it, with the mysterious Mr Wynd’s personal collection of curiosities

We finished off our feast with green matcha cake, robust, pretty and entirely satisfying, and proceeded to continue indulging in

being put on display.

Rather unabashedly, a sign warns you from the outset not to

Asian beer. Baozi Inn is the perfect place for a leisurely meal

expect any classification or method to the displays. It’s all a glorious

spanning across hours, people-watching through the huge Georgian

hodgepodge of everything from stuffed animals (honest-to-

windows, the kind you can only get to enjoy fully when you know

goodness taxidermy classes are held there – say what!) to occult

there are no pesky responsibilities awaiting. Which is exactly what we

artefacts, pop art prints, questionable items squashed in laboratory

did.

jars… you get the drift. There’s no attempt at being scientific, but this Kidulting level – Bacchanalian. Don’t even attempt moderation,

it’s totally useless.

is part of its charm. Many of the exhibits do come with a small, often outrageous, anecdote. Oh yeah, and there’s also opportunities for weird selfies galore, so knock yourself out. The place is gold for your Instagram field.

The museum takes about 30 minutes to go through – one hour if you insist on reading every single story, like me. By which time you’ll definitely be in the mood for a gander through the cocktail menu. The entire bar area is very Belle Epoque with a touch of Penny Dreadful. It’s the place where your 19-year-old, Nietzche-spouting goth self might have enjoyed hanging out. Or your 43-year-old adult self, bent on a day of decadence – same, same, right?

The bar is pricey, but worth the experience; the bar duo dripping hipster cool.

Kidulting level – by the time you get to your third 15 sterling cocktail, you’ll have forgotten there’s such a word

The Last Tuesday Club

68 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

as ‘adult’.

CREATIONS

PHOTOS MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA

Louder than love HER STRIKING CREATIONS, MANY INSPIRED BY CLASSIC 1990S SONGS, HAVE MADE HER THE DARLING OF LOCAL FASHION CIRCLES. RAMONA DEPARES CATCHES UP WITH MARTINA GUILLAUMIER TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER BESPOKE JEWELLERY PIECES. When Martina Guillaumier received a phone call from her mother

premises, based in San Ġwann, were bright, airy and just what she

while on her way back to her London apartment, little did she

had been looking for – but Martina needed to give an aye or a nay

imagine that her life was about to change.

within 30 minutes!

“I had just spent the day selling my jewellery on Portobello

“Apparently, the landlady was about to sign a contract with

Road when I saw my mother’s name flash up on my phone. I

someone else! My mother sent me photographs on my phone; the

remember we were stopped near Liverpool Station and it was so

place needed dire renovation so I literally spent the next half an hour

noisy, I could barely hear a word my mum was saying!” she

planning options in my mind. Thirty minutes later I called back and

reminisces with a smile.

told her to go for it,” she says.

Turns out, her mother had just found the perfect location for

Fast-forward some nine months, when I’m leisurely wandering

what was to become Martina’s stylish outlet for the bespoke

around Marpesia & Co and enjoying the snazzy displays, nik-naks,

jewellery she creates under the brand name Marpesia & Co. The

bijouterie and edgy décor, and it is clear that Martina made the

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

71

CREATIONS

right call that day. The studio is perfectly poised to showcase

light of day. Accompanying most sketches are lyrics from 1990s

Martina’s creations; its warm and welcoming, and encourages you to

classics and from the metal side of life.

have a good browse. Which I do.

A particular piece of jewellery catches my eye, a beautiful

“One day I will just go through all my iPod and create pieces for all my favourite songs. I pretty much have already

concoction of geometrical shapes and materials, with a bracelet to

started doing that, but I never realised quite what an influence

match. Martina informs me that it’s for display purposes only, and

music has on my jewellery until I brought out this notebook

that it was inspired by the late singer Chris Cornell, of

again,” she tells me.

Soundgarden fame.

“When news of his suicide reached me, I felt it intensely. I started doodling some designs, based around the lyrics of one of my favourite Soundgarden tracks, Black Hole Sun,” she says, her voice still betraying a degree of emotion.

Picking out specific lines as the starting point for her basic design – with beautiful circular shapes signifying the ‘black hole sun’ and a linear design referencing ‘won’t you come and wash away the rain’ – the Black Hole Sun pieces were eventually born.

This being inspired by song lyrics is a recurrent theme, Martina tells me. As if to prove it, she pulls out an old notebook full of sketches for pieces that she has already created and others that are yet to see the

72 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

CREATIONS

I meander a bit more around

painstakingly detail. The Chris Cornell

her studio, taking in the beautiful

piece, for example, took over 25 hours

photographic pieces (Martina also

to finish,” Martina explains.

sells her own shots) and the

She confesses to getting carried

bespoke furniture pieces, some of

away with the work very easily,

which have been lovingly upcycled.

adding that she is still learning how to

“I did everything myself, down

pace herself.

to measuring the table and the

“When I have an idea that I am

jewellery holders that go on it and

particularly fond of, I will not stop

the space that I would leave

working on it until it is completed.

between each,” she says, clearly

Like I said, this often takes hours. I am

describing a labour of love.

trying to train myself to take small

I ask her how long each piece

breaks in between, rather than going

of jewellery takes to create and, as

on in a flurry of activity!”

expected, the reply is “it depends”.

She picks up a particularly

“The metal work takes the

striking necklace, replete with lava

longest of course. And once you

rock, and holds it up against her

start, you’re committed. You can’t

neck.

take it back to something else. I

“All the pieces are my babies.

often don’t know what I will end up

They are living pieces, they take the

with, in terms of design, until I

stories and lives of the people who

actually start work on the piece,”

wear them. Whenever I am

Martina describes.

commissioned to do a piece for a

When it comes to bead and

specific person, I always research

wire work, the approach is

their lives, to a certain degree. I go on

somewhat different. For starters,

Facebook and check their style, their

bead work can always be taken

likes and dislikes, their personalities…

back to its original state, and the

then I figure out with stones and

design started over. For another,

styles would suit them best,” she says.

with beads the jewellery-maker

Having been lucky enough to

tends to already have a very clear

have been gifted a piece created by

idea of where she would like the

Martina, I can attest to this. The

design to end.

necklace, sporting bits of black lava

“I start with the bead, or

and crystals, is very much a reflection

stone, itself as the grounding point.

of my personality and a year on,

Everything else is built around it. I

remains a favourite.

tend to already know which road I’m

I mention this and she giggles

going to take before I even start,”

when I express amazement at how

she tells me.

spot on she was with her choice,

Her clients appreciate the thorough work that goes into each piece, but it hasn’t always been like this. There was a time, she says, when many still believed that buying something ready-made is more prestigious. Today, most seem to be

One day I will just go through all my iPod and create pieces for all my favourite songs

aware that a bespoke piece that you won’t find anywhere else carries a lot more value than a shop window item.

“I don’t create pieces in bulk, of course. Every item is different,

given that we had never met or spoken.

“Oh yes, I can be quite the adept social media stalker. But it’s all to ensure that I create the right piece for the right person. It’s a whole process!” she concludes.

Which is probably why she has gathered such a strong and

enthusiastic following in local fashion circles. As for me, I’m already planning on a couple of Christmas gifts. For myself.

handmade. Sometimes they can be more pricey than those you buy in shops, but this is simply because the raw material costs me more.

https://www.facebook.com/MarpesiaAndCo/

And they do take time to create, mostly because everything is so

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarpesiaAndCo

74 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

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ARCHITECTURE

The ones that got away AS NEWS OF MORE AND MORE OF MALTA’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS BEING DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR SOULLESS BUILDINGS CONTINUES TO COME IN, ONE BOOK IS CELEBRATING THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY, THOSE FEATS OF ARCHITECTURE THAT SPEAK TO THE SOUL.

Villa Luginsland, Rabat.

76 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

ARCHITECTURE

Staircases of Malta is a celebration of the rich diversity of stairs and

were various physical modifications to the earlier building which

staircases in Malta. It spans the arc of time from the megalithic

included the grand staircase designed by the architect Nicola

temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, to the scenographic and

Buhagiar. During the Second World War the premises sustained

theatrical Baroque staircases of the palaces of the Order of St John,

considerable physical damage and various parts had to be

staircases in British colonial-period buildings all the way to

reconstructed. The partial reconstruction of the Casino Maltese was

contemporary modern staircases.

undertaken by architect Silvio Mercieca. It was Mercieca who

The volume, which is published by Kite Group, explores the different typologies, forms and architectural styles of staircases

designed the so-called Fireside Lounge and the spacious reception rooms on the first-floor level including the ballroom.

within diverse settings – from humble vernacular buildings, domes c architecture, public buildings, and urban spaces. The book is the result of the collaborative efforts of architect and architectural historian Conrad Thake, and photographer Charles Paul Azzopardi We present you excerpts from over 185 inspirational, monochrome photographs from the book.

Villa Blackman, Balzan.

Villa Blackman, Balzan The main architectural highlight of the interior of this revivalstyle palatial residence is the grand hall built to an oval plan with an imposing curved double staircase in marble, a ceiling adorned with decorative gesso mouldings and fresco paintings. Elaborate

Palazzo Fra Raimondo de Sousa y Silva, Valletta.

Auberge de Castille, Valletta.

Villa Luginsland, Rabat.

curvilinear wrought-iron railings, a suspended Murano crystal

Architect: Francesco Zammit.

chandelier and gold gilding to column capitals around the gallery

A fine stately home designed in a Neo-Classical style as the

create an aura of opulence and of a bygone age that is reminiscent of

residence of the German diplomat and consul, Baron Maximilian Von

La Belle Époque. Natural light from the windows around the upper

Tucher.

gallery floods the interior. It is unapologetically historicist and

The villa with its extensive grounds of over eleven acres of land

revivalist to all intents and purposes.

was designed and built in 1887 by the Maltese architect Francesco acquired a thriving architectural practice with wealthy clients

Palazzo Fra Raimondo de Sousa y Silva, Valletta.

commissioning him to design palatial residences mainly in Sliema and

Architect: Andrea Belli.

Zammit (1844-1917). During the late 19th century, Zammit had

then from 1906 to the present day.

The premises used to serve as part of the Treasury building of the Order of St John. At the beginning of the twentieth century there

The palace was built by the Order in 1761-63, for Fra Raimondo de Sousa y Silva, Balì of Lesa, in an endeavour to entice him to take up permanent residence in Malta.

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

77

ARCHITECTURE

Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.

The staircase has the same layout as that of the

Architect: Emanuele Luigi Galizia

Auberge de Castille, although on a much smaller scale. It is distinguished for its ornamental

The Addolorata cemetery

elegance rather than for its size.

is Malta’s main metropolitan

Unlike the Augustinian staircase,

extramural cemetery built on

it is a free-standing staircase

the Tal Ħorr hill, during the

totally detached from the

second half of the nineteenth

surrounding internal walls.

century. It was designed by the

There are explicit Rococo

Maltese architect Emanuele

overtones as the plasticity of

Luigi Galizia between 1862 and

the florid decorative forms

1867. The cemetery, together

dissolves the rigid boundaries of

with the church dedicated to

the staircase. The designer

Our Lady of Sorrows on the

employed the oblique order for

summit of the hill, was built in

the balusters which are parallel

the Neo-Gothic style, which at

to the incline of the stairs. This

the time was considered an

serves to create a less rigid

alien architectural style to the

setting, where the pure stark

Maltese islands where the

white staircase, flooded by

Baroque dominated. The

natural lighting from the central

cemetery is renowned for the

courtyard, emerges as an

artistic and architectural

independent sculptural object.

qualities of its various funerary chapels and monuments that

Auberge de Castille, Valletta.

Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.

were built particularly during the last quarter of the

Architect: Andrea Belli.

nineteenth century.

The auberge that was

However, one of the

entirely rebuilt to a new design

salient features of the

in the mid-eighteenth century

Addolorata Cemetery is the

epitomises the spirit of Baroque

manner in which the architect

absolutism that had permeated

Galizia integrated the layout of

the ruling Order.

the cemetery with the natural

Special emphasis was

topography of the hill. The

placed on the central axis of the

cemetery complex was

main façade, with its imposing

designed to a symmetrical plan

podium of external stairs

dominated by a main central

leading to the entrance portal

axis from the gate entrance all

flanked by free-standing

the way to the church at the top

columns and surmounted by

of the hill. Galizia skilfully

the bust of Grand Master Pinto

planned and designed several

(r. 1741-1773) amid stone

Augustinian Priory, Rabat.

carvings of war trophies,

retaining walls which connected

banners, armour and other paraphernalia.

In no other Baroque-era building in Malta does one find such a monumental orchestration of space and such a strong

open stairs set within masonry various levels of the cemetery.

hierarchical ordering of space represents the ultimate subjugation of the surrounding

Augustinian Priory, Rabat.

environment and human subjects.

Architect: Andrea Belli, 1740s

The external flight of stairs contracts

The Augustinian priory in Rabat was

linkage between the external public realm

into one wide flight of stairs that ascends to

constructed in the 1740s to the design of

and the internal spaces. The scenographic

an intermediate landing. From this level, two

the Maltese architect Andrea Belli.

setting was intended to convey an image of

separate stairs complete the ascent to the

absolutist power where the physical and

piano.

78 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

The staircase of the monastery is not visible from the main entrance and was

ARCHITECTURE

placed perpendicular to a central courtyard. Its layout bears a striking

Spiral staircase, offices in Gżira.

Verdala Palace, Buskett.

resemblance to Baldassare Longhena’s staircase within the monastery of S. Giorgio Maggiore in Venice (1643-1645).

Two parallel staircases ascend along the internal walls to a common landing at mid-height, from which point a single flight of stairs ascends to the level of the piano nobile.

Spiral staircase, offices in Gżira.

Architects: Edwin Mintoff Architects.

A modern interpretation of the traditional garigor in steel. Elegant and effective in terms of function. Design by Edwin Mintoff Architects.

Verdala Palace, Buskett.

Architect: Girolamo Cassar.

Verdala Palace was built in 1586 as a semi-fortified countryside palace for the

It was laid out with an elaborate,

Martini and by Vignola’s Villa Farnese at

French Grand Master Hugues Loubenx de

formal garden and a small woodland called

Caprarola, for which construction began in

Verdalle (r. 1582-1595).

boschetto. In his design, the architect

1559.

It was built on the same site as that of

Girolamo Cassar seems to have been

One of the salient architectural

an earlier hunting lodge, a few miles outside

inspired by the drawings of fortified villas

elements within the palace’s interior is the

Rabat and situated on high ground to

proposed by the fifteenth-century Italian

helical oval staircase built entirely in local

benefit from the cool sea-breezes.

military engineer Francesco di Giorgio

stone. Plans depicting variations of helical stairs were illustrated in one of the plates of Palladio’s architectural treatise I Quattro

Casino Maltese, Valletta.

Libri d’Architettura.

Palladio credited this type of helical stairs, referred to as ‘a chiocciola’ (snailshaped), to Marc’Antonio Barbaro, “a Venetian gentleman of great intellect”.

Girolamo Cassar’s helical stairs are constructed around a central solid masonry core punctured by round-headed openings that permit the diffusion of natural light within the stairs. The individual steps are supported by the external wall of the stairs and the inner core.

Casino Maltese, Valletta.

Staircase architect: Nicola Buhagiar The Casino Maltese had occupied various premises situated along Valletta’s principal street, Strada Reale. The Club leased no. 247, Strada Reale (today Republic Street) during the period 1859 and 1877.

80 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

FOODIES

Malte se flavours at

Christmas

BY PIPPA MATTEI

PHOTOS: RACHEL ZAMMIT CUTAJAR

82 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

FOODIES

What we eat at Christmas time generally depends on where we were brought up and the cultures we were taught. Whatever we eat tends to be the same year in, year out, though differs in different parts of the world.

As a Catholic country, Christmas is a very important time in Malta and the Christmas feast is one that is looked forward to throughout the year.

Though we have adopted many British traditions when in comes to Christmas

The timpana is such an iconic dish it is referred to, with admiration, in literature in the historical novel Il Gattopardo

Gattopardo) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. This is what he says of our Christmas dish. “ When three lackeys in green, gold and powder entered, each holding a great silver dish containing a towering macaroni pie, only four of the twenty at table avoided showing pleased surprise.

Good manners apart, though, the aspect of those monumental dishes of macaroni was worthy of the quivers of admiration they evoked. The burnished gold

culinary fare, there are still one or two

of the crusts, the fragrance of the sugar and

traditionally Maltese flavours that colour our

cinnamon they exuded, were but preludes to

Christmas.

the delights released from the interior when

The Maltese timpana is a meal in itself, so much so that

the knife broke the crust; first came a spice-laden haze, then

sometimes I have a ‘Timpana Night’ serving two large timpanas and

chicken livers, hard boiled eggs, sliced ham, chicken and truffles in

nothing else. Macaroni mixed with Bolognese sauce, brain, chicken

masses of piping hot, glistening macaroni to which the meat juice

giblets, chicken livers and hard boiled eggs, the mixture is then

gave an exquisite hue of suede.”

wrapped in pastry and baked in the oven, this is a complete meal, through and through.

The Leopard (Il Gattopardo), by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.

My husband’s family, along with many Maltese families, however will never have Christmas lunch that does not start with a

Another dish served around Christmas is what is known as

timpana. The starter is then followed more English traditions like

imbuljuta tal-Qastan – a hot chestnut and cocao soup that is

the turkey and Christmas pudding and all the extras. Their father,

served as a drink after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The soup is

Salvino Mattei, was famous for his excellent timpana where the

made from chestnuts, chocolate, Christmas spices and peel from

recipe has been handed down from generation to generation.

the citrus fruit that is in season at this time of year. Served warm,

The timpana is such an iconic dish it is referred to, with admiration, in literature in the historical novel, The Leopard (Il

with a dollop of whipped cream, this is intended to take the edge off a cold night when you come home from church.

Imbuljuta

• With a small knife, scrape off any brown

INGREDIENTS

• Put the chestnuts into a large pan, cover

skin that may still be stuck to the white chestnuts.

500g dried chestnuts

well with water and add the chocolate

100g bitter cocoa powder

powder, sugar, and spices.

100g dark chocolate bar

• Now add the remaining pared fruit skin.

200g sugar

• Bring to the boil stirring continuously

1/2 tsp ground cloves

until the sugar and cocoa have melted.

1/2 tsp nutmeg

• Lower the heat to simmering point and

1/2 tsp cinnamon

cook for one hour until the chestnuts

2 tsp vanilla extract

are soft.

6 tbsp rum

METHOD

1 lemon, pared skin

• Soak the chestnuts overnight, with half

1 orange, pared skin

of the pared skins of the fruit, in a bowl

1 tangerine, pared skin

of water covering the chestnuts well.

1 lumicel (if available), pared skin Fresh cream, to serve

• The next day, discard the water and fruit skins.

• Add the vanilla extract, rum and chocolate.

• Stir well and allow to simmer for another 15 minutes.

• Serve with lashings of fresh whipped cream.

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

83

FOODIES

Malte se timpana Serves 12

6 cloves garlic, chopped finely 1 tbsp sugar

INGREDIENTS

1 carrot grated

Bolognese sauce

You will also need

1kg minced beef and pork, mixed

1kg macaroni

200g chicken livers

4 eggs, hard-boiled

6 rashers bacon, chopped

4 whole raw eggs, beaten

1 Maltese sausage, skinned

2 pig brains

500g chicken giblets, cleaned, boiled and chopped (optional)

2 large aubergines

1 small kidney, boiled and chopped

1kg puff pastry

4-6 tins tomatoes, chopped or whole

200g parmesan cheese, grated

4 tbsp tomato purée (kunserva)

Salt and pepper

2 medium onions, chopped

84 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

FOODIES

METHOD • Fry the onions and garlic in some olive oil until golden.

• Put pork and beef mince in another pot and cook until browned. Pour out excess liquid and set cooked meat aside.

• Into the cooked onion and garlic, add the chopped bacon, then the chicken livers and cook for a few minutes until the livers change colour, then take these out, chop up and return to pan.

• Add the chopped giblets and then the boiled kidney.

Fry all these ingredients until well cooked, then add the cooked minced beef and pork and the skinned Maltese sausage.

• To this, add the tinned tomatoes, the kunserva, grated carrot and sugar.

• Simmer for 90 minutes, until the sauce is a rich colour with a glaze. Set aside. (This Bolognese can be prepared ahead of time then heated through.)

• Slice the aubergines, leaving the skin on. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt and leave for 30 mins to drain.

• Rinse well and pat dry. Then fry until brown in a little oil. Set aside on absorbent paper.

• Rinse the pig brains in cold, salted water, making sure there are no bones left. Boil these in fresh water until they are pale in colour and cooked through

More of Pippa’s recipe s

(about 5 mins).

These two recipes are in Pippa

• Roll out the defrosted puff pastry to line a well-

Mattei’s first cookbook 25 Years in a

greased, high-sided pot, or very large cake tin that will

Maltese Kitchen which has also

fit in your oven.

been translated into Maltese.

• Boil the pasta until cooked through al dente.

More Christmas recipes are

• Drain the pasta very well and put into a large mixing

available in Pippa’s Gourmand

bowl.

award-winning book, Pippa’s Festa,

• Mix in the prepared Bolognese sauce mixing with a

being sold at a reduced price from

large wooden spoon (so as not to break the pasta

€35 to €25 this Christmas.

tubes).

Get any of these three books

• Add to this the raw, beaten eggs and then the

from leading book shops or buy

grated Parmesan seasoning with salt and pepper.

online at www.mirandabooks.com.

• Carefully fit the rolled out pastry into the prepared

Free delivery is available to

pot, or tin, leaving enough overlap to wrap around the top of the dish.

addresses in Malta and Gozo.

• Into this, put a quarter of the macaroni mix.

• Place some aubergine on top of this, plus a hard-boiled egg and a piece of cooked brain.

• Add more macaroni, aubergine, hard-boiled egg and brain until all the ingredients are mixed in. Top up with the rest of the macaroni mix and press down gently.

• Wrap the pastry overlap onto the top of this, folding over so that the macaroni is completely covered.

• Bake immediately in a moderate oven for one hour. Set aside, covered with foil, in a cool place overnight.

• On Christmas day cook for another two hours until the pastry is golden. Turn out onto a round baking tray, and if the underneath needs more cooking, put it back into the oven for another 15 mins, otherwise, slip onto a large flat serving platter.

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

85

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Celebrating 40 Years of Bonnici Brothers!

NOVEMBER 1 MARKED A BIG DAY FOR BONNICI BROTHERS, WHO REQUIRE NO INTRODUCTION IN THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. IN FACT, FOUNDED 40 YEARS AGO BY FOUR BROTHERS, BONNICI BROTHERS IS ONE OF MALTA’S BIGGEST SUCCESS STORIES, WITH THE BONNICI GROUP EMPLOYING OVER 250 PEOPLE, SPLIT ACROSS INDUSTRIES THAT SPAN FROM INFRASTRUCTURE TO CONSTRUCTION, AND HEAVY MACHINERY TO THE MORE RECENT RETAIL SECTOR. THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED AT THE SHEER BASTION IN SENGLEA.

Emanuel Bonnici, Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat, Mario & Benjamin Bonnici

Samuel, Gilbert, David & Michaela Bonnici, Joanne Azzopardi Bonnici, Alex, Joseph & Marcus Bonnici

Marcus, Michaela, Mario, Grace, Martina & David Bonnici

Angelique & Gilbert Bonnici

Perit Ray Demicoli & Emanuel Bonnici

Marcus, Gilbert, Michaela & Samuel Bonnici, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, David Bonnici, Joanne Azzopardi Bonnici, Alex, Joseph, Martina & Edward Bonnici

Gilbert, Angelique, Mary, Emanuel, Samuel & Charlene Bonnici

Anthony Cauchi, Martin Camilleri & Chris Cuschieri

DECEMBER 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle

87

LIVING THE STORY BEHIND BOV’S 2018 CHRISTMAS ADVERT

Bank of Valletta has just launched its latest online and TV Christmas campaign. This year, the story features Santa’s elves working round the clock to get all the gifts wrapped and ready to be delivered. All goes according to plan until they realise they don’t have enough wrapping paper. But, as they head out to the shopping mall, Santa hands them the full suite of BOV Contactless Cards, which they use to purchase the precious resource and enjoy a quick snack before finalising their work... Another Christmas saved thanks to Santa’s BOV Cards! Watch the behind-the-scenes video of BOV’s 2018 Christmas advert on the digital edition of Sunday Circle, which can be downloaded through the TOM Mag app.

MEET THE MINIMALIST FOSSIL WATCH

The Minimalist by Fossil is simplicity at its finest from case to strap – yet, its core is anything but simple. The watch sends energy through a quartz crystal, making it more accurate than a mechanical movement. Available from all Sun Lab shops: Arkadia Gozo, Bay Street, Qormi, Paola, The Point, The Plaza, Valletta or VIP in Sliema and Valletta.

STYLISH SILVER JEWELLERY FOR THE FASHION-FORWARD

A new brand of silver jewellery is now in store at Raphael Azzopardi Jewellery. It revolves around a shimmering silver chain that intertwines with semiprecious stones and infuses an elegant look with a tonne of style. Available from Raphael Azzopardi Jewellery, 6, Triq l-Uqija, Ibrag, Swieqi. Tel: 2137 3812, Online shop: www.raphaelazzopardi.com, Instagram: raphaelazzopardi, FB: Raphael Azzopardi Jewellery & Home. (Pictured: Bracelet €186; Necklace €462)

SARTO: BRINGING LOVE HOME

This Dolce & Gabbana Logo Intarsia Jumper is every fashionista’s answer to the Christmas sweater.

Christmas has descended on Sarto in a most opulent winterwonderland fashion. Famed for its iconic windows, Sarto has delivered a concept which immerses customers and passersby in a Christmas fairytale set right here in Malta.

‘Bring Love Home’ is this year’s theme and, thanks to a magical take on Valletta’s iconic skyline, Sarto is a must-visit Christmas destination for all the family – with warmth, bubbly and sweet festive treats for everyone! While you’re there, make sure to savour the impeccable fashion on display and, perhaps, grab that extra-special gift for your nearest and dearest. Discover the full collection at sarto.com.mt or instore: SARTO, Ross Street, St Julian’s, Tel: 2202 1601.

Hark back to the golden age of Hollywood in these Saint Laurent New Wave 214 Kate Sunglasses.

Let your little one luxuriate in this stunning Dolce & Gabbana Mini Me Printed Dress.

88 Sunday Circle ∫ DECEMBER 2018

Your holiday will start from the moment of packing with this gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana Passport Holder.

Give your suit that final, opulent touch with this Burberry House Check Tie.

Carry all your essentials in this eyecatching Valentino Rockstud Tote Bag.

Channel your inner rock star in a pair of Jimmy Choo Biker Boots.

LIFE’S MEMORABLE MOMENTS M U ST B E M O Ë T & C H A N D O N