Sunday Circle (March 2017) by Times of Malta

MARCH 2017 – ISSUE NO. 266

page 14

page 42

page 50

STEVIE CAMILLERI Determinati’s Water Polo Star / page 20

CONTENTS ISSUES 14

CREATING A DIGITAL ISLAND Therese Comodini Cachia tells Johnathan Cilia all about her vision for a totally, digitally clued-in Malta. HORSING AROUND FOR A GOOD CAUSE What happens to a horse when its owner can no longer keep him? Ivan Borg finds out how three activists are helping rescue horses from an unhappy fate. THE ART OF WAR Four decades after the Greek-Turkish Cypriot war ravaged an island, David Pisani’s photography of the after-effects of strife is set to offer a deeper understanding of what he terms the architecture of war. CELEBRATING NATURE’S DIVERSITY Despite its small size, Malta is home to an abundance of species. These, however, risk dying out due to humankind’s typical lack of appreciation. Johnathan Cilia meets up with Nature Trust president Vincent Attard to hear all about the work the organisation is carrying out in order to avoid precisely this.

its second anniversary and holds its first ever awards, Iggy Fenech sits down with CEO Wilfrid Buttigieg to discuss the achievements, the passion and the dedication that has made yachting one of the island’s favourite sports.

SPORT

DETERMINED, THEY STAND Iggy Fenech goes behind the scenes of Claire Agius Ordway’s Determinati, one of the most ambitious sport-related projects to ever hit Maltese television. THE YACHTING PIONEERS OF MALTA As Yachting Malta celebrates

THIS PUBLICATION IS BEING DISTRIBUTED AS PART OF:

H E A LT H 69

ARTS 30

confections, created the old-fashioned, luscious way.

BEYOND WHAT THE EYES CAN SEE Photographer Catalin Bindiu sits down for an interview with Iggy Fenech to talk growing up in communist Romania, visiting Ethiopia as part of TVM’s Il-Progett, finding love in the unlikeliest of places, and living by the sea. SCENES ON STONE Iggy Fenech meets up with artist Paul Camilleri to discover the narrative projection that will take over the façade of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta as the Treaty of Rome turns 60.

TRADITIONS 58

REPLACING A LONG-LOST TOOTH WITH A DENTAL IMPLANT Dr Jean Paul Demajo explains that a more permanent solution is not always an easy task.

REGULARS 04 08 10 28

A word from the editor c Body c Beauty c Style

THE PURSUIT OF SWEET BEAUTY What does it take to make perfect, artisan chocolate? Jamie Iain Genovese speaks to Arthur Azzopardi, purveyor of Chocolat’s handcrafted

Send your letters to: Ramona Depares, executive editor, Sunday Circle, Allied Newspapers Ltd, 341, Strickland House, St Paul Street, Valletta, VLT 1211, 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

Finally, the weather seems to have turned. After a totally miserable start to the new year, it’s blue skies and sunshine once again and I’m back to being a happy bunny. I can totally understand what would trigger Seasonal Aﬀective Disorder instead in Northern countries. I ﬁnd sunshine – though not the dreaded riħ isfel – an essential ingredient for me to thrive. But, with the onset of nicer weather, we are also reminded of summer, the beach and...bikini bodies. Well, ok, maybe not bikini but at the very least swimsuit-worthy bodies. And I know all bodies are beautiful ladidah, but there’s no denying that getting into shape (kindly note that getting into shape does not equate to reaching ridiculous low sizes, on the contrary) makes us feel entirely better about ourselves – not to mention healthier.

And any of our readers wanting to cash in on this healthier, fitter, pre-summer drive will undoubtedly find themselves inspired by this month’s cover story. I know I was, though whether I will actually do something about it remains to be seen. Meet Stevie Camilleri, waterpolo star, Malta Olympic Committee 2016 platinum winner and one of several top sportspeople who will be taking part in new reality show Determinati. But it’s a reality show with a difference, where sport takes pride of place and the challenges are definitely worth our time. Read all about it in this month’s cover story, as participating athletes and programme producer Claire Agius Ordway explain what it’s all about. Another woman leaving her mark in Malta – and beyond – is MEP and human

PUBLISHER ALLIED NEWSPAPERS LTD.

PUBLICATION SALES MANAGER Renée Micallef Decesare

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ramona Depares

DESIGN Joseph Schembri

rights lawyer Therese Comodini Cachia. This is one lady who is proving that politics does not have to be all words and no action. She explains to Johnathan Cilia what it takes for Malta to take its place at the forefront of the digital revolution – and no, it’s not just about online shopping. On a more sobering note, war and strife always leave their mark on any physical space. Sometimes the mark is obvious, sometimes not so much. Photographer David Pisani has documented the eﬀects of the Cypriot-Turkish wars four decades later and the result is touching. But on to happier topics: chocolate and horses, more personality interviews and arts-related features, as well as a bit of shopping, beauty and fashion. Hope you enjoy the read and see you next month!

COVER Stevie Camilleri Photography: Matthew B. Spiteri

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Iggy Fenech, Johnathan Cilia, Jacob Sammut, Jamie Iain Genovese, Ivan Borg

BODY 1. SMOOTH THOSE LINES Stress and fatigue are sure to leave your eyes looking dull and tired. Combining the technology inspired by the most recent scientific breakthroughs with the power of plants, this eye contour treatment smoothens early wrinkles and diminishes signs of fatigue, dark circles and puffiness. Its intensely refreshing smoothing gel-cream texture combined with a cryo-metallic tip instantly make the eyes appear more luminous and youthful. Available from Clarins authorised outlets. Clarins products are exclusively distributed by von Brockdorff Imports Ltd.

1 2

2. SENSUOUSLY LUMINOUS Nina Ricci’s Rose Extase Eau de Toilette Sensuelle is a luminous wave, paced by a rose’s vibration, drawing out a magnetic journey: a blossoming, a velvety sensuality of the skin, quivering beneath a petal’s breath, staring deeply into the exquisite light. A blooming, when desire and sensations melt into a huge respiration, a perfect harmony of musics and pictures, of perfumes and emotions. A ravishing, an incandescent impulse, the acceleration of an intense ﬂowering, leading to utter ecstasy. Exclusively represented by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. In stores on March 20.

3. ICONICALLY SENSUAL Coach Eau de Parfum takes its inspiration from the brand’s iconic codes in an olfactory interpretation of modern luxury rooted in the cool, urban ambiance of New York. Like the brand’s leather creations, it is the ultimate timeless accessory. A fragrance full of contrasts, Coach Eau de Parfum opens with bright, sparkling raspberry which gives way to creamy Turkish roses, before drying down to a sensual suede musk base note. It is the essence of the Coach Woman. Couch fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart Tel: 21492212.

4. CAPTIVATING AND SURPRISING

4 5

Narciso Rodriguez’s For Her Fleur Musc Eau De Parfum is an iconic fragrance collection that continues to surprise and captivate. The vibrant spirit embodies the profound sensuality of every woman. Unique yet addictive, Fleur Musc For Her was inspired by women who project an air of independence with exquisite grace. A generous ﬂoral bouquet with vibrant notes envelops the signature heart of musc with warmth and sensuality. The sumptuous pink ﬂowers, enhanced by pink peppercorns, blend with the rare musc while woody amber notes—a mix of patchouli and soft amber – illuminate. The result: a radiant sublime rose that stands alone. Narciso Rodriguez is exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel. 2142 4079.

5. DEFYING AGE A lifting and firming, corrective anti-aging cream that helps rebuild skin’s density from within, Shiseido’s Bio Performance Lift Dynamic Cream helps achieve firmer and more youthful-looking contours, while at the same time diminishing pronounced wrinkles. This cream is recommended for those with mature skin; skin contours are lifted from within and the skin appears sculpted, firmer and more youthful. The appearance of wrinkles is visibly reduced. Shiseido is exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd. Tel. 2142 4079.

8 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

BEAUTY SMOOTH SKIN Smooth away the day with the NEW daily superfoliant by Dermalogica! This advanced powder exfoliant activates upon contact with water, releasing powerful enzymes to smooth and deep cleanse the skin. It’s anti-pollution technology aids in absorbing pollutants to detoxify the pores for ﬁrmer, healthier-looking skin. The Daily Superfoliant also has age protection features like Niacinamide, Red Algae and Tara fruit extract that combat skin ageing triggers. Available from leading Dermalogica stockists. Distributed by Biocare Company Ltd. Tel 2142 4401. www.biocaremalta.com

NO MORE DANDRUFF For an advanced action against dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis there’s Dercos Anti-Dandruff shampoo available for dry, or normal to greasy hair. Dercos Anti-Dandruff shampoo contains Microbiome technology with Selenium DS, to help eliminate dandruff and relieve the scalp from itching sensations. The scalp regains comfort and health, for long-lasting regulation and a six-week anti-relapse action when used as a four-week programme. 85 per cent of users agree that it makes hair beautiful and moisturized, with 97 per cent say they like the texture! Available exclusively in pharmacies. For more information or a sample e-mail vichy@prohealth.com.mt  Vichy

10 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

BEAT CANCER In healthcare, we tend to repeat ourselves, but with good reason and even better intentions. Colon cancer, more often than not, does not present any symptoms and is one of the most common cancers. However, it is also one of the most treatable if it is detected in its early stages. The lack of symptoms makes this a particularly big challenge. So those who ﬁt into the associated risk categories are encouraged to schedule a check-up at their earliest. Saint James Hospital is doing its part by oﬀering discounts on colon cancer tests: FOB, CT Colonography and Colonoscopy. Call 2329 1000 for more information.

SMOOTHER HANDS

LUSCIOUS LASHES

Mava + Handcream relieves reddened, irritated hands and repairs and protects dry skin, damaged by external factors such as cold, wind, sun … From the first application, you will feel the benefits as your skin regains calm, smoothness and suppleness. Its formulation stops dehydration and nourishes, smoothens and repairs effectively-chapped hands. Massage by concentrating on very dry, irritated areas. Do not forget your elbows and knees. Exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd, Tel: 2142 4080/79.

A nutritive treatment product for your lashes, to be applied every evening on the lashes, after having thoroughly removed all make-up of them. Its formulation is enriched with a natural ingredient that stimulates hair growth, as well as an amino acid and vitamin B2, well-known for their beneﬁcial eﬀect on hair growth. Your lashes will be strengthened, conditioned and protected and will noticeably be thicker, longer and stronger. First results visible after one month. Exclusively represented by C+M Marketing Ltd, Tel: 2142 4080/79.

PERSONALITIES

14 Sunday Circle â&#x2C6;« MARCH 2017

PERSONALITIES

Creating the digital island WHETHER IT’S PUSHING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE MIGRANTS’ SECTOR, OR HELPING MALTA CATCH UP WITH THE ONLINE REVOLUTION, THERESE COMODINI CACHIA IS ONE OF THOSE MEPS WHO DON’T SEEM TO KNOW THE MEANING OF THE PHRASE ‘RESTING ON ONE’S LAURELS’. JOHNATHAN CILIA FINDS OUT HOW THE POLITICIAN BELIEVES THAT SHE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO OUR DAILY LIFE THROUGH HER WORK WITHIN THE EU.

The ethics and legal ramifications of robots entering the European workforce, working alongside humankind as tools to increase productivity, may have once been something mostly seen in films, or maybe discussed at your weekly Humanist meetings. But, for Therese Comodini Cachia, it’s just part of the job. Literally, as the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee has just approved a report she coauthored on this very topic. A first-term MEP and a lawyer working in the human rights field, Therese has quickly taken up the digital and technological mantle, working on issues related to our modern, often online and very futuristic, life. Have you ever tried to access a video only to be greeted with the ‘This video is not available in your country’ message on your screen. Or found some great deal online and headed to checkout just to find out that they don’t deliver to Malta? This annoying measure is known as geo-blocking, and it is one issue Therese has been working on quite a lot. “I find that the Maltese seem to always be forgotten by people offering services,” she says. “Very often you try to access websites even just to buy a pair of shoes or a book, and you get either automatically diverted. Or else the currency, and the price changes. Or else you get the ultimate insult: does not ship to Malta,” she says, in reference to a common plight that affects Maltese consumers. Of course, our geographical location has a lot of benefits but it may also come with downsides, as Therese has noticed. “I think this is what angers people and it is also what brings a conflict between consumers and creators and businessmen. But when we see how much Maltese

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

PERSONALITIES

people have embraced the digital opportunities, the way we engage

legislative framework for these matters and, indeed, how we

digitally, nothing is going to stop us from trying to access them.”

consume information in 2017 and beyond, is still under

Maltese people sure are active online. For all of Malta’s calls for conservatism and tradition, Malta is above the EU average when it comes to national online usage, something that Therese herself has experienced from a young age. “Well, I may have been one of the lucky kids because my

construction. And this change in consumption is aﬀecting everything. “We have moved from buying a CD for €20 to microscopic payments to listen to music or to watch movies. The conﬂicts arise because everyone is trying to adapt,” Therese points out. And the

father was always someone who did his best to try and provide us

changes are happening so quickly that few can legislate eﬀectively,

with any technology that was emerging. So, when I was a kid I had

as is the case when it comes to copyright, for example.

my ﬁrst computer with, you know, those ﬂoppy disks and

“In 2001, the Infosoc directive happened, where we

everything,” she reminisces with a smile. “I think, politically, there

established what types of work have copyright and who can

were a couple of people within the previous administration who

made very bold decisions because we didn’t have a digital

would explode as it has, so we couldn’t plan for all eventualities.

infrastructure. We’ve only just started, it’s pretty young for us. It’s

Today, we have a situation where there is a lot ambiguity and grey

the digital infrastructure that has moved really quickly from Malta.”

areas, which can lead to abuses.”

When we see how fast the Maltese people have embraced digital opportunities, nothing is going to stop us from trying to access these services

This swift growth is a positive sign for Therese. “I actually want to go faster, I want us to start thinking of 5G, I want us to start having Gigabit access and a Gigabit society, I want

Therese herself has experienced some of these abuses as a lecturer. “Can you imagine the headaches that come with publishing a

Malta to be the Digital Island. I look at digital connectivity as

book and protecting your copyright?” she asks. “I’ve had the

partially one of the main responses to our insularity. I think it is

experience once of having a student handing an assignment that

really our opportunity to be out there. I think digital connectivity

was copied and pasted from the European Commission website!”

and digital engagement is what could possibly help us attain a

But, even though Therese has the digital future of Malta and

global outlook rather than an insular Maltese outlook. This is why,

Europe in her sights, her background as a human rights lawyer

after 17 years litigating as a human rights lawyer, I am going to

comes into play often. Take the recent tragedy, where a Ghanian

parliament asking to be trusted with digital ﬁles.”

migrant facing deportation committed suicide. Or even the death of

Indeed, many ﬁles that she is entrusted with, be it through

a homeless Somali, found frozen under the Marsa bridge. Or the

the Legal Aﬀairs Committee or the Cultural Education Media Youth

case of nine Malians being detained without charges… the migrant

Policy Committee, pertain to the digital element. Geo-blocking,

crisis remains a big issue in Malta, and only seems to be worsening.

copyright, portability, trade secrets, Intellectual Property Rights, TDM text and data mining, harmonization across Europe – the

16 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

“We’ve had several reports that have analysed and considered the conditions of detention for migrants in Malta. Previously, we

PERSONALITIES

populist or do the right thing. Or maybe a government that has decided to please both sides. Which is why the authorities are trying to make an example of certain people while issuing visas without any problems to people coming from other, ‘better-liked’ countries.” Her beliefs on the migrant crisis are simple. “We should allow human dignity to prevail. That means that we make sure that we not only abide with the law but we make sure that these people can at least live a decent life, while a definite decision is taken about them. That is the least we can do.” As critical as she is of the current administration, she is also ready to point out flaws within her own party. When I ask her what she thought of Jason Azzopardi calling the police on a journalist asking him questions, she admits that that was “a big mistake”. “But, I believe the PN has been a very healthy opposition. I don’t remember any opposition that has provided so much new policy.” Therese’s work within the digital sphere may seem abstract to some, but Therese maintains that “everything has to do with human rights.” As she enters the second half of her term as an MEP from Malta, she looks back on her tenure with satisfaction at the results. “It’s been more fulfilling than I expected it to be,” she says. “I thought it was going be less exciting, but you can work in so many different areas. You can put your arguments forward and people really take you into consideration, so you can really get engaged in matters as much as you’d want to.” But, she adds, being an MEP has taught Therese something about herself that she was not aware of before. “It has brought me in touch with so many different realities, more so Maltese had the excuse that we have too many and that we cannot cope

realities. I had underestimated what it means to meet people, to be

with them,” says Therese pointedly. “But I believe that we have

out there with people. I never thought it was going to make me

obtained so much EU funding to come up with a structure that, by

laugh and cry with them – and I never expected people to just open

today, we should have that structure. But what I see with this

their doors to a politician...So yes it’s been good,” she ends with a

government is a government that can’t decide whether to be

smile. “Tiring, but good.”

18 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

COVER STORY

DETER MINED, THEY STAND IGGY FENECH GOES BEHIND THE SCENES OF CLAIRE AGIUS ORDWAY’S DETERMINATI, ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS SPORT-RELATED PROJECTS TO EVER HIT MALTESE TELEVISION.

As tenacity and fortitude take centrestage in Claire Agius Ordway’s Determinati, the athletes who will be featured in the first six episodes of the docu-style programme talk about their sporting careers’ biggest highlights and why they chose to be part of the show.

CLOTHES: DEBENHAMS MAKE-UP: JENNIFER DIMECH PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW B. SPITERI

20 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

COVER STORY

STEVE MARTIN Boxer When did you take up boxing? I actually started out in kickboxing but there is a much bigger future and many more ﬁghts in boxing, which is why I decided to make the shift. I must say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken.

What has been the biggest highlight? Deﬁnitely winning the World Boxing Federation’s World Championship Belt in 2014 against Graham Earl, the best boxer to ever set foot on the Island, especially when you consider his record versus mine!

Why did you say yes to Determinati? The athletes being featured on the programme are some of Malta’s best – it’s an honour to be a part of such a great team!

What’s next? Deﬁnitely to get bigger and better titles than the ones I have now, which means dedicating myself even more to training and going abroad for training camps. In sport, you can never stop improving yourself.

STEVIE CAMILLERI Water Polo Player When did you take up water polo? I started practicing water polo at the age of 10, after I had tried a number of diﬀerent sports. One of those was swimming, which I’m still very passionate about.

What has been the biggest highlight? There are a number of achievements that I’ll cherish forever, including reaching the semifinal stage of the Italian Serie A1 and winning a record five consecutive championships in Malta. Nevertheless, if I had to choose one, it would be participating in last year’s European Championships in Belgrade and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer while representing Malta.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? I am a sports enthusiast and I believe that sport is essential to society. Determinati, therefore, is the perfect medium to get this message across.

What’s next? I have recently been appointed as one of the junior team coaches with Neptunes WPSC and I’m also launching my water polo school S7EVEN Waterpolo Academy this summer. My goal is to help improve the standard of water polo in Malta through the experience I’ve gained playing professionally abroad.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

COVER STORY

SOPHIE ABELA Basketball Player When did you take up basketball? At ﬁve years old, but I also did other sports in the meantime. It was at the age of 14 that I decided to take it up as my only sports.

What has been the biggest highlight? Getting oﬀered a contract with an Italian team at the age of 16! I was with the under-16 national team of Malta at a training camp in Ragusa, Italy, to play against the under-16s of Sicily and under-18s of Virtus Eirene Passalacqua Ragusa… Little did I know back then the latter would become my future team!

Why did you say yes to Determinati? When I was asked, I didn’t hesitate one bit. There are so many Maltese athletes out there who want to take up their sport abroad, and I hope that this programme will help them realise how just one game or one tournament could change their lives.

What’s next? I hope to inspire young athletes to never give up on their dreams and keep living mine!

FABIO SPITERI Triathlete When did you take up triathlons? I’ve been taking part in competitive sports for the last 21 years, starting with athletics. Naturally, I progressed to triathlons and long-distance IronMan races 10 years ago.

What has been the biggest highlight? Back in my track days, I won two bronze medals during the Small Nation Games, ﬁrst in 1999 and then in 2001, one of which set a national record in the 4X400 relay. In triathlon it would be ﬁnishing my 1st Ironman in 2010 and recently qualifying for Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chatanooga 2017. I’ve also won Triathlete of the Year, the Malta Duathlon Champion six times, and been named Malta long distance champion four times.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? I love sports, and I left my full-time job to be able to train and coach 24/7. I hope that, by being part of Determinati, I can be of an example to upcoming athletes and youngsters.

What’s next? By the end of the programme, I’ll have done 17half-IronMan races, 8 IronMan races, and 1 Double-IronMan race, so my new challenge is to keep the races getting longer and harder.

22 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

COVER STORY

MICHAEL NAUDI Basketball Player When did you take up basketball? At the age of 13, because I wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps. As the younger brother, I always wanted to be as good as him or better, so this was the best way to go about it!

What has been the biggest highlight? There is no one exact moment as diﬀerent wins and experiences have all made it worth it. I’ve won a lot and lost just as much; and while personal honours are great, most of the satisfaction comes from knowing that you tried your best and made friends and experiences along the way.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? I think it’s great that sport is ﬁnally getting some recognition and that the athletes’ eﬀort is being celebrated.

What’s next? Maybe be in a movie about sports?

AMY MICALLEF SWIMMER When did you take up swimming? At the age of seven, when my mother applied for me to start swimming lessons. I have always felt an aﬃnity to water and since I live just across the road from the sea in Sliema, I’ve spent countless hours down at the beach.

What has been the biggest highlight? Besides breaking all three breaststroke national records, I would probably say that racing in the 16th Final World Championships in Kazan, Russia, was one of my biggest achievements as I raced amongst Olympic-level athletes and some of my own idols.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? I am currently studying a B.Sc in Sport and Physical Activity at the University of Malta. This has helped me understand the importance of involving oneself in any general sport scene more, so I hope this helps others to become more aware of how important it is to include sports in our daily life.

What’s next? My main focus is on the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) in San Marino this summer, as I believe that I have a good chance to win a medal.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

COVER STORY

VLADYSLAVA KRAVCHENKO SWIMMER When did you take up swimming? I got into para-swimming in 2013 after being inspired by a number of Paralympians. I have practiced different sports since the age of five, and I’ve always been open to trying out new ones. Sport has helped me develop mental and physical strength, self-discipline and confidence, so I would never give it up.

What has been the biggest highlight? One of the most memorable races for me has been my 50m backstroke event at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. It was my last race in the competition and I was racing against some of the best athletes in the world and carrying on the Paralympic legacy in Malta.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? Sometimes, learning about someone’s personal experience can help you navigate through your own life.

What’s next? Together with a group of local athletes, I am dedicating my time to the setting up of a non-governmental, voluntary organisation called Malta Youth Athletes Network, which will work towards representing the interests of member athletes. I have also been selected to receive a Queen’s Young Leaders Award. Along with 60 others, I will be working on projects tackling global issues such as education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and disability equality.

ANDREW GRECH Long-Distance Runner When did you take up long-distance running? In 2000, following an injury. I had decided to join a gym as part of the recovery process and it was there I met Robert Vella, a gym instructor, who happened to be a committee member of Mellieha AC. The rest, as they say, is history.

What has been the biggest highlight? The most beautiful moment was when I got chosen to represent Malta in the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was there that I broke the national record, which had stood for 12 years.

Why did you say yes to Determinati? When Claire contacted me, she showed me just how much passion she has, both for TV and for sports. I feel privileged to be part of this group of local athletes.

What’s next? The next big events are the Games of the Small States of Europe and the European Team Championships, where I’ll try to reach the qualiﬁcation-mark. In summer, I’d like to plan a race abroad to end the season on a high.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

COVER STORY

MATTHEW B. SPITERI

ROBERT TABONE

JENNIFER DIMECH

KURT CAUCHI

Celebrating the athletic spirit Victory in sport is important but it does not define an athlete: the true spirit of a sportsperson lies in the perseverance that paves the way to greatness. And that’s exactly what inspired Claire Agius Ordway to go on an epic journey of endurance, determination and unity in her latest programme, Determinati. Starting on April 11 and airing every Tuesday at 8.15pm on ONE, Determinati will introduce audiences to top Maltese athletes as they, as well as their families and coaches, discuss the passion that drives them and the sacrifices they must endure in 13 inspirational episodes. “These athletes could not live without their sport, and no matter how tough it gets, quitting is never an option,” says Claire, who is the producer of Determinati. “Learning their stories has been an incredibly touching experience and I cannot wait for audiences to see the unwavering spirit of Malta’s athletes. “Although we’re a small team – Kurt Cauchi on filming and editing, Robert Tabone on design, Jennifer Dimech on make-up, and Matthew B. Spiteri on photography – a lot of work has gone into ensuring that we do justice to some of Malta’s hardest-working athletes,” she concludes. Taking over a year to produce and film, Determinati promises to be every sportenthusiast fix of adrenaline!

Determinati

every Tuesday at 8.15pm on ONE starting on April 11. Repeats will air every Thursday at 10pm, starting April 13.

26 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

airs

STYLE JAMESON FOR ST PATRICK’S

SAN MICHEL – OFFICIAL WATER FOR THE VODAFONE MALTA MARATHON

Every year, Jameson celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by commissioning an artist to create a piece of original art for its limited edition bottle. This year, Jameson is proud to be working with Steve McCarthy, a Dublin based designer and illustrator. Steve’s design has brought the ‘chance your arm’ story to life via two outstretched hands, exchanging a handshake which is framed by the St Patrick’s Cathedral door of Reconciliation. The bottle depicts historic Dublin landmarks such as the Ha’penny bridge across the River Liﬀey, the surrounding Irish mountains and the Smithﬁeld tower. The 2017 Jameson St Patrick’s Day Limited Edition bottle is available in Malta and is marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverages Imports Company Limited.

The Vodafone Malta Marathon will this year be taking place today, March 5 and San Michel is once again confirmed as the official water for Malta’s largest and most popular athletic activity. A growing number of Maltese and foreign runners and walkers participate in this activity every year, which starts in Mdina and ends at the Sliema Ferries. The general public is encouraged to support the runners along the route and cheer them at the finish line. Visit www.maltamarathon.com for more information.

FOR THE FREE-SPIRITED WOMAN Parfois introduces its collection for the SS17 season, mainly nature-inspired, with minimalist and romantic looks existing side by side. Colour blocking, earth tones and vibrant colours constitute a palette that is immediately going to take us back to the warm days of summer. This collection stands out because of its diverse use of materials and denim, patchwork and metallic details, as well as animal-inspired embroidery, lacework and quilting, in contrast to summery, natural materials, such as straw, raﬃa or braids. In addition, for the new season, Parfois brings to us a special jewellery collection, with pieces made of silver. Thus, Parfois introduces a collection created with adventurous, free women in mind. Visit Parfois at Republic Street, Valletta or Arkadia, Gozo Opening in March at The Point – Sliema.

STYLISH WHEELS Starting from €20,900, the new Mokka X, boasts stylish looks, a lively engine line-up along with the adventurous personality and unrivalled connectivity oﬀering an array of state-of-the-art technologies. The Opel Mokka X’s new exterior design displays a bold attitude. New vibrant colours such as Amber Orange or Absolute Red add further emphasis to the sporty and exclusive appearance. For further information or to test-drive the Opel Mokka X, visit the Opel showroom at Motors Inc. Ltd in Mdina Road, Qormi, send an email to opelsales@motorsinc.com.mt, call 2269 2122, visit the website www.opel.com.mt and follow the Facebook page Opel Malta.

A FREE-SPIRITED COLLECTION The TommyxGigi capsule collection kicked oﬀ in Malta a couple of weeks ago, taking us back to the 1960s and the Summer of Love. It’s a true co-design: starting with garments from Tommy’s personal NYC archive, updated for today with Gigi’s signature freshness. The patches are a stand-out note, lovingly recreated from vintage styles. The mood of the collection is fresh, free-spirited and very modern. The collection is available from all Tommy Hilﬁger stores (Valletta, Bay Street & The Point).

28 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

PEOPLE

Beyond what the eyes can see PHOTOGRAPHER CATALIN BINDIU SITS DOWN FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH IGGY FENECH TO TALK GROWING UP IN COMMUNIST ROMANIA, VISITING ETHIOPIA AS PART OF TVM’S Il-ProĠett, FINDING LOVE IN THE UNLIKELIEST OF PLACES, AND LIVING BY THE SEA.

He’s white, so you would be forgiven for not immediately thinking

earlier in Timișoara. Ceaușescu was found guilty of genocide and

of Catalin – aﬀectionately called Cata by his friends – as a migrant.

sabotage of the Romanian economy on Christmas Day of the same

Yet, a migrant he is, and that is a big part of his story, which started

year by a make-shift tribunal set up by the provisional government.

oﬀ in communist Romania.

He was executed on the same day.

Cata’s childhood was by no means average, even for children

“I was seven when Ceaușescu fell, but I still remember it

who grew up in the same country at the same time. Born into a

clearly,” he tells me. “The army was with him, until it wasn’t, but the

family that formed part of the elite of the country – his

police were in limbo. No one knew who the police force sided with

grandparents were both high-up in the army, while his father was a

and, to this very day, there are numerous court cases trying people

Colonel in the national police force – Cata was privileged. But not as

who may have been guilty of aiding Ceaușescu. It was a scary

privileged as you might expect.

period in our lives.”

Under the brutal and repressive dictatorship of Nicolae

Cata was lucky not only because, in his younger years, had

Ceaușescu, freedom of speech and the media were nonexistent, and

luxuries and protection few commoners could dream of but

his secret police force has gone down in history as one of the most

because, as a family, they had access to information on the outside

ubiquitous and barbaric ever. Even as a child with concessions,

world, beyond the borders of Romania and the Soviet States. “We

Catalin and his brothers had to queue for hours for staples like

were lucky, but it still felt like being caged,” he recounts, as he stares

eggs, milk and meat, and electricity was limited to just a few hours

at his glass in contemplation.

a day, during which he and his family could watch Ceaușescu speak

Spending his formative years under a communist regime

to the nation for 30 minutes before the television broadcast was

shaped Cata, particularly when he got to experience the globalised

interrupted.

world that was emerging outside the walls of Romania for the ﬁrst

Then, December 22, 1989, just over a month after the fall of

time following Ceaușescu deposition. As a whole new life unfolded

the Berlin Wall, saw Ceaușescu deposed, but not before he ordered

for him and his compatriots, Cata began to understand how ﬂeeting

the army to ﬁre at anti-government demonstrators just ﬁve days

and whimsical life could be. And, the next few years, during which

30 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

PEOPLE

he trained water polo professionally with the Romanian National Team, moved to Spain, and returned home to read law, shaped his outlook on life, his goals for the future, and established in him a passion for capturing the beauty, irony, unfairness and splendour of life. “Following the fall of Ceaușescu, most people in Bucharest got stuck in the hip hop culture of the time,” Cata explains. “I got into it too and I was in the studio often, and making graﬃti when not. Initially, this was done illegally but then we started getting paid and being asked to enter competitions. It was during one of these that a friend gave me a camera and asked me to take some photos… A year passed before I saw them but, when I did, I was totally blown away by the power of photography – how vividly they can bring back memories, how true or untrue they can be to life at the point in time they were taken. I also realised I could express myself through this particular medium and never looked back.” Cata’s love for the sea then saw him come to Malta, where he opened a catering business and enjoyed his passion for free diving

Paceville. “I couldn’t move back. I love Malta and the longer I stay

as a sport. Things, however, didn’t pan out as expected and he

here, the more that love grows. It’s so small, yet there’s so much to

found himself doing stunt work on international productions in

discover, to photograph, to appreciate.”

Malta (in his portofolio, he boasts roles in 13 Hours, Assassin’s Creed, and the recently ﬁlmed Entebbe) and bartending at a club in

It was while working at this club that he met a woman he would fall in love with and who would play a rather coincidental

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

PEOPLE

“Looking back,

yet crucial role in getting him to Ethiopia with TVM’s

however, there were two

Il-Proġett.

things that truly stuck with me: The ﬁrst happened

“It’s a funny story,” Daniela Calamatta, Cata’s

while I was checking the

partner, tells me. “I was

photos on my camera and I

talking to a dear friend,

heard a strange noise. I

who is a physiotherapist,

looked to my right and I

when she told me that our

saw a guy covered in ﬂies,

mutual friend Mark

eating raw lamb oﬀ the

Caruana, Il-Proġett’s host]

bone. I took a photo and a

had told her that the

priest approached me and

photographer had dropped

asked me not to show it

out and that she had

outside of Ethiopia, as the

suggested Cata as a

man was a veteran of war

potential photographer.”

and suﬀered from mental issues… He didn’t want

In August 2016, Cata departed to Addis Ababa

foreigners to get the wrong

with six Maltese

idea of the country

personalities, namely DJ

because of one man, but

Toby, singer and vocal

there were people like him

coach Gillian Camenzuli

all over the place! “The second was this

Kerr, actress Doriana Portelli, model Jade Cini,

uneasy and lingering

sexologist Nicholas Briﬀa

feeling of doom, which

and TV host and chef

came from war with Eritrea

Manuel Aquilina, as well as

– we were stationed quite

Chrysander Agius and Mark

close to the border – and

Caruana, and Robert

the HIV epidemic. Driving

Farrugia from MISSIO, to

from one place to another,

help ﬁnish a project in

we came across villages full

Ethiopia.

of children but no adults. They had all been killed,

Their work there involved everything from

either by war or HIV, and it

helping to construct new

was heartbreaking.” Cata’s photos, which

structures for the locals and digging wells, and with

are being sold in aid of

the programme having just

charity both as prints and

started airing on TVM you

in calendar format, now

can catch all that happened

stand testament to the

there. Cata’s work on the

work that was done by IlProġett while there; and are

project, however, was to shoot what he saw and the team’s journey. Once again, Cata’s

also a reminder of all that still needs to be done the world over. Yet,

experience was not as straightforward as one expects it to be.

personally, for Cata, it was a project that, once again, reminded him

“I have to admit that I wasn’t surprised to see what I saw – I

of the power photography has of capturing instances of terrible

guess a part of me was ready to see it – but I had a shock when I

beauty or awe-inspiring tragedy. In fact, there is a stillness in Cata’s

came back,” he says. “When I opened the fridge, I almost started

work; in the lines he so eﬀortlessly manages to capture on people’s

crying. We take such things so for granted, the commodities we

brows; in the slightly unsettling angles his photos are taken. His

have. I remember I walked out onto the terrace and saw people

experiences - be it consciously or unconsciously – are so much part

opening beer cans on their boats and then thought of the children

of his work.

dying on the ground just a few hours’ ﬂight away… It’s absolutely insane.

32 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

www.blackbookphoto.net

SAILING

The yachting pioneers of Malta AS YACHTING MALTA CELEBRATES ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY AND HOLDS ITS FIRST EVER AWARDS, IGGY FENECH SITS DOWN WITH CEO WILFRID BUTTIGIEG TO DISCUSS THE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE PASSION AND THE DEDICATION THAT HAS MADE YACHTING ONE OF THE ISLAND’S FAVOURITE SPORTS. Yachting’s fusion of glamour and edge, and of raw talent and refined execution, has definitely taken over the popular imagination, and has given rise to a new generation of enthusiasts on the island. Nevertheless, with world-class races and tycoons cruising into Malta’s seas recently becoming the norm, and with businesses offering an ever-increasing array of specialised products and services in recent years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Malta’s role in this sport and industry is new. “A success story, however, is rarely bred overnight,” explains the CEO of Yachting Malta, Wilfrid Buttigieg, who also represents Sport Malta on the board. “The development of yachting, both as a sport and as an industry, was possible as a result of the contribution and commitment of

Mr Godwin Zammit - on behalf of Mr John Ripard, Mrs Roselle Borg - on behalf of the late Mr Teddie Borg, Mr. Wilfred Sultana, Mrs Dora Ripard - on behalf of the late Mr Paul Ripard, Mrs Kristine Podesta - on behalf of the late Mr Arthur Podesta, Mrs Doreen Darmanin Kissaun - on behalf of the late Mr Roland Darmanin Kissaun

many individuals, clubs and organisations over a stretch of time.” Yachting Malta, which was launched in April 2015 aimed to consolidate all that. Its primary roles, in fact, are to identify

Forum in 2016 and the Owners and

voice on various matters to the relevant

Skippers Reception of the Rolex Middle

authorities, and Super Yachts taxation

Sea Race in 2015 and 2016.

policies and yachting education, are just a

Throughout its first year, Yachting

few things that it is currently working on. Nevertheless, from its very inception

and attract high profile yachting events to

Malta also supported the refurbishment of

the Maltese Islands, as well as to market

the new Vikings Sailing Club premises in

the Yachting Malta Board, which is chaired

Malta as a yachting destination for yacht

order to render the club operational and

by the representative of the Royal Malta

racing, leisure yachting and super yachts.

to guarantee the continuity of an

Yacht Club, Mr Godwin Zammit, realised

It has also been behind some of the most

important, long-established club for young

that there was a lack of recognition of

prestigious and high-profile events in

sailors. More importantly, however, the

those individuals who, through their

recent years, including the Yacht Racing

organisation also serves as a consultative

dedication and expertise, had made the

34 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

SAILING

yachting sector what it is today. And just a

yachting’s reach and strengthening its

few weeks ago the first Yachting Malta

reputation in Malta and abroad.

Awards, supported by Mercedes-Benz,

“The nominees were judged on the

Simon Estates, Charles Grech and

basis of their contribution after the Yachting

Transport Malta, took place.

Malta Board of Directors had vetted their

“These awards were the result of a

detailed biographies. During the inaugural

number of consultation exercises and,

speech YM’s CEO stated: ‘If you have been

while listening requires time and energy,

nominated, you must be doing something

we believe that it was a worthwhile effort

right. Somebody out there is recognising

as the process made the board aware of

the value of your contribution.’

various relevant requirements, one of

“From an adjudication point of view,

which was the awards evening,” Wilfrid

however, it was not easy to decipher who

continues. “In fact, the inaugural edition of

we deem best to fit this year’s awards

the Yachting Malta Awards acknowledged those individuals who have made a significant ‘lifetime’ contribution towards the development of yachting as a sport and industry.” With a total of 17 nominees, the board chose six winners based on their contribution to the sport, the industry, and on furthering

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

SAILING

because each person nominated was outstanding in his or her own right. As a board we realised that all the nominees were

Winners of the Outstanding

individuals who had gone out of their way and walked that extra mile for yachting as a sport or as in industry. But, yes, of course, we had to create ‘a filter within the filter’ and

ARTHUR PODESTA

the second filter saw the nominated key

Past Commodore Royal Malta Yacht

people ‘of the past’ winning the first edition

Club, Skilled Yachtsman Arthur Podesta was involved in the yachting scene pretty much his entire life. His association with the Rolex Middle Sea Race (RMSR) went back to the very start, and he was even a crew member on the first winner of the first race, the Josian. On top of taking part in the first thirty-five editions of RMSR, Podesta devoted many years to the Royal Malta Yacht Club, including as a Commodore. Nevertheless, his biggest accomplishment was that of encouraging many young people to take up the sport, particularly by giving them the opportunities to be crew on his boat, the Elusive.

of the Yachting Malta Awards.” Together, all 17 nominees have been instrumental to the yachting scene we have in Malta today; and their remit within the industry and the sport is much more varied than you’d expect it to be. From co-founders of the Rolex Middle Sea Race to entrepreneurs, and from sailing media pioneers to photographers, coaches and judges, the Yachting Malta Awards understood immediately that yachting, just like any other sport or industry, is the sum of various parts. “Even so, going forward, the scope for recognition will be widened even further in order for Yachting Malta to be able to recognise more individuals, organisations, federations and companies operating within the sector,” Wilfrid adds. “The subsequent edition will range beyond outstanding contribution awards alone, and will include awards for the Official, Commodore, Coach, Ambassador, Volunteer, Blue Marina, Entrepreneur or Young Sailor of the Year… In fact, we are pretty certain that a number of promising sports and industry leaders, who will change the identity of yachting in Malta over the next decade and beyond, were present for the inaugural Yachting Malta Awards!” With the first Awards under their belt and with many projects, proposals and initiatives in the pipeline, Yachting Malta’s vision for the future of the sport and industry is an impressive one. As Wilfrid himself put it, “if the necessary focus and investment is placed on the yachting sector, it will become one of the pillars of the Maltese economy.” Where it will go and how much it will continue to grow is anyone’s guess, but it looks like there’s a bright future ahead of Malta’s yachting enthusiasts, sportspeople, entrepreneurs and investors.

36 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

ROLAND DARMANIN KISSAUN Yachting Industry Pioneer (1970s) It was in the early 60s that Roland Darmanin Kissaun recognised the opportunity to build a yachting industry on the island, even though there were only a handful of yachts visiting and being based in Malta. Through his personal eﬀorts and his leadership of the Yacht Traders Association, Darmanin Kissaun worked hard in the interest of the industry to see Malta become one of the most successful Yachting hubs in the Mediterranean. In 1989, together with other local yacht agents, he lobbied with the Maltese Government and the London International Boat-Show Organisers to successfully secure the main sponsorship of the London International Boat Show, where the centre feature was Malta. Roland was also a mainstay behind the organisation of various sailing events, including the Malta-Pozzallo Windsurf Race and the Malta-Tunisia Yacht Race. Moreover, Darmanin Kissaun, together with Ing. Paul Cardona, contributed towards the development of the Commercial Yacht Registration, among many other things.

SAILING

g Contribution to Yachting Award PAUL RIPARD Middle Sea Race Co-

WILFRED SULTANA

Founder, Olympian &

Journalist, Publisher

Yachting Entrepreneur A principal pioneer of yachting in Malta, Capitan Paul Ripard was one of the ﬁrst individuals, along with his brother John, to open a yachting agency. Paul was also among the founders of the Middle Sea Race – now known as the Rolex Middle Sea Race. In 1960, Paul was the youngest member of the contingent representing Malta in the Olympics when the Ripard brothers represented Malta for the ﬁrst time in the Star Class category. Ripard’s expertise and his passion for sailing was shared amongst the countless successful Maltese sailors he taught and mentored.

and Events Organiser Wilfred’s international career as a journalist and publisher spans a staggering forty-eight years. On top of that, in 1986 he was selected as Malta’s Sports Official of the Year, while in 2013 and 2016 he was awarded a Life Career Recognition in Media and Sport and a Life Career and a Recognition in Journalism, Publications and Organisation, respectively. Among his many other accomplishments, Sultana has been instrumental in the promotion and organisation of a variety of highprofile events, including the Malta-Pozzallo Windsurf Race, the Wishbone Windsurfing International Championship, and the Malta-Tunisia Yachting Rally.

JOHN RIPARD Yachtsman, Former International Judge, cofounder of Rolex Middle Sea Race Undoubtedly one of our foremost yachtsmen, John’s sailing prowess has seen him represent Malta in the 1955 Mediterranean Games in Barcelona and in the 1960 Olympiad, when, together with his brother, Paul, he participated in the Star Class. On top of being the cofounder and winner of the ﬁrst Middle Sea Race on the Josian, Ripard won his class in the ‘Giraglia’ and ‘Campionato d’Inverno’ in Genova. Shortly after his appointment as a judge, Ripard became the Chairman of the Race Committee for the Louis Vuitton Cup at the 1987 America’s Cup and as alternate judge in Freemantle (WA). His judging endeavors have seen him become a well-respected international sailing ambassador for Malta, as well as the Chairman of the Yacht Marina Advisory Committee. In fact, it was under his watch that the ﬁrst Floating Pontoon Yacht Marina was created in Msida Creek. John Ripard received the Midalja Ghall-Qadi Tar-Repubblika in 1992.

TEDDIE BORG Sailing Media Pioneer A pioneer in promoting sailing on the Maltese media, Teddie Borg brought sailing into every household in Malta through his various TV programmes. In fact, his method of communicating his passion for sport was such that even to the uninitiated, sailing had become an attractive and interesting sport to watch. Borg was also the chairman of the UIM Malta Powerboat Federation, and was instrumental in bringing the P1 event to Malta. Moreover, in 2013, Borg was appointed to the board of the Malta Sports Council where he subsequently became the Chairman of the National Rowing Regatta.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

CIRCLE PROMOTION

FOREIGN AND LOCAL YACHT OWNERS ARE BEING LURED TO MARINA DI VALLETTA BY STATE-OFTHE-ART MARINA AMENITIES AND THE ULTIMATE IN YACHTING LUXURY SERVICES. Launched in August 2016, with an investment of €7.45m injected by a consortium formed between Marina di Varazze S.r.l, the marina development division of Azimut|Benetti Group and already operates marinas in Varazze, Viareggio, Livorno and Moscow. The consortium also includes Azimut|Benetti’s representatives in Malta – Esprit Yachting together with Arrigo Group of Hotels, Marina di Valletta General Manager with ORSTA’s engineer Ramon van Esselt

A luxury home for your luxury yacht

38 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

Joinwell and Tal-Magħtab Construction – all leading local companies from the yachting, hospitality, furniture and construction industries. Marina di Valletta, which has been awarded a 25-year concession, shall benefit from the immense international reputation of the Azimut|Benetti Group though their presence at international boat shows and their 138 offices present in over 68 countries. Following an initial environmental impact assessment by Transport Malta, a further wave study was commissioned by the company to identify the storm weather mitigation necessary and the study was undertaken by a world leader in the field – Artelia. The infrastructural works recommended by the study shall result in marina wave climate within recognized international marina standards. Weather protection infrastructure shall be substantial and will come in two forms – the first, an outer breakwater to neutralise short waves or surface waves and shall be constructed on site by Orsta – a Dutch company specialised in on-location construction of concrete cason wave attenuators. The company which is responsible for the largest floating breakwaters in the UK and the Netherlands, in the Ports of Southampton and Amsterdam and boasting clients such as the Dong Energy Offshore Windfarms in the North Sea and projects currently underway for the Sultanate and Government of

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Oman. The second and larger intervention shall take form in a 200+ linear metre revetment or rubble mound breakwater to be located along the Pieta quay and shall absorb long period waves present within the site in inclement weather. Foreign and local yacht owners alike shall be lured to Marina di Valletta by the state-of-the-art marina amenities, which will include controlled access parking dedicated to owners, round the clock berthing assistance, 24hr security and a marina office offering conveniences and concierge services. The marina will boast a luxury environment with high-end finishes installed throughout the concession area. Pontoons shall be wider than the average width of local marinas offering better stability and comfort for marina patrons and will cater for up to 274 Berths from 10 metre to 28 metre upon

The marina's first section of its outer arm breakwater being launched

completion on the various project phases. Dedicated and shared berths shall available for transit yachts up to 24m and during the

“We are very pleased with the progress being made and we are

season the outer arm of the 120m breakwater shall be certiﬁed to

well on track to welcome the ﬁrst yachts this season. The interest in

welcome Superyachts up to 50 metres in length or 500GT in transit.

this project has been enormous, even due to the reputation and

Transit yacht owners shall, for the ﬁrst time, have direct access to

proﬁle of the Azimut|Benetti Group,” commented Mr Travers Tauss.

Valletta and City Gate.

“This project will not only contribute towards the urgent need of

“Marina di Valletta shall be the ﬁrst local marina to satisfy the

berthing space Malta requires to fully develop its potential as a top

latest environmental norms related to ﬁxed point facilities for black

end international yachting destination but will also regenerate what

water extraction in anticipation of such facilities becoming mandatory

has largely been a derelict area for a number of years”.

in the coming years,” commented Niki Travers Tauss, general manager, Marina di Valletta. Marina construction is currently in progress with infrastructural

The Marina di Valletta is expected to be fully operational in time for the 2017 season. Further information about the marina and details for pre-registration at Marina di Valletta can be found at

works taking place since last September. Well within the stipulated

www.marinadivalletta.com, via email on info@marinadivalletta.com

timeframes, last weekend saw the successful launch of the Marina’s

or call on +356 2144 6421 / +356 9944 2122.

first section of the outer arm breakwater, this will be the first of five sections and will instrumental is neutralising short or surface waves. Construction is currently being carried out by Orsta, a Dutch company specialised in on-location construction of concrete cason wave attenuators and which has a long portfolio of major projects around the world.

KEY FEATURES • Safe all-year round berthing for over 250 yachts • Enhanced weather protection • Floating breakwater to protect from surface waves • Revetment (Boulder Breakwater) along Pieta Quay to dampen swell • Black water extraction, waste oils and waste collection points • Options for 10/20 year purchase • Private car park for over 80 vehicles with controlled access • Transit berth with transport link to Valletta • Marina concierge • Round-the-clock professional berthing assistance • CCTV and 24hr Security • Luxury showers and WC facilities

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

CIRCLE PROMOTION

The birth of a legacy S&D YACHTS CONTINUES BUILDING ON THE TRADITION OF ITS LATE FOUNDER, ROLAND DARMANIN KISSAUN, OFFERING A ONE-STOP SHOP OF TOP SERVICES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL YACHTSMEN.

Services, Chandlery, a Yacht Marina and concierge services for Superyachts. It is safe to say that the company is considered to be one of the leading superyacht agencies on the island – most of these ﬂoating palaces

There is no doubt that Roland Darmanin

of the current yacht leasing structure as we

have Maltese registration, earning Malta the

Kissaun, one of Malta’s best known yachting

know it today.

title of Superyacht capital of Europe.

pioneers, has left an enduring legacy, one

In 1976, after having built substantial

Initially set up to oﬀer brokerage

which he strived so hard to build. The recent

experience in the ﬁeld, Roland launched

services, the company has now thirty years

“Outstanding Contribution to Yachting

S&D Yachts Ltd. In a short time, the

of experience and developed an unparalleled

Award”, bestowed upon him posthumously,

company gained an international reputation

level of technical knowledge and expertise,

is a testament of the respect he has

for being Malta’s leading yacht agent, broker

and a remarkable portfolio of sales and

garnered along the years in the industry.

and charter management company.

purchases. Oﬀering a wide selection of previously owned sailing yachts and power

Roland’s connection with the industry started in the early sixties, when a few yachts started to visit Malta. His

The present As the industry evolved and yachts

boats, the team takes a proactive approach to ensure that each transaction is eﬀected

entrepreneurial spirit saw him found one of

became larger and professionally managed,

eﬀortlessly and seamlessly. If a yacht is not

the ﬁrst yachting agencies in Malta, resulting

so did S&D Yachts. Oﬀering a myriad of

listed within their portfolio, S&D Yachts will

in Malta becoming one of the most

services, S&D Yachts became a one stop

work with its trusted collaborating network

successful yachting hubs in the

shop for both local and international

of brokers overseas to ﬁnd it.

Mediterranean. A forerunner in the

yachtsmen.

promotion of Malta Flag Registration for

With a forty-strong team S&D Yachts

Selling and purchasing a boat can be a signiﬁcant operation, however through the

yachts, as well as Yacht Corporate Services,

currently oﬀers Agency, Brokerage and

assistance of the Corporate Services arm, a

he was actively involved in the development

Charter, Corporate Services, Yacht Repair

complete turnaround package can be

40 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

CIRCLE PROMOTION

oﬀered, guaranteeing a smooth

variety of some of the most popular and

and eﬃcient operation with all

requested brands by the yachting industry.

administrative, procedural and

Not one to rest on its laurels, the company

support services provided by a

will soon be opening an Agency and

team of qualiﬁed and well versed

Brokerage oﬃce in the

experts who understand yachting.

Grand Harbour Marina

The management and

to further complement

coordination of the various

the services in the area.

activities by a central

The future

administrator allows S&D Yachts to offer a unique and efficient service. A subsidiary company based in Valletta offers the necessary legal, notarial and fiduciary expertise. For nearly twenty years, S&D Yachts

If the recent past

Roland Marina

is anything to go by with, then Roland’s legacy is destined to live

The increasing need

on well into the future.

has represented Dufour Yachts – a French

for berthing

His vision, dedication

brand synonymous with luxury and comfort,

facilities saw the creation of Roland Marina,

and hard work ethic has been passed on to

marrying reﬁned design with remarkable

aﬀectionately named after S&D Yacht’s

his son Mark and nephew Peter Fiorini

innovation – at competitive prices. A wide

founder. Suitably located in the sheltered

Lowell who together with the team ensure

variety of performance and cruising models

yachting hub of Ta' Xbiex creek and 100

that his legacy and memory continues to

are available and please the most discerning

metres away from the company’s oﬃce, the

live on.

of clients. A fully equipped exterior galley

Marina has four ﬂoating pontoons which can

and its barbecue just hidden under the rear

accommodate approximately 150 yachts, of

seats at the stern contribute to the art of

up to a maximum of 20 metres. The Marina

ﬁne living - just perfect for those long balmy

is within walking distance of chandlery

summer days!

stores, yacht service companies, clinics,

With an approach to further develop and strengthen their portfolio, S&D Yachts

banks, hotels and restaurants. Whilst most of its operations are

have also recently been appointed sub

centred around the Ta’Xbiex area, S&D

agents of Fairline & Riva, producers of

Yachts has also a presence in the historic

luxury motor yachts – deﬁnitely a great

Three Cities, in particular Vittoriosa where

option for those having a penchant for

its Yacht Repair facility and Yacht Chandlery

motorised speed.

service are based. The latter oﬀers a wide

Seabreeze, Giuseppe Cali Street, Ta’ Xbiex XBX1421 Tel: +356 2133 1515 | +356 2133 9908 Email: info@sdyachts.com

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

ANIMAL RIGHTS

Horsing around for a good cause WHAT HAPPENS TO A HORSE WHEN ITS OWNER CAN NO LONGER KEEP HIM? IF IT’S LUCKY, IT GETS REHOMED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE LIKE MICHELLE CACHIA ARNETT, CHRISTINA COPPINI AND KORIN FARRUGIA. IVAN BORG FINDS OUT HOW THE THREE ACTIVISTS ARE HELPING RESCUE HORSES FROM AN UNHAPPY FATE.

Maltese animal-rights activists often take on an outsized burden,

role – moving away from rehoming horses. This indirectly gave

and routinely conjure unlikely feats in service to the cause, very

Michelle a ‘second call’ into the cause, and helped her team up

often in total anonymity. Some of the ﬁnest work is being done

with Christina.

by a relatively small number of individuals who support horses in

Christina also got the equestrian bug from her mum. When

need of a home. Their work relies not only on in-depth

she was six, her mother introduced her to a retired trotter –

knowledge of the horses themselves, but an ability to match

technically her ﬁrst rescue – that they took on as a pet. Her long-

them to a viable owner. I manage to get in touch with Michelle

standing love of horses eventually brought her together with

Cachia Arnett, Christina Coppini and Korin Farrugia – three

Michelle. The two weren’t especially close friends, but when

young women who have an established history of successfully

Michelle and her mum took on that particularly urgent case, post-

rehoming horses.

Funny Farm, they started talking about the situation and its

I ask them how they developed their equestrian obsession,

eventual outcome. “When it was all done Michelle approached me

and eventually found their way into the cause. Michelle explains

with an idea and I agreed,” Christina explains “We teamed up and

how her mother Sue, a long-serving champion of the cause in her

set up the Facebook group Rehome a Horse Malta”.

own right, came across what was essentially a slum for horses in

Korin similarly fell in love with horses very early on, but did

the early 1990s. The gruesome conditions that the animals were

so independently of any interest within the family. She tells me

being kept in, and the sinister purpose of the entire operation,

how she came across a group of horses in Scotland at the age of

convinced Sue that something had to be done. Eﬀectively, this

seven, describing it as love at ﬁrst sight. She eventually rescued a

meant Michelle was exposed to the problem from a very young

horse from a dealer, and went on to spearhead an organisation of

age – it is really something she grew up with. She helped her

her own – named RMJ’s Horse Rescue, after that very ﬁrst animal.

mother with an organisation, then called The Funny Farm, that

You might ask yourself why so many horses need to be

went a long way towards familiarising the Maltese public with

placed with new owners. The sad reality is that a great number of

horses and the issues they face locally. Michelle and her mum

local horses are kept for competitive purposes. If they don’t pan

eventually moved on from The Funny Farm. The organisation has

out, they quickly become an expensive burden on owners that

since changed name, and pivoted into a more classic sanctuary

expect to be competitive. “Most of them wouldn’t be very badly

42 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

ANIMAL RIGHTS

PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

Selling the horse often means selling it to a butcher, essentially sealing its fate

MARCH 2017 â&#x2C6;« Sunday Circle

ANIMAL RIGHTS

injured, they’re just not considered good enough for competition,” Christina explains. Essentially, just because their racing career is over, it doesn’t mean that these animals would be old, lame and on life-support. Any physical issues they might have would only be an issue on the racetrack, and could be addressed relatively easily. “Some people wouldn’t call the vet and spend money; they’d sell the horse and get some money back,” Michelle tells me. Selling the horse often means selling it to a butcher, essentially sealing its fate. The relative material difficulty in properly maintaining horses is a significant issue, from every perspective. “Horses are not dogs or cats,” Michelle explains. “They cannot be kept in small spaces, and they are very social animals.” It is far harder to find a new owner for a horse, because the available number of potential ones is relatively small – the availability of appropriate space being a major hurdle. While horse ownership does require some specialised knowledge, it is not an arcane science and most

hand in rehoming, oﬀering assistance to the new owners when

people can learn relatively quickly. The situation being what it is,

necessary.

sometimes horses are rehomed with ﬁrst-timers. “We cannot aﬀord to be too picky,” Korin tells me. “While

I ask about cruelty and mistreatment, obviously something they feel very strongly about. We often hear about cases of animal

we will not give a horse to someone who will be unable to care

cruelty in general, and on the local level they often involve horses.

for it, at the same time we cannot possibly ask for years of

Quite recently, we’ve heard about a surreal incident featuring a

experience before people adopt a horse.” All three volunteers

decapitated horse in Marsa – something we’d expect in a scene

point out that they do keep tabs on the horses they’ve had a

from The Godfather. “Some people don’t identify that these

44 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

ANIMAL RIGHTS

animals have feelings,” Christina laments. “You wouldn’t do

directly, but this isn’t always possible – and that’s where the

certain things to a person, so why do it to a horse?”

volunteer work of Michelle, Christina and Korin comes in. The girls

However, Michelle and Christina are quick to point out that

are actually grateful to those owners who choose to reach out

horse owners should not be demonised. Not all horses that need

and ask for help, instead of getting rid of their animals in the

to be rehomed would have been neglected or mistreated by their

quickest and most expedient way.

previous owners. The level of commitment required is such that

“A lot of owners, thankfully, now choose to rehome their

sometimes it cannot be kept up, and a horse is reluctantly

horses rather than have them killed for money,” Michelle

rehomed. It doesn’t always follow that a horse in need of a new

concedes. “There’s always going to be more horses than people

home would have been badly treated up to that point. “That’s

able to take them though.”

why we call it ‘rehoming’ horses, as opposed to rescuing them,” Christina explains. Sometimes, an owner can rehome a horse

What Michelle is hinting at is that their involvement is merely the tip of the iceberg. While the culture does seem to be shifting in the right direction, the sheer volume of the horse trade in Malta is such that a number of horses simply slip through the cracks. While the degree of difficulty in finding new owners for horses is pretty high (and seemingly getting higher), it is a problem that the girls want to have – if that makes sense. They’d rather huff and puff to find viable solutions, than have the horses suffer the alternative. Even a brief glance at their Facebook page – the medium they use to reach out to the world – shows what can be achieved with nothing but good will and a functioning cell phone. Imagine what they could do with more support. Or better yet, quit horsin’ around and support them yourself!

www.facebook.com/groups/rehomeahorsemalta

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Best foot forward AS MODELLE INTERNATIONAL – THE NAME BEHIND THE LOCAL MISS WORLD AND MR WORLD LICENCE – CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY, SUNDAY CIRCLE SPEAKS TO ITS FOUNDER SUE ROSSI ABOUT WORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD. Together, we organised our ﬁrst courses

signs that the accepted norm is being

with ﬁve models. Miss Maltese Beauty was

challenged by a cohort of determined male

loved wearing my mother’s heels and

truly popular, with a good turnout, and

models who take it very seriously. Before, I

‘borrowing’ her make-up to top it up –

paved the way for other activities.

used to oﬀer classes for 10 females and two

How did your interest in modelling start? Since I was young, I have always

male models, but nowadays male modelling

sewing lessons when older strengthened this love for clothes and the catwalk. After I ﬁnished school, I landed a part-time job in a fashion shop in Valletta selling fancy fabrics

How has the modelling industry changed through the years? Moods and styles change as time

and – as fate would have it – one of my

ﬂows by. The fashion circle was much

regular clients was none other than the late

diﬀerent 30 years ago. There is more

fashion designer Ray Ashley.

diversity and creativity today but, in the

Ray was actually the one who

past, I believe there was an outward sense

lessons are more in demand. In fact, we have a good number of participants for the next edition of Mr World Malta.

Are there also opportunities for them? Yes, there are fashion shows

encouraged me to start modelling. I took up

of adventure and determination to get

organised locally throughout the year, as

lessons, even going up to Nottingham, the

things done. Maybe, more discipline. Of

well as modelling competitions which give

UK, on a scholarship with Model Nouveau. I

course there are more opportunities for

them the opportunity to compete abroad.

got very good grades, did several modelling

models and standards have been picking

A memorable achievement was when

jobs and, upon returning to Malta, opened

up year after year.

Matthew Saliba placed sixth place in the ﬁnal of Mr World 2003.

my modelling. My ﬁrst modelling show was Miss Maltese Beauty; other events included

Nowadays would you say that

children and teenagers and, eventually, I

Maltese models do have a chance to get

obtained the licence to organise Miss & Mr

work abroad?

World back in 1996.

What do you consider your biggest achievements?

I would say there are visible

Are the Modelle International courses only suitable for those who want to be professional models, or do they also

opportunities abroad and, local models are

help everyone in other ways? If yes, how?

making the best of it by travelling and

What kind of coaching do you oﬀer?

meeting essential contacts for work

Interest and a commitment are all it

purposes apart from contests. Participating

takes to move mountains. These courses

World; it was a dream come through, with

in several circles internationally gives us

are a catalyst of change for some; they

all the joys and challenges attached.

conﬁdence and merit. Winning is still our

build stamina and a momentum for an

Experiencing the humanity and the high

main objective but we are also eager to

adventurous life style that challenges the

levels behind it, every year, prompts me to

take our standards to the next level. It is

norm. There is always the ﬁrst experience,

move forward and demand the highest

pertinent to note that local models have

where lack of conﬁdence is evident, but as

standards from the participants.

been selected to take part in the London

time goes by participants experience a

fashion week and similar shows.

positive change, also thanks to the full and

Being awarded the licence for Miss

constant support oﬀered by the agency.

When did you found Modelle International and how have you seen it grow? Thirty odd years is quite a time span to ponder upon. However, I consider myself

Modelling is traditionally associated more with females – what about male models? Are they on the increase in Malta?

quite fortunate to have had this opportunity

Female models were always

to hit the road with my partner Noel Falzon.

associated with the trade, yet there are

48 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

How do you describe your style of fashion? Lately, I am going for more conservative outﬁts especially for my oﬃce routines. But styles are managed in

CIRCLE PROMOTION

accordance to the mood and occasion. Fashion is a vast domain and it is always important to wear what suits you best rather than make do with an outﬁt from a window display that might not ﬁt you or suit you.

What are your inspirations? Several fashion designers are worth noting, but I would always go for Charles & Ron. Their designs, outﬁts and accessories are always pleasing and intriguing.

You are also the exclusive representative for Miss World Malta – what can you tell us about this contest? It is quite demanding to assume the role of exclusive representative for Miss World. In 1995, Malta was absent for several years from the scene and the late Eric Morley, founder of Miss World, called for an application from Malta. I was invited for a meeting with him – the outcome was extremely positive and, in fact, after a few months the licence was officially awarded to me. The first event included 40 participants, with the first winner to represent my agency being Sarah Vella. Contestants have the opportunity to appear on a TV programme produced by us before the final night. The entire event takes about eight months of preparation and organization; we pay a very high licence annually, so we thank our sponsors for seeing us through.

What are the requirements and what do judges look for? Besides talent and presentation, judges look for personality, appearance and natural beauty. Having beauty without personality is simply not enough, which why training and coaching is essential.

What about Mr World – is that gaining in popularity? Mr World commenced a few years back and, at ﬁrst, it attracted some 20 participants competing for the ﬁnals. Now we are in possession of a separate licence and it attracts interest from wouldbe models, sport participants and those who are seriously interested in the techniques required to ensure a placing. The event is held every two years and the selected member represents Malta abroad.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

PHOTOGRAPHY

THE ART OF WAR

FOUR DECADES AFTER THE GREEK-TURKISH CYPRIOT WAR RAVAGED AN ISLAND, DAVID PISANI’S PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE AFTER-EFFECTS OF STRIFE IS SET TO OFFER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HE TERMS THE ARCHITECTURE OF WAR.

Words Jacob sammut. PhotograPhy david Pisani

it is difficult to keep up with all that happens on the news. War, acts of terror and other atrocities are constantly flooding the media, and it is within that constant flow that stories get lost and are sometimes forgotten. it is always the news that is fresh that stays on the surface and it is that news that we remember. the rest drowns deep and is forgotten. as journalists, we always try and cover the hottest and most recent news. but, it takes an artist and – in this case – a photographer, to document what remains of a once newsworthy story. the 1970’s are mostly remembered for the cold War and the conflict between the West and the East. but, in 1974, not very far from malta, a war broke out that divided a mediterranean island and that division is still present till this very day. cyprus is nowadays divided between the greek cypriots and the turkish cypriots, and the division is not just a division of ideologies and religion, but a literal division made by a border cutting through the centre of the island. it is the remains of this war that local photographer david Pisani has documented from 2009 to 2012. david’s name may not be new to you, as david has held exhibitions both locally and abroad. and, it was at one of his exhibitions held in nicosia that a chance meeting with a journalist who was interviewing him led to the suggestion that he visits a particular location in cyprus – Ledras street, which in turn leads to a check point to no man’s land.

50 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: JACOB SAMMUT

No matter what the politics are, it is always civilians who suﬀer the greatest loss

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

PHOTOGRAPHY

Walking down this street, David recalls that, at first, he could not see the major problems the journalist had been talking about. But the further he walked down the street, the more the presence of conflict could be seen, especially as he approached the checkpoint. It was during this afternoon walking in the streets of Nicosia that David noticed how the combination of the light with the buildings created a mood that seemed in symbiosis with the melancholy of the place. According to him, it was the abandoned buildings, the remains of a war torn country, that should tell the story. That being said, three days of walking were nowhere near close to enough to complete such a documentation and a few months later David flew back to Cyprus to delve deeper into the subject. Further campaigns in Cyprus allowed him to visit and photograph places that were officially off limits. The final result: to show the destruction caused by war as a metaphor for human loss. What remains of a country and its inhabitants. No matter what the politics are, and without ever considering who is right or wrong, it is always civilians who suffer the greatest loss. These buildings David was documenting were once homes, offices… alive. Now, they are a testament to the strife that took place 42 years ago. And now, David’s work has been selected for the official program of Pafos

52 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY

European Capital for Culture and will be exhibited in Cyprus along with his other work that covers the documentation of Valletta. Under the title A Tale of Two Cities, the exhibition itself will be like a bridge, joining the two islands and their culture. Of course, the road up to here was not easy. The medium David chose to work in was 35mm film, a medium he prefers using when travelling. All the prints being exhibited have been carefully printed by David himself in the dark room, making each print unique. A long process, to be sure, but also rewarding and a testament to the care has been put into the work. When I asked David if this will be the end of the documentation of Cyprus, he replied that his work is, indeed, close to completion. There are still some areas that he would like to shoot, but getting permits for these places is more problematic. And there are, of course, other projects in the pipeline, including work in Japan. Broken Dreams â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Architecture of War is part of a joint exhibition under the title A Tale of Two Cities and is being first shown in Pafos, Cyprus under the European Capital for Culture program in association with Valletta 2018.

54 Sunday Circle â&#x2C6;Ť MARCH 2017

CIRCLE PROMOTION

The Hilltop Gardens Exercise Prescription Programme A HEALTHIER YOU

history, in order to select the best

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are

programmes, and diets, need to be

numerous and many of us know and have

adopted to where we are now and where

felt these first hand. However, our fast lives

we are coming from, taking into

often dictate that exercise and even eating

consideration our health, work habits and

correctly get less priority than they deserve.

physical capacity.

solutions for you as an individual. Exercise

It is also important to adapt exercise

As a result we put on weight and become

not only to your needs as an individual

unfit, leading to consequences to our health • Better posture

but also tailor it to your enjoyment. Since

• Lowered risk of heart disease

while many people will commence

should adopt a healthy lifestyle, including

• Better lung function and capacity

exercise for health reasons, especially

regular exercise and being sure to eat the

• Better movement

after some health warnings, research tells

Exercise in general is therefore

us that people will only continue that

and well-being. It is worth remembering why we

food we really need.

especially important for that sense of

How you will benefit

wellbeing. It also helps to maintain a stronger,

exercise that gives them pleasure. In this Exercise Prescription

fitter you both in mind and body. Naturally,

Programme it will be our responsibility to

all, give you a sense of wellbeing. Exercise

regular strength and aerobic exercise will also

draw out a tailor made programme based

alone relieves anxiety and stress, leading to

lead to longevity of a higher quality – but

on your current health and needs but also,

better mental health. It also leads to better

then again… we already knew this!

ultimately, to your enjoyment.

What are the special benefits of this programme?

forward to having you join them on this

Keeping to a healthy weight, will above

The Hilltop Gardens team looks

weight control and in turn lowers the risk and /or better control of diabetes, high cholesterol levels, gout and the so called “metabolic syndrome”. With exercise you will also benefit

venture to discover the real you – the fitter, healthier, slimmer you, that enjoys being and keeping this way.

An initial assessment is key and

from: • Better sleep

central to this programme since

• Less arthritic pain

improvements to your lifestyle can only

Dr Julian Mamo

• Better asthma control

come about, once your current status quo

Lead Physician

• More regular bowel movement

is assessed together with your health

St. Anthony’s Clinic

56 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

CIRCLE PROMOTION

CONTACT US FOR A HEALTHIER YOU! Facebook: www.facebook.com/hilltopgardensmalta Web: www.hilltopgardens.com.mt Email: info@hilltopgardens.com.mt Tel: 2235 1000

Fully-qualified fitness instructor Alan Curry

Top quality fitness with ChicPhysique

EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMME

A healthier life with Sanya

A multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

DELICACIES

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE PERFECT, ARTISAN CHOCOLATE? JAMIE IAIN GENOVESE SPEAKS TO ARTHUR AZZOPARDI, PURVEYOR OF CHOCOLAT’S HANDCRAFTED CONFECTIONS, CREATED THE OLD-FASHIONED, LUSCIOUS WAY.

The pursuit of sweet beauty PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER & MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA

How crucial, in any artisanal pursuit, is patience? To look for excellence without it would be akin to hammering nails with a sodden tangerine: messy, sticky, and largely ineﬀective. This is what I think about as I see Arthur Azzopardi, of Villambrosa street’s Chocolat in Hamrun, showing me how he tempers his chocolate, looking for the right consistency on his knife blade, looking carefully for grey streaks — a symptom of imperfect chocolate tempering. The skill of knife-testing is also, in itself, telling. “Within approximately three minutes you can look for this shine, hopefully without grey streaks. The more you move the chocolate, the better it blends.”

58 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

DELICACIES

Kind of, I thought, like how you must keep stirring or turning risotto to get the right texture, “So, this is one of the more professional techniques you can use. Start-ups usually do this with a thermometer, trying for about half a day.” Conversely, with the knife method, 15 minutes would be enough to temper three kilos. “You put the chocolate truffle or praline in the fridge to stabilise them. Then, you take them out and begin the process to finish the chocolate. You take it, start dipping it with a dipping fork, dip it in the chocolate, you’ll have a tray, maybe with cocoa powder, then you put the truffle into the tray and roll with your hands – always use your hands, no machines. Sure, machines that can do the job exist, but if you use them they won’t be handmade now, will they? And that is how you make chocolate.” Arthur then explains to me the rest of the process that you would use for pralines, the piping of the truffles, the air removal, the re-piping, and creaming and sealing. It is a masterful and detailed process, one that is refined with experience and strict tutelage. The setting is a little shop, 200years-old, and Arthur and his colleagues have been working there for five years. In the beginning, they used to produce 20 to 25,000 chocolates a year. Last year was a record one, reaching 140,000 piece. And, 2017 is looking even bigger. This kind of movement of product is not a new experience for Arthur. Since the opening of their chocolate shop in 1999, small mountains of Gianduiotti’s Caffarel chocolates moved through its doors. Before that, Arthur’s family worked a stationer’s, selling Paramount greeting cards in eye-catching numbers. Now, it’s handmade chocolates. But how did he get here? Well, it was while selling chocolates, with the knights’ cross

proud of being able to make quality,

manuscript, which appeared to be

Maltese chocolate.”

authentic; this manuscript, penned in black

At this point, Arthur mentions the

emblazoned on them that he asked

input Liam Gauci – historian and a friend of

himself a question.

his – had on the chocolatier’s work.

“How can it be that we in Malta don’t have our own chocolates? So, I was always

“I, too, share a passion for Maltese history. Liam and I had found a

ink and signed in red ink, included a recipe,” Arthur tells me. Of course, back then recipes didn’t actually come with the weights or ratios of ingredients. They were, at best,

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

DELICACIES

possible, which is why he sourced Belgian Origins chocolate from Ecuador, as well as the highest grade of dark cocoa powder to provide an 85 per cent dark chocolate. That dark chocolate is blended with hazelnuts, almonds, cloves, cinnamon, and Lord knows what other ingredients in order to make the Unica 1658 chocolate mix. This chocolate has now started top make its way into many forms, handmade truﬄes, pralines, and even mixes of the ingredients in a glass jar that can be eaten with a teaspoon. Some are here, and some are on the way, so keep an eye out. This, of course, doesn’t even begin to mention of chocolate bars featuring the Unica 1658 mix, together with other ingredients and ﬂavours like marzipan or red pepper. But what about the actual history in this case? Well, it’s quite likely that descriptions., This meant that there had

this Maltese-made chocolate was the

to be a great deal of experimentation to

second chocolate to be developed in

get the taste and after-taste of this

Europe, after Spain. The ingredients

particular recipe just right — about three

were noted by Gian Francesco

years’ worth of experimentation, in fact.

Buonamico at the young age of 19-

Because, as Arthur explains, simply

years-old when he wrote his

lumping ingredients together might get

manuscript in 1658, while observing the

some of the ﬂavours in, but if the

chocolate production in Spain. Upon

interplay is wrong, some parts will be

his arrival in Malta, he sought out to

too loud, others too quiet.

recreate this using locally sourced

“You also need to consider that

ingredients, whatever he found that

there can be an overlap in the taste and

was appropriate, and recreated this

the aftertaste will be wrong. This is

chocolate mix.

general note with tasting anything, and

The mix itself was used in order to

you do need to give importance to all

create the very pleasurable hot chocolate

the details: texture, ﬂavour, notes,

drink, which became a morning staple for

aftertaste, and all their progression. It’s

Grandmaster Ramon Perellos y Roccaful

symphonic, really, and to ignore that is

in the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta.

to ignore good food.”

Later on, we ﬁnd out, Wignacourt made a

It was important to Arthur to get the recipe as close to the original as

60 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

habit of shipping the chocolate to (noble) friends overseas, treasure-chests full,

DELICACIES

wrapped in gold foil and tied with a red, satin ribbon. This, it turns out, has inspired the dress for Arthur Azzopardi’s Unica 1658 chocolates. The success has been, so far, confident in its stride. A while back, this chocolate was also accepted as the official chocolate for V18. The ever-increasing scale of production has piled on the pressure to, perhaps, use machines in a bigger portion of the process. However, Arthur has thus far resisted, opting to hold on to making the chocolates by hand and retaining its luxury status. That being said, there are plans to move into a bigger production space, and perhaps help

Just in case I haven’t made this

automate the tempering of the

clear enough, the stuﬀ is good and

chocolate, while keeping full

deﬁnitely should be tried. The fact that I

manual control the rest of the

got to try a few deﬁnitely didn’t hurt, but

way, to whom he has his

it doesn’t really change how objectively

dedicated team to thank for all the past and coming years of hard

lovely they are. Like I said, there’s something to be said of the

work, time, and dedication.

artisanal pursuit, the pursuit of beauty.

CIRCLE PROMOTION

ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION GETS A PUSH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AS THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY PROTECTS LARGE TRACTS OF MALTESE GARRIGUE AND MAQUIS AREAS BY DESIGNATING THEM AS NATURA 2000 SITES. The Maltese Islands harbour a diverse array of flora and fauna, especially when considering the relatively small land area. The four predominant habitats include the steppe (steppa), garrigue (xagħri), maquis (makkja) and woodland (masġar), with garrigue being the most widespread. Ancient Olive trees at Bidnija

Garrigue is characterised by limestone rocky ground with a rugged surface, known as karst, and is heavily exposed to the brute

habitats, with the Tree Spurge (it-tengħud

the Maltese spider orchid (il-brimba s-

force of the elements. This type of habitat

tas-siġra) and African wolfsbane (is-siġra tal-

sewda), the Sicilian quill (l-għansal ikħal),

appears barren but it is one of the most

ħarir). These communities are sometimes

the Southern dwarf Iris (il-bellus), the

species-diverse habitat found in Malta.

referred to as high garrigues, since they

Maltese pyramidal orchid (l-orkida

include shrubs exceeding 0.5 m and grow up

piramidali ta’ Malta), and two endemic

phrygana, which is usually a low-lying

to 2 m in height. Moreover, some garrigue

door-snail species (id-dussies tal-irdum;

garrigue, of up to 0.5 m (sometimes more),

types are very rare, such as those based on

id-dussies ta’ Malta).

One type of garrigue is the Maltese

and is also the most frequent. It includes

species of sage (is-salvja), rosemary (il-klin)

shrubs native to the eastern Mediterranean

and rockroses (iċ-ċistu).

Along with garrigue ecosystems, another habitat which is commonly found in the Maltese countryside is the Maquis.

that may shed their leaves in summer in case

One of the most common local

of extreme drought. The Maltese phrygana is

garrigue species is the Mediterranean wild

These habitats are usually characterised by

characterised by two endemic species,

thyme (is-sagħtar). It is known from most

small trees and large shrubs consisting

found only in Malta and nowhere else in the

types of garrigue, and is an important food

mostly of the evergreen variety, reaching a

world – the Maltese Shrubby Kidney Vetch

source for many species, including the

height of five metres or more. Maquis

(il-ħatba s-sewda) and the Maltese Spurge

Maltese honey bee (in-naħla ta’ Malta).

occurs along the sides of valleys, along

(it-tengħud tax-xagħri).

Furthermore, numerous endemic,

slopes and areas which are inaccessible and

threatened, rare and protected species

relatively sheltered from wind. Throughout

thrive in garrigue habitats. These include

Malta, one can find various types of maquis

Among other types of garrigue, one finds the thermo-Mediterranean scrub

62 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017

White Rockrose

Maltese pyramidal orchid

Maltese Spider Orchid

such as those based upon the Myrtle (ir-

Asparagus (is-spraġ xewwieki) and the

riħan), and the National Tree of Malta, the

Wild Madder (ir-robbja salvaġġa), as well

Sandarac Gum Tree (is-siġra tal-għargħar),

as large herbaceous species like the black

both of which are endangered species.

bryony (il-brijonja sewda), the bear’s

For example, the sandarac gum tree (is-siġra tal-għargħar), which is locally endangered, may be found along crevices

Garrigue with Wild Thyme in ﬂower at Ras il-Ħamrija

breeches (il-ħannewija) and the Italian lords-and-ladies (il-garni). Garrigues and maquis habitats are

in dry, rocky slopes and gorges with

facing a number of threats, such as the

adequate amount of soil. Occasionally, it is

clearing of vegetation, ﬂy-tipping,

also found in garrigues. Even though the

intentional ﬁres and competition by

maquis and garrigues are quite common in

invasive alien species. Land conversion,

the Maltese Islands, this species is at

degradation, fragmentation, loss and

present relatively rare in the wild. Some

reclamation are also important pressures

hundred years ago, the sandarac gum tree

on these habitats, as well as over-grazing

used to cover much larger areas. Through

and quarrying activities.

the designation of Natura 2000 sites, such

Since these natural habitat types and

as that of Wied il-Miżieb (l/o Mellieħa),

the endangered species they support are

such species and others which are listed in

of community interest, in order to protect

the EU Habitats Directive, are safeguarded

them, large tracts of Maltese garrigue and

for future generations.

maquis areas were identiﬁed by the

Trees associated with the maquis, Maquis with Pine and Bay Laurel trees at Ta' Rapa (limits of Buskett)

Sandarac Gum Tree at Wied il-Miżieb (limits of Mellieħa)

Environment and Resources Authority

include the Carob Tree (il-ħarruba), the

(ERA) as qualifying for Natura 2000 sites.

Olive (iż-żebbuġa), the Lentisk (id-deru),

These sites are signiﬁcant and their

the Wild Fig (is-siġra tat-tin), the Wild

inclusion in the European Natura 2000

Almond (is-siġra tal-lewż), as well as the

network allows for their preservation, their

Bay Laurel (ir-randa). For this habitat to

management, and when necessary for

develop and support these trees, there

gradual restoration.

must be enough water and suﬃcient soil depth. This habitat has a rich diversity in

ERA has recently published a set of Management Plans and Conservation Orders with measures and actions for the

undergrowth species, namely climber

protection and restoration of Natura 2000

plants, including the Ivy (il-liedna), the

sites. The management plans can be

Common Smilax (il-pajżana), the Spiny

viewed from era.org.mt

Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa, MRS 1441 Tel: (+356) 2292 3500 Email: info@era.org.mt Golden samphire - ix-xorbett

Website: era.org.mt

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

ENVIRONMENT

64 Sunday Circle â&#x2C6;« MARCH 2017

ENVIRONMENT

DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE, MALTA IS HOME TO AN ABUNDANCE OF SPECIES. HOWEVER, MANY RISK DYING OUT DUE TO HUMANKIND’S TYPICAL LACK OF APPRECIATION. JOHNATHAN CILIA MEETS UP WITH NATURE TRUST PRESIDENT VINCENT ATTARD TO HEAR ALL ABOUT THE WORK THE ORGANISATION IS CARRYING OUT IN ORDER TO AVOID PRECISELY THIS.

As easy as it is to call Malta a rock in the middle of

However, Malta’s size, population density,

the sea – mainly because, well, it is – this little rock

and education level means that sometimes we

also harbours a unique ecology of flora and fauna.

don’t treat the land right. With many endemic

Whether it’s St Paul getting bitten by a Maltese

species, including some endangered species,

snake in the Bible, an abundance of rabbits in the

sharing the land and sea with us, it’s important to

countryside, or just getting excited whenever a

imagine a Malta with a dead ecosystem, and strive

chameleon joins the picnic, Malta’s natural

to avoid that.

ecosystem always leaves an indelible mark.

One group that has been at the forefront of environmental policy is Nature Trust Malta. Since 1962 they’ve worked to lobby the government for good and sustainable environmental practices. President of Nature Trust Vincent Attard stresses that we need to start appreciating the nature that surrounds us. “While many may say we have no wildlife, Malta still has its fair share as an island,” he smiles. “The fact that we are an island makes us more interesting as we have various endemic species typical of islands. Some of the wildlife we come across on a regular basis are the hedgehog, the shrew, the wild rabbit, the weasel, the chameleon, the painted frog, our snakes (four in total), lizards and other reptiles. Furthermore, one can also note bats sharing our urban areas. Last but not least we have a number of residential birds and the freshwater crab. With regards to the marine environment, in our

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

ENVIRONMENT

waters we get the marine turtles, dolphins and whales.” Not bad for an archipelago. It goes further than that, with 78 endemic species found on our islands. “We’ve got four lizards – there’s the one on mainland Malta and Gozo, and then we have the one of Filfla, the one of General’s Rock and the one of St Paul’s Islands,” explains Vincent. “The Killifish – and there is a difference in the gene pool of the ones from the North like Għadira and Simar, and the South like Il-Magħluq ta’ Marsascala. We also have one of our shrews and our swallowtail butterfly.” However, it’s not all sunshine and roses, as Vincent continues. “Although more people are becoming aware of the importance of the environment in our island, I fear we are still far behind and

biodiversity corridors keep on decreasing.” Continued eﬀorts to appeal to the

our wildlife population is in decline. Today,

people of Malta and education drives are

we can still see heavy dumping in our

paired with lobbying methods to protect

countryside’ people picnicking and leaving a

the Maltese ecosystem. Nature Trust also

mess behind; illegal development; heavy use

explore legal avenues within the system to

of pesticides…” he trails oﬀ.

try to ensure Malta’s environment doesn’t

“Our political sphere is still not

degrade through lack of political will.

Last year, we found a turtle that had ingested a bag with stainless steel bolts. It took us over four months and a lot of force feeding to get these out of the turtle’s system

“We’ve achieved in getting various

Sustainable Development, Environment and

economic value, and when we speak of the

species protected – although one hopes

Climate Change and is now applying for EU

environment all that seems to get through is

that enforcement will kick in as well, as we

funding to set this up. This will bring under

waste management, embellishment of

cannot simply protect on paper alone,” says

one roof all local injured wildlife. The centre

playing ﬁelds or the hunting issue. Yet, we

Vincent directly. “We have legal protection

will also be geared for oiled wildlife (we

still fail to protect the remaining open

for trees. Malta was one of the ﬁrst to

hope an oil spill will never happen of

spaces and ecological habitats and

protect some shark species and this led to

course). We also have over 80 per cent of

safeguard our limited wildlife. More often

us being appointed as WWF’s Privileged

the entire student population in the Maltese

than not, environmental education is the

Partner in Malta. Furthermore, we have

Islands participating educational programs.

Cinderella of many projects we do in Malta.

other legislation protecting nearly all wildlife

We believe in education, as only in this way

Our open spaces grow smaller and

in the islands.”

can we create public awareness with the

appreciating the biodiversity and its

We should give thanks to over 50

hope that one day even our politicians will

years of lobbying for the environmental

appreciate the need to put the environment

protections that Malta has. But it wasn’t all

higher on the agenda.”

policy only. “In the 1990s we started as we

As citizens, there are a lot of simple

do often, to also do our share – in this case

things you can do to play your part. “One

rescuing wildlife and later increasing this to

very important thing is to not throw litter in

rehabilitation. In some instances we are also

the countryside. This is the cause on many

trying to save endangered species; the

deaths we get. Animals end up ingesting

marine turtles that are listed as endangered

waste or suﬀocating on it. Drive slowly to

worldwide, and the freshwater crab in Malta,

avoid running over hedgehogs. It is not the

who is endangered due to its restricted

ﬁrst time we get calls of baby hedgehogs

habitat,” says Vincent.

found near a dead mother in the middle of

“One project we have at the moment is the Wildlife Rehab Centre project,” he

the road,” says Vincent. “Keep beaches clean – again, it’s not

continues. “Here, Nature Trust Malta has

the ﬁrst time we ﬁnd sick turtles through the

found the support of the Ministry for

ingestion of plastic bags,” he continues.

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

ENVIRONMENT

responsible. That’s all it took to caused such a fine animal to die,” he laments. With Nature Trust Malta rescuing some 150 hedgehogs, 20 turtles and 30 bats and other animals every year, it’s important that all Maltese work together and be a bit more mindful of their waste – it could just save a turtle’s life. But Vincent is hopeful for the future. “As was the case of the turtle nest this summer, one was able to see how caring for the environment can help the economy,” Vincent points out. “Hundreds of tourists came to Golden Bay to see the nest and many even volunteered a day or two of their holiday to watch the nest. This shows that the environment has an economic value too. “Last year we found a turtle that had

others aren’t so lucky. “Only last year a

I urge people to speak up and volunteer in

ingested a bag with stainless steel bolts. It

young leatherback turtle – some eight-

NGOs as only in this way will we make a

took us over four months and a lot of force-

years-old, weighing 500 kilos – died in the

change, even if little by little. Once our

feeding to get these out of the turtle’s

Maltese waters. Our vet performed the

politicians see that we care, they will one

system.”

necropsy, the procedure to determine the

day take action. My motto is to stay

cause of death, and we found that it was a

optimistic, otherwise you give up and then

piece of blue plastic bag that was

all would be lost.”

While this turtle found the care of Nature Trust to bring it back to health,

HEALTH

REPLACING A LONG-LOST TOOTH WITH A DENTAL IMPLANT Replacing a long-lost tooth with a more permanent solution is not always an easy task. Teeth like the upper or lower first molar or an upper central or lateral

Intra-oral before treatment

Intra-oral after treatment

Extra-oral before treatment

Extra-oral after treatment

incisor are often missing from a young age. These cases normally arise due to failed root canal treatments, fractures or even trauma caused by a road-traffic accident. The status of the tooth site may vary considerably with the time lapsed to the type of incident causing tooth loss. Other factors such a tooth position as well as dental and oral health, also play an important part. Taking for example, the loss of an upper central incisor, this tooth is often

CASE STUDY

lost at a young age; typically between

A young woman in her late thirties has a history of losing her upper central incisor

the ages of seven and 12. The trauma

in her teenage years. She has worn a fixed bridge attached to the one tooth on

would, more often than not, necessitate a

either side of the missing incisor. Over the years the gum and bone have receded

root canal treatment. At the younger end

leaving a large space and unaesthetic noticeable defect. She also has a high smile

of the spectrum, the root development is

line exposing all the defects in the gum. Although she knew that a newer bridge

often incomplete, jeopardizing the long-

would have already improved her smile, she opted for an implant, regaining three

term prognosis of the tooth. When more

individual teeth instead of a three-tooth fixed bridge. Bone was harvested from the

mature with its root end closed, the

lower wisdom tooth area and grafted in the area of the long-lost tooth. Four

prognosis is better. This tooth however

months after the grafting, an implant was placed with some minor additional bone

may still not offer a good prognosis. At

grafting. Once healed, she had three new, all-ceramic single crowns fit into place.

times, the trauma is so extensive that the tooth either falls out of its socket and is lost, or fractures at the mid or apical

restore the area to the functional and

being an independent structure it also

third of the root and must be removed

aesthetic norm.

reduces the bone/gingival tissue loss and

at once. Soft tissue, as well as bone, is often lost. Once the tooth is out the ageing

The best way to replace a tooth with the above history is with a dental

when done properly facilitates hygiene maintenance. Ask your dentist!

implant. However, not until long ago, the

process starts taking place. The bone

typical replacement was with a bridge or

surrounding the area does not receive

a denture. Today we know better and try

any biting stimulus and so starts

not to involve adjacent teeth like when

resorbing. The gum also recedes and

using a bridge. A denture, too, remains an

reduces in size. Over the years the area

undesirable removable prosthesis and

suffers considerable tissue loss resulting

where possible, should be eliminated. The

in difficulty for the implant surgeon to

implant carries many advantages. Besides

Dr Jean Paul Demajo Dental and Implant Surgeon. Trained in London and working in private practice in Malta

MARCH 2017 â&#x2C6;Ť Sunday Circle

HISTORY

Scenes on stone A MALTESE GIRL TRAVELS BETWEEN SIX WORLDS INSPIRED BY SIX FAMOUS PAINTINGS BY THE MASTERS. HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO CELEBRATING THE EU AND ALL THAT IT STANDS FOR? IGGY FENECH MEETS UP WITH ARTIST PAUL CAMILLERI TO DISCOVER THE NARRATIVE PROJECTION THAT WILL TAKE OVER THE FAÇADE OF THE GRAND MASTER’S PALACE IN VALLETTA AS THE TREATY OF ROME TURNS 60. René Magritte, Vincent van Gogh, M. C. Escher, Claude Monet, Lucio

protected, and invested heavily in infrastructure, art and science,

Fontana, Franz Marc and Joseph Kutter. What do all these artists have

among many other ﬁelds.

in common, besides the beauty of the arts they have bequeathed us?

Indeed, that pivotal moment in our geopolitical area cannot be

Their works will be used to celebrate the EU’s 60th birthday, as March

underestimated, particularly as the EU changed the very fabric of the

sees the 60th anniversary since the signing of the Treaty of Rome on

lives of anyone who lives in Europe by staving oﬀ war in a continent

March 25, 1957.

that had been almost constantly at war for a millennium… And it’s that

With the signing of the treaty, Belgium, France, Italy,

particular moment that Colours in Motion, an architectural projection

Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany established the

that will embellish the façade of one of Malta’s most iconic buildings,

European Economic Community, and laid down the foundations on

seeks to commemorate.

which the European Union we know today would be built. Since then,

Based on the themes of the current Presidency of the Council

the EU has opened up our boarders, made international trade

of the European Union, by which the piece has been commissioned,

between member states easier, ensured our basic human rights are

the creators of Colours in Motion had to include a number of elements into their artistic project. These were, namely, to celebrate the historic moment, to put the three themes (migration, maritime and Mediterranean) of the Presidency in focus, and to highlight Malta’s role in a Union that has evolved continuously over the past 60 years. “Colours in Motion is a projection that will follow a Maltese girl as she travels (migrates) between six worlds inspired by six famous paintings from the six original founding member states. The aesthetic attributes of these scenes include references to Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte, Dutch artists Vincent van Gogh and M. C. Escher, French impressionist Claude Monet, Italian artist Lucio

MARCH 2017 ∫ Sunday Circle

HISTORY

Fontana, Franz Marc from Germany,

made up of more than 8,000 pixels

and Joseph Kutter from Luxembourg,”

(four times bigger than the size of HD

explains Paul Camilleri, who has been

pictures on television) to truly bring

entrusted by Soundscapes, the

out the genius of the work. Using

company behind Colours in Motion, to

specialist software, each illustration

create the animation. “This concept

then became a world that was ready

was originated by composer Ruben

to be explored thanks to in-software

Zahra who has also created the

camera angles. Self-taught and in the art of

soundtrack for this project, scored for

motion graphics for decades, Paul’s

string quartet and percussion.”

experience for this oﬃcial highlight of

Premiering on March 24, the 10minute projection will portray textures,

the EU Presidency’s cultural calendar

colour schemes and characters that

has been invaluable, particularly when

refer to these 20th century masters

it came to combining the visuals with

through 2D and 2.5D animations. The

the soundtrack. The latter, will also

architectural features of the Grand

help give a strong European

Master’s Palace are integrated in

dimension to the project by

speciﬁc moments within the narrative, contributing three-dimensional elements to the projection. The illustrations for the whole project have been created by artist Julian Mallia (better known as Julinu), who was, coincidentally, Paul’s student at Mcast. Julian’s ﬁrst task was to create the visuals (panels) for the storyboard. In fact, he created more than 150 panels for the storyboard to

The characters and the backgrounds come to life together with the music and sound eﬀects, so that the whole piece functions as one animation

integrating excerpts of poetry from all 28 member states in their original language within the fabric of the music. As each language has a unique rhythm and cadence, the collective counterpoint of strands will contribute a kaleidoscopic texture to the Colours in Motion soundtrack. It is this amalgamation of artistic, linguistic and literary heritage from across the continent that makes

pre-visualise the whole sequence. The

Colours in Motion such an exciting

storyboard panels were then brought

project… More than just being a

into an editing programme and cut

celebration of that particular moment

together with the correct timing.

that changed the course of history, it

“My main task was to bring

aims to bring together a whole array

everything to life. The characters and

of ideas that, through our collective

the backgrounds come to life together

memory and history, feel familiar to us

with the music and sound eﬀects so

and unite us as a people. “While the piece tells a story, its

that the whole piece functions as one animation,” Paul adds. “Instead of

message is still open for interpretation.

having Julian draw each scene with

In fact, one of the most important

slight alterations, as in traditional

elements of Colours in Motion, at least

animation – although one of the

in my opinion, is that it can speak to

scenes is done in this traditional way –

everyone – young or old, Maltese or

we decided articulate each character

foreign, art-lover or not – in a way they

into diﬀerent components. This

can relate to,” Paul concludes. To add an extra layer to this

allowed me to animate each

narrative projection, Ruben Zahra’s

component independently.”

score will be performed live on March

Paul, who was behind Tempus Fugit, one of Malta’s ﬁrst architectural mapping projections, which

24 by an ensemble. Open to the public even on the night, the piece

took place at the Mcast Institute of Art and Design in 2006, as well as

will continue to be projected alongside a playback of the score March

the rest of the team, were adamant that each world had to be faithful

25 and 26 from sundown onwards.

to the original painting, with particular attention placed on the brushstrokes of the artists. In fact, each illustration in the animatic is

72 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2017