Senior Times (February 2019)

SENIOR TIMES FEBRUARY 2019

Malta’s monthly newspaper for the elderly

His art is His life Ramona Portelli meets artist Damian Ebejer.

SEE PAGES 4, 5 & 6

sort it out!

If accepted, negativity can help one move on in a worthwhile direction, says Christine Galea.

SEE PAGE 11

ASSISI

Spiritual serenity

in tHe moment

SEE PAGES 18, 19 & 20

SEE PAGE 21

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

EDITOR’S WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE

Once upon a time

I

received an old photo of my father. He is 12 years old and wearing shorts in front of a church. Around him are another 15 teenage boys – all bruised knees and awkward elbows – and a priest, gathered in a huddle like an amateur football team.

Today, four of them are dead. But in the camera flash from the past, they are all smiling, at the novelty of the camera; at the other boy who is taking the photo and, from behind the lens, fading from memory. And they all look like film stars.

Even the ones with a nest of hair, post-war teeth and twodimensional glasses. It must be the black and white patina.

Or the light. Or the innocence of youth with no pimple of experience – and the trust that, after a two-hour Sunday walk, they will still have the strength to not huff and puff on the return two-hour journey.

I hardly remember my father’s young years. The memories I have are fragmented, like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, or a collection of words floating on an uncharted sea; empty puddles which I have to fill with nostalgia-infused imagination.

With difficulty I can remember a pair of hairy arms lifting me up to gargle me; a Sunday drive in the backseat of a dieselfumed car; an unshaven chin reflected in the rear-view mirror; a rummage through his bag in search of a digestive biscuit which, half a century later, would have tasted more delicious than Proust’s madeleine.

Children will forever play hide-and-seek with the memories of their parents, searching in the darkest corners for an orphan button, the echo of a voice, the photo of a long forgotten Sunday photo. And when you find it, you add another piece to the puzzle.

Stanley

SENIOR TIMES FEBRUARY 2019 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stanley Borg E-mail: seniortimes @timesofmalta.com CONTRIBUTORS Carmel Baldacchino Tonio Bonello Tony C. Cutajar Dun Jonathan Farrugia Christine Galea Louis Gatt Ramona Portelli Charlotte Stafrace Fiona Vella

4. His art is his life, it never leaves him Ramona Portelli meets artist Damian Ebejer.

7. Turn down the volume WHO takes aim at harmful smartphone use.

8. All the island’s a stage: part II Louis Gatt concludes his highly personal look at theatre in Malta in the last 50 odd years.

10. L-Antikrist Mattew Silta mir-rumanz ġdid ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

11. Sort it out!

Negativity is a normal human sentiment which, if accepted, can help one to move on in a more worthwhile direction, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

PUBLISHERS Allied Newspapers Limited Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000 www.timesofmalta.com DESIGN Christian Busuttil SALES & SUBSCRIPTIONS Amanda Gauci Tel: 2276 4332 E-mail: amanda.gauci @timesofmalta.com © 2019. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

12. Track days The Malta Railway ran for less than six decades but its memory is still on track. Senior Times and Bay Retro steam ahead.

16. Dawra bit-taxi ħabib!

Is-sempliċità li niddedikaw, almenu ġurnata waħda ma’ dawk vulnerabbli ssarraf f ’sinjal ta’ faraġ u mħabba, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

17. Drittijiet Id-drittijiet qegħdin hemm biss għal dawk li kapaċi jargumentaw u jiġġieldu għalihom, mhux għal dawk li għad m’għandhomx din il-kapaċità, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

18. An unexpected visit Fiona Vella finds spiritual serenity in Assisi.

21. In the moment Timeslips creative storytelling gives elderly with dementia the freedom to imagine, says Charlotte Stafrace.

22. The Beograd, Kinizi and Leyton Orient Tourneys The Maltese public was given a double treat when, in 1955-56, two teams were invited at the same time for the Christmas Tourney, says Carmel Baldacchino.

24. Pictures of the world This month’s news highlights captured in show-stopping photos.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

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NEWS

Active ageing A notion that goes beyond living in the community

T

he Parliamentary Secretariat for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing is focused on promoting active ageing among the older generation in Malta. For quite some time, this approach started being introduced and implemented through various initiatives undertaken by the Government – primarily, through the provision of new services as well as various active ageing programmes in the community.

Active ageing, however, does not apply only to the elderly residing in their own homes in the community, but also to those who due to higher dependency had to opt to live in a residential home.

St Vincent De Paul, the long-term care facility for the elderly in Malta is a good model for its active ageing programme, with a whole Active Ageing Unit dedicated to develop initiatives to maintain the residents’ social and cultural dimensions to life.

Moreover, in the first month of the year, through the work of the Department of Active Ageing and Community Care, the Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Anthony Agius Decelis, announced the extension of the pilot project Let’s Make Homes Fun. This project was first launched in 2017 at Msida Residential Home. There, a number of activities were held with the elderly, which allowed for an evaluation study to be undertaken to better understand the impact that such activities have amongst the residents. It was evident through the findings of this research, that these activities had a positive influence on the social well-being of the elderly.

Having seen such positive results, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, extended the project to an additional three residential homes – Imtarfa, Mosta, and Mellieħa residential homes – while retaining the activities in Imsida.

In order to execute this initiative, an investment of around €2,500 by the Welfare Committee was made in training a number of staff members from the aforementioned homes. This training programme focused on two aspects: caring of the elderly and improving organisational competencies.

During the press event held earlier last month, Mr Agius Decelis said this initiative

is another measure towards the Government’s vision behind the National Strategic Policy for Active Ageing 2014 – 2020.

Finally, he showed his gratitude towards the exceptional work done by the Department of Active Ageing and Community Care, the Welfare Committee, as well as the administrators and staff members of the residential homes for their dedication.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

ART

His art is his life, it never leaves him Ramona Portelli meets artist Damian Ebejer.

S

ome months ago, I was enjoying a drink with a friend of mine who, as we were chatting, introduced me to an artist. We enjoyed a few more drinks and called it a night.

Then recently, the same artist sent me a flyer announcing his upcoming solo exhibition of paintings. And I thought that would be an interesting lead to get to know Damian Ebejer better.

Ebejer’s upcoming solo exhibition, entitled ‘When Destiny Lingers’, is showing at Palazzo de Piro, Mdina, until February 28.

“Destiny always seems to carry an unknown plan that continuously eludes us. With this personal exhibition I have gone into facets of my art that were not planned in a thematic manner, but very much portray an approach of chance and exploration of what are among the more important

The Land Was Her Womb, detail

elements of my thoughts and emotions. The selected paintings for this collection were chosen from various works produced between 2016 and 2018,” Ebejer says.

According to Ebejer, the exhibition offers the viewer a glimpse of some of his visions that surface to the physical world through his art.

“I often wonder about the true meaning of why I create such works and this normally eludes me. Once a work is completed I let it go – but the love that dwells within the painting remains.

“For me the reason behind the first brush strokes at the onset of creating a painting is as mysterious as the universe.

I have no idea to what end result I will be working. Destiny is unknown and this urges and pushes me to create what is equally unknown to me.”

Ebejer adds that this exhibition is about finding the

abstract in life – both the seen and the unseen – although this does not mean he has chosen from his abstract works. For this solo exhibition, Ebejer has selected seven large paintings and seven small works. Some of the paintings he will be exhibiting have gone through months of work and he will be adding a poem to them. The poems which will not necessarily be explanatory but rather an expressive voice referring to the undertones of what might be hidden in the painting.

“I haven’t done this before so this will be a first, so I’m quite looking forward to this,” he adds.

His greatest challenge is to remain faithful to his art.

“If what I’m working on means something to me then that is when satisfaction comes,” he says, adding how throughout his artistic career, his approach has always been

Damian Ebejer next to Abraxas

changing and evolving. If he starts feeling too comfortable with what he does, then he gets worried.

“My challenge now is different than what it used to be a decade or two ago. Before my

work might have been relatively more straightforward and physical or real and portraying the essence of what captured my eye. Today, sometimes I feel I explore simpler emotions, which in

Grey Sea Under a Pale Sun

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

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The Howling

turn are deeper and harder to express.”

Asking him if his exhibition works are related, he says that at firs glance, they are not.

“But subconsciously I believe there must be some form of link. As for the smaller works I intend a bit of a mix which will include works using black ink, a work on gunny sack cloth and the others in oils, natural lime, pastel and acrylic.”

As an artist, Ebejer insists that his art is a constant discovery of himself. In his own words, it is the place you go to. He is not interested in portraying the reality outside oneself – which is why one of the more important aspects from Ebejer is preserving the

honesty in his art and most importantly, retaining his individual style.

“The most gratifying thing I have been told on several occasions is when my work was recognised at first glance. Naturally all this comes with certain consequences. My life as an artist has made me cautious of excessive spending and extravagances since nothing is permanent and you need to be ready for the downs, together with the ups. I am what I create. I am not terribly interested in portraying the reality I see outside myself. I search for a collective beauty, entangled with the ugly and chaotic, in order to compose a subconscious recognition of fascinating order.”

Ebejer is a self-taught artist and is considered a late starter when he appeared on the local art scene with his first solo exhibition in 1994. At the time he was 33 years old. Naturally nobody knew who he was and entering the Maltese art scene was not easy as a late starter.

Maybe this fuelled him to work even harder.

Once a work is completed I let it go – but the love that dwells within the painting remains

“I have my thoughts about this. Is art nature or nurture?

It is not enough to say one is born an artist. That may be so – however it is through a lot of hard work, sacrifices, disappointments, joy and never giving up on yourself and what you believe in that brings results. Nothing happens

automatically, not even for an artist. I work in my studio in Naxxar almost every day. I always find enormous peace once I go up the stairs to my studio and I feel lucky that I am able to do my work in quiet surroundings,” he smiles.

Ebejer’s father is the late dramatist and novelist Francis.

“My father Francis never used to urge me to paint or write. Most probably because he knew those were the things I did anyway, from an early age. Strangely he never introduced me to his numerous artist friends. It could be that he wanted me to retain my individuality. However

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ART

Silence

when I was 20 or so, he once took some of my poems away with him and the next thing I knew was that he had printed a limited edition book with them.”

In 2001 Ebejer left his career in the hotel industry to be able to dedicate time exclusively to his art. Since that date his output has been prolific, focusing mainly on his artworks and solo exhibitions and as well several group collectives, including in London.

“That was a proud moment for me.

What helped me along was the fact that I have a stubborn personality when it comes to my art and so I just carried on, year after year. This will be my 17th solo exhibition and the excitement is always there as it was 25 years ago.

Sometimes I remember previous shows and the happiness they gave me.

They are all gifts which I cherish.”

Besides working on his personal exhibitions, Ebejer has often created murals and ceiling paintings. In between working on new collections and artistic projects he has been commissioned to design and paint numerous murals and ceilings in neo-classical, baroque and early medieval styles. These can be found in palaces and museums around Malta including Palazzo de Piro, Palazzo Falson and the Carmelite Priory in Mdina, Palazzo Parisio, Casa Rocca Pic-

I feel lucky that I am able to do my work in quiet surroundings

cola and Palazzo Marina in Valletta, San Anard grotto chapel at Lunzjata, Palazzo Olivier in Balzan and private residences in Malta, England, Ireland and the UK. He looks upon these as disciplinary work variants.

“These normally require a different approach to what I create in the studio.

Besides physically taxing, especially the ceiling paintings, the actual concentration method is totally different.

I’ve termed these differences as the outer focus versus the inner focus – the outer focus regards the mural works. I always use this work as a self-disciplinary variant. It keeps me in line with the basics of painting and usually helps my inspirational emotions for my own personal works.”

Ebejer has also published two books of selected poems: Talks with Silent Portraits (1983) and The Divide of Silence (2011). His poetry weaves together an impulsive, image driven sensibility and clearly shows that everything affords a moment’s inspiration.

“I have recently started thinking of publishing another book of poems and I have found some work I had started some time ago which I intend making my next project for this year, besides other work I am planning. In a nutshell, that is why I stated that my art is my life – it never leaves me. Each work or project I do serves as a spring-board for the next. It is like a continuous exploration of what I am and what I would wish to do. It might be considered that as time moves on working gets easier, but this is not really the case. I sometimes feel that the creating process becomes harder. Maybe it’s because I become more critical about what I do. Who knows? One thing that is certain is the satisfaction that a finished work leaves in my heart.”

When Destiny Lingers is open daily to the public until February 28.

Entrance is free and the artist will be meeting visitors daily between 11am and 4pm.

Damian Ebejer

The Spoken Word Was a Zephyr

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HEALTH

Turn down the volume WHO takes aim at harmful smartphone use

M

ore than one billion young people risk damaging their hearing through excessive use of smartphones and other audio devices, the UN has warned, proposing new safety standards for safe volume levels.

In a bid to safeguard hearing, the World Health Organization and International Telecommunications Union issued a nonbinding international standard for the manufacture and use of audio devices.

Young people are particularly prone to risky listening habits.

Around half of those between the ages of 12 and 35, or 1.1 billion people, are at risk due to “prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices,” the UN health agency said.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that the world already has “the technological know-how to prevent hearing loss”.

“It should not be the case that so many young people continue to damage their hearing while listening to music,” he said in the statement.

Young people, he said, “must understand that once they lose their hearing, it won’t come back.”

Five per cent of global population suffers from disabling hearing loss

Currently, about five per cent of the global population, or some 466 million people, including 34 million children, suffer from disabling hearing loss.

WHO said it remained unclear how many of them had damaged their hearing through dangerous use of audio devices.

It insisted though that the new standard developed with ITU would go a long way to “safeguard these young consumers as they go about doing something they enjoy.”

WHO considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.

The Safe listening devices and systems standard calls for a “sound allowance” software to be included in all audio devices, to track the volume level and duration of a user’s exposure to sound, and to evaluate the risk posed to their hearing.

This system could alert a user if they have dangerous listening habits.

WHO is also calling for parental as well as automatic volume controls on audio devices to prevent dangerous use.

While some smartphones and other audio devices already offer some of these features, the UN would like to see a uniform standard used to help protect against disabling hearing loss.

“Think of it like driving on a highway, but without a speedometer in your car or a speed limit,” Shelly Chadha of the WHO told reporters in Geneva.

“What we’ve proposed is that your smartphones come fitted with a speedometer, with a measurement system which tells you how much sound you’re getting and tells you if you are going over the limit”. (AFP)

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

THEATRE

Manuel Cauchi (as Salieri, together with Thomas Camilleri as Mozart) in Amadeus at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta.

PHOTO: MARK ZAMMIT CORDINA

All the island’s a stage: part II I

Louis Gatt concludes his highly personal look at theatre in Malta in the last 50 odd years.

n the first part of these two articles I dealt with the rebirth of Maltese theatre, at least in my lifetime and theatre-going experience, with particular reference to the works of Francis Ebejer.

However in the past 30 years local theatre has continued to progress – and this has been overwhelmingly a positive development.

Back in the mid-1970s the arrival of English director and teacher Adrian Rendle saw him oversee the setting-up of the first real theatre school at the Manoel Theatre.

During his time here Rendle changed the mindset of some of the most influential theatre people working here. If Ebejer oversaw the renaissance of the

1960s, Rendle did the same, in a completely different way, in the 1970s and 80s. He encouraged talented people to express themselves through theatre and to try new ways of performing. He saw that many would fail – some spectacu-

During the early 1980s there was a certain rivalry – not all of it friendly

larly – but at least they had tried. He also advised everybody aspiring to act or to direct to always respect the text.

In the early 1980s I sat in on a discussion between theatre people chewing over stuff like technique and interpretation.

I recall one young woman, who apparently had directed a few plays, informing the gathering that for her the text was unimportant and merely the starting point of her production. She said, something like: “Yes, I read it… then I decide what to do with it.” By the time this discussion was taking place Rendle had died. I could just imagine him spinning in his urn in frustration.

In the late 1990s another Adrian, this time Adrian Buckle, carried on some of the

work that his predecessor started. From the outset it seemed that his Unifaun theatre company deliberately chose challenging or downright difficult plays to produce. And inevitably the outcome was somewhat mixed. I have seen most of his company’s productions. Yes even the once banned Stitching – and my overall impression of Unifaun’s work is that it is largely successful.

Low points did occur and his production of Philip Ridley’s Mercury Fur was for me perhaps the lowest. We, the audience, were initially hassled on our way to our seats in the MITP theatre by some young men who pushed and jostled us. Why? Who knows? If it was intended to put us in the

right frame of mind to appreciate what followed, it failed.

It only succeeded in many of us making a mental note not to bother to attend any more of his company’s productions.

I stayed with it, Unifaun that is – and to be fair they have given us some very good stuff in the interim. I particularly enjoyed their production of Trevor Zahra’s Is-Surmast, which proved that Unifaun could successfully put on more mainstream plays. Their staging of Jim Cartwright’s Two at St James was also more popular fare and included two excellent performances by its protagonists Pia Zammit and Edward Mercieca.

Among the more prominent newish theatre companies I hear good reports of is Bronk

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

Productions. I cannot verify this from personal experience since they seem to present most of their work in the Catholic Institute, which is a venue that I don’t particularly care for. On the few occasions that I have attended productions there I have either turned up for a complete turkey or discovered that I had such bad seats I vowed never to return. For one performance my wife and I were seated directly in front of an enormous speaker and – since the production we were attending was a dance show with lots and lots of loud music – we left the theatre totally deafened. But that’s no fault of Bronk of course and I do intend eventually to attend one of their productions.

Throughout all of the upheaval of the 1970s and, to a certain extent the 80s and 90s, the MADC has always been there. Not that everything they have produced has been worthy of note. But a lot of it has.

During the early 1980s there was a certain rivalry – not all of it friendly – between the long established MADC and the later Atturi Theatre Group, since both companies produced mainly works in the English language. The pool of directors and actors on the island tended to work for both companies, but a small minority decided to only work for one or the other.

I have charted the rise and eventual demise of the Atturi company in an earlier set of articles, suffice it to say their output was considerable at this time and saw them present a new production every month from September through to May. Another fairly short-lived theatre company was Theaterworx, which was formed by Manuel Cauchi and Stephanie Farrugia in the late 1990s. It may not have had a long life span but during the time that it was in existence it produced some outstanding work. Perhaps the best example is their production of Yasmina Reza’s Art, which featured Kevin Drake – on top form, the very talented Jes Camilleri and Manuel Cauchi himself. A dream team.

The MADC tended to concentrate on fewer major productions, but they also produced plays and revues in their own little theatre in Santa Venera, with a capacity of around 120 seats. This space allowed the club to give opportunities to young actors and directors to get a toehold in

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Manoel Theatre. PHOTO: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

the local theatre scene. It was during the 1980s that the MADC first established their annual one-act-play competition in their clubrooms. And this has been a wonderful nursery for emerging talent.

Talking of which, during the 1990s a number of privately run drama schools began to spring up in our islands. Not all were quality seats of learning, but one or two have stayed the course and have produced and are producing talented performers. I can single out Stagecoach and Masquerade as the picks of the newish drama schools. Both are run by established and talented theatre people, Stagecoach by Edward and Marika Mercieca and Masquerade by Tony and Veronica Bezzina.

But back to the MADC. In the last 30 odd years they have been responsible for some excellent work. The Manoel Theatre has hosted some of the best and here I must single out Frederick Testa’s production of Peter Shaffer’s epic piece, The Royal Hunt of the Sun. This featured a very large cast led by that fine actor, Harry Borg. He played the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro in a play about the Spanish conquering of the Peruvian Inca kingdom.

The MADC also produced a number of excellent musicals

during this period – and if I had to single out just one it would have to be Tony Bezzina’s direction of Lionel Bart’s Oliver in the mid 1990s at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. This again fea-

tured Harry Borg, this time as an all singing Fagin, plus the then Claudette Pace – Latterly the MP Claudette Buttigieg – as the unfortunate Nancy.

There is not enough room in this article to chart all the

highs in Maltese theatre in the past 30 years and there have been many. Suffice it to say that theatre in Malta continues to grow and prosper on very many levels – and long may it continue to do so.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

RUMANZ

L-Antikrist Mattew M

Silta mir-rumanz ġdid ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

eta Alessandro qal lil Francesco bil-ħarba misterjuża ta’ Mattew, dak baqa’ mbellah. Huwa kien imdaħħal sewwa fl-istorja għax kien ġie maħtur mill-Gran Mastru bħala wieħed mill-erba’ Kavallieri li waqqfu forma ta’ tribunal qabel bdiet l-inkiżizzjoni f ’Malta bil-wasla ta’ Monsinjur Dusina.

“Jien naħseb li kieku dan is-saħħar eretiku baqa’ miżmum fil-ħabs ċivili, żgur li ma kienx se jaħrab,” qal Francesco. “U ma nafx kif Dusina ħalliekom toħorġuh mill-ħabs. Ma kontx nistenniha minnu...”

“Inti taf daqsi li l-Ordni m’għandux l-awtorizzazzjoni ta’ Ruma biex jipproċedi kontra l-eretiċi. Huwa jiġi f ’idejn il-ġustizzja ċivili biex tiġi esegwita s-sentenza tal-mewt kontra tiegħu...”

“Kollox sew, Sandro, qalbi, iżda xorta waħda Dusina qatt ma messu ħalliekom toħorġu lil dak il-bniedem mill-ħabs.”

“Jien stess bqajt skantat kif ċedielna meta tlabnieh biex narawh.

Imma jew minħabba l-pressjoni li saret minn dawk li kienu magħna fuq il-mejda, jew forsi l-inbid tajjeb li kellna...”

“Le, le. Tgħid x’tgħid, din turi nuqqas ta’ serjetà u dixxiplina...”

“Ma tridx tgħid li Dusina nieqes misserjetà u d-dixxipina, hux? Fuq Dusina jien biss nista’ nitkellem. Ħa ngħidlek ħaġa li żgur ma kontx tafha, Cesco.”

“Donnok ħadt għalik, Sandro, qalbi! Naf li huwa kuġinuk u li bilfors taqbeż għalih...”

“Le, mhux għax kuġinuwi iżda għax hu bniedem ta’ prinċipju kbir. Kont taf li darba minnhom waqaf anke lill-Papa preżenti...”

“X’inti tgħid, Sandro, qalbi! Ma kontx naf li Dusina huwa dak it-tip ta’ ġgant tal-Knisja. X’kienet l-okkażjoni? Għidli għax bilkemm nista’ nemmen ħaġa bħal din.”

“Meta kien għadu vigarju tal-Kardinal Carafa, daħal f ’biċċa nkwiet ta’ prinċipju li fiha kellu x’jaqsam mhux biss il-Papa iżda wkoll l-eroj ta’ Lepanto, Juan tal-Awstrja.”

“Jaqaw?”

“Dan Juan ġab fid-dinja tifla illeġġitima.

Għadni sal-lum niftakar isem omm it-tifla – Diana Falagola. Ħafna, fosthom il-Papa, tħabtu kemm felħu biex din Diana jdaħħluha f ’kunvent. Iżda s-sorijiet ta’ dan il-kunvent bl-ebda mod ma riedu jaċċettawha. Dusina għamel minn kollox biex jiddefendi s-sorijiet iżda s-saħħa tal-

L-Inkiżitur Dusina rċieva ittra stramba minn Sqallija.

Papa kienet ħafna ikbar minn tal-kuġin għax m’għaddietx tiegħu.”

“Iktar ma tgħidli fuq kuġinuk iktar insaħħaħ l-opinjoni tiegħi li dakinhar għamel żball u issa

jrid ibati l-konsegwenzi talħarba ta’ dan is-saħħar. Imma kulħadd jista’ jiżbalja.”

“Hemmhekk se nċedilek, anke jekk jien ma ngħidx li kien żball tiegħu.

Biss, dan Falsun kien f ’idejn l-inkiżitur mhux għax hu kkunsidrat bħala saħħar iżda għax huwa eretiku.

“Iva, naf li bħala saħħar kien jaqa’ f ’idejn il-ġustizzja tal-Istat u mhux talKnisja. S’hemmhekk naqblu, qalbi Sandro. U aħfirli jekk offendejtlek lil kuġinuk.” U spiċċaw it-taħdita bittgħannieqa u l-bewsa tas-soltu.

KAPITLU 4: QADDEJ SQALLI

Għadda ż-żmien u ħadd iżjed qatt ma sama’ bis-saħħar Mattew Falson

Għadda ż-żmien u ħadd iżjed qatt ma sama’ bis-saħħar Mattew Falson. Kien għoddu ntesa, għalkemm din tal-aħħar kienet ġrajja li ma tintesiex malajr. LIsqof Dusina ma kienx qata’ qalbu għalkollox u reġa’ talab lill-Gran Mastru biex jiġi mfittex min-nies tiegħu.

Meta l-pulizija reġgħu marru għand missieru biex jistaqsu dwaru, lanqas dan ma nstab. Jingħad li l-missier ukoll ħarab u kien hemm min qal li kien jinsab Franza taħt il-protezzjoni ta’ xi ħadd importanti li kien midħla tiegħu.

Dusina ma sabx mezz kif jaqbad f ’idejh lil Mattew Falson u lil missieru.

Għalhekk huwa xorta waħda ried jagħti lezzjoni lil dawk li ħasbu li kienu għaddewha lixxa. Huwa ordna li jsiru żewġ statwi tagħhom tal-kartapesta u jitqiegħdu fil-knisja tal-Lunzjata filBirgu. Dawn l-istatwi tpoġġew f ’post fejn jarahom kulħadd biex isir magħruf kontra min kien qiegħed isir il-proċess tal-inkiżizzjoni. It-tnejn ġew ikkundannati bħala persuni li ma nidmux minn ħtijiethom. Il-ħtija kienet wisq iżjed gravi għax il-każ tagħhom kien qed jinstama’ għat-tieni darba.

Silta mis-sentenza ta’ iben dak li qabel kien il-Ħakem tal-Imdina kienet tgħid hekk: Niddikjaraw li int, Mattew Falson, erġajt waqajt fl-ereżija. Għalhekk, int ħaqqek li tiġi mogħti f ’idejn il-ġustizzja tal-Istat ħalli tingħata l-mewt. B’din is-sentenza aħna naqtgħuk ‘il barra mill-Knisja.

Billi lilek personalment ma stajniex naqbduk f ’idejna, nagħtu lill-ġustizzja tal-Istat l-istatwa li tiffigurak u nordnaw li dwarek lIstat jagħmel dak li hu fid-dmir tiegħu. Niddikjaraw ukoll li l-ġid tiegħek jiġi kkonfiskat. Skont l-ordni mogħti mill-Papa, in-nofs ta’ ġidek imur għall-kaxxa tal-Gran Mastru u n-nofs l-ieħor għas-Sant Uffizzju ta’ Malta.

Fl-istess żmien kien hemm patri Agostinjan, Tommaso Xeibe, li wkoll ġie ġġudikat dwar xi tagħlim li kien jagħti. Il-każ tiegħu nstama’ ma’ dak ta’ Falson. Huwa wera l-indiema tiegħu talli mexa fuq it-tagħlim ta’ Martin Luteru billi ċaħad l-eżistenza tal-purgatorju, m’emminx li x-xbihat tal-qaddisin jistħoqqilhom qima u ma żammx li l-bniedem għandu l-libertà f ’dak li jagħmel. Minn dan it-tagħlim żbaljat huwa talab maħfra u qalagħha.

Wara xi żmien, l-Inkiżitur Dusina rċieva ittra stramba minn Sqallija.

Kienet mingħand is-saħħar Mattew Falson għax il-kitba tiegħu kienet tingħaraf. Fiha kien hemm biss ilkliem: Ftakar fija.

Meta reġa’ ltaqa’ mal-ħbieb tiegħu tassoltu li kienu jħobbu jiġu jieklu għandu kull meta jistedinhom, ħabbrilhom li Falson kien wasal Sqallija qawwi u sħiħ u dawk li kienu miegħu waqt l-aħħar ikla baqgħu mnexxfin kif mil-bettija mimlija ilma kien wasal Sqallija.

Din is-sena huwa l-40 anniversarju minn meta l-awtur Tony C. Cutajar ippublika l-ewwel rumanz tiegħu, IdDubbien l-Abjad (Klabb Kotba Maltin).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

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OPINION

Sort it out!

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RI STINE GALE A

Negativity is a normal human sentiment which, if accepted, can help one to move on in a more worthwhile direction, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

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ast October, Malta and Gozo saw the launch of organic waste collection. This innovation was welcomed by most citizens and the first few months of the project reveal that it is reaping very positive results. It appears that this initiative, which involves household waste separated correctly at source, is achieving its aim of promoting a change in mentality and behaviour in our local communities.

The separation of organic waste, however, only serves to provide a brief introduction to my reflection, prompting me to move on to a different level of ‘waste separation’.

But before going further, I think you will agree with me that our thoughts – whether positive or negative – influence every single thing that goes on in our lives. They determine the manner in which we view and how we feel about ourselves, as well as about others, and consequently, they affect the expression of our beliefs, opinions, values and judgements. We all perceive things differently, mostly depending

upon our experiences, and our ideas and attitudes are all based upon how we interpret such experiences.

So I wonder, how possible is it to sift our thoughts, and accordingly, our emotions, in much the same way that we separate waste? Speaking for myself, it seems as if everything goes into one bin. Sometimes I spend a lot of time inside my own mind – worrying about the future, replaying events of

How possible is it to sift our thoughts, and accordingly, our emotions, in much the same way that we separate waste?

the past and generally focusing upon the parts of life that leave me dissatisfied. This distracts me from focusing upon what is really important and also prevents me from enjoying the moment and appreciating all that is beautiful in my life. Needless to say, this drains me no end, but thankfully, it doesn’t happen too often.

Yet in moments such as these, how about if I were to imagine my mind as having two ‘bins’? A white one that houses the positive thoughts and feelings, and a black one for the negative ones. The first would be for those warm thoughts that make me feel good and the other for those cold, prickly feelings that make me feel bad. If I can push the analogy further, then I would also possibly have a third bin – for those emotions which were seriously tinged with a shade of grey.

I’m not a psychologist – and for anyone who is, and who may be reading this, please feel free to punch holes in my theory, but I think that, with dedicated practice, learning to stop listening to the negative thoughts and

replacing them with more positive thinking patterns can actually make a big difference in one’s day-to-day happiness and well-being.

I read somewhere that one way to do this is by simply noticing the negative content as if one were reading it from a book. Another way is to embrace the wide range of thoughts and emotions that the human person can experience and recognise that negativity is a normal human sentiment which, if accepted, can help one to move on in a more worthwhile direction.

Just as placing different items of trash in separate bins helps us to organize our waste better, reducing the amount of garbage which is sent to landfill, similarly if we can train ourselves to control our negative thoughts and emotions and assign them the place they deserve in our minds, then this ‘waste’ can possibly be turned into a valuable resource. My two grandchildren never seem to tire of reminding me to “sort it out, nanna” After having written this, I am tempted to heed their admonitions in more ways than one.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ fEbRuaRy 2019

PHOTOS

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TRACK DAYS

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The Malta Railway ran for less than six decades but its memory is still on track. Senior Times and Bay Retro steam ahead.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAY RETRO

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ fEbRuaRy 2019

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6 1. A steam train departs from Valletta station headed for Mdina in the 1920s. Photo: NorMAN ScheMbri; 2. A steam train prepares to depart from Valletta railway station; 3. A steam train arrives at birkirkara station before the demise and closure of the Malta railway in 1931; 4. A steam train from Valletta arrives at Museum station near Mdina in 1918. Photo: JordAN GAuci; 5. A man waits to board the passenger train from Valletta to Mdina at Attard station in the 1920s; 6. Malta railway staff stand next to a steam train at Museum station near the Mtarfa barracks in the 1920s; 7. Valletta’s old railway station tunnel makes a good air raid shelter during the darkest days of World War ii; 8. ViPs arrive at Notabile station on the first-ever passenger train to run on the Malta railway in 1883. Photo: PAul GAleA; 9. A train crew at work at Valletta station in the 1880s during the early days of the Malta railway. Photo: FrANk leA-elliS; 10. A steam train makes its way over the bridge at Valletta station in the early days of the Malta railway.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1 8

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36.Broom (5) 37. Staff of life (5) 38.Upright (2,3)

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EASY CROSSWORD

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ACROSS 3. Nowadays, choose to take something up (5) 8. Hardly the only one in a quiver! (5) 10. This sphere of activity isn’t quite the real one (5) 11. Time to show a way ahead (3) 12. Is there a pin-hole in it? (5) 13. Very little can be sent out, sugar (7) 15. To put together to make a total (3,2) 18. Strong drink’s a trap (3) 19. Being free to set out, perhaps, walk (6) 21. Such service you’ll never get tomorrow (4,3) 22. Vessel in which one takes a chum out (4) 23. Tyrant, but he showed some generosity (4) 24. Related to that nice Mr Adair? (7) 26.Goes after a companion on the wild seas (6) 29.Like the life in Holloway? (3) 31. In good time, like a noble fellow (5) 32. Books with their own shelf at the Royal Society (7) 34. It’s a bit tame, our love! (5) 35. A little way from Newhaven (3) 36.She provides a home for a man’s heart (5) 37. Store providing new hats at central Ruislip (5) 38.Fish the Poles love at the end of the week (5) DOWN 1. Where to get a sound crew (5) 2. Finished with a girl in Ireland (7) 4. A mending job, dammit! (4) 5. Fair description of Polly? (6) 6. He can sing a shaky note right (5) 7. One of the overheads, like cotton wool (5) 9. Deer at Hampton, perhaps? (3) 12. Good book for a fellow with a small sister (7) 14. He takes a return from Hammersmith (3) 16. You get fed up with it changing to “stop” (5) 17. Exotic poses for money (5) 19. A back seat specialist (7) 20.Room to put a horse’s price on a card (5) 21. It has a long neck, a rounded body, and frets (5) 23. Old Nick, in London (7) 24. Important figure in wildest Kenya (3,3) 25. He’s in aerodynamics (3) 27. Hold course for port (5) 28. Pieces of wood used for stirring salts (5) 30. Raw yet presumptuous (5) 32. The attraction of rule-breaking (4) 33. She’s a little way back (3) JANUARY ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 1. C-lash 6. Verse 9. Wave-red 10. S-wee-t. 11. Reins 12. Reign 13. Loll-i.e.-s 15. To-y 17. Ones 18. Moros-E 19. Widen 20. T-he lot 22. Tame 24. Her 25. Citi-Z-en 26. Skirt 27. Adi-os 28. Da-LL-y 29. Surge-on 30.

Dr-O-op 31. Terry.

DOWN: 2. Laws-on 3. S-well-S 4. Hat 5. Fetes 6. Verge on 7. E-den 8. S-a-NTOS 12. R-emit 13. Lout-h 14. Lever 15. Top-A-Z 16. Ye-men 18. Merit (remit) 19. Works up 21. Header 22. Tisane 23. Med-lar 25. Cra-G-s 26. So-so 28. Dot.

ACROSS 3. Coagulates (5) 8. Flower part (5) 10. Weird (5) 11. Swindle (3) 12. Exhausted (5) 13. Ordinary (7) 15. Sample (5) 18. Flipper (3) 19. Herb (6)

21. Planet (7) 22. Drag (4) 23. Unruly child (4) 24. Middle (7) 26.Public speaker (6) 29.Titfer (3) 31. Fibre (5) 32. Tortoise (7) 34. Purchaser (5) 35. Before (3)

DOWN 1. Happen again (5) 2. Small quantity (7) 4. Rich soil (4) 5. Wobble (6) 6. Carried chair (5) 7. Ski slope (5) 9. Male cat (3) 12. Shrub (7) 14. Rend (3) 16. Growl (5) 17. Exhilarate (5) 19. Plume (7) 20.Disorder (5) 21. Traitor (5) 23. Assault (7) 24. Newspaper article (6) 25. Knock (3) 27. Stream (5) 28.Forbidden (5) 30. Prove innocent (5) 32. Check (4) 33. Wrath (3)

JANUARY ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 1. Lucid 6. Spitz 9. Nostril 10. Acute 11. Rural 12. Fails 13. Filches 15. Rot 17. On at 18. Pirate 19. Demon 20. Loiter 22. Pint 24. Sun 25. Jealous 26. Older 27. Stove 28. Penny 29. Atelier 30. Addle 31. Ashen.

DOWN: 2. Urchin 3. Intact 4. Doe 5. Atlas 6. Sirloin 7. Plus; 8. Teapot; 12. Fever 13. Foils 14.

Latin 15. Ratio 16. Tents 18. Poker 19. Deplete 21. Ousted 22. Pliers 23. Nuance 25. Jelly 26.

Oval 28. Pea.

WORD SEARCH

Added Afford Amply Aping Applicant Assuring Beaks Betrayal Cameo Cawed

Cleave Cosmopolitans Domiciles Drank Dunks Fidelity Filmed Glass Gulps Handcuff

Kicks Littler Morns Nifty Oracle Orphan Ovals Points Portents Proud

Purity Righteous Sauce Sealed Synthesis Teapot Utmost Vetoes Wicket Widens

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

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Ngħidu kelma

COMPETITION

QWIEL MALTIN U XI JFISSRU Tmiem tajjeb isewwi kollox.

All’s well that ends well.

Bil-flus ħadd ma jixtri il-ġenna.

Money cannot buy you heaven.

Fejn tħobb il-qalb jimxu r-riġlejn.

The legs follow the heart.

Tales for our Times

by Joe Friggieri

A Landscape Approach to Conservation

by Louis F. Cassar

Historic Times

L-ilsien bla għadam imma jxoqq l-għadam.

The tongue has no bones but can crack bones.

This month, we are giving away three bestselling paperbacks. To win, tell us the date when this Times of Malta front page was published. Send your answers via e-mail to seniortimes@timesofmalta.com or by post to ‘Senior Times Competition’, Allied Newspapers Limited, Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000. The first three correct answers that we receive win a paperback each. Last month’s winners are Marlene Debono who wins a copy of Castille by Henry F. Coppini, Dorsanne Bencini who wins a copy of The Lie by Oliver Friggieri and George Sinagra who wins a copy of Previous Convictions by A. A. Gill. The correct answer was April 6, 1968.

SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9

2 3 4 9

1 5

7 7 3 4 8 5 4 1 2 5 9 8 2 7 8 4 3 5 1 2 1 7 3

Il-qattus u l-far qatt ma ħasbu għalenija.

The cat and the rat never shared a common thought.

9 7 8 1 4 2 3 5 6

2 4 6 3 5 7 1 8 9

5 1 3 9 6 8 2 7 4

8 9 4 2 1 3 7 6 5

3 6 7 5 9 4 8 1 2

Kliem ix-xiħ zomm fih.

Trust the words of an old man.

Stark Realities

by Alexander Fullerton

1 2 5 8 7 6 4 9 3

7 5 2 4 8 9 6 3 1

6 3 1 7 2 5 9 4 8

4 8 9 6 3 1 5 2 7

Qabbilli waħda Marinton, Ċiklanton Marinton, Ċiklanton, libsa bajda bil-pantor.

Naħsilhielek, ngħaddihielek, għall-festa ta’ San Girgor.

Iż-żarbun Iż-żarbun ta’ Severina, Severina bint ir-re, daħlet sieqha ġol-gabarrè. Ġili ġili ġa Ġili ġili ġa fuq it-toppu tal-mamà!

Igdimha u busha fuq it-toppu tal-għarusa!

Nannakola Nannakola mur l-iskola, aqbad siġġu u ibda ogħla!

Iż-żunżana Iż-żunżana ddur iddur, fuq il-bejt tal-kaċċatur.

Meta tasal taħt il-mina, tagħmel żinn żann żunn.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

OPINJONI

Dawra bit-taxi ħabib!

Is-sempliċità li niddedikaw, almenu ġurnata waħda ma’ dawk vulnerabbli ssarraf f’sinjal ta’ faraġ u mħabba, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

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umejn wara l-festa għażiża tal-Milied, aktar minn 350 tifel u tifla ġejjin minn diversi ambjenti u entitajiet ittieħdu dawra madwar Malta minn xejn anqas minn 80 xufiera tat-taxis.

Għal din l-attività li issa ilha ssir għal dawn l-aħħar 35 sena, il-vetturi kienu bħal dejjem, maħsula ndaf taxxa u mżejna b’għadd ta’ bżieżaq kuluriti biex jilqgħu fihom lil dawn lanġli innoċenti.

L-ewwel żjara ta’ dawn it-tfal ħadithom fiċ-Ċentru taxXjenza Malti Esplora fejn hemmhekk ingħataw ukoll kolazzjon qabel komplew fi triqthom lejn il-kumpless taddivertiment Splash & Fun Park ġewwa Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.

Wara li temmew ħin ta’ attivitajiet f ’dan il-park, ix-xufiera tat-taxis b’dawn it-tfal erħewlha lejn il-binja ta’ Lufthansa Technik fejn hemmhekk, fil-presenza anke tal-President ta’ Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, it-tfal temmew dan iljum memorabbli b’festin millisbaħ tal-okkażjoni.

Ma naqsux lanqas numru ta’ sorpriżi li t-tfal esperjenzaw dakinhar, fosthom rikba f ’numru ta’ karozzi tal-linja antiki, u kif ukoll logħba foot-

ball b’differenza li kienet tinkludi l-parteċipazzjoni ta’ wħud fost l-aktar players tal-football magħrufa lokalment bħalissa.

Bla dubju, avveniment bħal dan jitlob ħafna xogħol, impenn u sagrifiċċji, kemm mill-organizzaturi ta’ din lattività, kemm mix-xufiera talistess vetturi tat-taxis, kif ukoll mill-entitajiet rispettivi li laqgħu lil dawn it-tfal għandhom.

Saħansitra, impenn daqstant ieħor minn membri tal-korp tal-Pulizija li ħadu ħsieb jeskortaw dawn il-vetturi kollha bil-għan li jkunu evitati inċidenti fittoroq bla bżonn.

Bla dubju wkoll, avveniment bħal dan kien ta’ sodisfazzjon kbir għal dawn it-350 tifel u tifla li b’xi mod jew ieħor huma vulnerabbli u żvantaġġjati fi ħdan soċjetà żviluppata, moderna, ċiviliżżata li aħna lkoll ngħixu fiha llum.

Però din gazzetta maħsuba dwar u għall-anzjani! Fhiex tidħol storja bħal din? Tidħol għaliex ħafna drabi, il-fraġilità u l-innoċenza tat-tfal, tiġbidna, issaħħarna, iżżommilna nnifs, tiġina ħniena u għalihom, anke jekk hawn min għandu qalbu xierfa, f ’okkażjonijiet bħal dawn, forsi qalbu tirtab xi ftit u tħenn ukoll.

Avveniment bħal dan kien ta’ sodisfazzjon kbir għal dawn it-350 tifel u tifla.

Iżda fi ħdan soċjetà li ngħixu fiha llum, forsi qajla niftakru li hawn faxx ieħor tas-soċjetà, blistess qies vulnerabbli, fraġili, u ħafna drabi solitari. Dawn huma l-għeżież tagħna l-anzjani, laktar dawk li jinsabu jgħixu waħedhom, kemm fi djar talanzjani tal-Gvern, tal-Knisja jew tal-privat, però anke dawk li jinsabu jgħixu fl-istess residenza privata tagħhom waħedhom.

Għadna madwarna problema, realtà, traġedja, għidilha li trid ta’ ħafna anzjani madwarna li jinsabu jgħixu letteralment għal rashom. Li, għal xi raġuni jew oħra dawn ma jmur proprju jżuruhom ħadd.

Anzjani, Maltin u Għawdxin li dawn, Alla biss jaf kemm ħadmu, batew, stinkaw, għamlu sagrifiċċji biex rabbew familja, ħallew lil ta’ madwarhom nieqsa minn xejn u tawhom l-aqwa edukazzjoni biex possibbilment la jikbru, ma jbagħtux kif kellhom jagħmlu huma.

Ngħid mill-ewwel u b’wiċċi minn quddiem. Isir ħafna u ħafna għall-anzjani ta’ dawn ilgżejjer u minn diversi bnadi u setturi tas-soċjetà. Xi drabi iżda jiġri li, sena wara oħra, kollox jindara. Ma jibqa’ xejn sorpriża, jew bi stennija. Kull attività issir bħal sempliċi jum ieħor imniżżel fil-kalendarju tas-sena li, bħal donnu saret xi ħaġa obbligatorja, li kważi trid issir għax bil-fors.

L-idea ta’ dawn ix-xufiera tat-taxis hu eżempju ħaj, millaktar sempliċi, prattiku, divertenti ta’ kif aħna nistgħu inferrħu ċerti nies madwarna.

Forsi mhux l-aktar bir-rigali u l-ħlewwiet u ma nafx x’aktar, iżda b’rapport intimu, interattiv bejn numru ta’ persuni flimkien li bil-presenza u d-dedikazzjoni tagħhom, anke għal jum wieħed biss matul sena, juru f ’dawn missirijietna li huma għadhom apprezzati, li huma għadhom miftakra mis-soċjetà, li huma

wkoll, xi darba, tista’ tmisshom dawra b’xi taxi, u li forsi wara, jekk mhux festin, imqarr jeħduhom għal xi kafè u żewġ pastizzi! Ċertament, mhux l-infieq, ilkwantità, il-kobor, u d-densità tal-attività li tagħmel din suċċess jew le, almenu f ’għajnejn dawn ħutna l-anzjani, iżda s-sempliċità li niddedikaw, almenu ġurnata waħda magħhom f ’sena biex fuq fomm dawn in-nies, nittama, tkompli tfeġġ tbissima, raġġ ta’ tama, sinjal ta’ faraġ u imħabba, kif kull bniedem fuq wiċċ din l-art jistenna li jirċievi.

X’jaħsbu tat-taxis?

Tonio Bonello hu l-editur media kif ukoll information and communications executive responsabbli mill-corporate-wide media and communications flUffiċċju tas-Segretarju Permanenti fi ħdan il-Ministeru għallFamilja, Drittijiet tat-Tfal u Solidarjetà Soċjali.

Where excellence in caring comes as standard

T

he dedicated team at Jasmine Nursing Home provides a range of care and support for the home’s residents, including residential care, dementia care and respite care.

Jasmine Nursing Home has been designed with the usual comforts one would expect such as welcoming lounges, a light and airy dining room, and cosy bedrooms, which provide a warm place for residents to rest and relax.

Yet it’s the small personal touches and the friendly team, who care for residents as if they were members of their

own family, which make Jasmine Nursing Home a true home.

The home welcomes visits from family and friends and has an open door policy, so whether loved ones like to pop in for a coffee or take part in an activity, they are encouraged to become part of the community within the home.

Jasmine Nursing Home holds regular meetings for residents and relatives, enabling residents and their loved ones to be directly involved in everyday life at the home.

It is important that residents spend their time as they choose, so Jasmine Nursing Home has a dedicated activi-

ties person to support them to take part in interesting activities, rekindle old past times and try out new things.

Regular activities on offer include baking, music, singing sessions, animal therapy, bingo, quizzes, coffee mornings, psycho drama and dancing, and arts and crafts.

The home also hosts regular funthemed community events throughout the year including summer fetes, charitable fundraisers, carnival activities, Good Friday events and Christmas fairs.

Residents also take part in day trips to localities such as Valletta, Esplora Science Centre at Bighi and Mdina to

make the most of all the beautiful attractions right on their doorstep.

Jasmine Nursing Home has recently introduced doll therapy. The use of dolls can bring great benefit to some people with a diagnosis of dementia, particularly those in later stages. It involves making a doll available to the person to hold or to sit with. Having a doll to interact with can improve the person’s communication, which can produce improvements in communication with other people.

Activities make residents more active and motivated, in turn creating cognitive stimulation.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRY 2019

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RELIĠJON

Il-gvernatur ta’ New York, Andrew Cuomo, bir-reviżjoni tal-liġi dwar id-dritt għall-abort.

Drittijiet Id-drittijiet qegħdin hemm biss għal dawk li kapaċi jargumentaw u jiġġieldu għalihom, mhux għal dawk li għad m’għandhomx din il-kapaċità, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

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att rajt lix-xitan jidħak? Tista’ tarah fl-istampa li hawn ma’ dan l-artiklu.

Id-data hija it-22 ta’ Jannar 2019. Fir-ritratt jidhru grupp ta’ nisa kollha b’ħarsa ta’ ferħ inspjegabbli (jidhru li mhux qed jitbissmu ħabba r-ritratt) iħarsu lejn raġel – li wkoll għandu daħka ġenwina fuq wiċċu – li qiegħed bil-qegħda jikteb xi ħaġa.

In-nisa huma attivisti għaddrittijiet tal-mara u membri tal-partit Demokratiku ta’ New York. Ir-raġel huwa l-gvernatur ta’ New York, Andrew Cuomo, li jistqarr li hu kattoliku u jiftaħar li meta kien żgħir kien abbati. Il-karta li għandu quddiemu fiha r-reviżjoni tal-liġi dwar id-dritt għall-abort (jew, fi kliem aktar politikament korrett, “għad-dritt tal-mara li tagħżel hi dwar ġisimha”); lemenda tagħti l-peress lillmara li tagħmel abort “għal kwalunkwe raġuni ta’ saħħa” sa dakinhar li tkun se titwieled ittarbija. U Cuomo, kattoliku, qiegħed jiffirmaha b’daħka kbira fuq wiċċu.

Sa dakinhar il-liġi tal-abort flAmerka kienet li dan jista’ jsir biss sal-24 ġimgħa tat-tqala u li seta’ jsir wara dan biss jekk ilħajja tal-mara tkun fil-periklu.

Issa għal kwalunkwe raġuni

“ta’ saħħa” (li tista’ tkun anke ħaġa bioloġika li sseħħ bil-fors, bħal żbilanċ fl-ormoni, jew uġiegħ li ġġib magħha t-tqala) l-omm – skużawni – il-mara tista’ titlob li dik il-biċċa laħam minn ġisimha li qed tikber f ’forma umana tista’ titneħħa u tintrema, anke sa ftit siegħat qabel titwieled. Barra minn hekk, fejn qabel kien hemm ilbżonn tal-firma ta’ tliet tobba biex isir abort ta’ dan it-tip, issa tinħtieġ biss firma ta’ tabib wieħed u l-abort jista’ jsir anke minn persuna li mhux kwalifikata bħala tabib.

F’nofs il-kritika ħarxa li qala’ minn kullimkien għal dan l-att djaboliku, Cuomo ftaħar li żamm il-wegħda li fi żmien 30 jum tas-sessjoni l-ġdida talgovernanza kien se jgħaddi liġi li tmur kontra l-proġett talGvern federali li ried jissikka aktar il-possibilitajiet għallabort – fil-fatt il-President Donald Trump huwa apertament kontra l-abort – u għalhekk approva liġi li tillegalizza l-qtil ta’ trabi sa ftit siegħat qabel jitwieldu.

Meta mistoqsi dwar l-aspett morali ta’ din il-liġi, il-gvernatur wieġeb li mhux qiegħed hemm biex jillegalizza r-reliġjon, imma biex jara li d-drittijiet ta’ kulħadd ikunu rispettati. Biex jimmarka din “ir-rebħa kbira

għan-nies ta’ New York” Cuomo ordna li l-arblu tal-World Trade Centre jinxtegħel bir-roża biex ikun bħala sinjal li jagħti d-dawl f’dan ir-rigward lill-Istati l-oħra tal-Amerka (u tad-dinja) biex jimxu fuq il-passi tagħhom.

Stat ieħor li malajr prova jieħu l-eżempju kien dak ta’ Virginia meta d-deputata Demokratika Kathy Tran ressqet abbozz ta’ liġi li jagħti permess lill-mara toqtol it-tarbija li ta’ ġo ġufha anke jekk tkun ġa bdiet titwessa’ biex ittarbija titwieled b’mod naturali. Forsi kienet il-makabrità ta’ dan id-dettall li wasslet lil ħafna biex jittimbraw din ilproposta bħala xejn inqas minn infantiċidju, u l-membri tal-kungress ivvutaw kontriha. Tajjeb insemmu wkoll li f ’dawn l-aħħar snin kien

L-abort jista’ jsir anke minn persuna li mhux kwalifikata bħala tabib

hemm xi Stati fl-Amerka, bħal South Carolina (2018) u Oklahoma (2016), li approvaw liġijiet li joqorbu ħafna f ’li jsostnu li kull forma ta’ abort huwa qtil għax tarbija fil-ġuf hija persuna.

Forsi ngħidu: dan l-għaġeb kollu fuq l-abort għalfejn, kemm jistgħu jkun qed isiru aborti? Skont in- New York State Department of Health saru 285,127 abort bejn l-2012 u l-2014 waqt fl-istess snin innumru ta’ tfal li twieldu kien ta’ 237,499. Dan ifisser li fi New York biss aktar jinqatlu trabi milli jitwieldu – u dan kien fi żmien meta, kif għedna, l-abort seta’ jsir biss sal-24 ġimgħa tat-tqala.

U Malta?

S’issa f ’pajjiżna waqt li ġa hemm diversi gruppi li huma pro choice (jiġifieri jaqblu li lgħażla għandha tkun f ’idejn ilmara jekk tridx ittemm ittqala), il-mexxejja politiċi u l-Gvern għadhom jgħidu li huma kontra l-abort u li mhux bi ħsiebhom idaħħluh. Imma ejjew inkunu onesti! Naturalment għalissa ħadd ma hu se jgħid ċar u tond li bi ħsiebu jintroduċi li l-possibiltà li jibda jitneħħa il-fetu mill-ġuf talomm. Imma kemm hemm modi kif wieħed jista’ jdawwar il-kliem biex jiġġustifika d-

drittijiet tal-minoranzi li għażlu li jwarrbu kull forma ta’ etika umana. Żewġ passi fundamentali f ’din id-direzzjoni ġa ħadinhom: il-legalizzazzjoni talmorning after pill (li “tnaddaf ” il-ġuf minn kullma seta beda jikber fih sa ġurnata wara li raġel ikun ħalla ż-żerriegħa tiegħu f ’mara), u l-liġi li tagħti permess biex bajd iffertilizzat jiġi ffriżat. L-argumenti li nġiebu fil-kontroversji li nqalgħu madwar dawn iż-żewġ konċessjonijiet legali kienu ddritt tal-mara li tevita tqala (jew, biex inkunu aktar korretti: li twaqqaf tqala fil-bidu nett tagħha) jekk ma tħosshiex preparata għaliha, u d-dritt talmara li jkollha aċċess għal bajd fertilizzat anke jekk in-natura tagħha qed tpoġġi ostakli għal dan. Ovvjament id-drittijiet qegħdin hemm biss għal dawk li kapaċi jargumentaw u jiġġieldu għalihom, mhux għal dawk li għad m’għandhomx din il-kapaċità.

Ejjew ma nidħkux bina nfusna u nserrħu rasna li aħna pajjiż kattoliku b’mexxejja kattoliċi. Malajr rajna l-kattoliċità ta’ Cuomo safejn walset biex iżomm il-wegħdiet li għamel biex itellgħuh, u mhix ħaġa kbira li ħaddieħor jirraġuna bħalu għall-istess raġunijiet.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuARY 2019

TRAVEL

Basilica of St Francis - lower church

An unexpected visit Fiona Vella finds spiritual serenity in Assisi.

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Detail from exhibited traditional crib

rancis Bernardone came upon the abandoned church of San Damiano in Assisi by accident. He was searching for a place to meditate to find a way forward for his life, when he entered the church and saw a crucifix. As he prayed earnestly in front of it, he heard a voice telling him, “Francis, go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins.” This brief moment changed not only the man’s life but even his birthplace, the Catholic Church, and the lives of many others.

An unexpected visit to Assisi proved that the timeless appeal of this instant still prevails.

Visiting Assisi for a few hours while exploring the surrounding towns, I found myself getting absorbed in the spiritual atmosphere of this medieval location which has earned its place in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its influence on religious expression and Europe’s art history.

Although it was anticipated that I would visit some churches, I was blown away by the monumental beauty of the basilicas, the medieval character of the town, the intriguing archaeological structures and the boundless feeling of serenity.

The Papal Basilica of St Francis of Assisi dominates the town. It constitutes two churches which are known as

the lower and upper churches.

Whereas the lower church is austere and sombre, symbolising the humanity and humility of the saint, the upper church is high vaulted, airy, and widely illuminated to resemble his sanctity and glory. The arcades that line the open square as you approach the basilica were originally used to shelter and feed medieval pilgrims. Nowadays, these offer refuge from the natural elements to the numerous visitors who come to Assisi.

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Basilica of St Clare

The art gallery

Basilica of St Francis - upper church

The Roman temple

References to St Francis are present wherever you go in Assisi

According to legend, the area on which this basilica was built was originally considered disgraceful since it was a place for public execution. Francis chose it as his burial place because he considered himself as the worst sinner. Today, this blessed location – which holds within it the venerated remains of the saint – is known as the ‘Hill of Paradise’.

The interior of the basilica is a masterpiece. Never have I seen such colourful splendour which reaches from top to bot-

tom with frescoes by leading 13th century artists, including Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti. In contrast, the cruciform crypt of St Francis located deep beneath the two-levelled basilica, is raw and simple. A large open pillar contains the roughly hewn stone sarcophagus which holds the blessed remains of the saint. In the four niches positioned at each angle facing the tomb lie the four disciples of St Francis: Fra Leone, Fra Masseo, Fra Rufino and Fra Angelo.

Even though Christmas celebrations were long over, the festive spirit was still very present in Assisi. An exhibition of traditional cribs animated the silent corridors of the friary built adjacent to the basilica. Likewise, a large crib with numerous lifesize figures gave life to the wide-open area in front of the upper church.

The main street named after St Francis leads from the basilica to the town centre. Like any pilgrimage site, Assisi has

become highly commercialised, flooded with souvenir shops selling all types and sizes of mementos that depict the saint. Various hotels offer hospitality to the pilgrims and visitors who opt to relish this medieval town’s atmosphere for longer. The elegantly restored 13th century Santa Caterina Monastery, now known as Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum, has been turned into a minimaliststyled hotel and spa, and is an unparalleled destination.

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TRAVEL

St Francis next to an image of Buddha

Detail from exhibited traditional crib

The main square, Piazza del Comune, was always an important point in the town. This is evident by the presence of a Roman temple which is the focal point of the square. Built in the 1st century BC, the imposing temple was originally attributed to the goddess Minerva due to the discovery of a female statue. However, recent archaeological discoveries in the area pertaining to other gods have created doubts about which god was honoured by this stately structure. The facade of the temple, with its six huge Corinthian columns supporting the architrave and a small pediment, has now been preserved. The pagan building – also a UNESCO World Heritage Site – serves as a bizarre entrance to the church which it now houses, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

References to St Francis are present wherever you go in Assisi. Niches, wall paintings, and statues of his parents Pietro di Bernardone and Madonna Pica, continually remind you that this is the birthplace of the saint. Nevertheless, the curious visitor can still encounter offbeat locations such as art galleries, tartufo shops, and traditional cuisine.

My visit ended at the Basilica of St Clare. Interestingly, the structure of its facade strongly

Shops flooded with souvenirs

imitates the upper church of the Basilica of St Francis, in the same manner that St Clare followed St Francis. Although far from the exuberant quality which one finds in the Basilica of St Francis, this church is still beautifully adorned. The ceiling of the chamber which houses the tomb of St Clare is pleasantly decorated with a blue sky filled with shining stars.

The humbler nature of this basilica does not diminish its respect or importance. The Crucifix Chapel located inside protects within it the Byzantine cross which was originally at the ruined church of San Damiano. On the other hand, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament occupies the area of the ancient Church of St George, in which both St Francis and St Clare were buried until their basilicas were constructed.

A splendid sunset welcomed me as I stepped out in the square of the Basilica of St Clare from where I could enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding area. Rocca Maggiore castle hovered over the town and bid me to visit, while at a distance, the Renaissance Basilica of St Mary of the Angels which houses the Porziuncola, the most sacred place for the Franciscans, reminded me that there was so much more to discover.

Humbler nature of basilica does not diminish its respect

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ELDERLY

IN THE MOMENT Timeslips creative storytelling gives elderly with dementia the freedom to imagine, says Charlotte Stafrace.

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few years ago, while searching for new ideas to implement during the creative sessions I run with the elderly, I stumbled across a technique which introduced storytelling for persons living with dementia. I was intrigued and wondered if it could possibly work here.

I like to keep myself informed about any tools being developed which I could possibly use when devising sessions with the elderly. Some have become part and parcel of the work I do. Coming from the theatre world, where we rely on stories, when I came upon a storytelling and improvising technique which I could add to the tools, I naturally wanted to explore it further.

This system, called Timeslips, was developed by Anne Bastings, a gerontologist and theatre maker. I was lucky enough to attend a short course given in Edinburgh two years back, and it was a real eye opener. Bastings explained the flexibility of adopting Timeslips and also the opportunities of Timeslips stories being woven into a performative theatre piece or developed into a number of other creative outcomes. Keen to take it further, I have since also become a certified Timeslips facilitator.

The premise of Timeslips creative storytelling is that it releases the person with dementia from struggling to find the ‘right’ word. Instead they are encouraged to say and contribute with whatever words they choose, or still has, to a story that is made up on the spot, in a group setting, or even on a one-to-one basis. The story-making process offers shared decision making – it interprets the person’s viewpoint, but it also, perhaps more

importantly, validates the person for their contribution.

We do laugh or try to include laughter in the story-making process, especially if the story takes a particular slant, but Timeslips is much more than just entertainment. The facilitator has a set of tasks every time – they will steer a developing story, working with individuals or a group to express themselves creatively. They will observe closely any non-verbal expressions, repeat accordingly, validate, and go where the person takes you. It is being in the moment. In every session there is both process and product.

So who is Timeslips for? I believe it works best with early to middle-stage dementia, though anyone can contribute with even a sound or a movement, which can be woven in. It does take patience, as initially most participants will feel reticent; however, I find that once a word is offered by someone, it becomes a comfortable place for the creativity to take place.

You will also need to reassure the adults in the group that it is an adult story that is being created, so that they do not feel that it is an infantalising process.

The session starts with placing your storytellers in a closeknit circle, and distributing copies of the same image to each person. Slowly, open-

There are no right or wrong answers – so it is a completely releasing process

Charlotte Stafrace during a Timeslips session.

ended questions are posed, in a clear manner and making sure each is heard, and repeated, one at a time, like “Where would you like to say this takes place?” or “How do you think he’s feeling?”

Encouragement needs to be continuous – there are no wrong answers. Ideally when you work in a group, you will have carers to help repeat the question or answer or point to the picture. I have sometimes found that a person does not ‘locate’ the right word during the story, but then, about three questions later, the word pops out and it can then be inserted into our story.

The participant’s feeling of finding the contributing word to our story brings pleasure but also validation. The facilitator’s urge to prompt is very real, but ultimately it doesn’t help the process – so, if a particular question does not resonate, it can be skipped or reworded. You can also be ready to improvise accordingly on any answers that you are given, but this will take time, and it can be challenging.

The story is then read back at intervals, occasionally acknowledging the person who would have contributed a word or a sentence. Of course, if you animate the story when you read it back, it will hold greater interest.

Not all pictures on the website (www.timeslips.org) will work within the local context, but I found that pictures which are clear, with some figures and a

distinct action, especially in a familiar setting like the sea, work to great benefits. Of course, you can use any pictures you find – just be aware of copyright issues, if you will be reproducing the stories in any format.

For me, perhaps the most important element in this storymaking is that there are no right or wrong answers – so it is a completely releasing process.

Persons living with dementia already have to go through a lot of questions where they are expected to remember. In time, this failure to remember can result in a loss of self. Timeslips instead focuses on what a person with dementia can still do and offers an opportunity to become a storyteller.

Every person has the capacity to be creative. As American psy-

chiatrist and pioneer of research into geriatric mental health Gene.D. Cohen, says, “Creativity is adding something new to the world that has value.” Timeslips reinforces this every time.

This process enables me as facilitator to see the person living with a dementia, in a moment, capable of growth, learning, but also sharing. I follow their lead.

Charlotte Stafrace is a freelance practitioner, who conducts creative sessions for the elderly under Active Age Malta. For the last two years she has been running a project for persons living with dementia called Making Memories, funded by Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

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SPORT

Sliema Wanderers 1955-56 winners of the Christmas Tourney match against Beograd by an exceptional goal from their star forward, Salvinu Schembri. Alex Gollcher, Ġużi Bonnici, Ninu Calleja, Victor Scerri, Salvu Bonnici, Charlie Mattocks, Lolly Cuschieri, Tony Nicholl, Salvinu Schembri, ‘Jockey’ Xuereb, Sammy Nicholl.

The Beograd, Kinizi and Leyton Orient Tourneys The Maltese public was given a double treat when, in 1955-56, two teams were invited at the same time for the Christmas Tourney, says Carmel Baldacchino.

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n the 1950s, and to a certain extend in the 60s, the highlights of the Maltese football season were the tourneys organised by the proprietors of the Empire Stadium. Come November, the public was kept on its toes, eager to find out which team or other was going to visit the island during the Christmas period or later in the season. Sometimes, the public was given a double treat when, as in 1955-56, two teams were invited at the same time for the Christmas Tourney.

During the 1955-56 season three foreign clubs visited Malta. SK Beograd of Yugoslavia and Kinizi of Hungary took part in the Christmas Tourney while Leyton Orient of England celebrated their promotion to the Second Division with a visit to the island later in the season.

Beograd were not a great team, but they could score goals and obtain results. Before coming to Malta, they had just beaten our old friends Hajduks, in the Yugoslav Cup final 2-0.

They opened their tour in style, beating Hamrun Spartans 5-2.

After only three minutes they were already two goals up and by the half-hour they had increased the score to 4-0.

Then, with the game already won and lost, they eased up and allowed the Spartans to have a share of the play. They only scored one more goal while Ħamrun replied with a goal each from the Psaila brothers, Romeo and Gejtu.

Beograd were in for a shock the next day when they were beaten 1-0 by Sliema Wanderers. Sliema, inspired by a great goal from Salvinu Schembri rose magnificently to the occasion. The Yugoslavs reacted

strongly to this early setback, but the disciplined Blues’ defence held on to their slight advantage till the end.

Beograd had hardly recovered from this shock when they were given an even bigger surprise by Valletta. The Whites were at the time in the process of building a new team. In the league they only occupied a place in the middle of the table but, in the tourney, they surprised everyone including themselves with an unexpected 4-2 victory against the team from Yugoslavia.

The City youngsters made up for their lack of experience with their energy and speed. Using first-time tackling they had the Yugoslavs in a dither for most of the 90 minutes. Micallef put the Citizens in front after 20 minutes but Beograd equalised almost immediately. The Whites were not bothered and

goals by Pace and Urpani put them back on velvet.

In the second period Beograd forced their way back into the game. They reduced the score to 2-3 and threatened to overwhelm the City youngsters but, two minutes from time, Pace sealed the visitors’ fate with another goal.

Beograd reserved their best performance for the game against Kinizi. The Hungarians were, however, a hard nut to crack and once again the Yugoslavs had to leave the stadium empty-handed. This time they lost by the odd goal in three. There was some consolation for Beograd when in their last match in Malta they outclassed and outplayed a poor MFA XI. They only won 10 but this score did not reflect the true run of play.

SK Kinizi were not new to the Maltese. In season 1937-38 they

came to Malta under their old name of Ferencvaros. In 1948, the new communist government in Hungary forced all the football clubs to reform themselves on a trade union basis.

Ferencvaros, one of the most famous clubs in Hungary changed their name to Budapest Kinizi and became the team of the food workers trade union.

Kinizi started their part of the tourney with a drawn game against the MFA XI. This time the national XI played up to expectations, forcing a creditable 2-2 draw against the slick Hungarians. After beating Beograd, Kinizi won their third match in Malta 2-1 against Floriana. The Greens fought for every ball in this

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A group photograph taken before the tourney match between SK Beograd and Valletta played at the Gżira Stadium on December 26, 1956. Valletta won 4-2.

Leyton Orient, with the Third Division South Trophy before they came to Malta in May 1956. Orient played four games in Malta.

A group photograph taken before the tourney match between Leyton Orient and Sliema Wanderers. The Wanderers in uncustomary white shirts took a 2-0 lead before half-time but the London club fought back to level the final score at 2-2.

game and this upset somewhat the usually smooth-running Hungarian machine.

Kinizi’s last match in Malta was a return game against the MFA XI. Once again, the encounter ended in a draw. It was however, gratifying to see the Maltese throw overboard the defensive tactics they adopted against the Hungarians in the first match. This time the game was fast, tough and full of attractive football but at the end, neither side had scored.

In May 1956, Leyton Orient, winners of the Third Division South of the English Football League celebrated their victory with a successful tour of Malta.

Leyton were certainly not one of the best-known English clubs

The national XI played up to expectations, forcing a creditable 2-2 draw against the slick Hungarians

but in those days, clubs from the UK were always welcomed by the Maltese enthusiasts.

Founded in 1881 as the Eagle Cricket Club in Leyton, London, the club has spent most of its life in the lower division of the English football league.

Although, in 1962-63 they spent one season in the top flight of the English league.

Since then, the club has fallen on hard times and in 2016-17 they were relegated from the Football League to the National League which is the fifth tier of the game in England.

Orient started their tour with a bang. In their first match they beat the MFA Under 21 XI 7-0. Playing fast and direct football, Orient outplayed the Maltese who were using this game as part of

their preparations for the San Remo Youth Tournament.

It was, however, a different story when the English team met Sliema. The Blues attacked from the word go and by halftime they were already leading 2-0. After the interval Orient seemed to have settled down.

They pulled one goal back, but the Blues could have increased their score if they were not denied a clear-cut penalty. This decision had a direct bearing on the result because a goal at that moment would surely have had a demoralizing effect on the visitors. As it was, this let-off gave Orient fresh heart and with minutes to go for full time they snatched a precious equaliser.

Orient continued their tourney with a 2-0 victory over Hamrun Spartans. They were physi-

cally superior to Ħamrun, but the Spartans were certainly not out-played and they repaid their long-suffering supporters with an over-all fine performance.

Leyton Orient’s last match in Malta was against Floriana.

They beat the Greens 4-2, but the game was surely not as one-sided as the score may suggest. For most of the game Floriana shared the play with their opponents but with only eight minutes left for the end of the game and the score level at 2-2 Orient scored twice to turn the result in their favour.

All in all, the Maltese clubs’ performances against the three visiting clubs were of a very high level, highlighting once again the high standard of the Maltese game during the 1950s.

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NEWS

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This month’s news highlights captured in show-stopping photos.

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3 1. Two white rhinoceros look at each other in their enclosure at the Lille zoo on February 11. Photos: AFP; 2. Kitesurfers enjoy the good wind and weather in Cape Town on February 6; 3. Indian labourers choose ‘mosambis’, sweet oranges, at Gaddiannaram fruit market on the outskirts of Hyderabad on February 11; 4. A dog dressed up for a show sits backstage at the 16th annual New York Pet Fashion Show on February 7 in New York City; 5. A supporter stands in front of flowers placed in front of a giant portrait of Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala, who died after a plane crash over the English Channel on January 2; 6. A model walks the runway at the Laurence and Chico show during New York Fashion Week on February 7; 7.

Jerome Rodrigues, one of the leading figures of the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) movement, poses during a photo session in Paris on February 6; 8. A murmuration of starlings over the Jordan Valley in the West Bank on February 3; 9. Pope Francis and Egypt’s Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb greet each other in Abu Dhabi on February 4.

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AĦBAR

Il-magħmudija ta’ Malta Mons. Valent Borg, direttur ta’ Missio Malta

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atul dan ixxahar ta’ Frar, niċċelebraw ilmagħmudija ta’ Malta. Mill-Ktieb tal-Atti talAppostli Kapitlu 27, l-itwal kapitlu li nsibu f ’dan il-ktieb, jidher ċar li l-magħmudija ta’ gżiritna ma seħħitx b’kumbinazzjoni, imma kien hemm l-id t’Alla li kienet qiegħda tmexxi kollox. San Pawl kien talab lillgvernatur sabiex il-każ tiegħu ikun mismugħ u ġġudikat millImperatur f ’Ruma (Atti 26, 25) F’dak iż-żmien, ir-Rumani kellhom id-drawwa li ma jsalpawx fix-xitwa minħabba l-biża’ ta’ ħsara kemm għall-ekwipaġġ u kemm għax-xini. Iżda meta dawn raw riħ favorevoli, kontra kull parir ta’ Pawlu, ħadu ċ-ċans u ħarġu mill-port fejn kienu jistkennu biex possibilment jaslu Ruma.

Iżda ġara li l-ġifen li fuqu kien hemm Pawlu, flimkien ma’ 275 ruħ oħra: “Inqabad f ’riefnu hekk qawwi li ma setax jeħodha aktar kontra dan ir-riħ qawwi u ħallejnieh iġorrna.” (Atti 27, 15) Pawlu, filwaqt li ħabbar ittelfien tal-ġifen, ħabbar ukoll li ħadd minn dawk li kienu fuqu ma kien ser jitlef lanqas xagħra waħda. Imma kien meħtieġ li jaħbtu ma’ gżira (Atti 27, 26), li aktar tard saru jafu li kien jisimha Malta.

Missirijietna ħabbew lil Pawlu, hekk li xħin wasal biex jitlaq minn gżiritna: “Għabbew fuq il-ġifen kulma konna neħtieġu.” (Atti 28, 10), karatteristika tagħna l-Maltin salġurnata tal-lum. Malta hekk intrabtet ma’ Pawlu u malBxara t-Tajba li ħabbrilna, li għal ħafna sekli l-ebda barrani ma seta’ jħares lejha, jekk mhux fid-dawl ta’ din il-magħmudija ta’ Pawlu. L-arti, il-kultura u dak kollu li jagħmilna Maltin, huma kollha ispirati minn din it-tħabbira. Missirjietna tant ħabbew u għożżew din l-aħbar li kienu lesti li jitilfu kollox għaliha, saħansitra ċarċru demmhom, biex ħadd u xejn

Ħafna minn ħutna l-Maltin ħallew kollox warajhom

ACN Malta launches campaign for Syria

A

ma jbegħedhom jew jifridhom minn din il-magħmudija.

Matul iż-żmien, Malta ma żammitx dan ir-rigal għaliha, imma fiehmet li dak li rċeviet minn Alla permezz ta’ Pawlu, kienet fid-dmir li taqsmu u xxerrdu mal-erbat irjieħ. Ħafna minn ħutna l-Maltin, saċerdoti, reliġjużi u lajċi, ħallew kollox warajhom biex iwasslu din l-istess aħbar ta’ Pawlu lil ħafna li kienu għadhom ma semgħux bi Kristu.

Illum Malta ser iżżomm dan l-impenn? Jiddependi minn kull wieħed u waħda minna. Xi tfisser għalik din il-magħmudija? Kemm qiegħed tkun xhud tagħha? Kemm qiegħed tgħin biex jinħoloq ambjent Nisrani ħalli t-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna jkunu jistgħu jwieġbu għas-sejħa missjunarja? Is-sejħa missjunarja hija l-polz li juri jekk Malta għadhiex fidila jew le għall-magħmudija tagħha. Nitolbu lil Marija tkompli tgħinna ħalli kif hi tat lil binha Ġesù lir-rgħajja, lillmaġi u lil ħafna oħrajn, hekk aħna nkomplu nwasslu lil binha ħalli jkun magħruf u maħbub minn kulħadd.

ccording to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 13.1 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance today – a direct consequence of eight years of cruel civil war aggravated by the open outright persecution of Christians at the hands of the extremist groups, ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

In total, 5.5 million people have since fled the country, among them more than 50 per cent are of the former Christian population, 6.3 million are internally displaced, more than 6,000 houses of Christian families have been destroyed and more than 3,000 schools have been destroyed.

Against this background, the Maltese National Office of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is embarking on a renewed campaign to provide emergency aid packages for Syria. These will include education for children and young people, food and medical support, lodging and reconstruction of houses for Christian families, training programmes and spiritual care as well as post-trauma support programs.

National Director of ACN Malta, Stephen Axisa explained that this campaign is absolutely crucial to the survival of those forced from their homes in the most dreadful circumstances.

“Syria continues to be an emergency situation. The severity and complexity of needs across the country remains overwhelming. The suffering is not over yet. We face massive challenges in easing the terrible wounds inflicted over the past eight years.”

With the launch of this campaign, ACN is appealing to people of goodwill to respond to this humanitarian emergency and prevent the Christian presence in Syria from being wiped out.

ACN has been providing emergency aid to displaced Christian families from the beginning of the conflict in 2011 in Aleppo and in other cities in Syria.

To support this campaign or to donate, visit www.syria.acninternational.org/malta/ or contact ACN on 2148 7818 and info@acnmalta.org.

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SENIOR TIMES ‒ FEbRuaRy 2019

PETS

Golden Oldies at the MSPCA Every Golden Oldie deserves to have a loving family your legaCy We depend on voluntary donations from kind people like you. Leaving us a gift in your will helps us continue the work we do and is extremely important for our mission.

By leaving us a gift in your will, you will help us make the difference. The best way to support us in your will is to leave us an unrestricted gift, which we can then use for the most urgent matters.

However, you can also specify how your gift should be used by leaving us a restricted gift.

Your gift will help us rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals that have been abused or neglected.

Let your love of animals live on with a gift in your will. A legacy is a gift which assists every animal entrusted to our care, our long-term viability and something which will be remembered.

msPCa Charity shoPs Who doesn’t like a good bargain? And when the money goes to a good cause, then there is even added value to your purchase.

Whether you are looking for something specific or just bargain hunting we have lots to offer. Of course this wouldn’t be possible without people’s donated goods and the wonderful team of volunteers who sort, pick and organise our stock. We would like to thank everyone who has been part of our successful charity retail outlets.

Our three charity shops are situated in Gorg Borg Oliver St, Sliema, Upper Constitution St, Mosta (opposite Iceland) and our W/House in Triq IlGreċja, Naxxar (behind Villa Mdina).

Check out our FB page for updates and offers

golden oldies finding homes at last The MSPCA sees a wide variety of dogs and cats over the months in a year. From big to small, fluffy to hairless, there is no type of cat or dog that is immune to needing help finding a new home. Sadly, a few of them stay in the shelter a little longer than they deserve. Then there are those who stay a lot longer. We call them the golden oldies because they start showing the signs of ageing and because they settle into a slower routine that would make them the equivalent to gold as pets.

If you have been following our space in Senior Times, you know that we are quite innovative in finding ways to make every

animal’s quality of life the best it can be.

But we have to admit that the home environment gives animals something we can’t in a kennel.

Other animals, the distant noises of visitors coming to adopt and the cries of new animals while they grieve their previous owners makes it impossible to give the sense of comfort and stability that they can only have when adopted. So you can understand we are over the moon when a dog or a cat we’ve cared for gets adopted.

We want to share our joy with you about some recent successes and tell you about the ones that are still waiting.

Beauty - adopted after 10 years at msPCa After being booked many times, adopters would get cold feet. We could not understand why she had such bad luck.

Beauty is cheerful and affectionate, if a little quirky. Like a pointer-type dog should do, she would stalk the pigeons in our courtyard and freeze in the pointing positions until they fly away. She could do this for hours. When she joined our education staff on school visits she would behave well and lavish in cuddles. Now Beauty got what she deserved: a loving home where she is loved, quirks and all.

Jasmine - still at the msPCa after nine years Jasmine was surrendered to us just over one year old. We were told she was neutered, so you can imagine our surprise when she gave birth to a litter of puppies a few days later. She doted over her puppies and while all of them got adopted, she has not been so lucky. She is rather shy around new people but if you give her time to get to know you, you will realise she is special.

Actually she will also make you feel rather special.

helPing us helP animals We do not receive any funds from Government. We manage to sustain our mission thanks to our hardworking volunteers, our three charity shops, fundraising initiatives, and funds from a combination of private donors and Dogs Trust International which has a long-standing relationship with the MSPCA. We also depend on your kind donations. You can help us by sponsoring: ▪ the organisation of one of our major fundraising events ▪ the annual rent for the opening of a new charity shop ▪ a kennel ▪ the MSPCA annual report ▪ yearly internet and landline services; a cat pen; the salary of an animal care and adoption officer ▪ yearly cost of one of our three vans ▪ yearly food supply for a dog or a cat ▪ yearly veterinary care for a dog or a cat ▪ urgent projects that pop up from time to time.

For further details contact our Business Development Manager on businessdevelopment@spcamalta.org.

every seCond Counts: how to BeCome an msPCa volunteer ▪ Do you love animals and have some free time?

▪ Would you like to meet new people and make new friends?

▪ Would you like to help make a difference to our cats and dogs?

If you answered yes to any of the above, we would love to hear from you.

We have three busy charity shops in Sliema, Naxxar and Mosta that generate much needed funds to cover the cost

of neutering, microchipping, rehoming and for the protection and care of the animals entrusted to our care. We urgently need volunteers for a variety of tasks. If you would like to find out more and or want to apply to join us: ▪ visit our website: https://www.maltaspca.org/volunteer or e-mail volunteer@spcamalta.org for more information. Call us on 2123 0468 (Wednesday to Sunday) if you would like to know more.

▪ if preferred, we can arrange delivery of a volunteer application form. Contact our manager on 7923 0468.

malta society for the Protection and Care of animals, st francis ravelin, floriana, frn1231, malta. for more information visit www.maltaspca.org