Senior Times (October 2017) by Times of Malta

SENIOR TIMES October 2017

Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly newspaper for the elderly

feeling fit in the later years Continued movement is key to active ageing. SEE PAGES 4 & 5

Making a Meal of it There is more to meal times than just eating, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement. SEE PAGE 16

Wise Words With cars SEE PAGES 20 & 21

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OcTObER 2017

EDITOR’S WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE

On course

SENIOR TIMES

very bite we take is primarily in support of a rumbling stomach; a means of sustenance. Yet meals are more than just fats or carbohydrates. Beyond the mere calorie count of a full meal or a quick snack is a strong and important social function. Meals make us human. They are congratulatory affairs. They are the centrepiece to a table of friends, fuel for conversation and laughter, a memory which lasts beyond the actual food’s expiry date. In this issue of Senior Times, Christine Galea makes a strong and valid argument that meal times are not just about eating. They are an opportunity to forgive and forget; to greet friends and meet strangers; to tell stories; to share and be hospitable; to express love. As much as mealtimes are not just about food, movement is not just about exercise. Charlotte Stafrace says that movement – from a simple walk to engagement in arts and crafts – is the key to active ageing as it keeps us agile both physically and mentally. Regular movement can stimulate the production of growth factors that increase the brain’s ability to resist injury and contribute to mental performance. In this issue of Senior Times, we also remember the great Joe Cilia, whose love of the beautiful game made him one of the best players and, later on, one of the most successful coaches in the history of Maltese football. We also meet Mark Xuereb who, in his passion to build a classic car collection – which includes a historic, one-owner, 1966 Rover Mark P6 – never forgets the wise words his grandfather once told him. And that is a lesson to us all. Because not only through a collection, but also through cooking a recipe which has been in the family for generations, reading a loved one’s letter, or just nursing our memories, we should never forget the precious wise words that were given to us. And then, when we have memorised them, pass them on.

OCTOBER 2017

Stanley

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stanley Borg E-mail: seniortimes @timesofmalta.com CONTRIBUTORS Carmel Baldacchino Tonio Bonello Christian Borg Xuereb Joseph Busuttil Tony C. Cutajar Anton B. Dougall Dun Jonathan Farrugia Christine Galea Charlotte Stafrace PUBLISHERS Allied Newspapers Limited Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000 www.timesofmalta.com DESIGN Christian Busuttil SALES Marion Muscat Tel: 2276 4331 E-mail: marion.muscat @timesofmalta.com © 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

3. Jum ġdid Jum ġdid mhux bilfors ifisser avveniment speċjali. Ejja niċċelebraw kull erba’ u għoxrin siegħa oħra ta’ nifs li Alla għoġbu jerġa jsellifna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

4. Feeling fit in the later years Continued movement is key to active ageing. Keeping a lively body and mind in our later years is beneficial and also necessary. How do we make it happen, asks Charlotte Stafrace.

6. Don’t take it easy Taking it easy can damage health of older people, says a recently published report.

8. Investing in dementia care As Malta’s ageing population and the prevalence of dementia increase, it is critical that we invest in health professionals and carers who are knowledgeable in dementia care, says Christian Borg Xuereb.

9. Mara ta’ ħila min isibha? Santa Tereża ta’ Avila ġabet riforma għall-aħjar mhux biss fost ir-reliġjużi nisa imma anke fost l-irġiel, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

10. Gone but not forgotten Malta in black and white still has a beauty that’s full of colour and a kind of innocence that the island has lost over the years. From elegant buildings to bars that no longer serve, Senior Times and Bay Retro celebrate a pretty past.

14. L-Antikrist Mattew Silta minn novella ġdida ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

15. Kejk bl-irkotta u t-tuffieħ Anton B. Dougall jagħti togħma ħelwa lill-ġurnata.

16. Making a meal of it There is more to meal times than just eating, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

18. The great Joe Cilia Joe Cilia’s love of the beautiful game made him one of the best players and coaches in local football history, says Carmel Baldacchino.

20. Wise words with cars In his passion to build a classic car collection, Mark Xuereb never forgets his grandfather’s wise words, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

Roost on the road

Senior Times reader Joe Busuttil took this photo some years ago at St Francis Square in Victoria, Gozo, capturing two contrasting modes of transport.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OcTObER 2017

OPINJONI

Jum ġdid

Jum ġdid ifisser ukoll l-għodwa ħelwa, friska ta’ filgħodu.

Jum ġdid mhux bilfors ifisser avveniment speċjali. Ejja niċċelebraw kull erba’ u għoxrin siegħa oħra ta’ nifs li Alla għoġbu jerġa jsellifna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

l-ħajja nżul u tlajja. Mhux biss il-Malti jgħid dan, iżda l-istess esperjenza tal-eżistenza tagħna fuq din l-art. Xejn m’hu faċli u kollox għandu prezz. Iż-żmien igerbeb. Hekk kif ftit ġimgħat ilu biss, ħafna tfal kienu ħerqana li wara l-uġigħ ta’ ras tal-eżamijiet, se jibdew, kif jixraq, il-btajjel tas-sajf, dawn bħal kollox fil-ħajja waslu fi tmiem ukoll. Dan ix-xahar, ilbidu ta’ sena skolastika ġdida. Awguri tfal, ħudu ħsieb. Jum ġdid ifisser ukoll għal dawk il-koppji li llum qed jirċievu l-ewwel wild filfamilja. Jum ġdid għal dawk li wara snin ta’ studju se jiggradwaw biex issa se jidħlu fiddinja tax-xogħol. Jum ġdid u għal dawk li forsi ser jibdew fl-ewwel impjieg tagħhom. Jum ġdid għal dawk li llum se jkunu qed jaqbdu

l-vapur jew l-ajurplan bit-tama li jsibu ħajja li dejjem ħolmu li jkollhom, kemm bħala familja, kif ukoll bħala karriera barra minn xtutna. Jum ġdid bl-istess qies għal dawk fostna li llum qed jibdlu x-xogħol tagħhom. Setgħet kienet x’kienet ir-raġuni. Raġuni ta’ tbatija, ta’ kriżi, ta’ abbuż, jew pero’, forsi anke biex itejjbu l-pożizzjoni tagħhom. Għal dawn ukoll, dan, illum huwa jum ġdid. Jum ġdid iżda mhux bil-fors ikollu konnessjoni ma’ avveniment, ma’ bidla fil-ħajja tagħna. Għalina lkoll, dan, illum, għandu jkun jum ġdid. Anke jekk xejn minn dan kollu li semmejt aktar ‘il fuq fil-fatt m’hu se jseħħ f ’ħajjitna. Għaliex jum ġdid ifisser ukoll l-għodwa ħelwa, friska ta’ filgħodu. L-għana talgħasafar. Id-daqq tal-qniepen

fil-bogħod ta’ xi knisja. Ixxemx tiela’. Il-ħajja mill-ġdid tal-fjuri. Fuq kollox, erba’ u għoxrin siegħa oħra ta’ nifs li Alla għoġbu jerġa jsellifna... Jiddependi biss minn kull wieħed u waħda minnha jekk minn dawn is-siegħat li ġejjin fuqna, nagħmlux tassew jum ġdid, speċjali, b’differenza, inkella tkunx sempliċi ġurnata oħra bħal oħrajn. Forsi ta’ tgergir. Forsi, fejn naraw aktar x’qed jagħmel ħaddieħor milli nagħmlu aħna. Ejjew tassew nagħmlu minn din il-għodwa, tassew jum ġdid. Jum sinifikanti. Jum relevanti. Jum fejn nistgħu nħossu li fina saret bidla’. Jew li se naħdmu biex niksbu bidla’. Jum ta’ tama, ta’ kuraġġ, ta’ sfida li bil-ħsieb, bil-għaqal, tassew, nistgħu naslu fejn irridu. Forsi, intkom l-anzjani li qed taqraw tistaqsuni, “Jum ġdid,

x’jista’ jfisser għalija?” Skont kif tara t-tazza, hiex nofsha vojta jew mimlija! Jum ġdid għalik jista’ jkun meta int tiddeċiedi li tħalli l-karti tattombla u minflok, dak il-ħin tibda tutilizzah f ’mixja tant bżonnjuża għal saħħtek. Jum ġdid għalik ikun meta int tiddeċiedi li tieqaf tpejjep. Tinduna b’dan, kemm fin-nifs aħjar li tibda tieħu. Kemm flindafa jġenika tiegħek għax ittipjip iħalli ħafna rwejjaħ fuq persuna. Pero’ wkoll f ’dak li flaħħar mill-aħħar jibqagħlek imfaddal fil-but! Tant li forsi tirrealizza li issa tista’ saħansitra, anke tibda tmur xi ġita bihom. Jum ġdid, jum ta’ bidla’ jista’ jfisser għal dawk li jiddeċiedu li jibdew kontroll sħiħ ta’ dak li jieklu, li jieqfu minn konsum esaġerat ta’ ħelu, ta’ alkohol, ta’ vizzji oħra. Jum ġdid ikun ukoll

meta int taqbad delizzju. Forsi terġa’ tiftaħ ktieb u wara ħafna snin, terġa tibda taqra mill-ġdid. Kollox jista’ jkun jum ġdid. Ilqofol ta’ kollox mhux x’tagħmel, iżda r-rieda li tagħmel. Il-pass il-kbir hu li tiddeċiedi u tagħti kelma lilek innifsek li int, qatt m’int se terġa lura għal dak li forsi darba kont. L-ebda skuża. Kulħadd filħajja, sakemm għadu jieħu nnifs, għandu kull opportunita’ li jinbidel, li jibdel ħajtu, li jsib dak li dejjem xtaq. Nawguralek jum ġdid... Il-paċi miegħek. Tonio Bonello huwa l-editur ta’ Veterani, pubblikazzjoni ta’ kull xahar maħruġa mit-Taqsima Informazzjoni u Komunikazzjoni tad-Direttorat għall-Anzjanità Attiva u Kura fil-Komunità.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTObER 2017

AGEING

Regular movement can stimulate the brain’s ability to resist injury and also contribute to mental performance.

Feeling fit in the later years Continued movement is key to active ageing. Keeping a lively body and mind in our later years is beneficial and also necessary. How do we make it happen, asks Charlotte Stafrace.

hat makes one older adult look perfectly fine at 80 years old, and another frail? I’m not a geneticist or a gerontologist, but I can say that I have now seen various populations making up the elderly sector, and talked to a lot of them. For the purpose of this article, I will explore the findings of two different age sectors. With the younger older adults I’ve met, aged 60-70 years of age, you can get various degrees of fitness and mobility. Those who are blessed with good health as well as good genes will recognise the advantages and will therefore take the initiative to challenge the ageing clock. When I meet this type, I always hope this ‘rebellious

streak’ will rub onto others too. It’s not just on Facebook that you come across the elderly walking marathons, defying stereotypes – I’ve come across a few cases in our own backyard. When you talk to them, and look at their background, and try to understand what it is that makes them get up and move and keep going, it’s not just being blessed with good health but also a series of other considerations. You can be almost sure that diet is an important factor too in those who still look lean and are mobile and agile. Let’s face it, as we age, and the body slows down, it’s not rocket science that our food intake, made up of a healthy and varied diet, has to be less. It’s not easy sometimes cooking for one and often the

temptation is to rustle up something which is pretty high in carbohydrates. But there are plenty of recipes of one-pot dishes which are easy and nutritious and if you cannot cook small quantities, you can save it for later – my mother-in-law makes batches and then freezes them. If you are eating out, try to opt for the lesser evil option. Many older adults are busy going from one coffee morning to another, to their local day care centre, and on to outings with their local council. Unfortunately, the offering at these activities tends to be the cheaper fare, which is certainly tasty and enticing, but consumed regularly, it won’t do your waist or heart any good. It’s a cultural thing – and change is not always easy. A lot

of our entertainment revolves around food. So why not educate ourselves and improve the way we eat when we are older? Becoming more discerning about what we put in our mouths could indeed be the first step towards such a change. Attitude and motivation also play a big part of ageing. First of all, there’s our attitude to food – sometimes it’s easy to binge eat, especially if there’s a buffet service, and although this may satisfy and satiate initially, it will not do you any good to help keep you moving later on. We are, after all, what we eat, and as we age, chances are that there is no way to actually move all that intake of food. So if we have eaten, just the right amount and quality, it’s equally important to keep

motivated to move. With the ‘younger’ older adults, it’s a lot easier to instil the importance of movement and moving. Many have their own regime – I’ve met some who still dance, walk or even jog or run. I know it’s difficult for those who have health issues, but I also personally know that moving will release endorphins, and that will make anyone feel a million times better. So, even if you can only walk for 15 minutes a day, that is definitely better than sitting all day long. The biggest challenges I find with getting people to keep moving are the older adults in care, especially the frail ones. But I have even seen some success, albeit small at times, after a move has been repeated several times.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTObER 2017

Even if you can only walk for 15 minutes a day, that is definitely better than sitting all day long It is very rewarding for me to see people confined to a chair for most of their day to use the time and try to move. However, it is critical to find the right type of exercise and movement. It’s pointless at this age (the older bracket), to adapt the kind of exercises one can implement with the 60-70 year olds. What is important is a rethink in how to approach an elderly person, and how to get them to move, through small steps. The movement exercises also have to be geared to the groups’ abilities, in order to encourage achievements, and keep the stimulation going from week to week. Finding a comfortable space, or making a space comfortable to work in, is also key and can be conducive to making it work. Effectively setting challenges and ensuring that success, are both closely linked. The creative arts, in their various forms that engage older people in regular movement, help to protect and enhance both the physical and cognitive well-being. The idea is to introduce movement through fun – disguising the fact that you’re actually moving – and even using props. It’s been documented that regular movement can also stimulate the production of growth factors that increase the brain’s ability to resist injury and also contribute to mental performance. But it’s not always easy getting the message across that when you get your body to move, you could actually be improving your chances of finishing that crossword or sudoku, if that’s a hobby you enjoy and find challenging. Movement will also play an important role in stimulating brain changes connected to learning. When a move, like any other task, is mastered, a positive health outcome can be observed. Hand on heart, I have seen shifts in mood and

energy, as well as increased agility, when moving is consistent and approached through fun ways. Some of the success I have had is through singing to familiar tunes or rhymes while moving, doing coordination exercises, and creating body rhythms, often taking the inspiration from the participants present. The use of props such as scarves, big balloons and even paper plates never fails to bring a smile and can even bring some colour into the day. There are plenty of ideas on the web, with even people like the British Gymnastics Foundation adapting and developing projects to create change within the elderly sector. Monitoring the effects of just an hour of stimulating activity can result in plenty of benefits – from lifted moods, to mobility and even increased dialogue. Change is needed. It does not require huge resources. What is needed is a change in mentality, a concerted effort with plenty of perseverance all the way, in order for creative endeavours to complement healthcare and community-based care to achieve an enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities. Charlotte Stafrace for Theatre Anon Arts Foundation has been running a two-year project, Active Age Intergenerational Dialogue, funded by the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation in collaboration with the Active Ageing and Community Care Directorate. This project, through action research and creative workshops created a space for mutual learning and inclusion for both generations. An installation documenting this project can be seen as part of Spazju Kreattiv season programme at St James Cavalier from October 13 till November 12.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

NEWS/HEALTH

The right equipment for your needs

n life, you never know what’s around the corner. Healthcare has helped us to live longer, and this thanks to advances in healthcare practices as well as medicines to ensure better standards and quality of life. Quality of life however is not only the result of these advances in medicine but also comes thanks to the advances in assistive aids and other equipment which keep on pushing the boundaries of people’s independence. Since the foundation of OK Medical in early 2013, the company’s vision has been to offer a wide choice of medical and rehabilitation equipment of the highest quality, while ensuring that prices are kept affordable for those in need of such devices. Paul McAlister, CEO of OK Medical said: “Our main aim is to offer products which make sense in the person’s life and their ongoing development. “We do not look to market our products but rather strive to offer a service to our clients, whereby we create a relationship based on open conversation to ensure the person is

getting the right equipment for their needs.” OK Medical offers new and innovative solutions to assist people in their day to day lives, this being either to help prevent further injury or illness as well as to assist those going through life’s most testing times. However, it is not only people needing personal assistance that may benefit from OK Medical’s services. Supporting Malta’s different business sectors is also something the company strives to excel at with the supply of products such as first aid equipment and consumables, emergency and evacuation equipment, AED’s, bathroom aids and fittings, clinical furniture and much more. OK Medical is now also looking outwards and is investing in an export infrastructure to support a wide spectrum of foreign clients both in Europe and Africa. Supporting this drive to provide excellent customer service is a young, dynamic team made up of various professionals from different backgrounds.

OK Medical in Paola

This pairing of different ideas and backgrounds also helps the company provide innovative services and solutions. The first new solution introduced this year was the addition of a new hearing clinic in the company’s main showroom in Swatar. From this clinic, one can benefit from free hearing tests to indicate if the use of hearing aids is required or if a consultation by a medical doctor is needed for those suffering from some form of hearing impairment. This year, OK Medical also introduced a first-of-its-kind payment system in the local medical supplies sector called MediPay. This payment system allows people to pay through a monthly payment system for products which fall under the range of devices this system covers. The duration of payments varies according to the product where the regular retail price is split over the number of months agreed

Don’t take it easy Taking it easy can damage health of older people, says report.

ncouraging older people to take it easy is damaging their health and costing the UK billions in social care, experts say. Keeping fit and physically active staves off the need for extra support – but older people are often mistakenly told they should rest, they said. They argue that the effects of ageing are often confused with loss of fitness, but it is loss of fitness that increases the chance of needing social care. Writing in the British Medical Journal, experts including from Oxford University and the UK’s Centre for Ageing Better said exercise can reverse physical decline by as much as a decade. Those in their 70s with below-average ability

who improve by 25 per cent (measured by how long it takes to get out of a chair) could get to the average speed of people in their 60s, they said. Meanwhile, a recent collection of studies has shown improvements in older people’s “up and go” times when they took up exercise ranging from walking to weight training – with the benefits increasing the more they did. The researchers called for a change in how people view getting older, with exercise becoming the norm. “Ensuring that as many people as possible maintain the ability to manage vital activities of daily living requires a cultural change so that it becomes normal to expect people of all ages to be active.

upon. The service is offered as an agreement between OK Medical and the client and is therefore interest free, helping to reduce the financial burden that some products may have on people who require them. Products such as sleep apnoea machines (CPAP, APAP and BiPAP), oxygen concentrators (home use and portable), power scooters, power wheelchairs, hearing aids, and automatic external defibrillators (AED’s) fall under this system. This added growth also adds responsibility on the company to ensure that it does its part to assist those who are truly in need. For this reason, OK Medical has embarked on a range of social initiatives aimed at giving to those who require help the most. OK Medical is proud to have donated a number of homecare beds to Hospice Malta for use with patients suffering from various illnesses. OK Medical has also recently donated two mobility

“The prevailing attitude that exercise is for young people while older people should be encouraged to relax needs to be challenged.” They said there was a need to show that the effects of ageing could be tackled “through physical, mental, and social. Encouraging recent research suggests that the key to reducing the incidence of dementia is unlikely to be any new drug but through encouraging activities that are important in keeping healthy and feeling well in the short-term. “Gyms, walking groups, gardening, cooking clubs, and volunteering have all been shown to work in improving the health and well-being of people at all ages with long-term conditions.” The total cost of social care is more than £100 billion a year, but exercise could cut this bill, they said. Anna Dixon, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Falls account for four million hospital bed days every year. Physical activity that maintains and improves muscle

scooters to Core Platform Malta to be used in conjunction with their Volunteer Sliema project aimed at loaning such equipment to residence of Sliema who are looking for increased mobility and independence. OK Medical is also actively supporting the Malta Community Chest Fund both with special pricing and also the donation of equipment. OK Medical shall also soon have a free loaning system of a number of mobility scooters for patients who have requested such products from the MCCF and only require this for a short period of time. OK Medical is driven on quality of service and product alike and looks to further enhance this ideology to continue serving customers to the best of its abilities. OK Medical can be found in Triq it-Torri, Swatar (next to APS Bank) and now also in Cospicua Road, Paola.

strength and ability to balance is crucial in reducing the risk of falling, potentially saving the NHS £1 billion a year from hip fractures. Physical activity is also critical to helping older people live independently.” The team also issued a warning over “dangerous” occupations – those that involve sitting down. “A sedentary lifestyle is one of the top four causes of ill health in the UK, contributing to Type 2 diabetes, dementia, heart disease, and recurrence of some cancers,” they said. But the team concluded that increasing a person’s fitness levels “may not only restore the person to the ability they enjoyed 10 years earlier, it may make the crucial difference between living well at home or being dependent.” Kenny Butler, ukactive health and well-being lead, said: “We need an urgent shake-up of our approach to ageing. “Rather than putting their feet up and taking it easy, older people need to up and active in order to stay healthy and independent.” [PA]

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

NEWS

Influenza misconceptions

nfluenza or ‘flu’ is an infection caused by a virus called the influenza virus which may be of three major types: A, B or C. Most influenza outbreaks are caused by type A viruses. Viruses are constantly changing so a different strain predominates every year. This year it is predicted that the predominant circulating influenza virus will be a type A, which is known to be more severe than the other two types. There are various misconceptions and myths surrounding seasonal influenza. Many people think or are told that they are suffering from the ‘flu’ when in fact they would simply have a bad cold. Influenza symptoms are high fever, headaches, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and generalised muscle pains. An influenza patient would feel very ill and would feel the need to stay in bed. Tiredness may last for up to two or three weeks. In children

influenza may also cause vomiting, diarrhoea and high fever. Flu spreads mainly from an infected to a healthy person through coughing or sneezing. The virus then passes either directly to the nose and mouth through droplet infection, or by touching an object or surface with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Virus transmission can occur from one day before symptoms develop to five days after symptoms of the flu appear in a person. This means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before knowing you are sick, or while you are sick. Anyone can catch influenza but the highest rates of infection are often found in school age children since they are usually in close contact with each other. Most people recover completely from influenza in a few days or a week. But in certain people such as the elderly, those suffering from chronic illnesses, and in very young children, influenza can pose seri-

ous problems which are usually not due to the flu itself, but to secondary infections causing worsening of the underlying chronic medical condition. In young children and the elderly it could cause severe pneumonia and organ failure. Once influenza symptoms set in, it’s best to stay at home, rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Staying at home also reduces the chance of the infection spreading. Fever should be controlled with paracetamol not antibiotics unless a secondary infection has set in. In this case, be guided by the family doctor. It is important to reduce the risk of spreading by keeping children away from school if they are ill, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues in a closed bin, washing hands frequently with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, and avoiding touching surfaces such as door handles and then

touching the nose, mouth or the eyes. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated against the flu every year. A new flu vaccine has to be produced every year because the circulating influenza viruses change annually and therefore the vaccine has to change accordingly. The vaccine is very safe and side effects are uncommon and mild, consisting of some redness, pain and swelling at the site of injection. These will subside spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours. The vaccine is normally given in the autumn before the flu season and it starts to produce antibodies against the strains of influenza virus about two weeks later. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but December or later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later. Immunity provided by the vaccine usually lasts around six to eight months.

In general, anyone over the age of six months can get vaccinated. However, the elderly, those suffering from chronic medical conditions and very young children should get the vaccine every year. This is because they have a much higher risk of complications associated with the flu. People residing in institutions such as homes for the elderly are also at higher risk. Primary Health Care offers this vaccine free of charge to all persons over 55 years of age and to all persons suffering from a chronic illnesses which include diabetes, heart, lung, liver or kidney disease and chronic immunodeficiency states such as HIV or AIDS. Vaccines are administered from health centres, through the Local Councils and by family doctors from mid-October onwards. Dr Victoria Farrugia Sant’ Angelo, Principal General Practitioner and Primary Child Health and Immunisation.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

AGEING

Investing in dementia care As Malta’s ageing population and the prevalence of dementia increase, it is critical that we invest in health professionals and carers who are knowledgeable in dementia care, says Christian Borg Xuereb.

ementia is not a specific disease. Rather, it’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, communication or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Light cognitive impairments, such as poorer short-term memory, can happen as a normal part of ageing. This is known as age-related cognitive decline rather than dementia because it does not cause significant problems. While the likelihood of having dementia increases with age, it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can be caused by brain cell death and neurodegenerative diseases (progressive brain cell death that happens over time). Dementia can also be caused by head injuries, strokes, or brain tumour, among others. The most common cause of dementia is a group of neurological illnesses that gerontologists and geriatricians group under the label Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of all cases of dementia, and for which there is still no known cure. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as ‘senility’ or ‘senile dementia’, which reflects the widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of ageing, which is definitely not. While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia: memory, communication and language, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgment and visual perception. People with dementia may have problems

Dementia has a detrimental impact on the person, the family and significant others as well as society.

The number of cases of dementia in Malta is projected to increase from one to almost four per cent of the population in 2060 with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or travelling out of the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, dementia has a detrimental impact on the person, the family and significant others as well as society. In 2015, the global prevalence of people with dementias was 46.8 million, and the figure is expected to almost triple by 2050. This is mostly due to the rapid increase in population ageing. People aged 60 and older make up 12.3 per cent of the global population, and by 2050, that number will rise to almost 22 per cent. In Malta, about 25 per cent of the population is over the age of 60, and in parallel to global demo-

graphic trends, this figure is estimated to increase significantly in the coming three decades. The number of cases of dementia in Malta is projected to increase from one to almost four per cent of the population in 2060. The European Statistical Office projects that by 2060 there will be only two people of working age (15 to 64) in the European Union for every person aged over 65, compared to the current ratio of four to one. This will be most strongly felt during the period 2015 to 2035, when the baby boomers start to retire. Such a state of affairs will certainly give rise to several issues within every area of governance but especially within our national health sys-

tems, within both the primary or secondary care systems, as well as community services. As Malta’s ageing population and the prevalence of dementias increase, it is critical that we invest in health professionals and carers that are knowledgeable in dementia care. The Department of Gerontology within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta is highly proactive in dementia care and will be re-opening its Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies to further increase knowledge in this area of study, and ensure that Malta has the right number of knowledgeable social and health care personnel to work with persons with dementia and their informal carers. The Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies is an interdisciplinary application of contemporary theories and evidence-based practice relating to ageing and dementia studies, and targets professionals involved in the bio-psychosocial care of older persons to offer them an opportunity to advance their careers by enhancing their clinical prac-

tice to improve the required skills in generating and delivering better levels of care. The academic programme also explores several facets of ageing and dementia, including evaluations and assessments in dementia care, community and residential services, dementia management, communication and dementia, policy and ethical choices in dementia, practice placements, as well as the bio-psychosocial theories on ageing. The Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies empowers professionals working in gerontological and geriatric settings to be the leaders in the future of dementia care by enabling them, through a blend of theoretical and evidence-based practice, to assume principal roles in policy design and clinical practice. This postgraduate degree is spread over three years of part-time study and will commence in February 2018. Dr Christian Borg Xuereb is lecturer and coordinator of the Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies, Department of Gerontology.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

RELIĠJON

Mara ta’ ħila min isibha?

Santa Tereża ta’ Avila.

Santa Tereża ta’ Avila ġabet riforma għall-aħjar mhux biss fost ir-reliġjużi nisa imma anke fost l-irġiel, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

llum il-ġurnata spiss nisimgħu diskors validissimu fuq ugwaljanza li għandu jkun hemm flopportunitajiet bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa. Ħafna drabi naqgħu fl-iżball li naħsbu li din il-linja tal-ħsieb hija żvilupp ta’ żmienna. Firrealtà l-pedament għal dan insibuh fil-Ġenesi, fejn flewwel rakkont tal-ħolqien insibu li Alla “ħalaq il-bniedem fuq xbihietu [..] raġel u mara ħalaqhom” (Ġen 1, 27)… ittnejn huma maħluqa fuq ix-xbieha ta’ Alla, mela t-tnejn huma ndaqs. Huwa veru li bil-mogħdija tas-sekli u bl-iżvilupp fil-ħsieb spiss il-mara ġiet sottomessa għar-raġel minħabba li fiżikament hija inqas b’saħħitha. Però l-ħsieb oriġinali, li issa erġajna dorna lejh, huwa proprju li l-mara u r-raġel huma ndaqs. Għedna li spiss il-mara kienet tiġi sottomessa għar-raġel minħabba li hi inqas b’saħħitha minnu; l-istorja però wrietna kemm-il darba li l-mara kapaċi tikkumpensa b’moħħha u blistamina tagħha għan-‘nuqqas’ ta’ saħħa fiżika li għandha min-natura meta mqabbla mar-raġel. Għal dan ix-xahar se nipproponilkom persunaġġ: mara li għexet fi żmien meta post ilmara kien li tkun ornament għal żewġha jew li tgħix ħajja komda f ’kunvent; mara li ma ddejqet xejn tikser il-limiti mpoġġija mis-soċjetà għas-sess tagħha; mara li b’rieda sħiħa ġabet taqlib għax kienet taf li kien hemm bżonn il-bidla. Mara qaddisa li nfakkruha f ’dan ix-xahar.

Tereża kienet tgħix f ’Avila fil-bidu tas-seklu sittax, bint in-nobbli u ma jonqosha xejn. Kienet tħobb taqra l-ħajjiet tal-qaddisin u tal-martri, u ta’ seba’ snin pruvat taħrab minn darha għall-Afrika biex joqtluha s-Saraċeni u hekk tikseb il-martirju. Ifhem, bilkemm laħqet waslet sa tarf il-belt li ma sabhiex zijuwha u reġa’ ħadha d-dar. Wara ddeċidiet li ssir eremita u pruvat tibni kamra fil-ġnien biż-żrar li sabet fil-ħamrija. Dawn huma ftit mid-dettalji li hi stess tagħti dwar ħajjitha fl-awtobijografija tagħha, logħob tat-tfal li forsi jxaqilbu lejn xewqat sbieħ, imma li żgur malajr urew lill-ġenituri tagħha li binthom kienet għadma iebsa. Fl-awtobijografija nkomplu naqaw li meta kibret u mietet ommha spiss kienet toqgħod taqra r-rumanzi ta’ mħabba li kienu tant popolari dak iż-żmien. Meta l-istejjer ma baqgħux jikkuntentawha qabdet tiktibhom hi, u bidlet l-istil ta’ ħajjitha minn dik ta’ xebba miġbura għal dik ta’ tfajla li tħobb tilbes sabiħ, tiċċaċra u tiġri fil-kumpanija ta’ żgħażagħ oħra. Wara li għaddiet minn esperjenza ta’ marda li biha kważi mietet, Tereża għarfet li l-ħajja tiswa’ aktar minn hekk u biex iżżomm il-libertà sħiħa tagħha u tevita li jkollha tiżżewwġ lil xi ħadd li ma riedetx, għażlet li tidħol soru Karmelitana. Dan sar kontra r-rieda ta’ missierha, imma naturalment tagħha għaddiet. Dak iż-żmien fi Spanja l-kunventi ma kienux wisq dixxiplinati, u s-sorijiet żgħażagħ

Tista’ ssibha kullimkien, anke f ’persuna li ma tiddejjaqx tmur kontra normi tas-soċjetà setgħu idaħħlu lil min iridu biex joqgħodu jpaċpċu miegħu bla ksur ta’ regolamenti. Tereża kitbet snin wara li kien hemm żagħżugħ li kienet miġbuda lejh u li spiss ħawwadha, imma kienet issikket il-kuxjenza billi tgħid li kulħadd kien jagħmel hekk u agħar. Ftit ftit waqqfet it-talb bl-iskuża ta’ saħħitha dgħajfa. Iżda wasal il-mument meta l-kuxejnza ma ħallithiex bi kwieta għax kienet taf li lħażin, anke jekk miksi bilbizzilla, ħażin jibqa’. L-għajnuna sabitha fl-Istqarrijiet ta’ Santu Wistin, fejn hu jitkellem dwar il-konverżjoni tiegħu u xxewqa kbira li kellu li jpatti għall-iżbalji li kien ħa. Tgħid f ’kitbietha Tereża li kienet tħossha qisha l-Madalena wara l-laqgħa tagħha ma’ Kristu.

Minn hemm bdiet esperjenza mistika ta’ mħabba ppremjata b’ħafna viżjonijiet li biż-żmien u bil-pariri tad-direttur spiritwali tagħha, għarfet li kienu ġejjin minn Alla. U hekk wasal iż-żmien għal Tereża biex turi x’kienet issarraf. Rat kemm id-dixxiplina kienet nieqsa mill-kunventi Karmelitani u wara ħafna talb iddeċidiet li tiftaħ kunvent bi spirtu aktar awtentiku u eqreb lejn l-oriġinal. Kulħadd qam kontriha: is-sorijiet stess, in-nobbli, in-nies imlaħħqa talbelt, imma hi għaddset rasha u baqgħet sejra sakemm waqqfet komunità żgħira f ’kunvent mibni minn oħtha. Meta nkixfet għamlet żmien priġuniera fil-kunvent li lejh kienet għadha suġġetta, imma fuq ordni tal-kunsill tar-re ġiet

meħlusa u saret il-prijura talkunvent li kienet waqqfet. Hekk bdiet il-ġrajja talKarmelu Riformat. Il-ħafna vjaġġi li għamlet madwar Spanja biex tiftaħ aktar kunventi, laqqgħuha ma’ Ġwanni tas-Salib, li bil-għajnuna tagħha beda r-riforma tal-Karmelu tal-irġiel. U forsi huwa f ’dan l-episodju li tidher l-aktar il-kwalità ta’ din ilmara: minn tifla fuq ruħha għal soru “ġellieda” Tereża ġabet riforma għall-aħjar mhux biss fost ir-reliġjużi nisa imma anke fost l-irġiel. Il-metodu tagħha kien ittalb; talb kontinwu li jista’ jsir kull ħin waqt kull azzjoni oħra biex b’hekk il-preżenza ta’ Alla ma tkun nieqsa qatt. Dan wassal biex Tereża saret l-ewwel mara li ġiet dikjarata wkoll duttur tal-Knisja, jiġifieri għalliema tal-ħajja nisranija. Mara ta’ ħila fejn issibha? Tista’ ssibha kullimkien, anke f’persuna li ma tiddejjaqx tmur kontra n-norma tas-soċjetà, basta ħarsitha tkun mitfugħa fuq il-ġid li trid twassal lilloħrajn mhux fuq dak li trid takkwista għaliha.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

PHotos

From high above, a view of Valletta’s Grand Harbour in 1933 with the Navy’s floating dock below. PHoto: RobeRt tHomsoN/bay RetRo the Għajn tal-Ħasselin in msida. PHoto: JosePH FoRmosa/bay RetRo

Gone but not Malta in black and white still has a beauty that’s full of colour and a kind of innocence that the island has lost over the years. From elegant buildings to bars that no longer serve, Senior Times and Bay Retro celebrate a pretty past.

the elegant chalet at Għar id-Dud in sliema in the 1930s. PHoto: bay RetRo

PHotos couRtesy oF bay RetRo

a century or so ago, herding sheep and goats in malta was a common sight. PHoto: bay RetRo

an ice cream vendor in Qormi. PHoto: simoN muscat/bay RetRo

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

Pretty Bay in Birżebbuġa. Photo: Bay RetRo

F. Zammit’s flower stall opposite the Savoy Cinema on Kingsway in Valletta in the late 1950s. Photo: Max Sloan/Bay RetRo

forgotten

a woman stands outside the Welcome to all Bar and the elvis Bar in Qrendi in 1970. Photo: JeRRy hoBBS/Bay RetRo

Bay Retro fan Joseph Magri’s grandfather and neighbours building a bomb shelter in Ħamrun in 1941. Photo: JoSePh MaGRi/Bay RetRo

a sweets stall squeezed in behind a vintage cannon at Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens in the 1950s. Photo: FReddie CaRUana/Bay RetRo

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

EASY CROSSWORD 1

11 14

DOWN 1. Follow (6) 2. Fascination (6) 3. Rational (4) 4. Cheer up (7) 5. Tropical bird (5) 6. Take unlawfully (5) 8. Cupid (4) 9. Expert (3) 12. Farm animal (3) 13. River mouth (5) 15. Greek dish (5) 18. Rest (5) 19. Fabled bird (3) 20. Zero (3) 21. Pickled herring (7) 22. Meadow (3) 23. Costume (6) 24. Paradise (4) 25. Going out with (6) 26. Inclined (5) 27. Snapshot (5) 28. Male sheep (3) 30. Chilly (4)

16 20

30. Warning (6) 31. Portent (4) 32. Country-wide (8) 33. Desiccating (6)

7 8

22 26

31 32

32 33

ACROSS 1. Keep tearing endlessly around (6) 7. Reckon to eat poorly at various times (8) 8. High ground in Vietnam (4) 10. Escape with a broken toe in a tug disaster (3,3) 11. Effective ruler of the street? (6) 14. The sphere of royalty? (3) 16. Trips, hopefully without falling (5) 17. Is a dashing candidate (4) 19. Anybody can sing one (5) 21. With the bad housing, Victor’s in a terrible hole! (5) 22. Terry taking a bath, perhaps? (5) 23. As a concert piece, it can’t fail! (4) 26. Summarise shortly (5) 28. Some legumes can take a lot of chewing (3) 29. His employer being out for half an hour, he’ll give a loan (6) 30. Detesting a thing being out of order (6) 31. River scene of historic battle in navy service (4) 32. Showed signs of wanting to communicate (8) 33. Actors who no longer star, perhaps? (6) DOWN 1. The campanologist’s double? (6) 2. In movies, they may get cars to crash! (6) 3. Clever way to mend a net (4) 4. A drink the pit worker has a name for (7) 5. Beaten in a friendly game (5) 6. Gets out for a bit of fun with the chaps (5) 8. A noted heavyweight able to teach boys (4) 9. Point raised in abundance (3) 12. It’s alcoholic, that’s very clear (3) 13. Not even upset at the bitter end (5) 15. Figure in a duet that can help one to sleep (5) 18. Desires wild grouse, not duck (5) 19. The way of a showman (3) 20. Gibson in the part of Hamlet, possibly? (3) 21. Optimistic of finding fresh fuel for a flight (7) 22. Jack’s cunning art (3) 23. Style estimated nicest (6) 24. Top man reducing the rise in crime (4) 25. Nobody would take them for slacks (6) 26. Around the North Pole, warm covers for climbers (5) 27. Cures gone wrong, dammit! (5) 28. Inflationary cause of the balloon going up? (3) 30. A park with character, mister (4)

SEPTEMBER ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 3. Which 8. Reg-Al 10. Ho.-p it 11. Bar 12. A-reas 13. Outrage 15. Sepia 18. Ike 19. De-duct 21. D-ealers 22. PO-or 23. Spin 24. E-ngages 26. The rag 29. MA-C 31. Sides 32. Re-gul-ar 34. Stour 35. La-X 36. Spree 37. Kap-OK 38. Trays. DOWN: 1. Deb-U-t 2. Harrier 4. Hare 5. C-h-ases 6. H-osed 7. Mimi-C 9. Gat 12. Age-long 14. AKA 16. Pumps 17. At-one 19. Dreamer 20. Spots 21. Domed 23. Secula-R 24. Easter 25. Gag 27. Hippy 28. Reset 30. Sa-X-on 32. Ruby 33. Lap.

ACROSS 1. Heathens (6) 7. Plentiful (8) 8. Dash (4) 10. Tree (6) 11. Insect (6) 14. Raw material (3) 16. Type of letter (5)

17. Gaelic (4) 19. Renovate (5) 21. Small bird (5) 22. Neighbouring (5) 23. Guide (4) 26. Collar part (5) 28. Free (3) 29. Breathe out (6)

SEPTEMBER ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 3. Beats 8. Stain 10. Rural 11. Rim 12. Denis 13. Mariner 15. Valid 18. Tan 19. Cinema 21. Begonia 22. Hood 23. Good 24. Decagon 26. Abuses 29. Dad 31. Poses 32. Replica 34. Vital 35. Era 36. Buyer 37. Users 38. Newly. DOWN: 1. Straw 2. Limited 4. Ewer 5. Trivia 6. Susan 7. Maxim 9. Air 12. Denotes 14. Nag 16. Lemon 17. Dandy 19. Citadel 20. Cheap 21. Bonus 23. Godless 24. Desire 25. Gap 27. Bogus 28. Seven 30. Scare 32. Rail 33. Ire.

WORD SEARCH F

Apron Biking Chimed Counterbalance Degree Divert Egged Egging Elves Error

Escapes Fiche Firmer Hello Heroic Loving Mirages Model Obtain Operational

Ozone Pager Pipes Poise Probe Razor Rioter Sashes Sleet Soapy

Speed Stung Symbol Thyme Toast Turfs Tweezers Underlie Upend Webbing

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OcTOBER 2017

COMPETITION

Richard Ellis Archive and Book Distributors Limited (BDL).

Ngħidu kelma QWIEL MALTIN U XI JFISSRU Il-grazzja aqwa mill-ġmiel. Charm is stronger than beauty. Għidli ma min tagħmilha u ngħidlek x’int. Tell me who you are friends with and I will tell you what you are.

Malta Diary of a War – 1940-1945 by Michael Galea.

Gawdi għax mid-dinja m’għandna xejn. Enjoy yourself because the world doesn’t belong to us.

Malta Memories – World War I – 1914-2014 (Limited edition – Set of twelve prints) by BDL.

Presenting the past This month, we are once again giving away a set of 12 replica prints by Richard Ellis. To win, identify the locations (street and city) of the photograph on this page and 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 correct answer that we receive will win a set of 12 replica prints by Richard Ellis. The second and third runner-up win one of the above-mentioned books, courtesy of Book Distributors Limited (BDL).

The winners of the September Senior Times competition are Paul Ellul Sullivan (who wins a copy of L-Imnara (Folklor Minn Malta) by BDL and Josephine Borg (who wins a copy of Malta, a Brief History by Joseph S. Abela.

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

3 4 7 5 2 6 9 1 8

9 6 2 1 4 8 5 3 7

8 5 1 9 3 7 4 6 2

6 2 5 8 9 3 1 7 4

1 8 4 2 7 5 6 9 3

7 9 3 6 1 4 8 2 5

4 1 9 7 8 2 3 5 6

2 3 6 4 5 9 7 8 1

5 7 8 3 6 1 2 4 9

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

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

Għall-bejjiegħ għajn waħda u għax-xerrej mitt għajn. The seller has one eye but the buyer has one thousand. Tiħux għarusa sabiħa għax ikollok tħarisha. Don’t marry a beautiful bride for you will have to guard her.

Qabbilli waħda Darba waħda sparat bomba, tal-fajjenza x’qata ħa, l-iskarpan telaq ix-xifa, qattus nanntek kemm int ġifa. Mananni tibża’ xejn, niġi għalik bil-lejl, ngħalaqlek kullimkien, u nkeċċilek id-dubbien. Qalbi w qalb ħanini waħda, b’żigarella marbutin, Il-mewt trid tkun għalina, biex tifridna minn xulxin.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

KOTBA

L-Antikrist Mattew

Il-palazz tal-Inkiżitur fil-Birgu.

Silta minn novella ġdida ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann ma kellux l-awtorizzazzjoni ta’ Ruma biex jipproċedi kontra l-eretiċi, għalhekk l-Inkiżitur Domenico Cubelles sejħilhom wieħed wieħed u wara li sarulhom il-mistoqsijiet tas-soltu, ħallihom ħielsa għax deher li ma saret l-ebda ereżija filberaħ. Imma mbagħad l-Inkiżitur tgħallem mill-esperjenza li l-imġiba moderata tiegħu ma kinetx biżżejjed biex huma jiftħu għajnejhom. Infatti huma webbsu rashom u baqgħu marbutin mal-iżbalji tagħhom. Għalhekk, iktar tard wara li huwa għalqilhom l-iskola li kienu fetħu għaż-żgħażagħ fl-Imdina, huma ġew arrestati u pproċessati, xi wħud minnhom iġġudikati minn Cubelles innifsu. Il-qassis François Gesualdo waqa’ f ’idejn it-tribunal talinkiżizzjoni, għadda minn numru ta’ proċessi u nstab ħati ta’ ereżija u li kkorrompa żgħażagħ bit-tagħlim qarrieq ta’ Luteru fl-iskola tiegħu. Huwa baqa’ ostinat fit-tagħlim żbaljat li kien jgħallem u ġie kkundannat għall-mewt. Huwa ġie mogħti f ’idejn il-ġustizzja tal-Ordni biex fis-sena 1546 tiġi esegwita s-sentenza kontra tiegħu. Fit-triq lejn il-post fejn kellu jinħaraq ħaj bħala eretiku, huwa baqa’ jiddefendi ttagħlim Luteran u fost affarijiet oħra baqa’ jsostni li l-qassisin xejn m’għandu jżommhom milli jiżżewġu bħal ħaddieħor. Ikkundannat miegħu kien hemm ukoll eretiku ieħor bl-isem ta’ Petit. Fil-misraħ tal-Birgu kien hemm folla enormi tistenna ħerqana u mdawra mal-ħatab imħejji. In-nar beda jfernaq b’mod li jbeżża’ lil kulħadd. Lewwel ma tfaċċa marbut kien Gesualdo li flok ma beda jgħid kliem ta’ ndiema u ta’ maħfra beda jgħajjat kemm jiflaħ biex ixandar it-tagħlim tiegħu. Is-suldati malajr rabtulu ħalqu b’maktur biex ma jinstamax dak li beda jgħid u hekk tefgħuh ġol-ħuġġieġa fejn

sar irmied fost iċ-ċapċip tannies fil-misraħ. Kien imiss l-eretiku l-ieħor bl-isem ta’ Petit li wkoll ma wera l-ebda ndiema jew talab għall-maħfra. Deher mixrub u skantat, donnu ma jistax jifhem biżżejjed għaliex hu wkoll kien ġie kkundannat għal dik il-mewt hekk ħarxa. Huwa kien kobba u ma għarafx ilissen kelma li hi kelma. Malli l-vampa ksietu huwa għajjat bħal barri fgat filwaqt li reġa’ kien hemm ċapċip kbir mill-folla.

In-nar beda jfernaq b’mod li jbeżża’ lil kulħadd Meta mbagħad is-suldati waslu bil-qassis Andrea Axac, kulħadd beda jgħolli rasu u jieqaf fuq ponot subgħajh biex jarah sewwa. Hekk kif dan lemaħ il-ħuġġieġa taqbad b’mod hekk feroċi, huwa qabad jitlob kemm jiflaħ biex ikollhom ħniena minnu. Ilkliem ta’ ndiema li beda jgħid qanqal il-qlub tal-folla. L-Inkiżitur Cubelles, li kien preżenti flimkien malimħallfin tal-inkiżizzjoni, ħafirlu iżda kkundannah li jilbes il-libsa tal-penitenza li tissejjaħ ta’ San Benit. Din il-libsa wara kienet tiddendel fil-katidral tal-Imdina biex kulħadd jibqa’ jiftakar fil-ħtija ta’ min libisha. Wara ftit waslu ż-żewġ qassisin l-oħra li kienu kisru lwegħda tagħhom taċ-ċelibat u żżewġu pubblikament filknisja ta’ Santa Marija talImdina. Dawn stqarru quddiem kulħadd u b’leħen għoli l-indiema tagħhom u talbu l-maħfra lil Alla u lillawtoritajiet. Huma wkoll ġew maħfura mill-inkiżitur u ngħataw penitenza xierqa ta’

talb u sawm biex ipattu għaddnub tagħhom.

Is-seħer u s-sħaħar Xiħa kerha b’imneħerha kbir iċċarrat ħalqha bid-daħq hi u riekba fuq lasta ta’ xkupa b’qattusa sewda warajha. Saħħar ikraħ u mgħawweġ ganġ ibiddel ġuvni sabiħ fi żrinġ. Reġina supperva ssir mara mkemmxa biex ma tibqax l-isbaħ mara fid-dinja. Dawn huma kollha xi wħud mill-ħrejjef tas-sħaħar li ilna s-snin niltaqgħu magħhom flistejjer tat-tfal. Iżda minn fejn ġew dawn is-sħaħar u l-istejjer dwarhom? Dawn ħarġu milletteratura tad-dinja xi ftit jew wisq moderna iżda żgur li oriġinaw minn xi mkien ħafna snin ilu. Is-sħaħar filkultura popolari moderna huma riżultat ta’ karattri li ilhom jeżistu sekli sħaħ. Forsi kienu l-Griegi u r-Rumani taddinja antika li bdew din ittradizzjoni li żgur li mhix se tispiċċa s-sena d-dieħla jew ta’ warajha. Il-maġija tikkonsisti fl-użu ta’ setgħet maġiċi għal għanijiet differenti, fosthom dawk reliġjużi, mediċinali jew għattbassir. Hija meqjusa bħala influwenza fuq il-moħħ talbniedem, fuq ġismu jew ilpropjetà tiegħu kontra lvolontà tiegħu. L-iktar karatteristiku komuni attribwit lis-saħħar hija l-kapaċità li jagħmel xi seħer. Is-sħaħar tal-antik kienu akkużati li jikkawżaw il-mard, ix-xorti ħażina, il-mewt, l-impotenza u sfortuni oħra fil-ħajja. Kienu magħrufin bħala nies ħżiena li kienu jaduraw lix-xitan biex jgħinhom fix-xogħol tagħhom. B’hekk fi żminijiet imbiegħda s-sħaħar kienu ppersegwitati kemm mil-liġi kif ukoll millKnisja u kienu jiġu arrestati, ipproċessati u anke ttorturati u mitfugħa l-ħabs jekk mhux ukoll maħruqa, ħafna minnhom nisa. It-twemmin u l-prattika talmaġija ilhom jeżistu mill-kulturi ewlenin tal-bniedem. Fl-ewwel ktieb ta’ Samwel

fl-Antik Testment tal-Bibbja naqraw dwar waħda mara li kienet magħrufa bħala s-Saħħara ta’ Endor. Sawl, “żagħżugħ sabiħ, fl-aħjar tiegħu li ma kienx hemm ieħor fost ulied Israel aħjar minnu u kien jgħaddi lil kulħadd minn spallejh ‘il fuq” kien magħżul minn Alla biex isir l-ewwel sultan tal-poplu ta’ Israel wara l-mewt ta’ Samwel. Meta beża’ mill-Filistin, huwa dar lejn Alla iżda baqa’ mingħajr risposta. Għalhekk huwa mar ifittex saħħara biex tqajjimlu lil Samwel mill-mewt ħalli jgħidlu x’għandu jagħmel. U Samwel deherlu u ċanfru talli kien tbiegħed minn Alla u ħabbarlu telfa kbira fil-battalja li kellha ssir l-għada stess. Fl-Odissea, waħda mill-iktar poemi epiċi importanti talGriegi tal-antik li huwa maħsub li kitibha Homer, l-eroj Odysseus u n-nies tiegħu jiltaqgħu ma’ saħħara bl-isem ta’ Circe. Din kienet bint wieħed mill-allat u ommha kienet nimfa tal-oċejan u kellha lkapaċità li n-nies tagħmilhom animali jew monstri. Il-gżira fejn kienet toqgħod kienet

mimlija ljuni, orsijiet u lpup – nies li kienu tbiddlu f ’annimali bil-maġija tagħha. Għalkemm hija biddlet xi wħud mill-irġiel ta’ Odysseus fi qżieqeż, l-eroj uża pjanta speċjali biex jipproteġi ruħu mill-maġija tagħha. Is-sħaħar u l-maġija għandhom parti importanti filleġġendi magħrufin u popolari tar-Re Arthur tal-Ingilterra u l-Kavallieri tiegħu tal-mejda ttonda. Arthur, Guinevere u Sir Lancelot jagħmlu stampa romantika ta’ Kavallieri eroj u nisa sbieħ u eleganti f ’kastelli medjevali f ’dinja talunur u l-imħabba. Merlin huwa saħħar ta’ qawwa kbira li jirnexxilu jmexxi u jinfluwenza lir-Re Arthur matul ħajtu. F’dawn il-leġġendi niltaqgħu wkoll ma’ saħħara bl-isem ta’ Morgan Le Fay li kienet tieħu ħsieb Arthur wara li weġġa’ f ’battalja. Din is-sena huwa l-40 anniversarju minn meta l-awtur Tony C. Cutajar ippublika l-ewwel novella tiegħu, Id-Dubbien l-Abjad (Klabb Kotba Maltin).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

TISJIR

Kejk bl-irkotta u tuffieħ Anton B. Dougall jagħti togħma ħelwa lill-ġurnata. Għandek bżonn: 300g irkotta 300 dqiq self-raising 285g zokkor 3 isfra tal-bajd 3 tuffiħat imdaqqsin (imqaxxrin u mqattgħin) Mgħarfa żejt taż-żebbuġa Essenza tal-vanilja Ftit trab tal-kannella Qoxra maħkuka ta’ lumija Jogurt tat-tuffieħ jew tallumi Kif issajjar: Saħħan il-forn 180°C jew gass numru erba’. Idlek forma tonda ta’ kejk b’dijametru ta’ 24ċm bilmarġerina u mbagħad għaddiha bid-dqiq. Qiegħed l-irkotta ġo skutella u għaffiġha sakemm tiġi qisha

krema. Itfa’ l-isfra tal-bajd, iz-zokkor, l-imgħarfa żejt tażżebbuġa, l-essenza tal-vanilja u l-qoxra maħkuka tal-lumija u ħawwad tajjeb. Għarbel id-dqiq flimkien mal-kannella. Itfa’ it-tuffieħ u ħawwad tajjeb, mingħajr ma tgħaffġu. Ftit, ftit, żid iddqiq mat-taħlita tal-irkotta. Poġġi l-abjad tal-bajd ġo skutella u ħawwad sakemm ikollok xkuma tajba. B’imgħarfa, żid din lixkuma mat-taħlita tal-irkotta u dqiq u ħawwad Tajjeb. Jekk tara li t-taħlita hi xotta ħafna, żid ftit jogurt. Ferra’ t-taħlita fil-forma u aħmi għal madwar 40-45 minuta. Oħroġ mill-form u ħalli l-kejk jiksaħ sew qabel toħorġu mill-forma.

Din ir-riċetta meħuda mill-ktieb Fil-Kċina m’Anton: Ikel Bnin Għall-Kontroll tal-Kolesterol (BDL Publishing).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTObER 2017

OPINION

The table fellowship that Jesus adopted has much to teach us in our contemporary society.

There is more to meal times than just eating, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

haring meals is one of the most uniquely human acts we perform every day. No other living creature consumes its food at table. As humans, we don’t eat just to sustain our bodies. The fact that we share a table reminds us that there is more to meal times than just eating. To take up your place at a table – be it your own, at home, or as a guest – is akin to occupying a sacred space. People we love sit there with us, lovinglyprepared meals are shared, stories are told; together we laugh and cry, share our dreams and aspirations, as we go about the mundane business of eating. Sadly, on a daily basis, the practice of eating together as a family has somewhat waned in today’s busier-than-ever lifestyle. It is becoming more and more common for children and adults to eat at different sittings, often facing a tablet or a computer, or with one’s eyes glued to the television or a nose stuck in a book or a newspaper, rather than engaging in meaningful conversation with one’s dinner partners.

On the positive side, and may I add, thankfully, meals still feature as an important aspect of social interaction, and the dinner routine fits nicely on special occasions or gatherings. Indeed, the dinner table provides an opportune setting to welcome in our midst, not only those people whom we know and love, but also others who may not form part of our social circle, or who are strangers to us. During my years as a mature student, studying theology, I learnt that Jesus Christ adopted what is referred to as ‘open-table fellowship’. This means that he often included people who, at his time, were customarily excluded from the dinner table: the poor and the oppressed, sinners, lepers, even children. Actually, he risked quite a bit by opening himself up to them. But the table fellowship that Jesus adopted has much to teach us in our contemporary society. What we need is an open table policy where we can open the doors of our hearts through honest and open dialogue with our fellow men. In this,

The significance of sharing a meal lies not in what we eat, or where we eat, but with whom we eat lies the difference between ‘knowing’ theology and ‘living’ it. Gary Chapman, a renowned American motivational speaker and author, writes about the five love languages. He states that each of us has one or two primary means by which we communicate (and receive) love. Although food is not included in the list (although it could possibly fall under the umbrella term, “acts of service”), I firmly believe that it may be listed as a love language. In recent years, ever since my birds have flown from the nest, and cooking is no longer considered to be a daily

Making a meal of it CH

IN R I ST

chore, few things have given me more pleasure than working in the kitchen to prepare a meal for guests. Doing so is one of the primary ways in which I show my love for them. But the significance of sharing a meal lies not in what we eat, or where we eat, but with whom we eat. Meal time gatherings need not involve lavish spreads – in fact, they can be quite simple. The accent lies more on who we gather at the table, because around it, people can find connection and belonging. Indeed, our dinner table has great potential to be the locus of the most basic expression of human hospitality. And human hospitality is not just about welcoming people to our dinner table. It also involves welcoming strangers into our lives and into our hearts; it is an attitude we adopt towards other fellow humans who may be craving for companionship, support, shelter, love. This involves taking risks: we could be rejected, hurt, disappointed in the process, but unless we try, we’ll never know.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

NEWS

Leaders in individualised care

n this day and age all relevance to care must focus on the merit of care itself. We are living in an era of complex technologies to assist the needs that are evolving or getting more complex. It is a known fact that in nursing care, different approaches can be adopted to ensure that nursing care is offered in the best possible way through different modalities. CareMalta, offering residential and nursing services, emphasizes the need to deliver the best possible care which is individualised. CareMalta operates eight homes across Malta: Casa Arkati (Mosta), Villa Messina (Rabat), Roseville (Attard), Casa San Paolo (St Paul’s Bay), as well as Żejtun Home, Cospicua Home, Mellieha Home and Zammit Clapp Hospital Residential Home (St Julian’s).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

SPORT

THE GREAT JOE CILIA

Joe Cilia’s love of the beautiful game made him one of the best players and coaches in local football history, says Carmel Baldacchino.

here were two sides to the late Joe Cilia’s career in football: his playing career and his coaching career. Born in Rabat on October 22, 1937, Cilia showed an early inclination for the game but unlike most youngsters nowadays, his father did not encourage him to play football. Yet Joe’s love for the game knew no bounds and together with other boys of his era he spent all his spare time kicking tennis balls around the ditches of Mdina. It was a good way for a youngster to develop the basic skills of the game. Untrained and untutored, Cilia played in the Rabat District League where the mentors of the Rabat Football Club soon noticed his potential. In 1950, at the tender age of 13 he joined Rabat’s youths team. Cilia used to recall with a smile how he acquired his first pair of football boots. He could not go to his father for the money, but fortunately Pawlu Portelli, the barman of the Rabat club gave him a bottle of whisky to raffle. Gratefully clutching the profits he made from the lottery, he went to Hamrun and had a pair of boots made to size from a certain Anġlu who was the most renowned boot-maker of the time. Early in his career, Cilia was lucky to fall under the influence of Rabat’s foreign coaches, Donald MacDonald and Paddy Sloan. He made his first team debut in season 1953-54 at left-back. That day he had to mark Freddie Church of Hibernians, who was one of the most feared strikers of his era. Cilia however, came out of the ordeal with flying colours and from then on, he never looked back. Paddy Sloan saw his young protégé playing a blinder at centre-half for the Dockyard School and from then on Cilia was Rabat’s new centre half. He

excelled in every game he played in his new position. Soon he became the envy of the other clubs and Rabat found it more and more difficult to hold on to their rising star. Inevitably, Rabat succumbed to the tempting of the senior clubs and during the summer of 1956 he was transferred to Valletta. With the Citizens, Cilia won all the honours that the game could offer establishing a record of consistency when, for six consecutive seasons, between 1955 and 1961 he never missed a league game. An automatic choice for the National team he represented Malta at all levels of the game. His first big moment came in 1956. That season, an invitation was received from the famous Carlin Boys for Malta take part in the 10th International Youth Tournament being held in San Remo in August 1956. The opportunity was too good to miss. The invitation was accepted and the MFA Youth XI was created and placed under the guidance of National Coach Joe Griffiths. In total, 12 teams, representing six countries, took part in the tournament. Since it was organised on a club level the MFA Youths played under the name of ‘George Cross Youths’. The teams were grouped into four sections with Malta having First Vienna of Austria and the Carlin Boys as their opponents. Led by Cilia, Malta lost its first match against First Vienna 0-1, with a penalty goal scored after only five minutes. Lack of shooting power was the real reason why Malta lost this match. In all aspects of the game the Maltese were the equal of the Austrians. The same weakness was apparent in the match against the Carlin Boys. The hosts showed plenty of speed but very little skill. The Maltese dominated this match but once again they failed to

An early photograph of Joe Cilia taken right at the start of his career with Rabat FC.

His Excellency, the Governor of Malta, Sir Robert Laycock greeting Joe Cilia before Malta’s first-ever international match in 1957.

The Malta Youths side led by captain Joe Cilia as they line up against First Vienna in their opening match of the San Remo Youth Festival in August 1956: Lynch, Borg Falzon, Theobald, Agius, Joe Cilia, Curmi, Vassallo, Paul Said, Pace Parnis.

turn their superiority into goals. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. It was obvious that the Maltese had the potential to advance more in the competition but their attack let them down. All in all, however, this first soccer adventure abroad was a great success proving, if prove was needed, that the Maltese youngster had as much skill as his European counterpart but lack of facilities always let him down. The team still had a long way to go, but the objective of introducing our

ouths to the international game was reached successfully. On a personal level, Cilia was hailed as one of the best defenders in the tournament. Another big moment in Joe Cilia’s career came in 1957 when he played in Malta’s first-ever international match against Austria. Cilia was still 19 years old at the time. He was so awed by the occasion that in the dressing room before the game his legs were shaking. Tony Nicholl, then in his last season in the game walked up to the youngster and told him: “Don’t be afraid son. You never had any trouble to hold me therefore you should be fine.” Heeding this advice Cilia went out and played his heart out for his country. Cilia played many fine games in his career. It is not easy to pick out a match in which the Rabat FC, Valletta FC and Malta centre half excelled above all others. If you were to twist my arm however, I would choose that against the Italian Under 23 side, Italia Primavera. The Italians had a wonderful team in those days. Their star player was Virgili of Fiorentina, who had already played seven times for the full Italy side. There were however, other famous players

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

The Italian captain was forced to wander around the field in a vain attempt to shrug off his marker Cilia

in the team. The most noted being Guarnieri of Como, Losi and Pistrin of Roma and Mattrol, Fogli and Stacchini. All these players were already full internationals when they came to Malta. In those days, Italian football was already closely followed in Malta and it was second only to English football.

Therefore, when the news broke out that Italia Primavera was going to play against the full Malta side on May 15, 1958 the Maltese Tifosi nearly went mad with expectation. Several visiting Italian journalists covered the match and it was given prominence in the Italian press. The weekly Il Calcio Illustrato devoted two full pages for this encounter but despite of all this publicity, the game was in a way disappointing. Although earning a 1-1 draw, the Maltese never looked like winning. It was a ding-dong battle in which neither side really got on top. The Italians were the better team. They were fitter, moved the ball better but they were never given the chance by an alert Maltese defence to finish off their slick movements successfully. The Italians finally managed to score just before half time when Bertucco’s shot hit the upright before rebounding into the net. A minute into the second half however, the referee awarded a penalty to the home team when the ball was deemed to have been handled by Tagliavini. Tony Cauchi netted the equalizer from the spot-kick. At the end, the honours went to the Maltese defence and to Cilia, who had to mark Italy’s new ‘golden boy’ Virgili and he did his job so well that the Italian captain was forced to wander around the field in a vain attempt to shrug off his marker Cilia. Cilia was so good that day that his display more than any other won him the coveted ‘Footballer of the Year’ award for that season. He went on to build up a long and successful career with Valletta FC

The Malta team which drew 1-1 with Italy Under 23 on May 15, 1958. In this game Joe Cilia gave what was perhaps his best-ever performance. Charlie Brincat, Ġużi Bonnici, Ray Cosby, Jackie Grech, Joe Cilia, Joe Cini, Salvinu Schembri, Lolly Borg, Tony Cauchi, Sammy Nicholl, Pullu Demanuele.

and Malta. His repertoire of impressive performances continued as he grew in stature and experience but that glorious May afternoon in 1958 when he blotted Virgili out of the game at the Gzira Stadium will never be forgotten as long as a ball is kicked in Malta. Cilia won the coveted Footballer of the Year award twice, in 1958-59 and 1962-63, thus becoming the first and one of only a handful of players to win the award twice in their career. Cilia played 157 league games for Valletta at a time when a club only played a handful of league matches each season. He also led the City club to three League Championships, two FA Trophy victories, one Cassar Cup and two Scicluna Cup triumphs before he immigrated to Australia at the end of the 1963-64 season. It was a tough blow for Valletta and Maltese football and for a while the City club fell into mediocrity. In Australia, Cilia served as player-coach for Melita Eagles. For a time, he also played for Sunderland FC and Corinthians FC. In 1971, he returned to Malta and made a few first-team appearances for the Citizens. His best days were over however, and after a short while he settled down to coaching. It was the start of another career for Cilia and typical of this shrewd and clever character he made an excellent job of it. Right in his first season as playercoach he led Siggiewi to the Third Division Championship, but that was not his first attempt at coaching. In 1961-62, at a time when he was still at the top of his playing career, he coached Rabat on a part-time basis. He took his job seriously, so much so that at the end of the season Rabat were the league champions and Division Two Cup winners. After two seasons with Siggiewi, he took over the job as coach of Vittoriosa Stars, who at the time played in the First Division. His objective was to keep the team in the top division, and he succeeded. The next season he repeated this performance with Qormi FC. By now, his efforts were beginning to be appreciated, and after an uneventful season with St Patrick’s in the Second Division, he was given the lucrative coach’s job at Floriana. It was Cilia’s first attempt with a big club. Floriana however, were passing through one of the leanest periods in their long history and they were not prepared to wait for Cilia’s work to bear fruit. At the start of the 1980-81 season he was forced to seek greener pastures. In 1980-81 he joined Sliema Wanderers. This was the start of the Cilia legend. In seven glorious seasons, he won all the honours that the local game could offer. His best years however, were 1984-85 and 1986-87 when he led Rabat to two consecutive League Championships, an FA Trophy, two Euro Cups and a Super Cup victory. Cilia had set a standard which even he could not surmount. Yet, every-

After his retirement, Joe Cilia developed into one of the best and one of the most successful coaches in the history of Maltese football.

where he went after those glorious years, he always reached his goal except perhaps, with Zurrieq and Hibernians when he failed to win an honour. Cilia retired in 1997 after a career which spanned more than 35 years. A great player and a great coach who will always be remembered for his Midas’ Touch and for the number of fine footballers which he introduced to league football. John Buttigieg, Charlie Xerri, Martin Gregory, Silvio Vella, Joe Galea, Lawrence Attard, Martin Scicluna, Donald Buhagiar, Joe Gerada, Mario Gauci, Silvio Demanuele, Charles Micallef, Stefan Farrugia, Willie Spiteri, Ivan Zammit and Reggie Cini all made their Premier Division debut under Cilia. His only disappointment was that he was never given the chance to coach the National Team.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

CARS

SU TT

Wise words with cars

J OS E

In his passion to build a classic car collection, Mark Xuereb never forgets his grandfather’s wise words, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

ld vehicles were a family tradition in the environment Mark Xuereb was brought up. He was very close to his maternal grandfather, Carmelo, who for many years drove a gleaming vintage red bus on the old Birkirkara route. His budding interest in classic cars was cemented further by the fact that Carmelo also owned a 1965 Cortina Mark 11. “I used to spend a lot of time with him, as I headed straight to my grandparents’ house after school,” recalls Xuereb. “There was no inclination towards other interests common to boys of my age, like football, music, or playing in the streets. Old cars were my first love. I used to help him look after the Cortina, which he kept in a pristine condition, especially after he retired from work. One cardinal rule for him was that a

classic car must never ever be exposed to rainy weather, even to a slight drizzle.” Having learned to drive on the Cortina, it stood to reason that the first car Xuereb bought would be a classic. His choice fell on a 1964 Fiat 600 which he saw at a car dealer in Msida. “The beige vehicle was in a good condition and I got it for cheap, as it had an overheating problem, which was very common in this model. I used

Xuereb dwells at length on the differences between his two classic cars

it daily for three years, but eventually it became too expensive to run and keep, and it had to go.” Another classic car took its place, a 1973 Datsun 1200 coupe which he bought from a colleague at work. Xuereb says that the red vehicle was very roadworthy, with an original engine, which he tampered with in order to make it go faster. “In those carefree days, it was very cool to be seen going around in either a Ford Escort Mark 1, a Fiat 128 3P, or a Datsun coupe, all three bearing a very attractive and sporty look.” He harnessed the Datsun on a daily basis for five years. But then marriage, family commitments and other priorities raised their heads, and the days of the Datsun were numbered. “I felt that I had to sell it in order to get an appropriate family car, something that I

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

PHOTOS: TONY VASSALLO, OLD MOTORS CLUB

came to regret almost immediately. For despite buying a brand new vehicle, it started to give me trouble almost as soon as I took it out of the showroom,” rues Xuereb. Getting another classic car was never far from his mind, and in this he received full support from his wife Tanya. However, the couple lived in a flat, and both knew that to own a classic car of some standing, you had to have a garage where to put it. Initially they thought of buying a garage, but then altered plans to purchase a new house with a big garage. In order to achieve the latter aim, the acquisition of an old vehicle had to be put on the back burner. Some years later, with house and garage a reality, Xuereb heard from a work colleague that her father’s old car was on the market. It was a oneowner, 1966 Rover Mark P6, with quite a background. “In the 1960s this marque was synonymous with classy cars in which company executives were driven around. It belonged to the well-known entrepreneur Anthony Miceli Farrugia, one of the pioneers of Malta’s industrial development. When he passed away in 2002, it was garaged, and did not see the light of day until I bought it four years later.” Despite the long layoff, and extensive working life span-

ning 36 years, Xuereb says the Rover was still in good running order. The engine was perfect, likewise the biscuit coloured upholstery. There were only some tiny scratches on the body owing to daily use, as well as small traces of rust. The sixth and last of the P designed models, this type of Rover was produced in England between 1963 and 1977. It was voted the European Car of the Year in 1964, the very first winner of this title. It also won awards for safety. The first P6 models had an engine with a single carburettor, but some time later Rover developed a derivative by fitting twin SU carburetors and a redesigned top end, marketing it as the 2000 TC. “My model belongs to the original limited production,” Xuereb says. Despite its near showroom condition, he always had a nut and bolt restoration project for the Rover uppermost in his mind. When eventually his budget permitted, he went for it, and every single screw, including the roof ones, was removed. In the eight-month rehabilitation, carried out mainly by a panel beater friend, the only major change was the exhaust pipe. Neither the engine nor the upholstery was touched – although Xuereb had bought replacement upholstery

just in case. In the respray, the original zircon blue colour was applied again. With such a shining classic in his hands, Xuereb joined the Old Motors Club, taking part in runs and rallies – but, heeding his grandfather’s advice, only in good weather! His wife and son Miguel, who were his constant car companions, were of a different opinion, and this caused tension and conflict in the closely-knit family. “To restore harmony, and safeguard the restored Rover, I started looking round for a ‘bad weather’ classic car.” His close friend Noel Buhagiar – a Citroen collector – soon came up with a proposal: a 1973 Citroen GS Pallas. Initially Xuereb was not interested, but gradually the old vehicle started to attract him, especially since his wife and son were very enthusiastic about it. Finally, he bought it. “Only minor repairs were needed, like a new time belt, and replacement of some valves, as

the previous owner had taken part in the 2009 Valletta Grand Prix with much gusto.” The 2CV boxed, air-cooled engine had seals and valves refitted, but the sand coloured spray and the upholstery remained untouched. Xuereb says there are not more than eight Citroen Pallas GS on the island. This small family car came out between 1970 and 1980. Voted European Car of the Year in 1971, at the time it was considered the most technologically advanced vehicle in its class for comfort, safety and aerodynamics. Its hydro pneumatic suspension was designed to absorb bumps and ripples that would otherwise cause discomfort in a conventionally sprung car with just a slight body movement – and he says that these features make it the ideal car to drive on Malta’s pothole ridden roads. Xuereb dwells at length on the differences between his two classic cars. He describes the Rover – his favourite – as a

smart vehicle having a comfortable ride with excellent road holding. The Citroen – the apple of Tanya and Miguel’s eyes – adjusts itself to weight as well as to any turbulent or negative road aspect, be it sleeping policemen or sudden swerving. While he could find spare parts for the Rover “even from the corner grocer”, Citroen parts had to be procured through membership of three brand clubs in Spain, France and Belgium. Xuereb concludes by pointing out at the significant increase in appreciation of old timers, which were formerly thrown away or discarded, but are now lovingly rescued from the scrap heap. They do not come cheap, he claims, and require patience, time, space, and heartfelt dedication. It is all about nostalgia, he adds, as he dreams of meeting again a Datsun 1200 coupe that gave him so much pleasure in his youth, to join his tandem of classic cars.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ OCTOBER 2017

NEWS

Il-ġid tiegħi u l-faqar ta’ ħafna oħrajn

har il-Ħadd 22 t’Ottubru niċċelebraw il-Ġurnata Missjunarja jew aħjar il-Jum Mondjali tal-Missjoni. Din se ikun il-91 darba li qed tiġi ċċelebrata din il-ġurnata. It-tħejjijiet kollha f ’kull pajjiż u djoċesi fid-dinja isiru mill-Opra tal-Propagazzjoni tal-fidi li hija waħda mill-Opri Pontificji Missjunarji. X’inhu s-servizz tal-Opri Pontifiċji Missjunarji? Fi kliem il-Papa Franġisku filmessaġġ tiegħu għall-Ġurnata Missjunarja ta’ din is-sena: “l-Opri Pontifiċji Missjunarji huma għodda prezzjuża biex f ’kull komunità nisranija nqanqlu x-xewqa li noħorġu mill-konfini tagħna u mis-sigurtajiet tagħna u mmiddu għonqna għax-xandir talVanġelu lil kulħadd.” Ċertament li dan il-kliem talPapa jirreferi għall-mandat ta’ Ġesu lill-appostli u lil kull nisrani “Morru u għallmu lillġnus kollha” (Mattew 28:19). Fi ħdan il-Knisja Kattolika illum nsibu madwar 1.3 biljun membru li jiġu madwar 18 filmija tal-popolazzjoni dinjija. Fil-Brażil, fil-Messiku u fil-Filippini insibu l-ikbar numru ta’ Kattoliċi. Warajhom jiġu l-Istati Uniti u l-Italja. Imma n-numru ta’ insara l-aktar li qed jikber

huwa fl-Afrika u fl-Asja. Hekk f’dan l-aħħar 50 sena in-numru ta’ Kattoliċi fl-Afrika żdied b’akar minn 100 miljun ruħ. Aħna nitkellmu u nemmnu fil-Knisja Kattolika jew universali. Dan ifisser li l-fundatur tagħha Ġesu, irid li tħaddan lil kulħadd u tasal sa kull rokna tad-dinja. Dan ifisser li kull membru tal-Knisja hu fejn hu u bil-mezzi possibli li jista, jwettaq ħidma missjunarja. Kull nisrani juri verament li hu nisrani, jekk hu missjunarju. U meta ngħidu tħaddan lil kulħadd irridu nfissru lil kull bniedem sew jekk hu diġa nisrani u sew jekk hu ta’ reliġjon oħra jew bla reliġjon. Għalhekk din l-għajnuna illi tingħata lill-missjunarji tingħata mhux biss lill-insara imma lil kull bniedem fil-bżonn. Hekk insibu skejjel tal-knisja fl-Indja fejn il-maġġoranza talistudenti huma Hindu. Insibu mission hospitals f ’zoni rurali tal-Afrika fejn il-maġġoranza tal-pazjenti huma ta’ twemmin differenti jew għadhom bittwemmin tribali tagħhom. Matul ix-xahar t’Ottubru u b’mod speċjali fil-Ġurnata Missjunarja, l-Opri Pontifiċji Missjunarji f ’Malta magħrufa bħala l-Missio jwettqu programm ta’ ħidma li jinkludi tagħlim u tagħrif fuq id-dmir-

Cleansing fire

ijiet missjunarji tagħna u appelli għas-solidarjetà permezz ta’ ġbir ta’ fondi b’risq missjunarji Maltin u oħrajn li jwettqu l-ħidma tagħhom ta’ xandir ta’ l-evanġelju u ta’ għajnuna lill-bniedem fil-bżonn. Hawn qed nitkellmu fuq ħafna djoċesijiet u eluf ta’ parroċċi fl-Afrika u fl-Asja u xi pajjizi ta’ l-Amerika t’isfel. Matul Ottubru Missio ser jagħmel animazzjoni missjunarja fi tmien parrocci, ser ikun idur l-iskejjel kollha u jappella lid-djar ta’ l-anzjani sabiex huma wkoll iħossuhom missjunarji u jagħtu l-għajnuna li jistgħu. Missio wkoll ħejja

DVD fuq is-sitwazzjoni tal-mission hospitals fl-Uganda, bħala eżempju konkret biex millfondi miġbura din is-sena jinxtraw almenu żewġ ambulanzi u apparat mediku minn Kongregazzjoni ta’ sorijiet li tmexxi dawn l-isptarijiet u li m’għandhiex dawn il-mezzi. Missio qed jistiednu lill-parroċċi, skejjel, djar ta’ l-anzjani u għaqdiet biex juru dan id-DVD. Ir-riżultati tajbin b’risq din l-għajnuna lil sptarijiet fl-Uganda, imma wkoll lillMissjoni universali, jridu jiġu minn donazzjonijiet ġenerużi li jistgħu jintbagħtu jew jinġiebu fl-Uffiċċju ta’ Mis-

sio (7, Triq il-Merkanti, il-Belt jew 114 Triq Gafà, il-Mosta), mill-ġabra li ssir fil-knejjes fil-Ġurnata Missjunarja u mill-ġbir tal-envelope ta’ Missio li jintbagħat f ’kull dar Maltija u Għawdxija. F’isem dawk kollha, li nistgħu ntaffulhom it-tbatija tagħhom u anke nsalvawlhom ħajjithom, nirringrazzja lil kulħadd. Ejjew nisimgħu lgħajta tal-bniedem fil-bżonn: Għinni nemmen, għinni nghix. Matul Ottubru ejjew niftakru f ’dak li tgħid it-talba missjunarja: Fakkarni Mulej biex ilftit ġid li għandi ma jnessiniex il-faqar ta’ ħafna oħrajn.

Popular traditions and beliefs revived at the Inquisitor’s Palace

Death symbols on the placards accompanying the tubru.

Id-direttur u membri tal-istaff ta’ Missio waqt żjara f’mission hospital fiż-Żambja f’Lulju 2017.

hrough the centuries, Maltese history intertwined with various influences, resulting in an extremely rich religious socio-cultural artistic patrimony. When speaking of heritage we also have to include the thriving legacy of intangible heritage. While many might be familiar with Heritage Malta’s work to preserve and valorise the tangible heritage in its custody, not enough opportunity was given to appreciate the agency’s input in the consolidation of intangible heritage. The beginning of November is characterised by the faithfully departed in the Catholic liturgical calendar. So as to highlight popular traditions and beliefs related to souls and the afterlife, Heritage Malta will be organising L-Għid tal-Erwieħ at the Inquisitor’s Palace on Friday, November 3, the day following All Souls’ Day. This thematic event is centred around a typical meal based on the ħanżira talerwieħ tradition. It originates from the local All Souls’ Day custom where the

Maltese feasted on a pig that during the previous weeks would have been let loose in the streets. After being given scraps of food, it used to be slaughtered on All Souls’ Day, cooked and fed to the poor. It was believed that good deeds with the poor and needy would facilitate the redemption of distressed souls. In a similar fashion, some monastic orders in Malta used to prepare the borma talerwieħ, a big pot full of vegetables. The roasted pig (il-ħanżira tal-erwieħ) would be the main dish, complemented by the maħluta, a bittersweet drink recalling the ups and downs in life, ftieti tal-għaża (toasted bread with garlic and parsley), kawlata (vegetable soup with pork), and l-għadam tal-mejtin, a bone shaped almond-based sweet. Along with these food-related traditions we come across the tubru – a symbolic coffin, set up in churches during the month of November, or on the demise of important dignitaries. A tubru will be set up at the Inquisitor’s Palace for the occasion.

Nowadays our remembrance towards the departed centres around visits to cemeteries, particularly in November. Yet, some years back, death and funerary rituals were commemorated with greater awe and intense spirituality. During funerals it was normal to come across hired mourners, known as newwieħa. Apart from following coffins with outcries in funeral processions, these women used to go to the deceased houses and turn upside down or even break some pottery cooking utensils because people were expected not to cook following the passing away of a relative. Facets of intangible heritage like these popular traditions and beliefs in souls and the afterlife will be highlighted through L-Għid tal-Erwieħ at the Inquisitor’s Palace and other thematic sensory experiences. For more information about Heritage Malta and its activities www.heritagemalta.org or the official Facebook page. L-Għid tal-Erwieħ will be held in Maltese.

SENIOR TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x2019; OcTObER 2017

SENIOR TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x2019; OcTOBER 2017

DENTAL CARE

Multiple missing teeth

re you one of those patients missing many of your teeth on one or both sides, top or bottom jaws... or both? If so, for how long have you missed out on chewing properly? Multiple missing teeth, is a very common scenario, which often goes untreated for a very long time. This is mostly due to the fact that in most individuals these teeth arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t visible with the normal aperture of the mouth.

EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE MISSING TEETH: Tooth-wear: Biting and having to chew on less teeth leads to tooth-wear. Over a long period these remaining teeth lose height and appear very smooth as they are being overused. Tooth fracture: These standing teeth often suffer tooth fracture and/or de-coronation (breaking the crown of the tooth leaving just the roots). Tooth mobility: Teeth are supported in their sockets thanks to the gingival tissue, in particular to the periodontal ligament fibres attaching them to bone. If teeth are under excessive stress then this ligament suffers and with time teeth start moving resulting in tooth loss. This may also cause the teeth to drift outwards, splaying themselves increasing the spaces between them. Tooth pain: overloading of these teeth may result in them dying off requiring root canal treatment and further prosthetic work. Bone loss: Loss of teeth in either jaw results in bone loss as the bone does not receive a stimulus due to the lack of tooth roots. Over a long period, the volume of bone loss may be very large. This would mean that if implants are planned, bone grafting would be required increasing the element of surgery for the patient and complexity for the Dentist/Surgeon. Tooth migration: Missing teeth would cause remaining teeth to drift into the resultant space creating odd contacts on chewing, excessive tooth-wear facets as well as inconvenient food packing around these remaining teeth. Upper teeth often over-erupt into the space of the lower missing teeth due to lacking their antagonist to chew on. Over a number of years these upper teeth may completely descend into the space of the lower missing teeth causing traumatic biting onto the gum. These upper teeth would also appear very long, exposing their roots reducing their aesthetics. Adding insult to injury these upper over-erupted teeth would also, on closure, take up the space of the missing lower teeth not leaving any space for the dentist to replace the lower missing teeth. Dento-Facial aesthetics: Cheeks tend to collapse inwards resulting in poorer aesthetics giving rise to an older looking appearance. Digestive problems: Chewing our food mixed with our saliva is the first stage of digestion. If food is not chewed but gobbled instead, this may result in indigestion and acid build-up. Patients, who lack many teeth, also stir away from eating certain foods resulting in a lack of nutritional intake. The list goes on and on. It is never too late to replace your missing dentition. The repercussions are serious. Take action now and ask your dentist for. advice.

A CASE SCENARIO A determined elderly lady nearing her 85th birthday wishes to fulfill her lifelong wish to fix her teeth. In total she has lost 15 teeth, limiting the range of food she can eat. Her treatment consisted of a fixed-movable bridge solution in the lower jaw con-

sisting of 14 porcelain teeth. In the upper jaw she underwent surgery and placed eight dental implants with simultaneous bilateral bone grafting resulting in a fully fixed implant prosthesis consisting of 14 porcelain teeth.

Extra-oral before treatment

DR JEAN PAUL DEMAJO IS A DENTAL AND IMPLANT SURGEON. HE HAS TRAINED IN LONDON AND WORKS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN MALTA. Extra-oral after treatment