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A very Merry Christmas And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear. - John Lennon

WHAT A YEAR!

ll those who predicted twenty-twenty earlier last year had anticipated that it would not be short of drama. The anticipation of a rollercoaster year was supported by two

key events; for the first time in sixty years, 2020 coincided with the year of the rat and also with the start of the 12-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac. And indeed, it was. This year which has come to an end will be coined by a good

Editor: Omar Vella - atelier@unionprint.com.mt Proof Reading: Ramona Marie Vella Cini Design: Ryan Bezzina & Stacy Grech

- design@unionprint.com.mt Front image:

Photo by Matthew B Spiteri

portion of the global population as an annus horribilis. For some,

Styling: Adriana Calleja

2020 will be remembered for “lockdowns or partial lockdowns,”

Clothing: Charles and Ron

“mask mandates” and “social distancing” Yet for others, it will be remembered for much more. Over the past 12 months, the

MUA: Amanda Greaves Hair: Rimvydas Stasiunas - Remi Hairdressing Model: Justina Vai - Models M

pandemic has harmed the poor and vulnerable the most, and it is

Shoot Asst: Justin Ciappara

threatening to push millions more into poverty. COVID-19 has also

Photos:

triggered the deepest global recession since the Second World War.

We thank all contributers for

The COVID-19 pandemic affected people economically, socially and

providing photos and images.

even psychologically.

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Yet there is nothing bigger than global society. Notwithstanding what it went through from time to time, it survived the challenge of time irrespective of whether it was the black plague, the Great Depression, the 1st World War or the 2nd World War. The COVID-19 is another test which society will surely overcome.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form without the prior consent of Union Print Co. Ltd. While we make every effort to make sure that the content of Atelier is correct, we cannot take any responsibility nor be held accountable for any factual errors printed. Printing & Publishing: Union Print Co. Ltd, Workers' Memorial Building, 3rd Floor, South Street, Valletta - +356 2590 0200

Fashion 16 24

Justina Vai Shanel De Battista

Jacqui Losco

Beauty 38 44 54 60

Jean Zammit Adriana Calleja Christian Galea Tamara Burr

Design & Architecture 66 78

Caroline Bos Antoine Zammit

Photography 88 94

Tonio Lombardi Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk

Society 116

Pippa Cachia

Photo by Matthew B Spiteri Styling: Adriana Calleja Clothing: Charles and Ron MUA: Amanda Greaves Hair: Rimvydas Stasiunas - Remi Hairdressing Model: Justina Vai - Models M Shoot Asst: Justin Ciappara

FA S H I O N

Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself. Iris Apfel, HuffPost

www.charlesandron.com

Atomic Blonde

Justina VAI

INTERVIEW

WITH

ith a figure that defies the laws of nature and a face that is almost supernaturally photogenic, it's no surprise that Justina Vai is one of the hot names in the local fashion industry. She is beautiful, young and incredibly photogenic with a natural ability to grab light like no one at her age. Yet Justina is more than just a pretty face. She is bold, smart and very target driven. All attributes which will surely see the Lithuanian model reach new heights in the fashion industry. Atelier recently caught up with Justina to know more about her experience in fashion industry.

Photos by Matthew B. Spiteri

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How did you get to modelling? Modelling was my childhood dream. I admired models and thought they were so beautiful and they were lucky to live such a lavish life. I never thought I could make it into that world of glamour. I was raised up and lived in in a very small and humble Lithuanian town, where a modelling career would never cross anybody's mind. A the age of seventeen, I was in a serious relationship which unfortunately ended badly. Yet

every bad situation has something positive to offer and somehow the breakup served as a motivation for me to pursue my dream in the modelling industry. At the age of 18, my male best friend encouraged me to sign up with a local model agency. Everything happened so fast. He asked me to join him for a casting, and that was it. The model agency offered me the opportunity to join them. A few months later, I was on my way to China for my first journey into the world of modelling.

What do you think about the state of fashion today? To be honest I was never so much into fashion, as before I became a model, I never really followed the latest trends in the industry. I got to know about the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best designers only when I was introduced to the world of modelling. I admit, I was never a slave of fashion houses and their collections. I like to wear what makes me feel good. I believe you should wear what you feel comfortable in. Today, people are too much brand driven and focus on how they look instead of investing their time in things that matter most. I was raised in a simple and unnmaterialistic environment which I still hold close to my heart. I treat modelling as a job and not as a way of living. I do not want to be misunderstood. I like wearing nice clothes and love looking stylish, but it is not my priority in life. "Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who's wearing it." â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Yves Saint Laurent

What challenges and opportunities does the modelling industry offer? I believe that the major challenge modelling offers is the stiff competition you will face to stand out from the crowd. There are so many of beautiful faces and models to be noticed. Moreover, once you are chosen, you have to constantly meet the expectations of clients, and make sure that you are the best in what you do. On the other hand, the modelling industry offers you a lot of opportunities to travel, and connect with people and come across experiences you will cherish for life.

To what extent do you feel social media plays an important part of a model`s job today? It is no secret that social media plays a key role in a modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job today. If you are good at engaging with social media followers you can really grow in this industry. A couple of filters and a good retouch will quickly make you look like super star which will Inevitably attract social media followers. That is not a bad thing, but as a model you are faced with a world that is harder to keep up with.

Given the competitiveness and the speed of the industry how does a model stand out of such a busy crowd today? I wish I knew a recipe for that. I believe no matter what, you have to be yourself and be the best in what you do. Above all, you have to be self-confident and love your work. The rest will come quite naturally.

What is your beauty routine? A daily water intake and a good sleep are a must. I always try to sleep at least seven hours per day and keep track of how much water I drink ( a minimum not 1.5 litres per day). I also make sure to always clean make up well and to use natural and good skincare products.

Fashion has become more inclusive when it comes to size representation, but where do you think boundaries still need to be broken? Body representation is important because no one can control what they look like or how they were born. It shows that there are different kinds of beautiful, there are different kinds of forms. Body representation means radically loving yourself. And if we are constantly reaching towards that then it is a win for people of all shapes and sizes.

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In what way has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the modelling industry? I believe that pandemic affected modelling as much as other jobs. Modelling job opportunities are limited at the moment. This is not surprising given that leading fashion brands went bankrupt whilst others are struggling to survive. The local modelling industry was no exception. This year major local runaway fashion shows such as the Malta Fashion Week were cancelled. That is sad, but I believe there is always light at the end of the tunnel and the industry will come out of the current situation stronger and better.

What does your life look like when you are not busy modelling? From a professional point of view, I used to work in an Igaming company as customer support specialist yet was recently made redundant thus currently looking for new career opportunities. On a personal level, I love travelling, and discovering new cultures and people. I lived in China for more than five years and had the opportunity to visit most of South East Asia. In view of COVID restrictions, I was trying to keep myself busy training. I also love cooking, doing make up, styling and learning new things. Every day is a gift and thus try to enjoy everything I do.

What advise would you give to someone who is starting out in modelling today? Find a good model agency, which will take care of the rest. An agency will always take care of you, will tell you where you need to improve and will guide you on how to become a successful model. All you need to do is choose carefully and work only with trusted agencies.

Fashion

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All in the Name

nowing which clothes to buy for your child can be challenging, perplexing and at times frustrating. Yet this winter there is so much to look out for at K Fashion. Whether you're looking for timeless, classic designs or the trendier, of-themoment fashions, K Fashion is your natural choice.

K Fashion is the brain child of Amanda Jones, an entrepreneur with a clear vision to offer a cool, fresh and different on-line store to the market. Indeed, the idea behind K Fashion is to establish an innovative business concept by introducing the first e-commerce multi-brand apparel store based in Malta which also offers worldwide shipping. As the name suggests, K Fashion focuses on offering a combination of luxury clothing for children from newborn to sixteen years of age

which includes clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories. Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, DKNY, Wheat, Disney, Laranjinha and DJ Duthchjeans are a few of the brands you will come across at K Fashion. Each brand is carefully selected to ensure that the very best products and brands are provided to the target audience. This winter, there is so much to look out for at K Fashion with an impressive selection of jackets, hoodies and accessories including scarfs, hats, beanies. Vibrant colours perfectly coexist with classic tones giving that extra kick to any product you will come across. K Fashion is surely worth a try and if you are still looking for that perfect outfit, pay a visit to www.kfashion.com.mt or contact them on mobile number 99442920 or e-mail - info@ kffashion.com.mt to set an appointment to view in person or try on anything you like from our collections, products and news. Find K Fashion on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated with their latest collections.

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Photo by Kris Micallef

Style of

life SHANEL

INTERVIEW

WITH

DE BATTISTA

hanel De Battista is a woman of ambition. She is an entrepreneur and a fashion blogger. She is a woman of mixed backgrounds who has so many perspectives to share and possesses an incredible ability to connect with a much larger segment of society than most. Indeed, although Shanel was born in Malta she is by all accounts a citizen of social media, constantly posting and sharing her experiences online. Atelier recently sat down with Shanel to discuss her journey to becoming a social media influencer, her views on fashion and her future plans.

Can you tell us how you got started and how you found your own voice in such a busy industry? Since I was little girl, I remember going to my grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house and looking at all the models in the magazines, with those stunning dresses and amazing looks. I was young, but I always knew fashion and beauty were a part of me. I believe fashion is another form of art and an amazing way to express ourselves. At that time there was no social media and thus saw beauty pageants as an opportunity to express myself. In 2007, I won Miss Italia nel Mondo and in 2009 I won Miss World Malta. They were a great opportunity to get into the media and fashion scene. Since then, I kept on working hard to reach my dreams.

Amanda Rosenberg once noted, "Gone are the days where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d put an ad in a magazine or use a legitimate celebrity. Now are the days where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pay any plant, animal or mineral with an online following to endorse your product." To what extent do you agree? Andy Warhol once noted that in the future everyone will have their fifteen minutes of fame. Well, in my opinion, that time has come. People from all around the world are trying to get their way out there on the stage. It has become easy to acquire fame, but difficult to keep it. Unless you are very consistent in your work it will be very hard to go a long way in the industry.

What have you found to be the universal truths of social? Social is a very subjective matter. It tends to projects things in a way which can be interpreted in different ways depending on the viewer's tastes, perception and frame of mind. Moreover, despite what we may think about the power of social media, there are still plenty of business owners and corporate executives who dismiss it with a wave of their hands, and poohpooh it as nothing more than people who want to talk about what they had for breakfast. It is up to us as influencers to ensure credibility and a stronger viewership.

Photo by Carlton Agius

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How much responsibility do you think influencers have to ensure they are being honest and transparent with their audiences? My job revolves about credibility. It is not only about being popular but also about building trust. Being fake or rather dishonest is very short-lived experience in this industry.

What do you think is most misunderstood about influencer marketing? People often think that influencer marketing is all about celebrities hawking a product. It’s truly not about that—especially in the B2B realm. It’s about highlighting experts who have real experience on the business challenges a brand’s audience faces. How do you select brands you work with? I do my research beforehand to ensure the background and credibility of the brand in question.

What is the best thing about being an influencer? I really dislike the word “influencer” I think it is very much overused and not broken down to what it really is. I personally see myself as a content creator or a visual story teller. I also studied marketing which is where my passion for what I do came from. The best thing I would say is doing what I love every day and expressing myself to the full and as a bonus I get to meet so many influential people.

Are looks essential for an influencer? I really do not think “looks” has any impact at all in expressing what a person wants to show on socials. It is more about good brains and a determination to reach out to a wide spectrum of audience.

What do you think the future of influencer marketing looks like? Influencers will always be important channel to utilize in marketing and advertising campaigns. Influencer marketing is definitely trending more towards video content, and is heavily focused on experiences. Let us keep in mind that millennials love experiences and video content, and influencers are shaping their purchasing decisions use those mediums. As influencer marketing evolves, and as the technology improves and becomes more mainstream, augmented and virtual reality will become a large part of the space.

What's next for you? I’m always on the hunt to grow further both as a person and also from a professional point of view. The best is yet to come!

HANDMADE CERAMICS

20B ST LUCIA STREET, VALLETTA WWW.LUCENTINISHOP.COM

Photo by Brian Grech Art Diamond Boutique Campaign

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Her runway

LOOKS JACQUI INTERVIEW WITH

LOSCO

o define Jacqui Losco a pretty face would be an understatement. Yes, she certainly has the looksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; those eyes, those lips, and those dazzling eyes. Yet there is more to her than you may think. Jacqui is smart, witty, whimsical, and charmingly unpredictable. She also has a lot of personality. An ingredient not to be underestimated in such a cutthroat industry as the fashion world happens to be. Atelier caught up with Jacqui Losco to know more about her experience in the fashion industry, her passion for dancing and the role family has in her life.

Photo by Bernard Polidano

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What is your definition of beauty? I think beauty is more about the way you feel than the way you look. What might make ME feel beautiful might not be another person's idea of beautiful. So, I think, being beautiful is a feeling.

Coco Chanel once noted, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” To what extent do you agree? She also said she should be who and what she wants...I try to live by that quote more!

So how did your break into the modelling industry happen? I was 16 years old and my sister told me about a modelling competition taking place in August which I should try out for. I was selected by judges together with another 13 girls. It was my first modelling experience, where we had taken part in a photoshoot as well as a fashion show on the final night. I was so happy when I won, and continued to do what I love from then on.

How does one stand out of the crowd in such a cutthroat industry? Being confident and staying true to yourself is vital. In an industry where you are sometimes thrown in a show looking so similar to your peers due to hair, makeup, outfits etc. standing out can sometimes be tough. Being professional and having a good relationship with people you work with, knowing your strengths and using them to your advantage and being true to yourself are all important factors for someone who wants to work in a tough industry as such.

I feel as though my outfits depend on my mood, not just the season and what’s “in” at the moment.

In recent years, there has been quite some talk about nepotism in the modeling industry. What are your thoughts on the subject? With Malta being so small I often got called out for being chosen for school plays, shows, photoshoots so on...JUST because I am Ira’s sister, however, I feel I went my own way and her presence in the music industry never interfered with modelling jobs. It does feel like Supermodels nowadays are predetermined due to their connections, wealth and status making it harder for girls and guys who are just as talented to be visible to certain brands.

How would you describe your fashion sense? I like to change my style every now and then. My outfits earlier this year were very different to how I am dressing now, I feel as though my outfits depend on my mood, not just the season and what’s “in” at the moment.

Over the past years, you have also earned a name in the dance industry. What does dance mean to you? I started dancing when I was 7 years old after I passed by a ballet class and was mesmerised by the music and how much fun the students seemed to be having. I took part in several school shows and my training also helped out a lot with my modelling. When I was 22 I also tried lyrical jazz which allows you to let go more freely in your movement but I will always have a special place for classical dance in my heart.

How does family and a personal life fit into your busy agenda? My family and friends are my backbone. I still live at home, and I get to enjoy my nieces and nephew daily...they really fill the house with so much joy, and that way I get to see my sisters too who I have a very close relationship with. I also have a group of 5 very close friends I speak with (too often!) on group chats and social media who keep me so grounded and are such fun to be around.

What are your thoughts about social media? Part of my job requires me to have a presence on social media as I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a platform for me to promote my work, other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work etc. I try to restrict my time on certain apps as I feel it takes away from enjoying being in the moment. As much as social media has enhanced well-being, obsessing over unrealistic ideas of beauty, lifestyle, mental state so on can counteract its purpose.

What's next for you? 2020 was a year of change for me, my full-time job was heavily affected due to the pandemic but luckily a few opportunities came my way and I challenged myself to try new, different things. 2021 is only weeks away and I hope things will slowly start to get better, until then I will try keep a positive outlook on life and keep working hard.

Photo by Brian Grech Art Diamond Boutique Campaign

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B E AU T Y

All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't. Marilyn Monroe

Photo by Matthew B. Spiteri

Making

F aces

Photo by Carlton Agius

A TELIER

Jean ZAMMIT

INTERVIEW

WITH

f you are beauty obsessed and follow makeup artists and trends who never heard about Jean Zammit, raise your blush brush now! I am sure very few will do! Jean is a true ambassador of what Malta can offer in the beauty industry. His work is instantly recognizable: fresh, glowing women who exude confidence and a fierce tan. He is a true magician who with the stroke of a blush brush turns a normal face into something amazing. Atelier recently caught up with Jean to know more about his personal life, his experience in the beauty industry and what's next for him.

Model: Valerie Ayena Hair: Adam Garland www.jfwmagazine.com

When and how did you get into the beauty industry? From a young age when I was about 10 years old, I used to draw the eyes on my sister's dolls. At the age of 16 I used to watch local makeup artists on local TV programs doing makeovers and creating looks, so I used to practice on my sister. Before we had no YouTube or internet so I used to buy makeup books to get my inspiration from. I always kept the makeup artistry aside to continue my studies. Finding a male makeup artist a few decades ago, was considered to be a taboo so I wanted to please my parents by studing and graduating. Indeed, I graduated as a nurse and worked in Pediatric Surgery. After 5 years practicing nursing I had the opportunity to fly to Dubai and work as a cabin crew for the best airline in the world, the Emirates. I lived there for 12 years and while I was there my makeup career came back to me and started again slowly. I got one opportunity with a stylist in Dubai, and after that my life changed.

You have an incredible career â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what have been your highlights? Every opportunity I had was a highlight for me and forever I am grateful. There are always few special moments as highlights in my carreer such; - Working with Paul Marciano himself during the 35th anniversary of Guess fashion show; - Being a Maltese makeup artist that my work was featured on Vogue USA; - New York and LA fashion week and being behind the looks for Charles and Ron; - After less than 2 years in Malta I was awarded the Best winner of the Makeup Artist of the Year at the Malta Fashion Awards; - Recently had the opportunity to be the makeup artist for Andrea Bocelli. Thanks to Inglot Malta for trusting me and giving me such opportunity.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I always look up to international makeup artists that work in the fashion industry and that work with celebrities. I also try to attend masterclasses of these talented people that they aspire many other artists around the world. Photo by Carlton Agius Model: Jeana Turner Cycle 24 of ANTM

Designers: Charles and Ron

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Photo by Carlton Agius Model: Brooke Borg Designers: Charles and Ron Makeup : INGLOT Malta Hair: Alexander Carabott

Pat Mcgrath is an icon for makeup. She has also her own makeup line apart doing all the luxury brands fashion shows. I agree with that quote in that, we as artists we have a vison. We create and play with colours to achieve creative results and show our personalities.

Today's woman is busier than ever. What is the easiest way to turn a work look into something that works for night out? Many women nowadays after work just go out with their work mates for dinner or drinks. Its good to apply some fresh basic makeup for work and before leaving work to add a touchup maybe of a bold lip and add a touch of eyeshadow on her lids.

What is Beauty? Beauty comes from within. Everyone is a masterpiece- work of art. Everyone is unique and there is only one of each individual.

What are your favorite winter makeup trends? For winter makeup, we generaly go for bold lips, or vice versa with the eyes. For winter, looks we intend to opt for darker colours.

Does everyone look better with makeup? Makeup enhances the beauty. Makeup always make you look fresh and makes a woman feel good. There are many kinds of makeup, but yes just a touch of makeup everyone will look good. Pat McGrath once noted; “Makeup is malleable and mercurial: The biggest joy I have every day is the opportunity to create, to play, and to invent with something I've loved forever.” To what extent do you agree?

What products do you think should be a staple in every woman’s purse? A woman should always carry a lipstick or gloss, mascara, and a blush.

What's next for you? I will definitely continue with my makeup career and hopefully will create something with my name in the near future.

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Photo by Stephanie Galea Model: Maria Zubztova Stylist: Sally Annr Bolton Clothing: YSL Mojeh Magazine

LOOKING fabulous

Photo by Matthew B Spiteri Model: Sofia Chaklosh Hair: Neville Roman Zammit MUA: Jean Zammit

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ADRIANA INTERVIEW WITH

CALLEJA

or some fashion lovers out there, becoming a wardrobe stylist seems like a career fallen straight from heaven. Some, wrongly believe that shuffling through gorgeous clothes and playing dress up with gorgeous models sounds more like fun rather than a job. But, becoming a fashion stylist is more than that. It is a tough job which offers few guidebooks to help you figure out the tricks of the trade. Indeed, being a fashion stylist is a skill you either have or you don't. Adriana Calleja certainly has such talent which is visible in the various front covers of leading magazines, in editorial shoots and on the catwalks of the major fashion events held in Malta. Adriana shared with Atelier her journey in the fashion industry and what 2021 has in store for her.

Photo by Alisa Henderson MUA: Chris Attard Hair: Neville Roman Zammit

How did you get your start in the industry? I was always passionate about fashion and style and after I had done a fashion design course, I was talking to a dear friend of mine who helped me set up a website, and facebook page dedicated to my views about styling and serve as my portfolio. I first started modelling looks on myself and approaching different photographers, explaining the ideas I had for a particular shoot. I would say to myself that I had nothing to lose and if I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask, the answer

will always be no. However, luckily I managed to build a lot of connections with different artists in the industry. It was then that I wanted to see my styling ideas on models rather than on myself because at the end of the day I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be the model, but the stylist behind the visual concept. I still remember how excited I was the first time I had done a shoot with a professional model. When I saw how she interpreted what I had imagined, I simply said this is itâ&#x20AC;Śthis is what I want to do. I just want to create!

A TELIER Photo by Matthe B Spiteri Model: Romana Sramkova Hair: Neville Roman Zammit MUA: Elaine Galea

Where do you draw your fashion inspiration? Anything artistic really, it doesn’t necessarily have to be fashion related. Art is very subjective and fashion is always changing so although I do follow international magazines and other stylists or fashion designers, I mostly get inspired by photography, paintings, musicians and even television series. Nature is also a powerful tool to get colour combination and contrast ideas.

Who are your style icons? Without any doubt the iconic Chanel and Audrey Hepburn which are simply timeless elegance staples. I also follow actresses such as Blake Lively who stand out with tailored suits, giving the power look a sophisticated yet delicate twist.

If you have a dream, always do your best to chase it, stay humble but work hard to achieve your goals, whilst always reminding yourself that you started from scratch.

Marc Jacobs once noted, “Fashion isn’t a necessity. It pulls at your heart. It’s a whim. You don’t need it. You want it.” To what extent do you agree? I would change the word fashion with style in the sense that style is ageless, something personal and it creates a persona. It usually compliments an individual’s character or mood. I mostly feel as myself not by the clothes which are fashionable at that moment as such, but in the way I style different pieces to create a complete look that I feel attuned with. Fashion is important because it keeps you looking forward to new designs you can wear but ultimately it is how you style it that takes it up a notch.

Is it fair to say that to be a stylist, you have to really be a storyteller? Most definitely. You have to be able to give a tangible emotion that the audience can feel. I really become attached to the concept, in fact after a shoot is done, I tend to feel a sense of adrenaline followed by a feeling of emptiness. It is pretty much like an actress becoming attached to the role that she’s playing and having to say goodbye to the character is always hard. That is good in its own sense because it keeps me motivated to keep creating more concepts.

What does it mean to have style right now? A lot of trends right now are focusing around minimalism, and different shades of the same colour in layered garments. But in my opinion, being stylish is accentuating what you already have available, making it your own. It is like personifying clothes as an extension of you. Style has the ability to communicate a person’s inner world through clothing choices and as long as someone feels comfortable in what they’re wearing, they can pull it off. The worst thing anyone can do is wear something just because it is fashionable yet they cannot feel themselves in it. Confidence is the way you carry yourself in what you feel comfortable in. So you can make anything look stylish as long as you’re confident in it.

It is often said that one is never over or underdressed with a little black dress. What are your thoughts on black? I find black is an effortless classic look which is subtly elegant as much as it is powerful. Whenever I wear black, I like to combine stand out pieces with it, usually either in gold jewelry or pops of colour in scarves or bows to give it my personal touch.

Photo by Steve Muliett Model: Marie-Aimee Kinkonda

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To what extent do you feel stylists have a personal obligation to do their part in shedding light on issues and dressing their clients accordingly? Unfortunately, in Malta the idea of consulting with stylists is a relatively new concept which sometimes gets overlooked and I believe a lot of people do not really know what a stylist is or what it is exactly that they do. So yes, I believe that education and information outreach is a vital point to see that clients understand that they can follow tips from a stylist to find something that best suits their personal characteristics and needs. Sometimes a lot can be done with the clothes you already have, but if you cannot find different ways how to wear them it will always seem like you need to buy more.

Any advice for those looking for a career in the fashion industry? If you are passionate and creative about what you do, it never becomes a job. If you have a dream, always do your best to chase it, stay humble but work hard to achieve your goals, whilst always reminding yourself that you started from scratch. The only regrets you would have would be the ones you would not have tried. Being innovative and soul driven definitely keeps you motivated.

Photo by Matthew B Spiteri Clothing: Charles and Ron MUA: Amanda Greaves Hair: Rimvydas Stasiunas - Remi Hairdressing Model: Justina Vai - Models M Shoot Asst: Justin Ciappara

What's next for Adriana Calleja? The COVID-19 repercussions on the arts and fashion industry have taken its toll on the amount of work produced or published. However, hopefully as the situation improves I get to see my work being published again on local and international magazines. So far, I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to be the recurring stylist for two local magazines, had several campaigns with local esteemed brands and also had works published internationally on leading magazines in Europe and America. The most important thing is that I keep creating innovative concepts, collaborating and continue learning from experience as well as from the artists I have the pleasure to work with. Ultimately getting the most out of what I already do is what keeps fueling and inspiring my soul.

30 DELICATA WINERY

DELICATA’S BIG GRAND WINE

“Jaw-droppingly awesome” is the response to the unveiling of a majestic bottle like Delicata’s double magnum (3 litres) of the winery’s Riżerva Gran Cavalier – Syrah, DOK Malta Superior, 2017. The double magnum release follows the praise by experts at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London who rated Delicata’s flagship red wine on par with the renowned Syrah appellations of Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, and some heavy hitters exported by the big names from Australia’s top regions McLaren Vale, Barossa and Hunter Valley. To emphasize the sheer quality and timelessness of this vintage, the limited edition in large format not only bears the signature of the winery’s patriarch V. George Delicata, but each bottle is also individually numbered, wax-sealed by hand, and presented in a bespoke wooden box, making it a true collector’s piece. Producing a Riżerva is time consuming. This premium red wine is a vibrant bottle of structure and excitement that’s the result of 13 months barrel maturation and almost another entire year ageing in bottle prior to release.

The Syrah grapes were handpicked at optimum phenolic ripeness, and come from two low-yielding Maltese vineyards protected by a typical rubble wall, or ‘ħajt tas-sejjieħ’ in Maltese - or what the French would ‘clos’. In this case, the grapes originate from one vineyard in Tat-Trapna near Rabat, chosen for its well-draining carbonate raw soil, and another one in Lunzjata, planted to heavier clayish loam that retains more precipitation. The wine tastes rich of pure red and black fruit. The flavour of Maraschino cherries trumps the notorious gaminess of the Syrah grape. It’s velvety soft, well-balanced and round with a well-judged dose of herbal freshness and a slightly smokey overlay. Riżerva Gran Cavalier – Syrah will satisfy anyone’s desire for a hedonistic, full-bodied drinking experience; it’s perfect for sharing now or cellaring for several years. Exclusively available online from www.delicata.com

COEUR DE LION

COEUR DE LION is a new launched jewellery brand by Sterling Jewellers on the Maltese Islands, celebrating, beauty, design and sophistication. There is simply one way to describe COEUR DE LION and that is effortlessly timeless.

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From concept, to design, to craftsmanship, COEUR DE LION is entirely German. The colours, materials and designs are carefully selected and artistically compiled in Stuttgart to create remarkable jewellery masterpieces that go beyond fast fashion. The brand offers a complete look of sophistication, enhancing your outfit for every occasion. Each line is available in sets, offering matching necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. COEUR DE LION which was founded in 1987 by Carola Eckrodt, boasts 33 years of rich history and awards, including German Design Award 2016 and 2018, German Brand Award 2016, and Best Jewellery Brand 2014 in the UK. The Geo Cubes, Carola Eckrodtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature collection, offer a distinct and unique design synonymous with COEUR DE LION. With their

clean lines and beautiful nuanced colours inspired by nature, seasonality and trends create timeless jewellery lines which can be worn, appreciated and treasured for years. This is further ensured through the use of durable and resistant materials which are impervious to wear and tear. COEUR DE LION jewellery is 316L stainless steel which does not tarnish and is hard-wearing. The brand also makes use of materials like Polaris Resin, Tiger Eye, Glass, and Swarovski Crystal Pearls, which give the jewellery it's magnificent colour, versatility, shine as well as durability. COEUR DE LION can now be found exclusively at Sterling Jewellers Mainstreet Paola, Tigne Point Sliema, Pavi Shopping Complex Qormi, Baystreet St. Julians. For more information about the brand call Sterling Jewellers on 21245999.

Photo by Brian Grech

The

CUT

INTERVIEW WITH

CHRISTIAN GALEA Michael & Guy

hether you are watching a fashion show, praising a front cover of a leading local magazine or admiring the hair of a woman in coffee shop, chances are Christian Galea is the genius behind the look. Christian is talented, creative and with an incredible ability to transform any hair into something ooh la la. Above all, Christian has an undisputed skill for matching his clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wardrobes to their lifestyle and personality and creating a look that is approachable and authentic. Atelier had the opportunity to speak to Christian about his career path, his style and his plans for the future.

Photo by Kurt Paris Model: Amy Zahra

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When did you first realize you wanted to become a hair stylist and where did you start? I come from a long line of hairstylists. My great grandfather, my grandfather and both my parents were hairdressers. My father is still working in the salon as a hairstylist. So hairdressing is in my blood. From a very young age, I was frequently at the salon or backstage at a fashion show or theatre production, seeing my parents working on hair and from a young age, I was very much intrigued with the craft. Even before my teens, I was almost dead set that I would one day become a hairdresser. I started working and training at the family business once I entered my teens and to this day, I am still in the family business. This year we celebrated 83 years in business. What’s your favourite synonym for ‘hair’? ‘Unlimited possibilities’ Due to my experience in theatre productions, I have been made to realise that anything is possible one way or another. Where do you get your own creative ideas from? I get creative ideas from several sources. My main source would definitely be the Baroque era. I love the volume, colours, elegance, curls, and the fact that with a twist it could suddenly become very fresh and modern. For me, it is such a versatile era that inspires me to create anything, from toned down styles to extremely flamboyant creations. Other sources which inspire my creativity, are Tim Burton movies/stories; music and discussions with other creative people, such as fashion designers, costume designers and artists.

Is it better to cut and shape hair when wet or dry? There is actually in my opinion no right or wrong answer to this question. I personally prefer, in most occasions, to cut hair when wet. Who is your ultimate hair icon and why? I cannot say I have an ultimate hair icon, however, if I had to choose somebody, it would have to be the award winning Errol Douglas. He has won multiple awards in various categories and still hasn’t lost the drive to produce creative show-stopping hairstyles, especially for stage and magazines. The famous hairstyling icon, Vidal Sassoon once noted, ‘For me the working of hair is architecture with a human element." To what extent do you agree? No hairdresser can disagree with Vidal season’s theory. Vidal Sassoon, at that point in time, changed hairdressing, to some extent, to how we envision it today. He was probably the hairdresser responsible for creating modern, yet low-maintenance haircuts. Vidal Sassoon is well known for his geometrical haircuts,which later allowed him to create extremely modern and daring haircuts. However, due to his theory that hair should also be low maintenance, it allowed these haircuts to remain very manageable for his clients. What’s the craziest request you’ve ever had? Due to being involved in a hair salon, in the theatre and the fashion scene, I actually get some pretty crazy requests. Some of these were: creating wigs/ headdresses for various characters in several different shapes and sizes and having them light up. Clients that are invited to fancy dress also come up with creative and crazy requests.

Photo by Kurt Paris Model: Amy Zahra

The one that probably tops it all was when a costume designer requested a massive wig made for a particular character that would grow while the particular actor wearing it is walking on stage. It took a lot of thought, research, tests and experiments and especially teamwork before the result was a success. In short, the actor would pull an invisible string that would force air into a strong balloon placed inside the wig. When the balloon was getting blown up, the wig would appear as if it was growing before the audience’s eyes. However, it was also important to make sure the actor would pull the string once again to avoid this balloon to be overblown and explode. What is your #1 hair care tip? Always go with what your hairstylists recommend. Whether it is hair care products, salon treatments or services, you should trust your hairdresser.

What do you predict will be huge in the world of hair next year? I predict that the current worldwide pandemic will have its impact on next year’s hair trends. I believe low maintenance hairstyles and colour will be the most requested. For example, I believe clients will ask for long fringes, as opposed to short ones, as well as long layered textured cuts. This would mean less maintenance in the long run. As for colour, I also believe the majority of people will be asking for subtle, blended and low maintenance colours. Going by what brands are promoting, I think big hair accessories will be popular. Clients that are daring and adventurous, will probably be standing out more than ever next year. A lot of trend forecasters seem to be pointing at very short pixie cuts to be heading our way for the adventurous clientele. What’s next for you? The big question. Locally, I feel very lucky to have been involved in a lot of different projects. I have done the hair and wigs for several musicals, live shows, hair shows, TV shows, photoshoots, exhibitions, editorials, awards and have also won fashion hairstylist of the year for 3 consecutive years (2016-2018). I have also been lucky enough at times, to have had my work noticed and published on foreign social media pages. I would love to try my luck abroad in the future. I don’t intend moving anywhere else but I would love to work on a hairshow abroad or even help out in a musical abroad, just for the experience.

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Photo by Kurt Paris

Care of the

s kin TAMARA BURR

INTERVIEW

WITH

kin care guru Tamara Burr is famous for her skin transformations. Much like the complexions she works on, her reviews are glowing. She has a deep understanding of how skin works and is able to bring out that peachy perfection in everyone. Her approach to skin care is fresh, natural and importantly, safe. Tamara shared with Atelier how she grew an interest in skincare and her definition of beauty. She also provided some general advice on skincare and how to tackle difficult skin problems.

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When did you become interested in skincare? Throughout the years of working on many different faces as a mak-up artist, I became more and more interested in people’s skin, realising that to have good makeup, one also needs to have a canvas of healthy skin underneath. I came into close contact with many faces, different skin types, races, and started learning and hearing more about people’s concerns such as agelines, pigmentation etc. As a make up artist, I was renowned for natural make up, so understanding skin was the obvious step forward for me to be able to be better at my job.

What does beauty mean to you? When I was younger, I understood beauty as something more to do with one’s exteriority and perfection. Nowadays, beauty is really all about embracing your perfections as well as celebrating them with confidence. Taking care of your skin and your overall well-being is a form of self-respect. I see beauty as something that can make us happy, and taking care of yourself ultimately empowers that feeling of ‘I look the best I can’.

Coco Chanel once noted, "Nature gives you the fave you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty." To what extent do you agree? I’m a firm believer in ‘subtle process, accumulative results’. This is something I also promote at the Tamara Burr Beauty Parlour. Everything you do has an effect and result on your face. However, skin-care and aesthetics need to be looked at with a 5/10 year radius rather than with the expectation of quick and immediate results. A woman/man who has taken care of their skin from a young age (although genetics do help) will reap the benefits over the years. Prevention will always be better than cure.

How often should people get facials? This varies and depends on one’s age, skin type, skin condition and concerns, and also time of the year. But on average, I’d say every 4-12 weeks.

To what extent do you feel that a well-maintained skincare routine is one of life's great success? It is only a great success, if you fully understand your skin-type and skin concerns and in turn apply the adequate products accordingly. It’s useless buying and applying products if you don’t actually understand what your skin really needs. My holy trinity is vitamins, peptides and hyaluronic acid as these ingredients can be used at any age. For the best skin-care routine, I do always advise clients to get an in depth consultation from a skin-care specialist rather than just buying offthe-shelf without fully understanding ingredient quantities, qualities and sourcing.

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Why is a healthy skin crucial for providing the right canvas for applying makeup? Being a firm believer in natural makeup, healthy skin would therefore require the application of much less make-up, making a face look less made up. There are products on the market today that help achieve that natural make-up look as well as products that help make-up last longer and look more natural. Nonetheless, you still need to understand the end result of what your skin-care routine is as that would determine what kind of foundation you would then use. It is more on trend today to have a fresh face look rather than layers of make-up. Fundamentally, it will always be about understanding the ingredients, the finish of a product and what your skin really needs.

Do you think there are different rules for skin maintenance for people of different ages? The rule of thumb such as sun-screen, hydration and a good cleansing routine apply throughout for everyone. Starting your skinscare young is a smart choice and a privilege, though does need to be maintained. If anyone is unsure of what to do, I continuously advise to seek a skin specialist for advice.

Is it important to switch up your products once in a while or should people stick with what works? If it works, why change it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to be open to trying new products but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be overly eager. Ideally you strengthen/improve your products by adding onto what you currently use rather than changing the whole thing.

How did you pivot your business in response to the covid-19 pandemic? Fortunately, we always focused and emphasized hygiene at Tamara Burr Beauty Parlour. COVID-19 has obviously not only strengthened these traits but made clients feel even safer. Work has not gone back to what it was before the pandemic, like for everyone else this will take time. However, we have a very loyal customer base who have continued to use our services and trust our ways of working.

What's next for you? Education. Having spent almost 20 years working in this industry, I would love to have the opportunity to study. Hopefully I will one day be able to fulfil this dream whilst maintaining my business.

DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

Form ever follows function. Louis Sullivan

The Anatomy of an architect

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Caroline BOS

INTERVIEW

WITH

he field of infrastructure is a vast facet of society which delves into a multitude of areas of architecture. Whilst the idea can lead one to first think of the aesthetically pleasing and luxurious elements of architecture, the majority of societal infrastructure needs are located in housing. We had the opportunity to sit down with Caroline Bos, the Chief Operations Officer of The Kelsey, a firm that focuses on providing accelerated support to mixed-income, mixed-ability housing in various parts of California and the US, with the aim of providing affordable homes and opportunities for everyone. Together with Ms Bos, we discussed a variety of architectural projects in her portfolio, as well as her views on a variety of subject matter related to the field of architecture.

How does a historian of art develop an interest in architecture? I think to some extent everyone has an interest in architecture. We all live in houses and as human beings we all have our fair share of architecture. Also, in the animal world we can see them building their own shelter and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredible. I believe it's a very basic interest that many of us share and I've always been very observant and interested in the built environment around me. Not so long ago I was talking to my brother about this small town in the Netherlands, called Zwolle, where we both grew up. I have a lot of memories of the square and the medieval buildings and he didn't have any of those recollections and I thought it was very common, but it turned out that I did have an innate instinct in me. On my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side I have a genetic component in me as well. I have ancestors in Friesland, in the North of the Netherlands. My friesian ancestors were builders. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of my personal story.

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You were once described as the critical force behind UNStudio what are your thoughts about this statement? I hope I was not too critical. I hope it was considered as a good compliment and I think it’s good to be critical, in a positive way and to not accept anything at face value and to really push for ‘the question behind the question’ and look for what really needs to happen. I do think that it is a positive thing to have a critical attitude so that you are what is very important: to be innovative; and for that you need to be also critical so that you don’t slip into comfortable practices. The tools at your disposal and the requirements of the locations and users and the future users which don't have a voice. In the past year, I have also been asked to be a director of concept for one of the largest project developers and they are called AM - Anthony Muller. For me AM is a really interesting thing to think about with them as well as UNStudio about the future of housing and new housing concepts at the moment. When we talk about what is the biggest challenge and the most rewarding and in this time is housing. Houses for everyone, “how are we going to live in the future?” and the big question we see everywhere when it comes to housing; what about affordability? Many younger age groups cannot afford houses at the moment in many places and this poses a real challenge now for us all to join forces and come up with solutions for housing.

You recently noted that you don’t look at things from the point of view of a designer. Could you elaborate? Well, I think the design is part of what we do, of course design is very important but we should be interested also in going upstream. But I believe, before an architect or designer is commissioned, what we question is: “where does the process start?” I try to find the source of where the process of, eventually the building or a neighbourhood begins and I think that maybe that is not so typical of a designer. This is what I'm interested in, I find it very interesting to try to look at what the question is even before we are thinking about the design.

Have you thought of any of these solutions that you have mentioned? Yes. So on the one hand we really need to understand different market niches, how society has changed and what are the particular needs of different groups. Lets say, older people want to keep living in the city, for instance. And maybe those who have families are alone. Loneliness is one of the biggest problems in society as we know for the older age groups and it's really possible for us to come up with solutions for that in creating new ways for people to live together, to have their own space but also share certain spaces. So this is a particular group, but there are other groups that we can define and that we can develop really new and innovative housing solutions for. For instance, with AM, we are currently building a really nice project in the city of Rotterdam, which is called the Tower of Babel and it is for families with apartments in the city. And with UNStudio, we are in the process of building a very mixed housing block in Munich which is for very specific groups that we can define also from analysis, surveys, market research, and collecting data. It is really about understanding what people need and want. This apartment block contains many apartments and amongst that is micro living for which we have developed some modular elements that can house certain utilities and furniture that can help you live in a very stylish and highly organised and in a super high quality way in a very small apartment.

So, apart from the current projects that you have just mentioned, do you have anything else planned for the future? I think beside housing, in UNStudio are strongly connected to projects of public space so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working at the neighbourhood level at the master plan level specifically. After qualifying as an art historian and I worked as analyst for UNStudio for 20 years I also have a degree in urban planning so since then for the last 10 years I have led our urban team in the UNStudio and my real fascination from even growing up was the city and to work on the level of the city is to me my dream and I have a wonderful and talented team from all around the world and so I would love to continue working with them in many many places. Improving urban life and also now in the pandemic we are learning so much from what we really need from our cities and that our cities are letting. For instance, we need more green spaces within walking distance for everyone.

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What is the primary lesson you have learnt in the past decades working in the industry? You have to learn, literally, everyday. It is so fast paced, it is a highly competitive field, so you have to be strong, resilient and agile. You have to really enjoy taking on change. You have to embrace change in this industry and I think that is the primary lesson and love it.

The world is constantly changing, do you consider that as a challenge? And what is the main challenge for an architect today? I think from some of the scenes I have touched upon, the main challenges are housing but also to help and contribute and improve the health of everyone, the people living in the habitats but also the species and so we may have to really rethink our practice and how we approach the commission. We have to take into account the biodiversity and ecology of the place because the health of the people really depends on the health of the whole environment and the whole environment is always taking the standpoint of the environment. The environment serves the people and we have to get the maximum benefit from the natural world and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll end up killing ourselves along with everyone else. Put health first and not think only in terms of human health.

VALUES WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. Call E-mail Visit

+356 2122 4405 info@laferla.com.mt www.laferla.com.mt

Laferla Insurance Agency Ltd. 204A, Vincenti Buildings, Old Bakery Street, Valletta VLT 1453 Malta, Europe

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In your opinion, how powerful is an architect nowadays? I think it’s what you make of it. You can make yourself small and not be very powerful and not have a big voice. I think an architect can take some leadership in certain social issues and participate. You have to be prepared to be a participant in the process and not assume maybe something that now we have to see as something more shared. Don’t think of it in terms of being something autocratic. Power but shared power for the groups then architects absolutely can be enormous, big part of that.

What advice do you have for young people who would like to follow in your foot-steps as an architect and with your vast experiences ? I have been asked this many times and if advice works from an older generation, because a new generation is in a new world, they have to find their own thought from so, I don’t really have any advice. It's a beautiful profession still, architecture is becoming hopefully more equal and we are not there yet.

So maybe you would like to see more architects that not only work for the environment, like you said before, but also push for more equality in the industry? Absolutely, that is so important. In UNStudio, recently, a group has started for social justice so besides for equality, we also have to really commit, as a professional organisation, to social justice. It's this in such wonderful times things are coming from the bottom up, it's a really felt and shared issue. That’s very hopeful.

What legacy do you wish to leave behind? UNStudio, I think, is the organisation with my cofounder. I consider it as my family, my safe place, my inspiration and it is that, for many people and in many places in the world, increasing also in many places in the world. We have spread into different offices in Asia and also now founding new practices in Dubai and Australia so we came closer to people with whom we work locally, and that's my legacy.

The Whole World of Interior Design The German Design Council's Iconic Interiors Award Winner

he goal of the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior is to discover and honour the best achievements in all areas of interior design. The competition is aimed at all companies in the furniture industries, as well as their partners in the areas of interior design. The ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior take a holistic approach to design. Furniture, lights and fixtures are no longer seen individually, but as design elements that form part of the overall composition. This approach results

in landscaped interiors which have been designed down to the smallest detail to create the highest level of atmosphere and personal expression. Each of the individual elements that make up these holistic living environments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the lights to the door handles, from the tableware to the room dividers and textiles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are designed with the greatest care and effort. Our Botanical Rotation invention incorporates two difference materials on a rotation mechanism

A TELIER Photography by Alan Carville for Vera Sant Fournier - Interior Design Studio Design by Vera Sant Fournier *Patent pending design, reproduction is strictly prohibited in part or full - for enquires on how you can adapt this design to your project please email studio@verasantfournier.com

was already a pioneer in being on the forefront for international publications, the first being the luxury collectible coffee table book series by British publication house, Beyond Black - Fabulous Interiors and Architecture, back in 2015. There is always a silver lining in any given situation, and although 2020 saw many changes for us all or perhaps plans that did not go as planned - 2021 is already turning out to be the year of new beginnings to keep pushing for the highest of standards, innovation and service. giving the end user the ability to transform their interiors on a whim and a simple arm and hand gesture. Meet our patent pending rotating room divider. We are proud to be in the same directory of winning designs with other major brands such as Grohe, Hulsta and Parador to mention a few, amongst other international Architectural and Interior Design Studios. This is the world of Interior Design, truly a first for a Maltese Interior Design Studio. Vera Sant Fournier - Interior Design Studio

Trends in interior design The German Design Council publishes the ICONIC Catalogue to coincide with the awards ceremony. This offers readers a comprehensive view of the latest trends. Innovative Interior. These awards, which enjoy an international cachet, honour important contemporary developments as well as outstanding achievements in design.

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Gianluca Vacchi NEXT ISSUE

Switzerland's First Middle School on the Roof of a Shopping Center BASEL, SWITZERLAND, 23 September 2020 – The government of Basel-Stadt, in collaboration with the Christoph Merian Foundation and the Migros Cooperative Basel, announced today that the roof of MParc Dreispitz shopping center will accommodate a Sekundarschule (middle school) for 600 students, as part of the overall transformation of Dreispitz Nord. This positive and significant decision to say Yes to the stacking of uses in the inner-city and Yes to the collaboration of institutions, private parties and the government sets a precedent for future urban developments. Now, the school will take on a central role in the master plan of Dreispitz Nord, not only as an example of architectural densification but also exemplifying the mix of social and functional uses in the new neighborhood. Legal and financial forms of cooperation are essential to ensure innovative densification, reasonable land use, and preservation of green spaces by building on the built. Since the school needs to be operational as soon as possible, the government’s decision gives the entire Dreispitz Nord development a push forward and reinforces the vision of high quality urban densification in Basel-Stadt and beyond.

The location of the school and a multipurpose gymnasium on the elevated Adele Duttweiler Field is ideal, with the gymnasium and playing fields available in the evenings for sports clubs, associations and other activities. The school’s athletic and recreation areas will occupy only a part of the entire field. Gardens and other outdoor areas will be accessible to the residents of Gundeldingen and public at all times.

MASTER PLAN The 2017 competition entry for Dreispitz Nord has undergone detailed review and all aspects of planning have been further refined in close cooperation with planners, commissioning parties, and cantonal authorities. The competition jury participated in this process and the interests of local residents have been integrated. The urban parameters of the master plan have been further examined in terms of zoning laws and technical feasibility, particularly with a view to ensuring the uninterrupted operations of Migros (MParc) in the course of the transformation. Particular attention has been paid to traffic studies, the organization and development of parking facilities, parceling and the distribution of uses. The sum of all these studies form the Richtprojekt which will be the basis for the Bebauungsplan to be presented to the cantonal parliament in mid-2021.

Sustainable rehabilitation of a Mellieha townhouse, including restoration, reconfiguration and additions with in-built sustainability targets geared at exploiting the environmental performance of the fabric and volumes (Special Commendation at Malta Architect Awards 2018 in the category Rehabilitation and Conservation) Photo credit: Sean Mallia Graphics credit: studjurban

Designing a Sustainable Future

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ANTOINE

INTERVIEW

WITH

ZAMMIT

rban design is the art of creating and shaping towns and cities with the goal of giving an image and even a characteristic to the space that is being worked on. As a field, it has its roots in the field of architecture, but it goes beyond it due to its interdisciplinary nature, requiring not only architectural knowledge, but also understanding in sociology, law, landscape design, civil and municipal engineering as well as a variety of other fields. Dr Antoine Zammit is an architect and urban designer by profession, founder of the architectural and urban design consultancy firm, studjurban. He is also a senior lecturer at the Faculty for the Built Environment at the University of Malta. He gave us an insight of the role of an architect and an urban designer, and the various challenges that one encounters.

In a recent interview, you pointed out that; “Architects should always remember that whatever the scale of project they are involved in, they have a responsibility towards clients and towards current and future generations.” Can you elaborate? I think as architects we have a great power in affecting people’s lives and I think in fact that many professionals underestimate this... possibly even certain developers. When we are designing a space

for someone to spend time in, with each decision taken we are potentially influencing them for the rest of their lives, in terms of their physical and psychological wellbeing. And because we have this great power, as the saying goes, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’, and I think that is one of our responsibilities to ensure that the wellbeing of individuals is guaranteed, even in terms of simple but critical issues like having adequate natural light and

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reduce the carbon footprint or at the very least keep it in check. Clearly, any new imposed development is certainly going to create some kind of carbon footprint, we would be fooling ourselves if we thought that it did not, but let us ensure that it is as least as possible, both during implementation and in the long run.

ventilation. Another aspect of this is that we are always trying to find a balance between a client’s brief – anything from an individual homeowner to a corporate client or developer – and the public interface of our work because ultimately we always have some kind of bigger context to respond and relate to. The third degree of responsibility, then, is a responsibility – and even more so, an obligation – to

Why are sustainable buildings not a moral, spiritual or political issue, but a logical issue? Without trying to oversimplify it, I think that the whole debate with sustainability ultimately boils down to a simple principle - the principle of the three R’s which are reduce, reuse, recycle. What many forget, though, is that there is a sequential logic of these R’s. It should start with reducing and then we need to think about reuse following which we can think about recycling. I think that, more often than not, what has happened is that in order to achieve sustainability targets in the short term, there has been a drive for recycling, which of course is a commendable effort, no doubt, but we should first strive to reduce. ‘Reduction’ could mean anything from reducing the amount of waste generated to reducing the demand to heat or cool our buildings. Therefore it is as much as designing more efficient buildings as it is about reducing waste, reusing an existing fabric and not simply demolishing it to erect something new. I’d also say however – and here partially disagree with the question, in a sense – that while it definitely should not be a political or spiritual issue it should be a moral issue, in that ultimately inherent in the understanding of sustainability is this moral responsibility to current and future generations.

Do you see a hierarchy of green features, among location, energy, materials, skin and other key elements? Yes I do. I always think that we need to start from the strategic level, the bigger scale. It should not simply be an issue of ‘plugging in’ solutions. I think that this is one of the problems in the way sustainability has and is being tackled, and probably we’ll return to this issue later on because it is also largely a governancerelated (and often political) issue; in that, to achieve targets in the short term, the tendency is to opt for a ‘plug-in’, a quick solution. So we may have a very unsustainable low-performance building, in terms of how it has been built, but then we ‘plug in’ PV panels to generate our energy and forget all about it. We would, however, be generating much more useful energy for other requirements if in the first instance we had a well designed building fabric which is well insulated and which would therefore require less energy to heat or cool in winter and summer respectively. So this is a bigger consideration and, even more so, it should start with even bigger contextual and environmental considerations. Generating clean energy using passive means is of course an important asset, but in my view conserving energy is probably even more important.

To what extent do you feel we are creating meaningful spaces in Malta? I think that as yet we have created very little meaningful exterior space. The concern over the past years has been more about development and construction although I think that this is slowly changing and I have finally started seeing a demand for external space. Clearly even the experience of Covid-19 and restrictions (culminating in lockdowns) has made people realise the need for external space even within the confines of their own residence. So there is a growing awareness and I think that there finally is some pressure for quality open space. The problem is that even when open space has been generated, for example within some medium- and high-rise projects, the focus has not really been on the design, quality and nature of the public space – really and truly the only tangible public gain that one has to make up for such high rise – but on the actual generation of that space in terms of area, in terms of square metres. You have to generate ‘x’ amount of square metres in space and that’s fine, but does anyone really assess the design of that space properly during the planning process and how significant is it as a consideration during decision-making? Do people question how the space will actually happen on the ground? Whether people will actually use that space? So I think there needs to be a different approach where one really studies and analyzes properly the context before creating something. Fundamentally, if it is a public space then it should be created together with people. People should not be only ‘consulted’ – showing them what a proposal is going to look like – but they should be actively encouraged, and enabled, to help develop a design. Ultimately they will be the users of that space.

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Are local politicians missing the point on sustainable buildings? Sometimes I think they are, and I guess this is not just a Maltese problem but a problem worldwide. Most governments think in five year terms, sometimes even less than that. And this is a sad and unfortunate reality. Fine, they may be doing their long term ‘20-year-plus’ strategies but they are mostly concerned with what they manage to achieve in five years and what they can show people that they have achieved in that timeframe so that they can be re-elected; well this sometimes means that governments will opt for popular decisions and quick fixes that are sold as ‘solutions’ but are rarely the case, at least not in the long term. Every year there is pressure to reach certain EU environmental and energy targets, which have increasingly become more pressing. The strategy should be geared to create better designed, more sustainable buildings which are well insulated, which have high specs in terms of materiality and detailing and there are proper building regulations that all the players within the industry have to adhere to. Governments should push for this and lead by example.

Why is it of utmost importance for a country like Malta to have a clear green building strategy? Well certainly the scale of our country – simply stated, we’re too small to get it wrong. The implications of getting it wrong are widespread because a development has a far-reaching impact on its surrounding urban area and its rural hinterland. A similarly scaled development in Malta and in a much larger territory would have very different impacts. That makes it even more pertinent to have a good strategy. Many still talk about climate change as being something that is not so immediate, that will not affect them in their lifetime. The very particular climatic realities of our country necessitate giving it our due attention. Change is already noticing changes and we’d be fooling ourselves in thinking that it hasn’t started to happen. We’ve been having more tropical, more extreme type of weather conditions. Throughout my lifetime I am seeing this change - more intense rainfall that weathers our local stone a bit quicker than it would have done some decades ago. Changes are happening. Maybe they are slight for us to bother about because, relatively, it may be just a question of a few degrees or a few more days of intense wind, but this is all due to more significant change.

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Residential development and child care centre, Mosta (Winner of the MASP 2019 Urban Design Award and Finalist for Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2019 Housing Project Award) Photo credit: Ramon Portelli Photography

What do you feel is the next evolution in design and architecture? Well, I think that one evolution will most certainly be about questioning space, especially the role of external space, which post-Covid will become even more prominent. So integrating external space better into projects, greening our spaces including our roofs, and more. Then there are the new challenges and the role technology will play to try and address them. Clearly what this past year has shown us is that we have really fast-forwarded our advances in technology in order to respond to this reality. So today teleworking is a reality which in my mind is here to stay. This will inevitably have consequences at the strategic scale, as we start questioning office space demand and supply and seek to reinvent the office space as we know it, but also at the micro scale, as we seek to integrate technology more into our domestic and work spaces. At the same time, we must respond to the new realities of interaction and engagement. As an office involved in design, I see that some aspects may be streamlined and be made more efficient using technology although there is still the need for design to remain an interactive process since it is rarely the outcome of a one-man band. In my mind the design process should involve debate and questioning, and a great deal of sketching but thankfully technology is responding well to this and is providing the tools to facilitate this process remotely. I do wonder, though, if this will yield new approaches in design, possibly allowing for more avenues wherein to experiment.

What's next for Studjurban? We’re currently in the final stages of a number of projects, varying in type and scale. Increasingly however we are starting to become more involved in urban design which has always been my main objective from the time that I founded this office, eight and a half years ago. We have some exciting large projects which inevitably have more of a public interface. Our office has been founded on three pillars – design, policy and research – and to date we’ve been involved in all three and are constantly seeking to strengthen the ties between them. Being involved in practice helps us research better, helps us when we’re asked to contribute to new policy making and ensures that policies are tangible and able to be implemented in practice. We use our research in policy, and we use research in informing our design process. So there is this very important, constant connection between these three pillars and I would like to continue reinforcing this connectivity. We have some interesting ongoing research projects, and more than are lined up for 2021, and these will accompany and strengthen our design process which will keep happening at different scales, from the smallest scale of bespoke elemental and interior design to large scale urban design strategies and schemes.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography is a love affair with life. Burk Uzzle

The impassioned

EYE Tonio LOMBARDI

INTERVIEW

WITH

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onio Lombardi is as talented as they come. His work is true work of art and conveys a lifelong respect for passionate craftsmanship, timeless storytelling, and how a subjectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity and environment inform its narrative. All of which are evident in his compelling works irrespective of whether the subject matter is food, fashion, a portrait, an interior or a wedding. Tonio shares with Atelier his photographic philosophy, process and experiences; his take on todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo industry and his top tips for aspiring photographers.

How did you become a photographer? I have been interested in photography from a young age. I took up an engineering course and worked in technology for quite a few years. I got hooked on the medium when I became interested in fashion and editorial photography. I was fascinated by how the leaders of this field made their photos and used lighting to create specific moods. During that time, I was reading a course at a local photography club. The class was tasked with shooting a photo with the theme of "men at work". I came up with a really tight shot of a friend of mine "posing" with the hand of another friend of mine holding a flashgun to light the "model". The mentors at the club critiqued it quite heavily, but some of my peers at the course liked it. That's how I learnt about the importance of learning the "rules" and learning when it is best to break them. Over the years, I became intrigued by other genres like wedding photography, and how this medium has the power to tell meaningful stories. I also started working on other areas of commercial photography such as food, interiors and architecture.

American writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teacher, and political activist, Susan Sontag once noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life is not about significant details, illuminated a flash, fixed forever. Photographs are.â&#x20AC;? To what extent do you agree? Photographs have the power to tell the truth, and the power to deceive. Photography is just a medium, it's the person behind the camera who's saying something.

What makes a good photographer? The ability to guide the viewer to what you want him to see. Most people are lucky enough to shoot a photo that achieves this sometimes. I found that luck and serendipity are very important in this job. A good photographer finds ways of doing this every day.

Tell us about the people who have influenced you in life and your career? Back when I started photography, I was deeply intrigued by the works of David La Chapelle, an American celebrity photographer. I found his work profound, and I liked the way he used numerous subjects, lit impeccably to create thought-provoking, sometimes controversial work. Nowadays, I tend to like a more organic form of photography. My biggest influences today are my family and closest friends. My wife is my harshest critic and my biggest supporter! Her level of commitment and love she puts into whatever she does is so inspiring to me.

What does the term creative mean to you? Creativity is something each of us is born with. Without it, humankind wouldn't have evolved and progressed to the point we are in today. Some people choose to ignore it. A creative is one who chooses to nurture it, whatever form it may take.

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To what extent do you feel it is more important to click with people than to click the shutter? Establishing a relationship with the subjects you chose is very important, it helps in many ways. However, that relationship might not always be the chatty type, sometimes discretion is also key. The way a photographer interacts with his subjects definitely helps determine the output of the photographer and the perception of the subject when viewing the photographs.

What does it look like being a photographer in the digital age? Not too bad if you like buying loads of gadgets, tools and massive amounts of storage! And you also get to meet a lot of lovely people from all walks of life! It's great.

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Any advice would you give to people wanting to be a photographer? You should have one goal: to be the photographer you want to be. You might not get there, but the ride is amazing!

In what way does travelling inspire you from a photographic point of view? When I travel, I feel I'm absorbing the surroundings I'm in, much better compared to day to day life. It's a break from the mundane. I try to eat local food wherever I visit, I task myself to focus on seeing colour palettes and combinations, how the light falls on people's faces at different times during the day and other things I tend to ignore in day to day life. Change helps me evolve closer to the photographer I want to be.

Any projects in the pipeline? A friend of mine lost her dad to prostate cancer a few months ago, who was a well know tailor known as "il-Ä§ajjat tal-ImÄĄarr". His passing away brought many messages of sympathy on social media, some of which included pictures in their wedding dresses which he had tailored for them throughout his 50year career. His daughters are recollecting some of these dresses and I am helping them to document them in his honour. It's a project in aid of Hospice Malta.

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Evoking the Dutch Masters GEMMY WOUD-BINNENDIJK THE

TALENTED

by Warren Farrugia

rt has no one form, nor does it have one vision. The stroke of every brush can outline a different mood, whilst the snap of every shot can capture a different meaning: it is

all in the interpretation. I was fortunate enough to sit down and have a chat with the talented Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk, a Dutch artist who began her journey as a painter and had even graduated in Multimedia Design. As time rolled by and matters in her private life prevented her from painting, she bought herself a camera and began to experiment with this new medium. Slowly but surely, her â&#x20AC;&#x153;accidental findâ&#x20AC;? transformed her love for art through a new form. Together we discussed the creative process that goes into her art, both from the initial thought of a project as well as the behind the scenes in the set up of a shoot. We also spoke about her inspirations, select projects and pieces, and the approach to her craft.

“I am not a photographer, I am a content creator. I do not like to use labels to define myself because what I do goes beyond what a label tells me what I am capable of doing.” The work she does is in part an extension of her thoughts of her creative mind. The camera is a medium to capture this. Her art makes her who she is and it is a reflection of herself, for herself; goes beyond the desire of money and the way people view her. Before each time she steps behind a camera, the way Gemmy comes around to what she wants to express, stems from various starting points. “Everytime it is different. Sometimes it is my mood. Other times it is a colour that I focus on, or else it can be the model that helps me decide. It is never the same reason.” Wherever the inspiration starts from, it helps to shape the route Gemmy takes leading to the organisation and structure of her projects. She commented how a colour can simply orient her decision to reflect the mood and overall tone; irrespective of what it is, everything is recorded on mood boards which allows her to go back and develop her ideas.

Self expression is an essential element not just for an artist, but also any individual that wants to voice their mind in ways which suit their talents. Gemmy does this with a camera at hand. Her portfolio is home to a vast number of fine art photography, ranging from still life to portraiture. Fine art photography is generally perceived as the artistic form of using a camera to evoke a message, thought or idea. Fine art photographers therefore find ways of transforming their photography as a piece of art. The idea of classifying herself as a photographer is not one that Ms Would-Binnendijk feels is appropropriate to her.

The work that is created varies from still life to portraiture, but all have one recurring theme: light. Ms Woud-Binnendijk commented on the importance of light in her work being “the main focus” and her source of inspiration. She explained the way it is manipulated in order to bring out the painting aesthetic in her real-life art pieces which helps to capture the setting. It is through this, one of the fundamental components in her photography, that brings the piece together and highlights the message or tone by making the colours contrast in the way she deems fit. What makes her work ever so special is not just the powerful imagery that is being evoked, but the high quality production value allows you to zoom in and crop any part of the photo and

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nothing is lost; both from the perspective of clarity, but also the tone as the message. As we dived into the various types of projects she carried out in the past few years, Gemmy distinguishes her work that she is commissioned to do and the work that she takes upon herself. British chocolate giant Galaxy had approached her to work on a new form of advertisement which was completely new and unique. Former Dutch football international Edgar Davids was also another highprofile client that sought after Ms Woud-Binnendijk’s work. His piece was an ‘Ode to Toussaint Louverture’ the Haitian revolutionary that led to the elimination of slavery in Haiti and ultimately aiding in the transformation into a sovereign state. “Working with Edgar was great and fun. He was very excited when he approached me. He is also a photographer, so he wanted to take some pictures of me too. This project was very fun.” The pieces she refers to as ‘Personal Projects’ comprise of work that she carries out to express her artistic nature. “Through the other work that I do, I am able to make some money and place the savings into these personal projects.” Here, Gemmy has more freedom to showcase a range of different fields of emotion in her art. Her work in these projects arguably tackle heavier and more personal topics, both from a personal and societal point of view.

‘Expected Standards’ is a perfect depiction of both the personal feeling of loneliness and the absurd societal standards of beauty. Gemmy began to recount the time she met the ambassador for this project, Melanie Gaydos. “When I picked up Melanie from the train station, I was amazed by her. I was amazed by her beauty and by her personality. It was obvious however that the moment she stepped off the train, it felt like a thousand eyes were staring.” Through Melanie, Gemmy brought out a very striking contrast of colourful dresses and jewelry with a saddened look on the woman’s face. A powerful message of loneliness that Melanie endured throughout her life; a feeling that is not exclusive to her, but many individuals for being unable to fit in as a result of what society dictates to be ‘normal’. Her latest piece is quite arguably one of the more personal pieces to date. ‘Tangible Disconnection’ depicts the recent loss of Gemmy’s father and how his absence has been a weight on her family. In the series of photos, the project showcases a man suited up, briefcases in hand, walking away from his partner for the final time. The scenery outlines very dulled out colours to evoke the seriousness of the topic, whilst the images of the woman is a direct representation of Ms Binnendijk’s mother, a woman who has been married to her husband for fifty years.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Expected Standardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a perfect depiction of both the personal feeling of loneliness and the absurd societal standards of beauty.

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I am not a photographer, I am a content creator. I do not like to use labels to define myself because what I do goes beyond what a label tells me what I am capable of doing “When it came to this project, I knew what I wanted to do. I spent weeks designing the set and knew every detail of the set. My sister and I worked on the building of the set, so it became a family project. It is a personal piece not only for me but my family. My mother got married at sixteen and has been with my father ever since. She doesn’t know how to be alone.” Everyone sees the world in a different way. What Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk has done channels her thoughts and emotions, and those of the world she lives in, and imprints it on a medium that gives her that ability to speak her mind. When speaking to Gemmy, the point in her conversation that was the most striking to me was her desire for personal growth, as well as helping people grow. As well as an artist, she provides classes to showcase her talents. “Everyone’s views are different, and people are different in their own way. When I teach, the moment when I see a student being capable of doing something that ‘clicks’ for them makes me the happiest.”

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SOCIETY

People are going to behave however the social norms permit, and beyond that. Max Cannon

102Credit: Brian Grech

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16 days of

ACTIVISM

International Campaign against Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence (25th November to 10th December)

omestic Violence and Gender based violence is a moral affront to women, girls and all human beings. In all its forms, such violence is a manifestation of disrespect, a failure to recognize the equality and dignity of every person, including women. The elimination of such violence is a matter of fundamental human rights; it determines how progressive we are as a society. It is worth mentioning that violence can take many forms including trafficking, sexual violence, and femicide. This year the Maltese Government launched numerous measures to ensure that the victims of violence are safeguarded, to be able to live a dignified and respectful life. Such initiatives include:

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A TELIER - A project that enables victims and their children to testify from a different room in Court. These, the victims will not come face to face with their aggressor. - The launch of the Victims Support Unit within the Malta Police Force. Police officers within this unit continue to be trained to understand victims, while helping them draft a report of the incident without feeling under interrogation.

victims of domestic violence taking due account of the sensitivity and gravity of the situation. The aim of this agency is to ensure that people with low income have access to the justice system in which they can defend their rights and be professionally assisted and legally represented. This can be directly linked to specific circumstances where a woman is not economically independent making her more susceptible to violence, since she may think

- All the work undertaken by this Government shows its commitment to meet the criteria set by GREVIO (A Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence of the Council of Europe). Such criteria include training professionals who are in direct contact with the victim including social workers, lawyers, police and psychologists. - The strengthening and reinforcement of the National Helpline 179, this has been done to be able to cater specifically for cases of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence.

Providing Legal Aid to Victims of Violence One of the main activities I launched during this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign against Violence against Women is the inauguration of the new Legal Aid offices, an investment of over â&#x201A;Ź1.4 million. The Legal Aid Agency, which was established by Legal Notice 414 of 2014, provides operational and administrative support to the Legal Aid Advocate who runs the Agency. A cohort of the individuals that resort to such a service are victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. Consequently, it was the primary reason why I inaugurated these offices during these 16 Days of Activitism. From what I have been made aware this service is a successful one - since its inception 170 cases have been assigned, of which 22 were male and 148 were female. The Legal Aid agency also provides Legal Aid of a criminal law and civil law nature. However, in civil cases, a person must be eligible for both the means and the merits test. It is pertinent to note that the means test does not apply to

that she cannot resort to the courts due to her lack of income. Through this service any victim of violence, male or female, would be able to move away from such abuse and seek legal representation. During this campaign I have also inaugurated an exhibition dedicated to the 16 Days of Activism, which showcases several Paintings of the artist, Josette Casha. She expresses her emotions in paintings which depict the female image accompanied by all the struggles that the female sex still faces today. One of these paintings shall be auctioned, and the money raised will be donated to the University of Malta to research this sensitive subject. I reiterate that is imperative for society to do all that is necessary to transform our institutions and mindsets to overcome gender-based violence and domestic violence. It is imperative that this battle is fought 365 days, every year, and not only during these 16 days of Activism.

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LESSONS LEARNED IN THE PAST MONTHS Article by CARM

CACHIA

eSkills Malta Foundation - Chief Administrator

The pandemic has profoundly changed the way we live inâ&#x20AC;?. How many times did we hear this? So many times, would be your answer, I am sure! But that does not mean that it is not true. So many companies are under lockdown and even if not, all organisations experienced significant disruptions to their operations. On the positive side, some companies have started to reap the benefits from the urgent implementation of digitisation. Originally the main aim was to protect the health of their workers and their clients, but the next primary reason would be to be able to survive in the corporate world. Therefore, I would prefer to say the â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Pandemic has profoundly digitised many companies.

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100% WORK FROM OFFICE IS DEAD Going forward, now all leaders agree that working 100% from the office is not the right way organisational model to implement. Working remotely is not just viable but also more efficient. The model has cut down the unproductive time of driving, traffic and parking. For Malta, this can be in the region of one to two hours. In other countries more than half of the workers are considering living further away from the office, pushing the cost down even more. Working remotely also improves the work/life balance and improves diversity by a better gender balance. Women can work in situations where it was not as possible before. It has now been proven that remote workers are around 25% more productive.

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TECHNOLOGY MADE THE DIFFERENCE Technology also made a big difference. Without Cloud Technology, remote working could not be possible. Moving to the public cloud is “coined” as the best decision by many CIOs. The capability of Microsoft Office 365 and Google Suit, amongst others, made remote working easier, and the majority of employees are now familiar with these working tool. On the other hand, those companies who lacked infrastructure, or were afraid to take the plunge into the online world, has had serious negative consequences. Technology Providers helped by providing their collaborative platform for free and will continue doing this. In particular, Zoom and Microsoft Teams increased their market share considerably to the tune of 40%.

SUSTAINABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND CARBON FOOTPRINT The fact that almost all office workers can work from home made this model more accessible to all and sundry. Additionally, from the feedback we have from the Foundation for IT Accessibility (FITA), the leading tools are implementing an impressive number of functions to accessibility, including colour blind and dyslexia. In respect of the reduction of transportation, each teleworker is reducing the carbon footprint (thus pollution) by an average equivalent of 69% and 50% reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions. Therefore, we have to admit that this pandemic has taught us a few good lessons on how to provide our employees with more “green” services.

GREEN IN NATURE With the lockdown measures implemented at country, European and global level, the skies, the countryside and nature parks have never been so quiet. It is a fact that these locations are now being repopulated with animals. People all over the world have noticed that they hear birds that have never been heard before. It could be to a change in migration, or simply that before they were not being heard due to noise pollution!

DOWNSIZING TO SURVIVE The majority of commercial organisations, whether commercial or not, will need to recover from this drastic disruption. It is also a common understanding that some will not survive and close down. All companies must be prudent in their spending, optimising resources. Spending better, spending more agile, and spending wisely will be the mantra for all organisations. If this has not hit some organisations as yet, it will happen in the very near future. Human resources departments will have a challenge on how to shave off some of the employees. Those employees who performed average and lower will be the most at risk. But massive lay-offs is not the right industrial climate. Organisations are better to innovate and transform through digitisation. And yes, there will be a period where during digital transformation in COVID period, there will be a hit on the bottom line, but this is until the curve starts going up again. As has been said lately “organisation need to reduce their living standards to survive”.

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TRANSFORMATION OF DIGITAL SKILLS Digitisation will bring about digital transformation, which will bring about failure unless organisations give enough importance to their human resources. For sure, digital transformation will bring about the transformation of skills, and more so, digital skills. There will be a hefty shift towards the transformation of processes, developing them into a more electronic and digital one or at least blended with a higher shift towards digital. In the past, a considerable number of digital transformations have failed. This is due to the unpreparedness of resources for the digitisation that is to follow. Training and development were either poor or not given to all levels. Digital skills development is crucial for the digital transformation of companies.

A TELIER NEW WORKING PARADIGM FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY Many leaders have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly remote workers learned working with online tools without massive long-term problems. There was also more activity, more attendance, and enrichment in the interactions between colleagues and clients. Many surveys indicated that working 100% from the office is not desired by employees. However, this is a narrow view, and unless certain factors are considered, the mode of working will not be sustainable. Going forward, we must not let ourselves be taken over by lockdown fatigue. Employers must find the best way to motivate and instil a new normal, which is reasonable in all aspects. New personal routines must improve in our daily tasks. Working from 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours will not work. Additionally, while digital native employees thrived, others who are older or own a more real-life attitude struggled. It has been estimated that 40% of the employees miss physical interaction, and isolation, digital exclusion and loss of social ties has been reported. And therefore, it is up to us to collectively find ways to improve this new normal and make it more social and acceptable. We must recreate team bonding and trust. Remote working has taught us that online meetings can be said to be face-to-face because we see each other well on video. However, the lack of face-to-face physical visuals will surely have psychological effects. People will not be able to detect certain feelings and attitudes. Knowing all this, we should already have started working to minimise the negative humanistic effects of remote working. Shortly, we will see a massive waste of space and money because most offices will be deserted. It is estimated that the target occupancy of offices will not exceed 25%. If this estimation is accurate, countries will experience problems in the real estate business offices. Additionally, work offices need to be “spick and span”, and hygiene must be the main objective. The multiplier-effect of people testing positive must not be underestimated if we need to be efficient in workspace efficiency.

Revising your operating model is crucial. Recent events have shown that transforming the business processes into full digital would go a long way in the future success of companies. Due to the emerging technologies, this was already crucial, and now due to COVID, this is even more so. An efficient delivery centre, bring your own office, digitised contract signing, digital assessment and interviews in recruitment are all examples of best practices. Redefining the relationship with your people is a more responsive way for the period to come. Employment and conditions of work must become more personalised and supported by social partners. This also calls for new ways of leadership, encouraging autonomy and recognition. Having a resilient will help us to recover quicker for the future unknown. This means that we must optimise better our resources and develop careers more flexibly. Remote working of office workers is the next challenge to assess and address. Regular innovation in collective rituals to maintain team dynamics will make us more resilient, and the need to support remote performance will now be needed more than ever. The acceleration of the digital sphere will make the workplace for agile, mature and in the end, resilient. Employees will need digital tools and training to work from anywhere and anytime. This calls for specific investments to make people’s lives more sustainable. In the end, the best that one can do is to strike the right balance between the business and employee needs. Reshaping the way an organisation works is in itself a transformation, which in the end will lead to digitisation and digital skills upskilling needs. One cannot but emphasise how important the people aspect is in all this, and organisations must have a collaborative approach with their employees to be able to make this transition more successful. This article was prepared by collating various publicly available online sources. Follow us on: eskills.org.mt or on Facebook: www. facebook.com/ESkillsMalta; www.facebook.com/ CodeEUMalta/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ eSkills_Malta or send us an email on: info.eskills@eskills.org.mt

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MY BRIEF? A BETTER, MORE EQUAL MALTA.

ROSIANNE CUTAJAR

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND REFORMS 110

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ere I to describe the portfolio that Prime Minister Robert Abela has tasked me with, my take would be that I am in charge of building a more equal Malta — one that lives up to the present realities and needs of our people. The headway we have made in less than a year into the Abela administration is nothing short of remarkable. Recently, I had the pleasure of tabling legal amendments to Parliament with a view to slashing the waiting time our couples had to cope with before being able to ask for a divorce. As things stand, there is a four-year wait from the date of a couple’s de facto separation to the day when they can actually request a divorce. This condition was imposed in the wake of the 2011 referendum, that saw divorce introduced to Malta for the first time. What we are doing now is, really and truly, a progressive leap forward. Once the bill goes through all stages of Parliament, legally separated couples will be able to apply for divorce straightaway. These changes have already been approved unanimously by Cabinet and the PL Parliamentary Group, in clear recognition of the tough realities that our separating couples are having to face today — not to mention the trying moments their children and families were having to go through because of the unnecessary waiting time. As Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Rights and Reforms, I will not shy away from taking crucial and informed decisions in order to achieve a greater, more equal society for Malta. The steps we took as a Government in the wake of COVID-19 have been anything but easy. We have strived to save the lives as well as the livelihood of our citizens and their families in what has possibly been the worst public emergency for Malta since the Second World War. And even as we keep up this effort, we are also keeping very good step with Malta’s progress on the civil rights and equality fronts. We are ever

alert — COVID-19 does not mean our country should lose sight of all other issues that need to be attended to. A more equal Malta will not happen of its own accord. It takes active and enthusiastic lawmakers to prod it and make it happen. Yes, our track record as a liberal Government and our performance in the civil liberties sector do speak for themselves. But these could only happen because Labour is currently the only political force in this country that can appreciate the reality of our diverse family structures, and cater for them without any hesitation. Am I entirely happy with this state of play? No. I do wish Malta had the Opposition it deserves in shaping our policies for the sector. But then, perhaps our Opposition needs to first make itself more deserving of Malta and its people before it can deserve their attention. I believe that, each and every one of the family structures we are serving is defined by love — and certainly not by the stereotypes we have been fed from one generation to the next. Love knows no man-made barriers. Since my first election to public office, almost a decade ago, I have fought tirelessly to make sure that no single person amongst us is left behind. We have made same-sex marriage legal. We have introduced gender identity law and ensured that gay conversion therapies are criminalised. These are just a few of the landmark steps this Government has taken in the field of civil liberties. It was to my joy and pleasure that I welcomed the news a few weeks ago that Malta has won the bid to host EuroPride 2023. It surely is a welldeserved win for our country, for our LGBTIQ+ family, for all involved in making it happen. But EuroPride gives us a lot more steam beyond the actual hosting of such a wonderful event. It will be a showcase of the progress this country has made in its reforms sector. We can share our success beyond our shores in a more visible way — we can influence and encourage fellow countries to enact their own reforms.

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A TELIER

And we can positively impact people’s lives across Europe. Change and equality go hand in hand. Here, we are not paying lip service to some vague idea. We are actually working hard every day to bring about a society and a nation where people are treated equally — and where they treat each other as equals, regardless of our differences. Earlier this year I have also launched a process of consultation towards the first National Action Plan against Racism and Xenophobia. Right now, we are looking into submissions — with a view to launching a National Strategy in the coming months. Equality means, among other things, that we recognise racism and racial hatred for what they are. Children at a childcare centre, relate to each other. They socialise. They interact. They play together and engage with each other. They most certainly do not discriminate. Issues are arising only as our kids move into primary and secondary levels of education.

The matter of racial prejudice in our country needs to be settled once and for all. While no-one is born racist, everyone is born equal. Our work towards launching a National Strategy is going to build momentum around this fact of our society — that racial discrimination and hatred have no place in our society. Neither are other forms of discrimination acceptable in the Malta we are working for. By adopting Bill 176, for instance, we have in effect taken out the discrimination that was built into public deeds, by now requiring both men and women to state exactly the same information on marital status. Whether a better, more equal Malta means providing free legal aid to our victims of domestic violence, campaigning against human trafficking, taking the steps needed to improve our country’s health and education sectors, delivering on providing better jobs and improving our air quality, our goal is to make a greater Malta happen. I stay determined as ever to do my level best.

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Supporting families separated by prison walls

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amily forms the basis of our identity, the most foundational institution that as a society we should aim to uphold and protect. As we all know, life is filled with moments strung together by the images and memories of the ones we love walking beside us. Many of us remember or look forward to these notable times in our lives with a smile. However, for those families whose loved ones are behind a prison wall, the stark reality is very different. Often when we speak about prisoners and their rehabilitation process the discussion always centres around their needs as an individual. As a result, their families and most notably their children are left behind. This is a problem. For a long time, prisoners’ families were also referred to as the ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ victims of punishment since the hardships they experienced were not immediately obvious. Yet research shows that a positive and stable family relationship is directly linked to less re-offending so a greater support for family links could benefit all of society.

Now for the first time in Malta, the experiences of prisoners’ families are receiving greater attention from policy makers, prison administration and NGOs. Recently, the foundation Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl signed an agreement with the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement which will provide families with the therapeutic services they need to cope with this harrowing experience. With an investment of €500,000, this project is part of the Ministry’s policy to maintain discipline in the Correctional Facility whilst also focusing more on the rehabilitative aspect. Matthew Agius from Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl welcomed this agreement as a positive step towards helping reduce Malta’s intergenerational crime rate. “Our criminal justice policies are not carried out in a vacuum. How we treat these children today, in part, shapes the adults that they will become tomorrow,” Matthew said. He explains that this service will lead towards more opportunities for inclusion for families and children of prisoners and make it possible for them to live full lives.

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It ' s a mAn ' s mAn ' s mAn ' s world PIPPA CACHIA INTERVIEW

WITH

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ow does it feel like to be a woman in a field that is still 99 percent male? Not an easy task but as the saying goes; where there is a will, there is a way. Moreover, it is no surprise to come across such a situation keeping in mind similarities in the tech world and in the food industry. However, such numbers did not deter Pippa Cachia to choose woodworking as a career. She felt there is always a first time for everything otherwise change will never happen. Pippa is young with a strong sense of joie de vivre. Her sweet face should not mislead you as beneath that outer crust lies a strong, focused and very determined person with a clear goal in mind of what she wants to achieve in life. Truth told, her character can't be otherwise given the career route she took. Pippa spoke to Atelier about her career, the challenges the industry offers and about her plans for the future.

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A TELIER Woodworking is not something that most people get in to, what’s your background and how did it become your passion? After finishing secondary school, I was at a crossroads. Unsure of what my next step should be, I enrolled at the Institute for the Creative Arts. During my 8 year stay at the Institute, the courses required us to be very hands on. Many of the assignments had workshop hours allocated to them in which we learnt the basics of ceramics, wood, stone and metal. In my final year as a student, I was accepted as an apprentice with a local design and fabrication company. This is where I gained confidence and developed my skill set further. After four years with this same company, I felt it was time for me to fly the nest and focus on creating something of my own. This is when Brief was born. Brief is the product of a collaboration turned partnership between myself and Neil Pace O’Shea. Our relationship started out as student and teacher at MCAST. Neil was the first lecturer to show me the importance of a hands-on approach to design and the endless possibilities this brought with it, through rapid prototyping and testing. This turned out to be the perfect fit, since we already shared a good team working spirit and an appreciation for a similar aesthetic and style.

The 2019 Tormek Scholarship Award winner, Rachel Elston recently noted, “I never fully appreciated the importance of working with and surrounding myself by natural things, until I started working with wood.” To what extent do you agree? Wood and other natural materials give a space a certain warmth and evoke a feeling which is almost impossible to replicate or imitate through the use of man-made materials. Working with wood also makes you appreciate how unpredictable the course of nature is. There is nothing like planing a piece of raw wood, turning it over on the freshly planed face and revealing its grain and pattern.

It is said that carpentry is the illusion for perfection. What are your thoughts? The versatility that wood brings with it is truly amazing. Through the application of different methods and techniques such as steam bending, one can get a piece of wood to do some pretty astonishing things. Creating these “illusions” are particularly fun when people are left wondering how the piece was built.

What do you consider when selecting a material for a project? Do you look for anything specific? Material choice is always dictated by the piece and more importantly by its function. Aesthetic qualities are also considered important however function always takes precedence in our choice. Wood has a wide range of uses, however it is not suitable for every piece. At Brief we make also experiment with materials other than wood. Certain factors considered when selecting materials includes the amount of exposure to the elements and the amount of usage or wear and tear an object will need to endure. These factors will also influence the finish applied to a material.

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For decades and centuries, the woodworking industry has remained monopolised by the male demographic. To what extent do you feel that things have changed over the past decades? Woodwork is an extremely physical job which requires lots of strength and stamina, the reality is that it will probably always be a male dominated profession. Having said this, I feel the industry is opening slowly but surely. As younger generations take over, a more open minded approach can be noticed within the industry.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most interesting reaction you got from someone for being a female woodworker? Many a time, sales people doing the rounds in the industrial area pop into the workshop and ask to speak to my husband or the boss. I am a jokester and love to turn it into a funny situation.

What can be done to encourage more women in woodworking? I feel the most important factor is that women who are interested in this sector are given the opportunity to learn and develop their skills in a safe and professional environment. Had I not found an open-minded individual like my first employer was, I probably would not be where I am today.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next for you? At the moment Neil and myself are focusing on moving Brief into a new workshop. We are investing a lot of time and energy into this which will hopefully result in us becoming more efficient and productive. With regards to our services, apart from commissions and designing one off pieces, we are working on launching a range of products for the home which will be designed and built in-house. In the near future, we hope to continue investing in new machinery which will give us the ability to push the boundaries on clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projects and our own products.

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The Nonconformist CYRUS ENGERER

INTERVIEW

WITH

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ob Siltanen once noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.â&#x20AC;? Indeed, nonconformists are a rare breed in the globalized world we live in. They are often silenced so as to ensure they don't change the status quo. For those who survive, they often leave a significant impact on society. Cyrus Engerer is one of his generation's most compelling and provocative local politicians. He is a passionate challenger of the status quo and boldly addresses taboos on hot issues such as civil liberties and gender equality. Indeed, Cyrus fondly addresses the challenge of improving our society and possibly the world around us by battling conformity and bucking outdated traditions. Cyrus has never feared to voice change on the local front and will certainly not fear to do so at a European level in his new role as a member of the European Parliament. Atelier recently caught up with Cyrus to discuss his views on key issues and his plans for the new year.

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In a recent interview with the Times of Malta you pointed out that as you grew older, you had faith that more and more politicians would look like you, sound like you and want the same for the world as you do. Can you elaborate on that? For as long as I can remember, I've always been really interested in politics. I am the product of two families, coming from different sides of the political spectrum, who have always valued politics quite strongly. So politics for me has always been a big part of my interests and ultimately, my identity. But growing up, whenever I looked at politicians or the people who were in decision making positions, they didn't emulate other parts of my identity. By this I mean that growing up as a gay man, I never encountered gay politicans. This is because as I grew up in a very traditionalist maltese society, being LGBTIQ was just something no one spoke about openly, as though sexual identity was somehow part of our human identity that had to remain hidden. I feel that representation is very important, because it helps us realise our potential and makes us recognise that our dreams are possible no matter who we are.

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To what extent do you feel that Malta is a progressive society? I believe that we are extremely progressive in some things and not progressive at all on others. In reality, its important to recognise that Malta has made great strides when it comes to societal progress. We need to remember that just 9 years ago, Malta was still one of the three countries across the world where divorce was not permitted. Since then we have made huge strides with regards to making our society more progressivethe most notable of which is Malta's legislations on LGBTIQ rights, which is considered to be the most progressive LGBTIQ legislation in the world. In the last five years, our country also introduced Emergency Contraceptives into the Maltese Market, something that until a few years ago was considered to be completely taboo due to misinformation about the medicine. But as has been made evident through the research of different journalists- access to the medication is still limited due to the conscientious objection clause. So I would not be able to say that this is the full and true progress that I would wish for, for our society.

A TELIER At the same time, being progressive is not only a matter of civil rights and liberties. I believe that while continuing our road towards equality, we must also be ambitious on other progressive policies like the protection of our environment, the fight against climate change, a stronger and more transparent democracy and the digitisation of our systems. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has recently stated, "Europe is no longer at the centre of world events." To what extent do you agree? I don't fully agree with this statement. In the absence of normality across the Atlantic, Europe remained the beacon of democracy and human rights within the world. And while the continent may not be perfect, due to often a fragmented implementation by various different Member States with regards to basic European values such as fundamental rights, I still believe strongly that we are the centre of modern and contemporary civilisation. Europe is the place where we show the world what it is to live with social security. It is the place which shows the rest of the world how the concepts of universal healthcare, affordable housing and education and safety nets should be applied. We are the place which shows people that universal taxation results in ensuring our children are well educated and that our workers are well protected at their place of work. And of course there are many ways in which we can improve. The effective functioning of European institutions is still a works in progress. We are not a federation of States but an ever closer Union which sometimes leads to longer decision-making processes. At the same time, one could say that Europe is no longer at the centre of world events because there are so many countries across our globe which are facing huge crises due to the premise of their policies. This to me, is a good thing. You also recently noted that there is room for further progress in Malta on matters related to civil rights. What can be done more? This ties in to what I said earlier with regards to Malta being a progressive society, there is a lot of room to improve. Firstly, while we may have a good legal background when it comes to LGBTIQ rights, there is a lot to be done in terms of societal change.

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia still continue to be quite evident in our society. We cannot pretend that changing the laws will fix everything overnight, and it takes time and effort to really and truly create an open and accepting society. We see frequent instances in the news and on social media where LGBTIQ persons face discrimination and this shows that we arent fully there yet. The overwhelming support to LGBTIQ persons within the public reaction to such instances however shows that we have however come far. Secondly, more effort needs to be done on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights as well as Sexual Health education. As I said, 9 years ago we did not even have divorce legislation. As we speak, Government is on the quest of updating the law into a more progressive one. Change and progress should be the only constant in what we do. The minute we stop changing is the minute we become irrelevant. What are your thoughts about civil rights beyond our shores? This is a very important topic to me. I recognise that as a Maltese European I have a lot of privilege. I am recognised by my country as a person with rights, and those rights are not taken away from me due to aspects such as my gender expression or sexual orientation. However this is not the case across the world. For example just a few days ago, there was a Court hearing in Turkey of 18 students and one professor relating to charges of “participating in unlawful assembly” and “resisting despite warning” for organising a pride march on the campus of their University, the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara in 2019. Right now in Egypt 21 year old Seif Bedour is being detained for allegedly engaging in same-sex conducts after police searched his phone, alongside many other gay men across the world whose only crime was to be LGBTIQ, or suspectedly so. 71 countries across the world still criminalise homosexuality. 8 of these countries still prescribe the death penality for homosexuality. This means that millions of people across the world would never be able to be in my position, an openly gay politican. I feel that it’s my duty to use my privilege to be able to defend the rights of these people and every person who doesn't have the same opportunity to have a voice. As Maltese we all should have that task.

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Health matters, not only during these tough times during the pandamenic but throughout my mandate with a lot of work in the Public Health committee, of which I am a full member.

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At the European Council held on the 10th and 11th of December, EU leaders set the target to cut CO2 emissions by 2030. One year after the presentation of the Green Deal, which calls for the EU to become carbon neutral by 2050. Do you feel that such measures are enough for a greener Europe? What can be done more? I believe they are a step in the right direction in terms of creating a unified approach to combatting climate change but personally, I would have wanted to see the EU go even further in this field. The Covid Pandemic may have overshadowed the fact that currently we are on the brink of a climate emergency, with imminent action being needed in order to combat the disastrous effects of climate change. Lets not forget that we ended 2019 with huge wildfires in the lungs of our planet- the Amazon rainforest. We continued on into 2020 with devastating wildfires across Australia and the United States.

A TELIER And while we were all distracted this year with a health pandemic, the World Economic Forum listed environmental threats as one of the top five global risks for the very first time. We have a very small window of opportunity here to make a very strong and effective difference to our future, and the lives of future generations but we must act now by aiming for a full transition towards clean energy, clean transport and the strengthening of the circular economy. Is the environment being taken seriously at a local level? I have seen an environmental shift during the past year which I am proud to have formed part of, as part of Minister Aaron Farrugia’s core team, heading the policy and projects advisors unit within the Ministry’s secretariat. The Minister’s energy, vision and ambition for a greener Malta started being felt from the first days of the new administration. Having the environment, planning and now also construction merged in one Ministry led to effective and greener fuel stations policy, rural policy and a green shift in the way Planning Authority funds are used across the country. The seeds have been sown, we started reaping the first fruits and look forward the a green abundance in the near future. What are your views about immigration both at a local and European Level? I think that the way European Union Migration Policy has been constructed over the years has failed. As we’ve seen by the European Union’s crisis response to migratory flows into Europe, every decision that could be taken to help the Member States who are most challenged by migratory flows has become a playing field of populism with an outdated Dublin regulation. It has been made clear by the European Parliament and by countless researchers that a new Asylum Pact with a new Dublin IV regulation is required to adequately deal with migration flows coming into Europe. We need to take the politics out of EU migration policy and start creating a more unified approach to migration a policy where who is qualified to obtain refugee status is unified, and a policy where our reception of asylum applicants is unified.

Apart from Civil Rights and the Environment, What else do you intend to work on during your mandate in the European Parliament? Health matters, not only during these tough times during the pandamenic but throughout my mandate with a lot of work in the Public Health committee, of which I am a full member. Issues relating to diabetes, cancer (being also a full member of the special European Parliament Committee on Beating Cancer), rare diseases and after all patients’ rights and access to universal health care of quality. Furthermore, I was recently also appointed the Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Mental Health Coalition. Its time to start talking more seriously about mental health and mental health policy. Lets not pretend that this pandemic did not take a huge psychological effect on all of us. Be it from not being able to socialise like we did before, to some of us losing our jobs and livelihoods the pandemic has really been a psychological struggle for us all. Restrictive measures are of course incredibly important to containing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the most vulnerable in our society. But this means that in the coming months, as Governments move ahead with their national recovery plans in light of the development and distribution of a new vaccine, the mental health and wellbeing of citizens, and accessibility of such provisions must be taken into consideration and made a priority. What’s your outlook for Malta’s future in the EU? I’m very confident and positive about Malta’s future in the European Union. We have made great leaps forward when it comes to issues relating to rule of law and democracy, we are a beacon of hope on Human Rights and are realigning ourselves to become more environmental. I believe that should be our next ambition. As we have done with civil rights, we could easily become Europe’s role model on the Environment and Climate Change. We are small. We can quickly adapt ourselves to new policies. I welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition in committing to the Paris Agreement and our objective to become a carbon neutral country by 2050. I believe we can make it - there is the will and we are together paving the way.

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Christmas in

BUDAPEST

by Sarah Zerafa Lewis

TOP TIPS TO DO ON YOUR CITY CHRISTMAS BREAK

his Hungarian capital is the perfect Christmas getaway with mulled wine every corner, impeccable food and cosy vibes in the most amazing cafes. The Christmas gifts are unique and made with love and the city is truly a gem for the most awaited December holidays. Possibly some of the attractions will be restricted for this year, but if you wish to have it all, there is nothing better then planning ahead for the merrier time to come.

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STAY AT

AN AFFORDABLE HOTEL

During our visit we stayed at one of the most central hotel we could find during the high Christmas season. The D8 Hotel is vibrant, clean and located right next to the famous Christmas markets. Every attraction is almost within walking distance and the staff is very helpful and friendly. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for an affordable and comfortable place, I suggest you look no further.

EXPERIENCE A PROPER

CHRISTMAS MARKET

HAVE A RELAXING AFTERNOON AT ONE OF THE SPAS

When we visited this city for the first time last year, we had never experienced a proper Christmas market before. We were mesmerised by the electrifying atmosphere in this city. The Christmas markets, which are mainly located in Vorosmarty Square and in front of the main Basilica, are the place to be for the whole day. At night, with the most amazing lights, the markets come to life and there is nothing better than sipping mulled wine and listening to Christmas carols. Don’t forget to take a roll of freshly grilled sweet Chimney cake while shopping around.

Budapest is famous for some of the best spas in Europe. The bathing culture goes back to the Romans and beyond, with art nouveau details and neo-classical decor. You could easily spend your whole break hopping from one spa to another. You definitely have to try this out the spas will melt your senses and relax your muscles like never before. Try out the Gellért Baths and the Széchenyi Baths for the best spa experience.

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Christmas in BUDAPEST HAVE A GO AT THE

FERRIS WHEEL

There is nothing better than going for a relaxing ride on the giant ferries wheel in Budapest. It’s comparable to the London Eye but with different views of the city’s beautiful buildings and the Christmas lights all lit up. Wrap yourself in super cosy clothes so you’ll be warm enough to sit down and enjoy the experience. Try to buy your tickets from before or prepare yourself for some waiting time while sipping sweet tea from the nearby markets.

WALK THE FAMOUS

BUDAPEST BRIDGES Strolling through this vibrant city should be an adventure. The famous Budapest bridges will make you feel colder but we’ll surely give you the best views of the Danube river. My favourites are the Chain Bridge and the Liberty Bridge. The latter was built in 1894 and was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1896 as part of the monumental series of ceremonies. You will surely snap more than one photo on your morning or evening stroll.

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HAVE A BREAK AT THE TRADITIONAL

COFFEE HOUSES After a long and chilly day on your feet, there is nothing more comforting than sipping coffee in the afternoon in one of the most gorgeous coffee houses in Europe. You will feel like you went a step back in time during the Christmas season. Some of these coffee houses are hidden in neo-Renaissance palaces and 18th-century townhouses. My top favourites are the Gerbeaud, the New York Cafe and the Művész Kávéház Cafe.

VISIT THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT We are not big fans of spending a whole day visiting attractions but a morning or afternoon stop at the famous Hungarian Parliament is a must. Walk your way along the Danube, stopping on the way at the Shoes on the Danube Bank which commemorate the Jews who died during the WWII and arriving right in front of the Parliament building. You can either decide to take the tour in the building itself or enjoy the marvellous architecture from outside.

FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN AT THE ICE RINK

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT

VACI STREET

Don’t worry if you’re not ready with all your Christmas gifts before your holiday. You will find many shops to go to especially in the famous Vaci Street. There are plenty of traditional shops selling Hungarian Christmas decorations as well as most of the famous brands we all know of. The streets will inspire you with all the Christmas lights and carols.

The City Park Ice Rink is a public ice rink located right in the City Park, between the Heroes' Square and the Vajdahunyad Castle. It opened in year 1870 and is the largest and one of the oldest ice rinks in Europe. Prepare yourself for some falls if you’re not trained and enjoy a laugh as you embrace the Christmas spirit on the ice. Book your tickets before to avoid disappointments.

MEALS AND DRINKS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY There is nothing better than good food and a drink or two after. For some impeccable food I will recommend some for every time of the day and also for that evening Christmas romantic dinner you have been waiting for. For an amazing breakfast head to Fekete, a small cafe tucked inside a traditional Hungarian building. As for lunch, there is nothing better than Kiosk Budapest, a vibrant place for comforting food. For dinner you can try the Caviar and Bull owned by the talented Maltese Chef Marvin Gauci or the amazing Mazel Tov. For after drinks you should definitely be at the famous and eccentric bar Szimpla-Kert.

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NEW NESTLÉ NANCARE

RANGE OF PRODUCTS FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. During the first years of life, every child, experiences many moments of joy as well as the occasional instance with minor ailments that can cause distress. It is particularly common for babies to suffer minor digestive problems such as diarrhoea or constipation because their digestive and immune systems are still maturing. New Nestlé NANCARE dietary supplements contain active compounds known to help resolve specific issues related to these problems in babies that are breastfed or formula fed. The New Nestlé NANCARE range of dietary supplements were recently introduced to the local market and comprise of 5 different products. NANCARE Vitamin D and NANCARE DHA, Vit. D & E. Several studies have demonstrated that serum levels of Vitamin D experience marked seasonal changes with a significant decline during the winter months. Both an impaired cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D and an inadequate dietary supply seem to be responsible for vitamin D insufficiency. Thus, particularly in winter, vitamin D supplementation may be an alternative solution to increase vitamin D levels. The new Nestlé NANCARE range offers two formulations that provide this indispensable vitamin, namely NANCARE Vitamin D and NANCARE DHA, Vitamin D & E. In addition to Vitamin D, the latter also provides DHA and Vitamin E. DHA is a special fatty acid found in breast milk that plays a critical role in brain and visual development. Vitamin E helps protect cell components from oxidative damage. The role of vitamin E in protecting against oxidative damage applies to all ages, including infants and children. NANCARE Hydrate. Diarrhoea is a very common health problem in infants and children. This condition may occur due to viral pathogens (e.g. rotavirus) as well as bacterial causes (e.g. Salmonella, Shigella and E. Coli.). Recent guidelines suggest use of reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solutions (ORS) as first line treatment in young children. Nestlè NANCARE Hydrate is a reduced osmolarity ORS, designed to replace electrolytes and water lost during diarrhea and vomiting that supports rehydration.

NANCARE Flora Protect+. Taking antibiotics early in life may severely disturb the developing gut flora, causing microbiota disbalance by killing both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. The young child’s immune system needs extra protection during early life, given that it’s still immature. NANCARE Flora Protect+ with L. Rhamnosus and two predominant human milk oligosaccharides known as HMO’s, help build a strong immune system. These active compounds present in New Nestlé NANCARE FLORA -PROTECT+ support a healthy gut microbiota and a strong immune system, even during antibiotic treatment. NANCARE Flora Equilibrium This is a supplement for children, that improves mild constipation by improving stool frequency and softening stool consistency. Nestlé NANCARE Flora Equilibrium contains FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) and GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides). These compounds provide a prebiotic action that improve intestinal well-being and promote digestive health in children. Prebiotics are defined as ‘non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacterial species already resident in the colon and thus attempt to improve host health through this action. References: Langhendries, JP, et al. J pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1995;21:177-81. Holscher HD et al. J Parenter Enteral Nutr2012;36:106S-117S. BraeggerC, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2013;56:692-701.

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INTRODUCING

COMPLIMENTARY FEEDING TO YOUR BABY

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uring the first 6 months of life, infants get most of their energy and nutrients from breast milk and all the infant’s nutritional requirements are provided by milk. However, at around the age of 6 months, an infant’s need for energy and nutrients starts to exceed what is provided by breast milk, and it becomes necessary to introduce complementary feeding to meet all the nutritional requirements. The time of introducing complementary feeding, is known as the weaning period. Weaning is the process by which baby is weaned from milk and gradually introduced to family food. Healthy babies of weaning age are growing and developing very fast, so great care is required to provide all the nutrients babies need during this period. If complementary foods are not introduced around the age of 6 months or inappropriate food is offered, nutrient deficiencies may occur, and this may eventually affect their growth and development. Why wait until around 6 months? Evidence has shown that complementary foods offered before 6 months of age tend to displace breast milk and do not confer any growth advantage over exclusive breastfeeding. Breast milk or first infant formula provide the energy and nutrients your baby needs until they are around 6 months old. Waiting until around 6 months gives your baby time to develop the ability to cope with solid foods made into purées or other soft food. This is because at 6 months, your baby will be better at moving food around the mouth, chewing and swallowing. The first steps… Pick a time that suits you and your baby. This is a time when you are not rushed, and your baby is not tired. Start offering food before the usual milk feed as otherwise your baby might not be interested if in food if already full. Also make sure not to wait until your baby’s too hungry, eating is a whole new skill and needs a little time to master. Initially, getting baby used to the idea of eating and not just drinking is more important than the actual quantity of food eaten. Infants have special dietary needs for growth & development and limited stomach capacity so

volume can be increased gradually eventually. The early years of life are a period of rapid growth and development. In this critical phase, food preferences are formed which carry over into childhood and beyond. Therefore the right eating habits and foundations need to be laid for a healthy adult life. Thus, it is very important to introduce nutritious foods and healthy habits. Excess energy, imbalances in macronutrient quality, and nutritional deficiencies may form inappropriate nutritional signals, leading to increase risk of certain disease. For instance, the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in young children can cause tooth decay and has been associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. Do not add sugar or salt such as stock cubes to your baby’s food or cooking water. Babies should not eat salty foods as it’s not good for their kidneys. Introducing solid foods Initially, you might want to start with single vegetables. Try mashed or soft cooked sticks of sweet potatoes, or carrot but also make sure to include vegetables that are not sweet, such as broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, to help your baby get used to a range of flavours, not just the sweeter ones. Thereafter, sweeter flavours and fruits such as apples and pears can also be introduced. Make sure any cooked food has cooled down before offering it to your baby. New foods especially those known to cause allergies such as egg, nuts and fish should be introduced on their own and not mixed with other foods. Encourage involvement during mealtime, as soon as your baby starts solid foods and offer your baby finger foods that break up easily in their mouth and long enough to grip. Avoid hard food, such as raw carrots and do not offer baby any nuts as these may be increase the risk of choking. Offer soft cooked vegetables, cooked fruit or meat without bones. Provision of nutrient packed foods are essential to support rapid growth and development in infancy and early childhood. References: Martine S. Alles, Simone R.B.M. Eussen, and Eline M. Van Der Beek. “Nutritional Challenges and Opportunities during the Weaning Period and in Young Childhood.” Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 64.3-4 (2014): 284-93.

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