Heard in the Hive

Outgoing British High Commissioner to Malta Howard Pearce, CVO, hosted a reception last week to mark the opening of the new British High Commission offices at Whitehall Mansions, Ta' Xbiex.

Over 500 guests attended the reception, including the President of Malta, Professor Guido de Marco, and Mrs de Marco. Guests were given the opportunity to tour the new offices and to also view an exhibition of artworks by British artists resident in Malta.

In his speech, Mr Pearce said he was delighted with the new British High Commission offices and regretted only that he would have such a short time to enjoy them before his departure. Mr Pearce took the opportunity to bid farewell to Malta and thanked all who had provided help and support during his time here.

The President spoke about the importance of the relationship between Malta and Britain, and said that the new High Commission offices symbolised Britain's continuing commitment to Malta. Professor de Marco thanked Mr Pearce for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the Maltese people and wished him every success in his next assignment as Governor of the Falkland Islands.

Mr Pearce departed Malta last Monday. His successor, Mr Vincent Fean, will arrive in Malta on Sunday.

Mizzi Organisation holds summer barbecue

Mizzi Organisation's ninth annual summer barbeque has once again been described as a truly enjoyable and entertaining evening. Held at the pleasant surroundings of the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel beach club, the barbeque was a mixture of good food, live entertainment and an enjoyable evening out.

Held recently, the barbeque was attended by over 670 employees and their partners, including directors and members of the Mizzi family. The highlight of the evening was a live show by Fabrizio Faniello and Ira Losco, who gave a splendid performance of their latest repertoire, which kept everyone in a cheerful and jovial mood. Employees also won fantastic prizes from a raffle, drawn by staff members.

During the course of the barbeque, Mizzi Organisation's group financial controller Hugh Mercieca presented a sponsorship consisting of two airconditioners to Fr Alex Cordina, assistant director of Caritas Malta.

The funds for the purchase of these two airconditioners, which will be installed in two activity rooms at the Sant'Anna Rehabilitation Centre in Bahar ic-Caghaq, were raised jointly by the directors of Mizzi Organisation and the Employee Charity Fund.

The barbeque proved to be an enjoyable night out and an ideal opportunity for the forging of new friendships.

Summer Tempra Academy goes extremely cultural

The latest cultural event by the Tempra Academy was the Ceramics Workshop held on August 28 and 29, which attracted artists and new enthusiasts under the guidance of Paul Haber (First Prize Ceramics 2001 Malta International Art Biennale). Haber will present his Malta Biennale sculptural works at a Summer Tempra Academy at the De Porres Cultural Centre, Tigné Sea Front, Sliema, on October 3. The event will also include pictorial works by American artist Michael Korber (Grand Prix des Arts: Painting 2001 Malta Art Biennale) and jazz music by Italian Ross de Iulio.

The Summer Tempra Academy poetry reading evening (English, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Portuguese and Spanish) will be on Thursday, September 20, and Dr Pino Lo Monaco's lecture, in Italian - "La Teosofia" - on September 21, will both be held at Villa Tempra, Sir Harry Luke Street, Mgarr. For both events, the public is invited (tel: 9988-1975 or 9942-9769).

Some distinguished guests were privileged with viewing some of the works for the last summer Tempra Academy event on October 3 and listening to Ross de Iulio jazz compositions at various dinners at Villa Tempra.

Tony Cassar Darien, artistic director of the Manoel Theatre, and deputy vice-president of the Malta International Art Biennale (whose play Faces took part in Italy, at the August 2002 Venice Biennale Film - Drama and Chamber Music Festival), enjoyed meeting the Italian composer.

In Malta for some three days from Washington DC, American Evelyn DiBona, host and associate producer for WNVC 56 World View Television in Washington, and her husband Charles J. DiBona, chairman of the board of the Logistics Management Institute and former chairman of the American Petroleum Institute, enjoyed meeting the house guests at Villa Tempra, including fellow American Michael Korber preparing for his multiple exhibition on October 3 at the De Porres Cultural Centre, the Tempra Museum for Contemporary Art in Mgarr and the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat.

The Blue Angel lithograph by Korber will join the Art collection of Evelyn and Charles DiBona in Washington, while his marine drawing was personally received for the national collection at the Maritime Museum by its curator, Antonio Espinosa Rodriguez.

Diplomas awarded to students of beauty

Last month the 25 students of the School of Natural Beauty in Gzira celebrated the end of their course with dinner at the Soreda Hotel, Qawra.

The school's principal and tutor, Ms Marina Galea, ITEC (Hons), LT.Bth, together with Mr Joseph Magri, Diet and Nutrition tutor, awarded the successful students, who all managed to graduate in the various areas of study with flying colours.

Gift prizes supplied by Helia D International and Dake Ltd were awarded to Graziella Saliba, Dorianne Baldacchino and Sue Cauchi, who obtained a distinction in their electrology diplomas; Rebecca Sansone (aesthetics); A. Marie Gatt (diet and nutrition); Dorianne Baldacchino (AP&M - anatomy, physiology and massage); Karin Attard (physiatrics); Ruth Caruana (body electricals); Caroline Zammit (aromatherapy) obtained credits and were also first in their ITEC courses.

Two more awards were presented to Lisa Muscat (diet and nutrition and aesthetics) and James B. Muscat (AP&M) for the best effort and dedication throughout the whole scholastic year.

50th anniversary of VW in Malta

Maurice Mizzi, chairman of Continental Cars Ltd, hosted a lavish reception at his residence, Ras Rihana, in Bidnija, on Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Volkswagen and Continental Cars Ltd.

Among the hundeds of guests who turned up on a lovely summer's evening were Education Minister Louis Galea, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, senior Volkswagen executives led by Dr Zeno Kershbaumer, including Rainer Brensing, Kevin Lair and Anita Brasche, who flew to Malta specially for the occasion, and hundreds of clients of Continental Cars.

Ira Losco, who was rewarded for her second place at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with a brand new Volkswagen Polo, sang three of her songs.

Mr Mizzi recounted how, 50 years ago, his late brother John was in Wolfsburg for an important meeting with Dr Nordhoff, the top man at VW: "Dr Nordhoff agreed to supply one of our companies with Beetles on a probation period of one year. He told John: 'We are now engaged, later on we will get married.' The marriage happened a year later, with a signed distributorship contract. Continental Cars was formed specifically for the importation of Volkswagen cars."

Recalling the first two Beetles that were imported and their owners, Mr then traced the company's history to its move to its current premises in Testaferrata Street, Msida, and the current redevelopment. He also paid tribute to all those who had played a part, living and dead, to the company's current success as the number one car company in Malta in 2001, including the current management team, whose average age is 30.

"Once you enter into the Volkswagen world it becomes a way of life," Mr Mizzi remarked. "You enjoy it, treasure it and retain your brand loyalty."

Dr Kershbaumer said Continental Cars had sold over 14,000 Volkswagen cars in Malta in the past half century. Last year, he added, the company achieved a 20 per cent market share which - apart from China and Brazil - is the highest in the world for VW.

"Such a long-lasting partnership cannot be simply described by numbers. We have always shared a common union and moreover we appreciate the ability of Mr Mizzi and his team to anticipate trends in the market and to act accordingly to the high reputation our brand enjoys and keeping up the standards with the increasingly demanding customers in Malta."

Mr Mizzi and Dr Kershbaumer then exchanged gifts and cut an anniversary 'wedding' cake.

Barbecue for past pupils of St Joseph (Sliema)

The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) recently held a most enjoyable barbecue on the roof terrace of The Victoria hotel, Sliema.

Surrounded by a postcard view of the floodlit Valletta bastions, the Sliema lights and beautiful church domes, lit up at this most popular festa time, the atmosphere was magical.

Soprano Phyllis Bajada Abram, who is herself a past pupil of St Joseph, entertained the guests with her lovely voice and was superbly accompanied at the piano by Sr Marlene Pace, a nun of St Joseph's Convent.

The food was indeed sumptuous and the service impeccable. Towards the end of the evening, a cheque was presented to Sr Clare Darmanin to be sent to the mission houses of the Sisters in Romania and Bulgaria.

MHRA barbecue

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association barbecue was recently held at the Poolside, Le Meridien Phoenicia. This annual event has once again proved to be a huge success with over 200 members and their guests attending.

The association thanked all those who sponsored the event, in particular Air Malta for providing two Club Class tickets to any destination it operates to, as well as the management of Le Meridien Phoenicia who provided such a sumptuous meal in a relaxing atmosphere. A most enjoyable evening indeed.

People

MR PETER J. AGIUS, BA Legal & Humanistic Studies, Dip. Not. Pub,, joined the Council of the European Union as jurist linguist (legal linguistic expert), in July. The council is one of the main lawmaking organs of the EU.

Mr Agius is the first ever Maltese person to join a European institution and the youngest agent of the council. Another legal expert, Mrs Tzeitel Schuster, joined the council on August 5. Another jurist linguist is expected to join the team later this month.

Mr Agius attended Zejtun primary school and St Joseph junior lyceum in Paola. He then attended the G.F. Abela Junior College, where he obtained his matriculation Certificate.

Mr Agius' tasks involve supervising the quality of translations into Maltese of the acquis communautaire, finalising the Act of Accession to be signed by Malta in Maltese and harmonising the Maltese version of the acquis with the general body and spirit of community law.

A jurist linguist is a cross between a lawyer who has to be conversant with EU law and with the particular terminology used in it and its meaning and a person who is confident with the use of the Maltese language and who can successfully interpret with a clear, analytical mind what is meant by a particular technical word in community law so as to be able to reproduce, in the most faithful and complete way, the exact meaning in Maltese.

This task involves co-ordination with various bodies, like the Enlargement Directorate General, the Drafting Committee within the Council, the Mission for Malta in Brussels, the Translation Unit in Malta and other jurist linguists for other countries.

It also involves knowledge of foreign languages, to detect with precision what the member countries mean by a particular word, sometimes involve a reference to the original texts in French, Italian, German and Spanish. The English text remains the main source text, yet it is not always the best source.

Mr Agius is entrusted with the translation and revision of instruments necessary for the formulation of the Accession Treaty for the Acceeding Countries. These include documents at various stages in the negotiations, some are agreed at a EU stage, others have gone through the negotiations to be agreed by the candidate countries as well. All these documents from different chapters of Community Law refer to the technical and other adaptations which need to be made to community legislation in view of enlargement and accession of the candidate countries.

Mr Agius is the son of Mary Agius née Carabott and Peter Agius of Zejtun.

DR JAMES CATANIA, MRGS, M.Sc, FRGP (Lond), was recently appointed Medical Director of Stockport NHS Trust (UK). The Trust is responsible for providing medical services to the local population and runs the district general hospital (Stepping Hill Hospital), a 960 bedded hospital.

As Medical Director, Dr Catania is a member of the Trust's board and of the executive management team. The role of medical director is to advise senior managers on medical matters and contributes to the development of modern health management strategies.

Attard-Polidano

The Marriage took place recently at the Mary Immaculate Mother church, Ta' l-Ibrag, between Melissa Attard, BA (Hons), MA, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Attard of Birkirkara, and Duncan Polidano, BE&A (Hons), A&CE, son of Mr and Mrs A. Polidano of St Julian's.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro. Professor Lydia Sciriha and Dr Sandro Galea Soler witnessed the ceremony. Mr Stephen Grech, MIMIS, and Ms Maris Mifsud, BA, PGCE, carried out the duties of best man and best woman respectively.

The bride, who wore an ivory Victorian-style wedding dress and carried a lovely rose bouquet, was attended by her sister, Mrs Natasha Buontempo, BA (Law), Dip.Not.Pub, as matron of honour, and by the groom's sisters, Ms Sarah Polidano and Ms Suzanne Polidano, B.Ed (Hons), as bridesmaids. Michela Pace was flower-girl and Mauro Polidano, the groom's cousin, was pageboy.

A reception was later held at Palazzo Promontorio, Wardija.

The couple spent their honeymoon in London and Paris.

First wedding reception at Razzett tal-Hbiberija

Married recently at Lourdes church, Paola, were Adelina Bonello, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph and Lilian Bonello of Zabbar, and Anton Coleiro, son of Mr and Mrs Carmelo and Carmen, also of Zabbar.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Etienne Caruana. Mr Jesmond Bonello, the bride's brother, and Mr Joseph Coleiro, the groom's brother, witnessed the wedding ceremony. Lawrence Mifsud, the bride's uncle, and Reuben Aquilina, the groom's cousin, were best men.

The bride was attended by Melanie Scicluna as bridesmaid, accompanied by Malcolm Scicluna. Aaron Farrugia was pageboy.

A reception for the 400 guests invited was later held at Razzett tal-Hbiberija, Marsascala, in the gardens adjoining the park by the outdoor pool.

Mrs Adelina Coleiro has always wanted this special day to have another significance, to help charity.

For your diary

The Singles Social Circle is meeting on Friday at Il-Veduta, Rabat, at 9 p.m. for a pizza. Tickets are at Lm3.75. Bookings by Wednesday.

Ward U Zghar is meeting at O'Connors Irish Pub, Bugibba, on Saturday at 9 p.m. The group will then go to Hotel San Pawl for entertainment by Renato.

A reunion of the Convent of the Sacred Heart of 1992 is being held at the Westin Dragonara Resort on September 20.

For more information, call Joanna Mifsud (tel: 2148-5000 or 7980-7676), Isabel Depasquale (7941-4739), Nicky Psaila (7933-7427) or Christiane Borg Manché (9942-4475). Those attending must confirm by Friday.

Lions Club La Valletta is holding a Maltese Night in aid of Razzett tal-Hbiberija, on Friday, September 27, at 8 for 8.30 p.m. Children under 10 pay Lm3.50; members of youth organisations Lm5; adults Lm7.50. Entertainment will be provided.

For more information, phone Noel Vella on 2132-3513; Joseph Hersey (2133-4806); Odile Attard (2141-5311); Adrian Genovese (9942-9293); George Coppini (2133-0597) and Razzett tal-Hbiberija (2163-6526).

The President's and Mrs de Marco's engagements - September 8-15

Today
9.30 a.m. Swearing in ceremony of the Acting President, Dr George Hyzler, at the Palace, Valletta.

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco are welcomed by the President of Cyprus and Mrs Glafcos Clerides at the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
10.15 The President is received by Mr Clerides at the Presidential Palace.
10.20 Professor Guido de Marco and Mr Glafcos Clerides preside over official talks between the delegations at the Presidential Palace.
11.20 The President of Malta and the Cypriot President preside over the signing of bilateral agreements between the two governments.
3.30 p.m. The President is interviewed by CyBC TV at the Hilton Hotel.
5 The President meets Mr Demetris Christofias, president of the Cypriot House of Representatives.
5.30 The President meets the Mayor of Nicosia at the Town Hall and visits the old city and the cease-fire line.
7 The President meets the president and members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Hilton Hotel.
9 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a state dinner, hosted in their honour by Mr and Mrs Clerides.

Tuesday
9.30 a.m. The President departs Nicosia for Limassol.
12.15 p.m. The President pays a visit to Kolossi Castle, Limassol.
1.30 The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to a luncheon by the Minister of Finance and Mrs Takis Klerides.
4.15 The President arrives in Nicosia.
7.05 The President and Mrs de Marco visit Lefkara.
8 The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to dinner by the mayor of Lefkara and Mrs Sophocles Sophocleous.

Wednesday
8 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend the official departure ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Nicosia.
9.30 The President and Mrs de Marco depart Cyprus for Greece.
11.45 The President and Mrs de Marco are welcomed by Greek President, Mr Costantinos Stephanopoulos, at an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens.
11.55 The President is received by Mr Stephanopoulos at the Presidential Palace.
12.20 p.m. The two Presidents preside over official talks between the delegations.
5 The President meets Mr Dimitros Avramopoulos, mayor of Athens, and is presented with the Gold Medal of Merit of the City of Athens.
6 The President delivers a lecture entitled "A Mediterranean Policy for Europe" at the Panteion University of Athens.
9 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a state dinner hosted by the Greek President, at the Palace.

Thursday
9 a.m. The President pays a visit to the Acropolis in Athens.
9.45 The President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens.
10.30 The President meets Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costantinos Simitis, at Maximos Mansion, Athens.
11 The President meets the president of the Greek Parliament, Mr Apostolos Kaklamanis, at the Parliament building, Athens.
Noon The President receives Mr K. Karamanlis, leader of the New Democracy Party, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Athens.
12.30 p.m. The President receives Mrs A. Papariga, president of the Communist Party, at the Intercontinental Hotel.
1 The President receives Mr N. Constantopoulos, president of the Coalition Party, at the Intercontinental Hotel.
5 The President meets members of the Maltese community in Greece at a Vin d'Honneur at the Intercontinental Hotel.
6 The President and Mrs de Marco visit Athens' Benaki Museum.
7 The President addresses an Economic Forum at the headquarters of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
8.30 The President and Mrs de Marco host a reception in honour of the Greek President, at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Friday
9.50 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend the official departure ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens.
10.20 The President and Mrs de Marco depart Greece for a private visit to the Greek Islands.