Heard in the Hive

Malta's Ambassador to France, Professor Salvino Busuttil, and his wife Mercedes entertained the diplomatic corps to a lunchtime vin d'honneur at their residence in Paris, to celebrate Malta's 38th independence anniversary.

Various ambassadors or chargés d'affaires, including those of Britain, United States, Italy, Portugal and Andorra, and high-ranking officials from the French Foreign Ministry toasted Malta and then listened to the presentation of a book of poetry, Chants pour Malte, a song of praise to our country by Dr Pierre Dimech, a French-Maltese lawyer born in Algeria.

The book contains, apart from poems and ballads, a series of literary vignettes on Malta. Joseph Cutajar, who lives in Lyon, presented the two volumes of his just published French-Maltese and Maltese-French dictionary.

After standing to attention as the national anthem was played, the guests sampled Maltese wines (kindly offered by the Malta Tourism Authority) and delicacies.

Remy Robinet-Duffo, president of the MEDEF (the French equivalent of FOI and MEA), Ms Daniela Bartolo (of the Edward de Bono Foundation), Mrs Pat Sanchez-Degiorgio, Mr Patrice Sanguy (president of the Cercle Vassalli), Mr Mario Galea (of MDC), Ms Josephine Vassallo (MDC's newly appointed representative in France), and Mr J. Francalanza (of the Ministry of Economic Services) were among the Maltese who chatted with a large gathering of guests.

These included the Bailli Pierredon of the Order of Malta, Princess Tall, Viscount and Viscountess Marc de Boisboissel, the president of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, Dr E. Chioccioli, secretary general of CIHEAM (the International Centre for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies), the sculptress Dominique de Seguin, the artist Anna McLane, Mr Gerard Brain and Mrs Corinne Fabre.

Prior to the reception, the Ambassador and the First Secretary at the Embassy, Simon Pullicino, had a working session with Malta's honorary consuls in France, including Mme Henriette Gleizes of Montpellier, Mr E. Perez of Nice, Mr Ivan Blondet of Lyon, and Mr Marcello Roudil of Bordeaux.

Mr Mario Galea and Ms J. Vassallo described MDC's activities to the consuls.

Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce celebrates

The Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce celebrated the National Days of the Libyan Jamahiriya and that of Malta with a reception held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, on September 14.

Anthony Micallef, president of the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests to the evening, including ambassadors, heads of government departments, members of the chamber and exhibitors at the Malta-Libya Shopping Festival being organised by the chamber in Tripoli in November.

In an address to guests present at the reception, Mr Micallef said that like every relationship, theirs had its ups and downs, but that was what made it alive, and that was why it must be looked after and nurtured for the well-being of both peoples.

"We are neighbours, separated by a mere 45-minute flight, with language similarities and similar family traditions. Even though our religion might not be the same we nevertheless follow the same God. These are aspects that must be sought after by the businessmen of both countries as if we fail to do major business with our neighbours due to other competing countries, we would surely be missing out," Mr Micallef added.

FM Autumn 2002

Time to shake off the lethargy of summer and get back into the swing of things. The autumn issue of FM reaches your newsagent's shelves in perfect time to complement the seasonal sense of renewed vigour, fresh ideas and revived enthusiasm that always accompanies the first rains.

Packed with fun features, interesting information and useful tips on how to make the most of the coming season, FM brings you a fascinating collection of articles and features written by Malta's best contemporary writers.

Regular contributors Daphne Caruana Galizia, Vanessa Macdonald, Anna Briffa and Alan Montanaro write on topics as diverse as the frightening rise of teenage female smokers, the bizarre stories that make glossy magazines interesting and the impression Maltese girls make on foreign men.

Added to the mix is Jasmine Micallef, with her feature on Internet dating, Lawrence Scerri with his comprehensive piece on the problems and care of hair, and Richard Micallef with an essay on the importance of teaching children the value of money.

Pat Salomone highlights the best of this season's fashion statements, while Matty Cremona presents a full weekend's menu for entertaining guests or simply to spoil the family with.

Plus, lots more too; and, of course, don't miss FM's great competitions, sponsored by Corinthia Marina Hotel, Living Interiors, Sapienza's Booksellers, Estetika and Emirates.

FM is on sale from all leading newsagents.

Diamond jubilee celebration

For its diamond jubilee, which the Malta League in London celebrated recently, an ambitious programme was meticulously prepared. President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici was the League's guest of honour.

A reception and dinner was held at the House of Lords. A thanksgiving Mass was held the next day at the Immaculate Conception Church, in Farm Street, Mayfair, followed by lunch and a public lecture by Dr Mifsud Bonnici at the Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall.

In the evening, there was another lecture at the Diplomatic Academy of London, the University of Westminster, followed by a reception.

Poetry reading at Tempra Academy

A poetry evening proved a most enjoyable international event at Villa Tempra with poems in seven languages (English, French, German, Italian, Maltese, Portuguese and Spanish) and works by 23 poets and translators from the Malta Biennale.

Some poets were present and often read their own works: Pino Lo Monaco (Italy) and Michael Korber (US) had both flown in that day for the event and Shelley Tayar (Malta Biennale delegate US and Israel).

Joyce Guillaumier performed in Maltese with Oliver Friggieri's translation from the Italian of Giuseppe Burgio's Ode to Peace; Brazilian-born Evany de Sangro, wife of a diplomat from the Italian Embassy, read Miguel Barbosa in Portuguese; Rita Lemesre read Françoise Tempra's English version of the same poem by the same translator in her mother tongue; and Pino Lo Monaco read its Italian version, also by Dame Françoise; Olaf Rieck (librarian at the German-Maltese Circle) performed impressively.

He had been suggested for the reading by Helmut Domas of the German Embassy, a polyglot himself, who seemed to have enjoyed the evening. The poetry of Noel Fabri in Maltese was read by three participants, including Lino Bugeja, who also read Enrico Pagani's Italian poem Villa Tempra - scuola di vita and presented Dame Françoise with a fascinatingly documented 500-page book which he co-edited (with Toni Cortis and Thomas Freller) - Melitensium Amor, a Festschrift in honour of Mgr John Azzopardi, who was, for over three decades, curator at the Mdina Cathedral Museum.

The poetry of Milena Kunz-Bijno was beautifully interpreted by Jacqueline Elmann (UK delegate of the Malta Biennale) and Joan Haber (trustee of the Tempra Museum for Contemporary Art).

French poets Dominique Gontier, Jacques Kravetz, Alexandra Kwiatrowski, Gerard Quenon as well as Therese Aouad Basbous (Lebanese) were beautifully interpreted by Claude Lemesre.

English poetry by Bahran El Sakkaf (US and Egypt) and Hella Jean Bartolo (Malta) was later read by Michael Korber who, having lived in Puerto Rico, also interpreted Felix Manuel Quintanilla (Spain) Londres, Hora Infinita and the Spanish translation Lagrimas by Françoise Tempra of Lilika Papanicolaou's poem. The Italian poetry by Luciano Gasper and Milena Kunz Bijno was read by Pino Lo Monaco.

In fact, it was the following evening that Dr Lo Monaco lectured in Italian at Villa Tempra on "La Teosofia". The erudition of Dr Lo Monaco on the Old and New Testaments was undeniable. He also often quoted from his own book Riflessioni which proved highly controversial and his statements gave rise to extremely animated "counter-statements" from all present who did thus, with a great sense of humour, sportingly shared by the lecturer.

All non-Italian participants seemed delighted at the opportunity to practise their Italian.

At the end of both evenings, pizza and wine were served.

Celebrating German National Day with music

The annual celebration hosted by the German Ambassador in Malta to mark the anniversary of the reunification of Germany, last Thursday week took a different - and highly enjoyable - format.

Before the usual reception hosted by the Ambassador, Georg Merten, and Mrs Merten at Villa Ajkla, their delightful residence in Lija, the several hundred guests, led by President and Mrs de Marco, were welcomed by Mr and Mrs Merten and by the parish priest of Lija, Fr David Gauci, at Lija parish church for a concert by the East-West Chamber Ensemble.

The ensemble, made up of members of the Staatskapelle Berlin and young Egyptian, Israeli, Arab Israeli, Lebanese and Jordanian musicians, was founded two years ago by Matthia Glander, of the Staatskapelle Berlin, Sr Patricia Crockford of Bethlehem University (who hails from Sliema) and Karin Davison, Creative Artists' Network.

Sr Patricia has been head of the Music Department of Bethlehem University since 1984.

Before the concert began, Ambassador Merten, in a brief address, described Maltese-German relations as excellent, typified by the highly successful state visit which President and Mrs de Marco paid to Germany last November.

Mr Merten said this year's celebration of German Unity was a special one and it was being held inside the parish church of Lija with the collaboration of the parish priest, Fr Gauci, whom he thanked.

He then spoke about the East-West Ensemble, who were playing in Malta for the first time and whose performances (they played two days before at the Manoel Theatre's Sala Isouard) were funded by the European Union.

Malta, at the crossroads of East and West in the Mediterranean, was a perfect venue for these concerts, he said, adding that he was proud that the ensemble had chosen German Unity Day to play here. He then wished the audience - in Maltese - a pleasant evening.

President de Marco said that the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990 sealed the end of the Cold War. Germany's division was a "historical aberration which we had come to accept", he added, recalling that he was president of the UN General Assembly when the former German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic to form a United Germany.

These events were a great historical landmark, President de Marco continued. The newly united Germany had overcome its teething problems and now wants to play its international role according to the United Nations Charter.

President de Marco praised the East-West ensemble for its noble ideals and its wonderful music, and thanked Ambassador Merten for celebrating German Unity Day "with the sound of music".

Sr Patricia Crockford then gave some information about the ensemble.

The nine members of the ensemble (two violins, viola, two cellos, double bass, flute, clarinet and piano) played works by Mozart, Couperin, Bruch, Dvorak, Chopin and Schubert, and Preghiera Semplice for solo violin and strings, a work by Charles Camilleri, who was present. They also played an encore by Dvorak.

After the concert, the guests walked to the German Ambassador's residence for the traditional reception.

Cassar - Borg

The marriage took place recently at St Paul Shipwrecked collegiate church, Valletta, between Nadia Cassar, daughter of Mr and Mrs Alfred Cassar of Valletta, and Charles Borg, son of Mr and Mrs Pio Borg, also of Valletta.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Alfred Camilleri, Fr Paul Gatt and Fr Henry Abela.

Mr Massimo Cassar, the bride's brother, and Ms Pauline Borg, the groom's sister, witnessed the wedding ceremony. Mr Mario Cassar, another brother of the bride's, was best man.

The bride, who wore an ivory satin dress, was attended by Christine and Dorianne Borg, the groom's sisters, as bridesmaids.

A reception was later held at Torre Paulina, Madliena.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Northern Italy.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - October 14-20

Tomorrow
9.15 a.m. The President receives Dr Peter Frankenberg, Minister of State for Arts and Culture of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, at the Palace, Valletta.
10 The President pays an official visit to Msida, accompanied by the mayor and councillors.
3.15 The President receives the Rt. Hon. Peter Hain, Minister for Europeof the United Kingdom.
7 p.m. The President visits the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce at 219, Republic Street, Valletta.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives the committee members of the Suret-il Bniedem Foundation at the Palace, Valletta.
1 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend a luncheon, hosted by the French Ambassador and Mme Destremau at their residence in Zebbug.
6.30 The President and Mrs de Marco preside over a Malta Community Chest Fund board meeting at San Anton Palace, Attard.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Dr Anwar M. Thiban, the Iraqi Ambassador, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Professor Robert Ghirlando, chairman of Enemalta.
Noon The President receives Mr Charles Mizzi, director general of Education, and Ms Maryrose Mifsud, director, Students Services, and is presented with a donation in aid of the MCCF from proceeds collected during Skolasajf.
8.45 p.m. The President attends a Euro 2004 qualifying football match between Malta and France at Ta' Qali National Stadium

Thursday
9 a.m. The President delivers the keynote address at the Sedqa conference "Correlation between drugs and criminality" at the New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra.
10.30 The President is presented with credentials by Mr Mokhtar Reguieg, the new Algerian Ambassador, at the Palace, Valletta.
11.30 The President is presented with credentials by Mr Marcelo Fernandez de Cordoba Ponce, Ambassador of Ecuador.
1.15 for 1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host an official luncheon in honour of the newly accredited Algerian and Ecuadorian Ambassadors at San Anton Palace.
6 The President receives Mr Günter Verheugen, Commissioner of the European Communities, at the Palace, Valletta.
7.30 The President inaugurates an exhibition set up by Hamrun Spartans Football Club, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Bureau of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, at Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives the president and executive council members of the General Workers Union at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President receives the Prime Minister.
1 p.m. The President receives Professor Pinker, acting chairman of the Press Complaints Commission in the UK, accompanied by delegates of the AIPCE Conference, hosted by the Malta Press Club.
5.45 The President receives Mr Richard Cachia Caruana, chairman, EU Core Negotiating Group, at San Anton Palace.
8 The President attends a reception hosted by the 3/11 Regiment RMA (T) Association on the occasion of the 30th anniversary at the Malta Union Club, Sliema.

Saturday
7.30 p.m. The President attends a concert by the Nicolò Isouard Band Club at the Catholic Institute, Floriana.
8 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a reception hosted by Dr Louis Deguara, Minister of Health, and Mrs Deguara, on the occasion of the feast of St Luke, at Palazzo Castellania, Valletta.

For your diary

The Little Sisters of the Poor will be holding an exhibition on the history and evolution of their mission and vocation towards the elderly at the De Porres Hall from Wednesday to Sunday, both dates inclusive, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance is free.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning and tombola on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. at the Best Western Les Lapins Hotel, Ta' Xbiex. Tickets at Lm1.20 may be obtained by phoning the centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

The Past Pupils Association of St Joseph School, Blata-l-Bajda/Valletta, is organising a barbecue night at school on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets for adults are at Lm5. Children under 12 pay Lm2.50. Friends are welcome.

For more information contact Roberta Mifsud Bonnici on 9946-0366 or 2123-9210 or Marcelline Cuschieri on 7920-9295 or 2143-6443.

An exhibition of sculptures, watercolours and oils by French artist Guy Lemesre will be held next Sunday at Villa Tempra in Mgarr. The exhibition is in aid of the Malta Hospice Movement and will be opened at 11.30 a.m. by French Ambassador Didier Destremau and Mgarr mayor Paul Vella. The general public is invited to attend.

A day of recollection for former students of St Joseph School, Paola, and friends will be held on Thursday, October 24, from 9.15 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. at St Joseph Prayer House, Rabat. The Lm5 price includes lunch. Those wishing to attend are to call Sr Gemma on 2169-4085 by Sunday.

Territorials' Association to celebrate 30th anniversary

Thirty years ago, on March 31, 1972, in an emotional disbandment and gun-handing-over parade held in the ground at Upper St Elmo in Valletta, under the command of Lt Col Maurice Petrocochino RMA (T), the 3/11 Regiment Royal Malta Artillery (Territorial) went into the country's military history books.

For a group of former Warrant Officers and Sergeants there was no way they were going to take the decision to "obliviate" their glorious regiment's memory lying down. The birth of the 3/11 Regiment RMA (T) Warrant Officers & Sergeants Association was their answer.

The Association, now the 3/11 Regiment RMA (T) Association after widening of its membership to ex-officers and other ranks, will be celebrating the event with a reception on Friday and President Guido de Marco will be the chief guest of the association.

All former officers, warrant officers, sergeants, other ranks and civilian staff, who at any time served in these regiments, 3rd Light, 11th Heavy and 3/11 Regt. RMA (T), are being urged to attend. Those interested in doing so are to contact Walter Debattista on 2133-4352 or René Grixti on 2133-8661.

American Embassy closed

The American Embassy and the American Centre will be closed tomorrow for Columbus Day, an American national holiday.

The Embassy will resume normal business hours on Tuesday.