Heard in the Hive

Having just returned from the Tempra Summer Academy in Germany, with 16 cultural events held in four cities from July 23 to 31, Dame Françoise Tempra, president of the Malta International Art Biennale, is preparing for the forthcoming Tempra Summer Academy in Italy.

This will be held at the leisure village La Colombara in Occhiobello di Rovigo-Ferrara (Venice Airport, September 23-30; artists and art lovers wishing to attend should call Eva Kover on 9943-1165 or 9942-9769 or 0039-0425-762311 or e-mail eva@waldonet.net.mt).

Works by artists from 32 countries will be on show. Malta will be represented by paintings, sculptures, graphics and photographs by 20 artists.

The music and poetry evenings will feature works by Maltese composers and poets.

Dame Françoise will be promoting next year's Malta Biennale through various activities. Three Italian poets who are her frequent guests at Villa Tempra in Mgarr - Betty Tavecchia, Enrico Pagani and Donato Piazza - will take part in the 2005 Biennale while architect Beatrice Fumagalli accepted to be a member of the jury for the Archtectural Design Section of the biennale while offering an impressive venue at former industries at Montesolano di Carinate (Milan) for the Italian part of the biennale.

Another house guest at Villa Tempra, Barbara Ferrara, organiser of the prestigious Fashion Fair at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, agreed to be a member of the jury for the biennale's Fashion Design section.

The Spanish Ambassador, Maria Rosa Boceta, who last Sunday attended a Villa Tempra dinner with her sister Carmen and niece Lucia, just arrived from Spain, on October 10 - two days before Spain's National Day - will be inaugurating an exhibition entitled "Homage to Spain and to Las Meninas of Velasquez" at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.

This exhibition had been presented in 2001 at the Centre Culturel Christiane Peugeot in Paris and at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut.

The Malta exhibition (including 32 original works by British artist Frank Hill, who died in 1990, and artists by seven other nations) will include several pictorial "Homages to Velasquez" by the Maltese artist Joe Genovese.

New work of art for Precursor Band Club

A bronze bust of Mro Andrea Borg, founder of the Precursor Band Club of Xewkija, was inaugurated at the club's premises recently.

The bust, measuring slightly larger than lifesize, was modelled by Gozitan artist Joseph Sagona and was cast in bronze by Joseph Chetcuti of Pembroke.

The bust was put up on a marble plinth, worked to the designs of Mr Sagona by Raymond Bonello.

The iniative was taken on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the band's foundation, which took place in 1929. The monument was inaugurated by Xewkija mayor Dr Monica Vella and the Precursor band club's president, Louis Vella.

Grande Fratello personality at the Westin

The Westin Dragonara Resort once again hosted another Italian celebrity within its majestic walls. This time it was DJ Tommy Vee, better known as Tommaso of Il Grande Fratello.

Tommy was brought over to Malta by Fresh Music Agency to be the guest DJ during a party held recently at Amazonia. He spent the night at the Westin Dragonara Resort.

Tommaso rocketed to fame during his 90-day stay in the house of Il Grande Fratello under the watchful eyes of the cameras. The Italian version of Big Brother is one of the most popular programmes in Italy as well as in Malta, and Tommaso was one of the very favourites during the fourth edition of Il Grande Fratello.

He has travelled extensively, but this was his first time to Malta, with which he was very impressed. "I never knew that Malta was like this. It is amazing, absolutely charming and the people are so warm and friendly," he told Karen Mifsud, Westin Dragonara's PR and e-commerce manager. "I will certainly tell everyone what a fantastic place this is!"

Accor employee wins Silver Bernache Award

Pierre Zammit, senior marketing and PR manager at the Dragonara Casino, was recently awarded the Silver Bernache Award in the Professionalism category. This prestigious title rewards persons working for the international Accor group for their dedication and exemplary actions in achieving success for the company.

Accor is a worldwide group, present in over 100 countries, which manages more than 4,000 hotels. Its subsidiary, Accor Casinos, which manages the local Dragonara Casino, also directs 22 casinos in Europe. This group employs over 150,000 employees worldwide.

The Bernache Award is awarded to employees who endorse and strive to achieve Accor's values of trust, responsibility, professionalism, transparency and innovation. It is the highest award given in the Accor Group, awarded to only 15 employees of the whole group worldwide.

Mr Zammit, the first Maltese to win such a prestigious award, has managed to apply highly innovative marketing and commercial strategies to promote the Dragonara Casino in a highly competitive market. This achievement has ensured that the Dragonara Casino consolidates its leader position, with a constant rise in turnover and over 20 per cent increase annual growth rate in attendance.

After the winners were announced, Mr Zammit said that he was pleased with the award which shows that hard work always pays, especially at the Dragonara Casino where all the management works together as one team to achieve the objectives set by the company.

Victoria Hotel celebrates seventh anniversary

The management of the Victoria Hotel in Sliema recently celebrated the hotel's seventh anniversary during the traditional annual summer party for employees and their partners.

The party, which was held at the roof garden of the hotel, provided an opportunity for all the employees of the Victoria Hotel to meet socially.

During the party, the hotel's acting general manager, Claire Xuereb, announced the winner of the summer edition of the Achiever of the Year award which had 'Attitude' as a main theme. The employee who managed to score the highest number of points was Garret Magri who is employed as a storekeeper and assistant to the purchasing officer.

In a short address, Ms Xuereb thanked all employees for their dedication and hard work especially during the hotel's major refurbishment programme. The works related to the refurbishment were completed in such a smooth manner that guests were not even aware that the refurbishment was going on.

Addressing the employees, Angelo Xuereb, chairman of AX Group, expressed his appreciation for the employees' ongoing efforts that contributed towards the provision of an exceptional service and excellent financial performance. He said that this augurs well for the future expansion of the hotel.

Evening at St Thomas Bay

Tony Mangion writes:

On August 7, l-Ghaqda Bajja San Tumas held its annual Festa Sajf at picturesque St Thomas Bay. Among those present was the mayor of Marsascala, Charlo Mifsud, while persons with special needs from the group Mattew 25 of Zejtun were special guests.

The evening started off with an open-air Mass celebrated by Fr Juan Debono and animated by the singing of Eleanor Cassar, who was accompanied by Elton Zarb on the synthesiser. A large crowd attended the Mass and then stayed on for an evening of entertainment, which was compered by the well-known disc jockey John Muscat. The place was decorated with colourful lights and street decorations, while plants adorned the altar and the stage.

Talent was abundant as two sets of very promising dancers, who are not yet in their teens, took the stage. The Zorba Dancers danced to the tune of Obssession, while the Best Lucky Dancers performed to the music of Poison.

A group of young people then produced a playlet based on the maxim "don't count your chickens before they are hatched". It was well received and nine-year-old Tansy Micallef stole the limelight with her mischievous looks and on-stage pranks. Joseph Agius, the leader of the group, was presented with a commemorative plate for his initiative and endeavours.

The Generades Youth Group chose the music of this year's Eurovision contest winner, Wild Dances, for their energetic dance. They also sang the Youth Hymn and a song they competed with during Youth Day.

Folk singing was next and it was provided by Joseph Spagnol, who sang a duet with his promising young daughter Janice. They were accompanied on guitars by Spagnol himself and his son Kevin and by Fredu Grech. Members of the Chris and Stephanie Dancing School then performed a few numbers.

Teen members of the Zorba Dancers performed their dance based on the music of White Flag. Eleanor Cassar, who earlier sang during Mass and recently won a prestigious Romanian song festival, then sang some songs from her repertoire.

Mario 'Snitz' Spiteri, together with his wife, singer Leontine, mimed through a comedy sketch. Later on 'Snitz' gave a fire-eating show.

In between Leontine entertained the audience with her singing. After a short address from Mayor Mifsud, the Red Roses Dancers danced to the music of This is the Music I Like and Rise.

The highlight of the evening was the one-hour concert by the popular singer Renato. He lived up to his reputation as a great showman by abandoning the stage and stepping down among the audience and made them perform with him some of his popular songs.

Towards the end of his concert he introduced promising singer Aldo Busuttil, who after singing a song, joined Renato for the finale, Nessun dorma.

It was a most entertaining and enjoyable evening and after it ended people were already speaking of next year. The show was directed by Joe Baldacchino.

Mediterranean cuisine experience at Joey Tomato's

An experience in Mediterranean cuisine was created with the artistic flair of Ray Fauzza, the chef-patron at Joey Tomato's Restaurant and Fiorucci products.

The restaurant operators together with Attard & Co, local importers of Fiorucci, hosted the press and other guests to this culinary fusion earlier this month.

The restaurant setting at Portomaso offered the ideal backdrop for this Mediterranean summer night. The restaurant centrepiece displayed a selection of the Fiorucci product range, complemented with fresh baked bread.

A display of baguettes with Parma ham, bresaola cured meat, mixed cheese and a variety of cured cold cuts warmed up the guests for the first course.

The chef's forte at the flambé, with an open demonstration, added to the anticipation for the pasta specialties with tortellini di carne with cream and mushroom sauce topped with parmesan cheese and tortellini di ricotta with sage and mushrooms.

A medley of classical Italian songs by the resident guitarist highlighted the entertainment mood of the guests. An assortment of pizza bites followed by crêpes suzettes wrapped up this enjoyable evening.

Children's Day at BoV Zebbug branch

The employees at Bank of Valletta's Zebbug branch recently organised a Children's Day. This was the first time that the branch organised this summer activity for children who live in the locality. BoV's Young Savers mascot, Cikkurillu, was the special guest at this event and distributed gifts to the children present.

Games, face painting and other activities were organised to the delight of the children present. The branch was also specially decorated for the occasion with coloured balloons and banners.

During this event, children could also participate in a drawing competition. All participating pictures drawn by the children were put up on display within the public area at the branch. The winners of the competition were Janice Briffa and Matthias Borg.

The activity was held during normal banking hours and was a success.

Speaking during the presentation of prizes to the winners of the drawing competition, George Decesare, manager of BoV's Zebbug branch, said: "We are pleased that our initiative was well received. This Children's Day has promoted the concept that learning how to save can also be fun. At Bank of Valletta, we have been promoting this concept through the highly successful BoV Young Savers' Club.

"Indeed, whenever a BoV Young Savers' Account is opened, children automatically become members of the Young Savers' Club where they start enjoying a variety of benefits and have the opportunity to participate in fun activities which the bank organises for members."

Zerafa - Cassar Wheelan

Married recently at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina, were Abigail Zerafa, B.Ed.(Hons), daughter of Charles and Alfrida Zerafa of Mriehel, and Duncan Cassar Wheelan, son of Saviour and the late Anne Cassar Wheelan, of Xemxija.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Ray Francalanza. Alan Zerafa and Andrew Cassar Wheelan were witnesses, while Keith Sammut carried out the duties of best man. Tiziana Borg, Lorna d'Anastasi and Debbie Cassar Wheelan were bridesmaids.

A reception was later held at the Gazebo Olive Garden, Hilton. The couple spent their honeymoon in Las Vegas and on a cruise in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Sammut - Xuereb

The marriage of Jennifer Sammut, daughter of John and Doris Sammut of Mellieha, and Christopher Xuereb, son and Vincent and Clementina Xuereb of Mellieha, was recently celebrated at the Sanctuary of Our Lady, Mellieha.

Fr Emmanuel Abela officiated at the wedding. Diane Debono, the bride's aunt, and Joseph Debono, the groom's uncle, witnessed the ceremony. David Sammut and Victor Xuereb carried out the duties of best man.

The bride was given away by her father. Her cousin, Stephanie Debono, was maid of honour, while her cousins Celine Borg and Amanda Fenech, together with Charmaine Xuereb, the groom's sister, were bridesmaids. Kelly Fenech, another cousin of the bride, was flower-girl.

A reception was later held at Palazzo Nobile. The couple spent their honeymoon in Orlando, Florida and on a Caribbean cruise.

Apap - Micallef

Our Lady of Victories parish church, Naxxar, was recently the wedding venue of Claire Papa, daughter of Vincent and Maria Dolores Apap of San Pawl tat-Targa, and Mark Micallef, son of Carlo and Carmen Micallef of Birkirkara.

Fr Charles Baldacchino, OFM, officiated at the wedding. Audrey Camilleri, Cert. CIB, sister of the bride, and Francis Micallef, uncle of the groom, witnessed the ceremony. David Sant and Emanuel Apap carried out the duties of best man.

The bride, who was given away by her father, was attended by the groom's sister, Maria, as bridesmaid. Yan Camilleri, the bride's nephew, was pageboy.

A reception was later held at the Blue Elephant Restaurant of the Hilton, Portomaso. The couple spent their honeymoon in the Middle East.

Aquilina - Debono

The marriage took place recently between Gloria Aquilina, daughter of Paul and Pauline Aquilina of St Paul's Bay, and David Debono, son of Charles and Esther Debono of Mosta.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated at the Mosta rotunda church by Fr Mario Camilleri.

The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming wearing a gold satin hand-beaded gown. She also wore a diamond necklace and earrings, a family heirloom.

Neville Aquilina, the bride's brother, and Brian Debono, the groom's brother, were witnesses, while Mario Deguara, Marco Saliba and Salvino Zahra were best men.

Nicolette Sant was maid of honour. The bride was also attended by her nieces Amy Aquilina as flower-girl, and Kim Aquilina, Emma, Chloe and Danielle Enwright, as well as the groom's nieces Angelique Debono and Rebecca Formosa, as bridesmaids. Jacob Formosa was pageboy.

A reception was later held at the San Gorg Corinthia Hotel, St George's, from where the couple left for their honeymoon in Jamaica.

Fenech - Dengaky

The marriage of Jane Fenech, daughter of Carmen and Benjamin Fenech of Qormi, and Clavy Daniel Dengaky, goalkeeper of Hamrun Spartans FC, son of Firmine and Gabriel Dengaky of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, was recently celebrated at the reception hall of the Victoria Hotel in Sliema.

Pastor William Osagiede officiated at the wedding. Josette Galea, the bride's aunt, and Lydia Adjibode, witnessed the ceremony. Graham Llnah carried out the duties of best man.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore an ivory satin dress with ivory roses. Lorraine Fenech, the bride's sister, was bridesmaid.

A reception was later held at the Victoria Hotel.

People

Dr Myra K. Tilney, MD, MBA (Henley), FRCP, FACP, FEFIM, was recently elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Earlier this year, she was also elected to the Fellowship of the American College of Physicians by direct election, a singular honour.

Dr Tilney qualified MD with Distinction in Medicine from the University of Malta in 1984, and was elected MRCP (UK) in 1989. She underwent postgraduate training in medicine in Malta, Brussels and London. She subsequently qualified Dip. Mgt (Henley) in 2001 and MBA (Henley) in 2003. She has been teaching within the Department of Medicine, at the University of Malta Medical School since 1989, with full-time responsibilities since 1999. In 2000 she was elected Fellow of the European Federation of Internal Medicine.

Dr Tilney is consultant physician with joint responsibilities within the Department of Medicine, St Luke's Hospital and Department of Primary Health Care. She has published in peer-reviewed journals locally and overseas in her areas of interest, cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, including Diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia, and evidence-based pharmacology and therapeutics. She is also interested in health care management and clinical quality improvement. She has worked as an evaluation expert for the Sixth Framework Protocol of the EU.

Dr Tilney represented the medical profession through the Medical Association of Malta, as secretary general (1996-2001) and international secretary (2001-4). She was actively involved in the development of the Health Care Professions Act 2003.

She is a board member of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (2004-) and is vice-chair of its committee on organisation of health care, social security, health economics and pharmaceutical industry. She also sits on the European Federation of Internal Medicine, and participates in various national and international bodies addressing quality improvement in medicine.

Dr Tilney is married to Dr Terence Tilney, MD, Lic. Spec. Card, CLJ, consultant cardiologist at St Luke's Hospital, and has two sons, Tristan and Russel.

Chris Zahra, Dip. Surv. (Reading), MIM, MRICS, MCIOB, of Rabat, residing in Birzebbuga, was recently awarded a Master of Science degree in Construction Management by the University of Bath, UK.

Mr Zahra has been studying at the University for the last three years. His dissertation is entitled "Knowledge Management in the Construction Industry, with particular emphasis to the Chartered Quantity Surveying Firms."

He is presently reading for a Ph.D. at University of Salford, Manchester, specialising in the value of knowledge in the construction industry, with emphasis on the Maltese construction industry.

Mr Zahra is a chartered quantity surveyor, a visiting lecturer at MCAST, running two diploma courses in collaboration with a UK college, and specialising in construction cost and management consultancies.

He is the son of Mr and Mrs John Zahra of Rabat and he is married to Mary Ann née Galea and they have a two-year-old son, David.

Matthew Camilleri has just graduated from the ISMA Centre, University of Reading, with a first class B.Sc. degree in International Securities, Investment and Banking. Mr Camilleri is a former student of San Anton School and of St Aloysius' College.

The ISMA Centre at Reading University is the world's largest specialist residential finance school, purpose-built for professional and academic education. It has established connections with the global finance industry. The centre is housed in a $5 million building and has two Invest dealing rooms, with more than 60 Reuters, Telerate and Bloomberg terminals.

The B.Sc. ISIB is one of the most widely recognised degrees in the financial sector. The course covers a broad range of finance and capital markets related subjects, covering economics, accountancy, money and banking, advanced spreadsheet modelling, derivative securities pricing and trading, debt markets and instruments, financial regulation, portfolio management and management of risk.

In 2003/4, Mr Camilleri formed part of the University of Reading's team of four, participating in the KPMG European Case Study Competition, winning both the regional and UK national stages of the contest against teams from several other universities.

Mr Camilleri will be in Malta for the next couple of weeks.

Ing. Louis A. Montebello recently attended the 13th annual world business congress organised by the International Management Development Association, on "Global Business - Coping with Uncertainty".

Ing. Montebello presented his paper on "Comparing participative management teams with non-participative management teams: Case study of ST Microelectronics Ltd (Malta)."

This paper was co-authored by Professor Steve F. Foster and Professor Geert W.J. Heling, both from the Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands.

Ing. Montebello has a first degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malta, a second degree in Operations Management from the University of Brunel (UK) and is currently finishing his doctorate in Business Administration with the Maastricht School of Management. He also manages his own training and consultancy association.

Guzè Chetcuti celebrates 90th birthday

Poet and novelist Guzè Chetcuti, one of the founders of the Ghaqda Kittieba tal-Malti, celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this month at his residence in Sliema.

He was surrounded by members of his family: his daughter Josephine and her husband Joe A. Vella, and his three sons, Adrian and his wife Josephine, Charles and his wife Maryanne, and Geoffrey and his wife Emma, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lions Club Mdina is organising a poolside barbecue at Villa Capricorn, Madliena, on Saturday at 8 p.m. For tickets, at Lm6 for adults and Lm3 for children under 12, phone M. Abela on 2137-0230 or 9947-3702, or M. Manduca on 2143-5388 or 9984-8900.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on September 1 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.