The Ambassador of Tunisia, Naceur Mestiri, last Monday hosted a large reception at his official residence, Dar Carthage, in Attard, to celebrate Tunisia's National Day, which marks the country's independence on March 20, 1956.
Hundreds of guests, led by the President and Mrs Fenech Adami, and the Acting Prime Minister and Mrs Tonio Borg, attended the reception at which delicious Tunisian food was served. They were greeted by Ambassador Mestiri, attired in an elegant traditional Arab outfit, and embassy officials.
The guests included the Speaker, Anton Tabone, Cabinet ministers, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, many members of the business community, especially those who trade with Tunisia, and personalities in all sectors of Maltese society.
Ambassador Mestiri, in a prepared speech for the occasion, spoke about Tunisia's role in promoting dialogue between the Mediterranean states, and also global dialogue, hoping in a continuation of the peace process in the Middle East.
He said that while Tunisia looked forward to a stable and peaceful Iraq, whose territorial integrity should be safeguarded, it was determined to combat terrorism and also its root causes.
Ambassador Mestiri dwelt on his country's strong relations with Malta in various fields, especially investment and cultural exchanges, while tourism links between the two countries are very strong. These relations will be strengthened with the forthcoming visit of President Ben Ali, the first by a Tunisian head of state to Malta, later this year.
Since it became a member of the European Union, Malta has become an even more important interlocutor for Mediterranean states, Mr Mestiri said, wishing the island success in hosting the Commonwealth summit next November.
He ended by proposing a toast to Tunisian-Maltese friendship.
In his reply, President Fenech Adami praised the great advances made by Tunisia since its independence 49 years ago. Malta has always had a "very, very positive" relationship with its North African neighbour. Malta and Tunisia have always worked together to push forward fundamental policies for the Mediterranean.
Relations between the two countries were very strong, and substantial Maltese investment had been made in Tunisia, while the country has become a favourite with Maltese holidaymakers.
He said that when the first waves of Maltese emigration started, Tunisia was among their first destinations - in fact some of his own forebears had settled in Tunisia.
President Fenech Adami said the two countries had worked together within the Barcelona Process and in the 5+5 Forum, which Malta was hosting this year.
He looked forward to the state visit of President Ben Ali which will seal the strong co-operation between the two countries.
The President then invited the guests to drink a toast to President Ben Ali and to the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.
The national anthems of the two countries were then played.
Birthday celebration at Villa Tempra
Dame Françoise Tempra recently celebrated her sister Mina's birthday and those of two other Pisceans - Dr Paola Burrafato who had just arrived from Italy, and Marie-Therese Vassallo.
With over 100 guests from the four corners of the world, it proved to be a musical evening in which only Maltese singers, composers and musicians performed.
The greatest present for Mina was famous violinist James Grech's performance, who left the day after for medical treatment in Australia. Mr Grech was accompanied at the piano by Mro Alan Chircop. Ms Vassallo and tenor George Saliba charmed all present with songs in several languages starting with French to honour Mina.
Vanessa Magro, a frequent performer at Villa Tempra, sang with a totally amazing passion and so did soprano Denise Azzopardi. Saxo-phonist Joe Vella unveiled to a fascinated public the extraordinary novel eloquence of the instrument. Pianist Norman Cristina, accompanied by singers, played a jazz piece. Mina and guests Hugh Grima, Lesley and Bernard Storace, Anna Micallef Trigona and Patrick Filletti danced to Mr Cristina's music until the early hours of the morning.
Maltese pianist gives concert in Berlin
Maltese pianist Anne Borg, who lives in Saarbrücken, Germany, enthralled a 600-strong audience during a very successful, concert organised by the Embassy of Malta in Berlin on Thursday week at the Representation office of Saarland in Berlin. The hall was filled to capacity, with many people standing. Professor Borg performed Chopin's Prélude, op. 45 and Three Mazurkas, op. 50 and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition to rapturous applause by the audience.
Anne Borg delivered a wonderful performance full of energy and lyricism. Her interpretation was truly masterful, her technique and rendering impeccable.
The choice of venue for the concert reflected not only the fact that Professor Borg has been resident in Saarland for many years (she has been teaching the piano at the Hochschule für Musik des Saarlandes in Saarbrücken since 1978), but also highlighted the excellent relations between the Embassy of Malta in Berlin and the Saarland State Mission in the federal capital.
In May last year, in his capacity as chairman of a group of ambassadors, the Group of Thirteen, Malta's Ambassador in Berlin, William C. Spiteri, had led a visit of the Group to Saarbrücken aimed at establishing relations with the region.
In November 2004, on the initiative of Ambassador Spiteri, a representative of Malta Enterprise, together with the president of the Maltese-German Chamber of Commerce, Henry Borg, visited Saarbrücken, where meetings were held with local business leaders and with the Saarland Chamber of Commerce, in a bid to attract trade and business to Malta. On December 4, Ambassador Spiteri was the guest speaker at a dinner organised at the Saarland Representative Office, during the annual meeting of Saarland Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians from the Moselle region in France.
Last January, the Saarland Mission in Berlin hosted in its foyer a photographic exhibition by Maltese photographer, Darrin Zammit Lupi. The piano recital by Anne Borg is, therefore, the latest in a string of promotional events co-ordinated between the Maltese Embassy and the Saarland State Mission in Berlin.
In short speeches they made before the concert, Ambassador Spiteri and State Secretary Monika Beck highlighted links between Saarland and Malta. During the lavish buffet reception which immediately followed the one-hour concert (this buffet was provided by the Saarland Mission who, incidentally, also met travel and accommodation expenses for Anne Borg), Maltese wine, made available by the Embassy of Malta, was served to the many guests.
A very attractive tourism and information open stand, with attractive tourist posters was manned by a young student dressed as a Maltese knight, who distributed brochures to the many guests.
KPMG strengthens ties with JCI Malta
KPMG Malta, the local member firm of one of the Big Four International Business Advisory firms, has recently signed a Platinum Corporate Membership agreement with JCI Malta.
The advisory firm's support was welcomed as an endorsement of the organisation's contribution to nurture better leaders and better entrepreneurs.
JCI Malta welcomed this move which Karl Farrugia Wismayer, JCI Malta national president 2005 stated to be an endorsement "of the quality product we have been offering our members and opens new doors for what has yet to come"
Currently, JCI Malta organises courses by international qualified trainers, and also offers members both foreign and local networking opportunities. JCI Malta actively promotes entrepreneurship by holding an annual Best Business Plan competition, while it recognises remarkable efforts by youths through The Outstanding Young Person award.
These last two initiatives are of particular significance to KPMG Malta, highlighting its commitment as a "people firm" keen to assist the business community by investing in training and recognising achievers. Through its corporate membership KPMG Malta will contribute significant resources necessary to continue to improve the quality of the NGO's work, while benefiting from training for its own staff.
In the past years KPMG Malta had already supported the organisation's flagship projects. In the latter programme KPMG also participated in the judging panel vetting business plan proposals by youths ranging from skydiving to a University campus notification system.
KPMG Malta joins a growing pool of corporate members, representing some key players in the local economy. HSBC, Corinthia Hotels International, Vodafone and Clayton Communications all support the JCI brand. In a time when Malta was going through significant change, with the international scene now more directly connected to local affairs, the country needs quality leaders with an aptitude for the international dimension to pioneer such change.
In conclusion, KPMG Malta's senior partner, Joseph Schembri, explained that as a "people firm" KPMG believe in training their staff and recognising remarkable performance.
"In partnering with JCI Malta we feel we are reaching out by offering opportunities to enhance Maltese youths' capabilities, the same resources we value as present and future staff and clients," he remarked.
Go Mobile awards Lm500 worth of gifts to GO! readers
Go mobile has recently awarded Lm500 worth of gifts to four lucky GO! magazine readers. The gifts included Go Live! MMS phones, free MMS, and a weekend break for two.
The lucky readers won after having participated in various competitions that appeared on last December's issue of GO! - Go mobile's annual publication. Thousands of Go Mobile customers participated in these competitions.
Leah Mifsud, the youngest of the winners, won 500 free MMS and a weekend break at L-Imgarr Hotel in Gozo, for sending the most original Christmas photo message in the Go Live! MMS Competition.
Three other participants were drawn and won a Go Live! MMS Sagem MY-X 5 phone each after having sent an SMS with the correct answer to a particular multiple-choice question. The three winners are Marianne Farrugia of Birzebbuga, Mary Carmen Tonna of Marsascala, and Mary Borg of Cospicua. Franco Aloisio, GO! editor and Go Mobile's PR and market research executive, presented the prizes to the winners.
The third edition of GO! was distributed free of charge with all main Sunday newspapers in both English and Maltese last December. In the issue, GO! extensively featured and explained Go Mobile's services such as Go Live!, MMS settings, Wi-Fi, mobile e-mail, as well as feedback from a number of Go Mobile customers from all walks of life.
Operatic evening in aid of James Grech Cancer Fund
Violinist James Grech, founder and organiser of the Stradivari Season, has sadly been struck at the young age of 28 by lymphoblastic lymphoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer.
He is now receiving treatment at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Australia under Professor Kerry Taylor, one of the world's leading haematologists.
In recognition of a dear friend and of Mr Grech's contribution to the cultural life of Malta, fellow musicians and colleagues have set up the James Grech Cancer Fund to organise events to raise money for James' treatment.
The first concert in aid of the James Grech Cancer Fund will be an operatic evening on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. at the Manoel Theatre featuring mezzo soprano Claire Massa accompanied by Simone Attard, and the Amadeus Chamber Choir under the direction of tenor Brian Cefai, assistant director Michelle Cachia Castelletti, and supported by the Amadeus Chamber Ensemble - Sarah Spiteri (leader), Mariella Farrugia (flute), John Mc Donough (oboe/bassoon), Godfrey Mifsud (clarinet), Joseph Mifsud (horn), Sarah Spiteri and Roberta Attard (violins), Mario Frendo (viola), Elizabeth Conrad (cello), Sharon Gauci (piano), Michelle Cachia Castelletti (organ) and Renzo Spiteri (percussion).
The programme will include works by Mozart, Rossini, Massenet, Saint-Saëns, Thomas, Gounod, Dvorak, Faure and Albinoni.
For tickets, at Lm3, Lm5, Lm6, Lm8 and Lm10, phone 9945-7126, 7953-7925, 9986-4967 or the Manoel Theatre booking office on 2124-6389. Online bookings: www.manoeltheatre.com. E-mail: stradivari@global.net.mt.
Transport is provided from all hotels on the island. More information is available on www.stradivariseason.com.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - March 28-April 3
Tomorrow
12.50 p.m. The President attends a reception hosted by the Valletta Alive Foundation on the occasion of Valletta Day at the Malta Stock Exchange, Valletta.
Tuesday
10 a.m. The President is interviewed Mr Joe Mikallef at the Palace, Valletta.
10 Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the Malta Community Chest Fund Working Committee.
11 The President receives the Commissioner and members of the Commission for Children.
Wednesday
10 a.m. The President is interviewed by Lou Bondi for the TV programme Bondiplus at the Palace, Valletta.
Thursday
8.55 a.m. The President attends a wreath-laying ceremony on the occasion of Freedom Day at Vittoriosa.
Friday
11 a.m. The President presides over the Drug Forum Meeting at the Palace, Valletta.
Saturday
10.30 p.m. The President receives participants of the XXII Convegno: I Gesuiti e La Collaborazione dei Laici at the Palace, Valletta
Sunday
10.30 a.m. The President lays the foundation stone of the extension of the Holy Trinity Home for the Elderly at Naxxar.
For your diary
The Malta Historical Society is organising a lecture entitled "Lost Treasures of Valletta", by Ray Bondin, as part of the series "Rediscovering Valletta", at Sta Caterina d'Italia church, Valletta, tomorrow at 6 p.m.
A coffee morning/tombola is being organised at the Salesians Oratory, Sliema, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. For tickets phone Fr Forte or Yvonne Camilleri on 2133-1447 or 2133-4253.
The Friends of Australia Association is organising the annual Easter lunch at the Seabank Hotel, Mellieha, on April 3.
Members and their families are cordially invited to obtain more information from the reception at Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place, Valletta, or phone (office hours) on 2122-2644 or 2124-0255. Transport is available on request.
A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Skyroom, Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on April 6 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.
The Mata Catholic Action is organising an Easter lunch at the Qawra Palace Hotel, Qawra, on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. For bookings phone 2122-2239.
People
Benjamin Fenech, B. Eng. (Hons), was recently awarded a Master's in Science (M.Sc.) in Engineering Acoustics from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).
This two-year Master's Programme covers a broad range of topics related to acoustics, including noise and vibration control, architectural and building acoustics, outdoor sound propagations, psychoacoustics and audiology.
For his thesis, Mr Fenech analysed a new noise-control mechanism using micro-perforated plates, and showed that if they are used in the right way, such plates can provide acoustical damping in excess of 30dB. Unlike mineral wool, these plates are ideal for harsh environments, including high-temperature applications. The project was carried out in collaboration with Odegaard & Danneskoild-Samsoe A/S, a Danish consultancy firm specialised in noise and vibration control, with whom Mr Fenech was employed part-time during most of his stay in Denmark.
Mr Fenech graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malta in 2002, and pursued his studies in Denmark directly afterwards. In view of the successful progress in his Master's, Mr Fenech was awarded a scholarship for a Ph.D. by the University of Southampton in England. Mr Fenech has already started his Ph.D. studies. The area of his research is experimental aeroacoustics.
Mr Fenech is the son of Connie and Joseph Fenech of Dingli.