Heard in the Hive

The Italian Ambassador, Dr Alvise Memmo, on June 2 hosted a reception to mark the proclamation of the Italian Republic 59 years ago, which is celebrated as the country's National Day.

The reception was held at the Reef Club, Westin Dragonara, and was attended by a large number of guests, led by the President, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami.

They included the Speaker, Anton Tabone, Cabinet ministers, the Chief Justice and Mrs Degaetano, former Presidents Censu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Guido de Marco, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps and Italian residents and members of the Italian military mission and their wives.

In his address, which he delivered in Italian, Ambassador Memmo said that the long-standing relations between Malta and Italy were further strengthened with the recent state visit of President Ciampi, following that made by then President Guido de Marco in Italy in 2004.

Trade and economic links had also received a boost thanks to Malta's membership of the European Union last year, and later by the signing of the EU Constitutional Treaty in Rome, a treaty which was intended to bring Europeans closer together and to improve the EU's internal structures. There are defects which are bound to come to light over time, but Malta and Italy both stood to benefit from the creation of a single market of 450 million citizens.

The EU allowed both countries to face common problems like terrorism, treats to the environment and to peace and stability in the Mediterranean - the latter, especially, by the continuing Middle East conflict.

Ambassador Memmo said that Malta and Italy played a determining role in bring about peace in the region. The EU ensured that each member country retained its national and European identity.

After delivering a few words in Maltese, in which he expressed the hope that Italo-Maltese relations will continue to prosper, Ambassador Memmo proposed a toast to President Fenech Adami, to Italo-Maltese friendship and to the prosperity of the Maltese people.

Replying to the toast in Italian, President Fenech Adami referred to President Ciampi's recent visit and the warmth with which Italy looked at Malta, reflecting the closeness of the two peoples.

He said the results of the referenda held in France and in the Netherlands on the European Constitution called for reflection. The President of the EU Council, Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg, said that "the (European) dream is over", but this need not be so, Dr Fenech Adami said. In fact the dream had been realised, since Europe has been at peace for 60 years, thanks to the solidarity which has been generated among its peoples.

The President said that this is a period of transition; a strong, unified Europe is in our best interests. He had played an important part in preparing Malta for accession, and at the time they had often spoken of a dream which would benefit all Maltese - students, workers, all citizens. This is now happening.

Italy, whose National Day was being celebrated that day, had always been very enthusiastic about European integration, and had consistently supported Malta in its progress towards membership. Italy will no doubt contribute to overcome Europe's current crisis and continues to play its part. After all Italy knows, thanks to the Marshall Plan, what solidarity is all about.

President Fenech Adami said he was sure that the current crisis will be a thing of the past.

He then proposed a toast to President Ciampi and to Italo-Maltese friendship, after which the two national anthems were played.

Kilimanjaro Challenge team raise Lm38,000

The Kilimanjaro Challenge team recently organised a fund-raising lunch at the Radisson SAS BayPoint Resort. The well-attended event allowed the group to put their financial commitments to rest.

After eight long and arduous months, the Lm38,000 required to pay for the building of a kindergarten in the Ethiopian village of Bulbula have been raised.

Team member Keith Marshall said: "It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It is true that at times it was taxing and often frustrating, but at least we can look back on all our achievements with very fond memories."

The sponsors of the Reaching Out project were Junior's, X-Fm, Emirates, H2Only, St Anne's Clinic, Alberta, Optika, Chemimart, Swatch, Peugeot, K-Optics, British Airways, Offset Press and Gato Negro.

Mr Marshall also thanked DJ Gianni, Paul Falzon for setting up all sound and visuals, Edward Sammut for video production, the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, and the Tista' Tkun Int! crew for providing prominent exposure throughout the build-up to the event.

Maltese-American assistance to charities

In a recent ceremony at the US Ambassador's residence in Attard, five charitable organisations received cheques from the American Foundation for Maltese Charities, which for more than 40 years has raised funds in the United States to help Maltese citizens in need.

The cheques, totalling $7,000, were presented by chargé d'affaires William Grant and Joseph Micallef, who in addition to serving as Malta's honorary consul in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is also the vice-chairman of the foundation.

Mr Grant thanked the foundation for its generosity, while Mr Micallef commended the recipient organisations for their efforts on behalf of those who are less fortunate.

First Marian Week in Mqabba

The Youth Section of the St Mary Society and King George V Band Club organised a Marian Week at the Old Hospital Building in Mqabba during the first week of May.

Two exhibitions were organised during the week - one consisting of various artistic statues of Our Lady, and the other about paintings and other forms of art on the Marian theme. Various local talent, including the Mother of Christ Folk Group, the Neo-Catechumens of Mqabba, soprano Francesca Farrugia, and Patrick Mallia and Carmel Bianchi, who read poetry, took part.

The official opening took place under the patronage of parish priest Fr Nazzareno Caruana and in the presence of Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea, Mqabba mayor Nicholas Briffa, councillors and various other guests.

The society's own band, the King George V Band, played a selection of Marian musical compositions, including works by Gounod, Mozart, Mro Anthony Camilleri and the band's own director, Mro David Agius.

Knowledge and education about Our Lady was an important part of the Marian Week, with informative talks being given by numerous experts in the field of theology, including Mgr Joseph Carabott, Rev. Dr Hector Scerri, Rev. Dr Jesmond Manicaro, Archbishop's delegate for the Liturgical Commission, Fr Joseph Zahra, OP, spiritual director of St Mary Society of Mqabba, and Fr Michael Camilleri, OP, parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima church, Guardamangia.

Certificates were presented to those who participated in the exhibitions. A group of artists spent the day in Mqabba drawing and painting a variety of scenes on cultural and Marian themes.

For more information and photographs of this exhibition, visit the Website of the St Mary Society and King George V Band Club at www.santamarija.com

Investiture ceremony of Order of St Mary of Zion

Prince Philip Mak-onnen and his consort, Princess Aster Abatow, were recently in Malta to participate in a two-day programme organised by the Commandery of Debreberhane of the Imperial Ethiopian Order of St Mary of Zion.

Accompanying the royal couple was also Prince Estefanos Mengesha, who flew from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to Malta to meet his relatives.

The programme consisted of a meeting for all members of the order residing in Europe, and an investiture ceremony on the following day.

The first meeting was presided over by Deputy Grand Master Prince Estefanos. The meeting was opened with prayers and was followed by a welcome speech by the host of the programme, Chev. George Said-Zammit.

Grand Commander Chev. Dr Steve E. Pehrson and Grand Treasurer Lawrence E. Slight briefed the members about the order's strategy and future. Dr Pehrson explained that there is presently an increasing worldwide interest in the Order of St Mary of Zion, with new jurisdictions being established in the US, Australia, Japan and Europe.

The Grand Treasurer explained how the funds of the order are being used for the needy in Ethiopia.

The meeting was concluded with a message from Prince Estefanos.

This investiture ceremony, which was attended by people from various countries, including the US, UK, Greece and Germany, was presided over by Prince Estefanos Mengesha, in his capacity as Deputy Grand Master and representing the Crown Prince of Ethiopia Prince Zere Yacobe Asfa Wossen Haile Selassie.

Wearing a typical white Ethiopian costume and the black cape of the order, he admitted into the order the Archbishop Douglas Titus Lewins (UK), Chev. Craig Peter Barclay (UK), Chev. Christopher Edward Braddock (UK), Chev. Costantin

A. Nastos (Greece), Chev. George Karidas (Greece), Capt. Chev. Miltiades Savva Kotzageridis (Greece), Dr Chev. Cosmas Daskalakis (Greece), Prof. Chev. George John Noussios (Greece), Dr Chev. Christos Gilomanakis (Greece) and Dr Chev. Georg Reiff (Germany).

At the same function, Prince Estefanos admitted George Said-Zammit in the rank of Knight Grand Cross. Four members of the same Commandery, hailing from Portugal, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, could not attend.

The Deputy Grand Master also confirmed other senior appointments: that of Professor Col. Thomas J. Allred and that of Dr Hugh J.F. Robertson, both from the US. The Solomonic King-of-Arms then pronounced the decrees issued by the Crown Prince Zere Yacobe Asfa Wossen, by which he ennobled five gentlemen for their outstanding service to the Imperial Family of Haile Selassie.

The ceremony was followed by a gala dinner in a hotel in Sliema. At the end of this occasion, the host thanked all those present and remarked how organisations like the Order of St Mary of Zion can really be a means of bridging together peoples of different cultures and languages.

Although the aim of the order is ultimately to raise funds worldwide for the needy in Ethiopia, it is also a means to unite people from different parts of the world.

In a short speech Prince Estefanos said that apart from having enjoyed the company of the members of this order, he also enjoyed the lovely island of Malta and its people.

For more information about this order of chivalry and its various philanthropic projects, send an e-mail to depgrcm@yahoo.com.

Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce supports Special Projects Programme

The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce held its annual fund-raising dinner at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Targa, last month, to raise funds for the Special Projects Programme.

This year, the society's council awarded the most promising students that have attended arts, crafts and music courses organised by the society during the last scholastic year.

The 15 promising students will benefit from a free enrolment to the October-December term. The subjects chosen for these awards were art, piano, violin, guitar, Malta lace, and embroidery in gold, ganutell, filigree, gilding and tailoring.

Among the guests present for the dinner were President Emeritus Censu Tabone and Mrs Tabone, Austrian Ambassador Elizabeth Kehrer, French Ambassador Patrick Chrismant, German Ambassador Georg Merten, society president Paul Asciak and council members.

Sta Lucija Mother and Child Group celebrates 10th anniversary

Past and present members of the Sta Lucija Mother and Child Group recently celebrated the tenth anniversary with Mass and a get-together. In its ten years of service, the group has provided support for over 800 child-carers, mainly mothers, and an equal number of children.

The group is run by volunteers and is ably led by Lina Zerafa at the Sta Lucija parish community centre. It enables mothers of pre-school children to get together while their children interact in a stimulating and safe environment.

The group is part of the parish community outreach for which there is eager demand. Every year over 80 mothers and their children join the group. Although it was set up with Sta Lucija mothers in mind, the group now also caters for those from neighbouring towns.

Grandparents and fathers who are child-minders have also formed part, and are always welcome, to join the group's get-togethers.

The group meets one morning a week at the Sta Lucija parish centre. The session contains a variety of activities including playtime with toys and games, craft-making and sing-alongs. Group members may also borrow books and other material from a small but well-stocked library.

The organisers offer refreshments and a sympathetic ear to the mothers and child-carers. Parish priest Fr Etienne Caruana gives pastoral and logistical support to the group.

Schiavone - Schembri

The church of St Joseph the Worker of Xemxija was the wedding venue for Nadia Schiavone, Dip. Mngt, Dip. Marketing, Dip. Arch. Ass., daughter of Mr Joseph Schiavone and the late Mrs Tessie Schiavone, of Zejtun, and Charles Schembri, FIA, CPA, son of Mr and Mrs George Schembri of Qormi.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Karm Debattista, mssp, and Fr Charles Cordina. The Cenacolo Community Worship Team participated in the Mass.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Elvira Abela, the bride's aunt, and Annette Schembri, the groom's sister. The bride was assisted by Theresa Scerri. The duties of the best man were carried out by the groom's cousin, Charles Schembri.

A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija. The couple spent their honeymoon in London, New York, Florida and Mexico.

Sisa Supermarkets Charity Day

For the third month, SISA Malta Ltd has helped a charitable institution through its Charity Day held on the third Thursday of every month. One per cent of the sales of the day every month, together with money collected in labelled jars at each outlet, are distributed to charitable organisations.

This month, the funds were donated to the Malta Hospice Movement, which provides and promotes the highest possible standards of palliative care for people with cancer or motor neuron disease and does its best to help support their families free of charge.

Simon Mifsud presented the cheque to Antoinette Shah on behalf of the Malta Hospice Movement.

Eleventh-time nominee for Nobel Peace Prize

BRUNO FICILI, president of the Associazione per l'Educazione alla Pace, based in Syracuse, Sicily, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the 11th time.

He has been nominated by US Democratic Congressman John B. Larson of Connecticut, who in a letter to the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee wrote that Dr Ficili has been devoted to promoting international peace and conflict resolution for over 19 years, noting that he was among the top three finalists for the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize.

For over a decade, Dr Ficili, a graduate of the Catholic University of Milan, has organised the International Education for Peace Conference in Syracuse. The conference has addressed diverse global conflict areas such as the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, the Middle East and US-Soviet tensions.

Congressman Larson added that ibn December 1999, the 11th International Eduation for Peace Conference addressed the conflict in Burundi. "As a direct result of Dr Ficili's efforts, Burundi government officials and Huti and Tutsi representative signed a pact of non-agression to schools, hospitals, religious sites and orphan homes of their country."

A widely respected educator, Dr Ficili - who has also visited Malta - has brought his knowledge on peace and conflict resolution to the United Nations, and specifically, to the Basque area of Spain. In 1986 Dr Ficili received the Castello Svevo National Award, representing the social, educational and civil contribution Dr Ficili made in the furtherance of peace.

For your diary

A bazaar is being held at Stella Maris parish centre, Sliema, every day till Tuesday from 9.30 a.m.

Caritas co-operators are organising a day in Gozo on Wednesday. Transport will leave Valletta bus terminus and Sliema ferries at 8.15 a.m. There will be Mass at St George's Basilica at noon and lunch at L-Imgarr Hotel at 1 p.m. For more information and bookings contact Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016, or Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910.

A meeting of the Malta Adlerian Psychology Association will be held at the Curia in Floriana on Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. A video will be shown, followed by a discussion led by Br Saviour Gatt.

The Environment Committee of the National Council of Women is organising a talk on Genetically Modified Organisms by Dr M. Zammit Mangion on Thursday at 6.30 p.m. at the NCW's premises, Pope Pius XII Flats, Mountbatten Street, Blata l-Bajda. For more information phone the NCW Centre on 2124-8881/2124-6982 or send an e-mail to ncwmalta@camline.net.mt.

Ward u Zghar is organising a Father's Day lunch in Mtarfa, on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets cost Lm2.50 for ladies, Lm1.25 for youths aged 13 to 17, and 75c for children aged seven to 12. Fathers and children under seven years enter free of charge. For more information phone 9947-2868.

The Malta Catholic Action is organising a barbecue at San Anton Hotel, St Paul's Bay, on June 24 at 7 for 7.30 p.m. For bookings call 2122-2239.

Avent Group wins Queen's Award

The Avent baby products division of Cannon Avent Group plc has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2005 in the innovation category. The company received the award for continuous innovation and development within its infant feeding range over the past 20 years.

This is the fifth time the company has been honoured with these prestigious awards. The company, originally known as Cannon Rubber Ltd, received an Award for Export Achievement in 1966 and 1971. In 2000, Avent won a further two - for Innovation and International Trade.

Avent pioneered flagship products that set the standard for the rest of the world. It was the first to introduce a wide-necked feeding bottle, a single-handed breast pump, the first to laser-pierce feeding teats and to produce an electric steam steriliser for use in the home. It has also produced a range of non-spill drinking cups, the first electronic steam steriliser, a range of sterile containers for baby foods and milk and a twin electronic breast pump - the Isis IQ Duo.

Avent is exclusively represented by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd, Triq il-Masgar, Qormi (tel: 2144-6205/6).

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements June 13-19

Tomorrow
9.45 a.m. The President is interviewed by Mariella Pisani Bencini for the TV programme Meander at Verdala Castle.
6 p.m. The President is presented with Three Books for children about Mental Health published, by the Mental Health Association, at the Palace, Valletta.
6.15 The President receives Peter Straub, president of the Committee of Regions.
7.30 The President presides over the launching of the book The Court Martial of Enrico Mizzi by Dr Austin Sammut at the Palace, Valletta

Tuesday
10.45 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami receive a courtesy call by senior citizens from Qala at San Anton Palace.
11.45 The President visits the NBTC Mobile Unit on World Blood Donors Day on Church Square, Birkirkara.
1.15 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami hosts a luncheon in honour of Therese Sullivan and a group of floral helpers who assist her, at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President presides over the Premju Papa Gwanni XXIII - Premju tat-Tjubija.
7 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami attends a committee meeting of the August Moon Ball at San Anton Palace.
9 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concert by Our Lady of the Lily Band Club, on the feast of Our Lady of the Lily on Church Square, Mqabba.

Thursday
5 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami receives the Commonwealth Girl Guides' Chief Commissioners at San Anton Palace.
5.30 The President presides over a meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice at the Palace, Valletta.

Saturday
6.45 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the Ethnic Festival organised by the Emigrants' Commission on Balzan parish church square.
7.30 The President attends a programme of activities organised by the Antoine de Paule Band Club to mark its foundation day, on Antoine de Paule Square, Paola.

Sunday
9 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami pay an official visit to Ghaxaq.
9 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a rock opera organised by the Vittoriosa Feasts Committee at Fort St Angelo.