Heard in the Hive

The Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated in Malta last Friday week when the British High Commissioner, Vincent Fean, and his wife Anne, hosted the annual reception in Her Majesty's honour at their residence, Villa Degiorgio, in San Pawl tat-Targa.

Hundreds of guests, as they do every year, filled the spacious lawn which had been freshened by a light shower earlier in the day, providing perfect spring weather for the occasion.

Mr and Mrs Fean greeted the guests on their way in; they included President and Mrs Fenech Adami, the Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, Archbishop Mercieca, the Chief Justice and Mrs de Gaetano, the Speaker, Anton Tabone, Ministers, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, judges and magistrates, members of the business community, and British residents.

In his customary entertaining and witty speech, which, as has become traditional, he gave in English and Maltese, Mr Fean said that relations between Malta and Britain, "which have never been better", will be strengthened by the "return home" of the Queen in November. Yet, there are areas where the links between the two countries could be strengthened even further.

He referred to more Maltese postgraduate students in the UK (there will be 11 Chevening scholars this autumn), more school links through Comenius, using the Global Gateway Website, more town twinnings, more ties between Gozo and one of the British isles, such as the Isle of Wight, more trade and investment, particularly in financial services and IT, and more cultural links, such as those forged between Northern Ireland and Malta following Minister Francis Zammit Dimech's visit to Belfast.

Northern Irish musicians in fact will lead the British Council's contribution to the rich diversity of cultures accompanying the Commonwealth Summit being held in Malta in November.

Mr Fean then turned to the European Union, of which Britain takes over the presidency on July 1. He hoped Malta's Parliament would ratify the Constitutional Treaty next month.

A priority of the British presidency is EuroMed, where Malta plays an important part. He said Maltese-UK co-operation in EuroMed, particularly in education, can flourish in the months to come.

Mr Fean said that British Prime Minister Tony Blair is very keen to take up Dr Gonzi's offer to ensure that Malta's Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) agenda and the UK's EU/G8 presidency point the same way. One important common factor is development, covering such issues as poverty alleviation, education, debt forgieness and trade access for developing countries, he said.

Mr Fean here welcomed four newcomers to the High Commission team: Deputy High Commissioner Janet Hancock, the new consul John Green and his wife Caroline, Maltese PR officer Colin Fitz, and EU affairs officer, Rozlyn Scerri.

Switching to almost impeccable Maltese, Mr Fean stressed that Maltese-UK relations are based on three pillars: bilateral relations, the European Union, and the Commonwealth, and the Queen's visit in November to open the CHOGM will strengthen these pillars.

Mr Fean then revealed that President and Mrs Fenech Adami will be meeting Prince Philip at a ceremony in London on August 15 to honour the war dead, and that the next day they will be the guests of the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral in Scotland.

In the three years they have been in Malta, Mr Fean said that he and his wife Anne have come to love these islands and their friendly people, and their priceless historical and natural heritage.

He then proposed a toast to President and Mrs Fenech Adami.

In his reply, Dr Fenech Adami, speaking in Maltese, complimented Mr Fean on his excellent Maltese diction, for which he deserved "full marks", and for his speech which was a homage to Malta and its language. He recalled that it was not easy to insist that Maltese be considered an official language of the European Union, but his argument prevailed in Brussels because Maltese is, after all, the island's national language.

For two centuries, President Fenech Adami continued, Malta and Britain shared a common history, and Malta benefited from British culture, the English language, the British way of life, public administration and political principles.

Last year, he said, was a momentous year for Malta, which joined the EU along with nine other nations in the Union's biggest enlargement ever, marking the end of the East-West divide in Europe.

The European integration process seems to have stalled, the President said, but he considered this as a temporary setback, and was sure the process will continue. He looked forward to the British presidency of the EU starting on July 1 and said he had full faith in Mr Blair for what he has achieved.

In November Malta will be hosting CHOGM for the first time ever and the Queen will pay her third visit to Malta since independence in 1964. She is assured of a warm welcome. He looked forward to being received by Her Majesty at Balmoral in August, a day after taking part in a ceremony, being organised by the George Cross Island Association, to honour those who died in the defence of Malta in World War II.

President Fenech Adami said that indeed, British-Maltese relations in all aspects have never been better. He then proposed a toast to Her Majesty and to the prosperity of the people of Britain and Malta.

The speeches were followed by a recorded choral rendition of God Save the Queen and of Lil Din l-Art Helwa.

Russian National Day

The growth of relations between Russia and Malta was the subject of speeches made by Russian Ambassador Valentin S. Vlasov and President Eddie Fenech Adami at the reception which the Ambassador and his wife Elena Vlasova hosted on June 9 at the embassy in Kappara to mark Russia's National Day.

The reception was attended by numerous guests, including leading personalities, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of most sectors of Maltese life.

Russia's National Day marks the anniversary of the adoption, in 1990, by the Russian Parliament of the Declaration on State Sovereignty.

Ambassador Vlasov, speaking in Russian, referred to the progress made by his country in the past 15 years, and its foreign policy objectives, which include the strengthening of co-operation between the Russian Federation and the member states of European Union, including Malta. "We are convinced that the future of Europe lies in economic, cultural and spiritual unity," he said. "Although Russia does not intend to join the EU, we shall closely co-operate with it with the aim of fulfilling the concept of the 'four common spaces' (in the spheres of the economy, external and internal security, science, educaiton and culture)."

Turning to Russo-Maltese relations, Ambassador Vlasov said that these have been developing with particular success in recent months in education, science and tourism, and various business projects have been fulfilled. He recalled the visit to Malta, last September, of units of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which provided a wide cultural programme to the Maltese public.

He said he hoped Russia and Malta would continue to co-operate within the UN and other international organisations, and thanked Malta for its participation in the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the victory over Fascism.

Ambassador Vlasov then proposed a toast to President Fenech Aami, to Russo-Maltese co-operation and to all guests present.

In his reply, President Fenech Adami said that the last decade of the 20th century had been a turbulent one, but Russia in the past 15 years had weathered these changes and emerged as a very important player on the world stage. Malta's striving for EU membership in that decade culminated in its membership last year, adding another Mediterranean voice to the EU.

The start of the new millennium promised an era of great hope, but we have seen major problems brought about by international terrorism.

Malta too has weathered the changes successfully, and its decision to join the EU is now broadly accepted by all Maltese. Although the EU was going through a difficult period, following the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty by referenda in France and The Netherlands, he was sure that the current problems will be overcome, as they have always been.

Maltese and Russian friendship has been constant and mutually beneficial, the President said, and he looked forward to increased co-operation between the two countries in the cultural, social, political and economic fields.

President Fenech Adami then proposed a toast to President Putin, to closer Maltese-Russian relations and to the health, prosperity and peace of the two peoples.

The two national anthems were then played.

Malta at Japan flower arranging show

The Malta Floral Club was recently represented at the eighth World Show of Flower Arranging, held in Yokohama, Japan, organised by the World Association of Flower Arrangements (WAFA).

The Maltese exhibit, designed and exhibited by Lily de' Conti Manduca, who was assisted by Nancy Xerri, included a combination of green anthuriums, green carnations and green/white calla lilies.

The highlight of the WAFA show were the competitions, which attracted competitors from 30 member countries, who took part in 21 classes.

Two lectures, two international demonstrations - given by renowned demonstrators hailing from Italy, US, Russia, Japan and Pakistan - and two national demonstrations were organised during the four-day show, which was inaugurated by Japanese Princess Hitachi.

A gala dinner, held at the Pan Pacific Yokohama Hotel, was attended by over a thousand guests. During dinner, a delegate from each participating country was called to the stage. A large world map was exhibited, and a flower was placed beneath each respective country.

The ninth World Show is scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

Modelle International inaugurates new studio

Modelle International has inaugurated a new studio in St Julian's. The studio, fully equipped with a catwalk, stage and modern facilities, will give models a better opportunity to train in a professional environment.

The inauguration coincides with Modelle International's 20th anniversary. Founder Sue Rossi said that proof of the company's achievements is in the careers former models have undertaken. Some former models whose career took off at Modelle International now work as TV presenters; others have embarked on a modelling career abroad.

"Beauty pageants organised by the company have given our models the opportunity to compete abroad for the title of Miss World alongside other foreign beauties. Recently, male models have also had the opportunity to compete for the Mr World title," Ms Rossi said.

A few years ago, professional model Claudia Calleja joined the management team, and is now in charge of choreography. Matthew Saliba, who recently placed sixth among 40 participants in the Mr World pageant, also joined the big team to take care of Modelle International's male models.

Many teenagers are increasingly becoming aware of their image, making it more difficult for judges to select the most beautiful, Ms Rossi said. In past years, the number of teenagers joining modelling agencies increased, prompting some to start their own agency. Ms Rossi finds such competition healthy, since there was room for growth in the modelling arena.

To join Modelle International, visit the studio in Sacred Heart Avenue, St Julian's, or phone 2132-4611.

P. Cutajar & Co. Ltd celebrates 40th anniversary

P. Cutajar & Co Ltd recently hosted a reception at Hilton Malta to celebrate its 140th anniversary. The event was attended by the management and staff, family members and a number of other guests.

Addressing the opening of the reception, director Denis Zammit Cutajar reiterated the importance of this commemoration as "a celebration of what the company has achieved throughout the years".

Mr Zammit Cutajar said: "I am honoured to be leading the company at this time in its history and I take this opportunity to thank all past and present members of the staff as well as the thousands of customers who have supported the company during our long history.

"We have, over the years, evolved into a major player in Malta's commercial sector and we are determined to retain our position in the years to come."

P. Cutajar was founded in 1861 and the present day management team is composed of eight persons and includes two fourth-generation members of the Cutajar family, and one member of the fifth generation.

Cleaning your wedding dress

Your wedding reception is over and most probably your wedding dress is unrecognisably dirty. It is imperative that you clean it immediately after the wedding, possibly within two days, even if there are no visible marks or stains. The sooner you clean the wedding dress the better as you will avoid permanent stains.

Certain wedding dresses can be cleaned at home. Otherwise you can avoid all the hassle and take your dress to a professional cleaner. If you decide to do it yourself, the following tips will help you clean the most common stains, but before you begin make sure you read and understand the label inside the dress.

Sweat stains - beverage and sweat stains may be removed easily by blotting them with water or detergent, but first try on the material where it doesn't show to see if water leaves a tide mark.

Wine - rub damp salt on wine stains, then scrape it off when dry. Repeat as necessary.

Lipstick - greasy stains such as lipstick, oil or salad dressing can be taken off with spray-on spot removers or hair spray.

Silk dresses should only be dealt with professionally. Dry flowers should be removed before cleaning the dress. Point out pearls and other beadings to the dry-cleaner so that heavy detergents will not be used, as these will be permanently damaged.

A professional dry-cleaner should be able to remove large stains on delicate fabrics. Once at the dry-cleaner, make sure that the dress will be kept apart from other dresses and cleaned separately from other garments.

Once clean, decide whether you prefer storing the wedding dress in a box or whether you'll keep it in a special storage bag.

If you're storing the dress in a box, it must be well sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through. The box has to be stored in a place where it is not exposed to light or large temperature fluctuations. Avoid attics or basements.

Do not put your dress in a plastic bag, or leave it on a hanger. The bag may trap humidity inside. Leaving your dress on a hanger may pull it out of shape because of the weight of the dress. The ideal way to store your wedding dress is to place it in a special storage bag, which prevents dust from entering it, and then placing it in a well-sealed box.

Reliable bridal boutiques should supply you with one of these bags on the purchase of your dress. These bags are made from special material to let the air get through while keeping the dust at bay, and are usually washable. It is worth investing in one of these bags.

This article has been compiled by www.TheWeddingSite.com, courtesy of Weddings and Homes magazine. For more wedding planning tips and articles visit www.TheWeddingSite.com. For more information phone 9947-8987 or email: mario@theweddingsite.com.

Gozitan band club celebrates 10th anniversary

Archpriest Emeritus Mgr Luigi Vella recently concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass to mark the 10th anniversary of the St Mary Band Club of Zebbug, Gozo. The Regina Angelorum and St Mary choirs, as well as the St Mary band, led by Mro Joseph Grech, participated. Canon Carmelo Cini, the band's spiritual director, delivered a speech for the occasion.

Mementos were presented by band club president George Cefai.

A reception was later held in the church hall, where an exhibition on the band club was put up.

People

Professor Frederick F. Fenech, director of the International Institute on Aging, United Nations - Malta, writes:

I, together with the many friends of Professor Herbert Michael Gilles, both in Malta and overseas, was delighted to learn that Queen Elizabeth II has this month, in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List, made him Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, for services to Tropical Medicine.

Indeed, the conferment of this honour is most appropriate as the Order, originally founded in 1918 by George, Prince of Wales (later George IV), while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father George III, has a strong relationship to Malta and, indeed, the badge of the Order has a white enamelled Maltese Cross.

Professor Gilles is a Maltese physician who qualified B.Sc. and MD from the University of Malta in 1946. He obtained the Rhodes Scholarship in 1943. He took up the speciality of Tropical Medicine. He was appointed Professor of Preventive and Social Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1963. He moved to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 1965, when he was first given a Personal Chair in 1970. In 1972, he was the Alfred Jones and Warrington Yorke Professor of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, where he was Head of Department till his retirement in 1986. He spent five years between 1978-1983 as Dean of the School.

As a researcher, Professor Gilles made a substantial contribution to clinical studies of the hookworm, schistosomiasis and malaria. As an advisor to the WHO, he played a key role in the trials of various anti-parasitic drugs. As a clinician and teacher of tropical medicine, he taught generations of students from all over the world. He is the author of 13 textbooks in various aspects of tropical medicine, which are the standard textbooks in the field, as well as more than 200 articles in international refereed journals. His activities as teacher, researcher and advisor take him every year to many countries in Africa and Asia.

In 1988, when I was Dean of the Medical School, I asked Professor Gilles to help us in rebuiling the Malta Medical School; he responded to the call of his Alma Mater with enthusiasm and in the last 15 years he has been coming three times a year as visiting professor to run the University Department of Public Health. His contribution to the Medical School has been immense.

Professor Gilles has received honorary degrees - MD (Honoris Causa) from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden in 1979, and D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) by the University of Malta in 1984, as well as other prestigious academic distinctions - the WHO Darling Foundations Medal and Prize in 1990, and the Mary Kingsley Medal (the highest scientific honour the School of Tropical Medicine in Liverpool can offer) in 1994. Last year, he was made an Officer of the Order of Merit for his contribution to Maltese medicine.

I would like to congratulate Professor Gilles, his wife and family for this distinct honour, which he so richly deserved.

Manhunt International, Miss/Mrs Commonwealth pageants

Gaffiero Productions is organising Manhunt International Malta and Miss and Mrs Commonwealth Malta pageants on July 2 at the Selmun Palace Hotel.

The winners will represent Malta at the prestigious international finals of Manhunt International in Korea in September and Miss and Mrs Commonwealth in England. Applications are open to males aged 15 to 32 and females aged 15 and over. The winners will win an expenses-paid ticket to Korea and England.

Vogue Modelling Agency will take care of participating in Manhunt International in Korea. For more information phone Ivan Gaffiero on 9944-2469.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - June 20-26

Tomorrow
5.30 p.m. The President presides over a meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice at the Palace, Valletta.

Tuesday
10.15 a.m. The President receives the members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of the UK at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President receives members of the International Association of Lion's Club Provisional Zone - Malta.

11.45 The President receives members of the Maltese Association of Social Workers.

6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over an MCCF board meeting at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
9.45 a.m. The President receives students from St Michael's School on a visit to Verdala Castle.

12.30 p.m. The President receives Communications, IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt at the Palace, Valletta.

8 The President presides over the launching of the book Hugues de Loubens de Verdalle Cardinale et Grand Maître de L'ordre de Malte by Professor Alain Blondy at Verdala Castle.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President is presented with the letters of credence by Argentinian Ambassador Victori Maria Jose Taccetti at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President is presented with the letters of credence by UAE Ambassador Abdulhamid A. Kazim.

1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited Argentinian and UAE ambassadors at San Anton Palace.

6 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass followed by a reception for residents of St Vincent de Paul at Verdala Castle.

7.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the launching of the book Malta: Phoenician, Punic and Roman by Professor Anthony Bonanno at Domus Romana in Rabat.

Friday
11 a.m. The President receives the president and committee members of the Union Band Club of Luqa at the Palace, Valletta.

11.30 The President presents the Award Europa Nostra Prize for lifetime service to cultural heritage to Judge Maurice Caruana Curran, founder president of Din l-Art Helwa.

7.30 p.m. The President attends the presentation of certificates to residents who successfully completed the Caritas Rehabilitation Programme at San Blas, Siggiewi.

Saturday
8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by Silvano Pedrollo, Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, on the feast on St John at St James Cavalier, Valletta.

9.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the official celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Union Band Club at Palazzo Sant'Andrija, Luqa.

Former Labour MP receives special award from China

Former Labour Minister and Member of Parliament, Reno Calleja, has been made a member of the Council of the Guangdong Friendship Association.

The award was handed over to Mr Calleja recently during the eighth Congress of the Guangdong Friendship Association in recognition for his 25 years of efforts to promote friendship between the people of Malta and China. Mr Calleja has visited China l8 times and is considered to be an expert on China, with valuable contacts in government and the Chinese business community. This is an exceptional award which was only given to two other foreigners, a Japanese and an Australian. It is rare for a non-Chinese to be made a member of the Council of the Friendship Association. The award was presented to Mr Calleja by Huang Ziqiang, director general of the Guangdong Foreign Office.

First Lm1,000 winner in Quick Keno

Quick Keno rewarded its first Lm1,000 winning. So soon after the new non-stop game was launched by Maltco Lotteries, with 20c a player won Lm1,000.

The player guessed nine out of the 10 numbers chosen. The ticket was played at Windsor Castle of Rabat, one of the new Keno points of sale.

"We're happy that a big win has occurred so soon after the official launch of the game," Iris Camilleri Mifsud, Maltco's Corporate Communications manager, said. "It clearly shows that players can really win big with Quick Keno while having fun with friends."

Quick Keno can be played in the Lotto booths distributed all over Malta and Gozo as well as in various bars and cafes.

50th Anniversary of Hamrun Lyceum

On October 1, the premises housing the Lyceum at Hamrun will be marking its 50th anniversary.

The Association of Lyceum Past Students, with the kind collaboration of the Lyceum headmaster, is organising a reunion for students who commenced their studies at the Lyceum on October 1, 1955.

All these former students are encouraged to attend. They are requested to contact Tony Aquilina, president Membership Commission, on 2137-3706/7937-3706, or Alex Borg, secretary general, on 2138-6812/2137 6387, or send an e-mail to studiomoda@global.net.mt for more information.

For your diary

Ward u Zghar is organising a Father's Day lunch in Mtarfa, today 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. The group is organising a visit to Laferla Cross (Is-Salib ta' l-Gholja), limits of Siggiewi, on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The group is also meeting for a swim at Ghajn Tuffieha on June 29, the feast of St Peter and St Paul, at 4 p.m.

For more information phone 9947-2868.

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

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Hotel Preluna, Sliema, on July 6 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone 2133-0387.

The Maltese-American Association is celebrating United States Independence with a luncheon and high tea at the Seabank Hotel, Ghadira Bay, Mellieha, on July 10 at 12.30 p.m.

For tickets and information phone Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place, Valletta, on 2122-2644, 2123-2545 or 2124-0255.