The Bailey's Woman of the Year Award, honouring Malta's outstanding women, was this year awarded to the well-known lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran.
The award, hosted by the Demajo Group, which took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Valletta Waterfront with the majestic Grand Harbour as a backdrop, has now become an annual event on the local cultural calendar, and this year's open-air dinner location at the captivating Valletta Waterfront added additional sparkle to awards night.
While thanking all involved for the award, Dr Caruana Curran said that women have always been the bastion of Maltese community life, but it is only in recent years that their efforts have been acclaimed and acknowledged publicly.
Anthony Miceli Demajo, managing director of M. Demajo (Wines and Spirits) Ltd, presented the award to Dr Caruana Curran, who chose the Jesuit Refugee Service and Id-Dar tal-Providenza as the recipients of the cash prize donation which also forms part of the Baileys Woman of the Year award.
This year's other Woman of the Year nominees were Grace Borg, Anna Grima and Isabel Warrington. The judges on this year's award panel included a number of well-known personalities, namely, Peppi Azzopardi, Marlene Mizzi, Alan Montanaro, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, and last year's award winner, Doris Cusens.
Near the water's edge
The ceramic exhibition by Neville Ferry has come and gone but surely it was a resounding success from the velvety atmosphere evoked on a summer night in exotic gardens near the water's edge to the large number of guests who participated in the inauguration on June 3 and at the farewell party on June 15, without forgetting the large number of visitors including tourists who visited the exhibition by the coachload.
Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, together with St Lucija mayor Frederick Cutajar, first inaugurated the exhibition near the pavilion in the Garden of Serenity and then unveiled the sturdy two-metre ceramic sculpture donated by Mr Ferry placed in the picnic area to initiate a sculpture garden on the site.
Chinese ambassador Liu Zhengxiu and Mrs Chang Shu Yin, the British High Commissioner and Mrs Anne Fean, Ombudsman Joseph Sammut and Mrs E. Sammut, the artist's family, relatives and friends, members of the local council, artists, ceramists, lovers of art and members of the press were among the guests who attended the inauguration and unveiling.
Andrew Micallef regaled those present with short excerpts on his chromatic accordion while Mr Ferry thanked sponsors and all those who attended with special mention of his colleagues from Bedford School, UK who accompanied him on a direct flight to celebrate the success of his artistic achievement.
The exhibition catalogue, a collector's item, was given free to guests yet small generous donations were gratefully received and acknowledged to raise funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza. The sum of Lm100 collected was donated to Mgr Lawrence Gatt on July 7.
The exhibition of garden sculpture by Mr Ferry at the Garden of Serenity at Sta Lucija was not merely an artistic manifestation but a multifaceted event. Sta Lucija has now launched a cultural environmental and social programme to embellish the site with a picnic-area covered with turf all year round and a sculpture garden for the delectation, relaxation and cultural enhancement of families in this modern garden town.
The organising committee wishes to thank the sponsors: Bank of Valletta plc, Valletta Fund Management, Air Malta plc, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Sta Lucija council and the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads for their contribution towards financing the event, and photographer Kevin Casha, Sergio Muscat of Artissa and the Press.
Malta Experience supports Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna
The Malta Experience has this year presented its annual sponsorship contribution to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. The sponsorship contribution forms part of the company's policy to assist organisations involved in conservation and preservation of Malta's historic wealth.
"Historic conservation is a national responsibility and we are proud to maintain such a policy in our business model which extends financial assistance under the firm's wider social obligations," said Martin Mercieca of The Malta Experience.
Thanking the management for its contribution, Mario Farrugia of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna said that the funds will be allocated to the current restoration works carried out at Notre Dame Gate (Zabbar Gate).
The Malta Experience is a subsidiary company of the M. Demajo Group of Companies falling under the tourism and leisure sector.
Passions at Cleland & Souchet
September's Cleland & Souchet exhibition will feature Passions, a highly imaginative collection of paintings by Doris Lampert-Klammer (picture).
Ms Lampert-Klammer was born in Carinthia, Austria, in 1971. She attended the college of fashion and clothing technology in Villach and studied Archaeology and history of art at the Karl Franz University, Austria.
The artist was inspired by the desire to express feelings and longings. In fact her paintings show puzzles which she compares to life, built up from individual components.
Her works may be viewed at the Cleland & Souchet lifestyle store in Portomaso throughout September, Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.
Group reunites after more than three decades
A group of old friends who used to meet, as teenagers and twentysomethings, at Ghar id-Dud, Sliema, in the late Sixties and early Seventies, to enjoy the company and a drink or two, met together again on Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza in Sliema for dinner.
Needless to say, the talk centred on the "good old days" when none of them had a care in the world. A few of them eventually 'clicked' and got married to each other; others found their future spouses outside the group, a few others went abroad.
It was Tony Azzopardi, now an established GP in San Gwann, who came up with the idea of a reunion, but it was Jo Jo Delia (née Scerri) who successfully organised it - so successfully, in fact, that no fewer than 29 turned up last Wednesday, some bringing along photographs of those salad days to help with their reminiscing, and yearning for the days when they were slimmer, fitter and far more carefree!
The happy gathering included Antoinette and Tony Azzopardi, Connie and Godfrey Agius, Lilian and Laurence Grech, Jo Jo and Joe Delia, Therese and George Cassola, Amelia and Albert Calleja, Maryse and Brian German, Marthese and Denis Vella, Rita and Joe Pace, Helen and Charles Galea Bonavia, Lyzette Said Pullicino, Mary Rose and Lino Debono, Marlene Vogel Azzopardi, Monica and Michael Sammut, Monica Spiteri and George Schembri, and Pierina Zammit.
Successful fund-raising for Ethiopia
The Bay Street Tourist Complex recently hosted the Living Waters Mission Team for a successful evening of activities in aid of their projects in Ethiopia.
The Living Waters Mission Team collaborates on projects run by the Daughters of Charity in Ethiopia. Team members travel to Ethiopia at their own expense to follow up projects, meet the people, carry out teaching, nursing and other hands-on jobs as may be required.
The Bay Street event attracted a large number of people who enjoyed the entertainment while visiting the many gift stalls selling handcrafts, jewellery, bags, embroidered ware, including tablecloths, Ethiopian hand-made gifts, souvenirs, etc.
The activities included face painting for children and a used book stall and videos of Ethiopia focussing on the philanthropic project being carried out by the Living Waters Team.
Later in the evening visitors were entertained by a number of performers, including Marthese Cordina and her school of singers and dancers, Justine, Priscilla Psaila and her school of young singers, Christabelle Curmi, Klinsmann and Kylie and Louisanne Tate.
All the funds will go towards the Living Waters Team's worthy projects in Ethiopia.
Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so on Living Waters Mission Team account numbers: HSBC - 274086068 or BOV - 40011693411; cheques should be made payable to Living Waters Mission Team and addressed to 55 Dun Gorg Preca Street, Blata l-Bajda, HMR 02.
Students graduate with top marks
There were scenes of joy and elation at BeautyTech Hair Fashion Academy as students received their results for the City and Guilds Certificate examination which they sat last June.
Principal Corinne Farrugia announced that all students passed with flying colours - there were seven distinctions and three credits.
Though BeautyTech has been giving hairdressing courses for the last five years this was their first year as a City and Guilds-approved centre. True to the school's reputation, BeautyTech students have once again graduated with top marks in their field.
For more information contact BeautyTech on 2169-6661 or send an e-mail to corinne@beautymalta.net.
Val Valente Band at Valletta Waterfront
The Val Valente Band will present a jazz concert, tomorrow at 8.30 p.m. at the spectacular Valletta Waterfront, hosted by La Vita De La Vallette Restaurant in aid of the James Grech Cancer Fund.
The varied programme for the tastes of all music lovers will include compositions and hits of George Gershwin, Billy Strayhorn, Harry Warren, Joseph Cosma, Stevie Wonder, Lee Spiteri and Val Valente.
Violinist James Grech, founder and organiser of the Stradivari Season, is currently undergoing his second phase of treatment for lymphoblastic lymphoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer - and is being prepared for an eventual bone marrow transplant. In recognition of his contribution to cultural life in Malta, fellow-musicians and colleagues have set up the James Grech Cancer Fund to organise events to raise money for James' treatment expenses.
Just a few seats are still available at Lm3.50. La Vita de La Vallette is also taking a limited number of reservations for dinner during and/or after the concert. Booking is advisable. For further information and reservations call 7953-7925, 9949-5796 or 7944-0807 or send an e-mail to jgcf@global.net.mt.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - August 29 - September 4
Tuesday
9.45 a.m. The President presents credentials to Raymond Mercieca, Ambassador-designate of Malta to Croatia, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.15 The President receives Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Khurshid M. Kasuri.
11 The President receives the Tunisian Ambassador, Naceur Mestiri, on a farewell call.
11.30 The President presents credentials to Dr Tanya Vella, Ambassador-designate of Malta to Tunisia.
Friday
9.30 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a Malta Community Chest Fund committee meeting.
10 The President receives Louis Geudon, mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, France.
9 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Libyan People's Bureau on the 36th anniversary of the Great El-Fateh Revolution at the Corinthia San Gorg.
Sunday
9 a.m. The President is presented with donations in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund, at a reception hosted by the Naxxar council on the occasion of the feast of Marija Bambina, at the Scouts Quarters, Civic Centre, Naxxar.
Saliba - Schiavone
The Fgura parish church was recently the wedding venue of Denise Saliba, daughter of Anthony and Tessie Saliba, of Tarxien, and Massimo Schiavone, son of Mario and Carmen Schiavone, of Birkirkara.
The wedding was officiated by Rev. Anton Gouder, Rev. Patrick Incorvaja, Rev. John Avellino and Rev. Saviour Vella, SDB. Sylvana D'Amato, the bride's sister, and Felix-Benedict Agius, the groom's uncle, witnessed the ceremony. Emanuel Camilleri and Kenneth Camilleri carried out the duties of best man.
The bride, who wore an ivory satin dress with a lace and giupur bodice, was attended by Daniela Schiavone, the groom's sister, and Maria D'Amato, the bride's niece. The groom wore an ivory cravette shirt and waist jacket, and navy blue tails. Natalia Pace, the groom's niece, was flower-girl.
A reception was later held at The Palms. The couple spent their honeymoon in Tuscany, Italy.
Attard - Curmi
The marriage took place recently at the St Peter and St Paul Basilica in Nadur, between Jacqueline Mary Attard, BA (Hons), (New York Univ.), PGCE, daughter of Anthony and Agnes Attard of Nadur, and Silvio Curmi, son of Tarcisio and Josephine Curmi of Kirkop.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Canon Anthony Meilak and Fr Joseph Cardona. The ceremony was witnessed by Ian Dye, the groom's brother-in-law and Raymond Muscat, the bride's uncle. Mario Micallef, the groom's uncle, carried out the duties of best man.
The bride wore a white satin off-the-shoulder princess line dress with scalloped neck and hemlines, long lacy sleeves with a rose design, skirt accentuated with lacy sparkling roses and a three-quarters length veil with satin edge, and carried a hand-tied floral bouquet.
She was attended by Christina Sammut, the groom's cousin. Maria Micallef, the groom's cousin, and Kimberly Muscat, the bride's cousin, were flower-girls. Luke Mercieca was pageboy.
A reception was later held at Villa Fiorita in Marsalforn, Gozo. The couple spent their honeymoon in Rome and New York City.
Sammut - Borg
The marriage took place at Lija parish church recently between Claire Sammut, B.Ed. (Hons), daughter of Mr and Mrs Saviour Sammut of Mosta, and Marco Borg, B.Accty (Hons), CPA, son of Mr and Mrs Anthony Borg, of Naxxar.
Nuptial Mass was said by Fr Silvio Bezzina, MSSP. The ceremony was witnessed by Elizabeth Fenech, the groom's aunt, and Grace Saliba, the bride's aunt. Peter Borg, B.Eng. (Hons), M.Sc. (Eng.), carried out the duties of best man.
Astrid Sammut, BA, was bridesmaid, while Fabio Sieni was ring-bearer.
A reception was later held at Torre Paulina, Madliena. The couple spent their honeymoon in Germany, Austria and Hungary.
Birkirkara wedding
The marriage took place recently at the Madonna tal-Herba Sanctuary, Birkirkara, between Rosanne Borg, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Borg of Mosta, and Martin Borg, son and Mrs J. Borg and the late Philip Borg of Zebbug.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Raymond Francalanza. The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's sister-in-law, Arlette Borg, and the groom's sisters, Carmen Meli and Jane Zammit. Franklyn Borg carried out the duties of best man.
The bride was attended by her close friend Paulette Fenech. Nicole Zammit and Martina Meli were bridesmaids. Giuliana Borg was flower-girl while Dean Meli was pageboy.
A reception was later held at the Carlson Suite, Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort, St George's Bay, St Julian's. The couple spent their honeymoon in the United States.
For your diary
Ward u Zghar is organising a walk, departing from Le Meridien Phoenicia in Floriana, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.
StoPoverty! is organising a barbecue at the Imperial Hotel, Sliema, on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost Lm5 for adults and Lm2.50 for children under 10.
For bookings phone 2134-3183 or send an e-mail to jlbason@kemmunet.net.mt by Tuesday.
A day's outing in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the new Ramla Bay Resort, Marfa, on Wednesday September 7. Private bus opposite the Phoenicia Le Meridien leaves at 9.30 a.m. via Sliema/St Julian's. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.
The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) is holding a Night to Remember with DJ Big John playing music of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties at the Coastline Hotel, Salina Bay, on September 7 at 8 p.m. Proceeds are in aid of charity.
For more information phone Jo Jo Delia on 2137-0666 or Mary Sciortino on 2133-2839 by Saturday.