Heard in the Hive

Gesti, composed by Charles Camilleri, was premiered by Maltese harpist Dr Anne Marie Camilleri Podestà, at the Ninth World Harp Congress, which was held in Dublin.

The World Harp Congress brings together members representing over 50 countries and is held every three years. This year's event was attended by well over a thousand harpists and featured outstanding concerts, master-classes and lectures focused on the harp.

This new composition by Professor Camilleri was composed specifically for the congress. Gesti aims, through the medium of the harp, to evoke the complex moods which are expressed by gesticulatory manners typical of the Mediterranean people.

As the only performance by a Maltese artist at the congress, Dr Camilleri Podestà's interpretation was received extremely well by the audience which included distinguished harpists and composers as well as the Ambassador of Malta in Ireland, Richard Muscat, and Mrs Muscat.

The performance of Gesti formed part of an artistic programme which included harp music from all parts of the world, performed by the world's leading concert harpists. The daily performance programme consisted of a concert which focused on youth, a Celtic highlight session, a concert which showcased contemporary music and concerts by world renowned harpists.

These events were interspersed with lighter sessions of jazz music performed on the harp. The evening venues included the famed St Patrick's Cathedral and Ireland's National Concert Hall for orchestra and chamber concerts. The latter hosted the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy and the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Takuo Yuasa, both of which performed alongside the solo harpists.

Mro John Galea, in his programme notes, wrote: "&Gesti offers a first class example of how a Mediterranean-based composer can develop from regional beginnings and progress to the aspirations of universalism. The work shows that the composer is very open to intense currents of exchange" and that "he partakes of a universalist culture that feeds on abstractions, gestures, and inheritances."

In his comments about the type of performance needed for this work, Mro Galea wrote, "the performer will thus need to be equipped with gestures that evoke response and convey the expressive content of this tour de force." The performer will also need "to communicate the syntax of the music and transmit it to the audience through gestures that are sometimes reflective, boisterous, spatial, atmospheric, sonorous riveting or fiery."

Anne Marie Camilleri Podestà started her harp studies under Donata Mattei and obtained the Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) in piano and the Licentiate of the Royal School of Music (LRSM) in harp. Her present tutor is Ester Gattoni, and she has also attended master classes with Mirella Vita, both of whom are renowned Italian harpists, as well as with Cliona Doris, who chaired the 2005 World Harp Congress.

As a founding member of the Gukulari Ensemble, Dr Camilleri Podestà has worked to revive Malta's musical legacy. The Gukulari Ensemble took part in the Budapest Spring Festival in March 2004 and participated in the celebrations held in Vienna on the occasion of the European Union enlargement.

Dr Camilleri Podestà represented Malta in a gala concert entitled Welcome to the Union, held on June 15, 2004 at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, where she played Handel's harp concerto. She is also a member of the National Orchestra.

Dr Camilleri Podestà played with the European Sinfonietta, conducted by Manfred Honeck, on the occasion of the Blessing of Europe. She is the Maltese correspondent for the World Harp Congress and is on the reserve list of the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Kimberly Grech wins Star 2 B Contest at Bay Street

Kimberly Grech is this year's Star 2 B overall winner. This year's edition of this popular contest was held last weekend at the Bay Street Tourist Complex. First-placed Kimberly took home the Star 2 B trophy as well as a one-year scholarship at Stage Coach, a British Jet air ticket to the UK and a recording session with Waves Enterprises.

All other category winners were given a token of participation and trophies sponsored by Eurosport. Each participant was further given free entrance to the Mediterraneo Fun Park and a gift by Studio Royale of Popeye Village.

Domenique Azzopardi placed first in Category A (singing), while Kirsten Pace and Yorika Attard were first and second runner-up.

Janice Delmar won Category A (dancing) with Mattei Curmi and Damian Buhagiar placing second and third.

Kimberly Grech won Category B (singing), while The Shake Dancers and Nathan Bugeja received second and third placing.

This popular contest this year saw the participation of some 30 performers under the age of 16.

Further entertainment during the evening was provided by Danika Muscat, last year's Star 2 B winner, the Young Talent Team, the young singing group winners of the Malta Junior Song for Europe 2004, Sarah Harrison, Malta's representative in the Young Eurovision 2003, Thea & Friends and the She2s.

The event, which was held at the Bay Street Complex, St Julian's, was sponsored by the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, together with Nexos Lighting, British Jet, Mediterraneo Fun Park, Studio Royale, Turnpage Studios.com and Wave Enterprises.

English language schools agents on familiarisation visit

The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations - Malta (FELTOM) organised a familiarisation visit for 15 agents to Malta, at the end of the International Languages and Education UK Fair in Brighton last week.

The agents, who came from Poland, Spain, Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, France, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Japan, visited some of the member schools as well as cultural sites in Malta and Gozo.

They were invited to a reception on Friday evening at the Sir Walter Scott Roof Terrace, Victoria Hotel, Sliema with FELTOM school members and other guests.

All agents agreed that taking part in this familiarisation visit was essential to obtain first-hand experience of the destination and institutions they are promoting with their clients.

Microsoft Malta supports Daniel Delicata Memorial Association

Microsoft Malta Ltd has donated an Xbox console and a collection of games to the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association to replace the console which was recently stolen from a playroom at St Luke's Hospital's Disneyland ward. The donation was made to Steven Delicata, president of the Association.

Pierre Mallia, business development manager of Microsoft Malta, said: "We are delighted to make this donation which will contribute towards the enhancement of the children's wards in hospital. I would like to thank Fiorella Ellul, our local Community Affairs officer, who came up with this idea and for making it happen.

"The Daniel Delicata Memorial Association is a great cause and one which Microsoft is pleased to support. We look forward to increasing our relations with this association."

The Daniel Delicata Memorial Association's primary goal is to improve the quality of life for ill children and is inspired by the plight of young children who spend time in wards in Malta's state hospitals. While the hospitals' medical facilities and dedication of the hospitals' staff are certainly not lacking, the environment does miss many of those, often small, but important things that can make the stay of its little occupants so much more comfortable and homely.

Microsoft Malta and the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association would like to appeal to the public to look after the equipment provided within the wards to ensure that these children can enjoy the fruits of the hard work of the association.

Reception in honour of outgoing AKS president

The Association of School Councils (AKS) recently hosted the outgoing president of the executive committee, Francis Borg, to an event to celebrate ten years of service to the association.

Mr Borg has just taken up the post of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education. The incoming president, Carol Debono, presented Mr Borg with a mounted silver crest of the association as a memento. Mr Borg was also nominated honorary AKS president.

The event was the start of a series of activities to mark the tenth anniversary of the founding of the association.

AKS is taking an active part in the discussions on the policy document For All Children to Succeed which has just been published by the Ministry of Education.

Jokate awards loyal customers

Mr J. Micallef of Gzira has won a 42-inch Hyundai TV from Jokate Ltd, the first prize in a competition open to all Jokate customers making a purchase during June and July.

Aldo Portelli, owner of Jokate Group of Companies, said this competition was launched as a token of appreciation to the company's loyal customers.

"This was also the reason why the prizes offered by Jokate were rather exceptional. Our customers remain our most important asset."

Other competition winners included Ms E. Galea of Zurrieq, winner of a 30-inch Hyundai LCD TV, and Mr D. Cunningham of Sliema, winner of a 27-inch Hyundai LCD TV.

The presentation was held at Jokate premises in Guardamangia on August 23.

People

Dr Marisa Scerri, who holds a Master's degree in Gerontology (cum laude) from the University of Malta, was recently awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Policy and Administration from Keele University, United Kingdom.

Her thesis, entitled "Retirement, Old Age and Family Care: A Maltese Midlife Perspective", was described by the examiners, Professor Mike Hepworth and Dr Graham Allan, as an "exemplary thesis" and was passed with distinction (recommendation 1).

Using Malta as a case study, the doctoral research, conducted under the supervision of Professor Chris Phillipson, explores the attitudes and perceptions that people born in 1950 have about midlife, retirement and old age. The study also researches the old age care expectations and preferences of these people who should form a segment of the next generation of older persons.

The main argument of the thesis is that social policy in the field of old age care should be determined by the needs and preferences of the next generation of old persons as shaped by the changes that they have experienced along their life course, and not by statistics and demographic trends alone.

Dr Scerri presently occupies the position of director (Policy Development) within the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity and is responsible for the initiation, development and co-ordination of policy options within the sphere of social policy.

Duncan Camilleri, B.Eng. (Hons), AIMechE, 25, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.

His research focused on the development and validation of finite element simulation tools for the prediction of welding distortions and residual stresses, to complement the design and manufacture of thin plate welded structures.

Dr Camilleri has published five journal papers and presented another five papers in international conferences in Europe and the US. He is currently undergoing post-doctoral research in the structural integrity group at the University of Strathclyde.

SANDRA SCICLUNA was recently awarded a Ph.D. in Criminology from the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester UK.

Her thesis deals with prisons in Malta. Dr Scicluna holds a first degree in Psychology and Sociology, a BA (Hons) in Psychology, a post-graduate diploma in Probation Services, all obtained from the University of Malta, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Leicester.

Dr Scicluna is a lecturer at the Institute of Forensic Studies, University of Malta. She has contributed to articles and publications in various topics including probation, prison, delinquency, substance abuse and domestic violence.

Dr Scicluna is the daughter of the late Dr Salvino Scicluna and Maria Stella née Borg.

JACQUELINE AZZOPARDI was also recently awarded a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Leicester.

The subject of her thesis was "Police Culture in Malta." Dr Azzopardi holds a first degree in Education and a post-graduate diploma in Probation Services from the University of Malta, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (University of Leicester).

Dr Azzopardi is currently director of the Institute of Forensic Studies at the University of Malta. She has also written articles and contributed to publications/articles that deal with policewomen, police culture, domestic violence, women and politics as well as youths and delinquency.

Dr Azzopardi is the daughter of Joseph Cauchi and the late Maria Dolores née Fiott. She is married to Mario and has a son, Ramon.

Newly ordained Gozitan priest celebrates first Mass

Fr Christopher Cauchi is one of the five priests who have been ordained recently by Bishop Nikol Cauchi at the Gozo Cathedral.

Fr Cauchi's first Mass was held at Gharb parish church, which was attended by his family including uncles and aunts who came from abroad for the occasion. They were Joe and Leli from Australia, Terezina from Canada, and Fr Gammari from Brazil, who concelebrated Mass with another uncle, Fr Michael Cauchi. Other cousins from Australia, Canada, England and Peru also attended.

The cortege left Fr Cauchi's home for the parish church, led by parish priest Fr Carmelo Gauci and other members of the parish clergy.

The new Ghaqda Muzikali Vizitazzjoni, the Hebron Choir, priests, relatives and friends of Fr Cauchi also took part. A reception was held after Mass.

Slimmer of the Year Awards

Slimming UK recently held its annual Slimmer of the Year Award with a lavish dinner at the Coastline Hotel, Salina, for members and their guests.

Valerie Portelli, Slimming UK consultant for the Mosta, Naxxar and St Julian's areas, compered this event. Ms Portelli has been specially trained by Nanette Kyle and is one of the very few consultants licensed to hold Slimming UK classes.

The evening was a great success with the first Slimmer of the Year 2004 award going to Grace Farrugia who lost 38 kilos in six months.

The runner-up was Janet Barbara Debrincat who lost 32 kilos in seven months. Both winner and runner-up attend the St Julian's class.

A token of appreciation was also given to Julia Wood from the Mosta class, who offered her photo as an advertising testimonial, and also to those members who are on target and still attend the meetings. Gifts and certificates were awarded to another 20 members who achieved their most desired target weight.

For the first time an award was given to the first Male Slimmer of the Year, Martin Bonello, who lost 22 kilos in four and a half months.

This most enjoyable evening came to an end with a raffle, gifts being donated by Nestlé for Fitness for Cereals and Cereal Bars, Crown Cold Stores for John West products, Marsovin for Vival and Fontana, Farsons for Diet Kinnie, Guam for anti-cellulite creams, Paolo Bonnici for Kraft Jocca, Attard & Co. for Vega Vitamins and Minerals, Alfred Gera & Sons for Gucci Perfumes and Vascas of Naxxar.

Special thanks go to the management and staff of the Coastline Hotel who always provide the team with excellent food and service, and to all club members who presented Ms Portelli with a very beautiful gift, an exclusive collier from Vascas, and for making this evening another memorable event for Slimming UK.

Embassy closed

The American Embassy will be closed tomorrow for Labour Day, an American national holiday.

The US Embassy will resume normal business hours on Tuesday

A weekend of Maltese cultural activities

Valletta Waterfront will host the three-day Epoka festival from Friday to Sunday from 7.30 p.m. Entrance is free of charge.

Epoka offers a celebration of everything that is traditionally Maltese. From the forgotten sounds of Maltese traditional musical instruments by Ruben Zahra, to the colourful and involving folklore dancing of times gone by offered by Paul Curmi Dancers, from the amazing craftsmanship and dexterity of skilled artisans to performances by Etnika and il-Budaj.

Hrejjef, to be presented on Sunday at 8 p.m., combines Maltese folk tales with contemporary music and art conceived by composer Ruben Zahra. Actor Joseph Galea, as the story-teller, will narrate a sequence of five folktales. Nafra, an acoustic ensemble featuring traditional Maltese instruments will perform on Sunday at 10.30 p.m.

At Epoka, visitors will be entertained and can interact with various aspects of Maltese culture while they relax and unwind throughout the evening in any of the various al fresco food and drink establishments.

City & Guilds hairdressing results

The International School of Hairdressing celebrated its first year of success, with 80 per cent of its students achieving a distinction and 20 per cent a credit.

These results were above the average results achieved for the Level 1 - Hairdressing Certificate of City & Guilds internationally. The school principal, Vanessa Aquilina, congratulated the students for the high results obtained, not only in Malta but worldwide.

A reception was recently held, where students were presented with their certificates.

For more information phone the school on 2144-0424 or 7945-9021.

For your diary

A day's outing in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the new Ramla Bay Resort, on Wednesday. Private bus opposite Le Meridien Phoenicia in Floriana leaves at 9.30 a.m. via Sliema/St Julian's. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

Ward u Zghar is organising a picnic at Pretty Bay, Birsebbuga, on Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.

A barbecue is being organised by Melita Football Club for their past players as a get-together to recount memories of their glorious days, at the club's football ground in Pembroke on Friday at 8.30 p.m.

All players wishing to attend are asked to contact Anton Naudi, club president, on 2133-5252 or 9980-4353 or send an e-mail to anaudi@maltanet.net by Tuesday.

Lions Club Mdina is organising a barbecue at Villa Capricorn, Madliena, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Bookings are limited and can be made by phoning Maria de' Conti Manduca on 2143-5388 or Isabelle Coppini on on 9942-4442.

If you are you going to give birth or have just had a baby and want to know more about breastfeeding, apply for a course with the Association of Breastfeeding Counsellors, which is being held at the Cana Movement premises, Floriana, on September 16, 18 and 21 at 7.30 p.m. To book a place, which costs Lm5, call Christine Borg on 2137-1700 or send an SMS on 9928-6862.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements September 4-11

Tomorrow
6.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a committee meeting of the Ball of the August Moon at Verdala Castle.

Tuesday
11 a.m. The President is presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund by Anthony Vella, chairman of the Leisure and Theme Park.
6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over an MCCF meeting at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President is presented with credentials by Molly Bordonaro, Ambassador of the United States, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President is presented with credentials by Portuguese Ambass-ador Antonio Russo Dias.
1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited ambassadors of the United States and Portugal at Verdala Castle.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concelebrated Mass on the occasion of Victory Day at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
11 The President lays a wreath on the Great Siege Memorial in Republic Street, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the MCCF working committee at the Palace, Valletta.
6.30 p.m. The President receives a courtesy call by the Bureau of the European Economic and Social Committee Group III.