Heard in the Hive

Members of the Dutch community in Malta, many of them wearing orange, the national colour, were conspicuous by their presence at the reception hosted by the new Ambassador of The Netherlands, Jan Heidsma, and his wife Marjolijn, at their residence in Ta' Xbiex on April 27 to celebrate Queen's Day, the Dutch national holiday.

President and Mrs Fenech Adami led the numerous guests at the reception, at which Edam and Gouda cheese, herrings and other typical Dutch fare was served.

Ambassador Heidsma, addressing the guests, explained that Queen's Day actually commemorates the birthday of former Queen Juliana, but this was retained as the National Day since the birthday of her daughter, the present Queen Beatrix, fell in January and this made outdoor celebrations in The Netherlands rather risky!

The Ambassador said that his country's embassy, which was set up just before Malta joined the European Union two years ago, had now pretty well established itself and relations between the two countries were excellent, especially since May 1, 2004.

Indeed, he continued, The Netherlands, were Malta's tenth largest trading partner, while Malta's claim to fame in Holland has long been early Maltese potatoes, since the Dutch were such avid consumers of the humble potato that they couldn't wait for their own crop, so "Maltas" filled the markets in spring.

But Malta was also a popular destination with Dutch tourists - 40,000 visitors came from Holland last year, and there are no fewer than nine flights a week linking Amsterdam with Malta.

Ambassador Heidsma admitted that Dutch investments in Malta were not significant. However, Malta, though small, played a very significant part in the EU and has become firmly embedded in the European family. It had also managed to obtain a good share of funds in the next EU budget.

The Ambassador then proposed a toast to the health and prosperity of the President and people of Malta.

Acknowledging the toast, President Fenech Adami recalled his first visit to the Netherlands, as prime minister, in 1987. He had met his Dutch counterpart, Ruud Lubbers, and they had discussed, among other things, raising the quota of Maltese potato exports to Holland!

Dr Fenech Adami said that he felt that after two years in the European Union, Malta was living up to expectations, confirming that the people's decision to join the EU was a good and positive one. He said Malta had been given an acceptable financial package, with the help of a number of member states, foremost among them the Netherlands, for which he was grateful to this day.

The President confirmed what the Ambassador had said about Malta's role in the EU. For instance, after his speech in Maltese at the European Parliament in Strasbourg recently, he was told that Malta was able to speak "home truths" in a way in which other, larger member states perhaps could not.

He regretted to say that many young people today do not realise why the European Union had been formed in the first place - this was to avoid, once and for all, the tragedy of war and to build a continent on peace, progress and prosperity.

There has been controversy in Europe about the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty - the Dutch had rejected it - but he was convinced that it was the way forward for the EU, since it gave the Union a greater political dimension.

President Fenech Adami then proposed a toast to Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and to the health and prosperity of her people.

The two national anthems were then played.

New antiques shop

A new antiques shop owned by Spiteri and Borg Enterprise Limited was recently inaugurated.

The premises, Antiquites et Beaux Arts, at 17, Capucchins Street, Floriana, was blessed by Fr Martin, a good friend of the Spiteri family, and inaugurated by Mary Joan Borg, one of the driving forces behind this venture. A reception was later held at the premises which was attended by members of the Spiteri and Borg families.

In a short address, director Joseph Spiteri noted that this new venture will cater to the fast growing market of antiques, collectables and fine arts. He emphasised that being a family concern, the company will be striving to keep costs at a minimum so as to offer its clients very good, if not the best prices possible. He said that antiques never go out of fashion, can also be cleverly blended with a modern ambiance and give a distinctive touch of class to our houses.

The centrally created and elegantly decorated premises house a good variety of items, including fine British and continental porcelain, Cranbury, lusterware, silverware and an exciting oriental display with Satsuma, Kutami and Imari.

Go! magazine awards winners

Go Mobile recently awarded a range of prizes to four winners of two competitions that were featured in the company's annual magazine Go! that was published last December.

Donald Camilleri was the winner of the MMS competition that required entrants to send in an original photo message. The winning entry was entitled 'Past and Present' and the lucky winner was awarded Lm200 of talk-time.

The three other winners - Jennifer Vassallo, Paul Micallef and Grace Fenech - won the SMS competition where participants had to answer a basic question relating to 'My Go', Go Mobile's Web portal. All three winners won a Nokia 6020 MMS phone.

Amichi Spanish evening

Amichi, a Spanish franchise situated in Sliema, recently held a Spanish evening to launch the new spring/summer collection.

The collection features radiant colours, and includes comfortable casual wear, including denim jackets with matching trousers and skirts, crop trousers with jackets to match, and a large selection of casual trousers, skirts and tops, which can be mixed and matched to create one's own style.

The collection also includes a variety of sparkly evening wear, ranging from suits, evening tops, skirts, trousers and figure-hugging dresses with matching shawls, all of which have a distinctive touch. The key colours are defiantly fuchsia, red, white and green.

The shop was packed with Amichi customers, who viewed the collection, while enjoying Spanish tunes played by a guitarist and drank sangria, which created the entire atmosphere.

The perfumes Cinema and Alien where also given out to the customers with compliments from C&M Marketing.

French Ambassador hosts Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce council members

The newly elected council of the Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce was recently invited to the residence of the French ambassador to Malta, M. Jean-Marc Rives.

Council members were entertained in the lovely gardens of the residence in Zebbug prior to a luncheon. M. Francois Dubois and Mrs Marguerite Pace Balzan of the Mission Economique were also in attendance.

The Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce was set up in October, 1989, with the principal aim of promoting and developing commerce, industry and touristic exchange between Malta and France.

It co-operates with the competent authorities, organisations and constituted bodies in both countries to further its activities.

The members of the Maltese-French Chamber of Commerce are elected for a three-year term. David Fleri Soler was elected president of the Chamber, with Joseph Bugeja as vice-president. John Rausi is the honorary treasurer and Ann Petroni was appointed honorary secretary.

Marcette Fabri is the Chamber's PRO. Other council members are Michael Attard, Bernadette Bonnici Kind, Gabriella Cuschieri and Dr Mark Miggiani, LL.D., also the council's legal adviser.

Animal welfare fundraising event

Hakuna Matata Animal Education Project Malta is holding an animal welfare fund-raising event in St Nicholas Square, Siggiewi, today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be a raffle with prizes donated by corporate bodies, and items on sale donated by the local community and Siggiewi primary school children, who have also adopted Amadeus, a three-month old puppy as their mascot, who was abandoned in Siggiewi last weekend.

The education project has been organising fundraising events and education tutorials in the schools in collaboration with the Department of Education since 2001.

The association's mission is to help bring to an end the abandonment of animals. This requires a lot of community support. The organisation's monthly costs to rescue, shelter and care for animals like Amadeus exceeds Lm300. Therefore prize donations for the raffles or sponsorships are greatly appreciated.

AX Foundation officially launched

Palazzo Capua in Sliema was the elegant venue for the official launch of the AX Foundation - an autonomous body, supported by AX Holdings and established to operate as a non-profit organisation in the voluntary sector.

Mr and Mrs Angelo Xuereb hosted numerous business associates and friends to a cocktail reception to celebrate the launch of this new organisation.

Mrs Josephine Xuereb, who has been chairperson of The Charitable Welfare Committee for the past 10 years, explained how this organisation will be replaced by the newly formed AX Foundation.

She also thanked the outgoing committee members for their hard work and commitment in organising various activities in aid of charity.

One of the main objectives of the new foundation is to contribute towards the improvement of poverty, social, mental and physical hardship.

The AX Foundation is administered by a board of trustees. The founding members appointed by AX Holdings Group chairman Angelo Xuereb are Mrs Xuereb, chairperson; Dr George Hyzler, deputy chairperson; William Spiteri, secretary; Oswald Tanti, treasurer; Mario Fenech and Fredrick Clark.

Besides being financially supported by AX Holdings, the foundation organises events and activities to raise funds in aid of its beneficiaries.

The first event is planned for the evening of June 28 at the Valletta Waterfront. Being the traditional Mnarja evening, a typical Maltese folklore festa night is being organised with an appropriate theme in a different environment - Mnarja fil-Port il-Kbir. All proceeds from the event will be in aid of purchasing essential equipment for Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.

Camilleri - Borg

The marriage took place recently between Alexia Camilleri, daughter of Emanuel and Josephine Camilleri of Ta' Xbiex and Joseph Borg, son of Victor and Michelle Borg of Valletta.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr William Bartolo, assisted by Br Stephen Magro. The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's sister, Nathalie Becker Camilleri, and the groom's brother, Marcelle Borg. Emanuel Formosa and Noel Chircop were best men.

The bride was attended by the groom's cousin Paulann Chircop as maid of honour, her niece, Jessica Becker as bridesmaid, and the groom's niece, Roanna Azzopardi, as flower-girl. Zidane Zammit, the bride's cousin's son, was ring bearer.

A reception was held at Villa St Anne, Marsascala.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Belgium, Holland and France.

Sponsorship for Lourdes pilgrimage

Daniel Azzopardi, on behalf of Victor Azzopardi Ltd and the Maltese Silver Collection, presented a donation to the committee members of the Friends of the Order, at Casa Lanfreducci, in the presence of MASMOM president Dr Jaime H. Cremona.

The funds raised during the exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta of a fine collection of Maltese silver pieces, designed and crafted by master craftsman Victor Azzopardi, will go towards the sponsorship of young cancer patients to attend the MASMOM annual Lourdes pilgrimage.

All the exhibits are now on display at the new Victor Azzopardi establishment in Mriehel.

For your diary

The International Wives Association is holding its monthly quiz coffee morning on Wednesday. More information from Janet Vassallo.

Caritas co-operators are holding a day at the Grand Hotel Mercure San Antonio, Qawra, on Wednesday, starting with coffee at 10.30 a.m., followed by a talk on "Money matters" by Godfrey Swain, head of HSBC Financial Services, at 11, Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m.

For bookings and more information, contact Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 or Olga Muscat on 2133-0132.

The Mission Fund is organising a grand bazaar at 26, Saqajja Road, Rabat, which is open till Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and 4 to 7 p.m.

All funds will help relieve the hunger and misery of thousands of people in Third World countries. To donate items, contact the Mission Fund at 72/2, St Joseph Flats, Triq il-Farinal, Mosta MST 07, or phone 2141-3664.

The Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund of Corradino is organising a coffee morning in aid of the centre at Attard parish hall on Thursday.

Those who wish to attend are asked to phone Helen Sciberras, chairperson fund-raising and social activities, on 2143-6421 or 9984-5600. Tickets can be purchased on the day at the door.

Lions Club Mdina is holding its annual strawberry and champagne morning at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija, on Thursday at 9.30 a.m.

Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Transport will be available from certain areas. For reservations and details contact Isabelle Coppini on 2137-4291, Maria de Conti Manduca on 2143-5388 or Judith Debono on 2137-4261 by Tuesday.

A bazaar in aid of the missions is being held at "Kings", Tower Road, Sliema, till May 27, from 9.30 a.m. Bargains on clothes, toys, white elephant-gifts and books.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - May 9-13

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President is presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund by Assocjazzjoni Sports Muturi at the Palace, Valletta.
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a buffet dinner hosted by Israeli Ambassador Ehud Gol and Mrs Gol on the 58th anniversary and independence of Israel, at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian's.

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami visit Bristow Potteries' ceramic shop and factory in Ta' Qali.
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the European Movement to celebrate Europe Day at the Osborne Hotel, Valletta.

Thursday
9.30 a.m. The President is presented with credentials by Russian Ambassador Andrej Granovsky at the Palace, Valletta.
10 Mrs Fenech Adami presents gifts to residents of St Vincent de Paul in Luqa for Mothers' Day
10.45 The President is presented with credentials by Slovak Ambassador Stanislav Vallo at the Palace, Valletta.
11.45 The President is presented with credentials by Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Dr Mohammed Al-Jarallah, at the Palace.
1.15 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited Russian, Slovak and Saudi Arabian Ambassadors at San Anton Palace, Attard.
7.30 The President presides over the presentation ceremony of the Mini XVII European Assembly at the Palace.

Friday
10 a.m. The President is interviewed by Spanish journalist Gonzalo Altorano on the Pro-Life Movement at the Palace, Valletta.
10 Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a MCCF working committee meeting at the Palace.

Saturday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami meets mother refugees and presents flowers for Mothers' Day at Dar l-Emigrant, Valletta.