Heard in the Hive

The new Russian Ambassador, Andrey Granovsky, last Thursday week hosted his first reception marking Russia's National Day since taking up his Malta appointment some weeks ago.

The reception, held at the Russian Embassy in Kappara, was attended by hundreds of guests, led by the President and Mrs Fenech Adami, who were greeted on the front porch by Ambassador Granovsky, the deputy chief of mission, Sergei Kozlov, and Mrs Kozlova, as a string trio played in the background.

Among the guests - who came from various sectors of Maltese society - were the Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, Cabinet ministers, ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the Russian community.

In his speech, Ambassador Granovsky said that in the 16 years since the declaration of sovereignty on June 12, 1990, the Russian Federation has made a profound transition that led to the country's political, economic and financial stability.

The main objectives of Russia today are improved living standards, development of civil society, the construction of a powerful and prosperous state, and the strengthening of its international role, the ambassador said.

The Russian Federation is ready to co-operate in dealing with all kinds of global problems, among them international terrorism and organised crime, and unresolved regional conflicts, he continued.

Ambassador Granovsky said the G8 summit, which Russia is hosting in St Petersburg next month, will discuss the priorities his government set for its G8 presidency - energy security, the fight against infectious diseases and the development of education. These problems can only be solved through joint efforts of the international community.

Russia wants to strengthen its co-operation with the European Union, with which a broad range of bilateral and international issues are being discussed at high-level meetings, such as the facilitating of contacts between peoples, easing the issuing of visas, trade, co-operation in energy and transportation and other issues.

Turning to relations between Malta and Russia, Ambassador Granovsky said his country valued Malta's contribution to European and world affairs. With Malta's membership in the EU, relations are bound to develop further, especially in the United Nations and other internal fora where the positions of the two countries coincide or are very close.

Relations between the two countries go back to at least three centuries, and are highlighted by various activities organised by his embassy and the Russian Centre - exhibitions, lectures and other events.

These relations are bound to improve further with the settling of some outstanding issues between the two countries, on which discussions have been taking place over the past year and which he hoped would soon be successfully concluded.

Ambassador Granovsky then proposed a toast to President Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Gonzi, to the further development of Russian-Maltese co-operation, and to the guests.

Replying to the toast, President Fenech Adami said that new ambassadors presenting their credentials to him at the Palace in Valletta cannot fail to notice a large portrait of Empress Catherine the Great hanging in the so-called Ambassadors' Room. This was evidence that relations between Malta and Russia, as the ambassador said, go back hundreds of years.

Among the first states which newly-independent Malta had established diplomatic relations was the Soviet Union, forerunner of the Russian Federation, Dr Fenech Adami recalled.

Since then the two countries, despite their huge dissimilarities, had developed close co-operation in various fields. Malta's EU membership made relations between the two countries even more important.

President Fenech Adami described the Russian Centre as one of the more active foreign cultural centres in Malta, and its various activities were very popular.

Malta agreed with the priorities which Russia, as host of the G8 summit, has put on the agenda for that meeting - the securing of energy supplies, and greater international stability, for example, were vitally important issues.

Dr Fenech Adami then proposed a toast to President Vladimir Putin and to ever closer relations between the Russian and Maltese peoples.

The toasts were followed by the playing of the two national anthems.

Maltese-language debut for British High Commissioner

In keeping with a tradition started quite a few years ago by Brian Hitch, one of his predecessors, the new British High Commissioner, Nick Archer, delivered most of his address at the reception marking the Queen's official birthday in Maltese.

Mr Archer got a comfortable pass mark from native speakers for his effort, and praise from President Fenech Adami.

The reception, held on the lawn at the High Commission's residence, Villa Degiorgio, in San Pawl tat-Targa, last Friday week, was attended by several hundred guests led by President and Mrs Fenech Adami, and included the Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, the Speaker, Anton Tabone, Cabinet ministers, and other distinguished personalities and members of the British community.

In his address, which he started in Maltese, Mr Archer, with his wife Erica at his side, said this was a special celebration of Queen Elizabeth's official birthday, since Her Majesty had turned 80, while her consort, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, would be celebrating his 85th birthday the following day.

This 80th birthday has a special meaning for the Maltese Islands, in view of the special relationship with Britain and the Royal Family, and because it came a few months after Her Majesty's state visit last November and her presiding over the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held here.

Mr Archer described the royal visit as a great success, and it showed how the co-operation and friendship between the two countries extended to all spheres - between the two governments, between the two peoples, expatriates and members of the Armed Forces, etc.

"Our friendship has a rich history but also an exciting future in the European Union," Mr Archer said, adding - to the applause of those present - that we must invest in these relations if they want to give more fruit.

Continuing in English, Mr Archer spoke on the significance of the Queen's Birthday and thanked all guests present for their contribution, in their own way, to the strengthening of UK-Malta relations.

He then proposed a toast to the President and Mrs Fenech Adami and to the people fo Malta.

President Fenech Adami, replying to the toast, said little did he realise, when he was negotiating with the European Union to make Maltese an official language of the Union, that heads of diplomatic missions in Malta would be vying with each other to speak Maltese at official functions.

Looking back at Her Majesty's visit to Malta last year, Dr Fenech Adami said the Queen felt very much at home here and was particularly touched by young people saluting her on the way to the airport. In fact, he continued, he could reveal that Her Majesty told him: "It's as if we had never been away", which he thought expressed great sentiment, since the Queen had lived in Malta for long periods between 1949 and 1951 when Prince Philip was stationed here with the Royal Navy.

President Fenech Adami said they were also celebrating the 85th birthday of Prince Philip, who told him that he probably owed his longevity to so many people drinking toasts to his health.

Likewise, the President said, he hoped that with so many toasts to his health, he would make it to 100!

He asked all present to join him in a toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to the lasting friendship between the two peoples.

This was followed by the playing of God Save the Queen and Lil din l-Art Helwa, and the EU anthem.

Zenith Star Night in Monte Carlo

Selected dealers from Europe converged recently on the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo for the unveiling of Swiss luxury watchmaker Zenith's 2006 collection.

Local Zenith representatives Diamonds International were represented by director Karl Micallef, who was accompanied by his wife Christine.

Zenith president Thierry Nataf and his wife hosted the event with footballer Christian Karembeu and his wife Adriana among the top personalities at the event.

Amazing acts by a host of exotic performers recreated the Zenith collections, in particular the Class Open and the Queen of Love ranges. There was also great enthusiasm for the Defy range and the new tourbillons.

The evening ended with a memorable gala dinner, bringing together chic glamour and pure emotions.

Following the event in Monte Carlo, the Zenith Star Night was then held in Singapore and Tokyo.

Grech Pillow - Borg Pullicino

Married at St Aloysius church, Birkirkara, on June 6, were Laura Grech Pillow, daughter of Mr and Mrs Benny Grech Pillow of Balzan, and Aaron Borg Pullicino, son of Mr and Mrs John Borg Pullicino of Birkirkara.

Fr Alfred Scerri, OFM Cap. celebrated the ceremony, which was witnessed by Chev. Alfred Borg and Mr Pierre Grech Pillow. Mr Raymond Borg and Mr Aaron Camenzuli carried out the duties of best man.

The bride was attended by Mrs Miriana Panzavecchia as matron of honour, Mrs Sandra Sciberras, the bride's cousin, as bridesmaid, and Adella Formosa as flower-girl.

A reception was held at Villa Maria, Rabat. The couple are spending their honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements June 19-25

Tomorrow
10.30 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami are officially received by Latvian President Dr Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Professor Freibergs at Riga Castle.
11.15 The President and the Latvian President preside over the delegation talks at Riga Castle.
12.30 p.m. The President and the Latvian President lay a bouquet of flowers at the Freedom Monument.
12.45 The President is received by Mrs Ingrida Udre, Speaker of the Latvian Parliament.
1.30 The President meets the Latvian Prime Minister at the Latvian Society House.
2 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a luncheon hosted in their honour by the Prime Minister and Mrs Kalvitis.
8 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a state dinner hosted by the Latvian President and Professor Freibergs at the Blackheads House.

Tuesday
9.15 a.m. The President is received by the mayor of Riga at the city council.
10.30 The President visits the Baltic Container Terminal.
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a reception in honour of the Latvian President and Professor Freibergs at the Grand Palace Hotel.
9.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami depart Riga for Malta.

Wednesday
00.20 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami arrive at Malta International Airport.
6.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the Ball of the August Moon committee meeting at San Anton Palace.
7.30 The President attends a performance of the oratorio Madonna tas-Sacro Cour on the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the church, at Sacro Cuor parish church, Sliema.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President receives Fr Gartano Rossell, superior general of the Theatine order, accompanied by officials of St Cajetan Band Club at the Palace, Valletta.
6.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the organising committee of the performance of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at San Anton Palace.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives the committee members, their spouses and children of the Down Syndrome Association Malta on its 25th anniversary, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.30 Mrs Fenech Adami receives members of the Grupp Nisa u Anzjani Ghawdxin at San Anton Palace.

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 St John of Jerusalem, and Mrs Pedrollo on the occasion of the feast of St John the Baptist at St John's Cavalier, Valletta.

For your diary

The Friends of the Little Sisters of the Poor are organising their annual fund-raising dinner in the enchanting gardens of Chev Maurice Mizzi's villa in Bidnija on Thursday at 8.30 p.m. Tickets cost Lm12.50. For bookings contact Christine Debono on 7944-4135 or cmdebono@hotmail.com, or Madeleine deDomenico on 2133-5334 or 7926-0965.

Cheques made payable to Friends of the Little Sisters of the Poor should be mailed to 50, Windsor Terrace, Sliema SLM 09.