Relations between Austria and Malta are "excellent", according to Ambassador Elisabeth Kehrer, who hosted a reception last Thursday week at Palazzo Marina in Valletta.
Business relations continue to improve with exports both from Malta to Austria and from Austria to Malta increasing by over 40 per cent. Tourists arrivals are also up at nearly 28,000.
Vienna International Airport has bought a majority shareholding in Malta International Airport and a consortium led by an Austrian medical services company, EME, has received a letter of intent to provide an integrated health system for Mater Dei Hospital. New developments are expected in solar power, waste management and solar energy for cooling.
Among the guests were Acting President and Mrs George Hyzler, Deputy Prime Minister and Mrs Tonio Borg, other Ministers and MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, the Austrian community in Malta and friends of the embassy.
Dr Kehrer looked back at the past year, observing that both the Maltese and the Austrians could feel proud. Both countries were stable, prosperous, sturdy democracies, truly united in the European Union.
The recent Austrian elections had brought five parties into parliament, with negotiations currently under way on the formation of a coalition government.
Austria held the EU presidency in the first half of 2006: a difficult time when the Union had not yet digested the results of the referenda on the EU Constitution in France and Holland, and agreement had not been reached with the European Parliament on the next seven-year budget from 2007.
During this time the Austrian Foreign Ministry alone chaired over 1,800 working groups. Dr Kehrer said she hoped Austria did a reasonably good job in the presidency. Apart from finalising the choreography on the constitutional debate and approving the budget, demonstrating a Europe that works, the emphasis was on the "we" factor and getting a feeling of togetherness back to the EU.
Austria is satisfied that accession countries Romania and Bulgaria will soon become full members. The first chapter of negotiations were closed on the membership of Turkey and Croatia.
Dr Kehrer thanked Malta for its support on various issues, including gas deliveries from Russia and the Danish cartoons controversy. Austria hosted an international conference of Imams, with Malta's Imam also attending.
She thanked her staff for their support in the past year and a half since the embassy was set up and the honorary consul-general, Michael Bianchi, at whose premises the reception was held, for helping the embassy to make the great strides it has achieved.
Finally she proposed a toast, in Maltese, to the health and prosperity of Malta, and to the continued strengthening of friendship between the two countries.
In his reply, Dr Hyzler said it was a great pleasure for him to be present for the Austrian National Day celebration. Diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on November 9, 1966, were excellent and a number of bilateral agreements were concluded, most recently in 2002.
The opening of an embassy in Malta in 2004 was a big step in the strengthening of relations. Dr Hyzler then spoke of the attractions of Austria, its history and the common ideals and values the two countries embraced both within the EU and internationally.
High tea at the American Embassy
On May 22, YWCA (Malta) president Mary J. Jones accompanied by executive members, paid a courtesy call on American Ambassador Molly Bordonaro to inform her of the philanthropic work carried out by the hardworking members of YWCA in its first year of operation.
Ms Bordonaro expressed her admiration and appreciation of their work and invited YWCA members and guests to a tea party, which took place at the her residence in Attard on October 13, and for which 50 guests attended. Ms Jones made the introductory speech to the ambassador.
Ms Bordonaro, a young mother of three children, spoke of her interest in the work of the YWCA, adding that at one time she too was involved with the association. She assured the president and members of her commitment to the work of YWCA and offered her full support.
Doris Cusens, head of YWCA public relations, thanked the ambassador for her kind words and invitation, and elaborated on the association's achievements in the first year since it was founded on October 22, 2005.
On behalf of the YWCA, she presented the ambassador with a floral arrangement consisting of 230 red, white and blue carnations forming the American flag, prepared by Anthony Cardona, and sponsored by Sherri's Garden Centre. Ms Bordonaro was impressed by the originality of the gift.
In appreciation of the hospitality offered and on behalf of the association, Josephine Micallef, a member in her early 70s, presented a necklace that she herself made using Mdina Glass beads to the ambassador, who showed her appreciation by immediately wearing it.
Towards the end of the occasion, the YWCA president thanked Ms Bordonaro for hosting the YWCA and for her encouragement and support. The American ambassador brought the afternoon to a close by thanking those present and wished them success in their future work.
The YWCA tackles women's issues ranging from human rights and health issues to sustainable development. Believing that women's leadership is essential for change, the association provides the tools and education to develop the female full potential.
Those women, especially of a younger age, who are interested in joining YWCA (Malta) may phone 2158-0982 or 7933-5514.
GM Productions' Miss Malta contest
GM Productions, the organisers of Malta's premier female competition have been holding Miss Malta competitions for the past 43 years since inception in 1964.
Every year, 20 girls are chosen to represent various localities in Malta and Gozo. The Annual Miss Malta competion is officially sponsored by L'Oreal Paris.
This year's Miss Malta finals competition is taking place at Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University of Malta, Msida, on Saturday at 8.30 p.m. The event will be animated by professional singers and group dancers. For bookings call 2144-0393 or 9946-9438.
Czech Week a resounding success
The Czech Cultural Week organised by the honorary consulate of the Czech Republic together with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Czech Embassy in Rome came to an end last week.
The week was marked by various activities held in Valletta - at St James Cavalier, the Manoel Theatre and St John's Co-Cathedral.
A Czech Film Week was held at St James Cavalier between October 17 and 22, where various Czech films were projected. These clearly showed the evolution of the Czech film industry, especially since the Soviet occupation of 1968.
A Czech National Day reception, during which a Czech contemporary jewellery exhibition was inaugurated, was held on Sunday, October 22, in the Sala Isuoard at the Manoel Theatre. The event was attended by Acting President George Hyzler, Presidents Emeriti Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Dr Censu Tabone, and their respective wives, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, numerous Czech residents and members of the Maltese-Czech Society led by their president, Lawrence Attard Bezzina.
Dr Hyzler and Jiri Sittek, first secretary and consul at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Rome, delivered speeches. Dr Hyzler recounted his experiences when he served as Malta's Ambassador to the Czech Republic and also on the relations between Malta and the Czech Republic following their accession to the European Union.
Mr Sittek emphasised the excellent relations between the two countries and the projects being undertaken through the initiatives of the honorary consulate to secure people-to-people relations through contacts between local councils and Czech towns and regions. Mr Sittek also referred to the co-operation agreement signed between the National Theatre of Prague and the Manoel Theatre and the newly established relations with the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM).
Following toasts to the Presidents and people of Malta and the Czech Republic, the national anthems of both countries were played. During the evening soprano Marta Hanfova and Mro Radomir Melmuka gave a taste of what to expect at the celebrity concert held on Tuesday, October 24, at the Manoel Theatre.
The highlight of the week was the visit to Malta by the Czech Jesuit Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, who officiated during a pontifical High Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta on Monday, October 23, when a porcelain replica of the Infant Jesus of Prague was donated to Dr Jaime H. Cremona, president of the Maltese Association of SMOM.
The High Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Mercieca, the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Felix Del Blanco Prieto, Bishop Annetto Depasquale, the acting Jesuit provincial, Fr John Scicluna, the provincial of the Theresian Carmelites, Fr Victor Mallia and various provincials and rectors of religious orders and parishes of Valletta.
St John's Co-Cathedral was again packed for another Czech event attended by Acting President and Mrs Hyzler, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Mrs Gonzi, the Chief Justice and Mrs Vincent DeGaetano, members of the diplomatic corps, the mayor of Valletta, Dr Paul Borg Olivier, Tonio Ganado, Ambassador of Malta to the Holy See, and Mrs Ganado, Dr John Vella, Malta's ambassador to the Czech Republic and Mrs Vella, and Dr Francis Cachia, Malta's Ambassador to Slovakia, and Mrs Cachia, together with a large contingent of members and dames of the Maltese Association of SMOM.
After Mass, the members of the association carried the statue of the Infant Jesus in procession to the church of Our Lady of Victories in Valletta where a deed of hand-over was signed by Dr Cremona and Tonio Casapinta, honorary Czech consul in Malta and witnessed by Marquis Nicholas de Piro and Mr Sittek. This was followed by a Eucharistic benediction. A reception was later held at Casa Lanfreducci, seat of the association.
During his stay in Malta Cardinal Spidlik paid an official visit to President Fenech Adami at the Palace in Valletta, and to Archbishop Joseph Mercieca at the Curia in Floriana. The Cardinal also celebrated Mass at St Paul's Grotto in Rabat and at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha.
Before leaving Malta on October 25, Cardinal Spidlik visited the University of Malta and had lunch with the Jesuit community.
The Czech Week included a vocal recital by soprano Marta Hanfova and Mro Melmuka at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. This was held under the patronage of the President of Malta and Mrs Fenech Adami. Czech Biblical songs were offered as a gift to Cardinal Spidlik, who was present for the recital, and these were followed by arias by Dvorak, Buhagiar, Smetana, Chopin, Gounod and Puccini.
During Czech Week, the consulate accepted donations in aid of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Ostrava, Czech Republic, who run a home for distressed women and children, managed by a Maltese nun, Sr Doris Saliba.
1530 commemoration dinner
The Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society launched its cultural events programme after summer break during the annual get together for members and guests, which has been styled '1530 Commemoration Dinner', taking its cue from the memorable October 26, 1530, when the Knights of St John arrived in Birgu, which was christened Vittoriosa after the Great Siege of 1565.
During her speech, Dr Louis Laganà, committee member and systems of knowledge co-ordinator at the University of Malta Junior College, harped on the artistic heritage of the Knights at Vittoriosa. Canon Paul Raggio, president of the society, thanked Dr Laganà for being instrumental in organising a modern art exhibition by the Faculty of Education Art Students' Association last June. Participants were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Jerma Palace Hotel, Marsascala.
Caritas Malta receives donation
Caritas Malta has received a substantial donation, running into thousands of Maltese Liri, as a result of Bank of Valletta's Help Caritas Campaign that ran during the six-week period between July 24 and the end of August.
Through this campaign, BoV donated three cents for every purchase payment made by customers using Cashlink cards. Igino Xuereb, chief officer operations of Bank of Valletta, presented the donation, to Mgr Victor Grech, director of Caritas Malta, during a meeting held at the BoV Centre.
Mr Xuereb announced that the campaign results had surpassed all expectations.
"When we launched the Help Caritas Campaign, we had said that we were making a win/win proposal to our customers - they would benefit from the efficiency associated with using our cards, Caritas was to benefit from the donation of three cents per payment transaction that the bank pledged, and the bank would reach its aim of promoting more efficient payment methods when compared to cheques or cash," Mr Xuereb said.
"We are pleased to note that during the BoV Help Caritas campaign the volume of card transactions increased by 31 per cent over the same period. This is a result that has surpassed all expectations and shows how our customers rallied behind the proposal that we made to them in support of an organisation that plays such an important social role within society."
Mgr Grech explained that Caritas Malta is today active not only in the area of drug rehabilitation but its work is widespread and touches some of the most delicate social problems that are manifest within our society.
"Caritas offers its services free of charge and donations, such as that presented by BoV as a result of this campaign, go a long way in helping Caritas to continue offering its services among people who are in difficulty within the community," concluded Mgr Grech.
Also present were Alan Cassar, executive head of sales and marketing. John Pollacco, head of card services, at Bank of Valletta, and Anglu Fenech, administrative secretary of Caritas Malta.
Malta Charities Association distributes large sum to local charities
Now in its 18th year, the Malta Charities Association has in its lifetime distributed around £326,000 to Malta's underprivileged. This has been done through a series of events designed to raise awareness about Malta's disabled, the elderly, substance abusers and cancer sufferers.
A dedicated committee consisting of 12 people work throughout the year with the sole purpose of raising money to distribute to charitable organisations in Malta.
Beneficiaries so far have included the larger and better-known organisations, such as Id-Dar tal-Providenza, the Eden Foundation, Little Sisters of the Poor, the Hospice Movement and Caritas. But monies have also reached the smaller and lesser-known charities, such as the Osanna Pia Drug Rehabilitation home, the Social and Counselling Commission and the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Associations, among many others.
As the association has no administrative costs, all funds raised go to the various charities that the association monitors. Committee members, who take an interest in the way the organisations have allocated the money, visit most of the beneficiaries a couple of times a year.
The Malta Charities Association fundraises solely in the UK, yet the beneficiaries are always Maltese organisations. Most of the committee members have a Maltese connection - some are half-Maltese, others spent their childhood in Malta and others visit regularly each year.
The main event and a huge crowd-puller of the Malta Charities Association is its annual dinner dance that has in the past few years been held at London's famous Landmark Hotel. Apart from proceeds generated from the sale of entrance tickets, there is also an auction held by the well known Bonham's and a raffle with prizes, such as trips to Malta, holidays in Spain, paintings, sculptures and objets d'art.
The beneficiaries for the coming year will include Dar il-Wens, the Malta Cancer Unit, the Santa Marija Home for Drug Rehabilitation, the Holy Family Home for the Elderly and the Ursuline Sisters.
This year's fundraising event will take place on November 24. For more information about the Malta Charities Association visit www.maltacharities.com or email maltacharities@aol.com
Paris wedding
Married on October 21 in Paris were Alex Scerri, son of Mr and Mrs Louis Scerri of Naxxar, and Marie Sophie Maleville, daughter of the late M. Pierre Maleville and of Mme Anita Maleville of Paris.
The civil ceremony was conducted by M. Michel Dumont, mayor of the seventh arrondissement, while Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Mgr Antoine de Vial, at Sainte-Clotilde Basilica in Paris.
The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's sister, Mme Sylvie Loyer-Maleville, Mlle Marianne Mey-zen, Capt. Eric Cordina, and Mr Julian Cachia. A reception was later held at the Hôtel Bristol, Paris.
The couple will be taking up residence in Dubai.
People
The University of Leicester has recently conferred on Dr Carmel Borg, Dean Faculty of Education, and Dr Carmel Cefai, lecturer at the Department of Psychology, at the University of Malta, the title and status of Honorary Visiting Fellows in the School of Education.
The award is the result of a collaborative partnership established between the Faculty of Education of the University of Malta and the School of Education of the University of Leicester over the past three years.
This included research and teaching exchange visits by staff from both universities, a joint national research project on social, emotional and behaviour difficulties, the publication of the Faculty of Education's second monograph, and the holding of an international conference in Malta next year.
Patrick J. Psaila was recently awarded the Master Practitioner Licence in Neuro-Linguistic Program-ming after successfully completing his training in Dublin.
Mr Psaila is the only Master NLP Practitioner in Malta who is licensed by the NLP Society, the largest and oldest NLP training body in the world and the only one endorsed by Dr Richard Bandler, the co-founder of NLP.
Mr Psaila is a psychologist and training consultant specialising in personal and professional development programmes for managers and leaders in organisations.
He has designed and directed various programmes in the field of emotional intelligence and will be further enriching his work by adding NLP skills and concepts in his training, therapy, and consultancy. Mr Psaila takes an eclectic approach to his work, and believes that NLP blends effectively with other schools of thought.
NLP offers a practical approach in psychology that focuses on how the mind and language work together, and how thinking, communication and behaviour can be improved to create personal, relational and organisational excellence.
For the past eight years Patrick has been the director of WorkAssist, providing individual coaching and mentoring, counselling and psychotherapy, and various training programmes in the field of workplace psychology.
He has also trained various professionals in designing and delivering training programmes, counselling skills, and mentoring. Patrick is a sessional lecturer and trainer at the University of Malta, the Malta Institute of Management, and the Foundation for Human Resources Development. He is also a member of the Malta Psychology Profession Board.
He can be contacted through the WorkAssist Website at www.work-assistmalta.com or by e-mailing pjpsaila@workassistmalta.com
For your diary
A bazaar is being held at the St Helen parish centre, Birkirkara (behind the basilica) from Tuesday to November 15. Opening hours are daily from 9 a.m. to noon and 4.30 to 7 p.m., and Sunday morning from 9 till noon. Among the items for sale, there will be home-grown pot plants, furniture, antiques, and bric-a-brac. A collection of LPs and fine sound equipment will be sold through offers.
Caritas co-operators are holding a day of activities at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St Julian's, on Wednesday, with the following programme: welcome coffee at 10.30 a.m.; a talk by Professor Albert Cilia Vincenti on 'Health and Longevity' at noon; Mass celebrated by Mgr Victor Grech at noon, followed by lunch at 1 p.m. For more information and bookings call Marie Louise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016, or Evelyn Zammit on 2132-2466.
Ward u Zghar is holding a get together at the Social Welfare Centre on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The fee is 50c. Food not included.
The parish church of St Augustine, Valletta, is holding a bazaar in aid of the Augustinian missionaries in Brazil at the church from Wednesday to Saturday. Opening hours are during the week from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 to 7.15 p.m., and on Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
David Pace is giving a presentation about the Opus Dei Society, including the showing of the film Opus Dei, at the Youth Travel Circle, 227, Merchants Street, Valletta, on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Richmond Foundation is organising a car wash at the Ta' Xbiex yacht marina on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price is Lm1.50.
On the occasion of the feast of the patron saint of Zejtun, St Catherine, the Juventutis Domus Sacra Familia and its theatre group are putting on an original play about the saint at the Domus, 63, St Gregory Street, Zejtun, on November 17, 18, and 19.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements: November 6-12
Tomorrow
6 p.m. The President attends a lecture entitled La Democrazia Cristiana: Ieri, Oggi e Domani by Clemente Mastella, Italian Minister of Justice - the annual Dr George Borg Olivier Memorial Lecture at the Auberge d'Aragon, Valletta.
Tuesday
11.30 a.m. The President meets students from St Joan Antide School at San Anton Palace, Attard.
Wednesday
10 a.m. The President visits the restoration works carried out by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti at Palazzo Falson, Mdina.
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami visits the Day Centre for the Elderly in Sliema.
8.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami attends an exhibition of jewellery by Diamonds International at the Hilton Hotel, St Julian's.
Thursday
10 a.m. The President is presented with credentials by Einar Marensius Bull, Ambassador of Norway, at the Palace, Valletta.
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a Malta Community Chest Fund Working Committee meeting at the Palace.
11 a.m. The President is presented with the letters of Commission by Kodjo A Wadee, High Commissioner of Ghana, at the Palace.
1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited Ambassador and High Commissioner of Norway and Ghana at San Anton Palace, Attard.
6 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the committee meeting of "Madama Butterfly at the Palace", San Anton Palace.
7 p.m. The President attends the tenth Annual St Augustine Lecture, by Professor John Rist of Cambridge University, at the University of Malta.
Friday
10.30 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami are presented with the sponsorship of the opera Madama Butterfy by Ms Sally Robson, COO HSBC Malta, at the Palace, Valletta.
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend an ecumenical service with the participation of the choirs taking part in the International Choir Festival, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, at St John's Co-Cathedral.
Sunday
9.15 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass to mark Remembrance Day at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
10.45 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over a wreath-laying ceremony on the occasion of Remembrance Day at the War Memorial in Floriana.
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a recital by baritone Daniel Lichti, accompanied by Mro Michael Laus on the piano at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.