Heard in the hive

Discover Malta is a newly launched wedding destination agency set up to service the ever-increasing demand for affordable and alternative wedding destinations. It has its head office in Dublin and a representative office in New York.

Audrienne Spiteri-Gonzi, managing director of Discover Malta, said that Malta provides an ideal and very affordable alternative wedding location and is even more accessible for Irish people since the announcement by Ryanair of direct flights from Dublin to Malta.

"People need to be assured that they are dealing with a reputable organisation that will get them the best deals possible for accommodation, venue hire and banqueting. Discover Malta aims to provide Irish and American customers with the very best service for organising a destination wedding or special event in Malta. It offers first-hand information about the magic of the Maltese Islands and guides you through the planning process, taking care that nothing is overlooked and ensuring that the event is truly memorable."

Ms Spiteri Gonzi added that more and more Irish people are discovering the wonderful climate and delights of Malta. As for the United States, this is an untapped market but a highly lucrative one with unlimited potential.

"The Maltese Islands are one of the best-kept secrets of the Mediterranean. Visitors love exploring the islands' Baroque towns, sandy beaches, hidden coves, luxurious resorts and health spas and bustling nightlife. For the sun-starved Irish, the warm sunshine and blue waters of Comino and Gozo provide an ideal venue for a truly memorable wedding at any time of the year. We have capitalised on these wonderful resources that the Maltese Islands have to offer and invested in a promotional and marketing campaign that really brings out Malta as the jewel of the Mediterranean."

Thanks to an extensive Maltese supplier network, Discover Malta can tailor a package to suit even the most discriminating client or bride while meeting particular requirements and budgets, saving visitors to Malta stress and providing maximum value for money.

Maltese artists honoured in Tunis

On January 19, Club Taher Haddad in Tunis' historic Medina was the venue of a well attended seminar on various aspects of Maltese life in Tunis in the 19th and early 20th century. The events form part of the Malta month Malta Hanina celebrations which the Embassy of Malta in Tunis is organising to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Maltese-Tunisian diplomatic relations.

Following an introductory welcome by Ambassador Tanya Vella, Tunisian-born researcher Patrick Abeasis, whose grandmother's surname was Aquilina, paid tribute to the cultural milieu, art and careers of various Maltese artists living in Tunisia from the 19th to the mid- 20th century.

Although he concentrated on the lives of five of the best known Maltese artists - Lucie Pisani, Emilie Camilleri Grimaldi, Charles Borg, Georges Massa and Gaetan Mifsud - he also indicated that there were several others which also merited attention. "What marked this period was the solidarity of artists from different ethnic backgrounds who lived together in peace, Europeans, Russians, Muslims, Jews and Maltese."

Dennis Vella, curator of Modern and Contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, complemented the evening with a lecture and slide show on "Modern Art in Malta 1980 - 2006" outlining the various influences which characterised the search for Maltese ethnic culture on the artistic scene following independence.

The Malta Hanina cultural symposium is a worthy example of how previously unknown cultural links can help enrich Tunisia's and Malta's perception about each other. The megalithic temples, the natural environment as well as motifs from village architecture, popular culture and daily life all contributed to the local scene. Later influences were new expressionism, abstraction and the new field of installations and multimedia.

"When delving into our past in Tunisia we discover that many but not all the Maltese who emigrated to Tunisia were driven by poverty in Malta; many became wealthy businessmen who made a name for themselves in Tunisia occupying important positions. These seminars are a tribute to their memory," said Ambassador Vella.

An exhibition of contemporary Maltese artists, Maltese maritime history and traditional folklore complements the lectures at the prestigious Kherreidine Palace and closed yesterday.

On the following day, the renowned author of Le Maltais de Baab El Khadra, Claude Rizzo, a Frenchman of Maltese origin who grew up in the popular quarter of Bab il Khadra in Tunis, was guest speaker at a seminar organised by the Embassy of Malta in Tunis in conjunction with the University of Manouba at Club Tahar Hadad.

Mr Rizzo entertained the audience with vivid recollections of his childhood years as part of the Maltese community in Tunisia during the years immediately before and after Tunisia's independence in 1956.

Professor Rabaa Abelkefi, from the Institute of Languages of Tunis, presented a critique of the book. Other speakers included Marie Therese Buhagiar, a French housewife from Lyon of Maltese origin who traced the life of one of her ancestors, Lorenzo Mintuf, known as Mifsud, who arrived in Tunis at the tender age of 15 in 1830 and who by 1850 was a wealthy landowner and exporter of cattle to the British forces in Malta.

Maltese living in Tunis also participated in the lively discussion which concluded the seminar, followed by refreshments and book signing by the author. This event is part of the events currently being organised by the Maltese embassy in Tunis to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and Tunisia.

AX Foundation helps Little Sisters of the Poor

AX Foundation raised Lm1,030 for the Little Sisters of the Poor at a wine tasting event held in one of the Valletta Waterfront's old vaults made available by AX Holdings. Around 250 persons attended.

Marsovin provided the exquisite wines and

Happy Guitars - a team of strolling mandoline and guitar players - provided complimentary entertainment.

Voluntary staff from the Victoria Hotel and Sunny Coast Resort, assisted by five Institute of Tourism Studies students, served the various delicious savouries prepared by the Victoria Hotel kitchen staff. The money raised will be used to acquire night stands to enhance the excellent refurbishing of the premises of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Hamrun.

Last month AX Foundation also helped organise a combined bazaar which raised Lm1,500 for three charities: the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Mission Fund and the Hospice Movement.

In the first year of its existence the AX Foundation has distributed well over Lm10,000 to charities and deserving individuals. At present it is drawing up its activities programme for the current year through which other charities and individuals will benefit.

Gold medal for Anton Agius

One of Malta's greatest living artists, the sculptor Anton Agius, on February 1 was awarded the Gold Medal of the Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce "in recognition of his outstanding achievements and interest in art".

Anton Agius, who was accompanied by his wife Louise, was presented with the medal and scroll by the President of the Republic, Dr Edward Fenech Adami, at a ceremony at Palazzo de La Salle, the society's headquarters in Republic Street, Valletta, which was attended by Mrs Fenech Adami and numerous distinguished guests.

Paul Asciak, president of the society, said the Gold Medal for 2006 was the 59th awarded by his society since the first one was presented in 1896. The society was set up in 1852. Among those who received the Gold Medal were some of the island's leading artists, musicians, writers, singers, and professionals who had given an important contribution to Maltese society.

Anton Agius, he continued, was the fourth sculptor to be honoured, after Vincent Apap, Gianni Bonnici and Josef Kalleya.

The society, which now has 450 members, is undertaking the rehabilitation of Palazzo de La Salle, Mr Asciak said.

Peter Paul Ciantar, a close friend of Anton Agius, then paid a moving tribute to the artist whom he first got to know some 30 years ago, he said, when he moved to Rabat after he got married. Mr Ciantar described Agius as a great artist and a gentleman, a friend to all. His studio, housed in a garage, was literally open to all. Yet in it, the artist had produced masterpieces, many of which decorate our squares and public places.

Mr Ciantar said Agius's greatest satisfaction was to create works from the gnarled trunks of olive trees. There were many examples of such works at the Cathedral Museum in Mdina. His monuments, on the other hand, were inspired by his patriotism and sense of national pride.

Anton Agius had studied in Malta under Guzeppi Galea, Ignazio Cefai and George Borg, and then pursued his studies in Italy and England. He has never looked back since. Mr Ciantar said Agius enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experience with younger artists. He has worked in different media - stone, bronze, iron, wood, and marble, and took part in numerous exhibitions.

Mr Ciantar said that he was struck by President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici's description of Anton Agius as the "national sculptor" when inaugurating the artist's one-man exhibition at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat.

Mr Ciantar said that Agius has never been motivated by lucre, and did many works for free. Besides, he produced some of his greatest works when he was going through some bad moments in his life, and had managed to produce great art even when buffeted by life's travails.

After a 60-year career in art, Anton Agius's name will continue to live in posterity because of his great contribution to art, Mr Ciantar concluded.

The brilliant young pianist Charlene Farrugia, who won the Young Musicians Competition organised by the Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and won a scholarship at Thames Valley University (London College of Music), then gave a moving rendition of Liszt's Après une lecture de Dante.

After presenting the Gold Medal and scroll to a visibly moved Anton Agius, President Fenech Adami described him as an outstanding sculptor thanks to his many works, especially his public monuments. Agius, in fact, was a great artist because he not only proved his masterly technique, but also showed his creativity and gave a message through his works.

For example, the Workers Monument at Msida, conveyed the efforts and tribulations workers had to go through over the years, while the Sette Giugno monument on Palace Square in Valletta portrayed the anguish of those who gave their life for the nation's freedom.

President Fenech Adami said the whole nation should be grateful to Anton Agius and for his great contribution to Maltese art.

The presentation was followed by a reception.

The Victoria Hotel employee awards

Two employees of The Victoria Hotel were presented with the Summer and Winter Achiever of the Year Awards. Amanda Axiaq won the Summer Achiever Award for Innovation, while Joe Darmanin received the Winter Achiever Award for Passion. Both employees were voted for by their colleagues.

Victoria Hotel general manager Claire Xuereb said 2006 had been a very good year for The Victoria and thanked the staff for their dedication, without which this success would not have been possible. She said that 2007 would bring new challenges with the new five-star hotel The Palace.

The award ceremony took place during the Victoria Hotel employees' party which was held at Melita Gardens, Attard. Angelo Xuereb, AX Holdings chairman and Josephine Xuereb, AX Foundation chairperson also attended the event.

Cynergi-The Sunday Times prize awarded

Darren De Celis, a 24-year-old technician from Gzira, is the lucky winner of six months' free membership at Cynergi, worth Lm129.

"I enjoy spending time at my favourite gym where I socialise and exercise. I feel quite privileged to be able to enjoy free membership at such a prestigious fitness club as Cynergi and look forward to starting," says Darren. He also said that using the gym takes away the stress of everyday life, and to do so for free is all the more exciting.

Finishing course for women

The first finishing course in Malta - MtStyleClinic - was launched last month.

The 12-step programme will help women develop a personal sense of style and boost their self-confidence. The 12 sessions will cover various topics related to personal development and growth. Experts will guide students toward what is best for them and give them the tools and knowledge to enable them to make the most of themselves.

MtStyleClinic is the brainchild of Nirvana Azzopardi and Francesca Rizzo, who developed this concept. Topics to be addressed include deportment, self-awareness, skin care, wardrobe management, assertiveness, personal appearance, hair care, make up, social and professional etiquette, health, fitness and nutrition, financial literacy, gastronomy, wine appreciation, general knowledge, culture as well as fascinating and potentially life-changing topics.

The sessions will be given by a number of experts, including Gloria Mizzi, Norma Saliba, Maria Ellul, Josef Bonello, Luke Engerer, Genevieve Cilia, Tessa Pisani, Bianca Rizzo and Alan Pace.

The aim is to make learning fun, a night in with a group of women of different ages and coming from different backgrounds, who are all looking for personal fulfilment, the organisers said.

More information on the course can be found at www.mtstyleclinic.com. The first session will be held on February 20.

Maltese artists at Cairo Biennale

The tenth Cairo International Biennale was inaugurated at the Museum of Modern Art in Cairo by the Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosny in the presence of hundreds of international guests.

With more than 120 artists from all over the world, including Malta, showing everything from traditional oil paintings to weirdo-tech installations, the annual art show offered a plethora of flavours, styles and media.

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts selected a trio of paintings by Luciano Micallef and a bronze sculpture by Charles Sammut to represent Malta at this event. Malta's participation was made possible with the support of the Malta Tourism Authority and the Embassy of Malta in Cairo.

Launched in 1984, the Cairo International Biennale was the first of its kind in the Arab region and has established itself as one of the major cultural events in North Africa. Regional and international prestige is derived from the name Cairo, the capital of Al-Mo'ez, the centre of Arab culture, which inspired civilisations across the world. 

Thanks to the efforts of its organisers, the event has successfully echoed across the world. The symposia held parallel to the event revive the glorious past of the Akkaz cultural fair (in Saudi Arabia), where intellectuals, poets and writers used to debate mankind's welfare, virtues of humanity, achievements and creativity. Likewise, the Cairo International Biennale has become a platform for illuminating dialogues.

This year's symposium was entitled "Collage as a Metaphor". The various sessions tackled various aspects of contemporary culture: Theatre of Memory, Faces of Modernity, Conceptual Collage, Concrete rejoins Virtual reality. The speakers at the three-day symposium were from Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Tunisia, Germany, the US, Australia and Malta.

Luciano Micallef was invited to represent Malta at the symposium where he delivered a speech concerning virtual reality that has dominated everyone's life, the child's life, the adult's life, but also that of the artist.

For your diary

The Malta Floral Club is having a day card/games party at the Plaza Hotel, Sliema, on Tuesday at 10.30 a.m. Members and their friends are asked to book early by phoning Lily de' Conti Manduca on 2135-4160 or Monica Chetcuti on 2148-8089.

YWCA is organising a card/board games tea party at the Marina Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. For bookings phone 2131-5618 or 9943-7721.

YANA (You Are Not Alone) is meeting at Buskett Roadhouse on Wednesday at 8 p.m. For more information phone 2189-2359, 2145-3742 or 2165-3366.

The Mission Fund is organising a tea tombola in aid of Maltese missionaries in Third World countries at the Pembroke parish hall, on Sunday at 3.30 p.m. For tickets, phone 2141-3664 or 2133-1151.

Carnival parties

A party is being organised by Ward u Zghar at the Centru Hidma Socjali on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.

A party for children is being organised at L'Isle Adam Band Club, Rabat, on February 19 at 4 p.m. Bookings can be made at the club.

Carnival activities at the parish hall in Paola will start off with a coffee morning on Thursday at 9 a.m. On Saturday, a wine and pizza party and tombola will be held at 7 p.m. A full-day programme will be held on the main square on Sunday from 10.30 a.m. The competition will be held on Monday at 6 p.m.

The Lions Club is organising a Carnival Costume Ball at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands on Saturday at 8 p.m. The ball is being held to raise funds to replace aging glaucoma screening equipment, located at St Luke's Hospital and various polyclinics.

There will be cocktails and canapés, dinner, dancing, a silent auction, tombola and a prize for Best Costume. Tickets cost Lm15 and are available from Genevieve Abela Cefai on 7982-1517 and Maria Conti Manduca on 2143-5388.