The latest international investiture of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem (Malta Obedience), recently organised and hosted by the Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands, was both a solemn event and a grand feast for old and new members of the Grand Priory, their overseas confreres and consoeurs, families and guests.
There were other activities during the week, including meetings of the Supreme Council presided over by the Grand Chancellor.
The investiture, held at the University chapel at Tal-Qroqq, was presided over by Grand Chancellor, Chevalier Dr Friedrich Schubert, GCLJ, flanked by Grand Prior Chev. Dr Joseph R. Pace, LL.D., GCLJ. Dame Helen Meli Attard, DGCLJ, Grand Custodian of the Order, and other members of the council also actively participated, as did the members of the Maltese Grand Priory Council.
Among these were Chancellor Chev. Tony Cutajar, Marshal Lt. Col. Chev. J. Spiteri Audibert, Commander (Gozo) Chev. Paul Banavage, Custodian of insignia Dr Ray Gatt, and Sword-bearer Godfrey Sammut.
Field Marshal Chev. David Zammit, leader of the liaison group Special Rescue Corps - St Lazarus Corps, inspected the guard of honour, accompanying the Grand Chancellor.
Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Thomas Moore, OFM Conv., long-time prelate of the Maltese Grand Priory.
The Step by Step Foundation, an affiliate of the Grand Priory, was represented by Kenneth Caruana Cremona, OLJ. A delegation from the Hospitallers of St Lazarus (Commandery of the Mediterranean), led by their Chancellor Dr Massimo Ellul, was also present.
The ceremonial procession and Mass were accompanied by organ music and hymns of the Pembroke church choir, led by Fiona Grech.
The international investiture ceremony was preceded by the blessing of the insignia. The new admissions were Dr Patricia Duvivier, Joseph Francis Falzon, Anthony Fenech, Francis Galea, Lieutenant Christian Karl Johann Goldschwend, Roderick Kurt Grech, Magistrate Heinrich-Horst Hellweg, Dr John Mamo, Reginald Joseph Meli Attard, Corporal David Mercieca, Raymond Mifsud and Jean Philippe Secordel-Martin.
Promotions to higher ranks were granted to Major Carmelo A. Mangion and Major Duncan Triganza as officers (OLJ), confrere Joseph Griscti as Commander Second Class (CLJ), and Lady Commanders Mariuccia Micallef Grimaud, MQR, and Solveig Lagerholm as Dames of Grace (DLJ). confrere Olivier Yves Jean Nicol Collin, Brigadier Professor Charles Savona Ventura, MD, Commander Dr Eric Van Oppen De Guinigi and Field Marshal David John Zammit were raised to the rank of knights (KLJ).
The merit award was given to Magistrate Oliver Arthur Prenn as member of merit; Lieutenant Georg K. Seifert (Webmaster) and Lt Colonel Chev. Joseph M. Spiteri Audibert (marshal) were awarded the bronze cross of merit.
The Silver Cross of Merit Award went to Chevalier Michael Ciavola, Prior of the Maltese Grand Priory and general administrator of these events.
A gala dinner at the Portomaso Hilton banqueting hall followed. The venue was splendidly decorated for the occasion and buzzing with more than 100 participants. The eight-piece Joe Brown band entertained the guests.
Well-known mezzo-soprano Marie Therese Vassallo, herself a member of the Maltese Grand Priory, enhanced the event with songs. The night before, Ms Vassallo's Dance Studio had given a highly applauded evening of music and dance with an international repertoire before a lively dinner at Ir-Razzett l-Antik.
A speech of thanks and motivation for the future was made by Dr Pace, who is also Grand Legal-General of the Order. Dame Helen Meli Attard, DGCLJ, Grand Custodian on the Supreme Council, expressed her respects to her deceased father, the Grand Vicar and past Grand Chancellor of the Order, Chevalier Reginald S. Attard. This was endorsed by the guests with a one-minute silence proposed by the Grand Chancellor.
Chevalier Attard was internationally known and respected by all echelons in the order worldwide. The Grand Chancellor's speech was also very well received.
During these proceedings, Dr Pace presented courtesy copies of the book The Hospitaller Knights of St Lazarus, written by Professor Savona-Ventura and recently published by the Maltese Grand Priory, to Dr F. Schubert, Dame Helen Meli Attard, and Chev. Vittorio Galoppini. Dame Liliana Attard, DGCLJ, widow of Chev. Attard, was presented with a copy in absentia. Dr Pace also handed cash donations to the Voice Studio and the Special Rescue Group - St Lazarus Corps.
A joyful surprise occurred when Chev. P. Banavage, on behalf of the Gozo Commandery, called up Chev. David Zammit to receive the keys of an ambulance for the Special Rescue Group, on condition that it carried the words 'In Memory of Vincent Bugeja' on one side and the words 'Donated by the Gozo Commandery - St Lazarus Order, Malta', on the other.
The overseas delegations came from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, and Sweden.
The Supreme Council meetings were chaired by the Grand Chancellor, Chev. Dr Friedrich Schubert. Several important decisions were taken, some of which appear on the Order's International Website www.oslj-international.org.
South African High Commissioner hosts business lunch
The South African High Commissioner, Lenin Shope, accompanied by South Africa's honorary consul in Malta, Norman P. Mifsud, recently hosted officials of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industry as well as newspaper editors to lunch at the Princess Room of the Casino Maltese in Valletta.
During the lunch meeting, at which South African wines were served, High Commissioner Shope dealt with a number of interesting opportunities that South Africa can offer to Maltese businessmen and tourists.
Mr Mifsud said that in the near future a delegation of South African entrepreneurs will be visiting Malta to meet their Maltese counterparts in one-to-one meetings.
"We want to make the Maltese more aware of the various opportunities that South Africa can offer in the fields of trade, tourism and foreign investment. There are some very interesting business leads for those who want to pursue them. Also the number of Maltese visiting South Africa as a holiday destination is increasing year on year," Mr Mifsud said.
Further information on South Africa can be obtained by e-mailing Mr Mifsud at normanp@maltanet.net.
LCI board members in Malta
Following the Ladies Circle International (LCI) conference in Alkmaar, a board meeting was scheduled in Malta. Newly elected Maltese LCI vice-president Kathleen A. Flynn hosted the board members at her home, while Ladies Circle Malta members organised activities for the international board.
Ladies Circle Malta (LCM) has been in existence for 25 years and this milestone was appropriately marked this year with a first - the election of a Maltese member to the international board.
Ms Flynn has been a member of LCM for over seven years and has held various positions on the national board including that of president last year.
She looks forward to being part of various community service projects during her term of office. Recently, she set out on her first official visit to Switzerland where an LCI mid-term meeting for the southern region was held.
Ladies Circle can be found across four continents, in 36 countries, with 1,119 circles and 13,206 members. New countries are set to join shortly.
A charity project is organised bi-annually by Ladies Circle International. The current project, administered by the circle in Denmark, involves building an orphanage in Nepal.
Every year, the president chooses a motto for each member to live up to. This year's motto is 'You're Special', a personal motto which could be passed on to friends and strangers.
More information may be viewed at www.ladiescircle.org.
Special price for Woman's Own
Miller Distributors Limited has announced a special price for Woman's Own for the next week. Instead of the normal price of 68c, Woman's Own magazine is now being sold at 25c.
Woman's Own is packed with useful information about health, true-life stories, family, as well as celebrity gossip. Practical tips about fashion, beauty, cookery and consumer products are presented in a way that one can enjoy reading over breakfast, while having a cup of tea or during a break from the daily chores.
Woman's Own is currently available at all leading newsagents.
Friends of Australia Association celebrates
After a week of activities in conjunction with the Maltese-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Culture on the occasion of Australia Day, the Friends of Australia Association recently held their own reception at Dar l-Emigrant. The guest of honour was Australian High Commissioner Jurek Juszczyk and his wife who met the members of the association and their guests.
Mgr Philip Calleja recalled the early ties with Australia and the close relationship existing today. He compared the flood of Maltese leaving the country then with the number of compatriots returning and hardly anyone thinking of migrating. Dar l-Emigrant has always been the centre for these activities. It was very hard work then - and still is - as the building has become a place of contact and support for refugees.
FOAA president Chev. Tony C Cutajar said their weekly service to members and non-members in connection with visas, pensions, citizenship and other services will now be extended to a daily one. He thanked the Emigrants' Commission for providing the space and the Australian High Commission for supplying FOAA with all that was required to run the office efficiently.
The President also announced the inauguration of the Gozo branch. In conclusion, he thanked the members of the committee for their support and services, primarily the secretary, Virgil Bugeja.
Mary Paris, who together with Chev. Cutajar is the only remaining member of the original committee, was made an honourary life member together with her husband Joe.
The Australian High Commissioner expressed his pleasure at being among friends who shared the same experiences. After congratulating the Emigrants' Commission and FOAA for their voluntary services, he extended his offer for help for the welfare of all those concerned.
"Faces, Earrings and More" inaugurated
Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech recently opened a joint exhibition of paintings and silver craft entitled "Faces, Earrings and More" by Joe Spiteri Staines and Kevin Attard.
The exhibition features a number of portraits and seascapes, together with silver filigree work. Fifteen pastel portraits by Joe Spiteri Staines of women wearing Kevin Attard's filigree earrings are exhibited together with another 15 seascapes and landscapes. Mr Attard is also exhibiting a number of silver filigree creations.
The exhibition is open until Friday at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta.
Bay Street welcomes Mihai
Large crowds greeted Romanian singer Mihai at the Bay Street Complex recently.
Enthusiastic fans packed the Complex and created a great atmosphere as Mihai gave a dynamic performance together with many local singers, including Tristan B. Later that evening Mihai became the first foreigner to leave his handprint in Celebrity Street's walk of fame.
The atmosphere at Bay Street was further enhanced when the Eurovision Song Contest pre-festival party kicked off and all fans were able to meet the 16 participants of the festival and also listen to the festival songs. Also present was popular singer and showman J. Anvil.
New kissing record at Bay Street Marathon
A total of 21.5 hours is a very long time for a kiss. But that's the extraordinary record set by Louis Agius and Samantha Lautier Agius who for the third consecutive year have gone on to break their own previous record which stood at 9.5 hours during the Kissing Marathon which the Bay Street Complex organises annually for Valentine's Day.
The very determined winning couple this year scooped up some amazing prizes worth Lm400. These included a diamond ring worth Lm265 kindly provided by Super Gold Jewellers Bay Street, an MMS phone offered by Go Mobile, two catamaran tickets to Sicily by Virtù Ferries, and a Notte Corleone package which includes an overnight stay at the Bay Street Hotel, dinner at Corleone Restaurant and a buffet breakfast the following day.
The winning couple were also presented with a Paul Target Trophy and a Gilette Fusion Power Pack. McDonald's supplied the food and beverages throughout Bay Street's Kissing Marathon.
Unique Promotions, organisers of the Malta Fashion Awards, have launched the new logo and Website for the Malta Fashion Awards. The logo design and design and production of the Website were entrusted to Logix Communications Ltd.
Every year around this time, the Malta National Fashion Awards monitoring board receives nominations from candidates eligible for one of the 12 awards in different categories. This year, the opening of the nomination process coincided with the launch of the new corporate identity and Website, which also includes links to the rules and regulations, images and video footage of past editions and background information about the organisation.
This year, the awards night will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on May 19.
More information is available on www.fashionawards.com.mt
Saint James Hospital Group supports Malta Dancesport Association
Saint James Hospital Group has signed an exclusive agreement with the Malta Dancesport Association which gives the association's athletes the possibility for medical advice when required, consultations and assistance in sporting health techniques, besides various other services.
The Malta Dancesport Association (MDA), was set up 12 years ago and actively promotes the holding of local and international open championships and other events under the auspices of the International Dancesport Federation (IDSF), The association has approximately 350 fully paid members with 10 amateur couples.
This year, the Malta Dancesport Association and the Malta Olympic Committee received the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Dancesport Federation (IDSF) to organise the Small European Nations Dancesport Open Championships (GSSE) in Malta, scheduled to take place in November.
Jean Claude Muscat, director of Saint James Hospital Group, said, "The group is more then happy to support the association's initiatives and we are proud of the success that Malta is registering on the international scene within this particular niche."
Tony Coleiro, president of the association, said that the November event required a better organisational set-up, strategic partners and a lot of moral and financial support. "We are proud to have concluded such an agreement with an organisation of the calibre of Saint James Hospital while resting assured that our athletes will be receiving constant attention and care."
Saint James Hospital will be providing the association's amateur dance couples with free advice and recommendations, fast track appointments, yearly medical check-ups, nutritional advice and healthy living consultancy together with sports psychologist sessions and general education support.
BoV sponsors Carmine Lauri concert
Maltese violinist Carmine Lauri, accompanied by pianist Simon Hester, played to a packed hall at the Cairo Opera House on February 7.
The event was organised by the Maltese embassy in Cairo in co-operation with the Bank of Valletta Egypt representative office, which sponsored the event.
The concert was also attended by Malta's Ambassador in Cairo, Dr Richard Vella Laurenti, Bank of Valletta's Egypt representative office manager, Ian Messina, as well as Malta's honorary consul in Alexandria, Samir El Alaily.
Among the audience were Malta's Cairo, the musicians were the guests of the chairman of the Cairo Opera House, Dr Abdel Moneim Kamel, and the Maltese embassy in Cairo.
They were accompanied by Ambassador Vella Laurenti, who also had the opportunity to visit Bank of Valletta's Egypt representative office where they were presented with a sponsorship.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - February 19-25
Tomorrow
11 a.m. The President is presented with a 25th anniversary volume of the publication of the Faculty of Education by the dean, Carmel Borg, at the University of Malta
Noon The President receives Dr John Rowett, secretary general of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
6 p.m. The President is presented with the annual report by Sonia Camilleri, Commissioner for Children.
6.30 The President presides over a meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.
Thursday
9.05 a.m. The President addresses the Commonwealth Medical Association Conference at the SAS Radisson, St Julian's.
10.30 The President is presented with letters of Commission by the Cypriot High Commissioner Athena K. Mavrovnicola at the Palace, Valletta.
1130 The President is presented with credentials by Tunisian Ambassador Mohamed Al Ganzoui.
1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited high commissioner and ambassador at San Anton Palace.
7 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception on the occasion of the Scouts Move-ment's Founder Day at their headquarters in Floriana.
Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a Malta Community Chest Fund working committee meeting at the Palace, Valletta.
5.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concelebrated Mass by Archbishop Cremona followed by a concert on the occasion of the official reopening of the church of the Sacred Heart at the St Vincent de Paul Residence, Luqa.
Saturday
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concert on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of St Peter's Band Club, Birzebbuga.
Gala dinner for KSU alumni
The University Students' Council (KSU) is organising a gala dinner for all past CPU, SRC, KSU executive members. It will be held on March 24 at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, St Julian's.
"The event is an opportunity to bring together generations of student leaders. It will create an atmosphere of past friendship and evoke unforgettable memories of student life. Moreover, it will send a clear message to present students that being active in student organisations is a life-long investment," according to a KSU spokesman.
However, the idea of the gala dinner goes well beyond being merely a social event. The present KSU, together with a small number of past KSU members, are considering the launching an Alumni Society during the gala dinner. There are various forms which this society could take, and its purpose could be that of either bring together all past executive members for an annual social event or to help the current KSU administration in an advisory capacity.
KSU is consulting all interested persons for this idea for the setting up of an Alumni Society to take root and is therefore inviting any comments or suggestions. These should be made on the KSU Website, www.ksu.org.mt
It is also urging past executive members to attend the gala dinner.
Weddings Fair at Eden Arena
Minister Dolores Cristina will inaugurate this year's Weddings Fair at the Eden Arena, St George's Bay, on Thursday evening, when the public is invited to visit the fair free of charge.
Exhibitors include Avis, GlobalCapital, Borg's Garage, Conrad Briffa (musician), Cordina Outside Catering, Fotogenic, Fusion Weddings, G.B. Jewellery, InterContinental Malta, James Caterers, Kymono, Le Meridien Phoenicia, Michael Manduca (musician), Magic Moments, Wedding Bells, Photoplay, Pinkish Line, Speed of Sound (musician), Floral Décor, Royal Travel, Bridemalta.com. and Floral Celebrations by Stephanie Cassar.
Entertainment will be provided by the musicians who have taken up stands among the exhibitors.
Visitors stand the chance of winning a number of prizes, including the use of the bridal car on the wedding day offered by Avis, a set of champagne glasses engraved with the wedding couple's names offered by Magic Moments, a Lm50 voucher on a wedding dress purchased from Weddings Bells, Valletta, a five per cent discount on photographic services by Fusion Weddings, and four confetti spray guns from Bridemalta.com.
The fair will be open on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entrance is 50c (fee on Thursday).
More information at www.edenleisure.com
For your diary
The Malta Wheelchair Dance Sport Association and Pippa Gee Dance Studio are holding a Carnival pasta night today. Phone 9986-4110 or 2137-0828 for more information.
The Mission Fund is organising a tea tombola in aid of Maltese missionaries working in Third World countries at the Pembroke parish hall, today at 3.30 p.m. For tickets phone 2141-3664 or 2133-1151.
A grand garage sale in aid of the Mission Fund is being held at garage No. 20, Schinas Street, Pietà (corner with Our Lady of Sorrows Street), from Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Ward u Zghar is holding a discussion on bullying at the Centru Hidma Socjali, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868, 7953-9234, 7904-8745 or 9947-9246.
The Fund-raising and Social Activities Committee of the Physically Handicapped Rehabilita-tion Fund is organising a coffee morning at Attard parish hall on Thursday at 10 a.m. Phone Helen Sciberras on 9984-5600 or Rita Bezzina on 2169-3863. Tickets will also be available at the door
YANA (You Are Not Alone) is organising a dinner dance at the Topaz Hotel, Bugibba, on Saturday. For more information phone 2189-2359, 2145-3742 or 2165-3366.
Caritas Co-operators are holding a day at The Victoria hotel, Sliema, on February 28 with the following programme: welcome coffee at 10.30 a.m., presentation by Mgr Karm Farrugia "Hejju t-Triq Ghal-Mulej - L-Evangelu tal-Karità" at 11 a.m., Mass celebrated by Mgr Farrugia at noon, lunch at 1 p.m. Cards or any other game may be played in the afternoon.
For bookings contact MarieLouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 or Evelyn Zammit on 2132-2466.
Dinner in aid of cancer research
Rotaract Malta La Valette is joining hundreds of other Rotaract clubs in Italy, Albania and San Marino in helping to raise funds for the European Institute of Oncology for the research to treat and cure lymphomas.
For this aim, Rotaract is organising a charity dinner at the Pavilion of the Westin Dragonara Resort on March 10. This event is being sponsored by Frank Salt Real Estate Ltd, Playmobil Malta Ltd, Atlas Insurance PCC Ltd, OPI Nails and Cleland & Souchet Ltd. The price of Lm15 per person includes welcome drink, wine and parking.
This international project was born from the will to do something concrete to help research, rising to remember the willpower of those who fought against this tremendous illness for several years.
People who did not live such a dramatic experience cannot understand how hard it is to find the strength to carry on even though the facts only strike you. We must not forget the strength and power of all the people that fight daily against a still too much unknown illness.
In his research, Dr Ferrucci, from the European Institute of Oncology, proposes to create a medicine which can be used to save millions of people lives affected by lymphoma. He has already given a lot to research in the past finding a cure for a particular form of leukaemia, in the group followed by Professor Pellucci. Rotaract is supporting this research.
For reservations, which should be made by February 28, e-mail rotaract.malta@gmail.com or call 9947-3933.