Heard in the hive

Green, Guinness beer, real shamrock and the Irish colours were very much in evidence at the St Patrick's Day reception hosted last Friday week by Gerald O'Connor, the Irish chargé d'affaires, at the Embassy of Ireland at Whitehall Mansions in Ta' Xbiex.

Quite a few members of the island's Irish community, in a suitably boisterous mood, were among the guests, who were led by the President of the Republic and Mrs Fenech Adami.

Addressing the gathering, Mr O'Connor noted that this was the first official St Patrick's Day reception being hosted in Malta. He then proceeded to read the following message from the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, with an opening sentence in Gaelic:

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhHr dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha.

"A very happy St Patrick's Day to all those taking part in this year's festivities which link Ireland's global family and its many friends in a huge celebration 'of the green' all over the world. It was Irish emigrants who introduced their vibrant culture to a multitude of new homelands and we have them to thank for the tide of affection and enthusiasm, which the name of St Patrick evokes far and wide.

"Today a prosperous Ireland is itself attracting immigrants from many far off shores and they are adding greatly to our legendary cultural buoyancy. The Irish love of music, dance, fun and friendship will be showcased in every continent thanks to the work of countless committees whose passion for Ireland and her unique heritage has seen the St Patrick's Day pageant grow into a truly global phenomenon.

"I thank them all for this outstanding network which connects Ireland to her children and her friends in such a joyful way. I hope that their commitment and dedication will be repaid by the best St Patrick's Day celebrations ever.

"Enjoy them wherever you are and may St Patrick bless each one of you."

Mr O'Connor said that relations between Malta and Ireland had decidedly grown stronger in the past year. The Irish Embassy started functioning in July. October saw the highly successful state visit of President McAleese to Malta, accompanied by her husband, Dr McAleese, and last month saw the start of direct Malta-Dublin flights by Ryanair.

The Irish, Mr O'Connor continued, have travelled all over the globe, making new friendships and contacts, so that now St Patrick's Day is celebrated wherever there is an Irish community, which is virtually the world over.

Mr O'Connor referred to the remarkable transformation which Ireland has undergone in just 20 years - from a depressed economy, marked by high emigration and a sense of loss and frustration among its people, to the vibrant, fastest-growing economy in Europe today. This has been a remarkable success story. Today all eyes are focused on Ireland; everyone is eager to copy its formula for success.

Since May 1, 2004, no fewer than 327,000 citizens of the new EU states have moved to Ireland to work. Of these 200,000 came from Poland alone. There were also 420 Maltese so far.

The Irish economic miracle cannot be attributed just to "the luck of the Irish". It came through sheer hard work, Mr O'Connor said, by exploiting the country's strengths and advantages, and its people's innate ability to create and innovation. Ireland today has become a key location for software engineering, for IT operations and financial services.

This success was also due to a commitment to education, made some 40 years ago. Membership of the European Union in 1973 was another great contributor to Ireland's success, although it took the country 20 years to reap the full benefits of membership. Ireland today has the lowest tax burden in all of the EU, yet government revenues have risen, allowing further investment to be made, and enabling the country to meet the challenges of competition by using its resources wisely and boldly.

Mr O'Connor then proposed a toast to President and Mrs Fenech Adami, to peace and prosperity for the people of Malta and Ireland, and to continuing friendship between the two countries.

President Fenech Adami said the very fact that Ireland celebrated St Patrick's Day as its national day spoke volumes about its Christian tradition. In this, and in many other respects, Malta was very akin to Ireland. They were both islands at the periphery of Europe, whose populations were forced to migrate to seek better opportunities. Both countries managed to meet the challenges which came their way.

During his 16-year stint as Prime Minister, Dr Fenech Adami said, his government was always closely following developments in Ireland. "We are now trying to beat you," he remarked light-heartedly. "It took you 20 years, we hope it will not take us as long."

Malta had learned a lot from Ireland, the President continued, whether it was its success in financial services, which Malta can also boast of, or its investment in education, which was the key to the future, since investment in human resources was the best investment any country could make.

Dr Fenech Adami said the two countries had built a very strong relationship over the years, and he could say that the Irish government had been of great help and support to Malta throughout the island's EU membership negotiations.

The President recalled his education at St Aloysius' College in Birkirkara, where a number of Irish Jesuits used to teach, including Fr Garrity and Fr Divine.

Thousands of Maltese had emigrated over the years, much like the Irish had done, but now many - as with the Irish - were returning to their land of origin. "May we long continue to emulate each other, and to work ever more closely within the European Union," the President said, ending with a toast to President McAleese and to friendship between the people of Malta and Ireland.

The speeches were followed by the playing of the Maltese and Irish national anthems, and the anthem of the European Union.

Tunisian Independence Day reception

The new Tunisian ambassador, Mr Ganzoui, and Mrs Ganzoui last Tuesday hosted a reception at their residence, Dar Carthage in Hannibal Street, Attard, to celebrate Tunisia's National Day, the 51st anniversary of the country's independence from France.

President and Mrs Fenech Adami headed the numerous guests present, who included former Presidents Censu Tabone and Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and their wives, Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, Tunisian nationals and members of the business community.

Speaking in French, the Ambassador (whose speech was translated into English) hailed the country's founding father, the late President Habib Bourguiba, and his successor, President Ben Ali, who launched major reforms on taking office in November 1987.

The country has undergone made great progress and undergone considerable development in the last 20 years, Mr Ganzoui said, basing its foreign policy on moderation and dialogue between all countries, and rejecting extremism.

Tunisia also has a strategic relationship with the European Union, while consolidating its ties with the Maghreb countries. The country was decisively against all forms of terrorism and strongly upheld the rights of the Palestinians to their own independent homeland.

The Ambassador said that President Ben Ali had called for the setting up of a World Solidarity Fund to fight poverty and urged an international common front against terrorism.

Mr Ganzoui described Maltese-Tunisian relations as excellent, and recalled President Ben Ali's state visit to Malta in 2005, and President Fenech Adami's state visit to Tunisia the following year. He expressed his satisfaction that Tunisia was one of the most favoured destinations of Maltese holiday-makers, and had a strategic partnership with Malta in all fields.

The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for Malta's active role, within the European Union, in promoting Mediterranean issues and highlighting regional concerns. Indeed, Tunisia and Malta shared the same views on Mediterranean co-operation.

He then proposed a toast to Tunisian-Maltese friendship and to peace and stability in the Mediterranean and the world at large.

President Fenech Adami, in reply, said that his state visit to Tunisia last year was the first by a Maltese head of state. However, the friendship between Malta and Tunisia goes back a number of centuries. Maltese used to emigrate to Tunisia in large numbers, but he was surprised to meet many Maltese during his state visit, including some entrepreneurs and investors now working in Tunisia.

Undoubtedly, Tunisia has made great strides forward in the last few years. He himself was highly impressed by the country's investment in education, which was the best possible investment any country could make. This has been happening in Malta too.

Dr Fenech Adami said he appreciated the Ambassador's acknowledgement of Malta's role in the EU which strengthened the Union's Mediterranean dimension. He was also pleased to note that the mixed Maltese-Tunisian commission was meeting regularly, and may soon reach agreements to the two countries' mutual benefit.

He then proposed a toast to the strengthening of relations between the two peoples and to the prosperity of the Tunisian nation.

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

AFM's first female operations officer

It has been an adventurous career path for Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Lieutenant Audrey Aquilina, who was recently appointed operations officer on board the new Maritime Squadron's Diciotti-class flagship P61.

Young and dynamic, Lieutenant Aquilina, one of two female officers at Maritime Squadron, is now in charge of all Rigid-Hull Dinghy (RHIB) and law enforcement operations, gunnery and skill-at-arms training onboard and helicopter operations.

Her responsibilities will now include those of bridge management, Officer of the Watch duties and training of the 31 Non-Commisioned Officers (NCOs) and seamen who form part of the 35-strong crew.

Lieutenant Aquilina will be the first ever female to be given an appointment on board any AFM maritime patrol vessel, and will pave the way for others in the future.

Lieutenant Aquilina enlisted in the AFM in January 2001 as a reservist with the Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF) at Charley (Special Duties) Company of 1st Regiment AFM, based at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far. She was later selected as an Officer Cadet with the Regular Force in November 2003.

After initial basic military training in Malta, she was enrolled to the Brittania Royal Naval College of Darmouth in the United Kingdom for a year's Basic Initial Officer's training course and successfully passed out on August 11, 2005. In Malta, Lieutenant Aquilina has been performing shore-based duties as the Maritime Squadron's Integrated Logistics Officer, where she was responsible for stores' management and procurement, the base armoury and ensuring that all AFM surface assets and base party divisions have the necessary equipment and items for the smooth running of all operations.

Lieutenant Aquilina is a University graduate and holds an Honours degree in Social Work.

Maltese-Polish Friendship Society launched

The Maltese-Polish Friendship Society was officially launched following a concert by two renowned Polish musicians, pianist Danuta Mroczek-Szlezer and violinist Mieczyslaw Szlezer at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta. Both musicians are titular professors at the Academy of Music in Krakow, Poland.

The Maltese-Polish Friendship Society was formed only a few weeks ago with the main objective to promote and spread awareness of the culture richness of both countries. Led by an organising committee made up of Aurelia Brockdorff, Karolina Dreliszak and Aneta Turek-Saliba, the society aims to serve as contact point to all Poles in Malta and Maltese who are increasingly interested in contacts in Poland.

During a short address, Mrs Brockdorff thanked concert patrons for making this first activity by the society a success. She expressed the society's gratitude to the two Polish musicians for their outstanding performance.

"We have already received a number of messages of encouragement from many people and we hope to organise a meeting for interested persons to explain better our objectives," she said.

"A word of thanks to the board of governors of St James Cavalier for collaborating with the society on this concert in which two sonatas by renowned Polish composers, Grazyana Bacewicz and Karol Szymanowski, were performed for the first time in Malta."

More information about the society may be obtained from www.tpmp.org or by phoning 9949-4646.

Art exhibition at Middle Sea House inaugurated

An art exhibition of works by acclaimed artist Alfred Chircop, organised by Middlesea Valletta Life (MSV), was opened by Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech at Middle Sea House, Floriana.

The minister praised Mr Chircop for his mastery and works and thanked him for exhibiting works which were never exhibited before.

Addressing a well-attended reception in the Middlesea Group conference room, executive chairman Mario C. Grech said: "One of Malta's leading artists, Alfred Chircop is synonymous with abstract art. Mr Chircop is highly acknowledged internationally and was honoured with various important awards.

"In 1988, he was awarded the prestigious National Order of Merit in recognition of his invaluable contribution to art in Malta."

The exhibition is open to the public until April 13, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance is free. Visitors can meet Mr Chircop on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5.30 to 7 p.m.

A night to remember

The gala opera concert by Miriam Gauci at the Grand Masters Suite, Hilton, held on March 3, was a full-house event.

The organisers, Mediterranean Insurance Brokers (MIB), in collaboration with the collegiate chapter of St Lawrence church, Vittoriosa, were overwhelmed with the public response and overall success of this high calibre event.

The audience included many distinguished guests, and after the concert a lavish reception was held for VIPs at the Portomaso Suite.

"We wanted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MIB and AON's 20th anniversary in style," explained Joe Cutajar, managing director for MIB, exclusive correspondents for Aon in Malta, when addressing guests after the concert.

The concert also marked the launch of MIB's new corporate identity, with its new logo and company image re-branding.

Among the guests were President Fenech Adami, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech.

At the end of the event, Mr Cutajar presented a cheque for Lm2,080 to the President in support of the Malta Community Chest Fund. The money was collected from regular contributions by MIB staff last year.

YMCA supports Vodafone

Vodafone Malta Ltd recently presented a donation to YMCA Homeless. This contribution was made up of a donation pledged by the company last Christmas instead of sending cards, as well as a donation of Lm1 for every mobile phone sold from Vodafone retail outlets during Christmas.

Vodafone's chief commercial officer, Mikhail Gerchuk, visited YMCA's premises in Valletta and presented Jean Paul Mifsud with over Lm2,000.

YMCA Homeless supports the positive development of youths and intervenes by offering a spectrum of social work services to individuals who are underprivileged or socially disadvantaged. It assists in the rehabilitation of the homeless and works on instilling a sense of hope for the future.

Persons wishing to make a donation to YMCA Homeless may send an SMS on 5061-8088 for a donation of Lm2, and 5061-9212 for a donation of Lm5.

For your diary

In the series Rediscovering Valletta by the Malta Historical Society, Architect Michael Ellul will deliver a talk on "The Knights' Building Regulations of Valletta" at Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta, tomorrow at 6 p.m.

The International Wives Associa-tion is holding its Easter bazaar at Dar l-Emigrant, Valletta, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.

Caritas Co-operators are organising a day at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, St Julian's, on Wednesday. There will be coffee at 10.30 a.m. and spiritual reflections by Mgr Victor Grech at 11. Mass will be said at noon, followed by lunch.

For reservations contact Marie Louise Mifsud on tel. 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara (2134-2910), Josephine Farrugia (2132-0016) and Evelyn Zammit (2132-2466).

Ward u ZgHar is organising a get-together at the Social Welfare Centre, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The group will also be meeting for dinner at Mermaid's Paradise, Ta' Xbiex, on Saturday at 8.30 p.m. For more information phone Antoine on 7953-9234, Peter on 7904-8745 or Maris on 9947-9246.

The friends of the lay missionary Hector Pickard are organising a pasta lunch in aid of the various missionary projects being accomplished there, including the payment of tuition fees for Peruvian students and the maintenance of dwellings of the poor in Lima, Perù.

The activity will be held at the Green House Restaurant, Bugibba, on Sunday. Lunch will be followed by a raffle. For bookings phone 2134-3183 by Thursday.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Skyroom Preluna, Sliema, on April 4 from 10 a.m. For bookings call Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - March 26-April 1

Tuesday
9.30 a.m. The President receives Mgr Lawrence Gatt.
10.30 Mrs Fenech Adami distributes Easter eggs to children at the Wonderland, Fairyland and Disneyland wards at St Luke's Hospital.
6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over a Malta Community Chest Fund committee meeting at San Anton Palace, Attard.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives the Alumni Association of the Pappaffy Orphanage of Thessaloniki, accompanied by the Greek Ambassador, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President is presented with a copy of the new publication of poems by the late Sir George Borg entitled Viator Errans - il-Poeziji Migbura by Mrs Rose Mary Cachia.
11.30 The President is presented with a copy of a new publication Il-Mosta, il-Mostin u r-Rotunda taghhom matul iz-Zminijiet, by Joe De Martino.

Thursday
10.30 Mrs Fenech Adami distributes Easter eggs to children from various institutes at the Arka Foundation, Ghajnsielem.
7 p.m. The President, accompanied by Mrs Fenech Adami, inaugurates the Last Supper display at the Domus Pius IX, Cospicua.
8 The President presents prizes and gifts to the winning teams at the end of the 18th Mini European Assembly at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
10.30 a.m. The President receives a group from Emilia Romagna, led by Dr Cristina Santandrea, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President is interviewed by Matteo Alvisi, editor of Il Resto del Carlino.

Saturday
9.55 a.m. The President attends the official Freedom Day ceremony and lays a bouquet of flowers at the Vittoriosa monument.