Spanish Ambassador Doña Marta Vilardell Coma recently welcomed YWCA (Malta) president Mary J. Jones and the executive members to a cordial meeting, which took place on August 9 at the Spanish embassy in Whitehall Mansions.

During the meeting, the ambassador was updated with the aims and objectives of the association and its affiliation to the World YWCA. Among the community projects discussed, she was informed of a Self-Development Programme being realised and aimed at less privileged women and girls, to help them regain self-esteem and integrity.

The philanthropic work, the president explained, is carried out by the hard-working executive staff and members of the association and by other qualified persons on a voluntary basis. The ambassador expressed her admiration and appreciation for the services rendered to the needy.

On behalf of all YWCA (Malta) members, Ms Jones thanked the ambassador for her encouragement and support. A YWCA (Malta) silver memento was presented to the ambassador.

Go Mobile scholarship winner back from Florence

Budding artist Julian Mallia recently came back from a month's scholarship at Lorenzo de Medici Art Institute in Florence. Mr Mallia won the scholarship after taking part in Go Mobile's Share Your Flair campaign, an initiative that attracted over 40 artists.

"Young artists were invited to submit their best works. In keeping with Go's drive to support the arts, this campaign presented a unique opportunity for local budding artists who hadn't yet had the opportunity to showcase their talent," Go Mobile marketing manager Albert Gouder said.

The entries were judged by a panel of three independent experts: renowned Italian professor Vittoria Biasi, Din l-Art Helwa vice-president Martin Scicluna and art critic Miriam Galea. The top 30 entries were part of a collective exhibition at St James Cavalier, while the top 12 were also featured in the 2007 Go Mobile corporate calendar.

"After long consideration by the judges, Mr Mallia's entry My Wine In Silence was awarded the highest number of votes, landing him a prestigious scholarship at an international art college from a choice of four," Mr Gouder said.

"It was a unique opportunity that opened up my horizons. The experience was like a dream come true, and I really enjoyed working with my teacher as well as with the other students. Art is a lifestyle in Florence, it is all encompassing and I'll definitely be going back," he said.

While at the college, Mr Mallia received tuition in still life, portraits, nudes and fantasy/landscape, succeeding in completing four different works, which he has brought back with him to Malta. While there, the artist also travelled to Venice for the Biennale.

"I was lucky, because besides the Biennale in Venice I also managed to visit a number of other important exhibitions in Venice. In Florence I also managed to view an exhibition by Cezanne."

A sample of Mr Mallia's work can be seen on his Website www.julianmallia.com.

Lions Club Mdina lottery results

The first prize of the annual Lions Club Mdina lottery, an Air Malta flight to any European destination, was won by ticket number 6745. The second prize, a Lm50 voucher from Euro Tours, was won by ticket number 3147. The third prize, two return tickets by Virtu Ferries, was won by ticket number 5429. The fourth prize, a ladies' collier, was won by ticket number 4485. the fifth prize, a food hamper, was won by ticket number 1092, while the sixth prize, a bottle of Bollinger Champagne, was won by ticket number 20384.

Gozo to benefit from Rotary

No fewer than 111 attended the newly formed Rotary Club Gozo's first fund-raising event - a sunset barbecue cruise, held on board the Gozo Princess, on Friday, August 24.

The guests enjoyed a magnificent party, cruising up the coast of Gozo. As well as the roof, it succeeded in raising a pile of cash for charity!

The proceeds from the cruise, added to other bequests, mean, within a short time, Gozo Rotarians have already raised nearly Lm3,000 to benefit the new CCU Foundation, set up specifically to provide the Gozo General Hospital with much-needed emergency heart monitors.

The new Rotary Club Gozo was chartered by Alfred Mangion, District Governor for Malta and Sicily, on May 24. A special Charter lunch was held at Ta' Frenc restaurant.

Distinguished guests included Bishop Mario Grech, members of the two other local Rotary clubs, Rotary Club Malta and Rotary Club La Valette, and over 120 Sicilian Rotarians, who travelled especially for the event.

After months in the planning, Rotary Club Gozo is now ready to take its place in a worldwide organisation of over 1.2 million people. It started with just 26 regular members, including Gozitan, Maltese and foreign residents, but new members are being attracted all the time.

Rotary's main aims are twofold: to provide service to those less fortunate than ourselves; and to foster goodwill, fellowship and understanding between members, locally and worldwide. Fund raising is now under way in Gozo to benefit charities and other philanthropic causes, both locally and abroad - but priority will be given to the former.

Apart from individual donations, Rotary Club Gozo seeks to raise money by organising events. The first Rotary Club Gozo president is David Carrington, an Englishman who has known the island for 35 years. He says: "The setting up of a Rotary Club will be an important development for Gozo, offering real benefits to the local community.

"And, through our links with over 32,000 other Rotary clubs worldwide, we could put Gozo on the map for many people who do not yet know the island."

info@rotarygozo.com

Maltese Night at Girgenti

The much awaited Maltese Night, an annual event organised by Lions Club Mdina, was held recently at the Prime Minister's summer residence, the Inquisitor's Palace at Girgenti.

For the second consecutive year, the popular event was under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi.

The superb setting of the historic palace, the clear summer evening skies together with the sumptuous dinner, ably prepared by the ladies of Lions Club Mdina, made the evening a memorable one for more than 300 guests who attended the function.

A live band by the Armed Forces of Malta was also in attendance.

All proceeds from the event went to the Richmond Foundation, a non-profit organisation, whose primary goal is to provide community rehabilitation and support services to people with mental health problems.

Din l-Art Helwa's 42nd anniversary dinner

In keeping with its well-established tradition, Din L-Art Helwa held its 42nd anniversary dinner at San Anton Gardens.  The historic gardens, with San Anton Palace as a backdrop, beautifully lit for the occasion and enhanced by a splendid moon, provided a most enthralling setting. 

This much awaited mid-summer event, which ranks as a highlight on the local social calendar, was attended by many members and friends of the heritage association. 

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami were present at the top table with leading members of the council of Din L-Art Helwa, including Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, French Ambassador Jean-Marc Rives, Italian Ambassador Paolo Andrea Trabalza and Mrs Trabalza, German Ambassador Karl Andreas Von Stenglin, and Mrs Carmen Arrigo.

Welcome drinks, kindly provided by Wands Ltd, were offered on the Palace terrace before the sumptuous and gourmet dinner superbly served by Osborne Caterers. 

Guest enjoyed dancing to the lively rhythms played by the Quacks - Dr Malcolm Crockford, Mr Anthony Bernard, Mrs Antonella Bernard, Dr James Degaetano, Mr Mario Mifsud and Mr Adrian Curmi Dimech - throughout the evening.

Prizes donated by Marks & Spencer, The Body Shop, Comino Hotel, Dr Stanley Farrugia Randon, Dr Michael Refalo, Heritage Homes, Vodafone, Xara Palace Hotel and the Radisson Golden Sands Hotel were raffled.  

All present heartily acclaimed the success of this event which also serves as a fund-raising occasion for the noble cause espoused by Din l-Art Helwa - that of safeguarding the national heritage.

'Bodies': three at work

'Bodies' is an exhibition of drawings by Gilbert Calleja, Jesmond Vassallo and Robert Zahra, who came together to study the naked human. These works on paper represent a small selection from a large number of studies which the three undertook during the past year.

The works on exhibition are bold in execution and hold the mark of a sure, confident hand at work, in a number of different media, ranging from ink to charcoal to acrylic. Calleja, Vassallo and Zahra speak of the 'body-subject' when describing their 'use' and choice of the model, underlining the role of the model, the naked man or woman, with whom they share their work-space. The importance the artists lay in this relationship transpires through the highly personal visual idioms which the three have developed in these drawings.

"They're looking at one pose, at one instance, capturing one moment, like three old cameras planted in the same room giving us images processed in different dark rooms," writes author-journalist Karl Schembri in his introduction to the exhibition's catalogue. Schembri, who knows the "three bodies at work" well, underlines the importance of the studio, the room in which this exhibition grew, the space of convergence where images were imported, processed and regurgitated by the three artists.

The relationship between the three started some seven years ago when they were still starting out as young art students. Sharing a common passion for art and experimental creative processes, they nurtured respect for each other's works and ideas. Circumstance led to all three going abroad to follow different educational paths. Calleja went to France, while Vassallo and Zahra went to Italy. The three corresponded frequently, sharing new experiences and ideas, cross-informing each other.

After successfully completing their respective courses, they settled in Malta and resumed their collaborative artistic activity. Meeting on a weekly basis to draw from life, they eventually came up with the idea to concretise further these 'group sessions' into a collaborative artistic project with the intent to 'refresh' their understanding of the human body.

'Bodies' is being supported by Würth Malta, Bank of Valletta and MGS Limited (Nee Cosmetics). It is being held at the Contemporary Hall, the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta. It will be open from Sunday until October 1, during office hours. For more information, call 2123-3034 or 2122-5769, or visit www.heritagemalta.org.

AIESEC reconnects its alumni

AIESEC, the world's largest student organisation which has been present in Malta for more than 35 years, is organising a series of social networking evenings.

AIESEC has expanded to over 100 countries. It is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society. It gives students and graduates the opportunity to live and work in another country through exchange. AIESEC runs an exchange programme which enables its members to go on long and short work-based internships spanning the areas of management, IT and education.

In Malta, AIESEC has offered students opportunities to represent our country at international conferences and seminars, and has organised conferences for others to discover our island. Throughout all these years, AIESEC has also brought together university students to work on international projects and develop their leadership potential.

One of this year's primary initiatives for the national committee is reconnecting alumni. Odette Vella, an AIESEC alumni, has been selected as alumni co-ordinator to organise activities specifically for alumni.

Starting from this week, every first Wednesday of the month, AIESEC Alumni will host a rendezvous for a social networking evening. This first meeting is being held next Wednesday at Two-Twentytwo in Valletta.

Conferences covering different themes will also be organised every trimester. However the most important AIESEC alumni event is being held in April 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary since the founding of AIESEC internationally.

Persons who were on the member committee (or national committee), have travelled abroad or have come to Malta through an AIESEC exchange or were a member on an organising committee, are requested to send their full contact details to Ms Vella on odette.vella@aiesec.net or to call 9940-5239.

Cute launch first single

The group Cute is the latest addition to the local music scene.

The group of five young singers and dancers - Celaine Borg, Marzia Farrugia, Paulanne Farrugia, Salaia Gerada and Trisha Smith - has recently launched the first single, Hey You!, a song about five girls having fun, who although very different from each other, are still best of friends.

Celaine, 11, of Qormi, attends the Immaculate Conception school and is an only child. Celaine is the diva of the group, with a voice that captivates you. She has been singing and dancing for the past five years and has participated and won various festivals, including Jum l-Omm. She also won overall prizes for Best Voice and Best Singer.

Marzia, 12, is the shy girl of the group. Yet this hasn't stopped her from earning prestigious titles, including Best Choreography in the Golden Cross Festival for two consecutive years. She also participated in the Carnival of Tunis in Tunisia and has been selected to participate in the International Nile Song Festival in Cairo, Egypt, next year. Marzia is the youngest of two sisters and was born in Qormi but later moved to Birkirkara.

Paulanne, the bubbliest girl of the group, lives in Rabat and is the eldest of two sisters. She attends Mriehel Junior Lyceum, and has been attending singing lessons since she was six years old. She participated in various festivals and television shows.

Salaia, 11, of Birkirkara, is the youngest in the group. She has been singing and dancing for the past six years and has taken part in various festivals, winning many titles. She was awarded prizes in the Golden Cross Festival and participated in various television shows. She attends St Francis School, and has an older sister.

Trisha, of Luqa, attends Sta Lucija Junior Lyceum. Trisha's passion is fashion, while her favourite subject is English. She has two younger sisters, and has been singing for the past eight years and dancing for four. She has won various titles in singing, including Best Voice, Best Singer, and the overall cup, and has participated in television shows. The girls have many major projects ahead of them, one of which is the participation in the Junior Song for Europe Festival. They are also part of the Angelic Voices Choir and their vocal trainer is Alison Ellul. They also learn dancing at Annalise Dance Studio.

Creative colouring seminar for hairdressers

A creative colouring seminar was recently organised by Cortex Ltd, agents for z.one concept products, at the Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort, St George's Bay, St Julian's.

The half-day seminar was delivered by z.one technical director Abla Barka to introduce hairdressers to the colouring range using Milk Shake conditioning colours. The seminar also saw the launch of the Simply Zen calming range for sensitive scalps. Technical information on the new total roots bleaching system was given to over 70 hairdressers who attended the seminar.

For more information, contact Cortex Ltd on 9947-2152 or visit www.cortexltd.com.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - September 3-9

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President is presented with a copy of a new publication by Dr Ian Fry on behalf of the author, Professor Maurice Cauchi, entitled Achievers in Australia, at the Palace, Valletta.
8.30 p.m. The President, accompanied by Mrs Fenech Adami, attends a concert of sacred music by the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini under the direction of Mro Riccardo Muti, to mark the setting up of the Mediterranean Music Academy, at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.

Thursday
11 a.m. The President presides over a Drug Forum meeting at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the Malta Community Chest Fund working committee meeting at the Palace, Valletta.

Saturday
10 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concelebrated Mass on the occasion of Victory Day at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
11 The President lays a wreath on the Great Siege memorial in Republic Street, Valletta.

Sunday
7 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concert followed by a reception hosted by the Slovak Ambassador on the occasion of the National Day of Slovakia at the Waterfront, Valletta.

The Archbishop's engagements - September 3-9

Tomorrow
9.30 a.m. The Archbishop presides over a Curia senior staff meeting.
5.30 p.m. The Archbishop visits Fondazzjoni Arka, Gozo.
7.30 The Archbishop attends a musico-literary academy at Xaghra parish church, Gozo, on the occasion of the 50th priesthood anniversary of Fr Salv Galea OP.

Tuesday
11 a.m. The Archbishop receives the Under-17 National Waterpolo Team at the Curia, prior to the team's participation in the European Tournament.
6 p.m. The Archbishop presides over a joint meeting of the Diocesan Priests' Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Wednesday
9.30 a.m. The Archbishop receives Fr Jimmy Bonnici, rector of the Archbishop's Seminary.
10.30 The Archbishop receives a delegation from the Assocjazzjoni Volontarji Lourdes.
8 p.m. The Archbishop celebrates Mass at the Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema, for the local team taking part in Special Olympics for Persons with Disabilities.

Thursday
5 p.m. The Archbishop participates in a Radio Malta live programme on the Pastoral Letter issued by the Bishop of Gozo and him on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption.
7 The Archbishop has his third meeting with children from various parishes, on the Birzebbuga parish church parvis.

Friday
8.30 a.m. The Archbishop celebrates Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance of the Great Siege dead, followed by the blessing of graves.
10 The Archbishop presides over a Curia senior staff meeting.
4.30 p.m. The Archbishop presides over a meeting of the Diocesan Financial Council.
7 The Archbishop meets the Third World Group at their Valletta premises.

Saturday
10 a.m. The Archbishop leads a concelebrated pontifical thanksgiving Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Victories, followed by the singing of the Te Deum.

Sunday
9.30 a.m. The Archbishop presides over the taking of perpetual vows by a Kenyan sister from the Order of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, at Mellieha parish church.
3 p.m. The Archbishop celebrates Mass for those taking part in the Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika (ZAK) summer camp, at De La Salle College, Vittoriosa.

For your diary

Richmond Foundation's self-help group is meeting on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. at 16, Antonio Agius Street Floriana. The session will be conducted in Maltese.

Every month self-help group meetings for those persons who are experiencing mental health difficulties are being held. The aim is for these people to support and encourage each other on their road to recovery.

For more information contact Richmond Foundation on 2148-2336, 2144-0324 or e-mail: info@richmond.org.mt.


Ward U Zhar is organising a picnic at Bob's Caravan, Bahar ic-Caghaq, on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and a visit to Union Print on Friday at 9 p.m. The group will also be meeting for a Gozo Jeep Safari on Sunday at 7 p.m.

For more information phone Antoine on 9953-9234, Peter on 7904-8745 or Maris on 9947-9246.


Yana is organising a talk on healthy food, led by Carmen Tedesco, at Despott Hall, Floriana, on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. On Sunday, the group is spending a day in Gozo. Transport will leave from Bir id-Deheb at 7 a.m. For more information phone Rita on 7944-5675, Austin on 9944-6627 or Stella on 7926-7701.


Spettaklu Fil-Pjazza is being organised by the Parish Outside Festivities Commission in collaboration with the Senglea council on the occasion of the Our Lady of Victories feast, in Victory Street and 4th September Square, Senglea, on Wednesday at 8.30 p.m. Singers Debbie Scerri, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, J. Anvil, Ludwig and Eleanor Cassar will be accompanied live by the Mark Spiteri Lucas Band. Olivia Lewis will be the special guest. Other performers include the Dancel Dancers and l-Avukat Gawdenz Bilocca. The programme will be presented by actor Ray Attard and choreographer Celaine Buhagiar.


The Society for Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary Claims (SICEC) is organising a talk on 'Alien Contact', led by David Pace, at the Youth Travel Circle, 227, Merchants Street, Valletta, on Thursday at 6.45 p.m.


The SPCA is organising an end-of-summer barbecue at Buskett Roadhouse at September 14 at 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Country Brothers and music from the Sixties by the resident DJ. A raffle will also be held.

Tickets cost Lm6.50 adults and Lm3.25 for children up to 12 years. For bookings, contact the SPCA at St Francis Ravelin Street, Floriana FRN 1231, or e-mail info@spcamalta.org. Payment can either be sent by post by September 10, or at the door. Book ahead for a table.

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