Heard in the hive
Violinist for Slovak National Day reception
Slovakia's National Day was celebrated for the first time in Malta on September 9. To mark this occasion, the non-resident Slovak Ambassador to Malta Stanislav Vallo, and Slovakia's honorary consul in Malta, Godwin E. Bencini, hosted a recital by Slovak violinist Milan Pal'a at the Sagrestija Vault at the Valletta Waterfront, followed by a reception on the waterfront's promenade.
Pal'a - who is still studying at the Janacek Academy of Music in Brno - played works by Max Reger, Ilja Zeljenka, J.S. Bach, Jevgenii Irsai and Vladimir Godar. The young violinist has already won a number of prestigious prizes. His performance at the Sagrestija Vault was highly appreciated.
Fort St Angelo and Cottonera across Grand Harbour provided a magnificent backdrop to the reception and to the flags of Malta, Slovakia and the European Union, which were the focus of the evening.
Among the many guests were President and Mrs Eddie Fenech Adami, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and President Emeritus and Mrs Ugo Mifsud Bonnici. Many members of the Slovak community in Malta were also present, and they were obviously delighted that their National Day was being celebrated here.
Towards the end of the evening President Fenech Adami and Ambassador Vallo made speeches for the occasion, followed by reciprocal toasts to Slovakia and Malta.
Mr Bencini thanked Pillow Space Frame Ltd, Raiffeisen Malta Bank Ltd and GlobalCapital Ltd for supporting the violin recital. He said that it is thanks to the generosity of these firms that it is possible to bring musicians of the calibre of Milan Pal'a to perform in Malta.
Exhibition of ceramic works inaugurated at Council of Europe
The opening ceremony of the exhibition of ceramic sculptures by Paul Haber took place at the majestic entrance hall to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on September 3.
Christopher Grayson, president of the Arts Club, introduced the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, who made an opening speech, after which Judge Giovanni Bonello officially inaugurated the exhibition.
Terry Davis was delighted to get to know Mr Haber and more about Malta, its culture and its rich prehistory with our temples being older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge of England, with remains and graffiti from those times.
Judge Bonello introduced Mr Haber as a leading ceramic artist who started at the Malta School of Art (which was incidentally founded by his own father Chev. Vincent Bonello), and later acquiring a sound foundation in sculpture under the direction of renowned Maltese sculptors George Borg and Vincent Apap, branching off to produce original works of art of a such a dimension which makes a name for himself and an honour to Malta and the Maltese.
The official ceremony was also attended by four Maltese MEPs - Dr Simon Busuttil, David Casa, Louis Grech and Joseph Muscat. The Maltese ambassador to the Council of Europe, Dr Joseph Licari, and the ambassador to the European Union, Richard Cachia Caruana, also attended the inauguration. Dr Licari expressed his pride for Mr Haber's exhibition and said that it did a lot of good to our country since many people in Strasbourg do not know Malta except politically.
A presentation about Mr Haber and his work was projected during the evening, with original music inspired by his ceramics, written and played by the Maltese duo Particle Blue.
The exhibition was successful and very well-received by the numerous guests at the vernissage, many of whom were administrators, Art Club members, art lovers, artists, and experts working at the Council of Europe. Everybody thanked Mr Haber for bringing his impressive ceramics to Strasbourg for them to enjoy, and encouraged him to keep it up.
The exhibition, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, Bank of Valletta and Alka Ceramics, will remain open at the Council of Europe until the end of the month.
La Redoute bags it all
It's the very latest by way of handbag fashion. You can't get any closer to hot fashion with this one. And it's all yours, real leather, smart pockets, fun tassles and all, for free!
This is the French fashion catalogue La Redoute's latest gift being offered free to all its customers this season. All you have to do is place an order of Lm35 (€81.53) or over, quote gift code number 0724 and you're all set to show this French fashion accessory off with all those new outfits.
For further details call order line 2148-4700; e-mail redoute@tccmalta.com or visit www.redoutemalta.com.
La Redoute is exclusively represented in Malta by The Catalogue Company of Mriehel.
Lucio Dalla grand concert early next year
Renaissance Productions LTD, in collaboration with Taormina municipality and Taormina Arte, successfully organised a spectacular Liza Minnelli concert at Taormina's Teatro Antico.
Following this event, RPL directors Dr Anton Tabone and Amabile Zammit were able to confirm that negotiations were concluded with popular Italian artist Lucio Dalla, who will be holding a grand concert in Malta early next year.
Liza Minnelli, who was accompanied by her American 15-member band and male dancers, sang some of her greatest hits such a Cabaret and New York, New York to an enthusiastic 4,500 crowd - with many Maltese present - that packed the Greek Amphitheatre on a splendid summer night. Hits from her successful Broadway representation of Victor Victoria were also interpreted to the delight of all present.
Liza Minnelli's sterling performance was critically acclaimed to be a hugely encouraging step forward in her bid to re-establish herself internationally as the showbiz diva all remember her to be.
Dr Tabone and Mr Zammit spoke about this unique event: "Despite her mature age, Liza's energy and skill of interpretation are still electrifying. In between songs she communicated with the audience about her innermost feelings and sentiments which accompanied her during her difficult upbringing and successful career. It is indeed a privilege for us to have been involved in co-organising this concert and to have become acquainted with this living legend. We are very glad for her successful comeback. We will shortly be in the US to follow up on her invitation to personally introduce us to the various managements of Broadway shows for future collaborations with them." A lavish post-concert VIP dinner was organised in honour of Ms Minnelli.
Meanwhile, RPL directors and members of their entourage were also hosted to lunch by Italian singer Lucio Dalla at his private summer mansion in Sicily. Lucio Dalla is a very popular Italian singer, song-writer and musician who also became an international star with his autobiographical and sometimes melancholic compositions.
Malta Group of Professional Engineering Institutions' annual dinner
The Malta Group of Professional Engineering Institutions (UK) recently held its annual dinner on the terrace of the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel. British High Commissioner Nick Archer and his wife Erica were guests of honour.
They mingled freely with the 90 or so engineers and other guests, who included chairmen and their spouses from the Chamber of Engineers and Kamra Tal-Periti, namely Ing. Helga Pizzuto and Perit David Felice.
Before dinner, the group chairman, Chartered Civil Engineer Mike Brewer, gave a brief review of the group's activities during another successful year, which was dominated by the European Chairs Meeting of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and the four-day conference for European chairmen of the Institution of Civil Engineers, which further integrated Malta into Europe. There were also many high quality presentations, visits, technical seminars and student presentations that culminated in talks by foreign speakers on renewable hydrogen in the Shetland Islands and the Moses project to save Venice.
Mr Archer then gave an enlightening summary of the involvement of the High Commission and the British government to further the British, Maltese and European links associated with the engineering professions. He was then presented with a book that was recently written by one of the group's founding members, Architect Joe Degaetano.
After the speeches, dinner was served and discussions continued at the table with other committee officers, vice-chairman Ing. Joe Camilleri, honorary secretary Ing. Charles Cuschieri, honorary treasurer Ing. Henry Mifsud, and their respective wives.
For a list of events, visit www.maltagpei.org.mt
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - October 1-7
Tomorrow
9 a.m. The President attends Mass on the occasion of the opening of the Forensic Year, organised by the Chamber of Advocates at the Oratory of St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
10 Mrs Fenech Adami attends Mass celebrated by Mgr Archbishop Paul Cremona at Christ the King parish church, Paola on World Day of the Elderly.
10.30 The President attends the opening of the Forensic Year ceremony at the Law Courts, Valletta.
Noon The President receives Jean Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, at the Palace, Valletta.
12.25 p.m. The President receives EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia.
Wednesday
7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the German Ambassador and Mrs von Stenglin on the occasion of the National Day of Germany at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.
Thursday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a Malta Community Chest Fund working committee at the Palace, Valletta.
Friday
7.30 p.m. The President presides over the Elderly of the Year Award at St Vincent de Paul Residence, Luqa.
7.30 Mrs Fenech Adami attends a concert of sacred music on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
Saturday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami attends the launching of Breast Care Awareness Month at the Palace, Valletta.
Sunday
6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a concelebrated Mass at the Jesuits Church by Fr Hans Peter Kolvenback, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, to mark the first centenary of St Aloysius College.
The Archbishop's engagements - October 1-7
Tomorrow
10 a.m. The Archbishop celebrates Mass at Christ the King parish church, Paola, on World Day of the Elderly. The activity is being organised by Caritas Malta at 6.30 p.m. The Archbishop meets Unit 14 of the parishes of Kalkara. The meeting starts with Mass. Unit 14 incorporates Cospicua, Kalkara, Senglea and Vittoriosa.
Tuesday
8.45 a.m. The Archbishop receives a delegation from Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija.
3.30 p.m. The Archbishop participates in a live programme on RTK Radio.
6.30 The Archbishop celebrates thanksgiving Mass at Ghaxaq parish church, following the celebration of the parish feast.
Wednesday
11 a.m. The Archbishop goes to Portugal to participate in the Plenary Assembly of the Presidents of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE). The Assembly is being held at Fatima from Wednesday to Sunday.
For your diary
The next self-help group meeting organised by the Richmond Foundation will be held at No. 16, Antonio Agius Street Floriana, on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. The meeting will be in Maltese.
Every month, self-help group meetings for those experiencing mental health difficulties are held. The aim is for these people to support and encourage each other on their road to recovery.
For further information contact Richmond Foundation on 2148-2336, 2144-0324 or e-mail info@richmond.org.mt.
The Society for Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary Claims (SICEC) is organising a talk on "Talking to the Dead", at the Youth Travel Circle, 227, Merchants Street, Valletta, on Thursday at 6.45 p.m.
A bazaar in aid of the parish feast is being organised at Christ the King parish hall, Church Avenue, Paola, from Saturday to 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, and 4.30 to 8 p.m. There will be books, plants, clothes and household items at reduced prices.
On the occasion of the Carmelite Jubilee 2007, a celebration for children will be held at St Venera parish church on Saturday at 10 a.m. Carmelite altar boys, members of Carmelite and Teresian vocational groups, students of St Elias College, and children living in Carmelite parishes are particularly invited to attend.
In celebration of World Mental Health Day, Richmond Foundation is organising a seminar on the connection between physical and mental health. The Wellness Programme, which emphasises a holistic lifestyle management approach, will also be launched, in collaboration with Eli Lily.
The seminar will be held at Le Meridien Phoenicia on October 10 from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The price is Lm5, which includes coffee, or Lm10, which includes coffee and lunch. For bookings phone 2122-4580 or 2148-2336.
Caritas Co-Operators are holding a day at The Palace Hotel, High Street, Sliema, on October 10 with the following programme: welcome coffee at 10.30 a.m., talk on the art of entertainment, by Grace Cilia Vincenti at 11 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m., games may be played in the afternoon. For bookings contact Marie-Louise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 or Olga Muscat on 2133-0132.
The Dorothean ex-Alumnae Association is organising a seminar on relations within the family, at St Dorothy's Senior School, on October 12.
The seminar will be preceded by Mass at 6 p.m., and will be conducted by Fr Joseph Mizzi, director of Cana Movement. Participation is free of charge and ex-alumnae may be accompanied by relatives and/or friends. For more information, contact the secretary on 2137-1024.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the talkies, the International Al Jolson Society will be showing The Jazz Singer on big screen, at Christ the King parish hall, Church Avenue, Paola, on Sunday October 14 at 4.30 p.m.
Documentaries will be screened. Entrance is free. For more information, phone 2189-6936 or 9988-0489.
An evening is being organised for all past pupils and friends of the Sacred Heart Convent at the school chapel on Tuesday October 16 at 7.45 p.m.
The programme will consist of short reflections on the life of St Madeleine Sophie, and soprano Gillian Zammit accompanied by Rosetta Debattista will sing some classical arias. Entrance is free.