Chocolate heaven in Hamrun

Johann Debono

Nov 7th 2010, 09:36

Bit-tgergir u tmaqdir DISTRUTTIV qatt ma jittejeb xejn. Ahjar kull min qied jikteb jiprova jghaddi suggeriment GUST ghall attivita tas-sena ddiehla. Mela ha nibda jien u nispera li ohrajn jaghmlu bhali:

1) L-istands kienu wesghin wisq u bdew jghalqu ¾ tat-triq.
2) L-exhibition tal-arti u artigjanat mhux suppost kella tibqa miftuha sas-7 ta novembru kif mort fis-6 ta novembru u diga kien kwazi kollox imzarma ????????????
3) Il-vannijiet tal-istands ma kellhom qatt ikunu ipparkjati fi triq id-duluri u jaghlqu id-dhul ghal attivitajiet li kien hemm go toroq sekondarji.

Proset kbira lil dawk kolla li qed jaghmlu dan ix-xoghol kollu min wara l-kwinti.
Proset Tassew.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 3rd 2010, 13:18

So there you have it! Thanks Mario Camilleri. Who would have known, ay?!
I am sure the orginisation will be better next year. And please, you pram-pushers, leave the babes at home - they're not on solids yet.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 2nd 2010, 22:09

3) I remember at the back there was a kind of stone recess/shelf and I sat on it giving me a better view over standing people's shoulders. I was in short trousers, you see!
** Borg Bonaci. I remember the excitment when my brother-in-law Pawlu l-pulizija, like me with a fatal sweet-tooth came home and waxed lyrical about this new-import-product, some custard-cream (Italian I believe), brand-name Malga. Seems like yesterday!
This may sound like a load of piffle. Wrong! This is a bit of social histor, local-specfic, often forgetten (Hamrun is not the most exciting of places to the superficial). One must not forget that I am talking of a time when Malta was still trying to rise from the ashes of a horrendous war. Hamrun was not all wonderful, far from it. But I grew up there, the air smells sweet and familiar. Things change but when one thinks of it, what has replaced the old veneer? It's time Hamrun revived its fortunes and made a stand for itself. The chocolate event could have been better organised. But it's a start. And there's always next year. The Maltese like these events and support them. The phoenix will rise again.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 2nd 2010, 22:07

2) The second outlet in front of the lower band-club (il-kazin t'isfel, Gejtanu? San Guzepp?) stopped operating years ago and became a show-case for wedding dresses, I Is think. In Malta equally lucrative at one time but things changed I understand.
Is Bonaci still there? Maybe not. Maybe it's past its heydey? Maybe it was behind this 'chocolate festival' trying to revive its fortunes? I don't know.
So you see Psaila, chocolate and Hamrun do seem to have some connection, provided one has been around for long enough and provided one does not dismiss one's heritage. But then I live abroad so what choice have I got?
It's a pity the event was not set up elsewhere - Fra Diegu Square, the large yard at the main school, etc. Maybe next year. Of course open spaces are being engulfed by buildings.
* The Trianon. The last time I went was to see the Hamruniz Oreste Kirkop (the Joseph Calleja of his day) in 'The Vagabond King'. It was pulling the crowds and the manager of the cinema gave a concession. People upstairs could stand (as no seats were available).
continued

Joe Xuereb

Nov 2nd 2010, 20:56

1) A tribute to Hamrun.
@ A.Psaila. Hamrun is known for a number of things, not least 'tas-sikkina' - Stab-city - http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/18/world/limerick-stab-city-no-less-rebounds.html - (if I'm not mistaken, this relates to a fatal stabbing during one of the street-band marches at the annual feast).
To me Hamrun is also connected to an important institution that has been there since forever the last time I looked. I am talking of course of Elia Borg Bonaci, the cafe`/confectioner par excellence. The outlet in front of the church and right next door to that wonderful cinema, the Trianon, with its thirties decor, with me holding my father's hand queueing up the long passageway to the screening hall, all expectant, and sometimes going up the rickety wooden staircase on the left to the upper gallery,* was elegant for its time,** plus a second outlet very opulent (for its time) round the corner from Broad Street and next door to the Catholic Action Centre for boys. I remember as a boy marvelling at the chocolate confections come Easter time, plus the marzipan fruit (a` la Siciliana) so realistic they drew the crowds to the the display window.
continued

Mario Camilleri

Nov 1st 2010, 21:42

Fil-Ħamrun jingħad li fl-inħawi tan-naħa tas-Samra kien hemm xi mħazen fejn il-cocoa bean kienet tkun maħżuna - b'hekk hemm dik il-konnesjoni mal-Hamrun.
Dwar il-post nista nghid li ahna bhala konsulenti ta' din l-attivita ridna li din issir fit-triq ta' hdejn il-kuncizzjoni peress li rajna l-infuss kbir ta' nies li kellna is-sena l-ohra.
Bhala attivita nista personalment nghid li kienet success u originali, fejn ftit tara xoghol uniku bhal dan li organizzajna fil-Hamrun. Ahna naccettaw kull kritika biex l-attivita tikber kull sena u tkun ta' success

V. Falzon

Nov 1st 2010, 15:03

The chocolate feast was a mess... it was the first time that me and my fiance went and it will be the last!! we were stuck in the large crowd of ppl and coulndt see anything at all!! we thought that it was going to be in a much wider road. a disappointing one e!

Victoria Attard

Nov 1st 2010, 14:31

I am not a foreigner but Maltese, not the usual Maltese gemgem though. When a festival is well organised I praise it and encourage others to go the following year, but this was a totally disorganised festival I have ever been to. We just could not get past the first two stands because the stands where three quarters of the road's width and people were just blocked and could not move either one way or the other. Whoever said it was heaven literally does not know the meaning of the word.

A.Psaila

Nov 1st 2010, 13:44

Qatt ma qrajt f'l-istorja ta' Malta li l-Hamrun xi darba kellu xi konnessjoni ma c-cikkulata. Ezempju Hal-Qormi maghruf ghall-hobz u jorganizzaw casa l'fornaro. Jista' xi hadd jghidli il-Hamrun x'tip ta kultura ghandu relatata mac-cikkulata?

Brian camilleri

Nov 1st 2010, 11:53

Disorganization - typical maltese!!!

E Gatt

Nov 1st 2010, 09:55

The inflight magazine of BMI Baby ( an airline operating from the UK to Malta and other destinations) described the Hamrun chocolate festival as a chocolate lovers’ dream in a place where chocolate making has been famous for 350 years !


I had never even heard of this festival and thought BMI Baby got the place mixed up with Belgium or Switzerland.

J.Camilleri

Nov 1st 2010, 08:32

Useless blabbing, things never change. That's the mentality, take it or leave it, simply don't go. Hope this bravu organiser will take a couple of professional tips from Birgufest organisers so next time around this chocolate heaven event will signify it's name in a real manner.

Mario Borg

Nov 1st 2010, 08:31

XANDU X'JAQSAMM IL HAMRUN MAC CIKKULATA ?

Joseph Farrugia

Oct 31st 2010, 17:33

I agree with most comments about the crowded environment at Hamrun yesterday. It was a pitty that such an interesting event could have been better anticipated regarding crowd safety. On a positve note, hoewever, I congratulate ITS Senior Lecturer Andrew Farrugia and his assistants for the magificent creations in chocolate, namely the facade of the Hamrun Chruch and the Chocolate dining room. Well done to Chef Farrugia and his team.
Next year, Mr Mayor, find a bigger place !!!!

Joseph Portelli

Oct 31st 2010, 13:45

Maltese gemgem is soltu , jigri x jigri fil pajjiz kullhadd igerger , hadd m hu kuntent b xejn mela komplu gergru , min ma ghogbux darb ohra ma jigiex u daqshekk , ara sewwa jghidu l inglizi maltese gemgem !!!!!!!!

john fenech

Oct 31st 2010, 11:05

I make it a point of visiting such events wherever and whenever; in fact we either team with friends or rope in our grandchildren. Unfortunately this event left much to be desired in organisation. Space was at a premium the stalls were crowded and difficult to view and the exhibits of chocolate decor at the Scouts headquarters were very limited. If there was other fare to view we missed it due to the organised confusion.
Better organization will be appreciated for future events.

Stuart Prior

Oct 31st 2010, 10:08

It does look like there is a general theme here. Very bad organisation of this event which by its nature is meant to attract children. Children and trampling do not mix. The main displays were in the narrowest streets which prevented them being viewed. Pushchairs could not be pushed through the crowd sand the 'larger' chocolate obsessed persons (who were intoxicated by the scent of cocoa) would be better served having a trough at the entrance, thus allowing families to enjoy the displays whilst they 'chow'. A great idea but I would recommend watching the video above whilst sitting at home eating some chocolate!

PATRICK SCHEMBRI

Oct 31st 2010, 09:36

Hey guys can anyone tell me if there is any website etc from where i can search and know the upcoming events being held in malta such as this fair because i always get to know of these events after they have been held:s

David Portelli

Oct 31st 2010, 09:10

L-Attivita kienet sabiha u attendew hafna nies,imma sfortunatament nahseb sens komun ma jezisthiex ghax l-attivita saret go toroq dojoq qishom sqaqien minflok Main Street Hamrun.

J.Bonnici

Oct 31st 2010, 09:02

Nixtieq naghmel suggeriment li s-sena d-diehla l-attivita ssir fl-14 ta' Novembru - World Diabetes Day.
Il-laqta artistka sabiha imma certi nies ma jafux ma jithanzrux.

Victor Testa

Oct 31st 2010, 08:18

It was very very disappointing!. First of all it, the fair should have been organised in strada riali and not in a very very narrow street, where no body could hardly pass and stop seeing or buy anything. hlief burgers u crepes ma kienx hemm xejn gdid. halluna!!gejjin bic choclate fair!! ax anke wiehed ta l ghamara kien hemm miftuh u petshop!! chocolate for animals forsi????

R.Camilleri

Oct 31st 2010, 07:23

It was a big show of artistic work by chocolate, but I think the place chosen had a limited space. Congratulations to the ITS teaching staff and students.

G.Dalli

Oct 31st 2010, 07:17

There were many activities going on which is something good, however the venue chosen for this festival was horrible. We couldn't move around, let alone explore the different stands and stalls there were!!

M.Curmi

Oct 31st 2010, 06:55

Heaven??? Yesterday eve is better to compare it to hell! People crushing on each other, would-be speakers explaining (I suppose) how chocolate is done who couldn't be heard because of the excessive amount of sound from somewhere else, a large tent built in the middle of the road, in front of another one (resulting in a suffocating bottle-neck), and persons on a particular stand (built in front of the entrance of a street) complaining to 2 ladies who apparently lived there not to pass from there but to go through some other street! It was really an organised disorganisation. Everything organised in the worst street that could be chosen! Didn't they expect that people turn up for events like this? Why wasn't High Rd, or at least part of it, closed for traffic, and the event done there? When there's the village feast there's no problem closing it! Or why wasn't it done in the yards of one of the schools? There are at least 3 to choose from: the Lyceums (boys and girls) and Maria Assunta. I'm sorry to say but if I'd known what we were to go through I wouldn't have gone there!

susan galea

Oct 31st 2010, 02:40

@Stuart Prior

I am sorry to hear of your experience; but I would have to say that I think your assessment of the Maltese public behaviour; pushing and shoving and being allergic to queuing or waiting for their turn is typical.

Vincent Scerri

Oct 31st 2010, 02:33

Chocolate heaven? It was sheer hell for children and babies in prams. On the outset who in his right mind takes babies in prams among throngs of people where even taking a step was impossible?

mark Spiteri

Oct 31st 2010, 01:23

If that s Heaven than I rather go to Hell. Very disorganised event with lots of bottle necks. Heard people complaining that same problems previous year too. Also cannot see the connection between choclate and Hamrun.

Stuart Prior

Oct 30th 2010, 23:05

No it wasnt really heaven . It was poorly organised with crowded bottle-necks....and it seems filled with the worst kind of people. Our two children aged 9 and 7 both received smacks in the face by ignorant rude people as they pushed by. Is the state of driving here a reflection of the behaviour of Maltese people generally?