Features
-
A century on, Stravinsky’s Rite still summons the caveman
A hundred years ago today, the premiere of Russian emigré composer Igor Stravinsky’s pounding, pagan, pulsating The Rite of Spring caused a near-riot in Paris and changed the face of modern music. It still makes conductors’ hair stand on end. “I...
-
Fighting for recognition
Joshua Cassar Gaspar tells David Schembri there is more to small-budget films than the story and the scenery – it is part of Malta’s film industry growing pains. A pair of boxing gloves hangs in the boardroom of Maltafilm’s offices in Swieqi. The...
-
The love children of Grand Master Jean de Valette
The yearning every country has for superstars, and the passage of time have conspired to shape a conveniently recognisable, if clichéd, profile of Grand Master Jean de Valette, the unchallenged hero of the Great Siege of 1565: austere, ‘deeply...
-
From a wooden outhouse to a golden commode
Helen Raine regales readers with some toilet humour as she travels from primitive to posh conditions. After experiencing the most basic, bucket-style WCs, nothing could ever faze her, and she’ll opt for a thatched partition and a plank of wood...
-
Robert Downey Jr is Iron Man
The spotlight remains on the eagerly-anticipated third instalment of Iron Man, which is still raking in the cash at the boxoffice. Robert Downey Jr is arguably one of the most exciting actors working today. In a career that spans over 40 years (he...
-
Maltese islands devastated by a deadly epidemic 200 years ago
Malta has periodically suffered outbreaks of the Bubonic plague. In fact, prior to the 19th century, there had been four outbreaks of plague – in 1592-1593, 1623, 1655 and 1676. Plague again broke out in the Maltese islands in 1813, at a time when...
-
Most audacious RAF bombing raid
A retired fighter pilot has revealed the true extent of the damage the Dambusters mission caused to Nazi Germany. Clive Rowley, a former commanding officer of the RAF’s prestigious Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) turned aviation historian...
-
Genius who created bouncing bomb
Described by his family as a man of peace and not war, the brilliant and often eccentric engineer Barnes Wallis became synonymous with designing the bomb that almost brought Germany to its knees during World War II. His efforts brought extensive...
-
Is it a tree? No, it’s a mobile phone tower...
Britain’s Government plans to relax rules in England to make it easier for telecommunication companies to install mobile connectivity masts up to 5.48 metres tall. Ministers want to improve mobile communications in rural areas and speed up the...
-
Giving baby elephants a taste of the mud life
A petition calling on newly elected Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare poaching a national disaster is continuing to gather signatories, almost three weeks after it was closed. When the organisation Kenyans United Against Poaching delivered...
-
It is Grand Master Jean De la Valette
Yes, the family name of the Grand Master, hero of the Great Siege of Malta, was De la Valette. Still, as scholar and historian Judge Giovanni Bonello has proved, during his tenure, the Grand Master chose to ‘call himself’, sign, and be referred to...
-
Changing face of Malta’s ports
Valletta’s historic quays will host European Maritime Day 2013 on May 20. This year’s event is dedicated to maritime and coastal tourism, an apt theme for the Maltese capital, whose ports are being developed around tourism and maritime...
-
Veteran reunited with WWII dog tag
A small weathered piece of silver finally finished its journey from a back garden in southern France to the 90-year-old US veteran who lost his ID on the battlefield during World War II. Sixty-nine years after losing his dog tag, Willie Wilkins...
-
Some of Pope Francesco’s words of wisdom
At this stage I am sure readers would appreciate reading the mind of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as it emerges from the books El Jesuita and Il Cielo e la Terra. The following quotations do not need any comment, but may spark some personal reflection.
-
How often do you worry about your boat?
Admit it! Chances are that the reply to that is “very often”. And that the further away you are from the boat, the more you think of it. What if something happens to it? What if it has a leak? What if someone breaks in? What if it is stolen? Imagine...
-
The master of the ocean
The 2013 Oceanmaster 630WA is a 21-foot centre console family day boat, featuring a proven hull design and giving increased economy and ride comfort. With power options up to 150HP, she also offers a blistering performance. She has a beam of 8.5...
-
The rise and rise of RIBS
How does the idea of a summer spent chilling out at sea, with minimum expense and hassle, sound? Ramona Depares lets Darius Goodwin induct her into the club of Rigid Inflatable Boat fans and the beauty of having a boat without owning it. Meet the...
-
Protect your boat
If you gaze out in any marina in the world, Sunbrella Fabrics will surely be visible. This is because Sunbrella is the number-one trusted name in marine fabric. Even the harshest marine environments are no match for Sunbrella fabric. This is because...
-
The leap from imagination to reality
It cost him 12 years of his life, most of his earnings and his marriage, but this didn’t stop Alexander D’Agata from pursuing his life-long dream. He tells Ramona Depares about building his own yacht, the Sang Royal, from scratch. Building your own...
-
The wind in his sails
Tom Bonello Ghio is already an avid, ambitious and successful sailor at the age of 14. But it’s not just about competition, challenge and excitement. Stephanie Fsadni finds the sport builds team spirit, independence, time management and discipline...
Popular Stories
In Discussion
