The Corinthia Group celebrated its 45th anniversary on December 6 with a grand gala dinner held at the group's birthplace, the Corinthia Room of the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard.

The event was attended by President and Mrs Eddie Fenech Adami together with Corinthia chairman and CEO Alfred Pisani, group directors, senior executives and long-serving personnel.

The event, themed 'black and white', incorporated two presentation ceremonies, the first for 16 Employees of the Year from Corinthia hotels worldwide and the second for 85 Maltese employees with 10-35 years of service to the company.

A 'surprise' and greatly appreciated third presentation ceremony saw Dr Fenech Adami distribute 45-year service certificates to the Pisani brothers Alfred, Joseph, George and Victor, who together set up the company in 1962.

The President congratulated Corinthia Group for having indefatigably, for so many years, been at the forefront in the hospitality industry locally and overseas, remarking that the group had set a fine example to all Maltese entrepreneurs as to what a local company, undaunted by fierce international competition, can achieve through perseverance, foresight and hard work.

In the last 45 years, Corinthia Group has flourished into a leading international hospitality brand of upscale hotels. All Corinthia hotels joined in the 45th anniversary celebrations by organising activities for guests and employees.

Mr Pisani said: "Commitment and determination were our driving force from day one, as indeed they still are to this day. This spirit is very much in evidence in all our hotels worldwide, especially among our very dedicated employees, therefore it is only fitting that both our guests and employees share with us the results of our enthusiasm and join us in celebrating our 45th anniversary".

It was 45 years to the day when the four Pisani brothers had inaugurated the upmarket Corinthia Restaurant in the family's art nouveau villa in San Anton. The fine dining restaurant was soon to become the focal point of the Island's 'gourmet' society.

By 1964, the four brothers had drawn up plans for the 155-room Corinthia Palace Hotel on Villa Corinthia's extensive grounds. The deluxe hotel was eventually inaugurated on June 11, 1968, in the presence of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

A toast to Corinthia Group's continued success brought the memorable evening to a close.