The Women’s Planet Foundation, directed by Ekaterina Camilleri, and Bacchus Restaurant, in collaboration with the European Foundation for the Support of Culture, held the first European Family Charity Ball at Bacchus in Mdina.

Ekaterina Camilleri (left) with her daughter Diana and Natalia Vella Gatt, the wife of the owner of Bacchus Restaurant, and her son Michael.

Thirty-eight children from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Malta and Lithuania together with their parents took part in this celebration of culture and family values. The main idea of this event was to introduce the 19th century culture of noble families meeting up, where children could socialise, practise traditional dancing, listen to quality music and play ball games.

“In an ever-increasingly hectic world in which there is less scope for parents and children to spend real and meaningful time together, let alone share a wonderful and pleasant moment of culture, the timing of this ball idea just could not be better,” said Ekaterina Camilleri.

“Being a Russian who has a Maltese family and leading many events like this in Russia, I felt a great need to hold this family celebration which made so many children happy.”

A charity auction in aid of the Ursuline Sisters also took place during the ball. Belorussian designer Irina Sazanovich, who was present at the ball with her family, contributed to the auction with the sale of her doll Chloe, bought by Nilay Camilleri (Nilara brand).