Heard in the hive

The second and final night of the Malta Fireworks Festival, which this year brought the EU accession celebrations to a spectacular end, served as a fitting backdrop to the annual Europe Day reception hosted last Sunday by the head of the Delegation of the European Commission and Mrs Ronald Gallimore.

The reception was held in the recently restored and embellished Upper Barrakka Gardens, where the hundreds of guests present could enjoy the fireworks.

Guests, led by President and Mrs Fenech Adami, walked through a passageway at the entrance formed by the flags of the 25 member states of the European Union and that of the EU itself.

They included the Prime Minister and Mrs Lawrence Gonzi, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, the Auxiliary Bishop, Mgr Anton Depasquale, the Speaker and Mrs Anton Tabone, Ministers, MPs, former Presidents of the Republic and their wives, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Judiciary and their spouses, led by the Chief Justice and Mrs Vincent De Gaetano, candidates for the European Parliament election, mayors, members of the business community, the media and hundreds of other guests.

Addressing the guests, Mr Gallimore said that he was sure Robert Schuman, author of the Declaration of May 9, 1950, which led to the founding of the European Economic Community, today's European Union, and the other founding fathers of Europe, would have been proud of this day. They surely would never have imagined that the Community made up of six states, formed by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, would have grown, less than 50 years later, to a Union of 25 states which broke down ideological divisions, bringing peace to a Europe which had for decades suffered the ravages of war.

This was therefore a celebration of peace in Europe, a peace which is so valuable in today's world. "We are celebrating this Europe Day together as European citizens - all 450 million of us," Mr Gallimore declared, adding that the strong ties that have been established between the nations of Europe allowed us to build and improve on what has been achieved.

Mr Gallimore expressed his gratitude to all those in Malta who had worked behind the scenes in preparation for the island's EU accession - the civil servants, and other public officials, who had made a truly collective effort - and those responsible for the splendid EU accession celebrations.

He also thanked the young musicians of the orchestra which had given a "really uplifting" concert at the Blessing of Europe in St John's Co-Cathedral a few hours earlier under Swedish music director Manfred Honeck.

Mr Gallimore - his speech occasionally interrupted by fireworks - ended by proposing a toast in Maltese to President Fenech Adami and to the people of Malta.

President Fenech Adami, in reply, said it was a great pleasure for him to be celebrating Europe Day for the first time as President of Malta inside the EU. Robert Schuman, when he made his famous Declaration in 1950, had a vision of a united Europe, but he knew that this vision would take time to become a reality, and that this would be accomplished through a series of small steps.

That vision had indeed led to a united Europe consisting of 25 states. However, much as the continent's economic growth and the prosperity of its peoples was important, the basis of European unity was surely the guarantee of peace and solidarity among the 450 million citizens of Europe.

"We have to keep Schuman's vision in mind as a momentum for us to move forward," President Fenech Adami said.

Malta would have the opportunity shortly to show its European credentials in the European Parliament election; he predicted that voter turnout here would be the highest of all the 25 states. However, he warned against the danger of taking things for granted. "We have to redouble our efforts," he said.

Switching to Maltese, President Fenech Adami said he was proud of Malta's EU accession celebrations, specifically referring to that evening's concert at St John's. Europe has done a lot and achieved a lot, he said. The next step is to agree on a Constitution for Europe.

President Fenech Adami then proposed a toast to the future of Europe and to the success of Malta in the EU.

The official part of the reception ended with the playing of the EU and Maltese anthems by the orchestra led by Mr Horner, but guests stayed on till midnight to watch the spectacular fireworks display in Grand Harbour.

Cartoons exhibition at Manoel Theatre Courtyard

An exhibition of cartoons by Maurice Tanti Burlò was recently inaugurated by President Eddie Fenech Adami.

The exhibition features cartoons that were published in The Sunday Times from 1977 to date. The theme of the selection of cartoons is in keeping with these days - they are all about Malta's relations with the European Union and feature a number of personalities who have contributed to the process, opposed it or played their part in any way.

The cartoons cover quite a length of time and so they create nostalgia, always with Mr Tanti Burlò's usual tongue in cheek.

In his short inaugural address President Fenech Adami spoke of the niche that the artist has created for himself in the local political scene. The cartoons have been eyeopeners at times and have helped the Government stay on its toes, in the President's own words.

Those attending were also addressed by the chairman of the Committee of the Manoel Theatre, Wilfred Kenely, who expressed his satisfaction that the theatre has had the opportunity to host distinguished artists from the music scene in recent days. He said the exhibition was the first activity organised by the new management of the Manoel Theatre Shop and it had attracted such a crowd of distinguished guests to the Manoel Theatre Courtyard.

On his part Mr Tanti Burlò expressed his thanks to all those who made the event and the exhibition possible. The artist also presented the President with a copy of the new publication Blame it on Ed! and with a set of limited edition prints which were printed for the occasion.

The set is all signed in original by the artist and contains a selection of the most salient 28 prints. The prints, available in sets or individually, were produced on the occasion of Malta's accession to the European Union and the print run is of a hundred.

Mr Tanti Burlò has had a varied career in education, broadcasting, telecommunications and art. He has taken part in some 50 art and cartooning exhibitions in Malta and abroad since 1962.

Other than theweekly cartoons published in The Times and The Sunday Times, stamp design has featured prominently in his recent work.

Mr Tanti Burlò won the BPC Award to Journalists when the Cartoons Section was introduced in 1998, and again in 2002.

Bowman - Saliba

The marriage took place recently at St Lawrence's parish church, Vittoriosa, bteween Joanna, daughter of Adrian and Pauline Bowman of Vittoriosa, and Derek, son of Frank and Agnes Saliba of Tarxien residing in Marsaxlokk.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Rev Dr John Avellino. The bride was attended by her sister Elizabeth Tagliaferro Bowman.

The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's brother Frederick Lawrence and the groom's sister Denise Azzopardi. The duties of bestman were performed by Edward W. Tagliaferro.

A reception was later held at Moulin d'Or, Lija. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Scotland.

A hive of activity at Valletta Waterfront

May 1 celebrations marking Malta's accession to the European Union gave guests of Viset plc a taste of the new vibrant atmosphere that will characterise the Valletta Waterfront as from June 2005.

With the completion of the first phase of its Lm10 million project, Viset will have transformed a section of the historic Pinto stores into an elegant tree-lined pedestrian promenade featuring food and beverage outlets to suit all taste buds, pockets and attitudes. There will also be a variety of retail outlets, from souvenirs to clothing, jewellery, toys and books.

Viset's plans for the Valletta Waterfront also include the creation of a 'laguna' between the quays. Work on this feature has picked up considerably since the opening of the new road behind the buildings. The rehabilitation of various other buildings will also soon be underway.

An example of this will be the cavernous former power station, which will become a multi-purpose hall, a hive of cultural-recreational activities and a market formed of small stalls.

"This will be Malta's foremost, 24-hour destination. There will be something going on all day long" said Chris Falzon, Viset's chief executive officer.

Gozitan De La Salle College students' reunion

A reunion for former Gozitan De La Salle College students was recently held at Fontana parish church.

The event was held on the initiative of former student Charles Zammit and Victor Caruana, a member of the De La Salle Former Students Association (FSA) committee. Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by Bishop Nikol Cauchi, accompanied by parish priest Fr George Bezzina. Committee members and friends from Malta, led by Fr David Mizzi, head of the sixth Form, crossed over to attend the event.

FSA president Carmel Mizzi explained that the reunion was organised by the committee as part of the centenary celebrations marking the arrival of the De La Salle Bothers on November 7.

After Mass Bishop Cauchi was presented with a memento, and Fr Bezzina was presented with a holy picture of St John the Baptist, the founder of the Brothers, with a short message from the college director Bro Martin Borg.

President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - May 17-23

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives the chairman and members of the Permanent Commission against Corruption at the Palace, Valletta.
10.45 The President receives the mayor and council members of the Valletta council on a courtesy visit.
11.30 The President is presented with a copy of the publication entitled The Bonham Carter Diaries 1936 -1940 by John Manduca.
6 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami receives members of the Girl Guides Association on a courtesy call at San Anton Palace.

Tuesday
12.30 p.m. The President receives Palestinian ambassador Awad Yakhlef on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
1.30 The President delivers a closing address during the conference entitled Religion and Education: The Possibility of Developing Tolerance through the Teaching of Religious Facts organised by the Office of the Commission for Human Rights of the Council of Europe at the Aula Magna of the Foundation for International Studies, Valletta.
5.30 The President receives Dr Michele Manca di Massa, newly appointed UNHCR Representative for Malta and Southern Europe.
6 The President presides over a Commission for the Administration of Justice meeting.

Wednesday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami visits residents of St Catherine's Home for the Elderly in Attard.
10.25 The President receives New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Palace, Valletta.
11.15 The President is presented with a copy of the publication entitled Hal Balzan by the mayor and council members of the Balzan council.
11.45 The President receives the chairman and board members of the Public Service Commission.
1.45 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a luncheon in honour of the New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Dr Peter Davis at San Anton Palace.

Thursday
6.30 p.m. The President inaugurates the Caring Awareness Fair at the Trade Fair Grounds, Naxxar.

Friday
10.35 p.m. The President inaugurates the 36-hour Sports Marathon organised by the students of the Liceo Mikiel Anton Vassalli in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund at the school's grounds, Qormi.
11.45 The President receives Professor Guiseppe Silvestri, Rector of the University of Palermo, at the Palace, Valletta.

Saturday
10 a.m. The President attends the Civil Protection Défilé in Valletta.

Sunday
8 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass on the occasion of the Feast of St Rita at the Chapel of Verdala Castle.
9.45 The President inaugurates the embellishment project carried out by the Naxxar council.
10.45 The President inaugurates the Training Grounds of the Melita Football Club Youth Nurseries in Pembroke.

For your diary

The Malta Hospice Movement is holding a Well-being Awareness Day at La Meridien Phoenicia Hotel tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Treatments, at Lm5 each, will be performed by a well trained team of beauty therapists.

A rummy card party, in aid of the Girl Guides Association, is being held at the Imperial Hotel, on Wednesday at 10 a.m. More information from Mrs L. Pace or Mrs Martinelli on 9948-9797 or 2122-4811.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradine, Paola, is organising a coffee morning/tombola at the Sunny Coast Leisure Club, Qarwa, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. For tickets, at Lm1.50 each, phone 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

Lions Club Mdina is holding its annual Strawberry and Champagne Morning at Villa Bidnija, on Thursday. For more details phone 2143-5388 or 21415041.

The Past Pupils Association of St Joseph Blata l-Bajda and Valletta is organising a get-together for past pupils for the Crowning of Our Lady, on Friday. Mass will be said at 7 p.m. followed by refreshments. For more details call 9946-0366 or 2144-4737.

The Inner Wheel Club is holding Fashion Passion, a fashion show by GTI Group, in aid of the Malta Hospice Movement and other Inner Wheel charities, on May 25, at 11.30 a.m. at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Targa, followed by a lunch. For tickets at Lm8.50 each, phone 2135-3643.