Heard in the Hive

Vodafone Malta has donated Playstation 2 consoles and Playstation games to St Patrick's Salesian School in Sliema and to Angela House in Guardamangia.

The playstations were presented to both homes by Alison Casha, marketing communications executive at Vodafone Malta Ltd.

"Both St. Patrick's Salesian School and Angela House provide care for children of various ages whose families are facing critical situations. Both homes provide a safe and structured environment in which children can successfully develop. One of the most important aspects of being a child is having fun and Vodafone is delighted to be able to offer these playstation consoles," said Ms Casha.

St Patrick's Salesian School is a residential facility for boys run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Last year St Patrick's care section worked with 135 boys, some 80 of whom became users of its residential services.

St Patrick's started to function exactly 100 years ago and offers care and social work services intended to help nine-to-16-year-old boys whose families are facing critical situations.

Angela House is run by the Ursuline Sisters who take care of children aged over three years. This residential facility currently has 64 children in its care. This home houses children from families with social problems.

Both residences provide networking and therapeutic interventions, whereby the children stand a better chance of rapidly returning to lead a normal life within their families.

An emerging artist

Over the Yuletide period the lobby of the Preluna Hotel hosted a joint exhibition of oil paintings and pastels, entitled Two Generations, by Martine Derenbach Gervais and her father Raymond Gervais.

The latter could not be present for the occasion since, being a resident in France, he is only occasionally here in Malta. For Martine this has been her second exhibition in Malta following the one she had at De Porres Hall in Sliema last May.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister of Tourism, in the presence of a number of guests, among whom were several artists and their respective consorts.

They included Mr and Mrs Alfred Chircop, Mr and Mrs Alfred Briffa, Mr and Mrs Paul Haber and Mr Anton Agius.

Among other acquaintances and friends of the artist were Fr Marius Zerafa, Fr Norbert Ellul Vincenti, Ms Kathryn Auerbach, Mr Walter Vella and Comm. Emmanuel Fiorentino who made a short opening speech before the official opening by the minister himself.

First Choice awards local hotels

First Choice, one of the biggest four British tour operators, have recently presented prestigious two Gold Choice awards to Maltese hotels.

These awards for excellence, which are nominated by First Choice to their customers, were awarded to Seabank Hotel and Radisson SAS Hotel.

During the presentation, First Choice, which recently announced record profits of over £83 million in the UK, said that it was planning to increase trading in Malta and Gozo by 17 per cent for next summer. Malta is deemed to have first preference in the company's foreign trading, considering also that First Choice chief executive Peter Long was in Malta.

'International' birthday celebration at Villa Tempra

AS in previous years, guests came from various countries - Argentina, Canada, France, Italy, Russia, UK, USA and of course, Malta - to celebrate Dame Françoise Tempra's birthday on New Year's Day at Villa Tempra, her residence in Mgarr.

Dame Françoise offered an unusually emotional short address before cutting the birthday cake which bore the words, "Happy New Year 2004 to all my guests".

She said this was a very special day for her, since friends she had known for more than 30 years - Dr Luigi Marini and his delightful wife Gabriella - came from Italy to celebrate her birthday.

Dame Françoise got to know Dr Marini in London, where he was head of the representative office of the Banca d'Italia as well as financial counsellor to the Italian Embassy, and then in New York (where later, he also headed the Italian central bank's office).

"Gabriella and Luigi, whom I last saw at the Malta Biennale London presentation in 1997 at the Foreign Press Association (former home of Prime Minister Gladstone, near Buckingham Palace) proved to be the greatest art lovers. And now they have taken an enthusiastic and very special interest in the Tempra Summer Academy," Dame Françoise said.

She went on to welcome her house guests, Dr Ada Julia Stilman, from Argentina, who won first prize in music composition at the 2003 Malta Biennale. Dr Stilman's compositions have been performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York and in Washington, DC.

She came to Malta to deliver a lecture/master class on "The Influence of the Marvellous in my Music" at the Tempra Museum for Contemporary Art, Mgarr, on January 7 as a "birthday present" to Dame Françoise.

This lecture has already been delivered in the USA and recently at the University of Aix-en-Provence in France, at the Music Conservatory of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris.

Dr Stilman was invited to deliver the same lecture/master class at the University of Malta's Mediterranean Institute Music Department by its director, Dr Simon Mercieca, at the suggestion of Master's degree students Gordon Zammit and Karl Fiorini, who had attended the Mgarr presentation.

The other house guest, Flavia Conca, a long-standing friend from Bergamo, Italy, is co-owner and art history teacher of a school with 350 pupils in that city. The school, Dame Françoise was pleased to announce, would be willing to welcome Maltese participants in the next Biennale for a special exhibition.

The evening proceeded with some exciting music hall "song and dance" numbers improvised by Beverley Feuer from the UK, daughter of former model Jacqueline Elman. Beverley stepped in for Marie-Therese Vassallo (who could not attend due to an indisposition) and enchanted all present while interpreting Blues in the Night, Moonraker, It don't mean a Thing!, etc.

Guests were then entertained by Russian pianist Lydia Oukhanova.

Sanremo flower festival

The renowned Sanremo flower festival, which will be held from Friday till Sunday, will include several exhibitions and parades organised on the main piazzas and on the panoramic promenade of this famous Italian Riviera town.

Musical entertainment will also be provided this year by a band from each of the 10 countries joining the EU. Malta will be represented by the Santa Marija Band of Mosta.

For the first time, there will also be a parade of fresh flowers carried by a girl from each participating country. Malta will be represented by Joyce Gatt, Miss Maltese Islands 2002.

Joyce, who was also a contestant in the Miss World Pageant, will be representing Modelle International on behalf of Sue Rossi and Claudia Calleja.

This festival will be aired by Eurovision on Rai Uno.

Qrendi band club's donations

During its annual reception held last month, the president of Lourdes Band Club of Qrendi, Godfrey Axiaq, presented donations to organisations providing voluntary work for persons with special needs as well as societies which offer educational services. The donations came from profits made from several horse races organised by the club during the year.

This year, the organisations and societies which received funds from the band club were: Id-Dar tal-Providenza (Lm400), Eden Foundation (Lm300), Boys' Museum Qrendi (Lm150) and Girls' Museum Qrendi (Lm150).

English couple wed in Mellieha

Married recently at the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha were Sarah Francesca Kean, daughter of Mary Helen and Joseph James Kean, of Frimley, Surrey, UK, and Bernard Joseph Smith, son of Martha Anna and David Bernard Smith, also of Frimley.

Fr John O'Sullivan, parish priest of Frimley, concelebrated Nuptial Mass with superior general Fr Bernard Mangion and Fr Stanley Tomlin of the Missionary Society of St Paul.

Richard David Smith, the groom's brother, who acted as best man, and Paul Joseph Kean, the bride's brother, witnessed the ceremony.

Christin Wüst, a relative of the groom, and Melanie Parnis and Chantelle Parnis, relatives of the bride, were bridesmaids. Sarah Bugeja and Joseph Gatt, also relatives of the bride, were flower-girl and pageboy.

The bride's 'Tudor' style attire, purchased in England, was a strapless bodice with corset style tie-back and skirt, in champagne embroidered satin. The block-panelled skirt's frontal design matched the bodice which was of tapestry effect with gold threading, pearls and diamanté. The gold also matched the bridesmaids' dresses and the men's waistcoats and cravats. The cathedral long train was accompanied with a 72-inch veil with diamanté.

The bride carried an ivory shower bouquet of cala lilies, roses and carnations. Her jewellery consisted of her mother's heirlooms, a collection which her mother wore on her own wedding day.

A reception was later held at Selmun Palace. The couple spent their honeymoon in the Maldives and Dubai.

Vella - Sammut

The marriage took place recently at St Aloysius' College Chapel, Birkirkara, between Sonya Vella, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Agric. Sc.), daughter of Mr and Mrs George Vella of Qormi, and Ing. Christopher Sammut, B.Eng. (Hons), MASHRAE, son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Sammut of Birkirkara.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Mario Tong. The ceremony was witnessed by Ing. Robert Busuttil, B.Eng. (Hons), and Mrs Ingrid Fenech, B.Pharm. (Hons). Mr Amante Sammut, the groom's brother, carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by Ms Ruth Caruana. Kristina Fenech was flower girl, while Jon Said was pageboy.

A reception was later held at the Carlson Suite, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St Julian's. The couple spent their honeymoon in Paris.

Award for Formula One correspondent

Several McLaren Formula One club members and enthusiasts of the fast lane recently met at the Halland Hotel, Ta' l-Ibrag, for the annual get-together during which the fifth edition of the official magazine of the McLaren Fl Club (Malta), Pitpass, was officially launched.

Penelope Ciangura, the club's chairperson, thanked the numerous supporters and the club's official sponsor Auto Sales Ltd - Kind's for their support during last year. She also showed her appreciation to the contributors and all those involved in the publication of this annual magazine which is anxiously awaited by Formula One enthusiasts.

Ms Ciangura outlined the club's activities of the past racing season, which reached its climax with the commemoration of the club's fifth anniversary and the 40th year of the founding of McLaren. For this special occasion the club mounted an exhibition of photos and racing car models.

During this activity club official Joseph Baron presented Formula One correspondent Pierre Vella with an award for his continuous efforts to promote Formula One sports, especially through his writings and the annual Formula One Forum, and also as an appreciation for his interest in the club's activities.

Pitpass Formula One magazine can be obtained free of charge by writing to McLaren Fl Club (Malta), P.O. Box 76, Paola PLA 16.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - January 19-25

Tomorrow
11 a.m. The President receives the committee of the Sezzjoni Zghazagh Santa Marija, Mqabba, at the Palace, Valletta.

Tuesday
8.15 a.m. The President leaves Malta for a state visit to Italy.
11 The President and Mrs de Marco are welcomed by the President of the Italian Republic and Mrs Ciampi at the Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome.
11.15 Official talks between the President of Malta and the President of Italy.
11.15 Mrs Ciampi receives Mrs de Marco at the Palazzo del Quirinale.
12.40 p.m. The President meets the Hon. Pier Ferdinando Casini, president of the Chamber of Deputies, at Montecitorio Palace, followed by a working luncheon.
3.25 The President addresses businessmen at the headquarters of the Unione degli Industriali di Roma.
4.20 Mrs de Marco visits the Istituto Centrale del Restauro and views restoration works on the painting of St George on Horseback by Mattia Preti.
5.15 Mrs de Marco visits the Casa di Peter Pan.
8.15 Private meeting between the President of Malta and the President of Italy.
8.25 Exchange of state gifts and decorations between the President of Malta and the President of Italy.
8.30 The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to a state dinner by the President of the Italian Republic and Mrs Ciampi at the Palazzo del Quirinale.

Wednesday
9.25 a.m. The President attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Altare della Patria accompanied by Defence Minister Antonio Martino.
10 The President visits Galleria Borghese.
10.30 Mrs de Marco visits the Capitoline Museums.
10.45 The President attends the inauguration of the academic year of the Link Campus University.
1.30 p.m. The President meets Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at Palazzo Chigi, followed by a working luncheon.
5.10 The President meets the Hon. Marcello Pera, president of the Senate, at Palazzo Giustiniani.
7.30 The President and Mrs de Marco host a reception in honour of the President of the Italian Republic and Mrs Ciampi at the Grand Hotel St Regis.

Thursday
8.30 a.m. The President receives Community Policy Minister Rocco Buttiglione.
9.50 The President and Mrs de Marco bid farewell to the President of the Italian Republic and Mrs Ciampi at the official departure ceremony at Palazzo del Quirinale.
11 The President and Mrs de Marco are received by His Holiness Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
11.30 The President meets Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of the Vatican.
12.15 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a vin d'honneur for the Maltese community in Italy at the Hotel Quirinale.
1.25 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco are received by Fra' Andrew Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
5.15 The President meets leaders of the Italian Opposition parties at the Grand Hotel St Regis.
7 The President leaves Rome for Milan.

Friday
10 a.m. The President delivers a lecture entitled "The Management of Peace" at the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan.
11.10 The President and Mrs de Marco visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper.
1 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco meet the mayor of Milan Gabriele Albertini and are hosted to luncheon at Palazzo Marino.
5 The President meets representatives of Asso Lombarda and the Chamber of Commerce at the Malta Business Centre.
6 The President meets Roberto Formigoni, president of the Lombardy region.
7.10 The President addresses Italian businessmen at an activity organised by the Malta Business Centre in collaboration with the Embassy of Malta at Palazzo Turati.

Saturday
9 a.m. The President leaves Milan for Palermo.
11.30 The President and Mrs de Marco meet the president of the Sicily region, Salvatore Cuffaro, at Palazzo d'Orleans.
12.05 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco meet the president of the Sicilian regional assembly, Guido Lo Porto, at Palazzo dei Normanni.
1.30 The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to a luncheon by President Guido Lo Porto.
5 The President is conferred an honorary degree in European Studies by the Università degli Studi di Palermo and delivers a Lectio Magistralis entitled Pax Mediterranea.
8.30 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a performance of Verdi's opera Luisa Miller at the Teatro Massimo.

Sunday
9.15 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco meet Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi, Archbishop of Palermo, at the archiepiscopal palace.
9.50 The President and Mrs de Marco meet Mgr Cataldo Naro, Archbishop of Monreale, and attend Mass at Monreale Cathedral.
11.40 The President, accompanied by Mrs de Marco, is conferred with the honorary citizenship of Monreale by the mayor Salvatore Caputo and the diploma honoris causa by the Accademica Siculo-Normanna.
1 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco are hosted to luncheon by the mayor of Palermo at Villa Niscemi.
3.45 The President and Mrs de Marco visit Erice and meet the mayor, Ignazio Sanges, at the town hall.
5.40 The President and Mrs de Marco leave for Malta.

For your diary

The Lion Club, Mdina, is holding a cultural visit to the President's palace in Valletta on Tuesday. Transport from Sliema and Msida will be provided. Further information can be obtained by phoning on 2143-5388 or 2141-2080.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning at the Sunny Leisure Club, on January 27 at 9.30 a.m. Phone 2169-3863 or 2143-6421 for tickets.

A coffee morning is being held at the Salesian Oratory in Sliema on January 28, at 9.30 a.m. Phone 2133-1447 for tickets.

The Malta Catholic Action is organising a lunch at the Forum Hotel, St Andrews, on Sunday, at 12.30 p.m. For bookings phone 2122-2239.