Heard in the Hive

Dermatologists, doctors and pharmacists alike flocked in appreciable numbers to the head offices of Attard and Co Ltd, Canter House, Marsa, to witness the official launch of Exfoliac and Iklen on the local market.

The reception area was dressed up for the occasion with all the various paraphernalia on show providing very attractive backdrops to the unveiling of these prestigious products. Matthew Gatt, B.Pharm. (Hons.), local medical representative of Merck Medication Familiale, opened the evening's discussion thanking the audience for attending.

Mr Gatt then proceeded with a very basic overview of Exfoliac and Iklen in the treatment and care of acne and hyperpigmentation respectively. He then introduced the foreign speaker for the night, Dr El Housseine Ouijja, the International Regulatory and Services Manager for Merck Medication Familiale, and thanked him for having accepted the invitation of Attard and Co Ltd, and for being with them for the launching of the products.

Dr Ouijja gave details of the products within the Exfoliac range with which the Maltese market had been pioneered. Valuable data were forwarded with regard to the safety, standards in quality achieved within the Exfoliac range in the treatment of acne and the remarkable observations in terms of results experienced through the products' use.

The icing on the cake came when he disclosed that in just eight years of activity, Exfoliac had risen through the ranks to become the number one selling brand on the French market; these facts were substantiated by an independent IMS survey disclosed on the night.

Briefly, Dr Ouijja then took the crowd through the two products afforded by Iklen, the serum and cream, once again illustrating highly impressive results in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Safety and efficacy once again took pride of place, with various facets brought forward and ably backed up by statistically valid data and studies.

In conclusion, Keith Marshall, B.Pharm. (Hons), division co-ordinator within Attard and Co Ltd thanked both Mr Gatt and Dr Ouijja for their interventions. He then went on to discuss the company's future aspirations, with particular reference to the tremendous potential that stood to be reaped through the acquisition of this immensely prestigious brand.

In conclusion, Mr Marshall thanked everyone for having attended, going on to introduce the Quacks, the doctor-based band who kick-started the entertainment of the evening in a big way.

SMOM distributes hampers

The Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has distributed over 120 large hampers to families in need, the Sisters of Charity of Mother Theresa, various cloistered nunneries, Dar l-Emigrant, Fatima House, Cini Institute and St Patrick's. The hampers were presented by the Grand Master Fra Andrew Bertie.

During the presentation, Commendatore Dr Philip Attard Montalto, president of the association, addressed the guests present and described some of the hospitaller and charitable works carried out by the Order worldwide.

Malta presentation in Mainz

Senator Hannetraud Schultheiss, consul-general of Malta in Mainz, Germany, represented Malta at the annual reception of the consular corps in the Rhineland-Palatinate, on February 14.

Senator Schultheiss, who has been representing Malta in the Länder of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland for 28 years, delivered a 25-minute speech on Malta to a large audience, who included the Speaker of the State Parliament, the minister of the Interior of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Lord Mayor of Mainz and the doyen of the consular corps.

Mr William C. Spiteri, Malta's ambassador to Germany, was guest of honour. He delivered the Grusswort (welcoming speech) at the Landtag, the State House of Parliament.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr Manfred Moser, who presented Mr Spiteri with a copy of his Maltese-German Dictionary, published in 1999 with the assistance of Christopher Meilak. Dr Moser speaks and writes perfect Maltese.

A desk with Maltese tourist literature on Malta was prepared by the Malta Tourism Authority, which also provided wine for the 150 guests at the reception.

During his stay in Mainz, Mr Spiteri paid a courtesy call on Jens Beutel, Lord Mayor of Mainz, who invited Mr Spiteri to sign the City's Golden Book. Mr Beutel showed Mr Spiteri the page where in 1976 Mr Emmanuel Attard Bezzina, then Malta's ambassador in Bonn, had also signed the City's Golden Book.

Mr Spiteri also met Dr Harald Augter, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Mainz, and other committee members, with whom he discussed prospects of trade exchanges. Ambassador Spiteri also visited the Gutenberg Museum, where he met Dr Claus Maywald, one of the museum's directors.

Melita Cable supports Peace Laboratory

Melita Cable recently donated audio-visual apparatus to the John XXIII Peace Lab, Hal Far, as a way of support and solidarity towards the work performed by the lab.

The Peace Lab was established in 1971. It has since served as a meeting place for both Maltese and foreigners to discuss and share opinions on a wide range of subjects.

The monitors, audio instruments and video recording apparatus donated by the company, will be used in seminars, study-groups and work camps, organised at the laboratory throughout the year.

During the presentation to Fr Dionysius Mintoff, Melita Cable's managing director Danny Rosso wished further success to the laboratory's continual effort to the impart the message of peace through dialogue and exchange of opinions.

St Paul's feast in Tripoli

St Francis Catholic church in Tripoli celebrated the feast of St Paul Shipwrecked, on February 10. Mgr Lawrence Gatt, director of Dar il-Providenza in Siggiewi, was invited to Tripoli, where he celebrated Mass for a large number of Maltese who work in Libya. He was assisted by Fr Daniel Farrugia, who is serving in Libya.

Mass, followed by a reception, was attended by the Maltese ambassador to Libya, Dr Richard Vella Laurenti, Maltese nuns from the Congregations of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and Maltese workers in various sectors and companies in Tripoli, including those working on the Corinthia Hotel project.

In an address to the gathering before the Mass, Mgr Giovanni Martinelli OFM, Bishop of Tripoli, said that the feast recalls the intimate relationship that has always existed between the Libyan and Maltese Church.

During Mass, Mgr Gatt said that the faith the Maltese have received in the time of the early Church is a gift from God, which brings about a responsibility to live according to what one believes as light for others who cross one's way in life.

The feast of St Paul Shipwrecked in Libya is an occasion that recalls the Christian identity of the Maltese as well as the fact that the Maltese form part of the Universal Church that embraces other cultures and traditions present in the missionary Church in Libya.

Transgressing artistic borders

by Corinne Vella

The recently formed Maltese contemporary artists' group, Start, has organised a unique artistic event in a huge, alternative space in the capital city, Valletta.

The space is Pinto Stores in the harbour area, a place with historical associations with the Knights of St John, the British, and naturally, the shipping trade within the Grand Harbour. The exhibition will be open to the public until next Sunday.

The name Borders refers to many layers of meaning. First of all, the site itself is next to the sea terminal, where thousands of tourists disembark every year. Secondly, the proximity of the event to the referendum means that some of the artists reacted to the current political situation in Malta, a situation that involves a decision about future borders.

Lastly, all the artists of Start are trying to break accepted artistic conventions in Malta and introduce new ways of interacting with a space. In this last sense, the artists are transgressing artistic borders.

For instance, the site is currently undergoing a process of change. It is being restored and is to be transformed into a commercial area for tourists. Hence, the Start artists had to install their works in a building that was (and still is) in a state of flux. This involved several difficulties, but was also perceived by all participating artists as a challenge.

To help publicise Borders, most of the artists in the exhibition were featured in the popular TV award for the Malta Song for Europe in the first week of February.

Borders was co-curated by Start and Richard Davies, practising artist and Principal in Fine Arts (Post Graduate Studies) at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, UK. Davies came over to Malta to inaugurate the show on February 6.

The artists participating in Borders are Norbert Francis Attard, Ruth Bianco, Vince Briffa, Austin Camilleri, Savio Deguara, Patrick Fenech, Charles Gatt, Anton Grech, Mark Mangion, Pierre Portelli and Raphael Vella.

A cross-disciplinary event, bringing together visual art, literature, theatre and music in short performances will be held on the last day, Sunday. Participating groups and individuals will include Inizjamed, Teatru Marta Kwitt (represented by Immanuel Mifsud), Italian percussionist Simone Mongelli and Gruppi ghall-Inkontri tal-Bniedem.

Everyone is invited to the closing event of Borders.

The exhibition is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. until March 2. A publication about the event will be launched at a later stage.

St Andrew Society's annual Burns Supper

The annual Burns Supper of the St Andrew Society (Malta) was held at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel on January 25, the anniversary of the poet's birth.

The celebration of Scotland's national bard is to commemorate his life and works in toasts, poetry and song and all three were in abundance.

A good turnout of over 150 members and guests saw W/OM Farrugia pipe in the top table where society president Helen MacLachlan welcomed one and all.

Rev. David Morris said grace and the assembled company sat down to traditional Scots fare, well prepared by the Corinthia staff and washed down by fine wines sponsored by E. Delicata and Sons.

As is customary, the haggis (or Great Chieftain) was ceremoniously piped in with J. Campbell McQueen carrying the quaich (drinking cup) and the Famous Grouse, supplied for the occasion by Messrs Wands Ltd.

Hugh Brown addressed the haggis in his inimitable fashion, milking the audience with his slow laconic style and getting a well deserved ovation.

The toasts to President Guido de Marco and the Queen were given by Mr Vincent Fean, British High Commissioner, and Professor J.J. Cremona, patron of the society, respectively.

As has become the custom of the society, the immortal memory took an innovative turn with John Lejman giving a preamble to Duncan MacLachlan's main event.

The preamble consisted of a potted history of the source and inspiration behind Burns' classic piece Tam o' Shanter, followed by the undoubted highlight of the evening, Duncan MacLachlan's rendition of the piece itself.

Mr MacLachlan's timing and expression as he first slowed for dramatic effect, then raced us through the chase was an undoubted tour de force and justly received the ovation it deserved.

John Cassar's Tae The Lassies was an original, well thought-out and often very witty piece, interspersed with anecdotes and at times teasingly adroit. In the end, though, John played the gentleman and while letting the ladies down gently, then raised them, praised them and finally toasted to them.

Isabel Warrington's reply left no-one in any doubt as to her direction. Her razor-sharp observation of men left more than one unfortunate with a red face and her analogy between men and dogs had the women howling and the men whimpering (puns intended).

Only at the end did Izzy give men any credit at all and that was simply that for women to experience romance (a purely female concept... Ed) we men are necessary evils.

The songs of Robert Burns were sung by Joe Huber, accompanied by Professor Joseph Vella on the piano, and again Mr Huber showed that his interpretation is second to none. John Anderson entertained the guests who could also listen to Mr Huber all night.

The evening wound up with the singing of the traditional Burns classic Auld Lang Syne.

The committee of the St Andrew Society (Malta) are thankful to Corinthia, Wands Ltd and Emanuel Delicata, and all other participants who helped make the event such a special evening.

People

Dr Yves Muscat Baron, MD, MRCOG (UK), MRCP (Irel), has recently been awarded a Ph.D. research degree by the University of Warwick, UK.

The Ph.D. thesis presented is entitled "The Effect of the Menopause and its Treatment on Skin Thickness, Bone Density, Carotid Artery and Iliac Vessel Wall Thickness in Postmenopausal Women".

The projects presented for the degree, for which Dr Muscat Baron has been awarded prizes both locally and internationally, have been accepted for publication.

Dr Muscat Baron is currently senior registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia.

Sarah Jane Attard recently returned from a six-month scholarship at the London Studio Centre, in UK, awarded by the Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet. She trained in classical ballet, isolation technique, contemporary dance, tap, singing, drama, street jazz and dance technique for music theatre.

Ms Attard has been a student at the Tanya Bayona Academy from a very early age and continues to train with Tanya Bayona and Emma Loftus. She also attends singing lessons with Gillian Zammit.

She is due to go to University in the autumn to take up Theatre Studies. She looks forward to take an active part in musical performances.

Carnival at Corinthia Palace

If you wish to escape the rowdy crowds and do something completely different on Carnival weekend, Corinthia Palace Hotel is offering an alternative.

The hotel in Attard is organising a superb Carnival Gala Ball on Friday which promises to seduce your senses with flowing wine and entertainment by Dominic Galea and a five-piece band.

Alan Montanaro, who had everybody holding their sides with laughter at MADC's Christmas pantomime, will be compering the evening with a good dose of wit.

The dress code is strictly fancy dress. But the less adventurous can opt for the theme of 'Men in Black' and 'Ladies in Red'.

The hotel's elegant Corinthia Room will be beautifully transformed along the theme of the Venetian carnival.

The evening includes pre-reception sparkling wine and canapés, an exquisite five-course gala menu complete with coffee, petit fours and free-flowing Maltese wines, as well as prizes for the best individual costumes. To book call 2144-0301.

For your diary

The Mission Fund is organising a tea tombola in aid of Maltese missionaries working in Third World countries today at 3.30 p.m. at the Best Western Les Lapins Hotel, Ta' Xbiex.

Tickets are available from the Mission Fund at 72, St Joseph Flats/2, Triq il-Farinal, Mosta (tel: 2141-3664) or Connie Azzopardi at 19, Rudolph Street, Sliema (tel: 2133-1151). Tickets will also be sold at the door, if still available.

A coffee morning in aid of the Salesians will be held at the Salesian Oratory, Sliema, on Wednesday, at 9.30 a.m. Tickets are available from Fr Forte or Yvonne Camilleri (tel: 2133-1447 or 2133-4253).

Ward u Zghar is organising a get-together and a children's Carnival party, at Centru Hidma Socjali, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

A Carnival disco party with the participation of DJ Ray and Minus One, is being held at Mtarfa on Friday at 8 p.m. For tickets contact Doreen or Josienne by Wednesday.

The Singles Social Circle is organising a wine and pizza party at La Riviera, Xemxija, on Friday at 9 p.m. Bookings must be made by Wednesday.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements: February 24-March 2

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives METCO chairman Anthony Diacono at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President receives Ronald Gallimore, head of the Delegation of the European Communities.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President pays an official visit to Rabat.
5.30 p.m. The President receives the president and committee members of the European Law Institute (ELSA) at the Palace, Valletta.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President is presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund by the Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.30 Mrs de Marco visits children's wards at Karin Grech Hospital, Guardamangia.
10.30 The President receives a group of persons with special needs from the UK accompanied by members of the Adult Training Centre in Gozo.
11.15 The President receives Transport and Telecommunications Minister Censu Galea at the Palace, Valletta.
7 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a concert organised by the Chamber of Engineers at San Anton Palace.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President receives Malta Freeport chairman Mark Portelli at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President receives Police Commissioner John Rizzo.
7.30 p.m. The President hosts a reception in honour of delegates of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology International Spring Symposium at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives a delegation from Morphou, Cyprus, accompanied by the Zurrieq mayor at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Conte Marullo di Condojanni, Rotary District Governor of Sicily and Malta.
Noon The President receives Mdina Rehabilitation Committee chairman Denis de Lucca, and executive co-ordinator Ray Bondin.

Saturday
4 p.m. The President delivers the closing address at the 2003 Gerontology and Geriatrics seminar entitled "Becoming Old in Malta: Is it worth living?", at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel, St Julian's.

Sunday
10 a.m. The President presides over a musico-literary activity on the 80th anniversary of the first public performance of the National Anthem, organised by Floriana council on Robert Samut Square, Floriana.