Heard in the Hive

The BoV summer staff party was recently organised on the pool deck of the Reef Club, at the Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian's. This event has now become an annual activity that is much anticipated and well-attended by BoV employees.

This year's activity assumed a sizzling Spanish theme, complete with flowing Sangria and traditional Spanish food. Furthermore, for the second year running, the BoV Band - Alien8 - took to the stage to entertain their colleagues with a varied repertoire of rock and pop cover versions. The evening was thus successfully converted into a regular fiesta to the delight of the 800 BoV employees who attended.

This event is one of a number of HR initiatives being undertaken by BoV to strengthen its relationship with all employees. BoV chief executive officer Tonio Depasquale, chief officer operations Igino Xuereb, and director George Portanier, who is also the chairman of the bank's Sports and Social Club, were among the top officials who where present and took the opportunity to meet with the bank's staff in an informal environment.

Promoting Malta in Japan

Lawrence Farrugia, accompanied by his wife Yvonne, recently visited Tokyo where he had a very cordial meeting with a delegation of the Japan Malta Friendship Association.

During the meeting, Mr Farrugia and the vice-president of the Japan Malta Friendship Association, Professor Katsumi Yamamoto, discussed at length ways to promote Japanese tourism to Malta.

The meeting was very fruitful and, as a result, a group of about 30 Japanese tourists will be visiting Malta early next year.

The Japan Malta Friendship Association is constantly working to promote Malta in Japan and increase the number of Japanese tourists visiting Malta.

Millions of Japanese tourists travel around the world every year, and particularly to countries rich in history and culture.

Nivea summer bonanza winner

After seven intense weeks with thousands of participants, the final Nivea Summer Bonanza competition came to an end on August 12 when all finalists gathered at the Splash and Fun Water Park, entertained by DJ Ozi and Carlo Borg Bonaci.

The winner, Nadine Darmanin, ended her week fabulously when she claimed the grand prize - a brand new Citroën C4 Coupé. A total of 2,500 instant prizes were won by participants during the summer bonanza promotion.

V.J. Salomone Consumer Lines Ltd are the local agents and distributors for Nivea.

Embassy Shopping Complex competition

Embassy COMPLEX customers have won many fabulous prizes - one of 25 free flights to the UK with BritishJet.com, five weekend breaks for two at the Westin Dragonara Resort, five gym memberships at The Westin Fitness Centre and five dinners for two at Palio's Restaurant.

With every Lm5 spent at the Embassy Shopping Complex between March and June, customers were given the opportunity to come up with an original phrase about the Embassy: " I love the Embassy because..." There was an excellent response from patrons of the Embassy Complex with many creative and interesting contributions. On August 8, all 40 winners were invited to the Embassy Cinema foyer to enjoy refreshments and celebrate this event. Prizes were presented to the winners.

The Embassy Complex has now been open for almost five years. It remains the only complex of its kind in the heart of Valletta successfully combining shopping with entertainment.

Golden Cross International Singing Festival winners

The Golden Cross International Singing Festival, held recently at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta, had a great response from eight countries.

The foreign singers were from the UK, Serbia and Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and Lithuania, making up a group of 12 participants who were chosen from 40 applicants. There were 30 Maltese participants.

For the first time this year, a pre-festival show was held in Xlendi, Gozo.

During the show, the singers were presented to the public, the press and the members of the jury. Dancing groups from Annalise Dance Studio took part.

The festival was adequately formed to cater for Maltese singers, singing both original and cover versions of songs composed by Maltese composers and lyric writers, who had the opportunity to compete with international singers.

Cliff Zammit was the grand prix winner. The winners in category A were Domenique Azzopardi, who placed first with Habib Tassew; Miruna Oprea (Romania), second with Oh What A Grateful Joy; and Antoine Farrugia, with Inhobb Iz-Zfin, and Salaia Gerada, with Hallata Ballata, joint third.

The winners in category B were Alina Eremia (Romania), first with If I Want I Light Up A Star; Danica Muscat, with L-Art Li Nhobb and Tom Morley (UK), with Let's Dance (joint second); and Noylene Attard, third with Ma Ninsik Qatt.

The winners in category C were Klinsmann Coleiro, first with Warzone Children; Karolina Rymkevic (Lithuania), second with How Come You Don't Call Me; and Arina Novikova (Russia), with A Diver Bird, and Kimberly Grech, with Qalb Mifnija, joint third.

Giannella Mazzola won the New Song Award with If I Had Wings, while Jan Pace won the Public Opinion Award with Live as One.

Awards for choreography went to Marzia Farrugia, first with Nikbru Henjin; Celaine Borg, second with Sardinella; and Thea Saliba, third with Say No. The Fidof Award went to Deborah Cassar with Sweet Music.

The compères were Christian, Gabriella and Alexia, who were also guest singers.

Anna Stepanova, saxophonist and vocal soloist, and professor at the South Ukranian Pedagogical University of Ushinsky in Odessa, and Annabelle Debono, grand prix winner of last year's festival, were among the guests.

The event was organised by a team directed by Anthony Grech, member of the International Federation of Festival Organisers (FIDOF). He ensured the quality of organisation, professionalism and hospitality according to FIDOF's aims - peace and friendship through music and art.

The main sponsors of this second edition of the Golden Cross International Singing Festival were the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Malta Tourism Authority.

Friends of Australia Gozo tour

The Gozo tours organised by the Friends of Australia Association are so popular that this summer the association had to disappoint many members and their friends.

On the way to Cirkewwa last June, the coach picked up the group from San Gwann and passed through Valletta to pick up a number of Maltese-Australians visiting Malta. Other friends joined in on the way to the ferry.

The group first visited the prehistoric Ggantija temples in Xaghra. The association's president, Tony C. Cutajar, explained some interesting facts about the temples. The group then toured the Ghar ta' Ninu - the tiny caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

After a visit to Victoria, the next stop was for lunch at Il-Bukkett Restaurant in Qala, where the group could admire the view of the harbour. The group then proceeded to Xlendi bay where some enjoyed an ice cream or tea under the shade, while others opted for a refreshing swim. The group returned to Malta with the 7 p.m. ferry.

Winners of Galleria Tunisia flight promotion

Galleria Shopping Complex in Fgura has announced the first winners of the Tunisia promotion.

John Abela of Tarxien won the first prize - a flight for one person and accommodation for two for three nights on half-board basis in Tunisia. The second prize, a weekend break at the InterContinental Hotel in St Julian's, was won by Mary Arnold of Fgura, while Mariello Azzopardi of Kercem won the third prize, a meal at Pizza Hut.

With every Lm5 spent at any outlet at Galleria Complex, consumers can participate in the next draw, which will be held on September 1.

Order of St Lazarus informal get-together

The Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands and the Commandery of the Castello of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, under the Grand Mastership of Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, the Duke of Seville and Grandee of Spain, recently held a well attended informal get-together at Torri Lanzun, Mensija, the international seat of the Order.

The activity was under the patronage of the Grand Chancellor of the Order, Cdr Geoffrey Fosberry, who is also the Commander of the Castello, and the Noble Marquis Antoine Zammit of Tiana, long-standing Grand Prior of the Maltese Islands.

Numerous officers and regular members of both local jurisdictions supported this informal meeting with the purpose of consolidating their efforts for the growth and development of the Order and its charitable projects in Malta and overseas.

Agreement on medical training

Professor Alexander Nikolaevitch Mitroshin, director of the Medical Institute of Penza State University in the Russian Federation recently visited Malta to finalise a reciprocal agreement with Eurocosmetic Hair Loss Clinics whereby Russian doctors would receive training at Eurocosmetic clinics in hair transplant surgery, including the latest technique of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

In turn, Professor Mitroshin would oversee the clinical trials in Russia for a pharmaceutical product known as Minoxidil 5% hair loss lotion. All medicinal products imported into Russia including generics have to undergo clinical trails prior to registration.

In addition, Professor Mitroshin is also interested in setting up a medical student exchange programme in collaboration with the University of Malta.

People

Ing. John Caruana, B.Eng. (Hons), M.Sc., C.Eng., MIEE, MIIE has been awarded the degree of Master of Science in Power Distribution Engineering with distinction from the University of Manchester.

This three-year taught M.Sc. degree course is built up from a number of taught modules that cover a variety of aspects of power distribution engineering, such as network design and automation, protection systems, cables, overhead lines, switch-gear, transformers, earthing systems, embedded generation and other fundamental modules.

After successfully passing all his examinations Ing. Caruana submitted a dissertation entitled "The Impact of Wind Power Generation on the Maltese Electrical Grid".

Ing. Caruana graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malta in 2001. He has been employed with Enemalta Corporation since 1984. He started his career with the corporation as an apprentice, thereafter holding posts as lineman, district technical officer, technical instructor and training centre administrator before being appointed engineer in the Development Section.

Ing. Caruana is the son of Nicholina and Felix Caruana of Mellieha. He is married to Gemma (née Micallef) and they have two children, Martina, eight, and Matthew, six.

Duncan Aaron Borg Ellul, 26, has been awarded a Master's degree in Security and Risk Management. He graduated from the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester, UK.

Postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in the Faculty of the Social Sciences were conferred recently at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester.

The subject of Mr Borg Ellul's dissertation was "Risk, Perception, awareness and preventive measures to reduce underage drinking and the illegal purchase of alcohol in Malta," which focused on the social context of underage drinking in terms of crime, mental disorder, and social disability.

Mr Borg Ellul is currently non-motor underwriter and claims executive with Montaldo Insurance Agency Ltd.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - August 22-28

Sunday
9.15 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass on the occasion of the feast of St Dominic, at the Annunciation parish church, Vittoriosa.
11.30 The President attends a reception hosted by the Ghaqda Socjali 8 ta' Settembru on the occasion of the feast of Marija Bambina at Pergola Club Hotel, Mellieha.

Marsascala Week

Social, cultural and sports activities are being organised on the occasion of Marsascala Week from Saturday to September 4.

A spectacular show of lights, sound and vision will be held in front of St Thomas Tower on Saturday at 8 p.m.

This activity will depict the history of the tower through mime, movement, ballet, various re-enactments and dance by the Mandy Dance Academy and Salty. The Cameo Dancers will perform classical dances while the Happy Days Dance School will present a modern dance show depicting the turbulent days of the islands.

The Malta Tourism Authority re-enactors will simulate the 1614 corsair attack on St Thomas Bay, a sale of slaves, and the arrival of Grand Master Wignacourt for the opening of the tower.

The Heritage Re-Enactors Group will present the uprising of the Maltese against the French in 1798 and the fall of the fort to the Maltese. A booklet in English will be distributed.

Gieh Marsascala will be celebrated on Sunday near the parish church at 8 p.m. with a programme of poetry reading, choir singing, dancing and instrument playing.

Poets residing at Marsascala will recite poems about the village. The Mega Four will provide music, while the Girls Choir will interpret songs for the evening. Dancers from Josray Dancing School will present a selection of ballroom and Latin dancing.

On Monday week, an exhibition of crafts and hobbies by the locals will be inaugurated at the church centre.

On September 3, a barbecue is being organised at the Etvan Hotel, while on September 4, Jum Marsascala will be celebrated with Mass at the parish church at 6 p.m., followed by a march past by the Cottonera Boys Scouts Bagpipes Group accompanied by the Marsascala Girls Guide.

The défilé will end on Mifsud Bonnici Square, where the Ulied Sant'Anna Choir will sing, followed by the flag-raising.

Galea - Vella

The Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina, was recently the wedding venue of Romualda Galea, daughter of Mr and Mrs Leo Galea of Birkirkara, and Jason Paul Vella, MBA (Maastricht), son of Mr and Mrs Charles Vella, of San Gwann.

Fr Alfred Agius and Fr Paul Camilleri officiated at the wedding. The Chorus Urbanus took part.

Dr Stephen Calleya, B.Ed. (Hons), MA, Ph.D (Warwick), and Edwin Calleja witnessed the ceremony. Daniel Sammut carried out the duties of best man.

The bride wore a medieval-style wedding gown with ecru embroidered lace, a veil of French embroidered lace and a bouquet of artificial flowers.

She was attended by Nadette Borg and Tamara Pace Ross. Raina Pace Ross and Kirsty Pace, the groom's cousins, were flower-girls, while Bjorn Pace, the groom's cousin, was pageboy.

A reception was later held at Castello Zammitello in Mgarr. The couple spent their honeymoon in Florida and the Caribbean.

Mifsud - Micallef

The Mother of Good Counsel church, Paceville, was recently the wedding venue of Joanne Mifsud, B.Ed., Dip.CS (Ed), daughter of Mr and Mrs Paul Mifsud of Safi, and Kevin Charles Micallef, son of Mr and Mrs Vincent Micallef of Valletta.

Fr Nicholas Pace officiated at the wedding. Violet Debattista, the bride's aunt, and Mary Rose Zammit, witnessed the ceremony. Christian Darren Micallef, BA, and Sandro Micallef, BA, carried out the duties of best man.

The bride, who wore an ivory Spanish dress with touches of claret, a veil with embroidered claret beads and a bouquet of red and white roses, was attended by her sister, Nadia Maria Mifsud, BA, LL.D.

A reception was later held at Olive Gardens, Mdina. The couple spent their honeymoon in Northern Italy.

Lions Club Mdina lottery winners

The Lions Club Mdina lottery winners are: J.R. Busuttil (first prize); Sylvia Muscat (second prize); Joseph Trichett (third prize); R. Azzopardi (fourth prize); and Cynthia Decelis (fifth prize).