Heard in the Hive

January ended with two special activities for the members of the Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society.

On the last Sunday of the month, the society's members were treated to their annual lunch. The splendid banquet hall of the Selmun Palace Hotel provided an excellent venue for this occasion which is a not-to-be-missed appointment for members. Over 100 members attended.  

A sumptuous menu was prepared by the hotel's catering department and complimentary tokens were offered, courtesy of the management.

Besides exchanging best wishes, members had the occasion to recall the special events held during the previous year to mark the society's 50th anniversary.

A week earlier, the society held its annual meeting at its offices on Vittoriosa Square. Canon Paul Raggio, president of the society, thanked members for their active co-operation.

He made particular mention of members who throughout the years wrote articles and published books about Vittoriosa's history and culture, among them Anthony Attard, Joseph Attard, George Cilia, Joseph Porsella Flores, Gregory Gauci, Lino Bugeja, and Lorenzo Zahra. 

He praised the society's efforts to promote awareness of the unique role of Vittoriosa in Maltese history and its emphasis on the presentation of historical buildings. It was indeed the first society born during the post-war reconstruction period with this object in mind.

The president also mentioned the special activities held to celebrate the society's 50th anniversary. These included an essay competition sponsored by Go Mobile, a new edition of a guidebook of Vittoriosa with the support of Bank of Valletta, an open day at its premises during the Historic Cities Festival and a thanksgiving Mass at St Lawrence church.

It is to the credit of the Society's Ladies Circle led by Rita Gatt that cultural tours started to be organised some years ago.

The society published a commemorative pamphlet for its 50th anniversary, a copy of which was distributed to all members as a memento.

Egyptian Links inaugurated at the Courtyard

Egyptian Ambassador Fatma Elzahraa Ibrahim Etman last Thursday week inaugurated Caroline S. Lawrence's latest solo art exhibition Links, which was acclaimed as a moment of Egyptian recollection. A number of distinguished guests were among those present.

The warm and imposing Courtyard of the Manoel Theatre presented a particular setting enhanced by the definite and soft sound of the harp played by Anne Marie Camilleri Podestà.

The 20-piece exhibition, which remained till last Wednesday, was staged to coincide with a recital at the Manoel Theatre by the renowned Egyptian piano virtuoso Ramzi Yassa (see page 22).

The artist, whose father is of Maltese origin, was born and raised in Cairo. She feels that "through Links I am in my own small way paying tribute to the long lasting connection between Malta and Egypt."

Links was promoted by Wilfred Sultana & Associates and sponsored by Camilleri Wines of Naxxar.

BoV renews its support to the Transplant Support Group

For the fifth consecutive year, Bank of Valletta is the main sponsor of the Transplant Support Group. Michael Galea, head of BoV's Public Relations presented the sponsorship to Alfred Debattista, president and founder of the Transplant Support Group.

Presenting the sponsorship Mr Galea said: "BOV supports the most worthy contribution towards society being made by the Transplant Support Group. The bank recognised the most important social role of this organisation when it was approached for support upon its inception five years ago.

"Our contribution towards the group and the valid work it is performing within the Maltese community continues to consolidate Bank of Valletta's commitment to play an active role within the society in which it operates.

"We are confident that BoV's financial support will continue to help the Transplant Support Group provide assistance to those who undergo organ transplant operations and to their families," said Mr Galea.

Thanking Bank of Valletta for its ongoing support, Mr Debattista said that the group seeks to bring together all transplantees and those awaiting a transplant. "The group seeks to offer support to those who are about to undergo a transplant and also tries to keep regular contact with the relatives of dead donors and ensure that their memories are honoured" he added.

"We also concentrate our efforts on outlining the concept of organ donation and the importance of having registered organ donors," Mr Debattista continued. "Various campaigns are held throughout the year to encourage individuals to fill in a registration form and we immediately supply them with a donor card. So far, there are about 50,000 registered donors."

Disney characters entertain children from Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija

During last December, the Kids Club within Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija were treated to a special evening thanks to Curtainraisers Productions and St James Cavalier. An extra show of Disney Tunes was held solely for these children.

Both the children and the parents enjoyed the show as they interacted and participated with some of the original characters of Disney who came straight from the US, such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Jafar, Mulan, Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, Cruella de Ville, Tarzan, Sebastian, the Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins. The professional production was full of surprises, song, dance and play together with a touch of Disney magic.

At the end of the show, the children had the chance to meet all the characters. It was a perfect atmosphere filled with giggles and surprised faces. Smiles were everywhere and these children will never forget this activity.

Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, on behalf of all the children who attended, would like to thank Patrick Vella and the whole production team of Curtainraisers, along with Chris Gatt, general manager of St James Cavalier, for this lovely experience.

Casanova hosts Masquerade Carnival Ball

Y's Friends and Lions Club La Vallette, in partnership with the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the Carnival Ball held yesterday week at the Chamber's Exchange Building in Valletta in aid of the YMCA homeless shelter, Dar Niki Cassar.

Patrons in extravagant period costumes were greeted with a welcome drink and canapés at the prestigious venue, elegantly decorated by Cynthia.

Diners proceeded to the banquet hall to the lively sound of drummers and trumpeters, kindly sponsored by Synergix.

The Crier announced their arrival to the host at the head table, Casanova, who in turn acknowledged their presence by gesturing them to their seats.

Guests were introduced by the fantasy names of the Merchant of Venice, Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere and the merry jesters, dukes, barons and counts of distant lands.

Patrons sat at tables bearing names of mistresses of Casanova like Donna Lucrezia and Hedwige.

The banqueting provided by Island Caterers Ltd was exquisite to both the eyes and the taste buds.

The menu heading read Courses of Passion and introduced the various plates as A Taste of Flirtation, Provocation of the Senses, Artistry of Seduction, Savouring Love's Delightful Pleasure followed by Dark Secrets of Desire (coffee and petit fours). Marsovin provided free-flowing wines to wash down the delicious fare.

It was certainly Casanova's night when he whisked away the beautiful girl over whom the swordsmen were clashing with their rapiers (Mithras Melita Fencing).

The mysterious Lady Judge and her entourage presented the Best Costume award to the Merchant of Venice couple, who will fly to London, courtesy of Bargain Holidays Ltd.

The organisers thank the other sponsors, too numerous to mention.

It was most encouraging to hear the patrons confirm their attendance to next year's Ballo - an elegant and extravagant experience not to be missed.

People

Artist Madeleine Gera was recently mentioned as one of the up and coming contemporary artists from the new EU countries in Beaux Arts magazine, a highly prestigious Francophone art publication covering art news, criticism and exhibition reviews on an international scale.

She was the artist from Malta listed along with other contemporary artists from the ten new European Union member states,who was singled out for her painting by Beaux Arts.

Dr Joseph Axiaq, BA, BA (Hons), PGCE, MA, of St Venera, was conferred with his Doctorate in Education from the University of Sheffield in the UK, on January 14.

His doctorate thesis, "Sixth Forms in Malta: A Critical Exploration of Students' Perceptions of the Learning System vis-à-vis Life-long Learning", evaluated the learning experience of sixth form students in Malta in relation to the policy agenda for lifelong learning, that is, whether the present learning system at sixth forms in Malta is equipping students to become lifelong learners.

Dr Axiaq, using a triangulation technique as a method of investigation, carried out the fieldwork with sixth formers in five different sixth forms.

Quantitative research, by means of a questionnaire, was a facilitator to the qualitative research, which was the main approach focusing on interviews.

While in the UK, Dr Axiaq also presented work on post-compulsory education and training in Malta.

Dr Axiaq currently teaches at De La Salle College Sixth Form and at the Department of Arts and Languages in Education within the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta.

Dr Axiaq is the son of Publius Axiaq and Carmela née Caruana.

Martin Seychell was recently awarded an M.Sc. in Marketing from the University of Glamorgan in Wales (UK).

The title chosen for his dissertation was "Attitudes and motivations of tourists visiting Malta".

Mr Seychell also possesses a Postgrad-uate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements February 14-20

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President is interviewed by Joe Micallef for In-Nazzjon at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President is presented with a copy of the publication entitled Welcome Malta to Europe by Tony and Eddie Aqiulina.

6 p.m. The President attends the opening of the new FOI premises in Floriana.

Wednesday
9.30 a.m. The President receives Alderman Michael Savory, Lord Mayor of London, at the Palace, Valletta.

10.15 The President receives a courtesy call by the Forum Unions Maltin.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami meet with foreign dignitaries in various functions.

(Details to be issued close to date.)

Fr Charles Caruana, SJ, Memorial Fund

A group of former pupils of Fr Charles Caruana, SJ, who died tragically on January 28 at the age of 66, met on February 1 to set up the Fr Charles Caruana, SJ, Memorial Fund, which will be run by a board of trustees and regulated by a statute.

The accounts will be audited and available to all contributors and former students of the college.

Many Old Aloysians will remember him as Prefect of Studies (1969-1972), rector (1972-1978), rector of the Gozo Seminary, Archbishop's delegate for church schools (1984), provincial (1990-1996) and rector again (1997-2003). He also taught English Literature at St Aloysius College for many years.

The proceeds will be used to help underprivileged students of St Aloysius College and to provide an annual prize to an outstanding student of English literature.

The purpose of the fund is to keep Fr Caruana's memory alive in appreciation of the very positive, unique and formative role that he played in our education.

The trustees are Gordon Caruana-Dingli, Nicky Bianchi, Pierre Travers Tauss, Eric Muscat and Stephen A. Petroni.

To make a donation send a cheque to The Fr Charles Caruana, SJ, Memorial Fund c/o KPMG Portico Buildings, Marina Street, Pietà MSD 08, or place a deposit in account number 40014050585 Gzira branch, Bank of Valletta.

For more information phone Lisa Ganado at KPMG tel: 2563-1013. Donors submitting their e-mail address will be kept informed on the progress of the fund.

HSBC employees set to make Malta greener

More than 3,000 holm oak tree acorns have been planted as part of an afforestation project set by four HSBC employees.

The acorns were collected in Wardija, where the remnants of Malta's 800-year-old natural oak woodland are found.

The acorns have been planted in some 2,200 pots by over 90 volunteers from HSBC, with help from Nature Trust during an activity which took place in Wied Ghollieqa.

The pots are now being cared for by HSBC staff at their homes, and at Nature Trust's micro-propagation centre. After approximately two years, once the acorns have sprouted and grown sufficiently, they will be planted out in the countryside.

HSBC employees Charmaine Casha, Joseph Debono, Simon Causon and Jesmond Tonna are the co-ordinators of this project.

"With the assistance of the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund, they launched this project last December following their participation in HSBC Group's 'Investing in Nature' programme. This US$50 million programme offers HSBC employees the opportunity to work on environmental research and protection projects around the world.

"Staff who are selected are then encouraged to set up projects in their own country, with additional funding from HSBC.

"For each one of us, the experience of working on an environmental project in some of the world's most beautiful locations has completely changed the way we approach environmental issues here in Malta. It has made us realise that we, as individuals, can make a real difference and with the support of the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund, we are determined to carry on working on this project which will once again see the holm oak tree flourish," said Ms Casha.

"Apart from planting the Holm oak acorns, those present, particularly the children, also enjoyed the guided tour, during which we learnt about the impressive variety of trees and plants found at Wied Ghollieqa.

"Apart from the holm oak, these include the Aleppo pine, carob, narrow-leaved ash, olive, bay laurel, sandarac, Italian cypress and Judas tree. HSBC has been actively involved in helping Nature Trust to develop Wied Ghollieqa since 2001, particularly in developing its education centre.

"As HSBC employees we are delighted to continue building on this co-operation," Mr Debono said.

For your diary

The Malta Floral Club is organising a card games party and lunch for members and friends at the Plaza Hotel, Sliema, on Tuesday at 10.30 a.m. For bookings phone Lily Manduca on 2135-4160 or Monica Chetcuti on 2148-8089.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning/tombola at Attard parish church on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. For tickets, at Lm1.50, phone the centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

The Grupp Arkeologiku Malti is organising a visit to Mtahleb on Sunday. Good shoes are recommended. The group will meet near the Roman Domus in Rabat at 9.40 a.m. For more information phone 7948-7544.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are organising a bazaar at the home for the elderly in Hamrun, on February 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1.30 to 6 p.m.

The Singles Social Circle is organising a wine and pizza dinner at La Riviera, Xemxija, on February 25 at 9 p.m. Bookings by February 25. For more information phone 2142-1337 or 9947-7181.