Social and Personal

CIANTAR. On November 23, at St Luke's Hospital, RENO, aged 62, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Doris née Micallef, his son Dr Etienne Ciantar and daughter Jeanette and her boyfriend Mark Vella Muskat, his brothers, sisters and their families, in-laws and their families, aunts, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital today at 2 p.m. for the Immaculate Conception parish church, Ta' l-Ibrag, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at Zebbug cemetery. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors. Lord grant him eternal rest.

Appreciation - Antoine Camilleri

Joe P. Smith writes:

Driving home I heard the sad news on the radio. Antoine had gone to the supreme creator.

As one of his past students way back in the late 1960s, I cannot but feel the great loss of this artistic stalwart yet humble gentleman who played a major role in shaping the future of modern art in Malta. Together with the late Esprit Barthet, he was also the guiding light and inspiration in my artistic formative days at the Lyceum and the Government School of Art.

I practically used to visit Antoine at St Vincent De Paul twice a month on Saturdays and made it a point to see him on his past two birthdays. In spite of his situation, you could feel the artistic energy still burning inside the man. His wit and humour were as sharp as ever. Whenever we discussed art, his arguments were still fresh and inspiring. I couldn't help having this sad feeling that his artistic prowess was going to waste and I was really happy for him when the hairdresser's salon at St Vincent de Paul was made available as a makeshift studio. His children lost no time in bringing over the materials he needed to pursue the call of his innate artistic quest to create.

I consider myself privileged to have sat down with Antoine in this "studio" to have a chat and admire his latest creations. Earlier this year he also delightedly consented to have some pictures taken by myself, knowing my passion for this medium.

I guess, like myself, all his past students who made headway in their artistic pursuits, are grateful to this man who, apart from being the artist we all know, was also a supreme educator and communicator. He has left a legacy that will stay with us forever.

To all his family and dear ones, I offer my sincere condolences.

In Memoriam

ASCIAK. In ever loving memory of our dear MARY née Chircop, a most beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Her sisters and in-laws, today being the first anniversary of her death. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said today at 6 p.m. at Christ the King parish church, Paola. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Her husband William.

BELLIA - JOSEPH BELLIA, B.Pharm. Today the sixth anniversary of his demise. Always remembered with love, pride and gratitude by his wife Jeanette, his daughter Mary Jane and her husband Ray Mamo, his sister-in-law Agatha, his grandsons Konrad, Gabriel, Edward, Isaac and Raphael, in-laws, nephews and nieces in Malta and abroad. An anniversary Mass will be said on November 27 at 9.30 a.m. at Gzira parish church. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

DEPASQUALE - GRACE. Unfading memories of a beloved and devoted mother on the 16th anniversary of her death. Lovingly remembered by her children, in-laws and grandchildren. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

DEPASQUALE - GRACE. In fond remembrance of our dear sister on her anniversary.

ELLUL - ANTOINETTE née Calleja Gera. Treasured memories of a dearly beloved mother and grandmother on her second anniversary.
Deep in our hearts
You always stay
Lovingly remembered every day.
Forever united in spirit. Sister Albert, Frank and Bernadette.

ELLUL. In loving memory of ANTOINETTE née Calleja Gera on the second anniversary of her passing away.
Never more than a thought away,
Quietly remembered every day,
No need for words except to say
Still loved, still missed
In every way.
Her sisters Joyce and Rita, her brother John and wife Lina, her sister-in-law Lina, nephews and nieces.

GIALANZÈ. Treasured memories of my beloved husband TONY, especially today his anniversary. His wife Irene and children Michelle and Karl.

GIALANZÈ. In loving memory of our dear brother TONY, today the 29th anniversary of his death. His brothers and sisters.

GRECH MARGUERAT - Dr HUGO GRECH MARGUERAT, MD, B.Pharm., DMSA (Edin.). Treasured memories of a beloved husband, father and grandfather on the 11th anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his wife Mary, his son Fr Pierre Grech Marguerat, SJ, his daughters Maureen, Cecilia, Graziella and Sandra, their respective husbands, grandchildren, sisters, in-laws, relatives and friends. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

GRIMA. In loving memory of our dear CHARLES on the 10th anniversary since he went to meet the Risen Lord. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife Margaret and his loving children John and Joanna. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

MALLIA. In loving memory of CARMELA, today being the 11th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her sons Twanny, Carmelo, Dr Manwel Mallia, LL.D., Fr Joe Mallia, OFM Cap., her daughter Grace, in-laws and grandchildren.

PIROTTA. Treasured and unfading memories of our dear GRACE who passed away on November 25, 1977. Sadly missed and never forgotten by her sons, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren.

Sliema Bazaar

Bazaar at Stella Maris parish centre, Sliema, on December 2, 3, 4. Open all day from 9.30 a.m.

Concert For Little Sisters

The Friends of the Little Sisters of the Poor will hold their next fund-raiser, the annual concert called Prelude To Christmas, an evening of song and dance, at the sisters' home in Fra Diegu Square, Hamrun, on December 3 at 7.30 p.m.

The Sine Macula choir, the Las Gitanillas, the La Zambra Flamenca and the Tony Lawrence Dance School will take part.

Christine Debono, chairman of the Friends, said the concert is an opportunity to show the home to its friends and benefactors.

Tickets cost Lm5.

Bookings can be made by sending an e-mail to cmdebono@hotmail.com, on 7944 4135 or through Madeleine de Domenico in the afternoon only on 2133 5334 or 7926 0965.

Cheques are to be made payable to Friends of the Little Sisters of the Poor and sent to: Christine Debono, 50, Windsor Terrace, Sliema. Anyone who is unable to attend but wishes to send a donation can do so by sending the money to the same address.

Dress is strictly lounge.

Vocal Concert

The choral and orchestral society Maria Bambina will present a vocal concert of sacred music with the participation of soprano Rosabelle Bianchi and the Vocal Ensemble.

The concert, in collaboration with the Mellieha local council and the parish of Mellieha, will be held at the Mellieha parish church today at 7.30 p.m.

Ms Bianchi will be accompanied by organist Romina Morrow. The repertoire includes works by Bach, Vivaldi, Elgar, Ketelby, Lloyd Weber and Maltese composers.

A string ensemble will also take part. The evening also features Michael Bonanno, on the clarinet, as a special guest.

Entrance is free.

More information may be obtained from the website www.mellieha.info or by calling 2152 1970 or 7952 1970.

Thinking Hats

Two two-hour presentations about the Six Thinking Hats concept will be delivered by a certified De Bono Six Hats trainer to mark the concept's 20th anniversary.

The objective of the presentation is to highlight the concept of parallel thinking and present an overview of what the Six Thinking Hats are and how this concept can aid everyday thinking.

Two presentations will be held, the first at the Naxxar local council on December 3 at 9.30 a.m. and the second at the Kirkop local council on December 9 at 4 p.m.

The public is welcome.

Euro Seminars

The Malta Institute of Management will run two seminars on the adoption of the euro, saying many companies did not appear to be giving the issue its due importance.

The institute has engaged a number of speakers including Roberto Geraci from Milan and Edward Scicluna and Reuben Buttigieg from the Malta Institute of Management.

The seminars will be held at the Corinthia San Gorg on Tuesday and on December 1 from 5.30 p.m.

For more information contact Stephanie Scerri on tel: 2145 3097 or sscerri@mim-malta.org.

Charity Concert

The National Orchestra, conducted by Michael Laus, will give a concert at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on December 6 at 7.30 p.m. with all the proceeds going towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza of Siggiewi.

The concert will be the first in a series by the National Orchestra at the Manoel Theatre to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart.

The programme will feature Mozart's Piano Concerto In D Minor K 466, Schumann's Introduction And Allegro Appassionata Op 92 and Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 In D Major.

Reservations for the concert may be made from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office by calling 2124 6389 or by e-mail to bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt.

Cool Brand

Campari, marketed and distributed by Wands Limited, has been voted one of Britain's coolest brands for the second year in succession by the CoolBrands Council.

The CoolBrands awards are voted for by leading figures in the world of marketing, advertising and media, and the winning brands are selected from a shortlist of over 3,000.

The Campari Group is the sixth largest spirit company in the world and Campari is sold in over 190 countries including Malta. It was created in 1862 by Gaspare Campari in Milan from a secret recipe of 68 different fruits, herbs, spices, peels and bitters.

Bank Workshop

HSBC female employees attended the first part of a four-phase workshop on how to set goals, recognise their career potential and develop their attitude and willpower to enhance both their personal lives as well as their careers.

HSBC has been running this programme in other countries for the past 12 years.

The workshop is being delivered by UK-licensed Springboard Trainer and HSBC Management Skills Trainer Maria Psaila.

The programme comprises four one-day workshops spread over a three-month period.

Speakers' Conference

MP Carmelo Abela, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, will take part in the Fifth Conference of Speakers of Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments in Barcelona today and tomorrow.

The conference marks the 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention adopted within the Framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference held in November 1995.

Just Say Caritas

Victor Azzopardi Jewellers of St Anne Street, Floriana is offering special prices to "friends of Caritas".

The benefit will be given to clients who just mention Caritas when making any purchases, Caritas said.

Victor Azzopardi Jewellers support Caritas Malta annually by giving them a percentage of their sales.

What's On Today

Exhibitions
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Auberge D' Italie, Valletta, art exhibition by Alfred Chircop.

6.30 to 9 p.m. at Razzett Tal-Markiz Mallia Tabone, Mosta, exhibition of paintings by Peter Borg.

At the Banca Giuratale, Victoria, Ars Fingendi, a second personal art exhibition by Frank Cassar.

At the Inquisitor's Palace, Vittoriosa, The Art of Pain, Torture Instruments From The Middle Ages To The 19th Century.

At Heritage Malta at The Citadel, Gozo, Shedding New light On The Egyptian Statue Of Neferaabet'at.

At the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, The Coinage Of The Crusaders And The World Of Islam.

At the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Crusades: Myth And Realities.

At Heritage Malta, Valletta, Luigi Maria Ugolini: An Italian Archaeologist In Malta.

At the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, John Martin Borg: A Retrospective Exhibition 1988-2005.