Speak Maltese - the Alphabet

http://youtu.be/QGHiMGnJARY

TheHuSkY1984

Speak Maltese - Days

http://youtu.be/inndfInYFS0

TheHuSkY1984

German-Maltese Circle History

It was on the 18th October 1962 that a small number of persons eager to enhance the propagation of German culture on the Island, accepted the invitation of Chev. Elias Zammit, M.B.E., K.M., then Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Malta, to meet in his office, in what is today Republic Street in Valletta in order to form an Association with the aim of fostering better relations between the two nations. During this historic meeting, the members present, signed in the presence of the then German Ambassador for the United Kingdom, H.E. Dr. Hasso von Etsdorf, the Memorandum of Association, which gave formal and legal birth to the German-Maltese Circle. The members of this new Association, numbering then around 60 persons, started meeting regularly once a month in the office of the German Consulate in Valletta. Within a few months the first statute of the German-Maltese Circle was formulated and approved. Chev. Elias Zammit became the Circle's first President, a post he held until 1965. In 1964, the German-Maltese Circle organised its first public activities with the visit to Malta of the Bielefeld Youth Chamber Choir and with an active participation during the official visit in Malta of the German Navy Frigates, the "Graf Spee" and the "Hipper". Mr. John P. Pisani was the Circle's second President between 1965 and 1969. In November 1966, the German-Maltese Circle rented a small flat in Scots Street, in Valletta, where the members used to meet once weekly. During that same year, the Circle's Committee donated a collection of etchings on the Apocalypse by the famous German artist Albrecht Dürer to the Cathedral Museum in Mdina, where one can still admire it in what is commonly referred to as Dürer's Hall. The first German language courses organised by the German-Maltese Circle for adults were launched in April 1967. For want of proper space and facilities, these courses were then held in the premises of the Old University Buildings in St. Paul's Street, Valletta under the guidance of Rev. J. Milne, M.A., B.D. Following the course of some of the most hotly debated General Meetings in the history of the German-Maltese Circle, a new Statute was approved in December 1968. Through the assistance of the then German Ambassador to Malta, H.E. Dr. Karl Gustav Wollenweber, the German-Maltese Circle organised in November 1969 a grand concert with the participation of the famous German pianist Prof. Detlef Krauss. Dr Edwin L. Craig, M.D., was elected President of the German-Maltese Circle in 1969, to be followed in 1970 by Chev. Carmel Fenech. In November 1970, the German-Maltese Circle moved to a bigger flat situated in Gunlayer Street, Floriana. Amongst the activities which were organised to mark the official opening of this new premises, one can mention the Beethoven Exhibition, the concert by Prof. Ludwig Holscher and Prof. Karl Lautner and the planting of twenty-two trees in a part of Boschetto Gardens which part became henceforth known as the German Grove. In 1971, Professor Ralph Dahrendorf, then Under Secretary of State of the Federal Republic of Germany, paid an official visit to Malta. This visit turned out to be of utmost importance in establishing the German-Maltese Circle into the healthy Association we know today. On the initiative of the then German Ambassador, H.E. Baron York Alexander von Wendland, Professor Ralph Dahrendorf entered into discussions with the Circle's officials. He soon realised the potential and the important role which the German-Maltese Circle could play towards fostering a healthy atmosphere in the field of good relations between Germany and Malta. Through his direct intervention arrangements were made so that, the Circle receives financial assistance from the Government of the Federal Republic which funds go towards the promotion of the German language and culture. It is worthwhile recalling here that in the period between 1965 and 1975, the German-Maltese Circle made quite a name for itself in the field of social entertaining and sports activities. These very popular activities which were organised on a very regular basis were most important in promoting the Circle’s name and objectives, thus increasing its membership numbers. With membership always on the increase, with a bigger demand for the German language and with the Circle's Committee's wish to involve itself much more in the organisation of cultural activities, the need arose for the Circle to find a more central and spacious premises. It was therefore with great joy and with a deep sense of satisfaction to all that on the 23rd May 1975, the German Ambassador, H.E. Herr Hans-Joachim Steinbach together with the Hon. Dr. Anton Buttigieg, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, and in the presence of many distinguished guests, officially opened Messina Palace in St. Christopher Street, Valletta as the German-Maltese Circle's new premises. This majestic Palace, formerly known as Casa Rocca Grande, was built towards the end of the 16th Century by Fra Pietro La Rocca, Prior of Santo Stefano and later Admiral of the Fleet of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The number of cultural activities with the participation of Maltese and of German artists and personalities which were organised under the auspices of the German-Maltese Circle since then are too numerous and varied to be listed. Messina Palace has been the venue and has given a bigger and a more elegant dimension to the exhibitions, vocal and instrumental concerts, recitals, liederabends, lectures, forums, seminars and to all sorts of socio-cultural events organised or hosted there by the German-Maltese Circle. On the personal initiative of the German Ambassador H.E. Herr Kurt Schmidt, the German-Maltese Circle organised a Film Festival of German Opera in 1979. This proved to be one of the most successful landmarks in the Circle's list of cultural events, with literally thousands of people from all walks of life crowding the Republic Hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta and the Catholic Institute in Floriana to watch these masterpieces on film. Between 1980 and 1987 the German-Maltese Circle sponsored German-Maltese Vocal and Instrumental Concerts at the Cathedral Museum in Mdina under the direction of Mro Joseph Vella. The main feature of these concerts was the premiere performance of a musical score by a composer whose works lay in the archives of the Mdina Cathedral Museum.  These Concerts are considered as forming a vital part of Malta's musical history. The International Certificate Conference (ICC), a European Association whose aims are those of co-ordinating the work of Adult Education Centres in the field of tutor training and in the area of a uniform certificate system held one of its conferences in Messina Palace in November 1985. The German-Maltese Circle was at that time a member of the ICC. Through its collaboration with the Goethe Institute, the German-Maltese Circle can guarantee professional standards in its German language courses besides being the only examination centre in Malta which offers the well-known Goethe Institute Certificates. The Silver Jubilee Choral and Orchestral Concert with the participation of the Akkademja Chorus and Orchestra and of the Laudate Pueri Choir at the Cathedral Church in Mdina was the climax in a series of cultural events which were organised in 1987 under the Patronage of the then German Ambassador, H.E. Gottfried Pagenstert, a versatile personality who had great faith in the Association and who constantly worked towards enhancing the importance and popularity of the German-Maltese Circle not only locally but also in Germany. The German-Maltese Circle started organising in 1987 the German Pavilion at the International Trade Fair of Malta promoting Germany as Malta's largest trading partner - an event which has continued annually till 2002. An unprecedented decision by the Federal Government led to the German-Maltese Circle to acquire its own premises in 1989. The Federal Government in fact financed the purchase of Messina Palace which henceforth became the property of the Circle. Forty Years Federal Republic of Germany and twenty-five years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Malta in 1989 and in 1990 respectively, were two events commemorated by the Circle through the organisation of a varied programme of activities with the participation of Maltese and German personalities. 1990 also saw the visit to Messina Palace of the first President of a United Germany, H.E. Dr Richard von Weizsäcker. During that same year Deutsche Welle presented to the German-Maltese Circle a satellite TV reception system, while a group of a hundred youths from the former East Berlin were brought to Malta for a cultural visit with the assistance of the German-Maltese Circle. Another big success was registered with a German Music Week organised in 1998 under the patronage of H.E. Mr Gerhard Kunz who had replaced H.E. Dr Martin Florin as Ambassador of the Federal Republic in Malta. The highlight of this Week was a concert at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta by the Konstanzer Kammerchor which attracted an audience of over 700.The German-Maltese Circle celebrated the 250th Anniversary of Goethe’s birth with the theatrical production of “Faust” at the Malta Drydocks in 1999. The year 2000 saw the launching of the German-Maltese Circle on the Internet. During that same year the Circle celebrated its 38th Anniversary with the performance of Mendelsshon's Oratorio "Paulus" at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta wi In 2001, H.E. Mr Georg Merten became Germany's Ambassador to Malta while Mr Albert Friggieri was elected as the new President of the German-Maltese Circle.  That same year, the Circle together with other European Cultural Centres represented on the Island, organised ILSNA - a musico-literary evening dedicated to the European Year of Languages (EYL) at the Nicolo Isouard Hall of the Manoel Theatre.  The EYL was also the theme for a Poster and Essay Competition organised by the German-Maltese Circle.  Hundreds of schoolchildren from all over Malta and Gozo submitted colourful posters for this Competition.  The year 2001 also saw the introduction of German language courses for schoolchildren at Messina Palace. The fortieth Anniversary since the foundation of the German-Maltese Circle in 2002 was  characterised by the many cultural events organised throughout the year amongst which was the contemporary dance production "Into the Blue" by the Jan Pusch Dance Company which performance took place at the Manoel Theatre. In January 2005 the German-Maltese Circle became a "Kulturgesellschaft des Goethe Instituts" (a Cultural Association of the Goethe Institute).  Also that year, the Circle brought over the Compagnie Fredewess to give a public performance of yet another contemporary dance production called "Body Motion" at the Manoel Theatre.  2007 saw the beginning of the presidency of Mrs Ingrid Kidder who thus became the first German and the first female to lead our Association.  The German-Maltese Circle celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2007 which event culminated with the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler to Messina Palace where he met German Nationals living in Malta. The German-Maltese Circle in collaboration with the Goethe Institute organised the First Festival of German Films at St James Cavalier in Valletta in 2009, an event which continues annually with great success.  That same year, the German-Maltese Circle was licensed as a Prüfungszentrum des Goethe Instituts, with the consequence that all Goethe Institute examinations became available in Malta.  Our Association took a leading role in the organisation of the Education Fair "Welcome to German!" which was held at the Maria Assumpta Girls Secondary School in Hamrun in October 2010.  This event, held under the patronage of the then German Ambassador, H.E.Mr Bernd Braun was visited by over 1000 schoolchildren learning German in schools in Malta and Gozo. Back to Top

© 2000 - 2014 German-Maltese Circle. All rights reserved.

http://www.germanmaltesecircle.org/history.htm

Speak Maltese - The Clock

http://youtu.be/dB1yGrqbnIA

TheHuSkY1984

Treasured Tribute of Spira Abela - Ray Sciberras

http://youtu.be/_DA1V_Biy8U

http://gordonzweb.com/raysciberras2/03_cds.php?id=2

German-Maltese Circle

http://www.germanmaltesecircle.org/

 The German-Maltese Circle was founded on the 18th October 1962 with the aim of "promoting closer understanding between Germany and Malta in all appropriate fields of activity and relationship, excluding political activities". From a very modest beginning with a membership of about 60 persons and with no fixed premises of its own, the German-Maltese Circle grew through the years into a leading national adult education and cultural centre housed in a beautiful palace in the middle of Valletta.

The German-Maltese Circle is an independent, non-profit making organisation which is administered by dedicated persons who freely oblige themselves to promote the Circle's ideals. To this end, the German-Maltese Circle has regularly organised various activities such as exhibitions, film shows, cultural tours, forums, lectures, seminars, concerts, choral performances by visiting German choirs, liederabende, social and sports events - in fact, anything which helps to make especially the Maltese public more conscious of German culture and the German way of life. Between 1987 and 2002 the German-Maltese Circle has been responsible for the Pavilion of German products and services in the Malta International Trade Fair. 

A newsletter is regularly issued to help keep in touch with the Circle's members.

A very important activity of the German-Maltese Circle is the organisation of German language courses to adults and to schoolchildren. These courses which are very well attended are run under the auspices of the Goethe Institute which has granted to the Circle a Teaching Commission with Examination Licence. The Circle also offers specialised courses in German (say, for hotels or business) as well as conversation classes in German and a course for Germans to learn Maltese. Amongst the facilities offered, one finds a well-equipped book, audio, video and film library, research and reference facilities, computer-aided learning software and German TV reception via satellite. Since 1981, the German-Maltese Circle has made it possible for persons resident in Malta to sit for the examinations offered by the Goethe Institute. Full cooperation is maintained by the Circle with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Malta, the Goethe Institute, the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband and with many other German and local institutions.

It is impossible to mention the many personalities who have honoured by their presence the German-Maltese Circle, but perhaps one could mention Professor Ralph Dahrendorf, then Under-Secretary of State who having recognised the potential of our Association in the field of bi-lateral relations between the two countries, in 1971 approved the granting of regular financial assistance from the Government of the Federal Republic, Dr. Richard von Weizsacker who visited Messina Palace in 1990 as the first Federal President of a united Germany and President Prof.Dr. Horst Köhler in 2007.

Membership to the German-Maltese Circle is open to all persons over 18 years of age although persons between 14 and 18 years are accepted as Junior members.  The German-Maltese Circle also offers the possibility of Corporate bodies to become members.

Speak Maltese - Numbers

Maltese Numbers



http://youtu.be/d556rxtZy8o

Maltese in Argentina by Fr Lawrence E. Attard (The Great Exodus)

Maltese Argentina

Argentina presents a lonely exception to the review of Mediterranean and European lands which attracted Maltese emigrants. The Maltese never emigrated in significant numbers to Argentina, but Argentina and Brazil represent two pathetic efforts to establish a foothold in Latin America.

Mr. Henry Casolani, Malta's supreme spokes-man on emigration in the years 1919 - 1929, failed to realise the great potential of South America and his judgement on that continent has proved him historically wrong. Casolani's attitude to South America reflected the current prejudices of the time, when although the Maltese were urged to leave their island to save themselves and to spare their country, they were also advised to steer clear of South America.

Speak Maltese - Personal Pronouns and the Negative

http://youtu.be/nWCOMqgCB-U


TheHuSkY1984

Speak Maltese - Basic Expressions

Basic expressions in Maltese

http://youtu.be/c_4VjtCfUio

MALTA Parsih Churches

Malta Parish Churches

In the Rollo (inventory) of the benefices of the churches, or chapels, in Malta and Gozo, held by 

Bishop Senatore de Mello in 1436, ten distinct chapels are mentioned, which presumably must 

have been acting as parishes in the various villages, since earlier days. Besides the Cathedral at 

Mdina and the Church of San Lorenzo a Mare at Birgu, the following chapels are mentioned:

 Naxxar - the Nativity of the Virgin

 Birkirkara - Saint Helen

 Qormi - St George

 Bir Miftuh (now Gudja) - the Assumption of the Virgin

 Zebbug - Saint Philip of Aggira

 Siggiewi - Saint Nicholas of Bari

 Zejtun - Saint Catherine of Alexandria

 Zurrieq - Saint Catherine of Alexandria

 Hal-Tartani (now Dingli) - Santa Domenica

 Mellieha - the Nativity of the Virgin

It is important to note that Dingli, originally Hal-Tartani was parish before 1436. However it was 

suppressed in 1539 and re-instated by Bishop Baldassare Cagliares on 16th October 1615 to be 

again suppressed in 1668. Bishop Michele Molina re-instated Dingli as a parish on 31st December 

1678.

Mellieha was mentioned as a parish in the inventory by Bishop Senatore de Mello in 1436. 

Because of the lack of inhabitants, the Apostolic Delegate, Mgr Pietro Dusina, in 1575 

suppressed the parish and merged the administration to the parish of Naxxar. Hence a rector 

was appointed. 

Mellieha was re-instated as parish by Bishop Francesco Saverio Caruana on 1st February 1841. 

However this re-instatement was contested by the Naxxar Parish. Mellieha was confirmed parish on 24th May 1842. The official Decree was published on 15th June 1844. Rabat in Malta was styled as a parish from time immemorial. The de Mello Rollo quotes as parishes La Cappella di San Paolo de Fora (which is St Paul's Grotto which was the parish church of Rabat) and Mdina together. At Mdina there was the Cathedral for the whole of Malta while at Rabat there was the seat of the parish for both Rabat and Mdina together. So much so that till the separation of 1902 the archpriest took two pussessi in Mdina as canon archpriest of the Cathedral and in Rabat as parish priest of Rabat and Mdina together. On 18th March 1902 when the population had increased considerably, Mdina and Rabat for the first time became two distinct parishes and for practical reasons Bishop Pietro Pace declared Rabat as a new parish but that was contested in Rome and it was declarde that Rabat was paroecia pre-existens. 

I trust that you keep finding our website useful.

Fr VicGeorge Vassallo

Webmaster

To view the mother churches go to:

http://archives.maltadiocese.org/Portals/0/Issue%205%20-%20Jun%202014.pdf

From Microfilms to Digital Media

The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library began microfilming the archival collections of the Cathedral of Mdina, Malta, in 1973 under the direction of Mgr John Azzopardi. Filming concluded in 1989 after 8,229 books and manuscripts had been filmed. The microfilming project at the cathedral also included books, music manuscripts, and archival materials from other ecclesiastical institutions and private collections in Malta and Gozo. The contents of the materials filmed date from the eleventh to the twentieth century.

Among the various manuscripts microfilmed in Malta we find the Archives of the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana.

The Archives of the Archbishop of Malta contain the diocesan records from 1531 to 1898, along with some miscellaneous items dating from 1450 to 1928. 

The Archdiocese of Malta has transferred all its microfilms into digital media to make them available over the internet.  This will enable the Archives to be more accessible by researchers and the casual visitor alike. 

The Archives of the Archbishop of Malta hold more than is being published here.  Researchers and visitors are more than welcome to visit and do research at the Archives of the Archbishop at the Archbishop's Curia. 

This is an ongoing project and the Archdiocese of Malta is still digitising Manuscripts found especially in the Mater Dei and Sancte Laurenti Archives.

TO START /SEARCHING GO TO:

http://archives.maltadiocese.org

Charles Clews

Charles Clews

The sone of William George Clews and Maria Scerri, Charles was born in Senglea on the 27th Sep 1919.  He was educated at the Lyceum, Valletta and at the Dockyard Technical College as an Engine Fitter Apprentice.

During World War II Clews was a member of the Dockyard First Aid Squad and was presented with a Certificate (3-Chevrons) for his services.

In the midst of the Second World War, Charles and some friends formed a Concert Troupe, which performed comical shows to the workers at the Dockyard.  The Naval Authorities approved these shows as they heightened the morale of the workers during such a sifficult time.

These shows were becoming increasingly popular, and encouraged by many spectators, Clews together with Nestu Laiviera (later Speaker of the House of Representatives), Fred Underwood, Johnny Catania and Laurie Bellizzi formed Stage Commandos Variety Company and started giving shows in theaters all over Malta.

With "Radio Muskettiere", which he co-founded in 1945 with Catania and Armando Urso, Clews introduced a new kind of humorous hsow and a novel kind of comedy sit-com for Cable Radio, known in those days as Rediffusion and Radio, Series like Toto Tanti, Fredu Frendo Sghendo, Mabbli l-Fabbli l-Kuntistabbli, Ninu u Karmena Abdilla were very popular among the Maltese.

Clews had two very successful tours to Australia, in 1964 with Johnny Navarro and in 1984 with Johnny Catania, where they had shows at the Royal Opera House in Sydney.  He left the Dockyard as a Surveyor and in 1964 started his career as a journalist with the Union Press.  He has also been contributing a humorous column to It-Torca for several years.  He is the author of seven booklets of a humorous nature in Maltese and of a great number of scripts for radio, comedies and sketches, and songs for the stage.  His play Dar Fuq ir-Ramel has been translated into English, and included in Prof. A. J. Arberry's Maltese Anthology.

Clews was chairman, Board of Film and Stage Censors (1955-58) and member, Film and Stage Censors' Board (1971-87).  In 1996 he was awarded the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR).  The Broadcasting Authority presented him with a Trophy for long service on Stage and Radio in 1998. 

His favorite quote: 
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, So cherish today, That's why it's called The Present.

You Tube video -
Sparaw Ghall-Qamar (They shot at the Moon), a humoristic song of the 60's sung by Malta's late comedian, Charles Clews.

Music is copyrighted by its corresponding owners. No infringement of copyright is meant and if it does infringe, please message me and I'll remove it.

The Migration and Arrival of the Maltese into Canada

MIGRATION and ARRIVAL of the Maltese into Canada

From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Maltese/

Initially, migrants were directed to other British colonies in the Mediterranean and the West Indies, but the Maltese themselves preferred the coastal regions of nearby northern Africa, where an estimated 36,000 had settled by 1885. An influx of cheap labour from other parts of Africa eventually made that continent less attractive, so that by the last decades of the nineteenth century the Maltese had begun emigrating to Britain, Australia, and North America. Unemployment in 1907, resulting from the end of a major construction project at the harbour and dockyard in Malta, stimulated an emigration movement. A significant number of workers left for Australia, the United States, and Canada, assisted by a volunteer group, the Malta Emigration Committee. These three countries were the preferred destinations because the Maltese believed that their knowledge of English would be an asset. An interest in Canada may also have been stimulated by the appointment in 1911 of the Duke of Connaught as governor general, since he had lived in Malta as commander-in-chief of the British High Command in the Mediterranean. However, at this time Canadian immigration policy restricted the entry of the Maltese on the ground that they were not of northern European background, despite their status as British subjects. A small number were admitted, but the racial issue would continue to be an obstacle until the 1960s.

Parish Churches of Malta and Gozo

Parish churches in Malta and GozoHere is a list of all the parish churches in Malta, listed by village or city name,

It is the local parish church that organizes the religious events in the village as well as the famous and traditional festas.

Attard Parish Church (Attard)
Balluta Parish Church (St. Julian's)
Balzan Parish Church (Balzan)
Birkirkara Parish Church (Birkirkara)
Birzebbuga Parish Church (Birzebbuga)
Burmarrad Parish Church (Burmarrad)
Cospicua (Bormla) Parish Church (Cospicua)
Dingli Parish Church (Dingli)
Fgura Parish Church (Fgura)
Floriana Parish Church (Floriana)
Gharghur Parish Church (Gharghur)
Ghaxaq Parish Church (Ghaxaq)
Gudja Parish Church (Gudja)
Gwardamangia Parish Church (Gwardamangia)
Gzira Parish Church (Gzira)
Hamrun Parish Churches (Hamrun)
Iklin Parish Church (Iklin)
Kirkop Parish Church (Kirkop)
Lija Parish Church (Lija)
Kalkara Parish Church (Kalkara)
Luqa Parish Church (Luqa)
Manikata Parish Church (Manikata)
Marsa Parish Churches (Marsa)
Marsaxlokk Parish Church (Marsaxlokk)
Mdina (Mdina)
Mellieha Parish Church (Mellieha)
Mgarr Parish Church (Mgarr)
Mosta Parish Church (Mosta)
Mqabba Parish Church (Mqabba)
Msida Parish Church (Msida)
Imtarfa Parish Church (Imtarfa)
Naxxar Parish Church (Naxxar)
Paola Parish Church (Paola)
Pembroke Parish Church (Pembroke)
Qawra Parish Church (Qawra)
History of Qormi Parish Church (Qormi)
Qrendi Parish Church (Qrendi)
Rabat Parish Church (Rabat)
Safi Parish Church (Safi)
San Ġwann Parish Church (San gwann)
Santa Luċija Parish Church (Santa Lucija)
Santa Venera Parish Church (Santa Venera)
Senglea Parish Church (Senglea)
Siġġiewi Parish Church (Siggiewi)
Sliema Parish Churches (Sliema)
St. Julian’s Parish Church (St. Julian's)
St Paul’s Bay Parish Church (St. Paul's Bay)
Ta’ Xbiex Parish Church (Ta' Xbiex)
Tarxien Parish Church (Tarxien)
Valletta (Valletta)
Vittoriosa Parish Church (Birgu)
Żabbar Parish Church (Zabbar)
Żebbug Parish Church (Zebbug)
Zurrieq Parsh Church (Zurrieq)
Gozo - Fontana Parish Church (Fontana)
Gozo - Għajnsielem Parish Church (Ghajnsielem)
Gozo - Gharb Parish Church (Gharb)
Gozo - Ghasri Parish Church (Ghasri)
Gozo - Kercem Parish Church (Kercem)
Gozo - Munxar Parish Church (Munxar)
Gozo - Nadur Parish Church (Nadur)
Gozo - Nadur Parish Church (Nadur)
Gozo - Qala Parish Church (Qala)
Gozo - Rabat Parish Church Katidral (Rabat)
Gozo - Rabat Parish Church San Gorg (Rabat)
Gozo - San Lawrenz Parish Church (San Lawrenz)
Gozo - Sannat Parish Church (Sannat)
Gozo - Xaghra Parish Church (Xaghra)
Gozo - Xewkija Parish Church (Xewkija)
Gozo - Zebbug Parish Church (Zebbug-Gozo)

Maltese Nationality 'on sale' by Ann Fenech

Saturday, November 16, 2013, 00:01 by

Ann Fenech

Our nationality ‘on sale’

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

In a matter of a few short weeks, the Government presented and passed a Bill in Parliament enabling it to literally sell Maltese passports, not even to the highest bidder, but for a measly €650,000 and €25,000 for wives and children and so many other relations – the list is endless.
It is outrageous and because the Labour Party in Opposition knew that the majority of the population would find it outrageous it kept it under wraps throughout its electoral campaign.
Did we know that if Labour were elected they would start to sell the epitome of our statehood - our passports - like cheesecakes? No, of course, not!
So Labour in government sprung it upon its unsuspecting citizens half expecting us all to take it in our stride as though it is the most normal thing for a government to do.

We are selling our citizenship as though it were a sack of potatoes

No it is not. Not unless you live in a banana republic in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, that is. And the Maltese people 10 years ago decided that they did not wish to be compared to, live like or emulate the nationals of St Kitts and Nevis. They wanted instead to confirm their European roots and become full members of the European Union.

Qormi Bread and Wine Festival 2008

http://www.qormilocalcouncil.com/default.aspx?MDIS=49

http://youtu.be/dcvWAZZHMTA


The best time to visit Qormi is during one of its many cultural events such as the Malta Springfest, the Qormi Wine Festival and the Qormi Bread Festival. Qormi also organises many sports events including the Qormi Road Race, various Fun Runs and others. The residents have much pride in their locality, so much so that they even have their own official anthem since 2002.
Although a thriving city by now, village life can still be felt in Qormi. There are several sports clubs, music and band clubs, religious clubs and a variety of others ranging from fireworks and festa-related associations to politics clubs and social circles keeping the residents involved with the city's traditional activities. The older generation of “Qormizi” speak a thick Qormi dialect, although this is now in decline.
The rivalry between the village festas of Qormi's two patrons is rather interesting to witness! The first parish was that dedicated to St George.

Maltese Lace Making

Maltese Lace Making
http://youtu.be/3EMsn7rgcEo

 http://lace.lacefairy.com/Lace/ID/MalteseID.html

Ruzar Briffa - Poet

Rużar Briffa

 (1906 – 1963) was a Maltese poet and dermatologist, and a major figure in Maltese literature.
“I never thought of publishing these poems in a book. Some were written in hard times, others in moments of joy. And I wrote them for myself.” These were the poet’s words as they appeared in his first collection of poetry, Poeżiji, published in 1971 thanks to his second wife Louisette and his friend P. Valentin Barbara’s constant encouragement.

Life

He was known as the poet "of smallness and simplicity". Rużar Briffa studied at the Saint Elmo elementary state school and at the Valletta Lyceum. Having obtained his matriculation certificate, in 1923 he started teaching at elementary schools. In 1924, he began his studies in medicine at the University of Malta and completed them in London in venereology and dermatology. In 1932 he became a specialist in skin diseases. He was known for his humility and his greatheartedness in dealing with his patients, especially those suffering from leprosy.
According to his wife Louisette, he dreamed of beautifying disfigured and suffering patients through his medical work. This aesthetic concern emerges frequently in his literary work, so much so that he was known as the "Poet of Beauty" amongst his contemporaries.
In 1931, together with his friend Ġużè Bonnici, he founded the Għaqda tal-Malti Università, which is active to date, and started issuing the magazine Leħen il-Malti ("Voice of the Maltese").
Rużar Briffa died on 22 February 1963. His full biogra phy was released in 1984 by Professor Oliver Friggieri. The Maltese town of Mosta contains a road named in his honour, Triq Rużar Briffa.

Guze Chetcuti - Poet, Novelist, and Playwright

Novelist, poet and playwright Ġuże’ Chetcuti will be remembered for his significant contribution to the Maltese literature scene, as well as for the love for his country’s language and his involvement in the Akkademja tal-Malti (Maltese Language Academy).

Ġuże’ Chetcuti, was born into a generation of other deeply influential contributors to the Maltese literature scene such as Malta’s National Poet Fr. Karm Psaila, Rużar Briffa and Ġuże’ Aquilina.

Born on the 11th August 1914, Ġuże’ Chetcuti spent several years teaching the Maltese language in schools, while writing a number of novels, including “L-Isqaq”, which formed part of secondary school’s Maltese curriculum for a number of years. Ġuże’ Chetcuti also wrote a number of poems, along with plays for both the stage and television.

Guze Cassar Pullicino

Guze Cassar Pullicino

ĠUŻÈ CASSAR PULLICINO twieled Birkirkara fil-21 ta' Settembru 1921 u daħal fis-servizz ċivili fl-1940 u rtira bħala Direttur fil-Ministeru tal-Industrija fl-1979. Answer CASSAR PULLICINO born Birkirkara on 21 September 1921 entered into the civil service in 1940 and retired as Director in the Ministry of Industry in 1979. Għamel żmien bħala bibljotekarju fil-Fakultà tat-Teoloġija (Fondazzjoni tal-Istudji Teoloġiċi). On a Librarian at the Faculty of Theology (Foundation of Theological Studies). Kien ingħata scholarship mill-British Council għat-taħriġ bħala bibljotekarju f'Leeds u Londra (1950); inħatar Associate of the Library Association (1952); membru tal-Akkademja tal-Malti u membru tal-kumitat tagħha (1942-45) u tal-Għaqda tal-Malti (Università); Assistent Editur tal- Melita Historica (1952-61); u tal- Maltese Folklore Review (1962-73). Was awarded a scholarship from the British Council training as a librarian in Leeds and London (1950); appointed Associate of the-Library Association (1952), member of the Academy of Malta and a member of its committee (1942-45) and of the Association of Maltese (University), Assistant Editor Melita Historica (1952-61) and Maltese Folklore Review (1962-73).

Gabriel Caruana - Artist

Gabriel Caruana is a Maltese born ceramist and sculptor who has exhibited his work in various countries including Great Britain, USA, Germany, Holland and Italy. Gabriel Caruana studied in Malta, Italy and the USA, and also under the well known British artist Victor Pasmore. His works are represented in various collections and Museums both in Malta and in other countries. The Maltese Government honored him with the presentation of a Medal for Artistic Achievement in 1999.

The artist was born in Balzan, Malta in 1929, his career spans thirty years of intensive artistic activity and travels. Early in his artistic career he showed a marked preference for the international modern art movement and as a result the traditional element has never been part of his work. He works in a variety of media exploiting their possibilities to the fullest extent but he truly excels in the medium of ceramics. He was among the pioneers of modern art in Malta and his works have found recognition both in Malta and abroad. He has held solo exhibitions in Malta, England, Italy and Switzerland and has shown his work in group exhibitions in Osaka, Detroit, Munich, Tripoli, London, Israel, Melbourne, and several times in Malta. He has participated several times in the International Competition of Artistic Ceramics in Faenza, Italy and his works can be found at the International Museum of Ceramics of Faenza, at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, at City of Manchester Art Gallery, and, at the National Museum of Fine Arts Malta. He has a studio in Rome and another one in Malta http://focusonmalteseart.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

Charles Camilleri Concertino (2nd Mvt)

Michele Gingras (clarinet faculty Miami University Ohio) and Brenda Wristen (piano faculty at U. Nebraska-Lincoln) perform Charles Camilleri's Concertino (2nd mvt)


http://youtu.be/-qCfdYnwuu8
 

Malta Suite IV - Village Festa - The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Mro Charles Camilleri

http://youtu.be/z3jU0yUBBrE

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Mro Charles Camilleri plays Malta Suite IV - Village Festa.

Charles Camilleri

 

Malta can boast a few fine classical composers whose work is known abroad, including the classical-era Francesco Azopardi and Nicolò Isouard, and, in recent years, Ruben Zahra. However, Charles Camilleri, who has died aged 77, stands out in this company, because his music, comprising more than 300 compositions written over 65 years, is known around the world. In the UK, it has been played on Radio 3 and Classic FM, and a 1968 concert at the Royal Festival Hall, London, was devoted to his output. He should also be remembered for helping to revive traditional Maltese and Mediterranean folk styles.

A self-taught pianist and accordionist, Camilleri, who was born in Hamrun, came from a musically talented family. At 11, he composed his first work, a band march. By the age of 15, he had finished a series of compositions, including the much-loved Malta Suite, which were inspired by Maltese folk singing, known as ghana. He developed an interest in Stravinsky and Stockhausen (both of whom he later met), Bach, Chopin and north African music.

When he was 18, his family emigrated to Australia, but Camilleri did not take to it and left for London, where the impresario Harold Fielding snapped him up. Soon, he was touring with top names such as Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Sinatra, Tommy Steele and Frankie Laine. His abilities were also recognised by Malcolm Arnold, whom he helped with the score for the soundtrack of the 1957 film The Bridge On the River Kwai.

Camilleri left London for Canada, to study composition at the University of Toronto. He viewed the ensuing years as the most exciting of his life. "To be in New York in the 1960s was electrifying," he said. "In the United States and Canada I did everything. I conducted, I wrote film scores, I was published and then I was appointed conductor with CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Naturally I loved the money: however, around 1965, I decided to quit and dedicate the rest of my life to composition." He flew back to London and became a full-time composer.

Camilleri's fascination with Maltese and Mediterranean music can be felt in his Piano Concerto No 1, the Mediterranean, which he wrote aged 16 and revised in 1978. He also wrote the first-ever opera in Maltese, Il-Weghda (1984), and the language's first oratorio, Pawlu ta' Malta (1985), in honour of the island's patron saint. His second oratorio, Dun Gorg (2001), celebrated the life of a 20th-century Maltese saint. Jimmy Page approached him with the idea of commissioning a guitar concerto in 1981, but the project never came about.

From 1977 to 1983, Camilleri was professor of composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and from 1992 to 1996 professor of music at the University of Malta. He also co-wrote two books: Mediterranean Music (1988) and The Folk Music of Malta.

Between 2003 and 2006, Camilleri was a member of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. In 2003, his opera Maltese Cross was performed in Paris; his last work, the New Idea Symphony - commissioned by his compatriot, the author Edward de Bono - was premiered in Brussels on 13 January this year.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, a writer, and their daughter Anja and son Charles.
• Charles Camilleri, composer, born 7 September 1931; died 3 January 2009

Song of the Wooden Flute - Charles Camilleri

 Song of the Wooden Flute by Malta's famous composer, Mro Charles Camilleri.

We're showing video clips and photos taken around Malta and Gozo, all taken by my wife, Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech.

Mro Camilleri, who has made a name for himself and for Malta all over the world, embarked on his career in his teenage years composing a number of works based on Maltese folk tales and legends.

Later on in life he conducted, wrote film scores, operas, orchestral works, chamber ensembles, concertos, operas, a ballet, the oratorio Pawlu ta' Malta and the famous Malta Suite.

He has over 300 compositions, half of which are recorded on some 36 CDs, sold all over the world.

Antoine Camilleri - Artist

Antoine Camileri - Artist

(Excerpts from the book "The Maltese" by Tony S. Mangion)

Antoine Camilleri was born in Valletta on the 5th of February 1922.  He studied at St. Aloysius College and the Government School of Art.  He completed his studies at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris (1948-50).  In 1960 he was awarded a scholarship to the Bath Academy of Arts, UK and he won another scholarship in 1964 to the Accademia Pietro Vannucci in Perugia.  

Camilleri taught Art with the Education Department (1956-76) until he was appointed Education Officer for Arts and Crafts (1976-79).

He was one of the founder members of the Artists Group Atelier '56 and of the Artists' Guild.  He exhibited regularly in Malta and has presented his works in Paris, London, Edinburgh, New York, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Tripoli and the Biennale di Venezia in 1950.

Camilleri, who was engaged in a continuous process of introspection and experimentation, has won a number of prizes including the first prize for a self-portrait and two other first prizes awarded by the Malta Government Tourist Board for Poster designs.  He was also awarded second prize in the Homage in Dante competition (1966) and third prize in the Human Rights Art Exhibition held at the National Museum, Valletta (1968).

His first exhibition was held in 1947 at the British Council, Valletta while his latest entitled "Le Cri et Le Silence' was held  together with his family at the St. James Cavalier-Center for Creativity, Valletta in 2002.  He has participated in the Contemporary Maltese Art Exhibition (1980), the Maltese Landscapes Exhibition (1981), the Exhibition of Eleven Artists (1982) and the International Graphics II (1983).  All these exhibition were held at Gallerija Fenici.  In 1984 he also participated in Art '84 - Malta and Ghajta Siekta and at the Malta Arts Festival, New Gallery, Auberge de Provence in 1992.  The President of the Republic of Malta awarded Camilleri the Midalja Ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR) in 1996.  

Carmel Busuttil

Carmel Busuttil (born 29 February 1964 in Rabat, Malta) is one of Malta's most experienced football players. Now retired from playing, he is assistant coach of the Malta national football team.

Career[edit]

Busuttil started his career with Rabat Ajax and won 2 titles there. He then went on to have a short one year spell at Verbania Calcio in Italy, where he was capped 20 times and scored 8 goals. He then moved on to spend 6 years playing for Belgian Club FC KRC Genk (322), four of them as captain, and finishing as the club's top scorer for three seasons. In 1994 he returned to play for the Maltese club Sliema Wanderers, where he scored 78 goals, helping his team to win the Maltese Premier League and also the Maltese Cup. He was capped 113 times for the Malta national football team and was their top scorer with 23 goals, until recently Michael Mifsud broke Busuttil's record.

He is known as 'Il-Bużu', an abbreviation of his surname. After he retired, he was football coach at a couple of respected Maltese private schools, most notably St. Michael's Foundation for Education. He then formed his own youth training academy, The Buzu football school. In November 2003, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UEFA, he was selected as the Golden Player by the Malta Football Association as the most outstanding player of Malta in the last 50 years. Busuttil has also won wider acclaim. In 2000 he received the prestigious Order of Merit of the Republic from the then president of Malta, Professor Guido de Marco, for his contribution to Maltese sport.

As a coach, Busuttil had a stint with the Maltese Football League side Pietà Hotspurs, and assisted Horst Heese in the guidance of the Maltese national team between 2003 and 2005. He return to the position in 2009 as assistant to John Buttigieg. They are both on a 5-year contract. However, in 2011, they were both sacked and replaced by the Italian Pietro Ghedin.

Giovanni Bonello

Judge, Human Rights Expert, Author and Historian

(an excerpt from The Maltese by Tony S. Mangion)

Giovanni Bonello was born on 11th Jun 1936, in Floriana and educated at Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta from where he graduated LP (1954) and LL.D. (1958).

He is judge of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.  He has specialized in human rights and defended 170 cases before the Maltese Courts, the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights.  He has contributed extensively to the development of the law protecting human rights in the islands.

Bonello is also an authority on Maltese history and history of art in Malta.  His large number of articles on these themes, scattered in local newspapers and academic journals, are ample proof of his dedication to this boyhood love.  He is also a postal history expert and the owner of a huge collection of about 20,000 antique Maltese postcards.  He co-authored with Graham Smeed Maltese Picture Postcards, 1898-1906 (1985) and edited Girolamo Gianni in Mata (1994).

He recently published Art in Malta--Discoveries and Recoveries (1999);  Histories of Malta-Deceptions and Perceptions (2001) and Histories of Malta -- Versions and Diversion (2002) he also writes on the history of antiques.

Bonello is Cavaliere della Republica, an honor bestowed upon him by the Italian President, and Knight of Magisterial Grace of Sovereign Military Order of St. John.  Bonello is also a committee member of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti.

Karmen Azzopardi

Karmen Azzopardi is a leading actress in Malta. She trained for the stage at the Actor’s Studio in London and for broadcasting at the BBC. In a long career she played roles in both English and Maltese ranging from comedy to classical drama including the Greek Tragedies of Women of Trachis, Medea, Hecuba  and the Phoenician Women.

 

She is co-founder of Atturi Theatre Productions, the Company which introduced

 audiences in Malta to international playwrights such as Eduardo de Filippo,
Tennessee Williams and Luigi Pirandello. She led the Company to Moscow to
 perform two plays, one by Azbuzov and the other by Eduardo de Filippo, under
 the direction of Sergei Yashin and Anthony Bezzina at the Gogol Theatre. She
 was a member of the Malta International Arts Festival Committee and has
 adjudicated various drama festivals and scripts for the stage.She was awarded
the Manoel Theatre Award for the Best Actress, the Malta

Drama League Award and twice the Golden Star for Best Actress on Radio.
She has played numerous parts on radio and television and has appeared in
various teleserials with Lino Farrugia as director. On December 13, 2002 she
 was awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic by the then President of
the Republic, Professor Guido De Marco. She was awarded the Cultural
Awareness Award by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. In 2005
the Manoel Theatre presented her in a one-woman show entitled ‘An Evening
 with Karmen Azzopardi’ with Jon Rosser as director. She was married to the
late Chev. Paul Naudi, formerly Malta’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation.