# 74 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9
THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE
S PECI A L E D ITI O N We explore what 2019 has in store for the iGaming industry.
COVER FEBRUARY ISSUE 74 A.indd 1
23/01/2019 14:10
COVER FEBRUARY ISSUE 74 A.indd 2
23/01/2019 14:10
MALTA’ S P RE M IE R GA MING D E ST INAT ION
F OR A RE AL VIP EX P E RIE NC E
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LIVE TRADITIONAL
14
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#74 F E B RUA R Y 2019
CONTENTS
20
10 . M A LTA & G O Z O I N N U M B E R S
Facts and figures about the Maltese Islands.
14 . R E V E A L I N G R A B AT
Mdina’s under-explored suburb is a highlight of
history and culture.
1 8 . C A R N I VA L T I M E
We look at the history of Malta’s carnival.
20 . P O R T R A I T O F A N A R T I S T
We catch up with Maltese designer, Saz Mifsud.
24 . B U S I N E S S O R P L E A S U R E
Whatever your reason for visiting the Maltese islands, we have you covered.
2 5 . O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K
We explore St. Julian’s where old meets new.
2 8 . A H I S T O R Y O F L OV E
We sit down with the curator of the historic Palazzo Falson.
3 0 . VA L E N T I N E ’ S I N M A LTA
Staff writer Alessia Caruana explores Valentine’s in Malta
from a personal perspective.
3 6 . W I N E S
How to recognise quality wines.
42 . N I C O DA R M A N I N
Maltese Tenor Nico Darmanin returns to Malta for a Valentine’s concert.
25
50
45 . A M T R AV E L F E AT U R E
We head to Frankfurt, one of Germany’s most
underrated cities.
5 0 . A N U N F I N I S H E D L U T E
An intimate look at a Maltese lute maker.
5 8 . A N E X PAT I N M A LTA
Interview with an expat living in Malta.
6 3 . TA L K O F T H E T O W N
Six sights to see in Rabat.
64. ISL AND HIGHLIGHT S
Here’s what not to miss while visiting the Maltese Islands.
6 6 . M A LTA E X PAT
We sit down with Maltese expat, Steve Hili.
70 . M A LTA E X P E R I E N C E
Intern Eefje Vermey discusses her time in Malta.
73. TECHNOLOGY
We delve into the Maltese Video Game industry.
9 1 . R E C I P E
Chef Joe Vella gives us his Mediterranean-inspired chicken schnitzel recipe.
93 . R E S TAU R A N T & B A R G U I D E
Hungry? Here are this month’s top restaurant and bar picks.
9 6 . A I R M A LTA N E W S
A round-up of this month’s news.
10 4 . F L I G H T A N D C O M PA N Y I N F O R M AT I O N
All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.
10 6 . D E S T I N AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N
Planning a trip? Take a look at all of Air Malta’s flight routes and code-sharing routes here.
10 8 . E L E C T R O N I C D E V I C E I N F O R M AT I O N
All the information you need with regards to phone, laptop and tablet usage onboard.
S PECI A L E D ITI O N We explore what 2019 has in store for the iGaming industry.
91
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6
ON THE COVER The winding narrow streets of Rabat are a wonder to behold. Become mesmerised in this labyrinthine old city and be transported to a Malta of old.
MEET THE TEAM EDITORIAL AND DESIGN TBWA\ANG EXECUTIVE EDITOR Matthew Bumford SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TBWA\ANG CONTRIBUTORS Air Malta Albert G. Storace Abhishek Chatterjee Alessia Caruana David Baker Dayna Clarke Eefje Vermey Gadgets Helen Raine
Jo Caruana Matthew Bumford Ministry for Gozo Sarah Chircop Wines of Distinction Visit Gozo PHOTOGRAPHERS Albert Camilleri Brian Grech Daniel Balzan David Cilia Jamie Iain Genovese Kurt Paris Lisa Attard Rene Rossignaud OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Justine Ellul
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON IL-BIZZILLA? For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with TBWA\ANG on sales@il-bizzilla.com or (+356) 2131 0608. For anything related to editorial or photography, contact Matthew on editor@il-bizzilla.com.
tbwa-ang.com
Finger on the Pulse Adweek’s 2018 Global Agency of the Year
The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied by any means without the written consent of the publisher. Editorial features and opinions expressed in il-Bizzilla do not necessarily reflect the views of Air Malta, the publisher, or the editorial team. Both Air Malta and the Publisher do not accept responsibility for commercial and advertising content. Although the authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was correct before going to print, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Special thanks to the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta, Shutterstock and ViewingMalta.com for the provision of photographic material. Printed in Malta by VelPrint Ltd. All magazine rights are reserved by Air Malta PLC.
+356 2131 0608 \ info@tbwa-ang.com
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8
FROM THE CEO...
FROM THE E D I TO R . . .
Merħba
We welcome in February with an exploration of love.
At Air Malta, our customers’ experience is of utmost importance. In this regard, over the coming weeks, we shall be
year on the 10th of February in both Rabat and Valletta and is the first parish feast of the year.
finalising a number of projects which we have been relentlessly working on for months. These projects will present an enhanced Air Malta product offering. Starting with our Business Class service, we will be presenting our customers with a new gourmet food menu. This menu will be available on board our flights very soon. This month we will also finalise our Summer schedule which will offer some new interesting destinations. To operate this schedule we will be welcoming two brand new Airbus A320neos which will offer added comfort and an enhanced experience to all our customers. All these initiatives and changes are in line with our present focus, that of customer centricity.
For more information about Air Malta and our flight schedules please visit www.airmalta.com and www.facebook. com/AirMalta and join our newsletter mailing list to receive great offers directly in your inbox. At Air Malta we are customer driven and are always keen to know what we could do better to improve your Air Malta flight experience. Visit www. airmalta.com/wearelistening to answer a few short questions about your flight with us and you can win one of 10 free return Air Malta flights we are offering every month. It really only takes 2 minutes! Thank you for choosing Air Malta. As our welcomed guest we hope to see you on-board another one of our flights soon.
Cultural festivities during the month of February offer travellers a unique experience which should not be missed. The feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck is one of the major public holidays and a religious feast in Malta. It is possibly one of the oldest traditional celebrations on the
Our main Malta destination this month is Rabat. This town, a suburb of Mdina, is often overlooked but has many hidden treasures of its own. Its winding alleyways and inviting features are a sight to behold and we hope you enjoy exploring it with us. It is truly amazing how much there is on offer in this relatively tiny space and while Valletta 2018 is now in the past, the artistic and cultural explosion in Malta shows no signs of abating. Other features of this issue include an interview with Maltese Tenor Nico Darmanin, an overview of iGaming in 2019 and a great Chicken Schnitzel recipe from chef Joe Vella.
Captain
islands after being shipwrecked on Malta in AD60. This event is celebrated every
Air Malta CEO
credited with bringing Christianity to the
We explore Valentine’s in Malta and go off the beaten track in St Julian's - home of the infamous ‘Love' monument. But love is more than statues and romantic gestures of course and there are plenty of places to show and share love in Malta, not just on this one day!
Have a great flight.
Clifford Chetcuti
Islands. St Paul is Malta's patron saint,
Because love is, indeed in the air, all around us and in this magazine (which is, technically also in the air!)
Happy Travels,
Matthew
THE PROPERTY SECTOR IS STRONGER 1 THAN EVER. 1
Independent survey conducted by Esprimi in June 2018.
“As a leading real estate company, we believe it is our duty to stay ahead of the trends and tendencies in the market, and to know the very latest information so that we can pass it onto our clients,” says RE/MAX Malta CEO Kevin Buttigieg.
59.8% BELIEVE THE MARKET IS STRONGER IN 2018 THAN IN 20171
“This latest survey highlights the fact that the real estate sector on the island is continuing to go from strength to strength, with belief in it remaining strong. Most Maltese are still looking to buy property, and many believe that now is the right time to do so.” For the full insights on the property sector go to blog.remax-malta.com/insights
Discover a wide range of properties on
remax-malta.com
Malta’s largest property database
PASSENGERS CARRIED ONBOARD AIR MALTA FLIGHTS:
SINCE 1ST APRIL 1974
ES
BU S TA R T A
SI
FL
EW
THE EQUI
VA
LE
AIR
320
MONUMENTS IN VALLET TA
885
6,000 TONNES OF POTATOES EXPORTED ANNUALLY
TIMES TO THE MOON AND BACK SINCE 1 ST APRIL 1974
349,386
THE MALTESE DRIVE ON THE LEFT
THE NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES IN MALTA
28km long/14.5km wide
N
OF
M
L
TA
T
A
K TO
N
1W
EE
DECL ARED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
S
3
50,754,711
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BLOCKCHAIN
MALTA’S TAX REGIME THE BIG NAMES IN CRYPTOCURRENCY ARE CALLING MALTA HOME. WITH ENTITIES LIKE BINANCE AND OKEX ENDORSING THE NATION, MALTA IS THE EMERGING HUB TO WATCH FOR DIGITAL ACTIVITY. For income tax purposes, returns derived from financial tokens - whether received in fiat or cryptocurrency - should be treated as income. In the case of transfer of tokens, tax treatment depends on whether the transfer is a trading transaction (taxable) or a transfer of a capital asset. Capital assets are only taxable in so far as the token meets the definition of ‘securities’ in the Income Tax Act. "Badges of trade" are widely accepted indicators to help determine the intention and nature of a transaction. No VAT implications arise in the hands of the issuer in such scenario. Financial tokens which do have the same characteristics as “marketable securities” as defined in the Act will be subject to Stamp Duty considerations. Utility tokens - Their value is restricted solely to the acquisition of goods and services within the DLT platform of the issuing Malta is the world’s first nation to establish a fully-fledged legal
company or within a limited network of DLT platforms.
and taxation framework to facilitate investments in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
For income tax purposes, payment received in exchange for utility tokens is treated as advance payments for goods or
Last November, the Malta Commissioner for Revenue issued
services and is taxable once goods or services are delivered.
three guidelines covering income tax, stamp duty, and VAT
For VAT purposes, such tokens are treated in the same manner
treatment of those transactions involving Distributed Ledger
as vouchers.
Technology (DLT) assets. A categorisation of DLT assets was made common to all three guidelines. This allows DLT assets
All tax guidelines clarify that the income tax, stamp duty and
to be categorised into coins and tokens, with the latter further
VAT treatment of any type of DLT asset will not necessarily be
sub-divided into financial tokens and utility tokens.
determined by its categorisation but will depend on the purpose for and context in which it is used.
Let’s dive deeper. Credence focuses on the execution, developing capacity as Coins - DLT assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others
an outsourced service for a select customer base. Our multi-
are designed to be used as a means of payment, exchange or to
disciplinary team can rapidly support the design of commercial
function as a store of value without the characteristics
and organisational strategy as well as offer corporate services,
of a security.
technology and financial support, project management, regulatory support and compliance for Digital Business
The tax guidelines consider the proceeds from an initial
specialised in Fintech.
offering not to be subject to Tax, VAT or Capital Gains. Profits derived from day trading or mining of cryptocurrencies represents income and is subject to taxation. Furthermore, coins are not subject to Capital Gains. Financial Tokens - DLT assets granting rights to dividends like
You may contact Credence by telephone on
equity shares, or interest payments like bonds, or payments
+356 2125 2893 or on digital@credence.com.mt
linked with the performance of a specific asset of a company
40, Villa Fairholme, Sir Augustus Bartolo Street,
similar to derivatives.
Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1095, Malta.
13
14
D E S T I N AT I O N
REVEALING RABAT WORDS HELEN RAINE
THE NAME ‘RABAT’ IS DERIVED FROM THE ARABIC WORD ‘SUBURB’ AND IS OFTEN MISJUDGED PREMATURELY AS A SUPPORT ACT FOR MDINA. THIS HISTORICAL TOWN IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT. A WANDER THROUGH THE NARROW STREETS WILL REVEAL A ROMAN VILLA, ICONIC HOUSES OF CHARACTER, DOZENS OF CHURCHES AND A BURGEONING FOOD AND DRINK SCENE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SECRETS TO EXPLORE BELOW GROUND TOO WITH THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HISTORY HIDDEN IN CATACOMBS UNDERGROUND. FOLLOW OUR GUIDE TO UNCOVER THE FUN QUIRKS OF THIS INLAND TOWN.
PL ACE OF DA R K NESS
ROM A N R EM A INS
The catacombs are perhaps the biggest draw here,
More evidence of Roman presence can be found at the
so it is best to visit early to avoid the crowds. As you
Domus Romana, or Roman Villa, built in the 1st century B.C.
descend into the dim tunnels, the rocks overhead
The villa’s mosaics rival those of Pompeii and Sicily. The
seem to carry the full weight of human history.
Domus Romana museum houses an interesting display of
Christians, Jews and Pagans were all buried here
fascinating minutia from Roman times, including hairpins,
during the Phoenician and Roman times. The area
perfume bottles and coins.
were these catacombs are located is locally known as Tad-Dlam which means a Place of Darkness.
L A Z Y LUNCH Cosmana Navarra restaurant is named after a 17th-century
There are two main catacomb sites dating around
Maltese female aristocrat who lived here and stumped up
4 B.C. to 8 A.D, St Paul’s and St Agatha’s which are
the funds for St Paul’s Church. Her death mask is currently
located about one hundred metres apart. The dead
on display in the Wignacourt Museum . This restaurant
were laid to rest here many times along with their
is the ideal place to try a fenkata (rabbit stew), which is
prized possessions. St Agatha’s has some incredible
a traditional Maltese dish. The original features of this
frescos from the 12th to 15th century; the Saint is said
townhouse offer a unique dining experience and make sure
to have sheltered here when she skipped out on Sicily
to look for the classic wooden balcony and the family coat of
to escape the attentions of the Sicilian Governor
arms when visiting.
(going back turned out to be a grave mistake; she was gruesomely tortured). However she is now
ST PAUL’S GROTTO
revered on both islands and she is even said to have
St Paul was famously shipwrecked on Malta and legend
prevented a Turkish invasion on Malta and quelled a
has it that he used this grotto as the headquarters for his
stirring Mt. Etna on Sicily.
fledgling church. St Paul’s Grotto is now considered a sacred place and is located beneath St Paul’s church. This
St Paul’s boasts large subterranean halls complete with
magnificent church houses a statue of St Paul, which was
intact circular tables (triclinia) and stone couches. Take
donated by Grandmaster Pinto in 1748. A silver galley that
a seat hewn from the rock and imagine what it would
commemorates the 1,900th anniversary of Paul’s shipwreck
have been like to eat a funeral meal here.
is also here.
16
D E S T I N AT I O N
MEMOR A BLE MUSEUM
KEEP THE PR IORY
The Wignacourt Museum has recently undergone an extensive
The Dominican Monastery has long been overlooked,
restoration programme and boasts a wonderfully old-school
although Game of Thrones has helped to put it back on
collection of exhibits that meander from the 4th century
the map. The building was cast as the Red Keep in a scene
onwards. The collection also includes King Henry VIII's Septem
where Cersei Lannister threatens Ned Stark. It’s 1km
Sacramants, which was written to counter Martin Luther’s
south of the main town and includes a chapel dedicated
arguments. There’s a small catacomb, a WWII air raid shelter with
to Our Lady of the Grotto, after a local saw a vision of the
50 rooms (an oven on the next floor provided 2000 loaves of bread a
Virgin Mary in the 1400s. If you can’t find a friendly friar
day during the war) and a baroque chapel to explore.
to open the chapel, the good thing is that it is possible to view it through a grille.
SNACK TIME You simply cannot visit Rabat (or indeed Malta) without
DR E A M DINNER
stopping at Crystal Palace to try the most popluar Maltese
Dinner at Palazzo Castelletti would round off the day nicely.
snack pastizzi. These flaky pastries, filled either with
This palace used to belong to the Knights of St John after they
ricotta or peas, are a prized national delicacy. This
were presented with the keys to the fortified medieval city of
pastizzeria bakes them day and night and is famous for
Mdina. The building alone makes Rabat worth a visit and it
being open almost round the clock, satisfying late night
is also perched on top of yet more Roman remains which are
clubbers and early risers alike.
open to the public.
Locations - Valletta � Floriana � Ħamrun
www.festivalsmalta.org
18
C U LT U R E
MALTA’S CARNIVAL IS UNIQUE WORDS ALBERT G. STORACE
THE MALTESE ISLANDS, NO LESS THAN OTHER COUNTRIES WITH A ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION, HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING CARNIVAL FOR MANY CENTURIES. The general impression is that Carnival was introduced to
Ash Wednesday comes immediately after Carnival Tuesday,
Malta by the Knights of St. John in 1535 during the brief reign
the festival’s last day. As Carnival is tied to Lent and Easter
of Grandmaster Pierino di Ponte. However that was only the
is fixed according to the lunar calendar, this year’s Carnival
first of a long list of annual Carnival celebrations in Malta
organised by Festivals Malta, will be celebrated from 1-5
which continues to grow every year. There are reports of Carnival having been sporadically celebrated in Malta even before the arrival of the Order in 1530. No matter what, where and how, this festival came to stay and is loved by the majority of Maltese and foreigners whether resident or visiting.
March. The earliest reports of Carnival in Birgu back in the 1530s mention the presence of a 'King Carnival' to whom all revellers owe homage. Malta has had a centuries-old tradition of this important figure lording it over everybody around from a float heads the défile which makes its way along the narrow streets of Valletta.
The original reason for Carnival is abeyant: for believers only,
Says Clint Axisa, President of the Għaqda Parteċipanti Karnival
meat is forbidden just on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
and the man responsible for the King Carnival float:
C U LT U R E
“Passion is at the root of it all. Passion, experience and
“Ideas, the colour and spectacle are amazing. I follow other
practically being born within Carnival is what does it
Carnivals which are famous in their own right", continues
for me. My later father Charles, was in my role from
Axisa, “however ours is really unique". He adds: "While
1996 until his death. I inherited his mantle so to speak
foreign Carnivals have parades along wide avenues and
and have been on the job since then. It requires full
esplanades, Malta’s winds its way along Valletta’s narrow streets.
commitment and as such, with my regular job and family
For the Maltese people, Carnival = Valletta. It is true that there
to deal with, it is utterly time-consuming. However, one
are increasing numbers of people who flock to Valletta especially
does it as it runs in my blood. I cannot help not going
on the Sunday. If Carnival leaves Valletta it risks fizzling out.”
to the warehouse in Marsa to see how things are going. Participants give their time out of love and passion for
Just as passionate about Carnival is Jason Busuttil, the
Carnival, hours and hours of it. How could I hold back?”
event’s Artistic Director for the past six years. He too comes from a family background deeply involved in
Axisa says that from year to year there is hardly any
Carnival activities. He oversees the planning and
breathing space at all. The moment floats are dismantled,
coordination of the various facets of Carnival, keeps in
there is just a day’s break and things are set in motion for
touch with participants and makes sure that certain
the following year’s Carnival. The first few months are slow
traditional activities like the Parata, dancing of il-Maltija
and of course the hot summer months register a downward
(the main traditional dance), and among others, the Qarċilla
curve in the preparations but these gather momentum
are maintained. A special event this year will be held on
from September. Ideas as to how and what shape the King
Saturday when all participants will assemble near the Tritons
Carnival float would take come spontaneously, on the spur
Fountain just outside Valletta for the biggest Carnival Ball ever.
of the moment. Inspiration could come from some foreign related event or situation. He finds the ideas of participants of
For more information about this year’s programme of events
very high standard.
please visit www.festivalsmalta.com/maltacarnival
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ART
EACH MONTH WE GET TO KNOW A CONTEMPORARY MALTESE ARTIST MORE INTIMATELY. THIS MONTH IS DESIGNER SAZ MIFSUD.
A PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST WHEN IL-BIZZILLA CAUGHT UP WITH MALTESE DESIGNER SAZ MIFSUD FOR THIS MONTH’S PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST WE GOT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HER STYLE, INSPIRATIONS AND PATH TO SUCCESS. WORDS DAYNA CLARKE
Saz Mifsud is one of Malta’s greatest names when it comes
they are easy to wear - you can throw on a simple dress or a
to innovative textile design. The fashion print brand has
pair of denim jeans and a brightly coloured silk scarf and you
amassed various accolades since inception and is showing no
look like your outfit has been planned and thought- out. I
signs of slowing down. We caught up with Saz to understand
also love working with accessories because they are such easy
her creative journey, and vision for 2019.
gifts to give. We put a lot of thought into the presentation of our products because we wanted to create a product that was
SA Z, C A N YOU TELL US HOW THE BR A ND STA RTED?
gift-ready! Each item comes with a detailed description of our
I launched the brand Saz Mifsud 5 years ago with a collection
process and is prettily packed in a printed gift box.
of digitally printed silk scarves. Today, we have grown into a women's accessory brand of not only scarves but also silk
W H AT DOES YOUR CR E ATI V E PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
headbands, clutch bags, purses and beautifully printed leather
I am inspired by different elements from nature. Last season
handbags. The idea behind the brand is simple - I wanted to
it was florals, this season it is birds. I produce each design by
transform my artwork into wearable items. I do this by using
compiling the nature photos I’ve taken with my own paintings
my paintings and photography to create digital illustrations
- I put this imagery on the computer where I create a digital
which are then printed onto silk or leather to create
design. This design is then sent to printers abroad where it
accessories that are truly unique.
is printed onto silk or leather, depending on the product it is being produced for. My leather bags, for example, are printed
YOU H AV E A NUMBER OF DIFFER EN T CR E ATI V E
in New York on very high-quality authentic leather. They are
IN TER ESTS FROM PA IN TING TO DIGITA L MEDI A,
then sent to the production company where they are stitched
A ND FA SHION DESIGN. HOW DID YOU FIGUR E OU T
to perfection. Each product has passed through several hands
W HICH PATH TO FOLLOW?
before it is perfected.
My main interest is creating a piece of art that is not only beautiful to look at but is also functional - making art part
What is important to us is that we know who is producing
of my client’s daily life. My focus is on accessories because
our products and that the workers we choose are happy
craftspeople. This is an important part of our process and we
together to celebrate 5 years in business. Their enthusiasm is
believe that because of it, the final result is simply gorgeous.
so inspiring!
W H AT KEEPS DR I V ING YOU FORWA R D IN YOUR
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION?
A RTISTIC JOUR NE Y?
Putting my idea of beauty and colour into the world and
It gives me so much joy to dress others and add a pop of
sharing it with people, who then share it with other people
colour to their lives. This, paired with the fact that I am so
when they wear the collection.
passionate about creating and developing my art to always be better, pushes me forward.
W H AT DOES 2019 H AV E IN STOR E FOR YOU A ND
DO YOU H AV E A FAVOUR ITE PIECE OR COLLECTION?
I would like to see the brand grow outside the Maltese shores.
Each collection grows with me. It reflects my moods,
This year we are focusing on finding the next place to take the
emotions and love for colour; so naturally, my favourite pieces
brand within Europe.
YOUR BR A ND?
would be from my most recent collection as they reflect my mindset of the current time. This season I am excited about
FINA LLY, W H AT IS YOUR FAVOUR ITE PL ACE TO
my new line of leather bags because they are just so different
V ISIT IN M A LTA?
from anything I have seen or done before. Reinventing my
Personally, my favourite place is Birgu. It is a must-see as it
brand in this way helps me grow with each new collection.
is one of Malta’s historic fortified cities. Being in Birgu is like being on a movie set with its out of the ordinary architecture,
W H AT H A S BEEN YOUR PROUDEST C A R EER
surrounded by sea. It is simply breathtaking.
HIGHLIGHT TO DATE? This year the brand turned 5 and we celebrated with a collection launch party. It was such an encouraging
To view the latest collections and for more information about
experience to see our clients, both old and new, all gathered
Saz Mifsud visit www.sazmifsud.com
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business or retirement, Casamont´s wide selection of premium properties and service is unrivalled. Are you thinking of selling? Listing your property with Casamont will not only give it international exposure but our experienced team will make sure that the property is visible to a wide and relevant audience. Casamont will work with you to determine your properties sale or rental price and market your property both locally and internationally giving you the best chance of a fast result. Please contact Casamont offices for a full introduction to some of our unique opportunities and more information on how your property can be listed with Casamont.
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24
BUSINESS
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? WHATEVER YOUR REASON IN VISITING THE MALTESE ISLANDS WE HAVE YOU COVERED.
HAMMETT'S MAĊINA RESTAURANT Unimaginable history seeps from the Maċina’s ancient walls. Built almost half a millennium ago by the Knights of Saint John, the Maċina has been a landmark for centuries, now hosting Hammett’s Maċina Restaurant. Drawing on this history, the gastronomical concept is a take on the islands’ succession of powers with a modern representation of traditional Mediterranean culinary influences that date back to the Phoenician times. Like the Maltese language itself, the menu is a taste of history derived from the island’s Mediterranean-semitic roots, with a contemporary twist, created using only the finest local, seasonal produce. The menu is constructed by talented Head Chef Francisco Carrasco Cortes with a Michelen star background and directed by 24-time award winning Chef and restauranteur Chris Hammett.
+356 2779 4171 www.hammettsmacina.com
SOUVENIRS THAT DON'T SUCK On a mission to make souvenirs great again; Souvenirs That Don't Suck is situated at the top of Manuel Dimech Street in Sliema. It is a haven of local creativity, weaving local charm and humour with fresh designs to create a selection of products that gives a new take on the concept of souvenirs. An array of fresh souvenirs, coupled with the store’s in-house art studio, Te fit-Tazza, will definitely result in an insightful visit to a side of Malta that is not commonly experienced. All of the products are designed in-house and produced within Malta and the EU to keep logistics short and quality high. www.souvenirsthatdontsuck.com hello@souvenirsthatdontsuck.com +356 7907 2313 souvenirsthatdontsuck
LOCAL
OFF THE BEATEAN TRACK
ST JULIAN’S: WHERE MODERN MALTESE LIFE MEETS OLD WORDS DAYNA CLARKE
This month we set foot in the seaside town of St Julian’s
the stunning sea panorama and long promenade, here you
to take you off the beaten track. The town is known as the
can visit the wonderfully kept Our Lady of Mount Carmel
nightlife metropolis of the Maltese islands, yet there’s much
church. It is not exactly in the main hub of St Julians but well
more to the quaint fishing town than nightclubs and bars. It
worth the stroll. The church is one of the finest examples of
might sound a little odd going ‘off the beaten track’ in such
Neo-Gothic architecture on the island and stands out as it
a popular area but there is so much to see beyond the main
enraptures passers-by and tourists with its impressive design.
spots that often go unexplored. St Julian’s offers a glimpse of the stark contrast where modern Maltese life meets old and is
Compared to most well-known attractions in Malta, the church
a hive of activity both day and night.
is relatively a modern construction. Originally the church, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel was built in the same
You’ll be literally spoilt when exploring this place here, from
location in 1859 by the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
beautiful architecture to ancient caves to upmarket bespoke
of Valletta. This is just the start of a succinct but fascinating
fashion houses. St Julian’s is truly a 24-hour feast for all the senses,
history. The church was rebuilt multiple times, first in 1877 and
here’s our top picks to while away a day in this pretty town.
again in 1900 by the Carmelite friars. It was then rebuilt again in 1958, where it acquired its present majestic appearance. A third
WA LK TO OUR L A DY OF MOUN T C A R MEL CHURCH
restoration was required following WWII after it was heavily
Why not kick-start your day with breakfast at one of the many
destroyed by intensive aerial bombardments. Our Lady of Mount
chic cafés in the Balluta Bay area of St Julian’s? Aside from
Carmel became the parish church of the locality in 1974.
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LOCAL
Nowadays, it is possible to observe traditional Maltese
R EL A X
wedding ceremonies celebrated in the church, directly from
St Julian’s also offers plenty of ways to unwind. If it is the
the beach or the surrounding promenade. Since this holy place
beach you are coveting why not pop down to the beaches of
is open for the public, it is also possible to pay a visit, admire
St George’s or St Julian’s Bay, the former covers a greater area
the beautiful interior and experience a Roman Catholic Mass.
with sand and plenty of sun beds. Though, if your kind of relaxation involves an indoor spa haven, look no further than
LOV E SIGN
Carisma spa at the Intercontinental hotel, the hammam is one
As you continue your walk along the seafront Spinola Bay
of the best on the island.
welcomes all visitors with a unique monument by Richard England - the stunning LOVE monument with the word LOVE
Alternatively, if catching the latest blockbuster is your ideal
sculpted from stone. This is definitely not ‘off the beaten’ track
way to relax then there’s the 13 screen Eden cinema complex
but you can’t really not include a piece on St Julian's without
situated in the centre of St Julian’s. The Eden complex also
referring to it. This prize-winning monument can at a first
offers the opportunity for you to hold a private screening party
glance be a little bit confusing as to why the word LOVE has
with all of your friends and family (it is never a bad idea to have
been spelt upside-down and back-to-front. The idea behind
somewhere to unwind after a ‘full-on’ day of work or play. Ed.).
this project is to read the sign from its own reflection in the crystal clear sea below, but it only works when the water
CELEBR ATE
is calm enough to create a mirror effect. The reasoning,
Annually, every town in Malta celebrates its week-long
according to England, is that to truly appreciate beauty and
village festa and St Julian’s is no exception, dedicated to the
love, one must stop and take a moment of calm in today’s
town’s patron saint, San Ġiljan. Don’t be scared if you hear
fast pace of life. Surrounding the statue, you can also join the
gunshots, St Julian is the patron saint of hunters, and once
stargazed lovers and “lock” in your love with a padlock to the
his statue is carried out of the church, local hunters gather
growing collection on the rails.
and fire a salute. The week long celebration in August is one of the largest festas in Malta. The roads are closed, the streets
SHOP
are colourfully decorated and the lamp posts are ornamented
In the heart of St Julian’s, you can find major international
with vibrant lights. On top of this, you can expect some
retailers, as well as independent stores. Keep a sharp eye
mouth watering local delicacies appearing on street stalls and
out for the elegant boutique of Pippa Toledo. The up
plenty of fireworks.
and coming designer has many facets, from interiors to fashion design. Recently, the entrepreneur has expanded
ĠOSTR A
into accessories, applying her creative mind to jewellery and
Undoubtedly one of Malta’s more unusual traditions is
handbag design. Toledo’s bold and colourful pieces make
the Ġostra. The event, which dates back to the 1800s, sees
powerful fashion statements for those who aren’t afraid of
local competitors run up a 65-foot long lard-covered pole
being the centre of attention.
set up over the sea. The participants then challenge one
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another to grab the coveted end flag on the pole, without falling off into the water. Whoever retrieves the flag is crowned hero of the day, though needless to say there are plenty of laughs along the way! You can catch this unforgettable spectacle during the week of the feast. EX PLOR E NAT UR E Ħarq il-Ħammiem Cave - Għar Ħarq il-Ħammiem is the only known fully submerged terrestrial cavern in the Maltese islands. The cave has two chambers on different levels, with an interconnecting narrow corridor leading from the upper chamber to a fully submerged lower chamber. Inhabited by the rare albino shrimp the cave is a divers paradise. Local legend also has it that a terrifying dragon once ruled here to warn off invaders, hence the name of the surrounding neighbourhood - Dragonara! C ATCH THE WATER POLO Did you know the town is home to one of Malta’s most celebrated sports? Water polo is widely supported across the island, but nowhere has quite the fierce competition St Julian’s provides. On the Balluta seafront, you will find the pitch of last year’s league winners Neptunes WPSC. The club started in 1929 when Alfred Gauci, formed a strong water polo team from the many youngsters who used to meet and swim regularly in the bay. A wooden hut was erected and this served as the clubhouse. On Gauci’s suggestion, the club was to be called Neptunes as Neptune (Neptunus) was the god of the Sea. Rather inconveniently the home of the rival - San Ġiljan A.S.C club, sits just 150 meters down the promenade. St Julian’s is a thriving and eclectic neighbourhood, with no shortage of history, cultural hotspots and festivities to devour. The question is which to find first.
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C U LT U R E
A HISTORY OF LOVE IL-BIZZILLA INTERVIEWS CAROLINE TONNA, CURATOR OF PALAZZO FALSON HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM, A FAVOURITE AMONG TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE, ABOUT HISTORY, LOVE AND HER FUTURE PLANS FOR THE MUSEUM. Palazzo Falson has become an unmissable attraction in Mdina. What makes it so special? Everything is special about Palazzo Falson! It embodies a unique experience connecting one of the oldest houses in Malta with a valuable fine and decorative art collection and the spirit of a passionate collector. The magnificent medieval architectural features of Palazzo Falson are what strike you at first glance. The façade has a distinguishable decorative double serrated string course, punctured with delicate mullioned windows and an attractive doorway with a hooded moulding that leads to a picturesque central courtyard. Visitors are pleasantly surprised to discover that this is a house museum that encourages them to roam around the multitude of rooms adorned with an eclectic collection of valuables and curiosities collected by Olof Gollcher, the last owner of the palazzo. The audio guide allows you to explore the house museum at leisure and as the stories unfold from room to room, you experience the living role of the different spaces that are decorated with fine furniture, carpets, silverware, paintings and objets d’art. The house journey takes you from the courtyard to the thick walls and arched rooms of the Armoury and the Refectory to the stately living quarters of the piano nobile. The sophistication of the house displays gives you a strong sense of the past good lifestyle of the Gollchers, a wealthy shipping family who lived in Malta. Olof Gollcher had a passion for art and art-collection that he amassed throughout his lifetime. The beauty of Palazzo Falson is that it offers the visitor an intimate encounter with art in all its forms that cut across different cultures over a long timeline.
C U LT U R E
The ambience was magical in the charming courtyard adorned with cascades of blossoming purple flowers sprouting from the wisteria trees serving as a quaint backdrop The collections at Palazzo Falson range from historic
Judging by your very active social media presence
to quirky. We’re in February and with Valentine’s day an
announcing events and showing pictures of what is going
important date in the diary, is there anything bearing a
on in the Museum, Palazzo Falson is a hive of activity.
romantic flavour in the collections?
Where are you planning to take the Museum and do you
We invite all visitors to fall in love with Palazzo Falson! On
have any special events lined up?
Valentine’s day we are celebrating love with a romantic tour
Every month, our volunteers and guest curators feature the
of the museum including a complimentary glass of prosecco!
‘Object of Curiosity’ in the Refectory and display the ‘Book of
Our museum hosts will share love secret stories and highlight
the Month’ in the Library. Throughout the year we organise a
love-related objects in the collection. Romance is in the air at
series of lectures and art exhibition tours for history and art
Palazzo Falson with love songs being played throughout the
history aficionados while during the balmy summer nights,
day while indulging in love themed treats at our Pop-up café
the courtyard is transformed into a lively hub for music and
on the roof terrace with incredible bird’s eye views of Malta.
poetry performances and film screening. We also cater for specific requests such as exclusive after-hours museum tours,
There have also been many occasions where Palazzo Falson
private events and parties, intimate dinner parties, small
has been the backdrop for a marriage proposal. On one
stand-up receptions and civil weddings.
particular occasion, we were requested to keep the museum open after hours to assist a young gentleman in his marriage
Since this year marks the 15th anniversary of the death
proposal to his girlfriend. The couple toured the museum
of Professor James Quentin Hughes, a British architect,
while museum hosts played the part of being ‘visitors’ until
historian, educator and author with strong connections with
they entered Olof Gollcher’s art studio where they had their
Malta, we are teaming up with the University of Malta to
portrait photograph placed on the easel. The young lady
organise a symposium in his honour. Hughes had started
was surprised and instantly her boyfriend knelt down and
a School of Architecture at the Royal University of Malta
asked for her hand in marriage. It was a special moment we
and became its first Professor of Architecture. Hughes’ past
celebrated together over some bubbly in the courtyard
students and scholars will reflect on his contribution to Maltese Baroque and Military architecture. By the end of the
Another special romantic occasion was the celebration of a
year we will feature our annual temporary exhibition for the
golden marriage anniversary where the couple renewed their
enjoyment of the public.
vows here and celebrated with a small group of family and friends. The ambience was magical in the charming courtyard
How can the public be updated on all these exciting events?
adorned with cascades of blossoming purple flowers sprouting
We keep our audience in tune of what’s on at Palazzo
from the wisteria trees serving as a quaint backdrop for a
Falson with announcements on our website, Facebook page
very special occasion. The soft notes of the guitarist playing
and Instagram. Many others follow us through the Malta
background music was accompanied by the relaxing sound of
Tourism Authority (MTA) website, Trip Advisor and
the fountain.
Lonely Planet.
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C U LT U R E
FEBRUARY IS THE THE OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL MONTH OF LOVE SO WHAT BETTER SUBJECT TO EXPLORE THAN LOVE ITSELF, SPECIFICALLY VALENTINE’S DAY AND HOW THIS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ROMANCE AND COMPANIONSHIP IS PERCEIVED AND CELEBRATED IN MALTA?
LOVE IN MALTA STAFF WRITER ALESSIA CARUANA PONDERS LOVE AND VALENTINE’S DAY FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE WITH A MESSAGE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY RESONATE WITH US ALL.
C U LT U R E
Valentines’s Day is perhaps the greatest hallmark holiday
By ‘ends meet’ of course I mean enough to buy a wrap
of them all. Recognised as a significant cultural, religious,
from the Turkish place down the road, a vodka Red Bull
and commercial celebration of romance and romantic
and a couple of cigarettes from the local shop in between
love in many regions all around the world, it should not
lectures. But fret not, because I'm sure he's stowed away
be forgotten that St Valentine was, in fact, an actual saint
something to at least pay for your bus ride home. Romeo,
and in Malta the feast day of St Valentine is celebrated in
you shouldn't have, no really, you shouldn't have. But alas,
Balzan, a town not far from Attard where relics of the saint
love is not what you always expect it to be.
are claimed to have been found. A few years and many assignments later I was a University Relics and saints aside, most Maltese are too busy waiting
student who had spent the majority of her Valentine's days
for their love letters to arrive by post (or WhatsApp) to
at some bar or another doing shots with her best girlfriends
be anywhere close to being bothered with any sort of
discussing which fool didn't take the hint, again (cue Sex
relic. On Valentine's day the priority for most is Cupid's
and the City theme music for dramatic effect). Of course,
bow and arrow and making sure someone (anyone really)
while at the bar you'd always find the odd left over male
hits the bullseye.
specimen lurking and waiting to swoop the Valentine-less damsel drenched in perfume off the bar stool and into his
Much like in any other country, the minds of the Maltese
car. Woah there. Slow down Zorro, you can drive yourself
are polluted with movie moments that set the bars of
home. I’ll take a cab.
romance excessively high for anyone. I mean just look at Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, or
And then finally, eventually when you do find someone,
Leonardo and Kate in Titanic. Where's our sinking ship?
like I did, you realise that Valentine's day really isn't as shiny
Where's our saviour? As a girl in Malta you go through a
as those red balloons hanging outside the flower shop. Most
variety of Valentine's phases.
Valentine's days have become little more than an Instagram posting contest of who took whom out to the better
As a child, I was busy dreaming of my prince and my
restaurant, or who flew whom where and who surprised
rose. By the age of eleven, reality started to settle in when
whom with what sort of bouquet in their car before work. It is
my classroom crush asked me to be his girlfriend on
a filter-fuelled competition of who, what, where and how.
Valentine’s day and gave me one of those special shiny stickers that you only give to special people. You may
You can’t tell me that I’m the only one left wondering how
know the ones that are 3D and probably cost his mother
he managed to break into their car to put flowers on the
a couple of extra cents at the stationary store. I was
driver’s seat in the first place? Yes? No? Never mind.
over the moon, there I was having my very own Disney moment, at the tender age of eleven! A few euphoric
One of the most romantic gestures ever received was
seconds later he broke it to me that I was girlfriend
witnessing my drunk boyfriend climb up to my second
number two for the day and that my best friend made it
floor balcony to apologise after we had a stupid argument.
to the top spot instead. But readers you needn't worry,
I wasn't taking his calls so he thought that climbing up to
he reassured me that there was also a third girlfriend in
my balcony would make things better. There were no
line for the top spot, so I wasn’t alone or last, just second.
vine-covered trellises to safeguard his arrival or dimly
Second. It then dawned on me that romance was dead
lit lamps in my window. This was a full-on parkour (sort
and that most boys will pull any sticker out of their
of) romantic gesture in pitch dark. It was the kind of
pocket to bag a girl, or in the case of he who shall not be
gesture that leaves you in a wheelchair, and much like our
named, three.
dear Romeo, dead before the end credits. That's when it hit me; love wasn't dead, it was just stupid. This wasn't the
So when boys and girls are busy juggling respective
Notebook or even American Pie it was reality, and in the
others where does that leave the romantics of the world?
real world, half the time, prince charming is drunk, foolish
Watching Love Actually on repeat that's where. Fast
and late for your 9pm dinner booking.
forward to my college days, and that once hopeful girl who dreamed of rose embellished letters arriving in the post
So here's to many more stupid Valentine's days because
box was now a cynic. I had become the veritable Scrooge of
in the end, if you look hard enough, there is a meaning in
Valentine's day. Boys were clueless and too busy trying to
them somewhere. So may your card choices be wise and
make ends meet with their stipend to be anywhere close to
your restaurant selections Trip Advisor worthy. Salut!
focusing on love.
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EVENTS
E V ENTS T H I S M O N T H
1st & 2nd - 8th to 10th February PATRICK MARBER’S - CLOSER M Space, Oscar Zammit Street, Msida
A must-see black comedy of sex, honesty and betrayal. Closer follows the story of Dan, Alice, Anna and Larry, to explore the modern concept of love and how they struggle to find intimacy but can’t seem to get closer. Performed in English. www.masquerademalta.com
8th February MOZART’S GREAT MASS Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, Mdina
The last musical setting of the mass was composed by Mozart and left unfished due to his untimely death. Peter Manning, who was the concertmaster of the London Opera for over 19 years will be conducting this musical performance. The event is free. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. www.maltaorchestra.com/events/mozarts-great-mass/
9th & 10th - 15th to 17th - 22nd to 24th February THE ACROBAT Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
Agnes Moon’s feel-good romantic comedy, "The Acrobat" (Blood Ties) is being staged for the first time in Malta, in English. This play follows the rags-to-riches story of a professional thief who finds himself trapped in the enormous abode of an incredibly rich and mysterious vampire, who is as seductive as he is lethal. www.kreattivita.org
EVENTS
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10th February MOVIMENTO Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
An event where you can be an active participant and learn about the art of designing dance while being encouraged to be a choreographer yourself! This is a project curated by ĹťfinMalta, the national dance company of Malta along with Esplora, Malta's interactive science centre. www.zfinmalta.org/education/movimento
14th to 16th February UNFORGETTABLE MFCC, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta Maltese tenor Nico Darmanin performs swing, jazz and big band classics in this historic location, with live music by the Big Band Brothers, under the musical direction of Daniel Cauchi, and featuring singer Jasmine Abela.
www.ticketline.com.mt/bookings/Shows. aspx?ProductionId=629
16th February KIDS DIG SCIENCE Studios A & B, Spazju Kreattiv,Valletta
Nurture the budding scientist in your child with the help of scientists from the Malta Chamber of Science who will help your child learn about matter-the building blocks of the universe and create interesting things with your little scientists. This event is for children above the age of 6. www.kreattivita.org/en/event/properties-of-materials- kids-dig-science-2018-19/
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EVENTS
16th February DISNEY IN CONCERT-BEAUTY & THE BEAST Malta Fairs & Convention Centre, Ta’ Qali
A wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy some quality time with your children as they enjoy the 2017 live-action film version of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast while being treated to a live performance by Malta Philharmonic Orchestra of the critically acclaimed music score of the film. www.maltaorchestra.com/events/disney-in-concert- beauty-and-the-beast/
24th February TAG ALONG SOUTH COAST TREK South Coast of Malta
Put on your hiking boots and explore the south coast of Malta while enjoying scenery from the different cliffs and bays along the south coast. The trek is being organised by Tag Along Travellers and pets are welcome! www.facebook.com/events/784040071940532/? active_tab=about
27th February FOLLY, FANTASY & FEELING – A LIGHT-HEARTED POETRY SOIRÉE Salesian Theatre, Sliema
Poetry as you have never heard it before! Nicholas de Piro, Alex Manché and other talented artists collaborate to produce an entertaining evening of poetry, music and dancing, while raising funds for the Save Valletta Skyline Appeal. This is also an opportunity to discover this wonderful venue in the heart of Sliema. https://booking.teatrumanoel.com.mt/Event/12384/
1st - 5th March CARNIVAL OF MALTA Valletta
A varied programme of events featuring a number of competitive dances, grotesque masks, artistic floats, parades, The Grand Ball and other traditional items such as il-Qarċilla. Events culminate on Tuesday evening in St Anne Street, Floriana for the Grand Defilé, which wraps up winter carnival celebrations with a bang. www.festivalsmalta.com/maltacarnival
I S L E S TA P L E S
MADE IN
IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TREAT YOURSELF TO A MALTESE EXPERIENCE, WE GOT YOUR COVERED!
CUGÓ GRAN MACINA GRAND HARBOUR A historical landmark in a UNESCO World heritage site presents the most unique luxury hotel experience on the island. The newly renovated 16th Century fortress, an elegant 5-star Design Hotel™ is located on the water’s edge of the enchanting Three Cities. This iconic building, constructed by the Order of Saint John in 1554, formed part of a bastion that protected Senglea from invaders over the centuries to come, giving Senglea the title of ‘Civitas Invicta’ or Unconquered City’. Experience history in luxury combined in one of 21 unique suites hosting views of The Grand Harbour and The Three Cities. Relax by the rooftop pool with panoramic views. Dine in its award-winning restaurant, nominated in the 2019 Luxury Restaurant Awards. A truly one of a kind experience, an unparalleled hotel located a short ferry ride away from the Capital City. If you are planning another trip to Malta, secure a great deal by booking a suite direct, or try the award-winning tasting menu at Hammett’s Macina Restaurant. Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour is also a magical venue for private events and weddings. Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour www.cugogranmalta.com Macina, Triq il-31 ta’Marzu, L-Isla 1040, Malta T +356 2711 2711 cugogranmalta@ibbhotels.com
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C U LT U R E
WHEN WE THINK OF THE EUROPEAN WINE INDUSTRY MOST OF US WILL IMMEDIATELY TURN OUR THOUGHTS TOWARDS FRANCE OR ITALY. HOWEVER, MALTESE WINE HAS BEEN GROWING IN BREADTH AND DISTINCTION FOR SOME TIME NOW. WE EXPLORE THE INDUSTRY IN MORE DETAIL AND LOOK AT HOW TO DISTINGUISH FINE WINES.
RECOGNISING QUALITY WINES
Anyone who is new to the world of
bottles. Different quality wines have
Very often wines are judged by
wines might be overwhelmed by
different banderoles depending on
consumers according to their
the huge variety of wines that is
the status of protection that they
drinkability. This factor - tasting
available nowadays. It is sometimes
qualify for – banderoles are pale
right – is very often based on the
difficult to know which wines are of
green in colour for IĠT wines and
elements of a harmonic texture,
the highest quality, which of those
yellow for DOK wines. In order to
subtleness, ripeness, some presence
wines really originate from their
avoid counterfeits for the assurance of
of tannins in red wines and a delicate
regions and which of those wines
customers, banderoles are made out
flavour. It is often these kinds of
will provide them with the best
of high-security paper and contain
wines that gain popularity with
tastes to suit their desires.
an individual number for traceability
regular drinkers who do not wish to
purposes. On the right side of the
get out of their ‘comfort zone’ to try
This is where the DOK, IĠT and
banderole, one can also observe a
more elaborate wines which might
other quality marks come in. DOK
holographic security strip which
present more difficult qualities to
and IĠT were created to regulate
replaces the excise stamp which can
judge and appreciate.
wines produced in the EU with
be found on each bottle of wine for
wines being able to qualify for
sale locally.
However, experimenting with quality wines provides a whole new
quality marks only if they conform to strict criteria including region of
Appreciating Wines at Home and
world where consumers have the
origin, the particular grapes used
when Dining Out
opportunity to try different tastes and
and the techniques used
Despite having introduced the quality
experience quality wines from around
for production.
wine regimes over ten years ago,
Europe. This immediately provides
the quality marks are not so well
an insight into how complex, diverse
In Malta, DOK and IĠT wines are
understood. Having said this, some
and wide-ranging the world of quality
mostly recognised through the
basic knowledge as to DOK and IĠT
wines is. It also provides a reflection
collar label, often referred to as a
has seeped through most of the
of the different regions, their climate,
banderole which is fixed on the wine
local population.
the geography, the culture and, most of
C U LT U R E
all, the passion that vintners put into
Quality wine marks do help
from vineyards around Malta and Gozo.
producing quality wines.
producers to get the best prices
People attending such events have the
for their wines. However, it is not
opportunity to taste and try a wide
The ability, the science and love of
necessarily true that the most
range of wines with different tastes and
appreciating quality wine diversity
expensive wine is the best wine.
palates which are intended to provide the
is therefore not only an experience
Age is most probably one of the
ultimate wine tasting experience both
within the wine sector but a true
most common factors which give
for the inexperienced wine drinker as
enrichment to one’s culture and
rise to wine prices. This also builds
well as the professional wine lover.
knowledge of the different territories of
upon the general presumption
Europe. It provides the way to expand
that the older the wine the more
Moreover, wine tasting events are
not only one’s taste buds but also the
expensive it is.
organised all throughout the year with wine and food pairing being a
knowledge as to different territories and cultures which pride themselves in
Take in a festival
very popular methodology. In this
producing their quality wines.
Wine festivals have become very
manner, quality wines are paired with
popular events in Malta. The fact that
exquisite food so that the tastes of both
The Pricing of Quality Wines
these festivals are normally held in
the food and the wines are enhanced.
Wine is one of the commodities in
wonderful settings, often forming part
Often such wine tasting events make
life and its pricing largely depends
of our cultural heritage, continues to
ample use of Mediterranean dishes to
on supply and demand. Indeed, wine
enhance the festival itself.
complement the quality wines which are being served on that particular
prices increase and decrease over time depending on yearly harvests
Wine festivals in Malta are very
occasion bringing forth the best of
and on the demand for a particular
often enriched through cultural and
food and wines.
wine. One of the most effective
entertainment aspects making use of
catalysts for wine pricing is actually
local talent. However, the main focus
The Maltese wine industry is growing
scarcity which puts up prices from
of such events still remains the DOK
and maturing and, like a fine wine,
year to year.
and IÄ T wines which are harvested
will only get better with age.
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DOK Malta DOK Gozo A success story
Wines of Distinction DOK Malta • DOK Gozo IGT Maltese Islands dokmaltadokgozo dokmaltadokgozo.gov.mt
Brought to you by
GOZO
GAULITANA
A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC WORDS VISITGOZO / MINISTRY FOR GOZO
“Gozo’s main classical music festival” returns between 8 March and 7 April 2019, promising great music under the direction of Colin Attard. Receiving critical acclaim from established international press, including Musical Opinion UK,
The festival concludes with the OPERA+ Weekend (5-7 April), three days of cultural bonanza highlighted by the production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. The opera returns to the Maltese stage after an absence of 20 years, starring Miriam Gauci –
this year’s edition promises to be an exciting programme of events focusing on the theme “Women in Society”. Gaulitana is renowned for having, in the past years, brought the arts, closer to the younger generation through its GAULearn project,
Gaulitana’s Honorary Patron - in the title role.
particularly through #opera4me - adapted opera performances
L-Akkademja ta’ l-Ilsien Malti. Concorso Jan Langosz, Festival
for the discovery of school children. Taking cue from Manon Lescaut (the festival’s staged
Belliniano & Associazione FEM are some of the foreign institutions working closely with Gaulitana. Alexander Frey returns as Artist-in-Residence, in a festival offering an
opera), the festival shall underline the importance of
unmissable feast of the arts, including its Espresso Series in
female engagement in the arts and the wider socio-political perspective, by presenting female composers’, artists’, and performers’ works to the public.
the historic Ċittadella, the TALK RE U series – ushering in key events in the upcoming week – and the MusicAlive series, aiming to present live music to a wider audience.
Gaulitana will include an eclectic mix of events with
Quoting Opera Click’s portal: “Gaulitana and the island of
multifarious styles – orchestral, chamber, recitals, vocal, featuring international and local artists and ensembles. Held in various locations around Gozo (with some events in Malta),
Gozo absolutely deserve a visit”.
Collaborating entities include the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Heritage Malta, University of Malta and
the festival incorporates multiple creative arts, from literature, to acting and live-painting, whilst presenting different genres (jazz, pop, musicals and folk music). It will also host an exhibition by 30 Chinese female artists and shall commemorate
Gaulitana is supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Programme
the bi-centenary since the birth of Clara Schumann.
www.gaulitanus.com
of Arts Council Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo.
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GOZO
GOZO:
YOUR ROMANTIC GETAWAY W O R K , L I V E , P L AY WORDS VISITGOZO / MINISTRY FOR GOZO
Rolling hills of deep green, a pristine coastline that extends to the Mediterranean blue and meandering streets in tranquil villages where life is still at it should be – blissfully simple. Welcome to Gozo, where the spirit is freed from the stresses of rushed schedules and where romance can find the ideal place to flourish! Whether you’re celebrating an important milestone in your journey as a couple or whether you’re trying to rekindle a relationship, Gozo is a great place to spend quality time, engaged in activities and interests that bring you together! Between the 1st and the 17th February, the Ministry for Gozo in collaboration with local communities, will be putting up a programme of events, guiding visitors on what to do and where to go, for Valentine celebrations. Check out the official tourism portal www.visitgozo.com for events and accommodation options and enjoy a romantic stay close to home.
ACCOMMODATION TO SUIT YOUR TA STE A ND BUDGET
various villages and hamlets of the island, is an experience you will treasure. It is also notable that the island’s
Gozo has great accommodation options that fit the many
calendar of yearly events includes not only typical summer
different requirements of travellers. Stay at a luxurious 5-star hotel, a stylish boutique hotel or opt for an intimate stay at a house of character or villa. Ask your service provider about
Mediterranean feasts but also a veritable musical programme including three international music festivals, Gaulitana, the Victoria Arts Festival and Mediterranea and world-acclaimed
seasonal offers and choose whether to stay in Victoria or a nearby village. Accommodation is well spread across Gozo and some
opera, presentations in the two Gozo theatres. The Give Me Gozo calendar of events can be viewed here:
villages have restaurants and bars that enliven the quaint squares, and where you can enjoy great food and wine and mingle with the locals for a more authentic feel of the island. Check the great
www.visitgozo.com/what-to-do-in-gozo/enjoy/annual-events/ top-10-festivals-gozo/
selection of guesthouses, self-catering apartments and B&Bs and
SEEK OU T THE SUNSETS
leave for a great stay in beautiful Gozo. CULT UR E, HISTORY, NAT UR E A ND THE SE A
Sunset watching is pretty easy in Gozo. Experience beautiful sunsets from different vantage points, foremost among which Dwejra. Let nature inspire your soul.
Despite its size, Gozo amazes for its cultural and historical offer. Exploring the town of Victoria, the Citadel and the
www.visitgozo.com/blog/best-places-to-watch-a-sunsetin-gozo/
GOZO
DINING OU T Book a romantic dinner at a local restaurant and choose to
hot summer months. Boat trips depart from Mġarr Harbour, Xlendi, Marsalforn and Dwejra. Enjoy a day out at sea, explore
savour the traditional Gozitan cuisine. While Gozitan cuisine
the many secret coves and savour these moments with your
is influenced by local, seasonal produce, it is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cooking. Ask for the torta tar-ross u l-qargħa (rice and pumkin pie) or the minestra bil-qastan (vegetable
loved one. www.visitgozo.com/what-to-do-in-gozo/escape/boat-trips/
soup with chestnuts) and other seasonal dishes that will warm your heart. Not all restaurant serve typical local food but if you
ACTIV E HOLIDAYS FOR T WO Indulge in outdoor fun activities with your significant other.
want specifically local food, there are restaurants with typical, local recipes on their menus that you can look up. www.visitgozo.com/what-to-do-in-gozo/enjoy/food-and-drink/
Gozo provides the opportunity to try hiking, biking, abseiling, and kayaking. Contact a Gozo operator in adventure travel.
restaurants/
There are professional people who can guide you through
TA KE A BOAT R IDE You cannot visit Gozo without enjoying a boat trip around
incredibly beautiful itineraries and off the beaten track. So, with Valentine’s round the corner and with so much to do on an island that mesmerises with its beauty and authenticity,
the coast, weather permitting. The coastline enjoyed from the sea in winter is magical,and contrasts with its arid look in the
go for a relaxing Gozo stay and plan what to do and where to stay by checking the many options on www.visitgozo.com
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MUSIC
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM EAGER TO DISCOVER A MIX OF CULTURE, HISTORY AND UNABASHED MUSICAL TALENT WHILE IN MALTA? THIS MONTH, TENOR NICO DARMANIN RETURNS TO THE ISLAND TO GIVE A BIG-BAND SWING CONCERT IN ONE OF THE ISLAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SETTINGS – THE ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM’S GRAN SALON. JO CARUANA FINDS OUT MORE. The Archaeology Museum – located on Valletta’s busy
concert venue before, and that its acoustics work brilliantly
Republic Street – has to be one of my favourite historical
for this purpose. “So, when we were approached by Toni
venues. Built in 1571, it was originally home to the Order
Attard at Culture Venture, who is producing Nico’s concert,
of St John’s Knights from Provence in France and, today, it
we thought it would be a great fit. The programme itself will
houses gems like the ‘Sleeping Lady’ (from the Ħal Saflieni
include a mix of classical songs immortalised by artists from
Hypogeum), the ‘Venus of Malta’ (from Ħaġar Qim), and
the golden age of music, and where better to hold such an
striking bronze daggers (recovered from the Bronze Age layers
event than the Auberge de Provence – a building dating to the
at Tarxien Temples).
Knights’ period and which immortalises various aspects of our cultural heritage through its archaeological collections?”
However, few aspects here beat the incredible Gran Salon, with its richly-painted walls and wooden beam ceiling; it’s
Visitors to the concert will doubtlessly notice that the hall
an awe-inspiring space that never ceases to amaze. And,
is actually undergoing restoration works at the moment, as
this month, it is set to take on a new and exciting role as the
Sharon explains. “Our conservators have been working
venue for tenor Nico Darmanin’s upcoming ‘big band’ concert
on this hall for the past two years now, documenting and
Unforgettable on 14, 15 and 16 February.
ultimately conserving the wall fabric and paintings, as part of a project sponsored by Bank of Valletta. During
“We’re going to be spending a few nights at the museum –
the process a number of painted dates have surfaced, the
literally,” smiles Nico, who is one of the island’s best-known
earliest being from 1875, which is of course very exciting.
international tenors, and who recently completed his debut
Scientific analyses are also being carried out in order
at the world-famous Glyndebourne Opera House in the UK,
to identify and help us date the pigments. Guests to the
which has also hosted legendary opera stars such as Luciano
concert will be able to spot this on-going work, as well as
Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballé. “The Gran Salon is such
see some other treasures from within the museum as they
a cool venue and I am thrilled to be presenting this concert
walk through, so this is an excellent way to combine some
there. I have actually had the pleasure of giving two recitals in
wonderful local culture with the chance to see one of our
this gorgeous hall already and the vibe is always stellar.”
beautiful museums in a different light.”
Among his many reasons for loving the venue, Nico cites its
On the night, Nico will be taking to the stage alongside well-
‘perfect’ location in the heart of Valletta, and its ideal size. “As
known singer Jasmine Abela and the Big Band Brothers – an
the concert coincides with Valentine’s Day, the mood will be
energetic ensemble known for their incredible musical talents.
intimate and romantic,” the tenor continues. “And the Gran
The programme, meanwhile, will present classics from the
Salon suits that to a tee as it isn’t too big but is still so glorious
likes of Mario Lanza, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Nico
impressive. It also complements the programme perfectly and
adds. “I have no doubt that Unforgettable will be a wonderful
sets the scene for something wonderful to happen. I love the
evening of music and swing for us to enjoy together.”
feeling of grandeur, the colours and the details in the design. I can’t think of anywhere that would suit this event better.” Unforgettable – A Concert by Nico Darmanin will take place on Agreeing, the Museum’s senior curator Sharon Sultana
14, 15 and 16 February at the National Museum of Archaeology,
explains that the Gran Salon has actually proved itself as a
Valletta. Tickets are available from www.ticketline.com.mt
MUSIC
The Gran Salon sets the scene for something wonderful to happen Nico Darmanin
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T R AV E L
GERM AN Y ’ S MOS T UNDERR ATED CIT Y IS THE PL ACE TO GO THIS Y E AR WORDS DAVID BAKER / AIR MALTA
The spotlight could be shining even more brightly on
Spread along both banks of the Main River (hence its formal
Frankfurt in the coming months depending on the outcome
name, Frankfurt am Main), the city has always held a special
of Brexit negotiations. Its status may well be elevated to the
place in German history. It gave the country its most famous
leading financial centre of Europe if, as anticipated, many
writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who is as important
large financial institutions and companies leave London in the
to Frankfurt as William Shakespeare’s home is to Stratford,
aftermath of whatever outcome the politicians decide.
England. His house is tucked away on a small downtown street, which was also the site of important elections and the
But, (as I am sure you will be pleased to hear) this is not
coronations of kings and emperors of the Roman Empire.
an article on Brexit, politics, finances or anything else that surrounds the furor around the UK’s departure from the
Like so much else, the original Goethe House was destroyed
European Union.
in World War II. Still, the 1950s reconstruction provides an evocative feel for the early life of Goethe, who was born into
There is another reason the spotlight should be shining on
a wealthy Frankfurt family and later forsook his hometown.
Frankfurt and that is from a traveller’s perspective.
Many rooms are furnished with late baroque pieces and art,
Its reputation as a major financial centre means that Frankfurt
which makes it feel as if the Faust author just stepped out.
is often dismissed as a ‘dull business city’ and is almost completely overlooked by ‘citybreakers’.
History is still a major tourism draw for the city, even though many sites had to be rebuilt after World War II. But exploring
But you may be surprised to learn that it makes a perfect
Frankfurt through a historical lens only paints one part
short visit destination. Despite its relatively small resident
of the picture. To get a full view of what Frankfurt is now
population (700,000 compared to London's 8.6 million), it has
— and will become in the next few years — you need only
established itself as an international city in its own right.
look toward its skyline. Locals liken it to Manhattan and more
Already, more than half of its inhabitants have non-
affectionately ‘Mainhattan’.
German backgrounds and more than 100 different languages are spoken there daily. Moreover, its growth as
There's a fascinating mix of architecture, with modern glass
a financial hub has also contributed to the development
high-rises looming over traditional red-brick churches. You’ll
of a diverse art, music and food scene, that’s only getting
also notice an abundance of tower cranes stretching their necks
more alluring for travellers.
ever higher, signifying the city’s continued metamorphosis.
Plus, the swanky hotels are a bargain at weekends when the
At the base of the tall, glass structures, the modern
businessmen have left!
thoroughfares and complexes such as the MyZeil shopping
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T R AV E L
centre, are lined with boutiques and popular stores and
wallow in the past, Frankfurt’s city planners elected to look
throughout the city, cafes, bars and clubs provide ample
to the future, clearing large areas of the city and investing in
entertainment value.
modern transport networks and business. This is not to say there is nothing of the past to see today.
The glass roof of Zeil has a ‘tunnel’ section stretching down from the top of the building, making a stunning piece of artwork
You can get in the old-world mood with a stroll through
to reach the floor. The shopping centre is also home to the largest
Römerberg, the heart of what used to be the largest medieval
bouldering centre in Europe, ideal for anyone who likes climbing,
quarter in Germany. The half-timbered houses are ‘picture-
as well as Germany’s largest escalator, measuring a staggering 46
perfect’ and well they might be, since fifteen historic houses
metres. Just don’t look down as it’s seriously steep!
were meticulously rebuilt and 20 new ones were added in the traditional style after being flattened in World War II.
Few European cities are as defined by their skylines as Frankfurt. And a great way of taking in the topography is by
Visitors can now enjoy the timber-framed buildings, as well as
cruising down the Main.
the lively square in the heart of Römerberg. Some of the most notable buildings there are the Old St Nicholas Church and
Flowing 527km between Mainz and Bamberg and passing
the Haus Römer, which together with the Goldener Schwan
through 3 German states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and
(Golden Swan) building belonged to the Römer merchant
Hesse), the Main River is one of the main tributaries of the
family in the 15th century.
mighty Rhine River. Attractions like Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), Frankfurt Cathedral, Frankfurt’s famed financial
The city planners also turned their thoughts to the arts
district, and Europaturm, the city’s tallest building, are all visible
and tourism, creating a vast array of museums and galleries,
along the waterfront. Boats also sail past the Grossmarkthalle,
including the celebrated ‘modern art museum’ and the
the abandoned wholesale market that will soon be part of the
collection of museums along the south bank of the River Main
new headquarters of the European Central Bank.
affectionately known as Museumsufer or Museum Embankment.
Frankfurt suffered in World War II, as did many German
The Staedel Museum is a 200-year-old institution and houses
cities. Unfortunately, this reduced one of Europe’s largest
one of the world’s most impressive and important collections,
medieval cities to a pile of rubble. Only the city’s first
documenting 700 years of art history, alongside visiting
skyscraper, the ‘Dom Cathedral’ and a scattering of other
exhibitions. Visitors may recognise popular works of art such
elderly buildings, survived the attacks. Choosing not to
as Edgar Degas’ ‘Orchestra Musicians,’ Claude Monet’s ‘The
T R AV E L
Luncheon,’ and Rembrandt’s ‘The Blinding of Samson.’ Other
Few other cities in Germany would want to claim this tangy
artists you’ll find in the museum’s permanent collection
brew, which is made with fermented apple juice and served
include Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch’ and Picasso. The
in glazed jugs known as Bembel. One of the most fun ways to
Dialogue Museum on the other hand redefines the common
try it is to jump on board the ‘Ebbelwei Express’ – a multi-
perception of a museum which, by definition, is a place where
coloured tram that takes you on a one hour tour of the city,
you go to see artifacts: see being the key word. The concept
accompanied by traditional music, pretzels and a glass or ‘two’
behind Dialogue Museum, is unusual but impactful.
of the unique beverage!
Guests join a one-hour guided tour that moves through four
Alternatively, in the northeast corner of the city, the one-
rooms where, in absolute darkness, you will get to experience
time village of Bornheim retains its laid-back atmosphere
daily life without any visual components, the way blind or
and cafe culture despite being fully incorporated into the
visually impaired people do. (All guides, as a matter of fact,
big city.
will be visually impaired.) You will be surprised at the range of emotions you can feel in just 60 minutes — utter hopelessness
The Kleinmarkthallem the centrally located little brother
being a major one — but it’s an incredible experience.
of the wholesale market, teems with life on Saturdays. Locals converge on this two-story covered market for fresh
The changes in Frankfurt are also very apparent in the
fish, cheese, bread, olive oil and, yes, an artery-clogging
Bahnhofsviertel, the district around the main station, which
assortment of sausages. From there, it's a short hop to the
was known for its high level of drug trade and prostitution.
retail district, which features a full complement of designer
This image is changing as artists move in and lots of
boutiques on Goethestrasse.
bars, cafés and shops open. This just proves that with its neighborhoods, banking district, art centres and apple wine
If the shopping makes you peckish, head for the neighbouring
taverns - Frankfurt has many faces.
Fressgasse (literally, feeding street). Frankfurt may be synonymous with link sausage, but when Frankfurters go out,
One of those faces is obviously the steel and concrete. In
they crave anything but German food.
contrast, Frankfurt also has a sublime botanical garden. The Palmengarten, which can be discovered in the middle
Trattorias, tandoori places and Thai cuisine are all well
of the fashionable Westend, has 50 acres of tropical trees,
represented. Most restaurants, even small ones, have at least a
orchids and ferns. Many are tended in greenhouses, like the
few menus in English. But if they don’t, the friendly staff will
Tropicarium, which has a mini-rainforest. A children's train
surely translate for you.
winds its way past the park's lake and gardens and the garden is often host to dozens of concerts in the summer, as well as
The beautiful city of Frankfurt is often referred to as the
being a scenic wedding destination. It’s also the perfect place
gateway of Europe, with an abundance of cultural diversity,
to enjoy a picnic and wile the day away in the sun.
historic buildings, modern architecture, great shopping avenues and the friendliness of the local people.
On the south bank of the river lies a quieter part of the city. The area of Sachsenhausen – the city’s most beguiling quarter
Frankfurt remains aloof from other popular destinations
- hugs narrow alleys and old buildings and is renowned for its
of Germany by offering unhindered and non-congested
nightlife and local drink ‘Apfelwein’ or Apple Wine. To say it is
sightseeing opportunities as well as being a unique and
an acquired taste doesn't quite do it justice.
colourful place to visit.
Air Malta flies five times a week to Frankfurt with fares starting from as low as €39 per way including taxes and charges on the Go Light product. Visit www.airmalta.com for more info.
47
MAKING LUXURY AFFORDABLE
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RELAX&UNWIND
SEAFRONT TOWER Boasting a seafront location and a seasonal outdoor pool, The Seafront Tower is located in one of best spots in Sliema close to shopping malls and restaurants. You can find Fort Tigné and the ferry to Valletta a few steps away. You can choose either to stay in a sharing dormitory or a suite. All rooms feature a balcony, and some overlook the sea. Tigné Seafront, Sliema, Malta
•
T: 2134 3185
INĦAWI BOUTIQUE HOSTEL Inħawi Hostel is located in St Julian’s. It offers the charm of a boutique hostel which features an outdoor pool with panoramic views of Balluta Bay and the Mediterranean Sea. The hostel is located in a restored 19th century building with a modern décor. The rooms are spacious and comfortable each featuring free air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with one or two showers, a toilet and a sink – a luxury for most hostels. All rooms feature either sea view, garden / valley view or pool view. Triq Telgħet, St Julian’s, Malta
•
T: 2138 2554
PAPARAZZI 29 CLUBHOUSE Set on the beautiful location of Manoel Island - Paparazzi 29 Clubhouse is a family run restaurant offering a large and mouthwatering range of delicious meals. From homemade pizzas and pastas to juicy steaks, ribs and fresh fish. Manoel Island Bridge, Triq il-Forti, Manoel Island, Malta
FISH RESTAURANT Food is served in the welcoming and stylish interior whereby the panoramic wall to wall glass panes create the feeling of dining literally ’on the water’s edge’, just a few inches away from the calm Pieta sea and in the spacious outside terrace, both bestowing a Mediterranean ‘al fresco’ feel. Tigné Point, Sliema, Malta
50
INSIGHT
AN UNFINISHED LUTE THE MALTESE ISLANDS ARE AS MODERN AND VIBRANT AS ANY EUROPEAN COUNTRY AND YET, THEY ARE ALSO STEEPED IN HISTORY AND TRADITION. WE EXPLORE THIS TRADITION THROUGH MEETING MALTESE PEOPLE AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND STORIES. WORDS SARAH CHIRCOP
INSIGHT
His father quickly caught on to their new venture and started enriching what was initially a hobby with research and knowledge and a library of books
Films and fairy tales often show us
with him,” he adds. Whether they were
over seven years, their organisation
that endings usually have some sort of
repairing a boat, fixing up the kitchen
‘Band Aid Music’ was formed in 1999.
purposeful resolution. For as much as
at home or building a compressor to
Starting out as a guitar workshop
we have the need for stories and to tell
spray Charles’ first car (a 1968 Fiat 850
and lutherie, today it has become a
them, we also need endings that follow
bought by his father), the pair were
place that assists musicians, whether
some logical conclusion that provide us
inseparable. When eighteen-year-
to repair, restore and even sell high-
with closure. Yet life teaches us that most
old Charles decided to make a course
quality stringed instruments.
stories often terminate quite abruptly,
change at University, he found himself
with endings that are left unfinished.
left without a monthly stipend for a
One year, and with the island’s
And no matter how carefully we plan,
year. Barely having enough to give his
prestigious Baroque Festival around
there is never really a guarantee that we
car petrol, he quickly got creative on
the corner, Felix was encouraged to
will reach our hoped conclusion.
how to make some pocket money. “I
create a Renaissance lute from scratch.
needed to figure out what to do with
Unfortunately, he never lived to
But what does it mean for something
myself and having been into music and
complete working on the creation of this
to be unfinished? It can simply be
playing since I was thirteen, I started
instrument and so it was left unfinished
something incomplete, unpolished,
fixing up my friend’s guitars.”
in his studio. “There was and still is a big absence ever since he passed away
unprocessed. But something unfinished can also reveal details that the finished
His father quickly caught on to their
four years ago. A large part of my world
perhaps cannot. It can reveal a portrait
new venture and started enriching what
suddenly turned into a big void and very
that is only accessible when in this
was initially a hobby with research
few people understand this I think,”
undressed, rough and raw state.
and knowledge and a library of books.
says Charles. “Today, however, I work
“The word started to spread slowly on
on instruments with a certain ease, and
Laid to rest on an old upturned fishing
what my father and I were doing and the
this is thanks to all the tools my father
boat and sitting quietly in the dark,
demands started to increase. We soon
either invented or recreated.” Charles
the unfinished Renaissance lute in the
found ourselves entrusted with fragile
remains working in his father’s studio
working studio of Charles Busuttil,
and precious instruments that required
and his years of experience and expertise
holds a melancholic story with an
serious treatment.” Rising to the varied
means that he now receives shattered
unfinished ending. Yet it reveals
and versatile challenges, Charles and his
but prestigious instruments, sometimes
a tender portrait of a father-son
father looked to further enrich and refine
straight out of an auction, for him to
relationship, one full of love and labour,
their technique by entering guilds and
rebuild and restore, fix and finish.
and the power of perseverance.
also attending workshops abroad.
“My father was an engineer, a nautical
It was only a matter of time before the
for Charles to complete and although it
and navigational engineer, and spent
father-son duo began looking into the
will most certainly be finished one day,
over 40 years teaching engineering in
building of instruments themselves.
its unfinished-ness is both a symbol of his
various technical institutions,” says
“We really wanted to try our hand
father’s endeavour and perseverance and
Charles, who speaks with unmistakable
at making a traditional Maltese
a reminder of life’s temporariness. Let this
admiration and pride of his father,
‘Kitarrina’, so we contacted Crispin
unfinished instrument be a reflection and
Felix. “And I was always with him…
Attard, an expert maker of this local
homage to things left unsaid and undone,
I was brought up constantly in his
and traditional guitar, to show us the
to uncontrollable circumstances that, in
company and did absolutely everything
process.” Working and restoring for
the end, control us.
His father’s unfinished lute too waits
51
52
PROPERT Y
Exclusive Triplex Penthouse in Tigne Point. Designed by Pippa Toledo, Represented by Malta Sotheby’s International Realty
DESIGNING LUXURY
AN INTERVIEW WITH PIPPA TOLEDO BY MALTA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY As a name synonymous with luxury interior design in Malta,
truly unique to the desires and requirements of the people I am
Pippa Toledo’s style is as timeless as it is pioneering. Here
working with at the time. Our individual perception of luxury is
she talks to luxury real estate brand Malta Sotheby’s
as unique as our DNA, and I thrive on discovering how best to
International Realty about her unique approach and
blend clients’ wishes with the practical realities of life in Malta.
highlights why it’s always good to utilise the services of an interior specialist when crafting the design for your new
The results are as distinctive as they are – but they stand out as
home. I have been passionate about interior design for as
the ultimate blend of luxury with comfort, and the best of island
long as I can remember. To me, it’s not just about making
living with ubiquitous warmth and personality. Just take
things look beautiful, but also about crafting practical homes
this upmarket Tigne Point triplex for instance, exclusively
that work for my clients’ individual lifestyles. If you are
available for sale with Malta Sotheby’s International Realty-
moving to Malta, then you may already be looking at property
not only does it exist within one of the most desirable
here on the island, or considering what sort of home you may
postcodes on the island, but it has been moulded into the
like. The good news is: there is so much choice, and the
ultimate Mediterranean home that its owners were dreaming
options really are endless. I feel privileged to have worked
of. It is achieving this that truly drives me.
with countless clients over the decades, and to have helped them inject style and personality into the houses they have bought on the island – blending a little of their global aesthetics or international flair with the blue of our seas and the yellow of our limestone buildings. To me, the whole process revolves around careful consultation. I consider each client carefully, get to know them, and help them to imagine the property they want to call home. Of course,
Your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
luxury is at the very heart of that process; but not necessarily
Contact Malta Sotheby’s Realty at +356 2010 8070 or
luxury in the obvious sense of the word – but luxury that is
info@sir.com.mt for more information
54
48
M A LTA C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D R E S I D E N C Y P R O G R A M M E S
TRENDING RIGHT NOW
3 LIT TLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT THE MALTESE CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY PROGRAMMES
F
or years, tourists have flocked to the Maltese Islands in droves, partly because of the island’s warm climate and crystal-clear blue waters. Today, people are looking to relocate permanently and make a greater investment in the island by opting for one of the Malta Citizenship and Residency Programmes. A detailed insight into the framework of the programmes reveals their high-quality standards as well as the positive effects they have had on the economy.
HEALTH CARE
Malta ranks 3rd in health care around the world, with Maltese citizens having access to free public medical treatment and residents having availability to a number of private hospitals and clinics. The island offers one of the best standards of quality of life globally and provides workers’ rights and legal frameworks that are still absent even in certain western nations.
FACT #1: MALTA OFFERS INVESTORS ONE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY OF LIFE EDUCATION
The educational framework in Malta is of the highest standards, with a top performing University that is free to all citizens of the island with special benefits and access to education in EU member states, as well as a number of private business schools and a very healthy English language school industry made available also to residents. An island with no natural resources, Malta understands the importance of investing in human resources and growing its knowledge ecosystem. Malta is now aiming to grow as a core base of education in the Mediterranean, and to integrate Blockchain technology within its education system. Last year, the University of Malta launched a €300,000 scholarship for a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and Blockchain technology, and courses specialising in the industries of the futures, such as Gaming, were introduced.
INNOVATION
Malta has taken big steps towards cultivating innovation and securing a path of growth for its future. It is the first country in the world to fully legislate Blockchain technology, making it a magnet for Fintech companies. Whilst making the most of and regulating new opportunities, Malta continues to operate on the edge of innovation and prepare itself for a future context. Malta’s attractive tax rates and corporate legislation has already seen several foreign companies setting up shop in Malta. As a pro-business jurisdiction, one of the objectives to reinforcing a sector is to increase the development of related services and, in turn, sustain growth.
55 M A LTA C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D R E S I D E N C Y P R O G R A M M E S 49 3 L I T T L E - K N O W N F A C T S A B O U T T H E M A LTA C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D R E S I D E N C Y P R O G R A M M E S
FACT #2: MALTA HAS THE BEST DUE DILIGENCE STANDARDS IN THE WORLD Each candidate and corresponding applications belonging to family dependants must pass a strict fourtier due diligence programme assuring that individuals entering Malta do not have any association with any form of corruption. Amongst other measures, the programme checks wealth, pending court cases and will even revoke already approved citizenships, if necessary. The due diligence system is considered one of the highest in the world, going so far as to be described as ‘textbook’, and it has even been suggested that the programme should be set as the benchmark for others. In fact, the little island has taken the initiative to encourage the cooperation between different jurisdictions to standardise the due diligence process across the board, as well as welcomes recommendations regarding background checks and the sharing of information. Moreover, most of the recommendations put forward by the Transparency Report are similar to those proposed by the jurisdiction of Malta itself, not to mention that the country has the highest rejection rate of all programmes. Malta is also one of the few jurisdictions that requires investors to show physical presence on the island and that publishes the names of the approved investors.
FACT #3: MALTA’S ECONOMY IS BOOMING ALSO THANKS TO CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY INVESTMENT Malta’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to over €11 billion in 2017, increasing by 6.6%, thanks to probusiness government incentives. An estimated 1.38% of GDP, from the 1st July 2017 to 30th June 2018, was a result of the island's citizenship programme. This comes as no surprise, as investors for the citizenship programme not only bring to the table their skills, global network and capital, but also invest in businesses and contribute to tax payments. The presence of such investors within the community fuels demand for services and products, increases the value of property, as well as creates employment and business opportunities resulting in Malta currently having one of the lowest unemployment rates. As the majority of naturalised applicants for citizenships are registered as self-employed, investment citizens are growing industries and specialising in niche markets that have boosted the country’s economy. In 2017 alone, Malta’s surplus grew to over €400 million, 90% of which was accounted by the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, making the surplus the highest in the Eurozone and fourth worldwide. With the Malta Residency Visa Programme reaching over 1000 applications by the last quarter of 2018, this programme too is slowly making its mark on the island. As a result, both investors and Malta itself are growing in stability and wealth.
PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti heads the firm's global residency and citizenship practice and is an avid believer in the benefits that Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme brings to both investors and Malta itself.
“The landscape is evolving. The lack of economic or political stability is certain countries has seen an increase in applications for citizenship in Malta. The island’s growing economy has attracted many investors who are looking for a stable and strong jurisdiction for both personal and business investments who require more mobility.”
“Malta provides investors of its citizenship programmes the same rights as any other person born in Malta or holding Maltese citizenship. Whether the individual wants to send their children to reputable universities in Europe or who are looking ahead and want to secure access to the job market, Malta provides citizenship investors with a stable environment in which to live.”
Chetcuti Cauchi is an international firm, with offices in Malta, Cyprus, London, Zurich and Hong Kong, advising high net worth international families and their businesses on residency & citizenship, property, corporate, tax, financial services, fintech, yachts and jets.
Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti Senior Partner, Residency and Citizenship Direct Tel: +356 2205 6604 • Email: ask.jpc@cclex.com cclex.com
58
E X P AT I N M A LTA
EVERY MONTH WE SIT DOWN WITH AN EXPAT WHO HAS DECIDED TO MAKE THEIR HOME IN MALTA. THIS MONTH IT IS DANCER AND TEACHER CASSANDRA STRAUB.
AN EXPAT IN MALTA WORDS MATTHEW BUMFORD
Q - TELL US A BOU T YOUR SELF? I am a 22-year-old dancer – born and raised in Canada. I have been dancing all my life and am very fortunate now to continue in this field through working as a teacher and secretary for the Voluntary Organisation Step Up for Parkinson’s. We provide free specialised movement classes for people with Parkinson’s in various locations around Malta. Additionally, I teach various styles of dance to children at the Dance Project studios. I combine this with my studies at the University of Malta. I am studying for a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship as a means to work on sustainability within the Voluntary Organisation. Apart from what I do for work, I love to spend time out in nature, cooking and laughing with my loved ones. Q - W H AT BROUGHT YOU TO M A LTA I originally came to Malta to study Dance at the University of Malta. I was not interested in any of the programs I had found in Canada at the time, and my family had been reading a lot about Malta. I have family in Germany as well, so the program that was calling to me, family not too far away, the sun, and craving a new adventure everything seemed to suggest ‘Malta.’ So my family and I packed up our lives in Canada and moved to Malta nearly 4 years ago. My family has since moved to Germany, but after graduating with my Dance Studies degree I had found a very happy life here surrounded by incredible people as well as inspiring opportunities in my field. All this means I have no plans on leaving any time soon.
E X P AT I N M A LTA
Q - HOW IS THE WOR KING EN V IRONMEN T HER E DIFFER EN T COMPA R ING TO W HER E YOU W ER E BEFOR E? I have never had a conventional 9 to 5 job, neither in Canada nor in Malta, so it is quite difficult to compare. However, I find that in Malta there is quite a lot of freedom to be an individual thinker. You are given direction, but I find most businesses are very open to having the input and feedback of their staff. I find quite a lot of variance as well based on my experiences in Malta – you may have someone very strict and diligent, or someone more laid back but these variances in the workplace will exist regardless of where in the world you are. I appreciate that in most cases I have felt that I am working with my employer, as opposed to under them. Q - IS THER E A N Y A DV ICE YOU WOULD GI V E TO EX PATS MOV ING HER E? To an expat moving to Malta the biggest advice I would give is to get involved, and not to be afraid to go places on your own. Malta is small in size, so people often think there can only be so much going on, and they will soon get bored. This could not be more wrong. This island is lively! Not just with parties, but there are activities happening every day that anyone can be a part of, and something that will cater to the interests of everyone. If you are coming to Malta and don’t know anyone, go to an event of interest on your own and strike up a conversation with the people around you, this is how I have met some of the greatest people here. Almost everyone I come across is very open to speaking and sharing with one another. There are endless activities in outdoor adventures, the arts, shows, history, and volunteering – there are a lot of people with great initiatives on this Island, and the extra help is always welcome! My biggest tips would be to get involved, explore outside the main areas, and don’t be shy. Q - W H AT A R E YOUR FAVOUR ITE PL ACES TO V ISIT IN M A LTA? My favourite places to visit in Malta are anywhere that I can go and explore! I live in St.Julian’s at the moment, and while it is convenient and there is so much going on here, I love nothing more than to get out into nature. The first 2 years of living here I would have asked – what nature? But you just need to explore a bit and you will find that the country is packed with natural beauty. Go for a drive in the countryside or hop on a kayak and explore some caves. One of my favourite spots to view the sunset for instance is Dingli Cliffs. When it comes to something more relaxed, I enjoy going to listen to some live jazz with my friends, which there is plenty of here. My favourite spots are Bridge Bar in Valletta, and Vilhena Band Club in Floriana. Last but not least, one of my favourite places is wherever the Step Up for Parkinson’s family is.
59
A GUIDE TO THE LITTLE
MALTESE ISLANDS
għasri
għarb
żebbuĠ
san lawrenz
xlendi
marsalforn
xagħra
victoria kerĊem munxar sannat
xewkija
nadur gĦajnsielem mĠarr
qala
comino
Ċirkewwa
st paul’s island mellieĦa
qawra 01
xemxija 03
st paul’s bay
buĠibba
mĠarr
naxxar
Ġnejna
Dragonara Casino, St Julian’s, Malta Open 24 hours. For free transport kindly call: (+356) 2092 1000
mosta
www.dragonaracasino.com
attard
sa
mdina 04
qo rabat dingli
Portomaso Casino, Level -1 Portomaso Business tower Portomaso, St Julian's. STJ4011 Free Transport. Free Parking. Free Wi-Fi. Open 24 hours. Contact us on (+356) 21383777 www.portomasocasino.com
qrendi
Żurrieq
filfla
INSERT TEXT HERE
01
Oracle Casino, Isle Promenade Qawra. SPB 2508. Free Wi-Fi. Open 24 hours. For info and Free Transport Contact us on (+356) 21570057
www.oraclecasino.com
02
St George's Bay, St Julian’s Open 24/7. For info and Free transportation please call (+356) 2371 0555
www.casinomalta.com.mt
02 03
r
04
st julian’s sliema gżira
an Ġwann
Valletta
msida
birkirkara floriana
the three cities
ormi tarxien
marsa
marsascala żejtun
luqa
marsaxlokk
birŻebbuĠa
LOCAL
TA L K O F T H E TOWN WITH SO MANY CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES ON OUR LITTLE ISLANDS, IT’S HARD TO DECIDE WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO GO. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE’LL BE HIGHLIGHTING OUR TOP LOCATIONS FOR THE SEASON. THIS MONTH IT'S RABAT.
IS-SERKIN (CRYSTAL PALACE)
RABAT TRAIN RIDE
IL-BITĦA TA' DONI Il-Bitħa ta’ Doni is a traditional Maltese
The Crystal Palace is often referred to
Walking and exploring Rabat can
as the pastizzi shop that never sleeps.
be interesting but this train ride
restaurant in the heart of Rabat. It is
This pastizzi shop stays open all night
offers you an informative guided
the perfect place to have a nice relaxing
long at the weekends and closes for
tour of this timeless town, as you
lunch or a quick bite after a long day
only two hours on weekdays. Situated
travel through Rabat and it’s rich
of exploring Rabat. The restaurant is
in Triq San Pawl, this pastizzi shop is
history. The tour begins from the
found nestled in a chapel of the same
rumoured to have have been around
ruins of the Domus Romana and
name in Triq San Pawl and stays open
for more than a 100 years.
lasts for 30 minutes.
till 4:00p.m. every day.
ST PAUL'S CHURCH
ST PAUL'S CATACOMBS
ST DOMINIC CHURCH & CONVENT
One of the most prominent landmarks
Not to be confused with St Paul’s
A little-known tourist and pilgrimage site,
of Rabat, St Paul’s Church was built
Grotto, the Catacombs date back
St Dominic’s Church & Convent deserves a
in the 17 th century to replace an older
more than 1500 years, this site
lot more attention than it currently does.
church which was built in 1538.
serves as the earliest evidence of
You can find one of the major Maltese
You can find St Paul’s Grotto
Christianity in Malta. It is a complex
relics here which is a marble statue of the
underneath the church. St Paul, one
system of over 30 tombs, 20 of
Virgin Mary, shedding tears of blood. It is
of the twelve apostles of Jesus was
which are open to the public. The
believed that this miracle first occurred in
believed to have taken refuge here
site is managed by Heritage Malta
1999. This church has a rich history going
after he was shipwrecked in Malta in
and are open to the public every day
back more than 600 years and was built
the year AD 60.
from 9:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
by The Dominican Order.
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64
TOP SPOTS
ISL AND HIGHLIGHTS DESPITE ITS DIMINUTIVE SIZE, THE M ALTESE ARCHIPEL AGO IS BURSTING WITH HISTORIC SITES, IDYLLIC SPOTS, CULTURE AND TRADITION. THE M ALTESE ISL ANDS ARE LIKE NOWHERE ELSE. HERE YOU’LL FIND FOSSIL-STUDDED GEO FORM ATIONS, PREHISTORIC TEMPLES, INTRIGUING DIVING OPPORTUNITIES, AND A RICHLY WOVEN HISTORY OF REM ARK ABLE INTENSIT Y. HERE’S A HANDY GUIDE ON WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR DURING YOUR STAY.
PACEVILLE, ST JULIAN’S, MALTA Swarming with clubs and bars, Paceville is the party area that will have you dancing till the early hours of the morning. If you’d rather a more relaxed evening, then a pub or restaurant in the area could even hit the spot.
THE RED TOWER, MELLIEĦA , MALTA Fort St Agatha, more commonly known as The Red Tower due to its brightly coloured walls, was built in the middle of the 17th century and served as a bastion watchtower in its day. It is also the sixth addition to the Lascaris towers.
ÄŠITADELL A , GOZO This small fortified city is also known as the Citadel and can be found in the heart of Victoria in Gozo. With all its fortifications, including the medieval epicentre intact, this historic area hosts a number of prime locations which are a must see on your Gozo trip.
VALLETTA , MALTA Fresh off the back of its successful stint as Europe's Capital of Culture, Il-Belt as it is colloquially known is full of modern and neoclassical architecture, bars, restaurants and experiences for any traveller.
DINGLI CLIFFS, DINGLI, MALTA A romantic spot where the sun and sky meet and the ever-crisp air grazes against your cheeks. The majestic sight that the cliffs provide gives an unobstructed view of Filfla, a member of the Maltese Islands and a protected location at that.
66
M A LTA E X P AT
EVERY MONTH, WE SIT DOWN WITH A M ALTESE EXPAT LIVING ABROAD. THIS MONTH, WE SPEAK TO COMEDIAN STEVE HILI.
A MALTESE EXPAT WORDS MATTHEW BUMFORD
Q - HI S T E V E, S O T EL L US A BI T A BOU T YOU R SEL F
its debut at this year's Edinburgh fringe. As well as that, I have
Well, I’m a professional comedian and comedy writer and
also been asked to perform in a tour of the UK called 'Never
I've been living in London for around 4 years. I started doing
Mind The Backstop'. It is a tour that a number of professional
stand up in Malta but made the move to the big city in order
European comedians living in Britain are doing over the Brexit
to take my career forward. I still miss Malta though, but I am
period - the tagline is "European Comedians say Goodbye, you
very lucky that I get to come back a couple of times a year to
know, just in case!"
do shows - including my adult pantomime in summer. Q - YOU H AV E LI V ED AWAY FROM M A LTA FOR FOUR Q - YOU’V E ACT UA LLY BEEN BACK R ECEN TLY
A ND A H A LF Y E A R S - HOW DOES IT FEEL W HEN YOU
H AV EN’T YOU W ITH THE COMEDY K NIGHTS
COME BACK?
TROUPE - HOW DID TH AT GO?
It is home from home. As soon as I land, I am hit by the
It was great fun. Comedy Knights has now become one of the
familiarity of it all. I just know it. It is great. From the moment
biggest Christmas shows on the island. As well as performing
I am at the airport and I start hearing Maltese people talking
in it, I am also one of the writers on the show so it gives me a
(and let's be honest, generally moaning about something or
lot of satisfaction.
other) I can't stop smiling.
Q - A R E THER E A N Y DIFFER ENCES PER FOR MING TO
Q - LONDON’S A PR ET T Y BIG PL ACE BU T W H AT DO
A N AUDIENCE IN M A LTA A ND A BROA D?
YOU MISS MOST FROM M A LTA A ND A R E THER E
Of course, every audience is different, but you learn to adapt.
A N Y A SPECTS OF M A LTESE LIFE OR CULT UR E TH AT
I would say that certain British audiences are slightly more
FOR EIGNER S JUST DON’T ‘GET’ ?
challenging. This is, of course, a massive generalisation but
The kunserva. Tomato paste (and tomatoes full stop) just do
it does sometimes feel that you have to win over audiences
not taste the same! Also nobody appreciates carbs like the
and prove that you are funny, whereas in Malta and indeed in
Maltese, possibly because nobody has got bread as good as us!
other places in Europe, they seem to be on your side from the start. Having said that, there is no better feeling than winning over an audience.
Q - W H AT IS THE M A IN DIFFER ENCE BET W EEN LI V ING IN LONDON A ND M A LTA? My life in London seems to be hurtling at 100mph pretty
Q - A N Y OTHER TOUR S OR SHOWS IN THE PIPELINE?
much all the time. The pace in Malta is a bit slower which is
Yes! I am working on a brand new show which will be making
a good thing. The weather in Malta also goes without saying.
M A LTA E X P AT
For instance, I had to fly back to Malta for a gig last October
Q - FAVOUR ITE TR AV EL DESTINATIONS/FAVOUR ITE
and managed to fit in a swim! Two days before, when I was in
PL ACES IN M A LTA?
London, I had been shopping for thermal underwear!
My favourite travel destinations are Mozambique and New
67
York. Both are pretty diverse places and both are beautiful Q - W H AT M A LTESE THING DO YOU MISS THE MOST
in different ways. In Mozambique the people are warm and
WHEN AWAY?
friendly and in New York the city is full of life and energy.
Because Malta is a small place, I miss going out and knowing that I am going to bump into someone I know. You do not really
In Malta, my favourite places are Valletta, Vittoriosa and
get that experience in a larger city.
Senglea. These are particularly vibrant and beautiful and I recommend anybody to go and get lost in the history and
Q - FIR ST THING YOU DO W HEN YOU GET BACK?
culture of these places.
Whenever I get back the first thing I do is to call my mates and go out for a Cisk to unwind, relax and get back into the Maltese swing. We also like to partake in a pastizz (or two!)
Q - W H AT DO YOU THINK IS THE PERCEPTION OF M A LTA ON THE IN TER NATIONA L STAGE? It seems that a lot of people don’t actually know where Malta
Q - A N Y TIPS YOU C A N SH A R E W HEN FLY ING?
is or that we're part of Spain which is weird or even that we're
I always try to get an aisle seat as I find it more convenient
still part of the British Empire! As we do become more mature
and comfortable. I also recommend to load up on podcasts as
and grow as a country that will change and I do think Malta is
being on a plane for so long is a great opportunity for self-
growing on the International Stage.
improvement or to catch up on things you don’t normally have time for. Also, don’t be afraid to have a chat with the person
And, because I am the first Maltese person that a lot of
sitting next to you! A stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet
people meet, of course people think that everyone looks as
as they say.
good as me!!!
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M A LTA E X P E R I E N C E
MY TIME IN MALTA EEFJE VERMEY IS A ROTTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES STUDENT AND DID HER SIX-MONTH INTERNSHIP IN MALTA.
M A LTA E X P E R I E N C E
It’s time to say goodbye to Malta after
your year abroad or an internship is
R EMEMBER YOUR GOA LS
six months. My internship is over and
not your friend. Ed.)
My advice to any one who gets homesick during an internship is
that means that I’m travelling back to The Netherlands and picking up my
By this, I mean, that being in a
always to keep in mind your goals and
daily life.
different country at a young age isn’t
why you took the opportunity in the
easy but you can really grow as a
first place. Whether your internship
I must say, it has been a rollercoaster
person by going out of your comfort
is three months, six months or a year
and it definitely changed my life. I
zone. For me, I conquered my fears
it will definitely pass very quickly so
never regret doing my internship in
through hiking in Għajn Tuffieħa and
make the most of it while you can.
Malta. Being out of your comfort zone
also managed to have my first tattoo.
is sometimes pretty hard but you must
Most probably these are things I would
During my time on the island, I must
embrace the challenge of meeting new
have never done before, but being in
say I had an unforgettable internship
people and being in different place in
this new environment, somehow I
experience where I managed to learn
order to move forward in life.
managed to pluck of the courage and
and do so many different things.
go for it.
For instance, my spontaneous trips around the island were the perfect
FACING CH A L L ENGES HE A D-ON Throwing yourself into the deep end
Now it’s nice to be back in my tiny
opportunity to explore and visit a lot
waiting to see what’s going to happen
village in The Netherlands and
of the beautiful places that the Maltese
next can indeed be exciting. When
reuniting with my loved ones whom
Islands have to offer.
I arrived on the island in August, I
I missed so much while I was away.
had no idea what to expect. Was I
A lot has happened in six months - a
What do I miss the most about Malta?
going to manage to make new friends
friend of mine got a new job, my sister
The things I experienced, the blue
and miss my family for instance? But
became pregnant and a close family
waters, the stunning views and the
fortunately everything went well. I
member got sick.
whole atmosphere of the island. It instilled a sense of rest in my mind and
forged new friendships, my family and best friend came to visit me and I had
All these people I was able to see again
changed my perspectives on a lot of
an amazing time on the island.
and re-engage with. Being away from
different things. Above all, living on the
home makes you realise how hard it is to
island was a magnificent experience.
If I was to give any advice to new
be apart from your loved ones. Of course
arrivals in Malta, especially students
I was homesick at times and there were
The island made me feel relaxed and it
or interns, it would be that is if you
a few moments when I was on the verge
was a magnificent experience.
want to have a memorable experience
of booking a flight back home, but at the
you should do things that may not suit
end of the day I knew I was doing the
I recommend taking the leap of an
you. (I concur. Your comfort zone on
internship for my own benefit.
internship here to anyone.
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72
BUSINESS
USE OF CRYPTO AND VIRTUAL TOKENS BY MGA LICENSEES
Early last month the Malta Gaming Authority (“MGA”) launched
ties to an individual player, a player’s wallet address must
the first of two phases (“Phase 1” and “Phase 2” respectively) of
form part of that player’s registered identity with an operator,
its much-anticipated sandbox framework (“Sandbox”) for the
withdrawals can only be made from verified wallets from which
acceptance of virtual financial assets (“VFAs”), virtual tokens
deposits would have been made, VFA player liabilities must
(“Tokens”) and the use of distributed ledger technology (“DLT”)
be reported in the monthly player funds report, and when it
by its licensees (“Licensees”).
comes to Tokens these must be converted to fiat currency prior to withdrawal at the same exchange rate at which they were
In Phase 1, open as of 1 January, the MGA will accept applications
acquired by the withdrawing player.
for use of VFAs and Tokens by Licensees. Phase 1 is intended to last 10 months, but the MGA has discretion to extend it further.
The acquisition, exchange or sale of VFAs on a Licensee’s
Phase 2 will be announced at a later stage. In Phase 2 the MGA
platform or through the Licensee’s wallets is not permitted for
will accept applications for the operation of remote gaming
VFAs, but it is for Tokens in a closed loop scenario. It follows
systems using DLT.
that payments deposited in a certain VFA by a player must be returned to that player in the same VFA by the Licensee.
In so far as Phase 1 is concerned, it is important to note that under Maltese law VFAs include several so called
The MGA has updated its Licensee Relationship Management
cryptocurrencies. As a rule, Licensees will be allowed to make
System to allow Licensees and licence applicants to apply for
use of VFAs which satisfy Maltese rules on VFAs, but subject in
approval of VFAs and Tokens as a payment method.
each case to the MGA’s evaluation of the VFA concerned and the Licensee’s preparedness. The MGA says that it will use a risk-
Guidance exists, courtesy of the MGA, but the interplay of this
based approach on a case-by-case basis; guided amongst others
with Maltese law on VFAs as well as other laws, such those on
by the technology being used, security and resources available to
AML, make this a complex area which Licensees and MGA
the Licensee in question.
licence applicants ought to study carefully.
It is advisable for Licensees to carry out the “Financial Instrument Test” set out in Maltese law on every VFA they wish to accept as a means of payment. James Scicluna is Co-managing Partner of WH Partners. He is Several specific rules apply, including that any digital wallet used
ranked by Chambers & Partners as one of the leading gambling
by a Licensee must generate a wallet address which specifically
lawyers globally. Email: james.scicluna@whpartners.eu
James Scicluna
CO-MANAGING PARTNER WH PARTNERS
TECHNOLOGY
T H E V I D EO GA ME INDUSTRY I N M A LTA WORDS GADGETS
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDS ‘GA MES’ AND ‘M ALTA’ TOGETHER, YOU PROBABLY THINK ABOUT THE BOOMING IGA MING INDUSTRY THAT’S SWEEPING ACROSS THE NATION. HOWEVER, IF YOU’RE MORE INTO CONSOLES THAN CASINOS, REST ASSURED.
The Maltese video game industry is growing faster than Super
is a AAA (Triple A) title, meaning it’s at the highest level of
Mario at an all-you-can-eat mushroom buffet. This field is
production value, comparable to Dark Souls or Assassin’s
attracting several of our brightest creative talents, as well as
Creed. It was one of the hottest properties to preview at E3,
expats with a passion for a-gaming-and-sunny weather.
the world’s foremost gaming convention.
Perhaps the biggest name in the local gaming scene is 4A
While this is something we as locals should be very proud
Games, a Ukrainian video game company that relocated
of, it’s not the brainchild of anyone local. However, Anvil
to Malta in 2014. The jewel in the company’s crown is the
Games is a truly Maltese studio. This company was formed
internationally popular Metro franchise, set in a post-
in 2014 by twin brothers and game enthusiasts Julian and
apocalyptic future.
Andrew Farrugia, who together developed the idea for what became their first project: ‘Holdfast: Nations at
This began with ‘Metro 2033’, and was followed by ‘Metro:
War’. This a multiplayer online game, set during the
Last Light’ and ‘Metro Redux’. The upcoming Metro Exodus
Napoleonic era.
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74
TECHNOLOGY
Given that this is a local product, created by a relatively small
I’d find everything a little overwhelming”, Yasmin told
team, the results are extremely impressive, and the game was
us. “But the course is set up in a way so that students with
listed among US website Steam, list of best 2017 New Releases.
very different levels of experience and skill sets all really feel accommodated.”
But what if you’re not into epic multiplayers? What if you’d like to support our video game industry with a simple mobile
Yasmin makes clear that, while this course does require
game you can play on the bus?
hard work, it isn’t the trudge through dusty textbooks one might associate with academia. It offers practical hands-
If so, give Flying Squirrel Games a try. It’s a small local
on learning and prepped students for getting started in
company based in Paola. They specialise in game apps for
the industry. It’s also jam-packed with social activities.
smartphones. Their most successful game so far is their down-
“We would meet up to play video games, have board
and-dirty racing game ‘Dirt Trackin’’, which ranked in the Top
game nights, use the projector to watch and fan over our
10 charts on the Apple AppStore and the Google Play Store.
favourite series together – it really felt like being part of a super enthusiastic family of nerds.”
For the casual smartphone gamer, Match 3 games are massive. These are tile-matching games such as ‘Candy
The Institute also hosts the hottest gaming event on the
Crush’. In 2015, the Match 3 game ‘Languinis’, created by
island, the Malta Game Jam, which is part of the Global Game
Maltese company VRTron, became the number one word-
Jam tournament. Here, game designers and creatives from all
game in over 100 countries, including the USA and UK.
sorts of fields will race to create games within just 48 hours. This breakneck race to glory is the perfect place to exercise
Malta seems to be brimming with enthusiastic creative
your skills and make valuable friendships in the gaming
youngsters, eager to break into the industry. One of the
community. You don’t even need to know how to programme
places where they can nurture and develop their talents is
to take part, so long as your bursting with ideas and willing
in the Institute for Digital Games at the University of Malta.
to collaborate.
This offers both an Msc and a PhD. We spoke to graduate Yasmin Cachia about her experience at the course.
We may not be Silicon Valley just yet, but we’re proving ourselves to have the enthusiasm and creativity to blossom
“Now, not initially coming from a Game Developing
into something special. Malta’s video game industry is about
background (B.Psych Hons, represent!), I was worried that
to level up.
iGAMING THE YEAR AHEAD
IL-BIZ ZILL A i G A M I N G S U P P L E M EN T
advance
PAY N P L AY ®
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CEO Lahcene Merzoug shares how ComeOn! got ahead with Pay N Play®
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Cryptocurrency as a tech trend in iGaming for 2019.
02
FOREWORD
An industry that needs no introduction.
The iGaming industry is expected to continue its trend of rapid growth this year. In sheer numbers terms, the value of the iGaming market is forecasted to grow to a massive $55 billion worldwide. To put things into perspective, the iGaming market has nearly doubled in the past 4 years (it has grown by 45% in the past 4 years alone) and contributed up to 12% to Malta’s GDP last year. While oft bandied, this statistic has great meaning. Because, to Malta, iGaming is more than just numbers.
iGaming’s impact on Malta’s GDP highlights the significance this industry has to the wider Maltese economy as well as continuing to solidify Malta’s position on the European and global stage. iGaming goes beyond the slots and influences tourism, local businesses, developers, printers, restaurants, infrastructure and more. The industry has been able to transform this island and helped boost industries and macro-economies across the country. It is for these reasons, coupled with a clear dedication to the industry, that Malta continues to shine like a diamond in the Med for the industry. Because Malta has shown, at the global level, what a clear focus and a solid commitment to iGaming can achieve. Following on from a successful 2018 and the implementation of new regulation to strengthen the industry as a whole, 2019 has much a lot in store for iGaming. With regards to new technologies especially, it is an exciting time to be involved in iGaming and it promises to be another year of growth for iGaming in Malta. We will take a look at a few of these emerging technologies and how they will integrate with iGaming in Malta and beyond. It is exciting to see how industries such as Virtual Reality or crypto currencies will integrate with iGaming. This mixture of new and (relatively speaking) old is testament to iGaming’s willingness and desire to grow and innovate and so 2019 promises to be an exiting year indeed. Happy gaming.
Matthew
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trustly
PAY N PL AY ® M AKES TRANSAC TIONS SAFER, BOTH FOR COMEON! AND OUR PL AYERS
How ComeOn! keeps Gaming Cutting-Edge. CEO L AHCENE MERZOUG DISCUSSES H O W PAY N P L AY ® H A S C O N T R I B U T E D TO COMEON!’ S IMPRESSIVE GROW TH I N 2 0 1 8 A N D H O W T H E C O M PA N Y B AT T L E S T O S TAY O N T H E C U T T I N G E D G E O F I N N O VAT I O N . Lahcene Merzoug joined ComeOn! as CEO in 2018, having previously worked in marketing and business development at a handful of other gaming companies. Since then, Merzoug has helped drive remarkable growth for the company, balancing risk-taking with tried and true growth tactics. We caught up with Merzoug to learn more about his experience at ComeOn! and how Trustly’s Pay N Play® product has specifically contributed to its success.
YOU’VE BEEN IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY FOR MANY YEARS, FIRST WORKING AS A CMO FOR SEVERAL TOP BRANDS AND THEN MOVING TO CEO AT COMEON! WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN GOING FROM CMO TO CEO?
There were many new challenges as a CEO and I think that was one of the main reasons I took the job. I really thrive on challenges because they sometimes push me to be outside my comfort zone and to evolve, which gives me a lot of new energy. Also, ComeOn! is a very entrepreneurial company, which suits me very well, having been an entrepreneur for almost 20 years when I lived in Stockholm, Sweden.
trustly
WHEN YOU JOINED COMEON!, THERE WERE ALREADY SEVERAL BRANDS USING PAY N PLAY®: SNABBARE, NOPEAMPI, HA JPER AND COMEON! GUEST. HOW FAMILIAR YOU WERE WITH THE PAY N PLAY® TECHNOLOGY AT THAT TIME AND WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS INNOVATION IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY?
I thought Pay N Play® was a good innovation from the start and its timing was ideal. We know that time is a precious commodity for a lot of us in general, and it feels more and more outdated to ask customers to scan and take photos of documents, when it can all be done in a more frictionless way. The Pay N Play® innovation is especially handy when you look at regulatory markets, like in Sweden, for example. Instead of forcing customers to undergo a lengthy KYC process, they can instead register it in a matter of minutes. It’s also important to point out that Pay N Play® makes transactions safer, both for ComeOn! and our players. A lot of previous issues with fraud and stolen personal details were eliminated by integrating the technology.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH YOU’VE CHOSEN TO INTEGRATE TRUSTLY?
We have integrated all three of Trustly’s products: Pay N Play®, One-Click payments, and Play as Guest. The ComeOn! portfolio contains more than 20 brands and we have chosen different integration solutions depending on the brand. So some of the new brands have been launched using only the pure version of Pay N Play. ComeOn! Play as a Guest, integrated with our flagship brand, ComeOn!, using a hybrid version of Pay N Play®. The One-Click product was also added to a few of the other existing brands to offer a hybrid version of the product.
WHAT SORT OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN FROM YOUR BRANDS? WHICH IMPLEMENTATION PERFORMS BEST?
I think that the pure version of Pay N Play® works best for us because when you implement the guest model, for example, it does cannibalize a bit of the database. It’s still a good add-on and a good feature to offer players, but isn’t as strong in terms of acquisition and conversion.
COMEON! ONLINE GAMING REVENUES GREW 11% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2018, RIGHT AFTER L AUNCHING SNABBARE, YOUR FIRST PAY N PL AY® CASINO IN SWEDEN. HOW, IF AT ALL , HAS GOING LIVE WITH PAY N PL AY® AFFECTED YOUR STOCK PRICE? In Q3 of 2018, we had 63% growth and in general, 2018 was a great year. The last quarter has shown huge growth and at the same
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time, we are maintaining one of the best margins in the industry. Our success depends on a lot of factors. Obviously we can attribute a lot of it to the amazing people working here. We have many extremely talented people working under one roof — I dare to say that no other company gets so much done with so few people. Another factor is our multi-brand strategy and the branding of our 20+ brands. No matter what type of player you are or what type of brand you like, you can always find something that speaks to you in the ComeOn! portfolio. We are also extremely good at executing smart marketing initiatives. We are a lean organization that moves quickly, which gives us an edge when opportunities arise. And Pay N Play® is a great example of one of those opportunities on which we acted quickly and seen strong success as a result.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT A CEO NEEDS TO WEIGH WHEN LAUNCHING AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT IN THE INDUSTRY? HOW DO YOU BALANCE RISK-TAKING WITH DATA ANALYSIS WHEN YOU MAKE DECISIONS?
There are always some risks, but one of the many benefits of the ComeOn! multi-brand strategy is that we can test different strategies or innovations on a smaller scale, sometimes with just one of our brands to start. Then if we can clearly see the value, we are very quick to ramp up and implement those innovations across the board.
THERE’S A LOT OF BUZZ AROUND INNOVATION IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW. HOW DO YOU SEE THE GAMING INDUSTRY EVOLVING IN THE NEXT 5 OR 10 YEARS? DO YOU BELIEVE BLOCKCHAIN, VR AND AI WILL MAKE AN TRUE IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY?
This industry needs to stay on top of innovation to not lose momentum. We will see a lot of innovations in all areas of our industry and have been for a while. The tricky part for the operators will always be to identify which ones to focus on. ComeOn! has entire teams dedicated to doing just that, so we constantly analyzing all opportunities.
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DON'T GA MBLE WITH YO U R B U S I N E S S iGAMING • CORPORATE • TA X • ACCOUNTING • LEGAL • ADVISORY • BLOCKCHAIN • CRYPTOCURRENCY
LICENCING WITH A DIFFERENCE It seems like yesterday, but it has been almost 6 months since the much-awaited MGA legal overhaul was rolled out. This has been over long due with most operators eagerly waiting for the final product which was launched on the 1st of August 2018. One cannot go without mentioning the key components which were introduced. Some aspects of the new law were welcomed more than others but as an advisor y company within this industr y we embraced most of these new introductions such as the consolidation of the t ype of licenses, the recognition of other licenses from different jurisdictions, segregation of the key official role and financial incentives for start-ups. Together with our colleagues and clients we experienced a ver y ad vant age ous feat ure w hich include s t he radic al re duc t ion in t ime to go to mar ke t of game s and ot her t ime s ensi t i ve cr i t ic al change s re quire d. T he s e include t he te dious proce s s e s pre v iousl y implemente d by t he MG A , w hereby pr ior approval to launch ne w game s was re quire d. Nowaday s , i t is a ver y simple proce s s and an operator may go li ve w i t h onl y a not i f ic at ion to t he MG A . A not her ne w feat ure w hich our client s are lauding abou t is w hen t here is t he ne cessit y for a change within a company struc ture and/or movement of shareholding which can now be implemented through a notification to the MGA as well.
The previous law implied restrictions on B2B licensees from jurisdictions other than that of Malta not to offer their ser vices to MGA B2Cs licensees unless they acquire a license from the MG A themselves. Thank fully, with the introduc tion of a recognition notice this is now a possible scenario. Fur thermore, a B2B MG A licensed operator may of fer their ser vice to other B2Bs licensed elsewhere which in turn may offer their ser vices within regulated and nonregulated markets. The MGA had no intention to issue a new legal framework and let it settle in without coming up with something new. On the 1st of Januar y they started accepting applications for all those businesses interested to implement a DLT (Distributed Ledger Technolog y) such as blockchain setup and the introduction of cr yptocurrencies as part of their currency offering within a sandbox legal framework and a number of restrictions. At IGamingAdvisors we have always provided professional advice for all our clients and presented creative ideas for better operation and compliance within the parameters of any applicable law. Offering advice to a number of highprofile companies gives us the strength and willingness to be part of the success stor y of this flourishing industr y. contact@igamingadvisors.com
w w w.iga.mt
Q&A WITH WITH VIDEOSLOTS’S CMO
With the new year in full swing, what’s first on the agenda? Currently our main focus is on ICE, which is the Gaming industry's biggest conference on the calendar, and LAC, which is when the affiliate side of our business gets to meet, greet and continue to build their contacts. Both expos give Videoslots the chance to demonstrate just what we have achieved already and what our targets are for 2019. It also gives members of our team the chance to meet potential new partners, such as providers and affiliates. We will be sending a big team over to London for the events and anybody wishing to meet the team can do so at stand E20 at the London Affiliate Conference.
Are there any key markets you particularly expect to expand in 2019? We are always looking to expand into new and regulated markets, with Denmark, Spain, Italy and other European jurisdictions all on our agenda this year as we look to expand our operation... We would be interested to expand into Asia as well. We already boast more than 20 different nationalities in our office and look forward to increase that number in 2019.
How will you continue to cope with the growth of Videoslots? It’s important that we continue to employ the most talented and progressionhungry professionals. We dedicate a lot of time, effort and resources into making Videoslots an attractive place to work. We offer some of the best benefits available to candidates. We also host themed monthly events at leading venues, with the majority family inclusive – a huge part of our culture at Videoslots.
What was your standout moment of 2018? There were lots of reasons to be proud of what Videoslots achieved last year. Both personally and as a business, with the whole team excelling and helping the brand continue to grow. It was a year in which we strived to continue to give our players the industry’s largest portfolio of games and we achieved that by going live with our 3000th game. That really did give us a reason to celebrate and the whole Videoslots team made the most of it. However, it’s important to keep striving forward and we will be pushing just as hard to expand as a business as we bid to stay one step ahead of our rivals.
Videoslots prides itself on innovation, how will you be demonstrating that this year? Innovation is the key to our business. We know very well that we need to offer the best product and gamification tools possible if we want to lead the competition and we are working very hard to achieve that. One project we are very proud of is Clash of Spins, which gives players the chance to compete against other Videoslots’ players and claim rewards. Players can track their position on the leader-board during active clashes when playing their favourite slot, with points awarded to players staking between €0.20 and €2.00 per spin. This year we are also very excited to go live with the ‘’Wheel of Jackpots’’. It allows players to win rewards on each spin but most importantly the chance to win ‘’Jackpots’’ by simply playing different slots on site and completing different achievements during their game play. Such innovations always help us to get new players on our site as well as keeping existing players engaged.
Videoslots
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Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. Videoslots.com is operated by Videoslots Ltd, a company registered in Malta having registration number C 49090. Panda Media Ltd is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority under licence number MGA/CL1/956/2014, MGA/CL1/1048/2014, MGA/CL1/1047/2014, MGA/CL1/1091/2015, MGA/CL1/1261/2016 and MGA/CL1/1262/2016 and the Gambling Commission in United Kingdom under licence number 000-039380-R-319311-007. The facilities provided to UK players is solely made in reliance on the latter licence.
the TWIN effect a job and lifestyle in one! be a part: twincareers.com
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11
T H E PAY M E N T C O M PA N Y P O W E R I N G PAY N P L AY® Trustly is a FinTech company that makes online banking payments fast, simple and secure. It offers instant deposits and withdrawals to players in 29 European countries. Trustly's latest innovation, Pay N Play®, lets players start playing their favourite games right away with one quick deposit from their online bank. Today Pay N Play® powers some of the industry’s leading brands, including Ninjacasino, Snabbare, and SpeedyCasino. Visit paynplay.com for more info.
Vasilije Lekovic Director of Gaming Accounts | Trustly Pay N Play®
vasilije.lekovic@trustly.com
iGaming: Trends To Watch Out For. WORDS ABHISHEK CHATTERJEE
iGaming has long been known as an industry that is not afraid to innovate. From security to user experience, iGaming has always been about innovation and making things better for all participants and stakeholders. This year is no exception. Here are the trends that we expect to see in 2019 based on the technology trends we have seen so far in iGaming.
Virtual Reality Virtual Reality is growing rapidly for video games. Companies like Vive are fine-tuning eye-tracking technology to make in-game experience smoother and more interactive. From large-scale players like Microsoft to smaller independent studios and startups, companies are innovating in hardware that will transform the user experience which will benefit not only iGaming as an industry but also its stakeholders. Companies that are willing to grasp at this innovation and implement it as part of their offering are the ones that will succeed.
You can expect to see innovations that allow the player to move from one table to another, see other players and interact with the dealers and other players just like in a regular casino, but this time in a VR setting. Imagine the possibility of feeling things like cards or making ‘eye contact’ with other players and truly feel a part of the game. Several large online casinos like Slots Millions and Mr Green are already offering their users VR options. It will be fascinating to see how players react to these VR options as more companies begin to do the same.
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malta
Expansion of Mobile Gambling.
60%
OF USERS ON THE INTERNE T ACCESS IG A MING FROMMOBILE DEVICES AND T H AT N U M B E R I S H I G H E R I N DE VELOPING COUNTRIES .
IN EUROPE , THE GA MBLING RE VENUE FROM M O B I L E D E V I C E S H A S A L R E A DY C R O S S E D 5 0 % OF THE INDUSTRY SHARE. MORE AND MORE C O M PA N I E S A R E N O W O P T I M I S I N G T H E I R W E B S I T E S T O B E M O R E M O B I L E F R I E N D LY.
malta
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Crypto Currency in iGaming. Last year Malta completely revamped its iGaming regulations allowing it to become one of the few countries to have embraced Distributed Ledger technology. The Malta Gaming Authority has started inviting companies to be part of a sandbox initiative to begin using Distributed Ledger Technology and Blockchain technology since January 1st this year. The Malta Gaming Authority will maintain an electronic ledger and allow iGaming companies to let their users make use of virtual tokens and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). This will allow companies to raise money through virtual currencies and allow users to possibly gamble using virtual currencies. This has and will continue to impact the iGaming industry postively and will allow the industry to possibly offer an experience which is almost indistinguishable from an experience in a real casino. It is clearly early days for this industry and one only needs to look at the volatility of the cryptocurrency market in the past year to see that it might not be easy to implement this into iGaming. However, the intent is there and again, Malta is showing its willingness to innovate and to be a pioneer in new and exciting technologies.
F ooD FoR TH ouGHT
FOOD AND DRINK
MoNTHLY RECIPE WE BRING YOU THE BEST THAT THE MALTESE KITCHEN HAS TO OFFER WITH RECIPES INSPIRED BY THE MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPEAN CUISINE - ITS HERITAGE AND ITS TERRITORY.
WINTER WARMER!
Chef Joe Vella A well-known Maltese culinary personality. He has had a distinguished career on the restaurant scene in Malta and has seen his recipes published in a range of publications.
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FOOD AND DRINK
The sweetness of Maltese honey combines with the tang of capers to transform a schnitzel into a mouthwatering Mediterranean meal. The freshness of lemon brings a freshness to the dish and is a nod to the upcoming spring.
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL WITH C APERS AND LEMON INGREDIENTS 4 Chicken Breasts 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Zest of lemon and 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Maltese Honey 2 tablespoons Plain Flour 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs Rosemary, 1 tablespoon, chopped Fresh Thyme, 1 tablespoon, chopped 2 tablespoons Olive Oil 1 tablespoon capers 1 spoon, butter Parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped METHOD Place the chicken breasts onto a chopping board and bash them into escalopes (about 1cm thick). Mix the mustard, honey and lemon zest together in a bowl and brush this mixture over the chicken making sure it is well covered. In separate bowls place the flour, breadcrumbs mixed with herbs and beaten eggs then dip the covered chicken first into the flour to coat, then into the egg mixture and lastly into the breadcrumb/herb mixture. Next heat the oil in a frying pan and lightly fry the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side until golden. Remove the cooked schnitzels from the pan, pat dry and plate up and then add the butter to the pan and, when it begins to foam, add the capers, chopped parsley and lemon juice. Spoon this mixture on top of the escalopes and serve immediately. This dish works well with a crisp side salad of mixed leaves, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
C A PER S Wild capers are native to Malta and are commonly found throughout much of Mediterranean cooking although they can also be found elsewhere. Often overlooked by many, these pickled, olivelike. salty. unripened flower buds offer a wealth of flavour to a range of dishes. In Malta the caper plant (kappara in Maltese) can be found in the wild, in rocky outcrops and throughout the countryside. The plants are well-suited to the hot and dry Mediterranean weather and, when in blossom, produce flowers with wide white petals and purple stamens which are quite beautiful. It is the unripened buds which are harvested and pickled to give us the capers we know best in dishes today.
B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S
RestauraNt & BaR GuiDE
MARSAXLOKK
CAPO MULINI RISTORANTE +356 9939 3996
Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk
info@capomulini.eu
www.capomulini.eu
/CapoMuliniMalta
Capo Mulini restaurant situated in the small and picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk and is located in the South Eastern part of Malta, specialises in fresh fish, meat and pasta while also offering delicious brick oven pizza. We select our food and its source carefully to provide an exquisite dining experience. Finished to high standards, Capo Mulini caters for everyone’s needs including all dietary requirements. We are ready to serve you… Come and join us at Capo Mulini.
MDINA
THE MEDINA MALTESE CUISINE RESTAURANT Holy Cross Street, Mdina +356 2145 4004
info@xaracollection.com
/themedinarestaurant
Lose yourself in all of Mdina’s tranquillity and dine in the romantic surroundings beneath the wild flowering Oleander tree in the vine-clustered courtyard during the summer, and by candlelight and an open log fireplace that keeps the restaurant warm and cosy during the winter months. The restaurant is a mixture of ingredients designed to please the most discerning clients. The foundation for our cuisine is solely based upon three principles: the sourcing of local produce, for every single dish to evoke the skill and talent of our chefs and to provide our clients with honest food. The Medina presents a selected à la carte menu based on Mediterranean and local cuisine, frequently changed to guarantee the pleasure of regular diners. Open for lunch from Friday to Sunday and open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.
MOSTA
TA’ MARIJA RESTAURANT – EST. 1964 +356 2143 4444
www.tamarija.com
Constitution Street, Mosta
info@tamarija.com
Awarded Best Maltese Food Restaurant for more than ten years, Ta’ Marija doesn’t just serve Maltese cuisine, but creates dishes with what is locally traditional while adding their own signature flavours of sumptuousness. Head to their Folklore Dinner shows held every Wednesday and Friday evening for a touch of Maltese liveliness. Enjoy your dinner with musicians playing mandolins and guitars, and singers belting out Maltese songs while you enjoy the culinary delights of the evening. After your delicious dinner, the charming Maria Muscat will present the folklore show in a variety of languages, featuring six dancers who lure you into a jovial story of Maltese history told through dance. Ta’ Marija is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Transport can also be arranged.
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B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S
SLIEMA
HAMMETT'S GASTRO BAR +356 2134 1116
33/34 Tigne Sea Front, Tas-Sliema
www.hammettsgastrobar.com
Overlooking the beautiful Marsamxett Harbour, Hammett’s Gastro Bar presents the perfect social dining experience with a wildly innovative plates-to-share concept and an extensive list of unique gourmet cocktails. Gastronomers can expect to experience culinary influences, ingredients and imaginative cooking techniques from all corners of the world and share a variety of complementing dishes in one sitting. Directed by 24-time award winning Chef and restauranteur Chris Hammett, Hammett’s Gastro Bar has ranked first in its category for food, service, ambience and overall rating by the island’s most credible restaurant survey, the Definitively Good Guide and is one of three restaurants and venues operated by the local, award winning Hammett’s Collection.
TA’ KOLINA
151, Tower Road, Sliema
+356 2133 5106
info@takolina.mt
www.takolina.mt
Ta’ Kolina is a quaint, family run restaurant on Tower Road (one of Sliema’s most popular spots) and has been open since 1974. Ta’ Kolina is a typical Maltese restaurant with its traditional Maltese interior and décor. A set menu comprising of traditional Maltese food offers a choice of starter, main dish, dessert and coffee for €22 per person. There is also a vibrant a la carte menu and daily display of fresh local fish. Dining here is a true Maltese experience for a reasonable price. We are open for both lunch and dinner from 12:00 – 22:30hrs.
TA’ KRIS RESTAURANT & MALTESE BISTRO +356 2133 7367
80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema
+356 9984 7713
Set in one of Sliema’s oldest bakeries, Ta’ Kris is all about providing a genuine mix of affordable Maltese and Mediterranean dishes in a homely fashion and rustic surroundings. Ta’ Kris offers a varied menu of traditional Maltese food such as bragioli, rabbit, octopus stew, bebbux (snails), balbuljata (corned beef hash), baked lamb, two daily specials, pasta dishes, a selection of fresh fish on a daily basis and mouth-watering steaks. Ta’ Kris also offers take-away service and special menus can be designed for all occasions. Ta’ Kris opens from Monday to Sunday, from 12.30pm till 11pm. Booking is recommended.
B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S
ST JULIAN’S
WATERBISCUIT
InterContinental Malta, St. George's Bay, St Julian's, STJ 3310
+356 2376 2225 malta.fnb@ihg.com malta.intercontinental.com/gastronomy/waterbiscuit Waterbiscuit offers a gastronomic experience to delight all with a charming and contemporary atmosphere and enthusiastically accomplished cuisine, using the freshest Mediterranean ingredients. Meanwhile, at the Waterbiscuit Bar dining may be enjoyed throughout the day, though ultimately the cocktails enjoy the limelight and each creation seeks to exceed the wildest expectations.
DRAGONARA CASINO BRASSERIE Dragonara Palace, Dragonara Road, St Julian's +356 2209 2111
brasserie@dragonaracasino.com
www.dragonaracasino.com/brasserie.html Nested within the Dragonara Palace in St. Julian's, the Brassiere offers a vast selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes headed by Italian Chef Claudio Schiavone who brings to the table a variety of signature dishes to tantalise the palate of diners seeking an exquisite dining experience. Open Everyday for Lunch & Dinner.
VALLETTA
PORTICELLO 3, Boat Street, Marsamxett, Valletta +356 7723 5548
info@porticellomalta.eu
www.porticellomalta.com
Porticello restaurant, situated in Malta’s capital city Valletta, specialises in Fresh Fish and seafood while also caters to a variety of other mouth-watering dishes, to suit each and every customer. We select our food and its source carefully to provide an exquisite dining experience. Situated close to the water’s edge, Porticello offers a breath-taking view suitable for a romantic dinner for two or for an impeccable dinner amongst friends. Our exceptionally well-trained staff is available to address each and every need including all dietary requirements. So, if you’re looking for a remarkable dining experience… we’ve got a table for you at Porticello.
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EVENTS & NEWS
FROM MALTA'S NATIONAL AIRLINE The following pages will give you an insight on what’s going on at Air Malta. The behind-the-scenes and highlights of past months and forthcoming ones. Malta’s national airline tells it like it is, ensuring all Air Malta passengers are well-informed while soaring high in the sky.
AROUND 2.6 MILLION TOURISTS VISIT MALTA IN 2018 There are not many destinations which can pride themselves with nine successive years of tourism growth, the bulk of which were registered over the most recent two years of a lengthy upward trend. Sustained growth spanning almost a decade generally starts to eventually level off but not in the case of Malta’s tourism performance where the years 2017 and 2018 registered a signicant increase in visitors. This is ample proof that Malta’s tourism potential and strategy continues to be strong as the international market responds positively to Government and stakeholder efforts to reposition Malta as a year-round destination of choice featuring a wide range of events, attractions and reasons to visit for all age groups. During 2018, tourism to Malta, Gozo and Comino peaked at a new record high and reached 2.6 million tourists from the 2.3 million registered in the previous year. This type of performance is unprecedented in a number of ways. It has seen the gradual growth scenarios of previous years accelerate significantly during 2017 and 2018 whilst continuing to underpin Malta’s over-performance of global, European and Mediterranean average growth rates yet again. Formerly a destination which, at best, hoped to start attracting business after its larger competitors filled up, Malta has now changed into one which is a primary destination of first choice growing at a higher rate than most of its competitors.
Maltese tourism is growing via a range of indicators. Apart from volume increases in the number of tourists, the number of overnight stays generated by tourists are also growing, reaching around 18.5 million nights last year. Hotel occupancies continue to be high during all seasons whilst other non-collective forms of tourism accommodation also attract increased guest volumes. Commenting on this achievement, Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi said: “The seasonality aspect and the challenges associated with it are being successfully addressed as evidenced by the fact that during the year under review, the low-season months of November to March grew by 17.4% while the peak months April to October increased by 14.2% . Reduced seasonality makes tourism operations more profitable leading to strong reinvestment in line with Government policy which seeks to upgrade Malta’s overall tourism offer through the provision of modernised facilities, attractions and an infrastructure to match.” The Minister added: “Malta’s success in sustaining such a positive tourism performance was strongly attributable to the strong expansion in its air connectivity. During 2018 Malta continued to improve its airline connectivity by further developing its route network with the introduction of no less than 22 additional routes operated by 6 different airlines in 13 countries. Our national airline Air Malta was one of the major contributors to this growth, introducing more than one in three of these new routes.”
A I R M A LTA N E W S
AIR MALTA IS THE FIRST AIRLINE TO LAND AN AIRBUS A320NEO AT FLORENCE PERETOLA AIRPORT TO FLY THE FIORENTINA FOOTBALL TEAM TO MALTA from the Florence Airport Authority prior to be able to fly and operate into this airport. This achievement was also noted by Airbus, the manufacturers of the A320neo, who have written to Air Malta to congratulate the airline on being the first airline to operate with this type of aircraft into Florence airport. The Fiorentina team’s visit in Malta generated a lot of enthusiasm amongst the Viola Club Malta supporters and football lovers all over the islands and culminated in a triangular tournament with Maltese Premier League sides Hibernians and Gżira United. Air Malta has started the New Year on a high note by being the first airline to land an Airbus A320neo at Florence’s Peretola airport and having the honour of hosting on board the Italian Serie A football team, Fiorentina. This special flight to and from Florence’s airport was made possible after technical studies were undertaken by Air Malta’s Flight Operations team. As no A320neo has ever operated into Florence, the team, together with the operating crew, had to conduct calculations and assessments and seek approval
Whilst Europe was experiencing a very cold spell with heavy snow falls in many cities, the team was greeted with blue skies throughout their stay on the Maltese Islands. This permitted the club to undergo intensive training at the Malta Football Association’s Training Grounds in Ta’ Qali. Various international football clubs are increasingly choosing Malta for their mid-season training camps since the islands offer great training facilities, local support, ancillary services, flight connections and a temperate climate.
AWARD-WINNING UK HOLIDAY SPECIALIST HOSTS MALTA VISIT Jessica Lukeba, Cyplon’s Malta Specialist, stated that in her opinion Sliema is the ideal base for exploring Malta, as it is conveniently located between the grand capital Valletta and the stunning coastal resorts of St Julian’s Bay. On the other hand Louis McDonagh, Cyplon’s Business Development Manager was captivated by the rural setting of Gozo and in his own words said, "the place is almost untouched by urban development". Angela Eleftheriou, Cyplon’s Leading Malta Specialist
A
commented: “This was the first time I travelled with Air ward-winning UK-based luxury holiday specialists,
Malta. The staff were extremely friendly, cooperative, helpful
Cyplon Holidays, hosted a familiarisation trip to
and accommodating. Our trip affirmed our strong working
Malta for eleven top selling agents. The agents were
relationships and partnerships, signifying why Malta is a
invited to visit and explore the Maltese Islands and experience
diverse island for anyone looking to explore historical riches,
first-hand the islands’ cultural wonders and traditions. The
cultural glees and new adventures, nestled in the inviting
group also ventured out to Malta’s sister Island of Gozo,
waters of the Mediterranean Sea.”
renowned for its stunning sandy beaches, scuba diving experiences and historic megalithic temples.
The trip was supported by Air Malta and forms part of the airline’s drive and efforts to attract more and more visitors to
The group was truly impressed by what the Islands have to offer.
the Maltese Islands.
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A I R M A LTA N E W S
AIR MALTA UPGRADES IN-FLIGHT SERVICE WITH THE NEW SKY BOUTIQUE SALES A new selection of new fresh food items, delicious snacks,
we are yet again improving the level of quality of the products
selected hot and cold drinks, trendy beauty products
and selection. We look forward to continue offering our
including perfumes and a number of gadgets is available for
customers an enjoyable experience whilst flying Air Malta.”
sale on-board Air Malta flights. Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer Paul Sies said: “We Over 100 items are now available on-board as part of the new
are currently finalising a new business class service concept
upgraded in-flight product. These are further changes to the
that will be launched very soon. This upgrade will include a
airline’s inflight product following the rollout of a revamped
new gourmet inflight menu that will remain complimentary
service last year. These new changes have been done following
for our business class customers. After the success of our
feedback received from the airline’s customers.
improved economy class we want to create a better experience for our business class travellers.”
Speaking about this upgrade Air Malta’s Chief Executive Capt. Clifford Chetcuti remarked: “We are happy to note that our new buy on board selection and service introduced this year has been well received by our passengers. With this upgrade
Cover of the new menu and shop brochure.
The new selection of fresh food items. From left: The ham and cheese brioche, the mozzarella tomato and pesto panino, the roasted vegetable focaccia and the chicken Caesar style sandwich.
A I R M A LTA N E W S
HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN GOZO IN WINTER ARE YOU LO OKING FOR A COS Y WINTER HOLIDAY ? The Maltese Islands, with their mild sunny winters, are the place to be for anyone wanting to chase a bit of elusive winter sun! If you’re booking your Air Malta flights to Malta this winter, you should definitely dedicate a day to explore Gozo, full of things to see and do also during the winter months. Follow our tips below on how to best spend one day in Gozo in winter to get a taste of everything that the sister island has to offer!
ĊIT TA DELL A Located in Gozo’s capital city of Victoria, Ċittadella is an ancient fortified city, mesmerizing the thousands of tourists who choose to visit it each year. This place is perfect for those cosy winter days where all you feel like doing is take a nice walk around a city full of history and culture, while the winter sun kisses your cheeks. Dive deeply into Gozo’s older days with a visit to the Folklore Museum, the Museum of Archaeology and Gozo’s old prisons. While there, make sure to also dedicate some time inside of Gozo’s Baroque-styled Cathedral, take a stroll along the Citadel’s Ditch and finally soak up the stunning panoramic views from the top of the city’s fortifications.
Ċittadella
TA’ PINU CHURCH One of the most famous churches in Gozo is Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary. This beautiful church is located near Għarb and it guarantees a special experience for anyone visiting it. Upon arriving on site, you’ll be pleasantly greeted with the intricate mosaics in the square surrounding it and as you make your way inside the church, you’ll be impressed by its fine interior. Pay a visit to its museum to discover fascinating tales of miracles that blessed the Gozitan community through the years. Different musical performances are also performed at this location, all year round.
Ta' Pinu Church
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A I R M A LTA N E W S
ĠGA N TIJA TEMPLES What is a visit to Gozo without a visit to its pre-historic temples of Ġgantija? Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, these temples are even older than England’s Stonehenge and Egypt’s Pyramids, having been built between 3600 and 3200 B.C. The name “Ġgantija” derives from the Maltese word of “ġgant” which means “giant” due to the massive size of these stones. It is believed that only a race of giants could have been responsible
Ġgantija Temples
for such impressive constructions. Get ready for a unique experience as you make your way through impressive megalithic stones, doorways and altars. The Interpretation Centre will help you get to know better the old inhabitants of these temples with its display of remains of all kinds. QUA D BIKE TOUR The best thing about Gozo is that at almost any time of the year, you can enjoy the great outdoors through a variety of activities. If you consider yourself an adventure seeker then a quad bike
Quad Bike Tour
tour could be the perfect option for you. A full-day quad tour will give you the opportunity to explore the hidden gems of Gozo, even in the middle of winter! HIKING THE COUN TRYSIDE Alternatively, hiking Gozo’s charming countryside is another great option for things to do during the winter season in Gozo. After all, the island only covers 67 square kilometres and lucky for you, there are several trails to follow, rewarding you with the most breath-taking of views. Choose amongst coastal, countryside, historical or cultural trails- there is something for everyone! A not-to-be-missed spot during your hike is Wied il-Għasri on Gozo’s Northern Coast, a natural creek standing in between impressive cliff formations with crystal clear waters. Other sought-after spots in the North are Calypso Cave and Għar Mixta, elevated on the left and right-hand side of Gozo’s golden Ramla Bay respectively. Why not include Gozo’s remarkable Ta’ Ċenc Cliffs on the Southern Coast in your hike too? Give this island a go and get ready for some wonderful winter moments during your holidays in Malta!
Source: Air Malta’s Blog www.airmalta.com/destinations/malta/blog
Hiking the Countryside
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23Kg checked-in bag included for just an additional €15.00 at time of booking.
Discover Sardinia Fly to Cagliari from Malta starting from
â‚Ź33 *Terms & Conditions apply.
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airmalta.com
A I R M A LTA N E W S
IL-BIZZILLA TALKS TO
Pauline Coleiro REGIONAL MARKET SPECIALIST
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
WITH AIR MALTA?
The Green Mile and a very close second is The Sixth
31 years.
Sense. I cry my eyes out every time.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR JOB?
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO FOLLOW?
Challenging, interesting and fast-paced.
I follow all types of music, from RnB to rock to classical music, depending on my mood.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR JOB?
My job is to sell Air Malta’s services to tour operators
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION AND WHY?
and travel agents and negotiate competitive deals with
Every country has its own allure but perhaps Italy is my
them to sell Malta as a destination. With hundreds
favourite. It ticks all the boxes, as to scenery, history,
of destinations and airlines to choose from one needs
art and obviously its cuisine.
to make it enticing enough. My biggest challenge is to look for new opportunities to sell and promote the airline and the islands whilst supporting existing customers at the same time. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?
I love taking long walks, camping, reading, and researching Maltese history. WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED MALTESE DISH?
Oven baked Maccaroni. I love the crunchy ones on top. They remind me of when I was a child and used to go to my grandmother‘s house for Sunday lunch and she would serve piping hot Maccaroni that would have been baked at the bakery just round the corner from her house.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS AND TIPS FOR ANYONE VISITING MALTA?
I love Rabat and the Mġarr area. There are some beautiful walks in that part of Malta. However my favourite spot are the three cities, especially Birgu also known as Città Vittoriosa. Birgu is a very old locality with its origins reaching back to medieval times. The city served as the base of the Order of Saint John before Valletta was built. Walking around the winding streets and alleyways at night takes you back in time with each pallazzo and house having a thousand stories to tell especially for their roles in the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.
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FLIGHT INFO
FLIGHT & COMPANY INFORMATION SURVEY: Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance at Air Malta and we are always looking for ways to improve your experience. Visit our website to answer a few short questions. www.airmalta.com/wearelistening
NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to our newsletter or like our Facebook page to learn about our promotions, with fares starting from as low as €44 including taxes. Visit www.airmalta.com for more information.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
SMOKING
Alcohol consumed at high altitude can have a stronger effect than usual. Cabin crew are legally empowered to refuse serving any alcohol to an intoxicated passenger and to anyone under the age of 18. In extreme cases, crew may also temporarily confiscate the passenger‘s own drinks so that the passenger does not become a nuisance to the other passengers and crew. Furthermore, Air Malta is bound by international regulations which prohibit the embarkation or the carriage of drunken passengers. But since you are reading this article, Air Malta‘s Flight Safety Committee is confident that you are a law-abiding and exemplary passenger. Indeed, the cabin crew may need your assistance to restrain another passenger in the unlikely event that he or she may act irresponsibly during the flight. The consumption of one’s own alcoholic beverages inflight goes against Air Malta policy.
Smoking is prohibited from when you leave the departure terminal building until you reach the arrival terminal building. Smoking is allowed in designated areas only. Smoking is not allowed during any phase of the flight and in any area of the aircraft. Should you be aware of a passenger who has smoked in the toilet during the flight, please inform the cabin crew immediately so that they can check for any undetected fires. The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is not allowed on board Air Malta flights. Similarly, the use of naked flames on and around the aircraft is also prohibited.
INSERT TEXT HERE
ENHANCE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE At Air Malta, we want our passengers to have everything they need to make their travel experience comfortable in one place. Here are a number of services that we offer.
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AIR MALTA FLEET
JOIN OUR BUSINESS CLASS Upgrade to Air Malta’s Club Class for priority service. Members can make use of the special check-in counters for more leisurely and efficient boarding, enjoy access to the La Valette Lounge at Malta International Airport, and get more privacy with a separate inflight cabin area.
CARRY MORE WITH YOU
AIRBUS 319
Are you worried about not being able to fit everything you need into your suitcase? Stop stressing out and check out our extra baggage service. Simply book your extra baggage online and get the most out of your trip. Visit www.airmalta. com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.
QTY: 1 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 141 ENGINES: CFM56-5B6/P MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT: 73.5 METRIC TONS OVERALL LENGTH: 33.84M
FLY IN COMFORT Enhance your comfort with extra legroom during your flight. This option gives you more space to relax in preparation for your trip. Visit www.airmalta.com/information/services-by-airmalta/seat-selection or more information.
WINGSPAN: 34.1M CRUISING SPEED: 834 KPH RANGE: 4,815 KM
GET SPORTY Are you passionate about a sport? We make it easy to travel and take your specialised equipment with you at a very minimal cost. Visit www.airmalta.com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.
AIRBUS 320 GROUPS We also cater for large groups who want to travel together. If your group is larger than 10 adults, contact our Group Bookings team for special rates that you can’t get anywhere else. Email groups@airmalta.com for more information.
QTY: 8 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 168/180 ENGINES: IAE V2500 / CFM56-5B4/P / CFM LEAP-1A MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT: 77.0 METRIC TONS
WEB CHECK-IN Skip the line and check-in before you get to the airport. You may check-in online before you get to the airport, up to 24 hours prior to departure up until one hour before your flight. Visit www.airmalta.com/information/check-in for more information.
OVERALL LENGTH: 37.57M WINGSPAN: 34.1M - 35.8M CRUISING SPEED: 834 KPH - 840 KPH RANGE: 4,055 KM - 6300 KM
DESTINATION INFORMATION
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AIR MALTA DIRECT FLIGHTS AIRPORT
WEEKLY FLIGHTS
Amsterdam 4 Berlin 2 Brussels 6 Cagliari 2 Catania 10 2 Düsseldorf Frankfurt 5 Hamburg 1 1 Kiev London Gatwick 5 14 London Heathrow London Southend 3 Leipzig 1
IRAN
• Abu Dhabi
AIRPORT
WEEKLY FLIGHTS
Lisbon 1 Milan 5 1 Moscow Munich 10 Palermo 2 Paris Charles de Gaulle 7 4 Paris Orly Rome 10 2 Tel Aviv Tunis 2 Vienna 7 6 Zurich
OMAN
SAUDI ARABIA
INTRA-EUROPEAN FLIGHTS Catania - London Southend
2
Cagliari - London Gatwick
2
CODE-SHARED ROUTES • BRISBANE
ETIHAD AIRWAYS Abu Dhabi Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney
australia
• Sydney
• Melbourne
ALITALIA via Brussels, Heathrow and Rome via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi
LUFTHANSA Arlanda (Stockholm) Berlin Bremen Dresden Düsseldorf Frankfurt Hannover Munich Oslo
via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich via Munich
BRUSSELS AIRLINES Brussels Copenhagen
via Catania via Brussels
CZECH AIRLINES Prague
• Perth
SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES Zurich
Barcelona Rome London City Frankfurt Pescara Alghero Cagliari Brindisi Ancona Bari Bologna Brindisi Cagliari Catania Florence Geneva Genoa Nice Milan Linate Moscow Palermo Paris CDG Pisa Reggio Calabria Tel Aviv Trieste Turin Valencia Venice Verona
via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Milan Linate via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome via Rome
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES
australia
EMIRATES Larnaca
AIRBALTIC Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Riga Tallinn Vilnius Vilnius
via Vienna via Munich via Brussels via Frankfurt via Amsterdam via London Gatwick via Amsterdam via Munich via Amsterdam
Budapest Otopeni (Buc) Prague Sofia Warsaw Tel Aviv
via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Rome
AIR ITALY Olbia
TURKISH AIRLINES Istanbul
via Rome
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ELEC TRONIC DE VICE INFO
USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON BOARD TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)
NON-TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)
Any devices that can send or receive data by wireless means, such as mobile-phones and tablets, may be used during all phases of the flight provided their transmit/receive capabilities (e.g. Bluetooth and Wi-fi) are switched off. Alternatively, if the device has ‘Flight Mode’ capability, this must be enabled. Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices (e.g. laptops) shall be switched off and stowed away safely during taxi, takeoff and landing. Accessories, such as headphones, must not obstruct access to the aisle. If the data transmission capability cannot be switched off (whilst the device is operating), the device itself must be switched off for the duration of the flight.
These could include, but are not limited to, items such as DVD players, electronic games, music players and personal cameras. Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices shall be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing.
L APTOPS AND NOTEBOOKS
ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT USE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES?
Such devices may be used during boarding and during flight but not during taxi, take-off and landing. Any built-in data connectivity such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi must be disabled. These devices must be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing since they could hinder an emergency evacuation. CAN I USE HEADPHONES? Personal headphones can be used during all phases of the flight. However, we ask you to remove your headphones during the safety briefing. For safety reasons, customers sitting in an emergency exit row must refrain from using headphones during taxi, take-off and landing.
Under certain circumstances, your Flight Crew or Cabin Crew may ask you to switch off all Personal Electronic Devices. This may happen during automatic landings, low visibility takeoff or landing, or during emergency situations.
I SHOULD INFORM THE CABIN CREW WHEN … … portable electronic device is damaged, becomes hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure. If safe to do so, the device must be switched off immediately.
If you require more information, please refer to the table below which includes a list of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) which can be used onboard Air Malta flights by phase of flight. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our cabin crew if you have any further questions.
PHASE
Boarding
HAND HELD PEDS (e.g. smart phones and tablets)
LARGER PEDS
(e.g. laptops and notebooks)
HEADPHONES
WI-FI, TEXT & PHONE CALL FUNCTIONS
YES
YES
YES
YES
instructed by Flight Crew or Cabin Crew)
YES
YES
YES
YES
Taxi-out for Take-Off
YES
NO
YES
NO
During Safety Briefing Demonstration
YES
NO
NO
NO
Take-Off
YES
NO
YES
NO
Cruise
YES
YES
YES
NO
(Cabin Crew PA)
YES
NO
YES
NO
Landing
YES
NO
YES
NO
Taxi to Stand
YES
NO
YES
YES
Extended Ground Delay (when
Circa 10 minutes to landing
Safety Notice: The carriage of damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries or devices is prohibited on-board Air Malta aircraft.
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