In Transit

In a year when social contact has been hindered, join us as we celebrate the power and beauty of connection through In Transit.

This publication focuses on the ties we create with ourselves as well as with one another, and everything else that makes us human.

Communication is more than just a simple interaction - it is all about creating a meaningful exchange. Our lives intertwine and a connection is sparked. Much like a game of chance, although we do not know the outcome, we savour the journey and establish experiences that are both new and exciting.

Love finds you in the most unexpected places. Our lives are changing constantly with every little interaction we have. In a world with as much diversity and communication as there are stars in the sky, this publication celebrates the diamonds in the rough.

You do not need to be on the cover of a mainstream magazine to have a story that matters.

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Grown from the Heart

Gozo’s Own Dynamic Digital Duo

Written by Megan Mallia

Written by Aleksandra Muscat

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Nico and Nicole

The Inevitable Connection of a Curious Mind

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Written by Alice Battistino

Written by Nicole Pisani

Written by Luke Gauci

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Life’s a Canvas, You're the Artist

Second-Hand is Not a Sin, It’s a Statement

MSPCA: Voices for the Voiceless

Written by Luke Gauci

Written by Nicole Pisani

Written by Ruby Sacco

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Yoga: An Ongoing Journey

The Power of Music

Beyond Words: Concept of Movement

Written by Alice Battistino

Written by Aleksandra Muscat

Written by Ruby Sacco

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Grown

from the

Heart

ARTICLE BY

Megan Mallia

“B

y any chance,” asked someone in the Grow 10 Trees Facebook group, “is there anyone from Rabat or the vicinity with an open truck to bring two trees to Żurrieq?” The post was idiosyncratic to the community: quirky, human and unconventional.

It also brought out the curious potential plants have to bring people together.

The Grow 10 Trees Project (or G10T) bloomed unexpectedly. Sometime in 2017, Adrian Gatt, who was to be its founder, was browsing through what he calls a “pro-tree” Facebook group and noticed that, as usual, “everyone [was] complaining without actually doing anything”. He wanted to put a stop to this. “I left a comment saying that if every member of that group grew at least ten saplings, we would have some thirty-thousand saplings to combat this anti-environment policy going on in our country,” he recounts. A new Facebook group called The Grow 10 Trees Project budded, and as Adrian says, “the rest is history”.

G10T’s virtual group is a hub for proactive conversation between people of all ages and backgrounds.

Questions are asked and wisdom given freely – members offer each other a green-fingered helping hand. While it “[has] no fixed structure”, Adrian says that the G10T project itself “encourage[s] the general public – anyone – to do something”. Of course, a lot goes into this effort. From the collection, storage and sharing of seeds, and searching for planting grounds, to communicating with the community and updating information, the people behind G10T are busy as bees. “The culmination of all this,” Adrian says, “is the tree planting events, where anyone can come and just help or get their own saplings for planting”.

And, despite the project’s name, nobody is in any way limited to just ten trees.

The beauty of G10T is in its community spirit. “Our plantations have a heart,” Adrian reflects. “There is a sense of ownership – the owner is the general public who has made it a

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There really is something about the act of growing and planting that brings people together, even if only in the emotional sense. For one thing, plants carry promises for the future. “Whenever I plant a tree,” Liam muses, “I feel like I am performing an act of kindness for the community and future generations”. But plants also act like living time capsules. The fabulous Dame Judi Dench is lesser known for her fascination with trees than for her acting, but her love for them is deep. “I think of my trees as part of my extended family,” she said in a 2017 BBC documentary on the subject. Planting them in memory of loved ones who have passed away, she finds solace in the

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I write by my window, where there’s an eclectic assortment of weathered clay pots housing succulents and cacti. All of them, save a few, were grown from cuttings from my aunt Daphne’s garden; one of them is a sprawling emerald green cactus that flourished from a fallen piece I’d rescued after a wild storm.

Years later now and the window garden is thriving – and seeing it bathing in dapples of sunlight fills me with warmth. The plants are, for me, a concrete example of the persistence and time-denying nature of love, memory and hope. They just go on growing.

Adrian couldn’t envision exactly what he wanted from the G10T group when he first sowed its seeds. “But time,” he says, “forged its path to what we are today: a movement that inspires people to be proactive”. G10T is in constant metamorphosis, “finding ways to fit better into society and make people conscious that they actually can do something”. The

The 'GROW 10 TREES' Project

trees being “something living that goes on [...] you remember [the people they’re for] and the memory goes on and gets more wonderful”.

www.g10t.eu

reality.” Liam Caruana, a G10T volunteer, considers planting to be lovely on many levels. “It works wonders for the health and wellbeing of the individuals partaking in it, and also for society as a whole,” he explains. And he, too, sees it as a means of nurturing a sense of community. “We seem to be increasingly losing touch with nature and with each other,” he expresses, “so planting trees together is a perfect way to counter this”.

“There really is something about the act of growing and planting that brings people together, even if only in the emotional sense.”

number of trees planted might be considered small compared to largescale afforestation initiatives, but that’s irrelevant. What matters is the spirit and compassion the project inspires, because these are qualities that make up every battle against destruction and wrongdoing.

“Our environment needs care and attention, just like many other aspects of society,” Liam says. “I highly encourage all to get involved and aspire to make a difference.” As Adrian states, “change starts with one person doing something”. Planting a seed is an act of love – and it’s something every one of us can do.

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ARTICLE BY

Aleksandra Muscat

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S

aint Augustine once said, “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”.

It is probably not the first time that you have heard how great it is to travel, or what great experiences you can have when you travel. But it has become a trend for people to pursue travelling as a career. Who would have thought, some years back, that this could be a feasible thing to do?

Similarly, Charlon was ‘fed’ the same belief. He, however, chose to pursue studies in the subjects that he felt good at and never gave thought to the jobs that these subjects led to.

Somewhere around the second year of their relationship they started doing some light travelling, “mainly around Europe”, and they feel that these short trips were “the turning point in [their] life”.

I interviewed Charlotte and Charlon, a digital nomad couple, in order to share their experiences in this new travel niche, namely how their new lifestyle has given them the opportunity to meet new and diverse people and how it has affected their personal relationship. It certainly was not the case that they were not able to secure a job or were not smart enough to make it to tertiary education. In fact, they embarked on this adventurous trail when they were completing their undergraduate degrees.

Eventually they decided that travelling is what fulfilled them most, so they pursued it. Although many believe that Charlon carried Charlotte along on this ride with him, they think that they reached this point together – or better yet, in their words, “LIFE influenced us in choosing this option and we feel very lucky and grateful we went for it hand in hand”.

“All you have to do is figure out what truly makes you happy.”

Many may agree that society strongly influences our perception of everything, whether we would like to admit it or not. As opposed to a simpler life, today’s society has pushed the idea that the only way to succeed is studying hard to get a degree and immersing oneself in a nine to five job immediately after.

This is what Charlotte was led to believe throughout her early years as well. But this idea all changed in her second year of tertiary studies when she realised that very often “the higher the title, the less is the freedom”, as opposed to greater success.

This couple has been together for over five years, only being separated for a year when Charlon was studying in Malta and Charlotte in Gozo.

As opposed to what one might be led to believe, they say that “[they’ve] grown so much together [that] it’s weird to spend even a few minutes apart”. Realistically, spending so much time with your partner should not be looked at as something negative; in fact, it should come naturally. But this also means that the boundaries between you and your partner can sometimes blur, and so I asked this couple how they identify where one of them ends and the other begins. This is what they had to say: “We’d have to admit it hasn’t been hard or anything. On the contrary, we feel lucky to be there for every good and bad moment of every day. It comes naturally that we tackle each day together as a team”

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Of course, it isn’t only each other’s company which makes this adventure they embarked on what it is, but rather the experience they get by travelling and learning so much about new cultures and meeting new people every day, which they say inspire them on a daily basis.

You all must be thinking, ‘how can such a young couple afford all this if they don’t have a steady job?’ You are absolutely right! But in reality, as Charlotte so rightly puts it, “travel is cheap, actually cheaper than settling down!” Obviously, they don’t travel with all the perks that some would opt for, such as booking a five-star resort. They travel on a budget, so they always have to be in control of what they spend, even calculating to the last cent. “It’s the only way to make it possible,” the say. And this travelling is all made possible with the money they both earn each month by working remotely on a part-time basis. This is a huge leap from an office environment because “although the job may be the same every day, at least the location isn’t”, and that surely doesn’t make it boring!

“Considering how much we hate routine, we’re living the best routinefree life possible,” they express.

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On the other hand, this life also means that they have to let go of certain things as well, like being away from their families for long periods of time, or adapting to the culture of the countries which differ greatly from what they are accustomed to. The fact that they visit countries which are considered to be dangerous is also a downside. In fact, they recalled that the worst experience of this type of life which they encountered was when they had been followed.

It is good to keep in mind that in any lifestyle, as much as there can be positive experiences, there can also be negative ones. Realistically, this type of life is not for everyone, but as Charlotte and Charlon explained so well, all you have to do is figure out what truly makes you happy.

For them it definitely is the digital nomad life. As they put it, “life is short, the world is wide, and we wanna make some memories”.

charlstraveljournal

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Touch Kiss

A THOUGHT BY

Aleksandra Muscat

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Intimacy

These are what we think about when we speak of intimacy. But I have learned today that this is not so.

When I think of an intimate moment I picture myself alone in bed at 3am texting my dreams and fears to the one I love.

I picture our naked souls colliding in a supernova of light.

space in which two become one. Intimacy thrives on belonging.

Intimacy transcends the physical and explores the spiritual.

You have experienced true intimacy when you can share with someone the unpologetic truth about you.

The closeness is not measured by proximity but rather by the emotional

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Life’s a

Canvas, You're the

Artist

C

ultural experiences are individual, but the moods which artwork portrays are universal. From the earliest forms of art, such as the spectacular lions and rhinos of Chauvet-Pont- d'Arc Cave in southeastern France, to the experimental Italian Renaissance artists and sculptors bringing an artistic rebirth, with the likes of Da Vinci’s 'The Last Supper' and Michelangelo’s 'David' elevating modernity. Followed by the avantgarde innovators of the twentieth century, whose works are deeply rooted in the socio-political reality of their time, art throughout history tells the story of culture. It seeks answers by challenge and curiosity, but it is also through creative existence that artists pose this question: What is art, and what purpose does it serve in our lives?

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ARTICLE BY

Luke Gauci

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Martina Darmanin, a fine arts student and practitioner, shares how art has shaped her life. With an eclectic presence, she expresses her artistic vision surrounding her personal relationship with art. Influenced by experimental academia, Martina enjoys creating art inspired by contemporary society. It is through realistic tones that she bridges a connection with her muse. She explains how portraits are a personal favourite of hers, and the way in which she approaches art.

Edward Hopper’s 'Nighthawks' (1942) is a personal favourite of Martina, who further states her appreciation for the way an interpretive message goes beyond the surface value of a piece.

Set in New York, this oil on canvas portrays people late at night in a downtown diner, as The viewer’s

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tina_darmanin25 artista.maltija

“Art is important for everything; it goes beyond a canvas and makes me more aware of what, and who I surround myself with.

Art affects my mood, it carries impact.”

perspective is almost intrusively directed through the diner’s large outdoor window. This existential art piece captures modern urban life.

Specifically, through a frozen moment of alienation and experience within people’s everyday life. Martina follows up by mentioning how big an impact art has over our personal autonomy.

Drawing further example from Henri Matisse and his famous work 'Dance', personifying a positive ode towards life, channeling physical movement and an expression of joy, Martina shares the artistic freedom behind involving art in her life. She proudly shares her belief that viewing art is both individualistic and universal.

This is because we all share our interpretations. Art is extremely personal to both the artist and the viewer.

“I worry that most people do not understand the value of artistic heritage, such as the drastic demolition of cultural landmarks all over our island. I think art is part of culture, it enriches our lives, a means of expression of human nature, and functionality within society. One can relate their own human experiences through art, which is beautiful.”

When looking forward, even in the art industry, the digital world is becoming a fast growing medium, and as much as Martina appreciates this artistry, she still considers herself as a very tactile person who loves to get her hands dirty with the use of pencils, oils, charcoal, acrylics and other messy mediums. She concludes by mentioning whether, when getting a commission to do an entire wall of art, or even a portrait of someone’s dog, trust between the client and the artistic process must be established. Art changes the view of the world; it can capture feelings, portrays a deep experience, or as Martina put it, can be art just for art’s sake!

Maria Spiteri, a creative who is studying digital arts at university, shares her beliefs surrounding art.

Maria’s sources of artistic inspiration are diverse and multifaceted. She

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explains how art is established and practiced through a very wide spectrum. Be it music, crochet work, the culinary arts, or even a simple doodle, anything can spark inspiration.

Maria’s philosophy is that she creates her best work when she feels motivated, and no matter what, her mood is reflected in her artwork.

“I can get inspired by colours that surround me, and I find a therapy in art. In its patterns, in its sequence, and in its repetition. A comfort of sorts.”

It is through her artistic visualisation that Maria’s creativity flourishes.

She expressed how she has recently been inspired by fashion designer Jacquemus, stating how she enjoys seeing his freshness, particularly how he brings creativity to the fashion scene. Further describing him as a deconstructed surrealist, she enthusiastically shares her appreciation for Jacquemus’ ability to intertextually incorporate elements of physical life and art through details in his style execution and photography.

“Looking back, I used to be afraid to use colour. I’d use monochromatic colour schemes derived from black and white, and using their various shades and tones was my safe choice.

But now I feel more comfortable using colour – more playful, more expressive!”

In terms of digital art, there is arguably a more complex relationship between the artist and the delivery of their artistic vision. Virtual viewership dictates constant everchanging expectations on contemporary digital art. Maria gets personal when explaining that a level of validation

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“Art changes the view of the world” through consistent content posting can be unhealthy for both the art and the artist. She addresses the risk of art feeling like an obligation when it should in fact be about natural growth, self-reflection, and creativity.

Maria defines her artistic growth through a shift in the mentality of how she views herself.

The art world as a community attracts people with similar interests, with specific reference to various forms of art. It is a place where creative thinkers can appreciate art’s value together with a deeper level of connection and a unique perspective on life. Art makes you look at things in a different way. If we can take away anything from an artist’s ethos – the idea of an artist deciding what they should make out of their canvas – it is, that it is up to us to create the life we wish to follow!

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Second-hand is not a sin It’s a

Statement ARTICLE BY

Nicole Pisani

I

remember walking in the narrow streets of Victoria in Gozo, taking photos of the quaint townhouses, when I came across a little gem of a shop! It had a little chalkboard sign scribbled with the words ‘Vogue Xchange Open’. I remember feeling the need to pop in and see what was inside. As I walked in, I was greeted by a lovely woman named Tonya Lehtinen - the brains and personality behind this little shop.

I immediately started browsing around all the second-hand items and even snapped a couple of

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pictures. Then I found something.

There it was, the corduroy jacket of dreams, which I regretfully did not buy. I still think about it to this day. In the exact moment its extraordinary red hue hit my eyes, I realised that the world of second-hand clothing is terribly underrated and deeply misunderstood.

This brings us to this article. Now a few years since this incident, I sat down with the woman behind Vogue Xchange and had a chat about her relationship with second-hand clothing, with hopes of shining a light on the concept of thrifting, and

obviously with hopes of asking her whether the beloved jacket was still available (it is not!).

We initiated our conversation by speaking about how Vogue Xchange came to be. According to Tonya, it all started in 2018 when she decided to organise a couple of clothes swaps which went really well. She then became inspired to raise money for the environment, started building relationships with local organisations such as Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), and continued to sell secondhand clothing from then on.

Being such a brave endeavour in Gozo, a place so unaccustomed to the idea of second-hand clothing, I ask her what inspired her to open such a shop. She shares that in her previous career as a space organiser in Cape Town, working with a lot of wealthy people in their homes allowed her to witness first-hand the problem with waste and consumerism.

“I thought what good could I do for the planet, for the community? So I started the swaps. I wanted a place where people could get some really good quality clothes which have already been processed, and to really

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work with inspiring people,” she says. “When I started this, the misfits and the goths and the ones who have been bullied for being a bit different - they were so excited to come here, it’s like they’ve found heaven!”

Anyone who has been to this hidden treasure can tell you that every piece is evidently carefully selected. I ask Tonya how she acquires these pieces, and she says that in the beginning “[she] used to have a lot of good clothes.”

“I emptied my wardrobe, I emptied my friends’ wardrobes, I said ‘thank you very much, we’re emptying your wardrobes’.”

From then on, she continued to acquire new clothes from the swaps she organises.

She says that although some people think that the clothes for swapping need to be new or with labels, it is simply not true. What Tonya looks for when selecting the pieces is whether the clothes are made really well (by looking at the seams, finishes, buttons, etc.) and what they are made of (for example, silks, linens, wool or cashmere).“They all have

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a merit for me,” she says. “I know what sells, obviously, and I know what people are asking for, so that’s a plus, but I always have a little bit of my own personality which is what I think I like and what I find Interesting.”

Something I have always found particularly interesting about second-hand clothing is how it allows people to express themselves. There is something beautiful in the way a person is able to convey him/herself through a previously owned piece of clothing. “You can say so much about yourself when you find second-hand clothes which you relate to,” Tonya says. “They become part of your costume - I see it in the shop and I really actually love it.”

One could say that second-hand clothing is a sort of mutualistic relationship. A relationship involving the buyer and the clothes

themselves. The buyer is able to find a new piece of themselves through their purchase and the clothes are granted a longer life, a reason to exist. During our chat, Tonya shares that she once came across a shirt from a friend of hers which was meant to be a gift for Elton John but never got there! Had it not been for second-hand clothing shops, this gem of a shirt would have probably been binned. Instead, it is now proudly worn by whoever purchased it.

Second-hand is not a sin, it’s a statement. It is a means of selfexpression, a way to step away from the consumerist culture and a means to be a little kinder to our environment. As Tonya says, "It’s not about ‘should I buy a second-hand piece’. You should ask, ‘why should I buy a second hand piece?’ Why am I going to make that shift? Once you start asking these questions, you become much more enthusiastic and driven to do something more sustainable!”

After we concluded our little chat, I became very aware of just how much of a reflection of our personality our clothes really are - and I mean this in the least materialistic way possible.

In Tonya’s words, “young people are manipulated to keep up with fashion, otherwise you are a nobody. Secondhand allows people to get out of that cycle.”

“It’s not about ‘should I buy a second-hand piece’. You should ask, ‘why should I buy a second hand piece?’” vogue__x__

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Authenticity “I hope you know that you made today a very special day by just your being you. There's no one in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.”

Tom Hanks (Fred Rogers)

A THOUGHT BY

Alice Battistino

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MSPCA:

Voices for the Voiceless ARTICLE BY

Ruby Sacco

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heir eyes tell a story of pain, a story of fear, as they relentlessly hope for a better tomorrow. To speak for those who cannot speak for themselves takes courage. To bare their pain and carry it with you takes strength. In a world where everything is possible, remorse seems so far out of reach, yet it only takes one person to step forward into the light and speak up for what matters.

They are beaten, isolated, starved, and whipped into submission, and they are left to linger in cold cages, abandoned and deprived of the most basic necessities. We live in a world where everything is possible, yet this is what lurks behind closed doors that only ardent animal advocates dare to open.

Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, MSPCA, is an animal rehoming centre with a clear mission to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals through education and advocacy. The organisation’s volunteers pour their souls into their work as they stand at the forefront of a war being waged against animals.

They are constantly acting on behalf of animals and have moved mountains for justice. MSPCA is a driving force for making our country a kinder and safer place to live. They instil hope for the future, as more animals are awarded rights.

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Julie, a volunteer at the organisation, firmly believes that speaking up for these animals safeguards a better future which they rightfully deserve freedom to as much as we do. Julie particularly bonded with an abandoned dog at the shelter, Jim. He was abandoned by his former owners and brought to the centre along with his brother. Julie immediately connected with Jim upon his arrival and firmly believes that they shared a special bond.

While Jim was neglected and abandoned by his own family, Julie relieved his pain. She stood by him as he lost hope and gifted him a brighter future. The volunteer gave Jim a chance while others turned their back on him. Jim’s spirit was broken, but Julie’s voice soothed his broken heart.

Today, Jim has found a safe and secure home, a home which he rightfully deserves. Julie’s bond with him gives her the strength to live and fight for another day, and to recognise the painful reality of abandonment as well as to give these choiceless animals a voice.

Julie is an important proactive part of the wheel that supports and maintains the organisation’s mission.

These volunteers are the pillars of advocacy, working towards making this world a kinder place for the innocent.

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heir eyes tell a story of pain, a story of fear, as they relentlessly hope for a better tomorrow. To speak for those who cannot speak for themselves takes courage. To bare their pain and carry it with you takes strength. In a world where everything is possible, remorse seems so far out of reach, yet it only takes one person to step forward into the light and speak up for what matters.

They are beaten, isolated, starved, and whipped into submission, and they are left to linger in cold cages, abandoned and deprived of the most basic necessities. We live in a world where everything is possible, yet this is what lurks behind closed doors that only ardent animal advocates dare to open.

Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, MSPCA, is an animal rehoming centre with a clear mission to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals through education and advocacy. The organisation’s volunteers pour their souls into their work as they stand at the forefront of a war being waged against animals.

They are constantly acting on behalf of animals and have moved mountains for justice. MSPCA is a driving force for making our country a kinder and safer place to live. They instil hope for the future, as more animals are awarded rights.

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“Their eyes tell a story of pain, as they relentlessly hope for a better tomorrow.”

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We can collectively educate ourselves and surpass the boundaries that limit humankind to speak up for the voiceless that are weeping for justice. The organisation’s mission is to awaken the emotions of people for the voices that have been buried and intentionally suppressed by our society. Animals are gifted with voices we shall never hear, they are gifted with extensions of ourselves that we have lost, and yet they are treated as lesser beings. They are patronised for their ‘incompleteness’, for their ‘misfortune’ in being different, yet their depth of love for us is incomprehensible. Animals teach us perseverance, loyalty, and fidelity.

There are so many animals out there who are not as lucky as Jim. He was given a second chance to a life he rightfully deserves. MSPCA gives second chances, they rebuilt trust and foster companionship.

Giving second chances, however, comes at a price. Due to the current pandemic, MSPCA are barely staying afloat with the ongoing expenses in sheltering and feeding animals.

MSPCA promises not to rest until the day where no animal is imprisoned, abandoned, beaten, or starved to death. Our contribution is invaluable, and with little effort we have the power in our hands to revolutionise the world around us.

Advocating for change might drive us to our darkest depths of despair and break our hearts but recognising reality and contributing to something bigger than ourselves illuminates the barred enclosures that bring out cries of pain and torture. Animals are begging to be heard. Contributing to this organisation, MSPCA, starts as a whisper in our soul that nudges us to look at our conscience dead in the eye, and ask ourselves the tough questions.

mspca_malta

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Nico

&

Nicole ARTICLE BY

Alice Battistino

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A

few months ago I had the honour of interviewing an old friend of mine, Nico, together with his sister Nicole, about how they finally met for the first time in 2019. They are now closer to each other than with anyone else in their lives. This is their story.

A bundle of nerves and anticipation, Nicole waited nervously at the airport’s baggage carousel. As her luggage slowly emerged, a stirring dose of reality struck her.

A connection to the part of herself she, for years, yearned to come to know was about to be forged by a moment she would never have forecast. A stone's throw beyond the

'Arrivals' gate, her biological father and brother Nico, both of whom she had never met, anxiously awaited her.

“I was so nervous, I was so scared,” she recalled. “I was waiting for my luggage and I was so slow. I was nervous, not so much about meeting Nico but more about meeting Tony, my biological father, who I had never met before.”

What may have felt like a few minutes for some passengers felt, for Nicole and her brother, like a lifetime.

The last to collect her things, the automatic glass doors eventually parted and she stepped out. As her eyes landed upon her father's face, a sudden fuse of doubtful emotions

overwhelmed her. She wondered whether she had made the right choice. Doubt was quickly replaced with love and relief as she met her brother’s eyes. Frantically running towards each other, they embraced eagerly for the first time ever.

Nicole, 'Dolly' to her friends, currently resides in Australia but was living in the UK at the time that she made her first trip to Malta in 2019. "I always wanted to, it was a part of me I didn't know and I had so many questions.

It took me a long time to have the strength and the confidence to be able to do it and Nico definitely gave me a lot of that strength and confidence. I don't think I would have

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done it if I didn't have his support,” she said. Though she had wanted to experience her motherland, finally meeting her family mattered way more.

The pair first touched base on MSN, an online chat platform that was rather popular years back. Nicole was around 15 years old whilst Nico was 10 years old. “From my side, MSN was cool, I always knew I had a sister, I was like ‘oh, I can speak to her, she’s a cool teenager’,” said Nico. They then reconnected around 4 years ago on Facebook where they kept in touch and slowly began to talk every day, growing closer and closer to each other. “Being across the world I never felt so close to him,” said Nicole.

The oldest of three boys, Nico has always had to uphold a model son personality for his younger, more impressionable brothers. Nicole seemed to lift a weight off his shoulders that he had been bearing for a long time. “When I finally got to experience being a younger sibling to an older sister who has done and felt everything, I had a complete change into how I see myself, in a way that I know I can just say what I feel and what I'm experiencing without the fear of leading her down a bad

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road,” he exclaimed. Though now he feels that he can finally take a step back from the responsibilities of being the eldest brother, an unwavering sense of protection for his sister when it comes to his father continues to govern his emotions.

She was very nervous to meet her biological father and expressed how she will always be guarded when it comes to him. On the night of her birthday they went for a drink alone together. “I felt like a parent, thinking he better not do anything mean,” said Nico.

“We have a lot in common, but one thing I admire the most is with all the bad shit that happened, she always pushed forward and accomplished whatever she had to, which is something I always wanted to learn.

It takes me a bit longer, it's really

easy for me to give up and pick something else if something doesn’t work out,” said Nico, when asked about what he admires most about his sister. Though they lead different lives, who they are at their core is what allows them to come together and connect in the way that they do.

“How our souls read each other is creepy sometimes... he definitely feels like my brother,” said Nicole.

Walking together to Nico's beloved spots was the trip's most memorable moment, for both of them; from promenading Manoel Island, to a lasting conversation sitting down by the water at Tigne.

“At the airport we were hugging and I said "inħobbok hafna” and he didn't know that I knew how to say that,” said Nicole towards the end

of the interview, as Nico began to simultaneously tear up. Though they are now continents apart, they happen to be closer than ever before. Last December, she gifted him with the ultimate Christmas gift and has tattooed his name on her arm.

As soon as he gets the chance, Nico plans to go and visit his sister.

She has recently moved into her apartment where a large sofa with his name on it awaits him.

“At the airport we were hugging and I said inhobbok hafna”

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The Inevitable Connection of a Curious Mind ARTICLE BY

Nicole Pisani

I

n a world so big and so full of so many wonderful things, connections are inevitable.

However, one form of connection is more inevitable than others (yes, I did just George Orwell you). Throughout our entire existence, we can’t help but connect to stories. Whether real or imaginative, we thrive on following a story from start to finish, holding our breath through the rough parts and savouring the good ones.

This is probably the reason why so many people love to immerse themselves in the world of literature.

A book holds within it the potential for connection and therefore has the power to entice anyone with a curious mind. For most of us, the idea that in between two perfectly bound covers lies a story waiting to be read is simply too poetic to ignore.

When putting together the words ‘books’ and ‘connections’, I would always think of the idea of connecting with characters within the books, whether it be relating to them or even falling in love with them. However, whilst speaking

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to a fellow reader, author and English student Corrine Zahra, my eyes were opened to a whole new way of connecting with books.

She pointed out the possibility of connecting with, as she put it, “the texts themselves”. It’s a different type of connection which can only be described as being on a more conceptual level. A level in which one falls in love with the story, rather than with the people in it. In such cases, we form a connection with what the characters are doing, rather than with the characters themselves.

Corrine shares that one book with which she has felt this type of connection is Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. “I remember [how] before leaving for the United States in 2019,” she says, “I was in bed reading the final sixty pages of the novel (it was midnight and my flight was at 7am), and I cannot explain my relationship with this novel – however, it felt like I was ending a chapter in my life through this novel. I was about to embark on a journey.” Now that’s a main character moment if I’ve ever heard of one.

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Corrine also speaks about the attachment we form with the physical aspect of the books we read. “I do not sell books that are close to my heart,” she admits. “I enjoy having my collection standing side by side, and there’s a sense of pride just looking at them. Readers not only have connections with texts but also with the physical novel.” It’s strange to think that the connection we form with some books is so strong that it persists despite having little left to offer or excite us. If you think about it, our relationship with stories is so powerful that nothing can come in between.

As a recognised author, Corrine’s connection with books is quite different from the type of connection felt by readers. “When I became an author, for the first few years I was very doubtful about my writing and my novels” she says. “I couldn’t fully accept that I had published two novels at such a young age. My relationship with books changed slightly simply because I was constantly comparing my own writing to the books I read.”

“A book holds within it the potential for connection.”

As I imagine, writing books must be an extremely personal endeavour – it is, essentially, the act of writing down your ideas, opinions and feelings. When we choose to read an author’s work, we are almost literally consuming their thoughts.

Sometimes we are so blinded by the stories we are reading that we forget that behind every word, is an author.

An author who has chosen to let us peep into his or her psyche, and has risked to be at the mercy of our judgement – all in the pursuit of one thing: connection.

It is for this reason that I see books as a bridge between people. In Corrine’s words, “books are capable of creating movements, starting revolutions, and striking enlightenments. Books can bring people together, if only people understood what power books have.”

Books have the power to connect people through thoughts, feelings and understanding. As Corinne says, they “connect us in ways we cannot always understand”, and the best part is, we have the rest of our lives and a countless amount of books to figure that out!

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The model in this article is not Corrine.

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E

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A THOUGHT BY

Nicole Pisani

Sometimes I think of the world and the people in it. I think about how we all became explorers the moment we set foot into this world, equipped with curiosity and a thirst for adventure but lacking only one essential thing: a map! I also think about how our definition of the word ‘exploration’ changes with time. As children, when presented

with the word ‘exploration’ we think of looking for treasure or reaching infinity and beyond. However, as we grow older, we find that instead of treasure, we are now in the pursuit of the self. We realise that rather than a destination, life is a constant journey of exploration in which we are constantly letting go of the old and searching for the new.

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You’ve got a

friend in Me ARTICLE BY

Luke Gauci

W

e all come into this world as strangers, most of us having to take our first steps alone. Only a lucky handful end up experiencing the valued connection of true friendship; seldom are the chances of destiny guiding us towards our best friend, let alone having a friendship mapped out before we are even born. Just like an extract from an Ann Brashares’ novel, this story follows two best friends who share an unbreakable bond that inexplicably combines two very different characters into one beautiful, everlasting Friendship.

As childhood best friends who made endless plans together over the years, Nicole and Lisa have constantly been by each other’s

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side. From two little girls in pigtails, holding hands as they guard one another going to the toilet during numerous late night sleepover parties and their mutual fearful encounter with a circus clown, they became the vibrant women growing up alongside one another, attending horse riding classes, and even travelling to Barcelona on their first international solo adventure.

Giggling, they explain the depth of their friendship which, in all honesty, dates back to the womb. Nicole and Lisa’s mothers met for the first time at a birthing class and by some cosmic stroke of chance, the two kindred spirits were later born within hours of each other. That was how this friendship began. As time passed, a modern family was formed

with a shared love and acceptance for both Nicole and Lisa’s sisterhood by all their relatives. Being an only child, Nicole even shared how she not only sees Lisa as her sister, but Lisa’s younger brother as her sibling, too.

Through life’s trials and tribulations, this duo has shared and lost friends and family along the way, but nothing has deterred their sisterhood; fighting over broccoli, and late-night Skype calls, gushing over which member of One Direction is the cutest, their bond only cemented in time, and truly is a story worth telling.

With their own unique presence and individual sense of fashion, they both agree that, in their eyes, aren’t that different. They always involve one

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“We can look at each other and just get it!”

another in shared family moments and holiday celebrations. If there was one thing that they both wanted to make clear, it was that they never make a drama out of disagreements and believe that the strength in their friendship lies in their transparency with each other. Speaking a language of their own, Nicole and Lisa have developed a spoken and unspoken method of communication. A secret language of their own, where just one expression between themselves could speak a thousand words. “We can look at each other and just get it!”

Inside jokes about Nicole always being too early and Lisa always being too late are somehow balanced by Lisa’s wishes to be as organized as Nicole, and Nicole’s wishes to be as humorous as Lisa. There is an honesty in their friendship, a raw

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authenticity that makes you feel that you too are part of something as you share in the moments of this friendship. Each with their own inimitable aesthetic, they love to spoil each other with surprises, Nicole being a whiz in whipping up tasty snacks to constantly treat the pair to scrumptious meals, and Lisa’s jaw-dropping craftsmanship and artistry always leaving Nicole in amazement. “It’s not a competition.

When one of us wins, we both win.”

A seriousness comes over the girls as they explain that the next few years are going to be difficult, as university comes to an end. But though life will take them in different directions, they both agree that growing up does not mean growing apart. When the girls were younger, they made code words for situations

life handed them, words like “cheesecake” became synonymous with that cute crush they playfully debated over.

nicole.borg kenmoos_

Now that relationships and dating are part of the next chapter in their lives, the girls are not afraid of losing touch. They both agree to remain a priority in each other’s lives, call a lot more, throw in some new code words, and schedule new adventures like Barcelona! After all, when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. They both know that in any storm they face in the future, they have each other. Needless to say, this 'Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants' kind of friendship is not just a story with a happy ending, but rather several joyful beginnings that have been and will be experienced together.

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An Ongoing Journey

Yoga:

ARTICLE BY

Alice Battistino

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Y

oga is a physical, philosophical and mental practice originating in ancient India.

It has become increasingly popular around the world as it helps improve physical and mental wellbeing.

To Martha Galea, yoga started off as a physical challenge. What once seemed like a fun new hobby flaunted by influencers on Instagram quickly became a huge part of her being, leaving a long-lasting effect on every aspect of her life.

Yoga studios always seemed intimidating. The thought of being judged and unable to keep up with others made her too nervous to attend classes. She bought a guide, and for four years she practised yoga alone in her bedroom. “The more I practised, the more I realised there’s much more than the physical aspect of yoga,” said Martha.

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Throughout her journey, she began to see a great change in herself, specifically when she began a teacher training course. At first, week in and week out, she planted herself at the back of the studio, nervous that her coursemates might judge her. As the weeks progressed, however, she became more and more confident in herself and gained an understanding of what was truly important about what she was doing. “Everyone goes at their own pace. It’s not about getting into that pose, she said. “It’s about what you learn on the way there; you learn more about patience because it takes time to get certain poses. You learn more about kind of slowing down.” In fact, as she eagerly stated after, non-judgement is a value that underlines the essence of yoga, which means that being accepting and understanding is at its very core.

Martha has always been a very active person, enjoying high-intensity training and a busy lifestyle. Not only did yoga help her in gaining confidence but it also taught her how to slow down and become more present in her life, be with her breath, and turn inwards. “Often we’re so busy with our everyday lifestyle that we don’t take the time to just pause and notice, ‘Okay, why am I reacting in this way? What is this experience teaching me or why did I lash out?

What is the underlying emotion to that?’ And it’s really helped me improve in my everyday life in terms of, you know, my relationships with others,” she said.

marthagalea

Creativity is a huge benefit to practising yoga. Coming up with a new flow can be very exciting and fulfilling. It also allows space for creativity in everyday life; quieting the mind gives way to fluidity, allowing it to open up to new possibilities and adventures. “It lets me get out of my head and into my

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“It's just kind of connecting my body to my breath.”

body. So when I’d move, it’s just kind of just connecting my body to my breath, and just allowing that to kind of guide my movements and feel what I’m feeling in my body,” said Martha.

She also had some great advice for readers who might be thinking of starting their yoga journey. The most important thing is to go at your own pace and remember that everyone has to begin somewhere. “Even the most highly skilled yoga teacher had to start somewhere,” she said.

Many people feel nervous about starting new ventures out of fear of being judged or not fitting in. It is important to remember that this is, more often than not, not the case, and overcoming this fear will open up new and wonderful relationships and experiences. “I feel that it’s easy for you to feel that people are judging you, but in reality, people are focusing on their own journey and how they’re feeling in that class, in that pose, and on releasing their emotions,” said Martha. In fact, it is most likely that other students will be excited to see you begin your journey and improve your yoga. “It’s tough at first, but I feel that even when it comes to body positivity and self-love, yoga has played such a big role for me in that aspect as well.”

Yoga is much more than just a workout. It allows for internal work.

It is a journey for self-discovery and acceptance which is always ongoing.

“It is about being grateful to your body for kind of giving you everything keeping you alive,” Martha said. ”You know, your ungs for keeping you alive with every breath, your heart for beating in your chest, your tummy...for keeping you safe and keeping your internal organs safe.”

Yoga is a journey that, if you allow it to, can truly go on for a lifetime. So if you have been thinking of beginning yoga, we would like to remind you that everyone can benefit from inner work and physical challenges and that you should not let insecurity hold you back.

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y t i l i b ra e n l u V

A THOUGHT BY

Ruby Sacco

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The

ARTICLE BY

Aleksandra Muscat

Power of Music O

bsession. Expression.

Innovation. This is how musician Michael Joe Cini, better known as Micimago, describes his relationship with music. It could have started when at the age of fourteen he was “instantly hooked” after listening to the late Avicii’s Levels. He recalls how that piece inspired him to start creating his own music.

Much like many other artists, Michael started experimenting with music just as a hobby but after some years began growing “obsessed”, “particularly with the production side of it”. He started realizing that music was becoming “such a big part of [him]” around the age of 17. The craving for playing his own music to an audience became so big that he decided to start DJing, but slowly he realised that it was another area

entirely and thus stuck to production.

He states that the roots of all music is what connects individuals, and thus "you need to learn the craft”.

And what can be better classified as the best foundation to music other than the piano? Michael said that he soon understood the benefits of this reality, and adds that “with piano you can play a whole song with all of its emotions”. And it is precisely this notion of emotion that connects people through music.

Friedrich Nietzsche once said “without music, life would be a mistake”. Michael refers to the mainstream thought of it all but confirms the statement’s veracity.

I mean, do you imagine yourself driving alone at night in your car without Spotify, or watching an advert without background music or a jingle? What a melancholic thought,

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don’t you agree? From very early on in life, we are bombarded with music and sounds. In fact, many make it a point to hum or sing to babies as early as their time in the womb. We listen to lullabies sung by our parents, jingles in cartoons, and maybe even be lucky enough to be given the chance to play our own instrument.

Music can be used as a bridge between people, be it between a mother and her baby or two lost souls meeting for the first time. In Michael’s words: “I feel at my fullest when I create a piece of music. It also became something that connects me with other people, which sometimes can lead to friendships.

There’s nothing more beautiful than connecting with someone else about something that you both love.”

A beautiful thing which happened during this pandemic, thanks to

music, was that during lockdown, many people from all walks of life, in most cities all over the world, allocated some time during their day to go on their balconies and share some beautiful moments singing together. They did this for their own sake, in order to share their fears and get emotional strength from seeing others in the same situations. But they also did this in solidarity with the front liners risking their lives every day, and in memory of those thousands who day after day started losing the battle with Covid.

Covid-19 hit the music industry quite badly, especially due to the complete prohibition of large public gatherings. Clubs closed, bars went bankrupt, parties were rendered non-existent; it’s like the world suddenly dulled without the

The roots of all music

is what connects individuals.

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strobing lights and disco music.

Michael wistfully states that “the music industry, more specifically the performing industry, was the first to be affected, and will be the last to recover”. But if we are to take a silver lining from this cloud that has engulfed the globe, it is the fact that artists can dedicate more time to composing, and maybe this unforeseen situation even pushed some to test their musical limits.

make a living out of producing music.

The digital age has definitely made a change in this regard. As a matter of fact, Michael believes that “the internet opens a lot of doors.

If you’re an artist, you can literally build an audience solely on social media”. Not only this, but if you produce music, you can build a relationship with a client completely online, even if both live on opposite sides of the globe.

Maltese musicians have other limitations. A couple of decades ago, it was unthinkable that one could

History has repeatedly shown that with the power of music people can come together and unite. Music is

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not reserved solely for star-crossed lovers, but it can reinforce some pretty amazing connections between people. If only people made more music and less wars, the world would surely be a better place!

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A THOUGHT BY

Megan Mallia

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Beyond Words:

Concept of Movement

ARTICLE BY

Ruby Sacco

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A

of movement unites people from different backgrounds and bridges connections beyond verbal expression.

Concept of Movement, THE MVMT, founded in 2016, is a group of spirited and talented individuals that strives to emotionally connect with an audience through movement. The dance group firmly believes that the artform can potentially revolutionise the world surrounding us, opening people up to an array of emotions. The harmonising nature

The dance group strips down their vulnerabilities on stage to create raw and authentic experiences, where people can emotionally feel part of their story. The synchrony of dance develops relationships where people can respond to the atmosphere of the music and spiritually connect to the story of dance. Cheryl Lofreda, creative director and choreographer of THE MVMT, believes that dance manifests self-confidence and arouses deep emotions. The power of dance is limitless; it crosses the boundaries of making the unseen visible and transforms the way we think and perceive the world around us. The complex nature of such an artform embraces the beauty in fear and engages with the purity of live movement.

t its heart, the heavenly bliss of bodies’ sublime movements and graceful feet moving smoothly across a stage, connects with our souls and makes us feel less alone in the world.

The art of dance is a unique gift that bridges meaningful relationships through shared emotional experiences. The beauty of the artform is the ability to capture feelings and the motions of a moment in time. Dance reclaims words lost in translation and reforms them through artistic expression.

“Dance reclaims words lost in translation and reforms them through artistic expression.”

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“Explab is estiam quides ilis id modi re vente nempor atiorem labore pel il magnis ero dit”

When so much of our thinking is done with words, dance transmits intimacy, an emotional state that only our bodies can fulfil. Our bodies tell their own story, and the art of dance allows us to silence the world around us and appreciate the value of movement.

Concept of Movement took Malta by storm in 2020. Their performance in Malta’s Got Talent fuelled people with empathy. THE MVMT created a story without words and touched minds in wonderment. The group

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constantly challenged themselves throughout the competition to create meaning in synchronisation and inspire people to surpass a state of familiarity. In fact, their creative decisions and distinct style awed the judges and even brought tears to the eyes of many. Their movement is a potent voice of lived experiences and its primary strength lies in creating art that reflects reality and the social circumstances that surround us. Their content is a vehicle for self-reflection and growth, which resonates with communities and

establishes a sense of empowerment and resilience. Their movement fuels self-expression and develops significant connection, honouring a myriad of emotions behind their story.

Cheryl Lofreda firmly believes that the key to establishing trust with your audience is to support your teammates and students. Connecting on a deeper level with your dance group allows you to create meaningful and powerful messages on stage. The dance group believes that movement

is therapeutic, it enables people to channel all their emotions into art and infuse past experiences into dance, which establishes profound meaning.

Dancers lose themselves in their steps and surrender to the beauty of the world unfolding on a stage. At that given moment, they are freed from a world of apprehension, and viscerally show the audience the beauty in vulnerability. Each performance of THE MVMT leaves viewers with deep empathy and feeds their souls with inspiration.

The audience embraces a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences exhilarating feelings larger than themselves. The world of dance is an exciting ride of peaks and troughs, and THE MVMT aspires to convey determination in pursuing professional careers.

The MVMT tells a story of how a dark past can create a bright future. Every dancer tells their own story, creating a landscape of the soul, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of the present. Their

feet tell a story of torment, pain, and grief, but their intimacy glimmers with hope. Dance allows you to connect with everything around you, and challenges your body and mind, as the rest of the world slips away for a moment in time. It gives you a single fleeting moment to feel alive, to strip down from words that bound you and create magic.

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Diversity Diversity How can we believe our similarities help us build relationships when it is through our differences that we really understand how similar we all are?

Diversity goes beyond ways of existing, it explores the concepts of knowing.

Knowing that everyone has their own personal stories.

Stories shaped by spiritual beliefs, social identities, and cultural history. Knowing that the true meaning of what makes us diverse is not what separates us, but rather our shared uniqueness.

Diversity is not about tolerance, it’s all about celebration.

A notion of respecting individuals for being themselves.

Standing together, embracing the unfamiliar, which ironically enough, is recognizable to every single person.

A THOUGHT BY

Luke Gauci

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Acknowledgements Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences Prof Noellie Brockdorff, Prof Ġorġ Mallia, Mr Malcom Bonello, and Administrative Staff All interviewees 3Cities Adventures of Bailey &Whiskey Andrew Sullivan Ċekċik Christabelle Zammit Dav.Jr Debrii Derek Garden Centre Erika Micallef Escape Rooms F.A.I.T.H. Gianluca Bezzina Gianni Isaiah Riolo

James Mifsud Jamie Cardona Just Sarah Karin Duff Karina Caligari Kersten Graham Kevin Paul Calleja Kimberley Camilleri Livia Massa MSPCA Martha Galea Martine Cutajar Mary Cassar Torreggiani Maxine Pace Miamo’s Kitchen

Mid-Drapp tan-Nanna Miguel Samuel Mikela Riolo Mireille Caruana Philip Agius Planet Hollywood Poked By Monique Sip & Paint Spazju Kreattiv Splash & Fun Sunflower Designs Toby Valentina Rossi Virtu Ferries Ltd. Yasmin Helledie

Blue Bus Ltd

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Hannah Finn

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Communications Team

We aspire to build a strong connection with our readers

Ezekiel Kudde

Kyle Zarb

Kristina Marie Parker

Jessica Tufigno

Adrian Bugeja

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Michaela Cassar Pickard

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Design Team

We communicate our values thorugh visuals while having a keen eye for detail

Christal Pistininzi

Carley Cassar

Samuel Sciberras

Benjamin Caruana

Naomi Schembri

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Alice Battistino

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Editorial Team

We are the ones who put pen to paper to tell stories

Ruby Sacco

Aleksandra Muscat

Megan Mallia

Luke Gauci

Nicole Pisani

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Martina Falzon

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Marketing Team

We aim to strategically share our vision with collaborators and strenghten our community

Mia Ellul Sullivan

Gabriella Baldacchino

Thomas Camilleri

Mark Russo

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Sara Micallef

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Photography Team

We focus on telling a tale by capturing the little things that make us human, quirks and all

Lynette Agius

Amy Sultana

Valeria Cristina Sinagra

Simon Apap

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Periklis Chatzigiannis

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Video Team

We strive to visualise the human and emotional connections in different relationships around us in the most transparent way possible

Maria Farrugia

Kieran Verzin

Yeliz Ozcan

Izabella Shanableh

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In Transit is entirely produced by B.Communications (Hons.) students enrolled in Magazine & Digital Publishing (MCS3020)

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