A view of the Western (Majjistral) side of Malta from the rooftop of St Agatha Tower in Mellie침a.
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Innovation is at the core of the MAGF strategy as well as the Lisbon Agenda . Indeed, innovation is seen as crucial to ensure a solid rural economy. In this light, Action 413.4 seeks to develop and market three distinctive products (or range of products) for the Majjistral territory through which . the concept of regional identity and regional cohesion will be further re-inforced. This action will offer the opportunity to the different stakeholders within the territory to come together, interact and form partnerships. Moreover, this action will help the Majjistral territory to expose such products on an international level.
Tal-Mistral is an EU funded project selected through a call for ‘The Creation of Three Distinctive Products of the Majjistral of Malta’, a project launched with the aim of supporting the distinguishing aspects of the identity of the Majjistral Region. The Tal-Mistral gift pack is made up of products coming from the Maltese Majjistral (North West) territory. Local agro - alimentary products, in this case honey, are presented in a locally designed and produced rustic pottery ornaments, made from rough grogged clay at Alka Ceramics in Ta’ Qali Crafts Village. The designs in this range of products represent historic features or architectural monuments from the region. This gift is ideal as a corporate gift. It also embodies honey craftsmenship, a skill for which Malta has been famous for ages, earninig it the beautiful name of Melita (the land of honey).
Alka Ceramics is a ceramics manufacturing company which was set up in1980 by Paul Haber, an honours ceramics graduate and artist. Alka Ceramics' premises is a centre for artists, designers, crafters, as well as art and genuine craft lovers. New designs are introduced regularly while the main niche market is custom made ceramics for private and public clients. Alka Ceramics runs Clay Club which offers ceramic and sculpture courses; throwing lessons and hands on experiences for groups and individual visitors. Their expertise, versatility and artistry make Alka Ceramics, the foremost ceramics producers in the Maltese islands.
Contents PURE MALTESE HONEY MDINA GATE TAL-MISTRAL TRADITIONAL RECIPES TA’ ĦAĠRAT TEMPLES MOSTA DOME MALTESE LUZZU AND WIGNACOURT TOWER ST AGATHA TOWER LANDMARKS AWARDS AND TROPHIES CORPORATE GIFTS BRANDED GIFTS
There is definitely something incredibly fascinating about honey - the nectar of flowers converted by bees, into a sweet and golden elixir, as if by a magical transformation. Malta and honey have always been intimately connected. The ancient Romans praised its taste, and its sweetness was known worldwide. Since then many things have changed but the taste of genuine Maltese honey is still hard to beat.
Collected in the merciless Obtained in May from sun and almost total the nectar of thistles, wild borage, almond and citrus absence of rainfall during late July or August, this flowers, amongst others, this honey is golden yellow honey is exclusive to Malta as it is almost entirely with a green shimmer and a produced from wild thyme. delicate taste.
Harvested at the end of November, this is a deep flavoured, aromatic and amber-coloured honey that is extracted from the nectar of eucalyptus, carob and mustard plants.
Maltese honey is unique in its physical properties, chemical composition and pollen make-up, due to the distinctive combination of flowers that bloom on our islands.
Most people describe honey as ‘sweet’… But we believe that honey is so much more! It is a treasure to be enjoyed by everyone!
Our local honey is entirely produced by bees. The only human intervention is in gathering the yield and making sure no honey is lost. The golden wonder is genuinely full of healthy, and natural, sweetness. For centuries honey has been considered as a magnificent gift of nature in which the properties of an outstanding nutrient, beneficial to adults and children alike, are amalgamated with medicinal properties. From time immemorial, honey has been used successfully by popular medicine, and the results of experiments have shown that honey is an important medicine possessing various therapeutic properties.
• Anti-microbial • Treatment of cuts and burns • Could help treat some types of cancer when used with other chemotherapies • Ease the early symptoms of a cold • Increases the red blood cell count • An instant energy booster • Reduces constipation since it is a mild laxative. • Can treat seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Mdina Gate Mdina was the Capital of Malta before Valetta, and is about 2000 years old. The Baroque Main Gate was built in1724 by the Grand Master de Vilhena to replace the old one. Inside the gate’s arch, you can see the statues of the patron saints of the city and the island - St Publius, St Agatha and St Paul as well as the coat of arms of the architect de Vilhena, and that of a Maltese aristocratic family.
HOBŻ MALTI MALTESE BREAD
ŻEPPOLI TA’ SAN ĠUŻEPP
Maltese bread: Ingredients: · 2 thick slices of Maltes Bread · Fresh olive oil · Wild thyme honey Method: Toast bread on both sides until golden brown. Drizzle with olive oil and a teaspoon of wild thyme honey. Difficulty: Easy For the choux paste: 150ml water, 150ml milk, 240g plain flour, 120g butter, 10g sugar, pinch of salt and 6 to 8 eggs. For the filling: 500g ricotta, 100g icing sugar, zest of an orange, vanilla, cinnamon and some chocolate chips. Decoration: Honey and chopped nuts. Method: Melt together butter, sugar, salt, milk and water in a saucepan. Remove from heat, add the flour and mix in with a wooden spoon, return to heat and stir until the mixture leaves the side of the pan. Allow to cool then beat eggs one by one mixing well. The paste should be of dropping consistency. Heat the oil in a saucepan and drop spoonfuls of the choux paste into the oil and fry until golden brown. Leave to cool. Mix all the ingredients for the filling together in a separate bowl. When the choux paste is cool, split and fill in with the filling. Put some honey and chopped nuts on top to decorate.
Ta’ Hagrat Temples The Skorba temples are megalithic remains on the northern edge of Żebbiegħ.
Situated in the limits of Mĥarr, the site was only excavated in the early1960s; rather late in comparison to other megalithic sites, some of which had been studied since the early19th century. The site’s importance has led to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a listing it shares with six other megalithic temples in Malta.
Mosta Dome It is the fourth largest unsupported dome in the world and the third largest in Europe.
Built in the19th century on the site of a previous church, it was designed by the Maltese architect Giorgio Grognet de VassĂŠ. Its dome is among the largest in the world, with an internal diameter of 37.2 metres; the rotunda walls are 9.1 metres thick (necessary to support the weight of the dome). The rotunda dome is the thirdlargest church dome in Europe and the ninth largest in the world.
The chapel is also known as “Ta’ Rdum”.
Situated in the limits of Mĥarr, the site was only excavated in the early1960s; rather late in comparison to other megalithic sites, some of which had been studied since the early19th century. The site’s importance has led to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a listing it shares with six other megalithic temples in Malta.
Perched over Mellieħa’s golden beaches St Agatha’s Tower is also known as the Red Tower.
The Red Tower, was built in 1647 by the Order of St John to strengthen northern coastal defences during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris de Castellar. St Agatha, was a christian martyr who was venerated as a symbol of strength against invasion and the plague in both Sicily and Malta. When fully manned, the tower could garrison 49 men and held enough water to withstand a siege of 40 days.
The eye on the Maltese Luzzu is called the eye of Horus or Osiris.
Wignacourt Tower is a bastioned watchtower in St Paul’s Bay. It was the first of six Wignacourt towers to be built, and was completed in1610. Today the tower, the oldest watchtower in Malta, which is used as a museum. The luzzu is a traditional fishing boat of the Maltese islands. Believed to be of Sicilian origin, these multicoloured boats can be found today in all Maltese fishing villages.
Aqueduct
Ghajn tal-Bhej em
Girna
Kapitella
Sunset
r e w o T t r u o c a n ig W
AWARDS &
TROPHIES
We specialize in creating new custom award and trophy designs that are tailored to clients’ requirements.
CLASSIC, MODERN OR CONTEMPORARY
YOUTH OF THE YEAR
INTERNATIONAL DANCE SPORT COMPETITION
WORLD MARKETING BEST EMPLOYEE AWARD
PHOTOS: KEVIN CASHA
WORLD MARKETING BEST EMPLOYEE AWARD
TTITL OF PIECE ARTIST
GENERAL WORKERS UNION AWARD
ĠIEĦ Ħ’ATTARD AWARD
PHOTOS: KEVIN CASHA
NATIONAL CARNIVAL AWARD
TROPHIES
MALTA INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHT AWARD
EU ACCESSION 2004
MALTA FASHION AWARDS
MALTA INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL
CORPORATE
GIFTS Custom made gifts and decorations designed by our qualified artists featuring artistic representations of brands, products or services. Customised products can be based on the brand design or corporate identity.
Custom Madnae mPeroodr uloctgo. with company
BRANDED
GIFTS
• Corporate gifts • Branded giveaways • Conference mementos • Works of art for outlets, offices and public areas
• Signs and Displays • Monuments and • Reproductions of landmarks Commemorative Sculptures • Outdoor decorations and • Artistic interior decorations Street Nameplates • Window dressing • Trophies and more...
www.alkaceramics.com
Artisan & Agro-Alimentary