FIRST March 2016

WOMEN AND EQUALITY I THE INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN WHO FIXES PLANES I MALTA’S PIRATES CHRONICLED IN A BOOK I TREVOR ZAHRA INTERVIEWED I EASTER IN GERMANY I IRELAND AND MALTA PROPERTIES IN THE THREE CITIES I ALL THE VIPS VISIT TIPICO DELICIOUS LOW-GI MEALS I BEAUTY I FASHION I COMPETITIONS

MARCH 2016

REPUBLIC STREET, VALLETTA THE POINT, SLIEMA

Photograph by Alan Carville

The feeling of inadequacy exists everywhere – in every country and all situations. No matter how nurturing and stable your upbringing, people around you can always bring you down. The trick is to not let them – remember that those who do this are only demonstrating their own insecurities. Sympathise, smile and get on with what you want to do, because life is too short. Life coach Claire Bugelli offers words of encouragement to all women to help them achieve the most out of life regardless of the challenges faced (page 48) – “unleash the motivation and power within.”

Thankfully, the outlook for women has changed dramatically since the brave – to put it mildly – suffragette movement in London almost a hundred years ago, but some of us aren’t so lucky to have the advantaged position of mind over matter. Sadly, girls and women in other parts of the world take a back seat when it comes to making any decisions – including their own – and endure pain that we here in Malta could never fully understand: female circumcision, arranged marriage, prostitution to support their families (including their own parents), slave labour, being denied an education, and not being allowed to vote (in Saudi) – the fight still goes on.

One thing we need to remember is that everyone has their own burden to bear: male or female, young or old, black or white, wealthy or not. We just need to be aware of our own preconceptions that have essentially brain-washed society. Meet an inspirational female Maltese aviation mechanic, Christine Tanti, inside this issue (page 68), who defies all of this. Despite facing discrimination due to preconditioned ideas that her career choice was only for men, she still pursued it.

And meet other business-women in Malta (page 19), who have overcome all sorts of challenges at work – motherhood for one. I am, in fact, writing this on my tablet as I walk my newborn to sleep at my gallery. A woman, as much as anyone, needs the support of another to prosper. So, in the spirit of International Women’s Day, ladies, be proud of who you are; pursue your dreams and don’t let anyone – including yourself – get you down.

There is so much to enjoy in this world, if we allow ourselves to: just turn the pages of this issue for a smidgen of it.

EDITOR LILY AGIUS LAGIUS@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ASSOCIATE EDITOR COLIN FITZ ADVERTISING & ADVERT PLACEMENTS CLAIRE BONDIN GAFA CGAFA@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SEAN ELLUL PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTWORK COORDINATOR CHRISTINE SPITERI CMIFSUD@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT CONTRIBUTORS ALBERT DELIA, DINI MARTINEZ, FEDERICO PELTRETTI, EDWINA MUSCAT, INGRID MERCIECA, CLAIRE BUGELLI PUBLISHER STANDARD PUBLICATIONS, STANDARD HOUSE, BIRKIKARA HILL, ST JULIAN’S. TEL: 00356-2134-5888 PRINTER PRINT IT E-MAIL FIRST@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ONLINE WWW.INDEPENDENT.COM.MT FACEBOOK FIRSTMAGAZINE COVER DETAILS DRESS FROM 1-2-3; SHOES FROM ALDO SHOES & ACCESSORIES; RIPANI BAG, NOUR NECKLACE, LOLA ROSE BRACELET, RING AND EARRINGS FROM PORTO; RAYBAN SUNGLASSES FROM O’HEA – PHOTO BY FEDERICO PELTRETTI FIRST IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY.

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Inside

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8 FIRST WORD

50 ADVENTURES ON THE HIGH SEAS

11 THE IRISH CONNECTION

54 MALTA’S LITTLE BEAUTIES

Author Trevor Żahra describes his loves and likes Albert Delia explores the relationship between Malta and Ireland as St Patrick’s Day approaches

14 THE GEM IN GERMANY’S SOUTHWEST

Liam Gauci discusses his new book about Malta’s 18th century pirates George Meekers explores the fantastic world of Delicata wines

56 HEALTHY AND MOUTHWATERING

Dini Martinez describes a visit to Ulm

Ingrid Mercieca provides two recipes that are suitable for diabetics

19 CAN’T HOLD US DOWN

60 A PRIME LOCATION IN THE MAKING

26 FRANKS WOMEN

62 MAKE YOUR BATHROOM BEAUTIFUL

28 INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE

64 A BUSY START TO 2016

30 AUTHENTICITY AND SURPRISE

66 SOCIAL WHIRL

32 A RADIANCE AWAKENING

68 LAST WORD

Various women from the Maltese business sector discuss gender equality Six women who have made their career at the company talk about their experiences The ALDO shoes & accessories spring/summer 2016 campaign First explores what the Betty & Co Fashion brand has to offer The new Chanel spring 2016 make-up collection takes us to California

Two Frank Salt Real Estate property consultants discuss the Three Cities Halmann Vella Sales Manager Owen Farrugia offers some useful design tips Tipico and Tipico Careers receive visits from Malta’s top VIPs Snaps from events and launches held recently Christine Tanti discusses her career as an aircraft mechanic

34 MARITIME MUSE

This month’s fashion pictorial was shot at the atmospheric Maritime Museum in Birgu

46 SEE BETTER, BE BETTER

Cyclist Hilary Galea Lauri on why he endorses Adidas Sport eyewear

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48 DEAR CLAIRE

On the occasion of Women’s Day, Claire Bugelli offers some life improvement tips for females

56 WINNER from the FEBRUARY ISSUE CONGRATULATIONS!

Niki Cachia of Mosta won the Valentina Poudre eau de parfum 50ml courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. 6

first word Photo by Kris Damato

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Trevor Zahra published his first book, children’s favourite Il-Pulena tad-Deheb (The Golden Figurehead) in February 1971. In the 45 years since, he has published another 130 books, among them more children’s books, adult literature, five novels, five collections of short stories, an autobiography and. two books of poetry.. His novelette Il-Hajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Genoveffa (Grandma Genofeffa’s Secret Life) is a bestseller and has been made into a successful stage production, as well as translated into English, French, Norwegian and Russian. He is currently working on a new collection of short stories.

My favourite space in my house is

my computer area. I write directly on my PC and do most of my illustrations through Photoshop.

The most unforgettable place I have visited is Venice. I fell in love with that city. Isn’t it great to have your funeral by boat?

Just like crossing the river Styx!

The last place I visited was Budapest, another city that I really liked. It’s relatively quiet and clean.

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was an imitation leather jacket. I’m not very keen on clothes.

The best gift I received recently was a tablet.

I’m hooked on watching films and concerts in the evenings. This little tablet is a real asset.

The last song I listened to was Bohemian Rhapsody played on classical guitar

by Steve Bean.

I would like to learn Spanish.

I’d love to read Latin American literature in its original form.

Top: Trevor Zahra Above: The Taj Mahal Far left: Gabriel Garcia Marquez Left: Venice Bottom Left: Trevor’s favourite family picture

The book I am currently reading is one of short stories by Walter de la Mare. I keep going back to it, from time to time.

One thing I never get round to doing and would like to is organise my library. I’m always looking for books which get hidden somewhere. There were instances when I had to borrow books which I have somewhere from the public library...

is

My most recent find The objects I would never part with are

If had no choice but to change my line of work I would be an actor. I love the stage.

an old version of the Te Deum in rhyme, something I’ve been looking for for a long time. I finally found it while doing some research on old Maltese prayer books.

my library and the photos of my ancestors.

The websites I will often browse are

The thing you will always find in my fridge is My favourite photo is

the websites of children’s authors like Wilson, Morpurgo, Rosen and Pullman.

An indulgence I would never give up is my siesta, a sacred ritual. cheese. I wish I had accompanied my children’s character Qrempuċu on his quest to Cheese Town.

My most luxurious habit is changing

my car every five years. In fact I’m planning to get a new car in a few months’ time. one with my late wife Stella and our beloved children Ruben and Marija, taken in around 1979 or 1980.

The most beautiful building in the world is If I could get away for the day it would have My favourite contemporary author is the Taj Mahal, which has always to be to go to the countryside. I love Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Perhaps he’s fascinated me. But there are many others.

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trees, valleys and secluded country lanes.

not that contemporary as a person, but I believe that his spirit will always be.

The Irish connection

There is probably no national feast that has garnered more worldwide acclaim, recognition and celebration than St Patrick’s Day. For some reason, people all over the globe seem to delight in celebrating everything that is Irish for at least one day a year.

On 17 March 2011, the sound of an Irish tin whistle could even be heard playing on the International Space Station. Albert Delia explores how this feast has also penetrated the consciousness of the Maltese, thanks to long-standing historic links between the two countries.

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’ve had the privilege of having an Irish housemate for over a year and despite coming from opposite ends of the continent there seems to be an underlying and uncanny ability for the Maltese and Irish to get along. It might be either because both hail from an island state or perhaps it’s because they are both Catholic countries, they were both previously under British rule and they also share the occasional love of a good drink.

There are even similarities in the myths of both counties: the people responsible for introducing Christianity to the two countries: St Patrick in Ireland and St Paul in Malta, are both said to have driven snakes out of the country. It could also be because the Maltese and Irish are generally sociable and easy-going people.»

FLORIANA, IN PARTICULAR, HAS A DEEP CONNECTION TO THE EMERALD ISLE. IF YOU WERE TO WANDER INTO THE SACRISTY OF THE CHURCH DEDICATED TO ST PUBLIUS, YOU WOULD NOTICE ON THE WALLS THE PORTRAIT OF AN IRISH CARDINAL 11

«Even here, on 17 March, the celebratory mood is palpable: one only need pop into St Julian’s to see an ocean of bobbing leprechaun hats and hear the notes of an Irish harp blasting out of loud-speakers.

Amongst the celebrations held here, one place in particular, Floriana – whose inhabitants bear the very nickname of ‘Tal-Irish’ – seems to have taken it upon itself to organise a street party for this year’s St Paddy’s Day on 13 March in Triq il-Konservatorju, Floriana. On the same day, a ‘proper’ St Paddy’s Day parade is also scheduled to take place in Valletta from midday onwards.

But what is the origin of the relationship between the Maltese and the Irish? The majority of the ties formed between Malta and Ireland happened while Malta was still a British colony – from 1813 to 1964.

Floriana has a particularly deep connection to the Emerald Isle. If you were to wander into the sacristy of the church dedicated to St Publius, you would notice on the walls the portrait of an Irish cardinal.

To be more precise, the subject of this painting is Cardinal Michael Logue, the Primate of All Ireland between 1887 and 1924. The Cardinal was in Malta in 1895 for a short visit. The story goes that he was so impressed with the reception he received from the Maltese that, on his return to the Vatican he advocated turning the liturgy of the Feast of St Publius to First Class.

From 1902 to 1905, The Royal Dublin Fusiliers were stationed in Malta – originally in Mtarfa, then in Pembroke and finally in Floriana. It was after a football match between the Fusiliers and the Floriana football team (which the Floriana side won) that the shirts between the two teams were exchanged and the green and white striped colours worn by the Irish team were adopted by Floriana.

There are also rumours of an Irish ghost haunting the island, that of Thomas McSweeney, who is buried in St Lawrence’s churchyard near Birgu, just under the fortifications known locally as ‘is-Sur ta’ Pazan’. The story of McSweeney is an interesting

THERE ARE ALSO RUMOURS OF AN IRISH GHOST HAUNTING THE ISLAND, THAT OF THOMAS MCSWEENEY, WHO IS BURIED IN ST LAWRENCE’S CHURCHYARD NEAR BIRGU one. This 23-year-old sailor, originally from County Cork in the northwest of Ireland, was accused of killing a fellow crew member on board HMS Rodney in 1837. Having been court-marshalled and sentenced to death, he was hanged on-board the ship and later buried in Malta.

Almost 200 years later and fresh flowers are still laid on his tomb. Superstition has it that his tomb also intervenes to bestow miraculous events, not to mention the occasional ghost sighting. The cult of Thomas McSweeney has, over the years, given rise to a certain fascination and has even attracted the attention of a documentary film-maker, who was interested in making a film about the story.

What about the current connections between Ireland and Malta?

Well, there are two organisations dedicated to the continued promotion of Irish culture in Malta, apart from the work done by the country’s embassy: the Irish Emerald Society, established in 2009, and the Irish Maltese Circle, established in 2012. Both organisations hold a variety of social events organised by – but not only for – Irish residents in Malta. Anyone interested in the events organised by these two great organisations can find updates on their websites. They also organise charitable activities and coordinate their donations from these social events.

Apart from the more social aspects of the ties between Ireland and Malta, from a business point of view both countries seem to be developing a lucrative financial services industry, with the number of Irish registered companies coming to Malta steadily on the increase.

For those of you out there currently depriving yourselves of one kind of goody or another for the season of Lent, you’ll be pleased to note that Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for St Patrick’s Day. This might perhaps explain why the feast is so closely associated with the drinking of alcohol....

So, as 17 March approaches, make sure to rummage through your wardrobe for something green to wear. And, on a final note, one last morsel of information pertains to the custom of being pinched if you’re not wearing green on St Paddy’s Day. The tradition originates from an old 17 th century superstition that says that wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns – who would run around pinching anyone they saw.

So if you want to avoid a pinch from the grubby little hands of a leprechaun, remember to wear something green but, more important than that, grab a drink with a close friend and don’t shy away from trying to sing-a-long. Why not celebrate and commemorate the culture of our kindred spirits in the Atlantic?

JOIN A UNIQUE GLOBAL MOVEMENT THIS ST PATRICK’S DAY As the world prepares to mark St Patrick’s Day 2016 on 17 March, Guinness is calling on its fans the world over to come together and share an iconic symbol of fun and togetherness by sharing their Guinness Moustache with #GuinnessTache.

The distinct Guinness moustache is created by taking a bold gulp of the beer leaving the creamy head across your upper lip. Fans and celebrities have been confidently wearing their own moustaches for decades.

This St Patrick’s Guinness wants to bring people together to take the Guinness moustache to a new level – by igniting one unified global symbol of togetherness on a day were friends mean more.

To join the global movement share your Guinness moustache using the hashtag #GuinnessTache and tag your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

St Patrick’s Day has become a global celebration and Guinness is inviting people around the world to join the 12

global party, but how much do you really know about St Patrick? To prepare you for the celebrations, Guinness is sharing nine things you didn't know about the saint, the parades, and Ireland.

1. St Patrick was not Irish That’s right, the Ireland’s patron saint was not actually from Ireland. He was born in Wales.

His vestments were blue, though a green shamrock or ribbon is understood to have been worn on St Patrick’s Day since the 1680s.

5. St Patrick’s Day isn’t just a national holiday in Ireland

Guinness; it’s Nigeria. Of the total worldwide consumption of Guinness, 40 per cent of it is in Africa, where three of the five Guinness-owned breweries are situated.

8. Guinness is black... False

2. Patrick wasn’t his name

It’s also a national holiday on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, a tiny island with around 4,000 inhabitants which became home to a large number of Irish emigrants in the 17th century.

Despite there being over 100 male and female variations of the name Patrick, it wasn’t even his name – his real name was actually Maewyn Succat.

6. The first St Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland 9. Guinness in Ireland tastes better than The first St Patrick’s Day parade was the Guinness around the word... False

3. He freed Ireland from snakes This is unlikely to be true, mainly because there were no snakes in Ireland in the first place.

4. Green was not his colour Despite the green hats, green clothes, green face paint and green pints, St Patrick did not wear green himself.

held in Boston (US) in 1737, the result of Irish immigrants celebrating their home country, culture and pride in their heritage, an event which has now been transformed into annual parades in New York, Boston and Dublin.

7. Ireland is not the biggest consumer of Guinness Ireland is not the biggest consumer of

While Guinness has been lovingly referred to as the ‘black stuff ’ for many years, hold your glass of Guinness up to the light and see that it is actually a very deep ruby red colour. This is due to the roasted barley.

The Guinness served in Ireland is the same Guinness that is served in New York or Germany.

So no matter where it is brewed or served, you can be sure the Guinness you enjoy over St Patrick’s is still inspired by the pioneering batches of the legendary stout, crafted at St James's Gate in Dublin, over 250 years ago.

THE GEM IN GERMANY’S SOUTH-WEST

With Easter fast approaching, Dini Martinez explores the city of Ulm, an off-the-beaten-track, long-weekend escape with tons of potential.

Einstein’s birthplace offers everything from history and culture, through nature, to authentic culinary experiences and stunning and varied surroundings, all with the unique Swabian touch.

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n the border of the blue Danube, just across the border from Bavaria, lies a small town which, for some reason, seldom appears in history books. It was passed by Napoleon in the early 1800s, has the highest church spire in the world and more recently was the birthplace of none other than Albert Einstein – the originator of the theory of relativity. Yet, it generally stays untouched

by Lonely Planet devotees and mainstream overseas tourism.

The real Swabian experience

The small town of Ulm is a place where you’ll meet real Swabian people, a cultural group accounting for the majority of south-west Germany’s demographics. They are not pompous and elegant like the neighbouring French, nor sophisticated and diverse like the Swiss to the south, nor are they immensely cute like the Austrians in their ‘dirndl’ and ‘lederhosen’ to the southwest. Instead, they are often portrayed as stingy, overly serious or a little prudish – like characters in one of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales. On the positive side,

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the same stereotype means frugal, clever, entrepreneurial and hard-working. All of the above applies and more. Unarguably, Ulmers (the people from Ulm) are welcoming and utterly authentic in their customs and traditions.

Fastnacht

When we were in Ulm, one of those traditions had been under-way since 6 January, when scary, colourful masks first get dusted off. Fastnacht is the preLenten carnival in Alemannic folklore.

The associated, full-blown parades can be seen in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace and Vorarlberg until Shrove Tuesday, 46 days before Easter Day. Modern folk sometimes like to simplify things by substituting the old fanfare with a good-old simple pub crawl but wherever you get stuck, it is bound to involve unforgettable fun, traditional music and no small amount of homebrewed beer.

Ulm

This merging and adapting of traditions with modernism is typical for the former Imperial City founded in around 850AD. Stroll down the pedestrian Hirschstrasse (translated literally as ‘Deer Street’) from the train station, which links you to Munich (one hour), Paris (five hours),

Lake Constance (one-and-a-half hours), the Black Forest (four hours) and many more, the old merges with the new in a seamless flow.

Old-style Pretzel-houses effortlessly fuse with modern cafés and shops. Street artists provide plenty of entertainment, together with a constant buzz of diverse people and enticing smells such as the typical leberkaeswecken (a sort of roundshaped adaptation of the better known hot dog with a baked mix of corned beef, pork, bacon and onions replacing the old-style sausage), traditional maultaschen (the Swabian version of huge ravioli served in a soup or with caramelised onions) or, the favourite of all the kids, spätzle – a sort of microscopic pasta served with cheese and onions or hearty meat and gravy.

At the centre of the historic town centre stands the famous Muensterplatz, majestically overlooked by the Ulmer Minster known for having the tallest church steeple in the world (161.5m).

Construction on the church started in 1377 and its architecture is typical Gothic, marked by pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. A total of 768 steps lead up to the third gallery, from where you can enjoy spectacular views over the town and, on a clear day, as far as the Swiss Alps.»

Far left: The famous fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle Below centre: The Christmas market selling mulled wine and pretzels Right: Ulm Munster, the tallest church in the world Bottom: The old town of Ulm

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Top: Lake Constance Left: The famous Blautopf (blue-pot) Above: Fastnacht (6 January) – scary, colourful masks during the pre-Lenten carnival in Alemannic folklore

«The Bella Vista Café, near the ultra-modern stadthaus next door, invites you to celebrate ‘above Ulm’s rooftops’ and serves a delicious fusion of modern and traditional cuisine – for most guests accompanied by a glass or three of Prosecco. Another lunch-stop alternative is the more traditional Gerberhaus by the shallow, winding river Blau (Blue) in the old fishing quarter, marked by crooked halftimbered houses, cobblestone streets and picturesque footbridges.

A stroll through this piece of living history will eventually lead you to the largest remaining section of the city wall, winding alongside the legendary Danube.

Walking up-river, either on the wall itself or the renovated pathways and green zones next to it – with plenty of sport, picnic and playground space – you’ll come across the crooked Butcher’s Tower (Metzgerturm). The adjacent gate leads you along a steep cobblestone path to the Town Hall (Rathaus) which features some brilliantly coloured mid-16th century murals and an astronomical clock from 1520.

Its vivid façade telling stories from the days of old is juxtaposed beautifully with the neighbouring massive glass triangle, home to the public library and open to everyone. Here you can take a copy of Spazz magazine to check out all the exciting evening entertainment options, from opera, over funky bars, to funky bars, 16

improvised theatre performances and more. With little ones in tow, check out ‘Kinder in der Stadt’ to learn what’s hip.

Soak in this unbeatable old-meets-new atmosphere accompanied by a deliciously steaming cappuccino or dripping gelato at one of the nearby authentically Italian ice-cream parlours. After all, it’s less than a fivehour drive to Italy from here!

Museum and library

Digging a bit deeper into the psyche of this longstanding university town, pop into the Ulmer Museum on the other side of the square. The visit will take you time-travelling through architecture, the arts, culture and archaeology – all the way back to the Loewenmensch figurine, a 40,000-year-old lion-headed figure which is the oldest known human/animalshaped sculpture in the world.

Further afield – forests, lakes and fortifications

While a long, well-rounded weekend can easily be filled with historic, cultural, architectural, culinary and even nature highlights without leaving town, there is also a stunning array of varied attractions awaiting you in Ulm’s surroundings.

At the time they were built in the mid-1800s, to provide protection from attacks by France, Ulm’s

federal fortifications were the largest fortifications in Germany and large sections still exist today.

The famous Blautopf (Blue-pot) has given rise to many myths and legends and is probably one of the most magnificent springs you will ever see. It lies 16 km west of Ulm on the Swabian Jura’s southern edge and features a funnel-shape and peculiar blue colour due to the high density of limestone in the water.

For forest enthusiasts, the mainly rural Black Forest is a mere four-hour train-journey away and features many scattered villages, typical farmhouses, sweeping halfhipped roofs, wonderful hiking trails for all levels, Black Forest gateau, Kirschwasser and ticking cuckoo clocks.

Lake Constance to the south is not only Central Europe’s third largest lake, but also has the most crystal clear unpolluted waters next to charming green and historic surroundings. From here, you might consider catching a ferry, followed by a short bus or train ride to Zurich’s international airport, to fly back home from there. Personally, we flew out of Munich, spending our last day at the fairy-tale famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

On our way out of Ulm we pass the ‘Memorial to Deserters’ near the university’s botanical garden. It represents the idea “Desertion is not reprehensible, war is”. Already immersed in this article, I cannot help but tweak this to: “Travelling off the beaten track is not reprehensible, not travelling is”.

CAN’T HOLD US

DOWN On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Edwina Muscat muses over various issues that she feels are holding women back from participating on an equal basis with men in our society. First also asked a number of prominent women in business for their thoughts on the subject.»

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ne of life’s perversions is that it is often only with hindsight that we are able to clearly see what we couldn’t see at certain points in time. It’s a bit like coming across an old picture of yourself and realising that you really were much prettier and much slimmer than you used to think you were, or finding an old diary and cringing at a particularly naïve entry.

When I was in my teens I couldn’t wait to be a proper grown-up, but now I think: oh, to be 18 again and not spend time and money on such things as anti-wrinkle creams and multivitamins – and to be able to think that gender inequality was something we learnt about in social studies class and not as an issue in today’s world!

I distinctly remember refusing to participate in such debates and insisting that even the simple act of discussing things like gender equality was contributing to the continued existence of such issues. The statistics, however, speak for themselves – most clearly when one looks at those regarding female participation in the workplace.

First of all, survey results issued this very month show that Malta’s gender equality ranking stands below the EU average. Malta was ranked 16th out of 28 member states in an index compiled by the European Institute for Gender Equality.

The Index measures gender gaps in work, money, knowledge, time, power and health across the EU. For the record, of the 28 member states, Sweden had the highest score (74.2) followed by Finland (72.7) and Denmark (70.9).

Romania scored the lowest, 33.7, followed by Slovakia (36.5) and Portugal (37.9).

I will also quote the most recent Eurostat Labour Force Survey (LFS), that clearly shows that Maltese companies do not make use of the potential in the existing female labour force. For example, the employment rate of women in the Maltese labour market (41.0 per cent) is considerably lower than the EU average (58.5 per cent). As if that wasn’t worrying enough, the

I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH DEBATES AND INSISTING THAT EVEN THE SIMPLE ACT OF DISCUSSING THINGS LIKE GENDER EQUALITY WAS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF SUCH ISSUES. 20

share of women actively looking for work in Malta (7.1 per cent) is below the EU average of 9.8 per cent, indicating a low overall labour market participation.

Even the rate of female employees working parttime (25.5 per cent) is lower than the EU average (31.6 per cent). Part-time work is clearly a feminised sector in Malta, with 68 per cent of all those having a part-time job as their main occupation being women, especially married women.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, women account for only 15 per cent of the selfemployed work force. Overall, women who work in Malta are mostly in the lower age brackets, are unmarried and are segregated in jobs within services sectors such as retail and the hospitality industry or those considered as an extension of their traditional domestic roles, such as teaching or nursing.

Statistics for women in Malta holding high-level positions are even more discouraging. Only a small number of those women who are economically active manage to reach the higher economic decision-making posts. A report issued by the European Commission in 2012 highlights this underrepresentation of women in senior positions and confirms that Malta sits in the lower ranks in percentages of women involved in decision-making, compared to other member states. It is not just a question of a ‘glass ceiling’ any more, there are also ‘sticky floors’, which are preventing Maltese women from reaching their full potential.

I am sure I don’t need to quote further reports and studies, which show that women in Malta are not being considered – or are not coming forward – for top posts.

In many cases, I feel, the decision to stay one step back comes from the women themselves.

Such positions involve long working hours, which generally don’t gel well with family responsibilities, unless the woman in question happens to have an extraordinarily supportive spouse or partner who is willing to take on household and childcare responsibilities.

Let’s take one of my close friends as an example. She is an accountant with a prominent international firm. Somewhat of a workaholic, she would regularly work 12 and 14-hour days and, as a result, breezed through appraisal meetings and quickly rose through the ranks.

Marriage, however, soon meant that she needed to cut down on working hours so that her husband could come home to clean floors and a hot meal.

In her case, cutting down on working hours simply meant working a 40-hour week as opposed to the 60 or so hours she had been putting in for the previous few years. When Baby Number One came along, she opted to work reduced hours – which should have meant leaving work at 2pm – but whenever she called me to say ‘hello’ on the way home from work, I’d notice it was 4.30pm or later, meaning she was essentially working full-time hours on reduced hours pay. This also meant she missed her baby’s first steps, and the first time he waved ‘bye-bye’. So she finally took the hard decision to move to a smaller company – one with which it was clear from the start what her working hours would be. »

Theresa Bartolo Parnis is the co-owner and manager of the Monsoon and Accessorize franchise’s five outlets in Malta and Gozo. She is the mother of two grown-up children.

“I personally have never experienced any discrimination or opposition because I am a woman. My business partner, Jackie, feels the same way, but perhaps our experience is not the same as that of other women as, before we opened our own business, we were running another retail company and learning so much from the experience – whilst giving it our all – that we never felt we had to fight against prejudice of any kind.

Perhaps this might be because retail is, or was, more of a femaledominated industry. I have always worked with an all-female team.

However, we are both very driven and tend to not be put off by any obstacles when we want to achieve something. Another important thing to point out is that our husbands never attempted to discourage us or stand in the way of our success, and that support was very important.

In my opinion, the biggest obstacle that women in general might face is archaic attitudes regarding what women and men ‘should’ be and do. If we want genuine equality for all, it has to start in the home. My two boys are both capable of cooking a meal for themselves, and know that they are expected to clean up after themselves, and I know this is the case with Jackie’s three sons too. Children will emulate their parents, and if parents both work, they should share all the jobs in the home. It should be a partnership, and this sends the right message to children who will, in turn, go out into the world and recreate this environment in the workplace.”

Nadine Bruno used to work in the publishing and advertising business but has been the Marketing Manager at J. Calleja Ltd for two years.

“I’m afraid there is still a lot to be done. Men are sometimes preferred to women not necessarily because they are better qualified or more experienced, but because they are deemed to be less ‘problematic’, especially if a woman is married or plans to get married and start a family. On the positive side, there has been a change in mentality when it comes to parents sending their children to childcare centres, which has become pretty standard since the stigma of the ‘bad mother’ label attached to it has subsided.

I am certain that more women would be working if they were given the opportunity to use these centres. This could happen if companies offered more reducedhour jobs or ones that could be done from home.

Being employed by a company with similar values as your own helps a great deal too since, in general, women seem to have to work twice as hard as men to be given the same credit and this type of discrimination is unfair.”

«She’s now a senior manager and working reduced hours which really are reduced. She should be making director soon, along with a male colleague who has the same work experience as she does, but knows for a fact that he’ll be making partner some day and she will not – because such a position would require her to work full-time. Yes, she admits, free childcare between 8am and 6pm means that she could work full-time as well, if that was her priority.

But, she asks herself, what about when her child starts school? Who will pick him up at 2pm?

And who will drive him to football practice or private lessons? The truth is, she admits, she can only ever imagine being able to get back to fulltime work when her children are grown up, perhaps at university, and independent, at which point she’ll be 55-years-old… There won’t be much point to it, she feels.

Even if her husband or her mother could or would help with the housework and childrearing responsibilities, she would still feel guilty for not doing it herself, such is the Maltese mentality that those are her duties as a woman.

The way she sees it, the moment she became a mother was the moment she started to feel guilty. If she’s at work, she feels guilty for leaving her baby at childcare. If she’s with her baby, then she feels guilty because she should be working to meet the next deadline.

Malta is experiencing a social change, although it still lags behind on most gender-equality issues compared with other countries.

Anthropologists and sociologists confirm that the Maltese still hold some of the most rigid and conservative perceptions of women as wives, mothers and housekeepers.

Now, anyone who knows me will confirm how strongly I feel that church and state should be separate issues, but I cannot throw comparative statistics around and ignore the fact that they should be discussed within the context of Malta

RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS PERVADE MOST AREAS OF OUR CULTURE, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, AND ARE DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THE STRONG ‘MOTHERHOOD MANDATE’ THAT PERMEATES COUNTRIES IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COMPARED WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, NORDIC COUNTRIES 22

as a traditionally Catholic island state.

Religious teachings pervade most areas of our culture, whether we like it or not, and are directly linked with the strong ‘motherhood mandate’ that permeates countries in the southern Mediterranean compared with, for example, Nordic countries.

However, Malta is slowly but surely seeing changes in social attitudes and behaviour.

The number of marital separations is on the rise, as are civil marriages and single-parent families. Perhaps this gradual change in Malta’s cultural, social and economic systems may also lead to changes in Maltese attitudes towards female employment and a woman’s ‘duties’ within the family.

As a woman, I can vouch for the fact that we are not born with dishcloths in our hands and a recipe for Quiche Lorraine in our brains. My husband’s go-to excuse whenever I ask him for help around the house is “but I don’t know how to cook/clean/work the washing machine”, etc. The thing is, I didn’t know how to do these things either, until it became a question of learn or eat pot noodles/live in filth/wear bikini bottoms instead of underwear.

The idea of a man who does his fair share around the house is not a myth: I have a friend whose partner cooks every day whilst her only responsibility in the kitchen is preparing lunches for work the next day. The husband of another friend washes the floors and walks the dog every day. But, I have to say, these example of domestic equality seem to be relative drops in the ocean.

Most Maltese men, as far as my experience of them goes, are overgrown boys who go from having their mums taking care of them to having their wives or girlfriends doing so. In much the same way, a change in this area can only ever be slow and gradual.

I, for one, vow that, should I ever have a male child, I will not raise him as a ‘mama’s boy’. He will be taught basic cooking, and will be expected to help with things like laundry and keeping his room clean. In much the same way, should I have a girl I’d make sure she knows how to use a drill and fix a leaking tap. These are the useful things that should be taught in school, as opposed to the idea that a girl’s virginity is her greatest treasure.

A few months ago, a picture of a bride presenting her father and her groom with a signed contract of her ‘purity’ went viral on social media networks. At her wedding, a certain Brelyn Bowman presented her father with a certificate signed by her doctor guaranteeing that her hymen was still intact. I can’t help but point out that the condition of a hymen is in no way an accurate measure of virginity, but that’s really beside the point. The whole idea that a woman’s worth is measured by the state of her vagina is medieval at best, and a symbol of a system that expects women to be “pure” and not to engage in the same kinds of activities for which men are routinely glorified. If a man sleeps around he’s ‘a stud’; if a woman does »

Aida Cassola has been the Marketing & Visual Executive for Debenhams and Oasis in Malta for the last three years but has worked in the marketing field for five.

“In general, I feel that women do have equal opportunities in the workplace today. However, we should not rest on our laurels as things can always be improved further. If the regular, traditional office hours from 8am to 5pm were to be replaced with flexible arrangements, this would enable women to juggle their full-time careers and a family better.”

Celia Melillo established — and has managed — O’hea opticians for 16 years. She is the mother of two children.

“Women are great at multi-tasking and I believe that is our biggest secret for being successful.

Speaking of my own experience, I have not encountered many problems being a woman in the business world. This might be due to the fact that I have a strong, determined character and will achieve anything, no matter the obstacles. One of my mottos is: work hard and you will achieve all you wish. I don’t think women should wait for those around them to change their views about women, but rather show them what women can contribute and back this up with results. The difficult people will then change their attitude. Obstacles will always exist but if you have a good dose of ambition, are determined and good at prioritising and multi-tasking, you will succeed.”

Erika Galea has been the Brand Manager for Marks & Spencer since September 2014.

“I think there has been progress in how women are treated in the workplace and the opportunities they have been given.

There are gender stereotypes that are hard to ‘let go of’ in terms of what gender would best ‘suit’ a particular job, but I would say this varies mainly by industry. I am lucky enough to work in a sector where females are accepted and welcomed across all levels, from entry level to management positions. However, I believe social relationships need to change in the workplace as I feel there is still some inequality in how males and females relate to each other at a formal and informal level.”

«the same she’s ‘a slut’ and perhaps the worst thing is that she is judged equally harshly by other women as well as men!

So, yes, when it comes to gender, double standards are alive and well. Why else is it standard – and seemingly okay – for men to catcall women on the street and not vice versa?

And although we’re all much more aware of the

GENDER EQUALITY IS A WAR, NOT A BATTLE. INDEED, MANY BATTLES HAVE ALREADY BEEN WON AND THE AIM IS NO LONGER TO AFFIRM WOMAN’S EQUALITY (OR SUPERIORITY) TO MAN BUT TO ESTABLISH IT IN EVERYDAY LIFE

health benefits of weight control, why have studies found that overweight women feel more societal pressure to lose weight than overweight men? And don’t even get me started on how child-free women are labelled ‘selfish’ and routinely told that they will regret their decision not to have children. What kind of woman wouldn’t want to be a mother after all, they wail?

Sure, continuing to over-populate the world is all we were born to do. It is true that men have quite a bit more time to decide if they want children or not, but being a father is not considered an essential part of manhood the way being a mother is for women and, we’re told, if you disagree it’s only because you don’t know what you’re missing out on.

I won’t go on. Gender equality is a war, not a battle.

Indeed, many battles have already been won and the aim is no longer to affirm woman’s equality (or superiority) to man but to establish it in everyday life.

As educated European women, we tend to take our emotional and physical freedom for granted. In the West, we too often take the ‘emancipation’ of women as an issue of the past, something for which our suffragette ancestors fought and of which we are reaping the benefits today.

This is not so, not by a long shot. It is not enough for women to be theoretically afforded the same rights as men. The emancipation of women is not just about women: first and foremost, it is men who need to accept women as equals. Only then can equality ever truly exist.

Ever the optimist, I believe that this is not simply a hopeful dream.

Sara Grech is the president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Sara Grech Malta and is the mother of three children, now in their 20s. She has been involved in the real estate industry for over two decades.

“What still disappoints me in today’s world is that despite the need to balance corporate leadership with more women, this concept has made very little headway. Life, family and work priorities clash because women are still carrying out the majority of domestic and child responsibilities, even when both spouses work full-time. Women have to be more determined and need to have the energy to do more in a day than an average man would do.

Traditional family dynamics, poor maternity leave, and education all play an important part. Traditional husbands boast of their wives being able to stay at home. It is seen as a lack of a husband’s achievements if the wife has to work – rather than because she wants to work.

Women, however, are not less ambitious than men: it is the cost of ambition and the struggle women face to pursue their professional dreams that results in many of them not going for it. My daughter, who is an HR director, finds that many women give up because they succumb to their husband’s way of thinking: that the man should be the breadwinner whilst the woman can go out and work only to bring in that little bit more.

What if the women could be more successful than their spouses or partners? Could the spouses or partners come to terms with that? Our culture has to change and, as a woman leader, I have tried hard to encourage women to join the real estate industry because you can work from anywhere at any time. We need to instil in all youngsters the belief that gender is of no importance and it is skills that play the crucial role, coupled with attitude and determination. Doing what you love means also being close to your values.

No woman has to give up being a leader to have a family – she can do both.”

Elly Zammit Deguara is the Retail Manager and Buyer for Porto boutique. She is the mother of two children.

“Women don’t need anybody to push them really. They just need to believe in themselves more and set a plan that is doable. We all know that women play a major role in the family culture here, so it is up to us to see how to manage our time between family and work. If a woman is effective enough at work, hours don’t matter. It is the results that count: good results will give her more and more opportunities. What I think is really needed is to allow women more flexibility. Without it, a woman with children is not able to give her best, especially if she is restricted by conditions. On the other hand, allowing her to work around her other commitments will give you results that are worth tenfold, firstly because she is grateful for the opportunity and secondly because she would like to prove herself in the position she is in.

Everyone will benefit from it, including the employer and the employees.”

Jenny Manduca is in charge of marketing at Trilogy Ltd and has held the position for eight months.

“I believe that we’ve come a long way in recent years with regards to equality of job opportunities, but nevertheless there is still lots of work to be done and stigmas to remove in the local employment scene. We must stop subjecting women – and men, for that matter – to social or professional pigeon-holing. It is very easy to fall into the trap of believing in what society may deem to be a ‘woman’s place’. The belief that a woman’s calling in life should be to raise kids, be a housewife and or not insist on improving herself through education or employment is still more prominent than it should be.”

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Lara-Jayne Bonnici is the Director of the 1-2-3 Paris (Malta) franchise and has two young children.

“I worked in human resources management for nine years before I left my job and was a stay-at-home mum until my children were ready for kindergarten. I then decided to do what I’ve always wanted to do and here I am, in the fashion retail industry. I have a great work/life balance which is only possible with a good family support system. I think we are gradually narrowing the gender equality gap, but we’re not there yet. I believe that women have to work harder to prove themselves in a male-dominated environment. However, it does depend on the industry one works in. Gender discrimination in the place of work, and stereotyping from a young age, is something that the world could do without. However, I believe that a difference will be seen when women start to support each other rather than compete.”

FRANKS: A SUCCESSFUL STORY OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS For historical reasons the Franks brand was set up by men, but its driving force has been female for many years. In the run up to the company’s 125th anniversary, First spoke to six women about how they have been contributing to its growth and success. Photography by Jonathan Borg.

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ith over a century of history behind it, Franks is today the largest retailer of fragrances and cosmetics in Malta, with seven outlets in all the main commercial centres of the country. The company has come a long way since its humble inception on the Cospicua waterfront, where the brand name ‘Franks’ actually came to be.

Prior to opening his first shop, in Cospicua, Salvatore Abela was a hawker, selling shaving accessories from a cart to British and American sailors. Since his name, Salvatore, was difficult to pronounce, he was nicknamed ‘Frank’. Salvatore graduated from his shop on wheels to bricks and mortar in 1893.

In 1915, one of his sons, Vincent, moved the business to no. 57, St John Street, Valletta – a shop which still exists – selling cosmetics, toiletries, kitchenware and toys. Following the Second World War, Joseph gave the business a new dimension by getting involved in the importation and wholesale distribution of luxury goods.

From then onwards, one generation after another expanded the ‘Franks’ business into what it is today.

The company’s official biography states that “Our distinctiveness in the sector is transmitted by our personnel, through a delicate interplay between professional competency, gentleness and a passion for glamour,” and one speculates that these core values are embodied by today’s workforce, made up predominantly of women, who continue to maintain Franks high standards.

Company Director Marthese Abela, who started off on the shop floor in 1986, believes that the female element is very important in the company’s set up.

“Our company is mostly made up of women, who have a lot of creative ideas and are good at delegating, from the general manager to shop managers and female shop assistants, so you could say that being a female director in our company is the rule not the exception. Women are generally very hardworking, patient and empathetic, but it can of course sometimes also be challenging, especially in stressful high peaks of our business,” she says.

However, she also points out that: “Everybody is respected and valued for their abilities not gender. I 26

firmly believe that it is definitely up to the individual.

Having vision, being creative and being able to adapt to new situations are some of the important approaches anyone, female or male, can possess.”

Claire Abela is the General Manager at Franks, having started off as a salesgirl aged 16, another example of the growth opportunities the company offers its employees.

“We are at an advantage because our team is one big family,” she says. “We are all there for each other when any kind of issue arises and women can empathise with certain situations better.

“Unfortunately there are still some people who can’t accept being told what to do by women – that is when you need to use your intelligence wisely and be practical.

I have learnt through experience that every individual has to be treated differently, depending on how they tackle situations.

“I don’t think gender has anything to do with managing people, it all depends on the individual and their leadership skills. One needs to listen, understand, put themselves in the other persons’ shoes then take action depending on what needs to be done. Gender has absolutely nothing to do with it,” she maintains.

WE ARE ALL THERE FOR EACH OTHER WHEN ANY KIND OF ISSUE ARISES AND WOMEN CAN EMPATHISE WITH CERTAIN SITUATIONS BETTER Marcette Fabri is the General Manager of X-Treme Co. Ltd, a fully independent offshoot of Franks formed in 1998 to operate as the organisation trading in wholesale and distribution of important prestige brands. She has been with Franks, followed by X-Treme, for a total of 19 years.

“In the workplace, I think it is up to the individual’s management style. Having said that, I do believe that women are better at multi-tasking, and in our line, being female makes it more fun since we get to try lots of products,” she smiles.

“Seriously, I don’t think it depends on gender but

rather on the integrity of the people in the team. I believe a lot in respect, irrelative of gender. A lot of foreign companies we deal with are represented by men in fact,” she adds.

Shop Manager Vanessa Hili has worked at Franks for the last two years. She has this to say on the matter: “I admire all the women in our company who have worked so hard to get where they are today. Their passion and determination motivates me to get there too. Personally, working in a mostly female environment can be challenging sometimes, but although hiccups occur once in a while, at the end of the day we are like a family.”

Brand Girl Esmeralda Law doesn’t believe that the number of women makes a difference to the way one works. “It’s true that the organisation is mostly staffed by women however I don't see any difference in attitude when I work with my male colleagues. I feel comfortable working with both sexes. As for customers, women tend to be more astute than men, simply because they are willing to invest the time to research and compare products.”

This leads the discussion to an interesting point: what are the differences between men and women, at work and in general?

Ingrid Attard has worked as a Personal Assistant, among other roles, in her years at Franks. “I was a PA to a managing director who happened to be a man, and one of kind I must add. Thinking about it I suppose I was blessed to take this opportunity since I worked so closely with a person who believed in me more than I believed in myself and it is partly thanks to him that I managed to achieve all that I did throughout my 19 years working here.”

Now Franks Communication Manager, Ingrid believes it is all up to the individual’s approach towards a situation, and gender doesn’t come into it.

“Certain projects might at times be harder than others.

For example when I was in charge of monitoring furnishing and finishing jobs for our new offices, it was quite intimidating at first to cope with men swearing at me simply for asking a question and requesting something to be done differently or on time. But that was only until I found my own way how to deal with such people. Being assertive is key.”

Vanessa adds to the point raised by Ingrid about managing aggression and unreasonable behaviour, this time from customers.

“Customer satisfaction is a top priority for all of us, even though dealing with a customer complaint is never easy. Luckily, I have never encountered any aggression with a complaint but when a situation due to unreasonable behaviour occurred, it was always resolved in a civilised manner.

“I think that some people find it easier to complain if they find a woman behind the counter, as they

Above: Marthese Abela, Marcette Fabri, Ingrid Attard, Esmeralda Law, Vanessa Hili and Claire Abela. think women are easier to intimidate than men.

Fortunately, aggressive complaints do not happen often. Nowadays I believe people find it easier to complain online behind a screen or phone,” she concludes.

Franks’ tagline is ‘the art of living beautiful’. In the past, ‘living beautiful’ was perhaps seen more as a woman’s preoccupation – but in recent years, men have come to appreciate the concept and have started to increasingly avail themselves of Franks products, leading the company to expand into merchandise from the traditionally masculine area of the fine living spectrum. Is this a fair assessment?

Marthese certainly thinks so. “Feeling good about yourself is nowadays considered a very normal objective of life, for men and women alike. We see this manifested in various ways, with people keeping fit, going to spas more frequently, being conscious of the importance of eating healthy, and of course, the beauty and grooming business also plays an important role, even for men. This has resulted in a shift in our product offering where we now stock a wider selection of men’s grooming products. This was a very normal transition for Franks and the industry as a whole, I think,” she says.

“At Franks, we’ve always stocked men’s products such as fragrances, skincare and grooming items, but the reason we branched out and opened The Wine Boutique by Franks was because we wanted to cater more to men – which, I must say is working very well,” adds Claire.

“Our clients are not homogeneous: the demographics vary greatly and there isn’t one type of person that would more likely be our client. Going round our outlets across Malta it is striking to see the different people we attract – which is exactly our aim.

Franks caters for everyone,” she maintains.

Whenever a group of working women are gathered in one place, it is inevitable that the subject of balancing work and family life comes up for discussion. There are in fact people who believe that raising a family and building a career are generally incompatible practices – for women.

Vanessa has this to say on the matter. “In today’s society, it is almost impossible to live on a single

income when raising a family, so even though some people might think that having a family and working is incompatible for women, it still has to be done.

“Anyway, a family is not meant to hinder a woman’s dreams, on the contrary, it can give the woman more motivation to build a great career and set an example for her children that with determination and hard work, dreams can be achieved.”

Esmeralda, believes that this issue, like life, is all about balance and time management. Marcette backs this up.

“With good planning and time management, and some help from family members, it is completely doable. It’s not always an easy ride, but I would definitely not change anything about my career and family life.”

OUR MISSION IS TO OPEN THE DOORS OF LUXURY TO ALL THOSE WITH A FLAIR FOR OPULENCE AND EXTRAVAGANCE We return to discussing Franks and its amazing, long history that has seen much expansion. But despite the changes, Marthese believes the company has always had one priority in mind – delivering the best retail service and product information to its clientele and securing long-time loyal customers.

“Of course, logistically there is a big difference in running seven shops to the one we originally started off with. Apart from this, the huge advance in IT technology has made retail business much faster and more competitive.

“However, the basis of our service is still what it was in the beginning, we always aim to make a customer and not a sale, and we try and maintain this philosophy at all times,” she explains.

“So much has changed in 19 years,” adds Ingrid.

“When I joined, the company was much smaller and I feel honoured to have been part of these changes – seeing the company grow from having two retail outlets to now being the largest and top retailer of fragrances and cosmetics in Malta with seven outlets. It has been and continues to be an adventure as there is always something new happening.”

Vanessa also feels there is never a dull moment at Franks.

“Something new and exciting is happening all the time. In the two years that I have been working for the company, I have seen growth and development.

We’ve started ‘Make-Up Made Easy’ sessions, makeup tutorials on YouTube, and our social media presence has become very important as well, with information for our clients being posted and frequent competitions. I feel a great sense of belonging even though many of my colleagues have worked here for much longer than I have.”

“Business is all about keeping up with change and always keeping yourself updated as to what customers want,” says Claire. “If change and innovation weren’t important cornerstones of our business philosophy, Franks would not be the success it is today. The most significant change that I have seen over the past 10 years is that we try to cater for everyone’s needs even more then we used to since our product offering has expanded so much.”

“Our mission is to open the doors of luxury to all those with a flair for opulence and extravagance,” concludes Marthese. “We make sure that our customers are pampered with the best service we can offer and do our best to expose them to the latest beauty and fragrant developments in the top cities of the world.”

First is convinced that this group of strong and dedicated women will continue to be successful in nurturing the company’s high standards of quality and development, hallmarks it has maintained for 125 years.

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INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE ALDO celebrates those who find inspiration in the everyday, the everywhere and the everything through its spring/summer 2016 campaign geared towards individuality and personal style.

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LDO, an international leader in fashion footwear and accessories, sets its imagination free by unlocking unique sources of inspiration within its spring/summer 2016 global campaign, showcasing its design team’s seasonal trends through a cast of authentic personalities that embody the founding spark of each unique inspiration.

The campaign features a diptych: two side-by-side images playing off each other visually and conceptually. On one side, there is a still life representing ALDO’s abstract inspiration shot by Bela Borsodi. On the other, a portrait of interesting people by Matteo Montanari illustrating the complete look that speaks to the heart of the inspiration.

Each accompanying still life is a nod to the portrait it couples with.

Together they intersect to tell the complete story – inspiration that goes from the abstract to the tangible and sets the stage for ALDO’s take on the warm seasons’ trends.

The faces of the campaign were chosen for their unique personal styles and creative self-expression, representing a range of tastes, passions and lifestyles. Marissa Seraphin, a Paris-based jewellery designer, Susannah Liguori, an art student and model living in New York, Laura Harrier, an up-and-coming actress and cast member in the HBO series Code of Conduct and Kelsey Soles, ‘It Girl’ and London-based model, who all exude a style of their own.

Meanwhile, Silviu Tolu, a New York style blogger, Harry Uzoka, a model and member of a video art collective in London, and Keisuke Asano, an artist and model who divides his time between London and Tokyo, represent a masculine cross fabric lending contextualisation and creativity to the campaign.

“Our ‘Inspiration is Everywhere’ campaign has been a compelling way to enliven and empower our customer to express themselves through fashion – while staying true to their own personal style. This season, we wanted to continue the conversation we started with our inspiring, styledriven clientele through ALDO’s Fall/Winter 2015 campaign. For Spring/Summer 2016, there is a playful imaginativeness to the campaign – meant to spark excitement and interest in the brand and the message we are sending. The fresh faces and styles found in the campaign have a wonderful originality to them. Our aim is to speak to the ALDO customer in an authentic and relevant way,” explained Erwin Hinteregger, Chief Marketing Officer for ALDO. “Through this campaign – which will be spread in print, digital and social media – we hope to inspire our internationally diverse customers and fuel a reflection of their own signature style.”

ALDO Shoes & Accessories, The Point, Tigné; Zachary Street, Valletta; Paola and Arkadia, Gozo.

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authenticity & surprise Betty & Co is an emotive, young and authentic brand that presents casual everyday looks with feminine details that celebrates high standards, stylish sophistication and fashion expertise.

The Betty & Co brand is a symbol of an authentic and individual lifestyle with a feminine smart-casual focus.

The brand represents the character and the lifestyle of modern women who enjoy fashion and femininity, and skilfully combines business and leisure. The contemporary collections convey a feeling of modern femininity and an enjoyment of fashion.

On-trend colour harmonies, combinable single pieces, and strong fashion basics characterise the style mix,

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with knitwear and shirts predominant. The collection is rounded up with fashionable, attractive accessories such as bags, scarves and belts. Women who wear Betty & Co are modern and lifestyle-oriented. That’s why the brand’s motto is: be authentic and be surprising!

Betty & Co fashion and accessories are available from MEI, Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s. Tel: 2137 6690. See also: www.bettybarclay.com

N O I T C E L L O C G N I R P S W NE

Your

westin dragonara resort, st. julians – tel: 21376690 – opening hours: mon to fri 10am - 7pm, sat 10am - 6pm

A RADIANCE AWAKENING Chanel’s spring 2016 L.A. Sunrise make-up collection evokes the legendary beauty of the America’s West Coast sunrise with a palette choice that makes colour and radiance its top priorities.

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he sun has barely risen over the bay, but a radiant glow already stretches over the distinctive architecture and greenery of Los Angeles. At the break of dawn, the sky lights up, the horizon is tinged with multiple shades, the ocean is saturated with pigments and the façades of buildings sparkle with shimmering reflections.

Every colour looks more vibrant and expressive in the exhilarating light of spring. For the L.A. Sunrise collection, the Chanel Make-up Creation Studio has aimed to capture the flamboyant colours and overflowing energy of California mornings.

T h e ribbons of the

Sunkiss Ribbon exclusive creation intertwine in a palette of pinks, making cheeks blush with intense emotion. They reproduce the California morning light, in which the rising sun tints the sky in a multitude of shades. Interlacing ribbons of fuchsia pink, soft coral, intense red, coppery beige and fresh pink mimic the sky, illuminated with the first glimmers of dawn. There are several application possibilities: sweep over the entire face as a finishing touch, apply as a satin blush just beneath the cheekbones or use as a wash of colour to emphasize the temples, forehead and facial contour.

Les 4 Ombres enlivens the eyes with striking glimmer. On the lips, light boldly explodes with the vibrant Rouge Coco Shine, inspired by the energy of a city that never stays in the shadows.

The blue of the sky and ocean, the green of the vegetation, the pink of glimmering dawn and the spirit of a purple hue are revisited to sculpt eyes. Les 4 Ombres Tissé Beverly Hills reveals its bold nature in a burst of turquoise.

Transfigured under the spotlight of the sun, the Illusion D’Ombre shades go wild. The rosy beige Moonlight Pink glimmers with endless sparkles. Shimmering with golden radiance, the ardent green Griffith Green stays vibrant at all times. Saturated with powerful pigments, the blue Ocean Light is explosive. All this for intense, dazzling and accentuated eyes.

Le Volume De Chanel Ardent Purple mascara creates a panoramic and hypnotic row of lashes.

More daring than black, the purple shade of this mascara recalls the originality of Californian artists. It is the ally of all stylish eyes.

Three Rouge Coco Shine shades glisten with the nonstop energy of the omnipresent L.A. sun. Shipshape, an energising orange, a mighty exalting pink, and an intense raspberry. This is more than a lipstick. It’s a fashion accessory that lights up your look in a single stroke. It’s a ribbon of color saturated with pigments and light, but that remains incredibly weightless on the lips.

And finally, the nails.

Not really blue, not exactly purple, Le Vernis Nail Gloss Sunrise Trip shows off a glossy shine that shimmers in the sunlight, like an amethyst with an enigmatic aura. It’s the only nail polish that takes a true creative stance, as radiant as springtime in California.

Chanel is distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

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Outfit from Tommy Hilfiger; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Radley bag, Lola Rose ring and Nour bracelet from Porto; Fendi sunglasses from O’hea.

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Betty Barclay outfit from MEI; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Braccialini bag, Nour ring, necklace and earrings from Porto; Versace Sunglasses from O’hea.

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Dress from Tommy Hilfiger; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Tosca Blu bag, Nour bracelet and rings from Porto.

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Catsuit from Marks & Spencer; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Braccialini bag, Lola Rose ring, Nour necklace, bracelet and earrings from Porto.

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Dress from 1-2-3; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Braccialini bag, Lola Rose ring, Nour necklace and Stamerra bracelet from Porto; Jimmy Choo glasses from O’hea.

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Debut silver dress from Debenhams; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Nour bracelet, ring and earrings from Porto.

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Betty Barclay jeans and Betty & Co shirt and scarf from MEI; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Tosca Blu bag, Stamerra bracelet and Nour ring from Porto.

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Star by Julien MacDonald dress and Hatbox hat from Debenhams; shoes from Aldo Shoes & Accessories; Chiara P bag, Nour bracelet, ring and earrings from Porto; Tiffany & Co glasses from O’hea.

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DEALING WITH A DILEMMA

Dear Claire

On the occasion of Women’s Day, celebrated earlier this month, in this issue I have opted to focus on women in general, rather than tackling any particular situation or problem. I understand and empathise with most situations about which women speak to me, and I hope that the following will prove useful in stimulating the energy and enthusiasm for a better life.

I

frequently meet women who want some change in their lives. Some of them dream of becoming successful; some hope to rekindle the passion in their relationship; some yearn to spice up their daily routine and others want to regain control of their lives. A few of them feel inadequate as parents; many wish they had more self-confidence and they all feel that, in order for one or more of these changes to happen, they need to undergo a major transformation.

I was recently speaking to a woman who failed to appreciate the beauty and privilege of being female. Yes, we are indeed different to men – both physically and psychologically – neither better, nor worse, just different.

Women think, feel, perceive things and experience life in general in a different way from men. We are just as capable of doing most of the jobs that men do, and do them as well as men do, but in our own feminine way.

For example, compare a male manager and a female manager. Both may do an equally fine job in leading their respective teams to success, but each using his or her style. Even if they receive exactly the same training, they will both give it a personal imprint based on their individual personalities, which are inevitably influenced by their gender.

As women, we should spread joy and serenity through our emotional as well as our physical sensitivity. We should appreciate our unique strengths and empower one another by sharing our gifts. In this way we support each other and help discover our own personal path.

The going may get tough due to limitations, whether financial, physical or psychological.

However, we have the right to live the life of our dreams and to feel fulfilled in all of our roles.

We women are resilient and possess everything necessary to make any change we wish. The secret is to unleash the motivation

BEING A WOMAN HAS ITS CHALLENGES BUT, WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT, WE CAN ALL HAVE THE LIFE WE WANT, ENCOURAGEMENT FROM OUR HUSBANDS OR PARTNERS AND A HELPING HAND FROM RELATIVES AS WELL AS FROM OUR CHILDREN. WITH GOOD PLANNING, MOTIVATION AND PERSEVERANCE, NO OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE LOST and power within. The time may have come to discard any thoughts, practices, situations or even people that are holding you back from taking that leap. Life should be a beautiful and exciting adventure.

We should be open to change and to testing new practices. It is rather like trying on a new pair of shoes. Unless you actually try them on, you cannot appreciate just how comfortable and good they feel on you.

As women, we are also able to adapt to new circumstances with relative ease. Many of us actually get the opportunity to carry and give birth to a new life and we ensure our kids are always happy, healthy and safe. We are as much responsible for our own wellbeing as we are for theirs because we cannot give them what we do not have ourselves. Unless we look out for ourselves, our source will eventually dry up as well.

AS WOMEN, WE SHOULD SPREAD JOY AND SERENITY THROUGH OUR EMOTIONAL AS WELL AS OUR PHYSICAL SENSITIVITY. WE SHOULD APPRECIATE OUR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND EMPOWER ONE ANOTHER BY SHARING OUR GIFTS

It is therefore imperative to take good care of ourselves. And here I would like to touch on another point: the importance of investing time and money on our needs. Women have a tendency to give up spending on themselves because they feel they are somehow taking something away from the family. In fact, another great setback in a number of women is guilt, which stops them from dedicating any energy towards discovering what makes them happy. As long as we fulfil our duties in our various roles, guilt is an emotion that needs obliterating. It is a huge stumbling block that must be addressed and overcome in order to make space for self-love and renewed interests.

Being a woman in this day and age still has its challenges but, with the necessary support, we can all have the life we want, encouragement from our husbands or partners and a helping hand from relatives as well as from our children. With good planning, motivation and perseverance, every effort will pay off and no opportunities will be lost.

So, dear women, the time is now. Don’t delay any longer. Discover your individual and unique inner strengths and transform them into valuable resources for your own good and the benefit of those around you. Let your life bloom and be a positive example to everyone.

Claire Bugelli Bounce Life Coaching Tel: 7957 9813 claire@bounce-life-coaching.com www.bounce-life-coaching.com Facebook: Bounce Life Coaching Malta 49

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W

hy did you decide How did you go about doing your research? to dedicate your It was not an easy task because, although the corsairs career to the had been the concern of many scholars, the maritime history documentary evidence available was not satisfactory. of Malta?

My colleagues and fellow historians always put forward

It is not easy to explain how I found myself studying it.

Obviously the sea forms an integral part of our history, and I have lived next to the sea all my life. The Errol Flynn pirate movies I used to watch as a child might have fuelled the fire, and Melitensia books were always present at home.

At university I specialised in maritime history, including gastronomy on-board ships. Then, at the age of 21, I was lucky enough to become the Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum. I had just graduated and it really was a dream come true. It was a tough learning curve but it is a situation where I am able to claim that my passion is now my job.

the hypothesis that there must be more, and in fact there was.

With regard to documentary sources, we are very lucky to possess so much material. The journey of research I embarked upon led me to visit nearly all depositaries in Malta: the National Library in Valletta, the National Archives in Rabat and Mdina, the Cathedral Archives in Mdina, parish records and also the Notarial Archives in Valletta.

This last archive is where I carried out the most exciting part of my research. As part of Heritage Malta’s curatorial research policy, and with the help of the Notarial Archives Resource Council, I was given an opportunity to catalogue and subsequently study untouched material. It was the stuff of dreams for any researcher.

What is it like being the Curator of the museum?

What were the most surprising things you came upon in your research?

I might be slightly biased, but I think the museum is one of the nicest on the island. It encapsulates our 6,000-year history right up to the present day. Suffice to say that the latest artefacts we have acquired for the national collection are the ship’s crest and a cap tally of HMS Bulwark: the Royal Navy ship that saw active service here during CHOGM. Our maritime history is a colourful one and we can claim that it is still evolving.

There were frequent surprises, especially some concepts that challenge our usual perspectives of 18th century Malta. For one, I discovered that a community of corsairs that existed on the island had made use of the Order of St John’s infrastructure.

From such details we could study history from below.

For example, there was the wife of a certain Captain

For example, the documents enlighten us about the food and drink aboard these ships: grilled dentex fish was very popular, usually washed down with a nice glass of sweet Malvasia wine. Pork brains were fried, chopped and tossed with taglioni pasta, pigeon pies were also on the menu and copious quantities of grappa, rum and port were drunk by the corsairs.

The general idea about Malta in the time of the Knights of St John was that it was a ‘victim’: a little island at the mercy of bloodthirsty raiders, heroically defending the faith. But it seems that things were not exactly like that, were they?

We were actually a thorn in the side of the Ottoman Empire. Malta had a brilliant harbour, the Order built superb military and ship facilities, the locals were an industrious breed and, furthermore, a few nautical miles away the shipping lanes of one the largest empires in the world were ripe for plunder. Cue a large number of private individuals who wished to arm anything that floated in order to plunder these rich shipping lanes.

What is the difference between pirates and corsairs?

Corsairs lived within a legal framework. Corsairing was authorised by the state and practised by nearly all Mediterranean rulers. The ruler himself participated in profiting from the plundered goods by virtue of a letter of marque issued in his name. The protection offered by this letter made the profession respectable and profitable.

Pirates, on the other hand, practised the same

DARING ADVENTURES ON MALTA’S HIGH SEAS

Liam Gauci has been the Curator of the Malta Maritime Museum for the past nine years. Recently he has dedicated himself to the study of one of Malta’s longest-lived industries on which the livelihood of thousands depended: officially-sanctioned commerce raiding. Here, he speaks to Colin Fitz about his first book on the subject, In the Name of the Prince: Maltese Corsairs 1760-1798 , published this month.

What do you think are the most exciting features of your work?

There are various facets to my work. Some of them, of course, are mundane, but being a curator has its perks, for every curator will tell you that is an honour to be able to handle and care for artefacts which have shaped history.

We have thousands of artefacts in the national collection and some of my favourites are the silver mace that sent the last pirate of Malta to the gallows, an earthenware bowl used for a slave’s dinner recovered from Grand Harbour and a seven-barrelled flintlock smoothbore firearm used by the Royal Navy during the early stages of the Napoleonic Wars. Taking schoolchildren around the museum and seeing the pride they feel when they hear about our history is another perk of the job.

Why did you decide to embark on researching and writing this book?

I was always interested in stories of pirates, sea captains and adventure, and my question was always ‘did something of the sort ever exist in Malta?’

There have been many scholars before me who did the groundwork for my research. We are lucky in Malta that we have had – and still have – some brilliant historians studying our history.

Furthermore, at university, I had the honour of being tutored by some great scholars and subsequently had the pleasure of knowing them as friends.

These academics kept me abreast of new ideas and methods of research and, most importantly, encouraged me to further my post-graduate research.

So that is what I did after I finished my MA. I started to concentrate on and intensify my efforts to study and research the Maltese corsairs.

Giuseppe Estaden who invested her own money in her husband’s ship. She would get a return on her investment to the tune of 30 per cent interest. She was not the only lady who invested her savings in corsair ships; in fact it is clear that women took an active part in this facet of the industry. I learnt that Maria Estaden, the captain’s wife, had four children during her husband’s corsairing career.

The godfathers of their children at baptism were other corsair captains. Many of them helped each other out in times of need and some also inter-married. I found that the evidence we have is so extensive that I was able to study the smallest of details.

THE WIFE OF ONE CORSAIR HAD INVESTED HER OWN MONEY IN HER HUSBAND’S SHIP AND WOULD GET A RETURN ON HER INVESTMENT OF 30 PER CENT INTEREST

violent plundering on the high seas, but they had no letter signed by their rulers. They were not sanctioned by a king, a sultan or a prince and they answered to no one.

The morality of thieving on the seas depended on this piece of paper, a document that was so lucrative to Malta that it preceded – and would eventually outlast – the Order that had nurtured it so well. My book is dedicated solely to corsairs.

Who and where would Malta-based corsairs target, and what were some of the riches they brought back?

They mostly targeted rich merchant ships and had their spies so that they could chase the richest of Ottoman ships. The captured goods varied: silk, wool, firewood, rice, saffron, coffee, soap and, most importantly, slaves. At the time, the more men and women you captured, the bigger the profits for you and your investors.

How important was corsairing for Malta’s economy?

The industry was important, but let us not labour under the impression that it was the most important part of the Maltese economy. I shy away from such broad statements. Nevertheless, corsairing was important enough to employ men from all over the island. Most of the sailors lived in the harbour area, yet one finds men from Gozo, Siggiewi, Mdina, Mosta and Qormi on ships’ registers. Seamen from Sicily, Germany, Russia and England also came to Malta to work with the corsairs. Even Muslims from Istanbul sometimes escaped to Malta and revoked their faith so that they could work with the local corsair fleet.»

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«Other, indirect benefits were also reaped from this activity.

Ships had to be built so the private shipyards were always busy. Food had to be bought, bread had to be baked, and the barklor (boatman) had to transport the goods. Even the local prostitutes profited from the local corso. When one of the largest Ottoman ships ever captured sailed into Malta in 1760, the first thing the victorious corsairs did was visit a famous brothel in Valletta. The debauchery that followed was such that a contemporary diarist mentioned it in his writings.

How many corsairs were there?

I have been able to trace 2,000 different men that served at one time or another aboard a corsair ship just between 1760 and 1798. The attraction of corsairing must have been a strong one, yet the life was very dangerous, which is why I dedicate a whole chapter to death, enslavement and shipwreck.

The local corsairs were very good at their job but some lost their lives during battles against superior Ottoman warships, other at the hands of Greek brigands, some succumbed to the wrath of Mother Nature during violent storms. Another catastrophe that could befall a corsair was enslavement. We have examples of corsairs who, in a bitter twist of fate, ended up themselves shackled in a Turkish prison, ironically while in search of men to enslave.

Was life as a corsair on a Malta-flagged vessel in the age of sail anything like we see in the Johnny Depp movies?

The word ‘corsair’ conjures up romantic images of rum, battles, glory and treasure – all very much part of any pirate movie. Yes, there was rum – plenty of it – and battles and gold. But the life of a Maltese corsair in the late 18th century was also one of fear, death, enslavement, hard work, lashings, roasted mutton, dashed hopes and a thirst for a better tomorrow.

Were there any famous corsair figures that became household names?

Yes, and some of the most famous corsair surnames of the time are still around today. These include Borg, Desira, Gera, Cardona, Mitrovich, Mattei, Preziosi, Lorenzi and Zelalich.

Others have simply faded away from our islands.

Are there any lessons from this period in our history that we can take note of today?

We are an island with little or no natural resources, yet we are an industrious bunch, quick to capitalise on our geographical position and any international crisis. When the Order surrendered to Bonaparte in 1798, the corsairs lost their main employer but this did not deter our intrepid ancestors. They simply lowered the flag of the Grand Master and raised the Tricolour. And when the French were kicked out of Malta, the corsairs merely tore up their French colours and hoisted British ones. The people of Malta know how to adapt no matter what.

The book is available from all Heritage Malta sites as well as online at www.heritagemalta.org. First would like to thank Heritage Malta and the Maritime Museum for their assistance in the compilation of this article.

The book was edited by Sandra Borg and photography and design was done by Daniel Cilia.

Images © 2016 Daniel Cilia

WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK

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First has four, signed copies of In the Name of the Prince: Maltese Corsairs 1760-1798 to give away, courtesy of Heritage Malta Publishing . For the chance to win a copy answer the following question: What kind of booty did the Maltabased corsairs bring back to port from their escapades? Send your answer, along with your name, address, e-mail contact and number to: Book Competition, First magazine, The Malta Independent, Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s by Thursday 24 March 2016.

Top: Award-winning winemaker Matthew Delicata (right) inspecting a family-run vineyard Bottom: Delicata’s 17th century barrel and wine tasting vault

MALTA’S LITTLE BEAUTIES

Georges Meekers takes us on a journey through the exciting and varied world of quality Maltese wines, a trip he thoroughly recommends.

I

t’s no secret to those who know me that I am a fan of well-made Maltese wines, specifically those that are receiving accolades from fellow wine writers and critics, who taste and judge them favourably at renowned wine competitions overseas.

Malta has come a long way – and so have her vinous delights. Nowadays, Maltese wines are winning gold, silver and bronze medals and commendations at Europe’s most prestigious wine competitions such as the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards (London), Challenge International du Vin (Bordeaux) and Chardonnay du Monde (Burgundy). In fact, one Maltese winery alone, namely Emmanuel Delicata, has amassed over 100 wine awards to be able to claim the title of Malta’s most internationallyawarded winemaker.

When I consider Malta’s long roll of wine honours, I wonder if any of the other small wine-producing islands in

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the Mediterranean can boast of the same success. How about Ischia and Capri in the Bay of Naples, the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, or Sardinia and Corsica? I’m inclined to think that comparatively, the Maltese archipelago is rather on form these days.

However, Malta’s modern-styled wines are not only enjoyable to drink, they are also extremely intriguing.

Firstly: they are scarcely available.

Malta is the smallest independent wine-producing country in the world.

The Maltese archipelago makes literally a droplet of the global wine ocean, whereas France, Italy and Spain produce enough to fill more than 5,100 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year.

What is so astonishing about Malta is that, considering its small size, there is an enormous selection to choose from compared with the just one or two wines which is the norm in other larger wine regions. There is diversity and a Maltese wine for every occasion: the

ONE WINERY ALONE, NAMELY DELICATA, HAS AMASSED OVER 100 WINE AWARDS Delicata winery, for example, crafts a selection of over 30 different Maltagrown wines in various styles.

There are probably more Maltese wines offering individuality than one can find elsewhere and these boutique wines are an exciting proposition because of their pedigree. Did you know that Delicata’s family-run vineyard parcels are smaller than the size of a football pitch, just like Burgundy’s top domains Richebourg, La Tâche and Romanée Conti?

The wines produced from the two indigenous grape varieties that are unique to Malta and Gozo have a lot of wow-factor, thanks to their individuality. Both Girgentina (for white wine) and Ġellewża (a redskinned variety for reds and rosés) are phylloxera resistant coastal grape cultivars.

The vines are of indeterminate age, probably around 50 years old, and are often still dry-farmed and grown in the traditional bush method.

We like to think of wine as our language on the lips and, as the Delicata winery has been advocating for a long

time, with its Girgentina and Ġellewża, this country has an exclusive story to tell. Ġellewża, Delicata’s latest red wine speciality released under the Medina brand, may gain fame as ‘the Pinot Noir of Malta’ for its similar nose of violets and broad palate of plum and cherry flavours with an intriguing touch of liquorice. Other unique, ultra-local examples are the Delicata winery’s lipsmacking semi-sparkling Ġellewża Frizzante and the Medina blend of Girgentina and Chardonnay. As is the case with all the winemaker’s quality Malta-grown wines, they are made from hand-picked grapes grown in terraced, pocket-sized blocks in-between the country’s cultural heritage sites.

Malta offers a lengthy and assorted array of commended labels that are ready for prime-time. Where else in the world would you find not only scrumptious wines, especially those made from native cultivars but also from international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier, Moscato, Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese? These and other grape varieties can be found on Delicata’s Pjazza Regina, Classic Collection, Victoria Heights, Grand Vin de Hauteville or Gran Cavalier labels of hand-crafted Maltese wines.

Not too long ago, people had never heard of these new heritage wines at all.

Now those who have tasted Malta’s little beauties without preconceptions are happily drinking and recommending them.

Dare to be adventurous in your vinous journey: you might just discover that your destination is not some farflung place but a new way of seeing home through a matchless glass of Maltese wine.

your

luxury moment.

www.delicata.com

LIVE LIFE THE GRAND WAY WITH MALTA’S GRAND WINE. GRAND VIN DE HAUTEVILLE

BY MALTA’S FOREMOST WINERY.

MOUTHWATERING AND HEALTHY

This month, First chef Ingrid Mercieca has prepared a savoury dish and a sweet dish, both delicious and yet extremely healthy as their ingredients score low on the glycaemic (GI) index. They are also suitable for diabetics. Eating food that has a low score on the GI index can keep blood sugar levels steady and can help your body metabolise fat more efficiently. Photography by Peter Mark Mercieca

Moroccan chicken with carrot, fennel, onion and orange salad Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken breasts For the marinade 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp each cumin 1 tsp coriander 3 cloves garlic 1 small onion 2 tbsp olive oil Pepper and salt Juice of one lemon 56

For the salad 2 handfuls fresh rocket 300g carrots, coarsely grated 1 head of fennel, finely sliced 1 small onion, finely sliced 1 tsp cumin seeds 4 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar A pinch of stevia powder 1 tsp wholegrain mustard

Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender until a well mixed paste is achieved. Spread evenly over the four chicken fillets and bake in a hot oven until well-cooked. Remove, cool and slice.

To make the salad, mix rocket, carrots, fennel and onion in a big bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in separate bowl and if the consistency is too thick, thin with a few teaspoons of water.

Season the salad leaves and add the dressing just before serving.Âť 57

Orange blueberry and walnut baked apples Serves 4 Ingredients 4 Gala apples (or any other red apple) A handful of fresh blueberries A handful of walnuts The zest and juice of two oranges 1 tsp of cinnamon

Wash the apples thoroughly (soaking in a bowl of water with some vinegar removes most of the impurities), remove the core and put aside. Finely chop the blueberries and walnuts and mix them with about four tablespoons of the freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest and cinnamon.

Place the cored apples in a baking dish, cut side up, and fill with about one tablespoon of the prepared mixture. If there is any mixture left over, sprinkle it over the top. Pour the remaining juice over the apples and bake (covered) in the oven at 180º/160ºC fan/Gas mark 4 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for a further 10 minutes. Serve warm with fat-free Greek yoghurt.

The Glycaemic Index The glycaemic index (GI) was originally designed for diabetics to help them keep their blood sugar levels under control. But whether you are diabetic or not, the GI is a useful tool for everyone when planning healthy meals and making food choices.

Glucose is the primary source of energy required by every cell in the body. The GI ranks carbohydrate foods based on the rate at which they are broken down into glucose. When glucose levels in the blood start to rise, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin which promotes the take-up of glucose by the cells and, as a consequence, brings blood sugar levels back into a more manageable range.

Glucose is the reference point for all other foods and carries a score of 100. Foods with low GI ratings, such as lentils, beans, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, release their energy more slowly and help prevent sugar highs.

What makes a food low rather than high GI depends

on the proportion of a type of starch, amylose, to another, amylopectin. Foods such as lentils, with a greater proportion of amylase, have lower GIs than those with more amylopectin, like potatoes, which have a high GI. If you typically eat a lot of high GI foods such as white bread, processed breakfast cereals, cakes and biscuits, you will have a lot of readily available energy in your blood, and your body will use this energy rather than turning to your fat stores.

A sharp increase in glucose in the blood triggers the pancreas to release a rush of insulin, which removes any excess glucose. Insulin removes the surplus glucose from the blood and lowers the speed at which the body burns fat. A large surge in insulin, caused by eating high-GI foods, will start reactions in the body that leave you feeling lethargic, hungry and craving more sugar.

Foods with a GI of 70 or more are typically called

'high-GI foods' as they trigger a rapid rise in blood sugar. Foods with a GI of 55-69 are 'medium-GI foods' as they trigger a moderate increase. Foods with a GI below 55 are 'low-GI foods' because they have a minor impact on blood sugar.

• Low-GI foods provide natural, slowly released energy.

• Generally, the less processed a carbohydrate, the more likely it is to have a low-GI score.

• Foods that are white, including processed foods made with white flour and white sugar, tend to have a high-GI. • High fibre foods take longer to digest and therefore produce a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Fibre also keeps you feeling fuller for longer, which helps prevent over-eating. Most vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds and fruits are rich in fibre when you eat them whole.

This month’s chef, Ingrid Mercieca, offers catering services and individual orders for all occasions. You can also choose from cakes, jams and chutneys and special occasion goods like figolli for Easter and mince-pies and Christmas logs for Christmas. She can be reached via her Facebook page Gooding Real Food by Caring Hands or via e-mail on ingsol@onvol.net.

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A PRIME LOCATION IN THE MAKING Edwina Muscat met Paul Bondin and Albert Buhagiar, property consultants at Frank Salt Real Estate’s Fgura branch, for a chat about the rapidly increasing desirability of Malta’s historic Three Cities area, also known as Cottonera.

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walked into the Cottonera palazzo and instantly fell in love. I’m a bit of a romantic, and have always been fascinated by the idea of an old house, a place with history, one which begs to be transformed back to glory.

I was there to meet Paul Bondin and Albert Buhagiar, currently two of Frank Salt Real Estate’s top consultants at the Fgura branch, with Paul being voted top sales consultant in 2015. We decided to meet at this unconverted palazzo in Vittoriosa; a majestic old 12-roomed residence bursting with character and traditional features, which is just one of the many breathtaking properties in their portfolio.

Frank Salt Real Estate is today a household name that is synonymous with quality real estate consultancy. The company believes that each and every client deserves impeccable service, and ensures this by employing a team of reliable and dedicated consultants, and these two men are nothing if not dedicated. It is clear to me a few minutes into our meeting that this is not just a job to them: they evidently love what they do and are particularly passionate about properties which have historical value, especially those in the Cottonera area.

Frank Salt Real Estate currently offers real estate consultancy from 14 branches across the islands and is about to launch three new branches, one of them in the Cottonera district. Properties in this location have been well-represented by the Fgura branch over the past 10 years, and Frank Salt Real Estate has built an extensive database of properties in the surroundings.

Before the war, the Three Cities were the pride of

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Above: Vittoriosa Palazzo for sale at €1,600,000.

Malta. Residents enjoyed a high standard of living, many professional and intellectual people lived there and it was a focal point of activity. The war, however, inevitably led to social upheaval which changed all this. Beautiful and important buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by enemy bombs and the people who gave the region its good image fled from the area to their summer homes in Sliema.

NOWADAYS, THE HARBOUR IS THE DESTINATION OF LUXURY YACHTS AND INCLUDES ONE OF MALTA’S BESTKNOWN MARINAS

In addition, in the early ’70s, people dependent on social services were encouraged to live in Cottonera because house rents were extremely low.

Unsurprisingly, the newcomers felt no pride in the place, they did not appreciate the history of it and their only interest in it was cheap accommodation.

As a result, the area suffered a decline as well as being branded with a certain stigma.

Recently, however, a major regeneration scheme has seen the refurbishment of historic buildings, a revamp of the Vittoriosa waterfront as well as improvements to accessibility and the area’s transport links.

Paul took up the development story. “Central to the regeneration project is the refurbishment to Dock No. 1, an old dock area in Cospicua which has been out of service for over a quarter of a century,” he explained.

“The campus of the much-debated American Institute of Malta, which is to be split between Cospicua and Marsascala and plans to take in its first students in October, is also set to give the area an economic and social boost, creating around 400 new jobs. Along with recent investment in the Three Cities by the Government, future planned projects in the area are set to augment property value at a rate which will be more pronounced than that in the rest of the island,” Paul added.

Property here is not cheap but it is affordable when compared to the same type of property in similar locations such as Valletta, and definitely a wise choice especially when considering what you will be investing in, which is a piece of Maltese history itself.

As explained on Frank Salt Real Estate’s website, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua retain most of their past architectural glory and can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history. They offer a fascinating glimpse into Malta’s maritime history, with the harbour inlets having been in use since Phoenician times and having provided a home and fortress to almost every people who settled on the islands throughout the centuries.

“Nowadays, the Harbour is the destination of luxury yachts and includes one of Malta’s bestknown marinas,” noted Albert. “The Three Cities were also the first home to the Knights of St John when the Order settled in Malta in the 16th century,

and thanks to their legacy they are today adorned with a myriad of palaces, churches, forts and bastions.”

The Three Cities were slow in joining the race for property, which means that they are not plagued by the concrete and over-development which has cursed the rest of the island. Buyers, however, are suddenly noticing what the area has to offer.

“Foreigners are especially interested in the area and it is easy to see why,” Albert continued. “Who wouldn’t want their own place in the sun, at a price they would not have dreamed of back home?”

Paul and Albert have also noticed a certain interest from cultured and artistic young people, as well as young professionals who appreciate the area’s historical background.

“Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa are three cities which traditionally offered a multitude of townhouses and palazzos. Unfortunately, over the course of time and especially during the war, a number of properties were divided to accommodate a larger number of families in smaller quarters, resulting, for example, in a massive townhouse being split into three maisonettes,” explained Paul.

“But today, this means that there really is something to suit everyone’s tastes and budgets, be it a majestic palazzo, a stately town house, or a cosy maisonette,” he added.

Though older buildings are what might first come to mind when considering the Three Cities, sleek and shiny new luxury apartments, such as the ones available at St Angelo Mansions, are also laying claim to a piece of this prime location in the making.

Much interest is also being directed towards buy-torent properties, with long lets catering for those affiliated with nearby Smart City, the Mediterranean’s aspiring little Silicon Valley, as well

COSPICUA, SENGLEA AND VITTORIOSA ARE THREE CITIES WHICH TRADITIONALLY OFFERED A MULTITUDE OF TOWNHOUSES AND PALAZZOS as short lets which are extremely popular with tourists who are fascinated in the timeless history which the area has to offer.

A number of small family-run quaint B&Bs as well as tastefully finished boutique hotels have recently cropped up in the Three Cities and their surroundings, ensuring a further increase in the number of tourists who will be visiting. Paul and Albert pointed out that even Caffe Pascucci, an Italian coffeehouse chain with branches in Greenland, the USA, South Korea, Egypt, Japan and Hong Kong, has recently chosen to invest in a Cospicua outlet.

The two Frank Salt Real Estate property consultants also explained how there has never been a better time to invest in property. Thanks to the initiatives brought forward by the Government in the last budget to reduce the number of vacant properties.

Stamp duty has been reduced from five per cent to 2.5 per cent levied on transfers of property within an Urban Conservation Area (UCA). In addition, the rate of final withholding tax that will be levied on

transfers of restored property within an UCA will be reduced from eight per cent to five per cent.

All this talk of townhouses and restorations and UCAs is giving me flashbacks from when my husband and I took on the task of converting an abandoned 1920s building and transforming it into a modernised home but retaining its original features.

Of course there is a lot to be said for buying a fully converted property, mainly the headaches you’ll have saved yourself in the process; however there really is something magical about modifying an existing space to suit your tastes while at the same time respecting the features which make it unique and which attracted you to it in the first place.

Not knowing where to begin is a common enough feeling, however that’s what Frank Salt Real Estate is there for. The company is widely known as the leading real estate agency in Malta and Gozo, and it offers a service that helps its clients with everything; from getting in touch with a good architect or obtaining a bank loan, to choosing the perfect kitchen.

Speaking at length to these two property consultants gave me an insight into the reasons why this estate agency has grown so much in the 47 years since Frank Salt himself founded it.

It also comes as no surprise that Frank Salt Real Estate shall shortly be opening a branch in Cospicua.

I have no doubt that the new office will be staffed by agents such as Paul and Albert, dedicated individuals with an unwavering commitment to clients who turn to the agency because they know they will find professionalism and quality service.

I left my meeting thinking that Frank Salt Real Estate really does offer 360° solutions for property needs, while nursing a dream of one day owning a historic property in one of the island’s most historic areas.

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MAKE YOUR BATHROOM BEAUTIFUL Having your own personal oasis at home is easier than you think, thanks to these basic bathroom design tips from Owen Farrugia, Sales Manager at Halmann Vella.

Keep it timeless Remember that a bathroom has to stand the test of time. Incorporate current trends with a classic twist. Go for clean lines and neutral colours and materials, and add splashes of colour in a manner that is temporary and easy to change, such as accessories and wall paint.

Simplicity also enhances relaxation and harmony in the room.

Incorporating marble and natural stone in your bathroom design is a sure way of adding an air of timelessness, simplicity and authenticity.

Maximise your budget A low budget doesn’t have to mean foregoing the bathroom of your dreams.

Spend your money wisely and learn which features of the room deserve a bit of extra investment.

Avoid going for low-quality materials and fittings and splash out on the one item that will be the focal point of your room. For instance, while a fullyfledged marble bathroom might not be in your budget, you can always opt to use marble on only one wall and use lower-cost ceramic tiles on the other walls.

The contrast between marble and ceramic will further enhance the marble’s natural features.

Maximise space by adding a vanity unit If space permits, make sure to include a vanity unit as storage, which is essential in the bathroom. When it comes to vanity tops, natural stone such 62

THE CONTRAST BETWEEN MARBLE AND CERAMIC WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE MARBLE’S NATURAL FEATURES as marble and granite are unrivalled in their beauty. Whilst granite is highly stain-resistant, the same cannot be said for marble, so caution must be exercised.

Quartz tops are also a very stylish and durable option for vanity tops. With so many options, you are spoilt for choice and there also hundreds of different colours to choose from.

Focus on what you love Ultimately, go for the colours and materials that you love and have dreamt about for ages. Have you always wanted an unusual colour choice in your bathroom? Then go for it.

The bathroom is the room in which you will relax after a hard day’s work.

Make it worth looking forward to.

Surfaces made for mishaps Surfacing THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOMES

The Factory, Mosta Road, Lija. T: 2143 3636 www.halmannvella.com

The Hon. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat visited the Tipico Careers stand at the three-day KSU Careers Convention on campus recently.

Tipico Recruiting Manager Manuela Abela and Tipico Careers Employer Brand Manager Thomas Mahoney hosting the KSU-Tipico business breakfast at Cavalieri Hotel, St Julian’s in February.

H.E. The President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca visited Tipico and received a ¤15,000 cheque for the L-Istrina campaign, that raises funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund, from Tipico CEO Jan Bolz. The President visited all six of Tipico’s floors in the Portomaso Business Tower.

The Hon. Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil and the Mayor of St Julian’s Karl Gouder toured the Tipico offices in January. They were welcomed by Tipico CEO Jan Bolz and given a tour of the offices by Tipico HR Director Kevin Norville and Tipico Careers Employer Brand Manager Thomas Mahoney.

A BUSY START TO 2016 FOR TIPICO AND TIPICO CAREERS First takes a look at some of the high profile activities and events that have made the first two months of 2016 an extremely busy one for Tipico and Tipico Careers, the Portomaso-based German sports betting company and its employer brand.

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ipico and Tipico Careers welcomed visits from VIPs such as H.E. The President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and The Hon. Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil as well as the mayor of St Julian’s, Karl Gouder.

Tipico also donated €15,000 to the L-Istrina campaign that raises funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund, and inaugurated a set of brand new offices, taking another floor of the Portomaso Business Tower. This is the sixth floor out of the 22 in the tower that are now staffed by 210 Tipico employees from 28 different nations.

In February, Tipico Careers hosted a business

breakfast in partnership with the University Students’ Council (KSU) that was well attended by students who were given the opportunity to learn more about the opportunities the company offers as well as about the online sports betting industry.

The brand was also a prominent participant in the three-day KSU Careers Convention on campus. The Tipico Careers stand was visited by The Hon. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, as well as many students and other interested parties.

There will be no rest for Tipico as the expansion continues and many other activities are planned for the rest of the year. First will be chronicling these activities in the coming months, so watch this space.

Business is booming and Tipico has just inaugurated a new floor, its sixth in the Portomaso Business Tower.

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Photo by DOI

Photo by DOI

Airport Impressions music video in aid of Hospice Malta The video for the band’s latest single Mariette was launched as part of a collaborative charitable campaign called When All I Have Is Yours announced by the Hon. Dr Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties. The single is available as a free download, with all donations received at the public’s discretion and all funds made directly available to Hospice Malta. An online platform (www.airportimpressions.com/when-all-have-is-yours.com) has been made available, where the public can download the song, view the video, and offer support to cancer sufferers through donations.

Photo by DOI

social whirl

Above: Reuben Vella of Helping Hands with Antonello Gauci – CEO Inspire

Helping Hands campaign donates €6,000 to Inspire The sum of over €6,000 was collected and donated to Inspire

by Helping Hands issue 71. The money was collected during November and December 2015 when the family magazine was being sold throughout Malta and Gozo. This was the fifth time that the magazine has worked with Inspire, which provides a holistic range of services and programmes to children and adults with a disability. Over the past 11 years, thanks to generous people who buy the magazine, Helping Hands has collected more than a million Euro which went to different charities and non-governmental organisations like Inspire.

Issue 72 is now being sold in aid of Dar Il-Kaptan, the Foundation for Respite Services.

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Diego Dalla Palma make-up launch Chemimart Ltd recently hosted journalists and beauty consultants at the launch of the Diego Dalla Palma spring/summer 2016 make-up line, presented by the international make-up artist and beauty consultant Gianluca Oddie. The launch was held at The Palace Hotel, Sliema, and was followed by a sumptuous lunch at The Tabloid restaurant.

LAST Why did you decide to follow this career path?

My inspiration came from my grandfather, who used to work for the Royal Air Force. When I was young, I used to accompany him to the airport to watch aeroplanes. He was, in a way, my role model. Also, I’ve always been interested in how machines work, so I set my mind on becoming an aircraft mechanic when I was quite young, never looking back since.

Where did you go to school and where did you get your higher education?

I started at Attard Primary School, then I went to Adelaide Cini Secondary School in Hamrun, followed by a threeyear Higher Secondary Matriculation Course and another three years at

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MCAST studying Mechanical Engineering, where I achieved my Diploma in BTEC Aerospace Engineering.

Were you in a minority as a girl on the engineering course?

When I applied for the Aircraft Mechanic diploma in 2005, it wasn’t common for a girl to choose this type of career and only six girls had started the course. I took it as a challenge to show that women are just as capable of working in the aircraft industry as men.

My job as a Level 2 Aircraft Mechanic means I am responsible for the maintenance and repair of passenger aircraft components. This includes their removal, installation, servicing and inspection.

Do you ever feel that what you do can affect hundreds of lives in the air?

I need to be very careful and responsible in my job. I have to sign many forms after every job is completed.

Together with my colleagues I carry out important mechanical checks that take various lengths of time and, yes, as aircraft mechanics we have a major responsibility for the safety of passengers.

What we do has to be done in a highly disciplined and accurate manner, complying with safety standards and meeting demanding flight schedules.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable or experienced discrimination as a woman in what used to be seen as a man s job?

never felt uncomfortable, but sometimes you do find the occasional closed-minded man who thinks that women are incapable of doing this type of work. To me, that’s where the challenge to show what type of woman I am starts.

What kind of career opportunities are there for you in this line of work and what is your ultimate goal?

I can continue to study within the industry and eventually apply for a licence to be a certified engineer. Apart from that, another goal is to experience working in this industry abroad.

I was prepared to be working in a socalled ‘male environment’ and have

What are the reactions to your career choice from family, friends and other women when you tell them what you do?

I WAS PREPARED TO BE WORKING IN A SO-CALLED ‘MAN’S ENVIRONMENT’ AND HAVE NEVER FELT UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT SOMETIMES YOU DO FIND THE OCCASIONAL CLOSED-MINDED MAN WHO THINKS THAT WOMEN ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS TYPE OF JOB

My family and friends have always supported me over my choice, but there were a few people who criticised me, saying it was a ‘boyish’ or ‘tomboy’ job. Some people seem to have the idea that women are not capable of carrying out hands-on, mechanical jobs, but it’s all in the mind. I’ve had people questioning my abilities and my choice and I’ve even been told I’m not capable

Tell us a bit about your hobbies and interests outside work.

My hobbies are photography, keeping fit and staying healthy. I work on a three-day on, three-dy off shift, with 12 hours per shift. On my off days, I wake up at 5am and do a workout called ‘Insanity’, a programme by Train Insane Malta, with instructor Sabrina Grima.

This is followed by a body weight and weights combination workout at the gym in the evening.

I became a fitness fanatic when I joined Train Insane Malta in May 2014.

I was obese back then: I weighed 110kgs when I was 15. I had very low selfesteem because of certain people who used to put me down because of the way I looked.

Thanks to the many positive friends that I started hanging out with, I started to believe in and learn how to love myself. Soon I started seeing positive results thanks to new healthy eating habits – and here I’d like to thank my personal diet advisor, Susan Borg.

My parents are also my great supporters, as well as my boyfriend and Sabrina, who has become my best friend. They give me great motivation and help me in my determination to achieve my goals. I believe that if you surround yourself with great people

I WAS OBESE BACK IN THE DAY: I USED TO WEIGH 110KGS AT AGE 15. I HAD VERY LOW SELF ESTEEM BECAUSE OF CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO USED TO PUT ME DOWN BECAUSE OF THE WAY I LOOKED who push you forward and help you, you will feel positive vibes and see results.

WORD Christine Tanti is a 29-year-old aircraft mechanic with Lufthansa Technik. She tells First about her determination to overcome resistance to achieve her goals, both in her professional and personal life. several times, but I’ve proved them wrong.

Once, an instructor walked into the classroom and told me that I didn’t belong on the course; and during an educational visit to one of the aircraft hangers back in the day, an instructor told me I wouldn’t be able to lift a 25 kilo toolbox, but I stepped out and did so in front of everyone. The more people told me I couldn’t do my job, the more determined I became to succeed.

I strongly believe that if you if you pursue your goal with enough determination, you will achieve it, but you do need to have the hide of a hippopotamus to fight off this negativity, that I do admit. But I’m proud to say that my duties as an aircraft mechanic are exactly the same as those of my male counterparts: I do nothing less and nothing more.

Do you see yourself as a symbol of empowerment for modern women to follow their dreams and not be distracted by gender stereotyping and convention?

I don’t know about that, to be honest.

All I do know is that I live my life

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IF YOU PURSUE A GOAL STRONGLY ENOUGH, YOU WILL ACHIEVE IT, BUT YOU DO NEED TO BE TOUGH TO FIGHT OFF THIS NEGATIVITY, THAT I DO ADMIT following these mottos: ‘Believe in your dreams’, ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’, and ‘Think positively to make negativity go away’.

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For more information on the full range check out www.dirtyworksbeauty.com. Dirty Works is in leading 70

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nourishes skin with hydration. It is the first from Max Factor to contain a new silicone ingredient that behaves more like a moisturiser. Available in six shades. For trade enquiries call VJ Salomone Marketing, tel: 8007 2387 or visit the Max Factor Malta Facebook page 7. Wellaby’s make unique snacks that are so deliciously tasty you’ll hardly believe they are free from gluten, wheat and GSM. Made with real cheese, flavoured with true herbs and baked to precision, these snacks are delicious and healthy choices for indulging. Check out the website: www.jcallejaltd.com and Facebook page: J. Calleja Caterers & Wholesalers Ltd 8. For her birthday, Nina invites you to a very Pop party: enter this colorful, arty, and fun universe to celebrate her 10th year anniversary! A precious white bottle, full of colorful confetti and surrounded by a luxurious golden cap – to make Nina’s Pop birthday an unforgettable party.

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