Issuu

JUNE 2017

ARCHITECTURE Organic LIVING The IMPACT of CLIMATE CHANGE on IMMIGRATION

NEW COLLECTION

NEW OPENING HOURS Monday - Saturday: 10am - 7pm Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julians T: 21375781

www.1-2-3.fr

Photograph by Alan Carville

Keeping it real It’s all too easy to take our own health – and the environment around us – for granted. I know I am a culprit of this: I’m either too busy or too tired to take either too seriously, for very long. Sadly, however, we do get older and the world needs our respect, so some time out to reflect and do something about it is important. In this issue we explore different things to do with health and the environment. On page 36 we meet Ewan Briggs, who gave up what he was doing to finally specialise in sustainability and live that way. He moved to New Zealand and built a low energy, passive solar home and learnt to grow his own food. Gloria Camilleri did something similar in Malta, giving up the fast-lane approach to life working in fashion to grow her own produce and live on her farm in Mgarr. I’m starting to like the idea myself! On page 28 you can read about ways we’ve found for protecting your homegrown fruit, vegetables and plants from pesky bugs, and health coach and detox specialist Angela Mallia explains the problems of, and solutions for, irritable bowel syndrome that some of us may suffer from without realising it. And on the same page, Dusha Lia – a sufferer of the condition herself – gives us a scrumptious and simple recipe that she swears by. Give it a try! The bigger picture can sometimes seem too far away from our own world. However, the fact is that, whatever Donald Trump says, we are affecting the rate of climate change and we all need to pull together to do what we can – from the small things like switching off lights when we don’t need them, to rallying against polluting and detrimental projects that we are faced with. There is, however, more awareness on the environmental issues we face today without it seeming like a ‘hippy’ way of thinking, but nothing changes if we don’t change, and coming together is the only way. Let’s hope the problem of exhaust pollution in Malta for one is tackled once and for all now – which I’m sure it will be! Julian Cardona gives us the bigger picture, discussed by ex-President Obama and celebrity Leonardo Di Caprio, and taken further by the G7 leaders reaffirming their commitments to the Paris Agreement and the need for more renewable energy. Did you know that solar power and wind power are now either the same price as or cheaper than new fossil fuel generation in more than 30 countries? On that rather exciting, but perhaps heavy, note I bid you farewell until the next issue and, ahead of Father’s Day, I hope that you will also read the Father’s Day feature in which a few describe their fathers and what they taught us, if anything. It’s an interesting read, about fascinating parenting.

EDITOR LILY AGIUS LAGIUS@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ADVERTISING & ADVERT PLACEMENTS CLAIRE BONDIN GAFA CGAFA@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTWORK COORDINATOR CHRISTINE SPITERI CMIFSUD@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT CONTRIBUTORS ANGELA MALLIA, ARABELLA HOGG, DINI MARTINEZ, DORIAN FLORES, DORIANNE MAMO, DUSHA LIA, EWAN BRIGGS, GLORIA MIFSUD, JOSEF MIZZI, JULIAN CARDONA, MARLENE VASSALLO, MATTHEW B SPITERI, TONY CASSAR DARIEN. PUBLISHER STANDARD PUBLICATIONS, STANDARD HOUSE, BIRKIKARA HILL, ST JULIAN’S. TEL: 00356-2134-5888 PRINTER PRINT IT E-MAIL FIRST@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ONLINEWWW.INDEPENDENT.COM.MT FACEBOOK FIRSTMAGAZINE COVER DETAILS LIMITED EDITION BLUE WOVEN TASSEL DRESS (¤305), GOLD CHAIN CHOKER (¤22.90), BOTH FROM MONSOON. GOLD LEAF TIARA (¤9.90), ACCESSORIZE. WOVEN GOLD WEDGE (¤89), 1-2-3 PARIS. DMADERA LARGE DECK WHITE YACHT BAG (¤989), ROUND GOLD RING (¤29), BOTH FROM PORTO. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW B SPITERI FIRST IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY.

Insidethisissue 06 FIRST WORD

32 SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

With freelance writer and fashion stylist Arabella Hogg

Dini Martinez talks with Ewan Briggs, a sustainability expert in New Zealand

11 SEA-SIDE GLAMOUR

35 NOT JUST WARMING

This issue’s fashion story at Pearl Beach

19 EASY BREEZY

Fashion advice for all day beach-wear

Orange bikini top (¤55), and bottoms (¤45), both from 1-2-3 PARIS. Dolce and Gabbana cream sunglasses (¤300), O’HEA OPTICIANS. Lola Rose cuff bracelet with blue lace agate (¤51), Lola Rose cuff bracelet with pink Montana agate (¤68), Lola Rose Montana agate cuff (¤119), all from PORTO.

Julian Cardona reminds us that climate change is not a joke and that it also has an impact on immigration

38 DIVING PARADISES

Dini Martinez takes us on an underwater adventure

20 SUMMER TIME

Some fashionable must-haves

23 MONSOON IS ON THE MOVE

54 LAST WORD

With personal trainer Josef Mizzi

Monsoon Ladies is moving to a bigger and better premise

26 THE GOOD LIFE

We meet Gloria Camilleri, the owner of Vincent’s Eco Farm, to talk about organic living

29 DIY PESTICIDES

Some organic solutions for keeping the bugs away from your garden

30 ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

Our favourite organic builds of all time

Monolo Blahnik’s pointed yellow Hangisi heel

40 CARMELO: THE MOVIE

Tony Cassar Darien reveals the soon-to-be-released movie about the Maltese fascist Carmelo Borg Pisani

43 OUR FATHER

Some memories and thoughts on our fathers

49 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Health coach and detox specialist Angela Mallia explains irritable bowel syndrome and what steps sufferers need to take, and chef Dusha Lia shares a recipe 4

BAGS

BY:

BRACCIALINI. TOSCA BLU. RIPANI. FRANCESCO BIASIA. LUPO. MAESTOSO. CARL LAICH. CHIARA P. BRIC’S. JEWELLERY BY: DANSK. COEUR DE LION. NOUR. SQUADRA BLU. GABY’S. STAMERRA. LOLA ROSE & TUTTI & CO.

PORTO, PORTOMASO SHOPPING COMPLEX, ST. JULIAN’S. TEL: 2137 2079 PORTO BOUTIQUE, HILTON HOTOEL, ST. JULIANS. TEL: 2373 3765 FACEBOOK PORTO HANBAGS AND ACCESSORIES WWW.PORT OMALTA.C OM

first word

Twenty-six-year-old freelance writer Arabella Hogg has a love for fashion and luxury. She can throw together a great fashion shoot feature as well: check out her styling in this issue’s fashion shoot. I would like to learn how to... speak Italian. The book I am reading is...

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari – a hilarious book studying the modern dating world. He is such a great comedian and I love the way it’s written.

My most recent find is... Capo Crudo in Valletta – a restaurant with great seafood and beautiful views.

The website I will often browse is... Net-a-Porter, it’s a great place to keep up with all the latest trends.

The most spectacular city in the world is... London, and not just because

Photo by Michael Camilleri

it’s my birthplace. There is an electricity to the place; it has everything you could ever want – great restaurants and galleries, beautiful parks and, of course, hopping!

Panarea

The objects I would never part with are... my iPhone and a pair of sunglasses: at the moment I’m in love with my Dior silver ‘diorama’ shades.

You will never find me on... Facebook – I’m an Instagram girl.

The best invention is... sat

nav: my sense of direction is seriously lacking!

An indulgence I would never give up is... regular blow-dries and manicures.

The thing that makes me the most happy is...

The thing you will always find in my fridge is...

playing with my daughter: I love to see her joy in the most simple of things.

mas

a The Bah

My favourite space in my house is... the

living room. I am a movie/TV addict and am currently watching Versailles.

Choo navy denim pool slides. They can be worn with everything in summer and are elegant enough to wear in the evening, too.

The most inspirational person in my life is... my partner: he is forever curious.

The most unforgettable place I visited is...

The best gift I received recently is... my Rolex Datejust with a gorgeous pink champagne diamond dial. It was a gift from my partner after the birth of our child. It is such a stunning watch, with a lovely sentiment.

Panarea – a hidden gem in the Aeolian Islands. There are no cars and everyone gets around by golf carts.

The last place I visited is... The

Bahamas. It’s such a magical place, bursting with colour, and the beaches are breathtaking!

The last thing I added to my wardrobe is... a pair of Jimmy 6

smoked salmon and avocados: always our go-to snack at home.

The last song I listened to was... Sampha.

Incomplete kisses by

If I could get away for the day it would have to be to... 37 in Gozo: a super stylish boutique hotel and a really serene refuge.

One thing I never get round to doing and would to is... selling things on eBay – all those things bought on a whim that I’ve never worn and are collecting dust in my wardrobe.

If had no choice but to change my line of work I would love to... work with rescue dogs.

My most luxurious habit is... skincare. A friend of mine introduced me to the brand Caudalie – their beauty elixir is always in my bathroom. I also love Lancôme and Clarins products.

B O L O N A M

K I N H A L

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lahn B o l o n a out M

A SHORE THING STYLING: ARABELLA HOGG PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW B SPITERI MODEL: NAOMI MULLINGS, SUPERNOVA UK HAIR: DORIAN FLORES, STRANJÉ HAIRDRESSING MAKE-UP: MARLENE VASSALLO, MARLENE HAIR AND MAKE-UP LOCATION: PEARL BEACH, SLIEMA

Tropical print jumpsuit (¤182), MONSOON. Pink leather tie belt (¤65), 1-2-3 PARIS. Dior marble Sunglasses (¤436), O’HEA OPTICIANS. Hoop drop earrings (¤7.50), M&CO. Lola Rose cuff bracelet with blue lace agate (¤51), Lola Rose cuff bracelet with pink Montana agate (¤68), Blue raffia saddle-bag (¤130), all from PORTO. 11

Orange bikini top (¤55), Orange high-waist bottoms (¤45), Crochet kaftan (¤89), Woven hat (¤45.50), all from 1-2-3 PARIS. Turquoise necklace (¤156), Turquoise drop earrings (¤43), Turquoise woven clutch (¤127), all from PORTO 12

Blue swimsuit (¤39.50), Linen sleeveless shirt (¤32.50), both from M&CO. Woven gold wedges (¤89), 1-2-3 PARIS. Orange handbag with studs (¤104), Lola Rose Lapis Lazuli cuff (¤130), Lola Rose Lapis Lazuli drop earrings (¤78); Lola Rose Lapis Lazuli necklace (¤79), all from PORTO. Tommy Hilfiger round sunglasses (¤164), O’HEA OPTICIANS.

Mustard one shoulder dress (¤155), 1-2-3 PARIS. Gucci sunglasses (¤252), O’HEA OPTICIANS. Blue print scarf (¤21), Cobalt blue handbag (¤104), Lola Rose Montana agate cuff (¤119), Silver mesh earrings (¤59), all from PORTO. 15

Magenta swimsuit (¤115) and woven gold wedges (¤89) both from 1-2-3 PARIS. Pink butterfly flower crown (¤15.90), ACCESSORIZE. Gold bracelet (¤7.90), Gold chain bracelet (¤9.90), Gold hoop earrings (¤7.90), all from MONSOON. Woven handbag (¤27.50), M&CO.

Turquoise swimsuit with gold detail (¤39.90), ACCESSORIZE. Woven gold wedges (¤89), 1-2-3 PARIS. D-Madera wooden bag with turquoise detail (¤575), Turquoise jewel stud earrings (¤23), PORTO. Marc Jacobs rose lens sunglasses (¤130), O’HEA OPTICIANS. Pink scarf (¤16.50), M&CO.

OUTLETS FEATURED: ACCESSORIZE, Bisazza Street, Sliema, and Republic Street, Valletta, tel. 2134 6080 and The Duke Shopping Complex, Gozo, tel. 2155 2540. 1-2-3 PARIS Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s, tel. 21375781. O’HEA OPTICIANS, 191 The Strand, Gzira, tel. 21315590. MONSOON, Bisazza Street, Sliema, tel. 2134 6080. M&CO, 195-196 Merchants Street, Valletta, tel. 2123 3221 . PORTO, Portomaso Shopping Complex, St Julian’s, tel. 21372079.

U 18

Palm tree maxi dress (¤56.50), M&CO. Burberry red and green sunglasses (¤199), O’HEA OPTICIANS. ‘Beach Please’ beach bag (¤45.90), ACCESSORIZE. Woven gold wedges (¤89), 1-2-3 PARIS. Coral drop earrings (¤43), Silver chunky chain necklace (¤236), Silver chunky chain bracelet (¤126), all from PORTO.

Easy-Breezy Effortless summer fashion

U BY ARABELLA HOGG

ndeniably, summer has to be the most fun season, sartorially. The time has come to ditch the darker shades of clothing for something a little less Goth, and a little more bright. Personally, I find it the easiest time of year to get myself ready in the mornings – throwing on an effortless summer dress or a quick-fix t-shirt and denim short combo are my staple sunshine looks. It is not just the ease of fashion that I love about the summer months, it’s the easybreezy way of life that occurs once the thermometer starts hitting the 30s. We are so blessed to live in a holiday destination, enjoying months on end of perfect sunny weather. The scorching days at the beach, followed by balmy evenings out are the most carefree and pleasant. Style-wise, there isn’t so much pressure on us to create different looks depending on our surroundings: once the heat is on, rules tend to melt away. Bikinis replace underwear, cover-ups can be worn at dinner and highheels aren’t necessary footwear. Buying a few key pieces of summer clothing is all you need: you’ll find yourself wearing them continuously until autumn is once again

Swimsuit – whether you’re a onepiece wonder-woman or a bikini babe, shop around for something that you feel comfortable in and wear it all summer.

1 2 3

Kaftan/cover up – depending on your

style, a beautiful silk kimono, macramé cover-up or light cotton kaftan all work well.

Sunglasses – during the summer you

can have a bit more fun with your shades: try a new frame shape or a coloured lens to be on trend for the season.

Floaty summer dress –

4 5 6

I just love embroidered dresses: maxi, midi or mini. Invest in your favourite and you’ll be wearing it year after year.

Beach bag –

you can never go wrong with a straw beach bag.

Cross-body/clutch – a bright colourpop micro bag is this season’s must-have; sling it over your shoulder to take you straight to evening wear.

upon us. Holiday-wear is never groundbreaking and the classics always work best; – it’s during the winter that we get more creative with our style. Sticking to a specific colour scheme helps to be able to mix and match pieces – I tend to go for various hues of blues, whites and creams. Fabrics are important – linen is your best friend. If it has been crumpled in your beach bag all day, the material actually improves! Avoid synthetic materials – the Maltese humidity is horrendous at the best of times so staying with silks, cottons and linens will help stop that prickly-heat feeling on your skin. These natural fabrics also lend themselves well to beautiful summery dresses and kaftans, which can be simply popped over your swimsuit in the morning and not removed until you go to bed at night. I have narrowed down a list of just 10 key items that you need all summer long – yes, really, that’s all! With this shortlist, you can effortlessly glide from dawn to dusk: just by adding a bright lipstick, some bold jewellery and an evening clutch, your daytime look can be transformed to night.

Sun hat –

7 8

a straw hat screams poolside chic. Try a panama, trilby or wide-brim and feel that inner diva come out.

Pool slides – slides are this season’s statement footwear, worn from beach to bar they are total allrounders. There are many styles to try – from both the High Street and designer, depending on your budget.

Light jacket – my all-season hero has

9 10

got to be the timeless denim jacket for when the weather gets a bit fresher in the evenings.

Statement jewellery – go bold, chunky and colourful!

Earrings / ACCESSORIZE (¤8.90 part of set)

Blue multiway tummy control swimsuit / M&CO (¤39.50)

Sophie Short black lace kaftan for the beach / 123 PARIS

SHINE ON!

Embrace the summer sun with some bright, fun and stylish beachwear and accessories

Flamingo inflatable drink holder / ACCESSORIZE (¤7.90)

i Kal ed

d bea s/

dal

san IZE

S CES AC ) 7.90 (¤3

89) D madera bag / PORTO (¤9

Sequin cross body bag / MONSOON (¤29.90)

Earrings / ACCESSORIZE (¤8.90 part of set)

Pia Rossin

i Jewelled

Pool Shoe

s / M&CO

(¤29.50)

Bali top (¤51), Minorca bottoms (¤42) / Giulja Pandolfino

MONSOON IS ON THE MOVE Monsoon Ladies is going it alone, to present all it has to offer on one wide floor, away from the Children and Accessorize in Tigné Street. Jackie Scudamore Urpani and Theresa Bartolo Parnis are working away behind the scenes to get those doors open to us this month. We catch up with them to find out more about this exciting move. When is the new Monsoon Ladies opening? The grand opening of the new Monsoon Ladies is on 23 and 24 June. The shop is not actually larger in size, but the layout is infinitely more ‘shopper-friendly’. It is all on one floor, and the shop is wide as opposed to long and narrow like the existing one, with two lovely windows and a wide entrance. But what we feel will make the most difference is the fact that it is a stand-alone, and not connected to Children and Accessorize. This will ensure a much more serene shopping experience, where the customers can get exclusive treatment in the right environment. On 17 September, we will open the new ‘occasion shop’, which leads to the next question…

What will happen to Monsoon Children and Accessorize? Monsoon Children will be moving from the existing 29 square metres store on the corner into two-thirds of the current Ladies space. Both Accessorize and – even more so – Monsoon Children in Bisazza Street are desperate for more floor area, and we are creating this by removing the Ladies space from the main store. This way, the Children’s store can house the full kids’ range, and people can shop in a much more spacious area, which is particularly important because customers are often pushing buggies or have children with them so the larger area is necessary for a good shopping experience. Accessorize will be allocated the upstairs area, above the existing floor space, which was previously used to house the Monsoon Ladies evening-wear range. This will become an Accessorize ‘concept store’. In summer, it will be an area completely dedicated to beach wear and everything that goes with it, like flip-flops, beach-bags, hats, etc. In November, it will be a ‘back to school’ space, with an emphasis on stationary, backpacks and the like, and in December it will be dedicated to Christmas, showcasing decorations, gifts, etc. The little store that was previously used for Monsoon Children will be converted into an exclusive occasion wear shop, a one-stop-shop for anybody looking for a special piece for an occasion. Monsoon is wellknown for spectacular evening wear and we are very excited that we will have a space dedicated to those special pieces that should make shopping easier for the customer and also enable us to give a different vibe to the Tigné Street store, which will stock the casual and smart collection.

How would you describe the collection, and the type of person who wears Monsoon Ladies? The summer range is just made for Malta’s weather and lifestyle. Fabrics are light and breathable, there are gorgeous prints and colours and every occasion is covered – whether you want to look fabulous on the beach, for a summer evening out or at a glamorous wedding or party. Jumpsuits, kaftans, maxi dresses and spectacular outfits with trademark embroidery and beading are everywhere in the range. The Monsoon customer want something special, something that makes her look different and feel fabulous when she’s wearing it, but is still very affordable. The effortless chic and boho vibe that is such a big part of the brand’s DNA is spot on for Maltese summers, when people

want to look wonderfully stylish in a natural way. We have just returned from the A/W 17 Press day in the UK and the Collection is just to die for. Unstructured coats (perfect for Maltese weather), luxe velvet in black and jewel colours, suede, fur, embellished denim and knitwear and relaxed suiting all feature in the collection and we can’t wait to have it all in our stores!

What are the best pieces from the summer collection? We love the white, wide-leg summer trousers, the crochet coloured maxi, the striped, three-quarter length jumpsuit with straps, the military waistcoat, the printed maxi in gorgeous colours and the printed wide leg jumpsuit with shoulder detail – just perfect for any dressy summer occasion! 23

rada Luna Rossa is a set of intriguing, engineered contradictions: a family of groundbreaking, elemental men’s fragrances. Each is totally individual but part of the same story. The Prada universe is defined by advanced technology as much as craft – hi-tech materials with compelling, surprising qualities.

The fragrance: a mineral freshness Its strong mineral presence plays against the essence of bright, fresh water. It refracts its raw, organic elements through the lens of industry. Its contemporary nature is everything: carbon is the base of every organic form on the planet – dazzling or dark, diamond or graphite. Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is forged as much as blended – stronger than the most robust rock, but with the freshness of air.

Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is an iconoclastic fougère fragrance that brings together steam-distilled botanicals and synthetics in a mix that is full of energy. It is a meticulous blend of fragrance, with the green citrus of Vert de Bergamote from Italy, the radiant woody notes of patchouli and the dry amber of ambroxan. It is citrus and pepper, soft and verdant, wet soil and rock. Lavender is at the heart of all the Luna Rossa fragrances – with its classic metallic notes being used in a radical, modern way. Prada Luna Rossa Carbon is grounded in the earth and nature, but its mineral freshness also belongs to the world of the factory and industrial innovation.

here is a constant flow of customers at Vincent’s Eco Farm in Zebbiegh, so it’s hard to have an uninterrupted conversation with Gloria Camilleri, but that’s fine with me as it gives me a chance to choose a selection of vegetables and fruit for tonight’s supper and take in the surrounding landscape. This little piece of heaven in the Maltese countryside is an escape from it all, especially today being Election Day! It is no wonder that Gloria gave up her life in town as a fashion retailer for this. Just seeing the farm shop ahead of me as I drove towards it made my eyes involuntarily widen with surprise and glee. She has created an attractive

organic vegetable and food shop in the middle of nowhere and, more importantly, shows that it can be done. Gloria explains that growing organic produce isn’t an easy task, with 30 per cent of her crops perishing, but there is no doubt in her mind that there are definite benefits from eating organic – from the field to the fork. And not only that – she tells me that there are products that we spray on or rub into our bodies that are not safe as we

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LABELLED AS ‘FRESH’, IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT ISN’T WITHOUT PESTICIDES

THE GOOD LIFE absorb all sorts of chemicals. Her telling me this reminds me of when I was pregnant and I suddenly ask myself why I have once again become more complacent about using perfumes and ‘big brand’ body washes, when I was so strict with myself carrying and breast-feeding my daughter… Do we turn a blind eye only when it suits us? And can the risks really be true? Unfortunately, the fact is cancers are on the rise – apparently one in three people will get cancer at some point in their lives – and exposure to air pollution and chemicals, and the use of artificial sweeteners and pore-blocking deodorants, could be to blame. Gloria tells me that some of her customers – who are parents or cancer patients or who have relatives with cancer are more conscious of what they put in and on their bodies. “It takes having cancer or being a parent to even think about it, when knowing what is healthy and what is not should be a lifestyle choice.” When asked which country is the most health conscious, she smiles and answers with immediate certainty “the Scandinavians”. While she has a lot of French and German customers, as well as a few Italians, it is really the Scandinavians who – without a doubt – are at the top of the ladder when it comes to health-conscious eating. “The Maltese haven’t been exposed to enough healthy eating. I think that, for some, it’s just a simple lack of awareness of what is and isn’t good for you. Just because a food item, including meat and eggs, is labelled as ‘fresh’, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t without pesticides or hormones, for example. Mass-produced foods are made to sell – and for a profit – so not all the producers care what they are feeding you.” I browse through the packaged

products inside the shop, mostly picking up the ones that my toddler has carried or thrown from one side to the other, and outside – some with ingredients that I’ve never even seen before – and Gloria holds one out to me to explain that you don’t need to investigate the label as you would in a regular shop after she has sourced and selected everything from organicallycertified producers. How refreshing: I spend ages reading the small print on packaging in the supermarket! So, I ask myself – and Gloria – why aren’t we all living this way and why has

D E

When Gloria Camilleri inherited her father’s estate she redirected her energy into converting the property into a 100 per cent organic farm, and last year the estate was awarded a full EU certification. She cultivates and imports organic produce – living on the very land on which she works and has always held dear. I have a little taste of what it’s all about, and grill her for more information. Lily Agius. Photographs by Jonathan Borg.

it taken so long for Malta to get anywhere close? I was corrected and told that Malta has seen big changes over the years and that people are more knowledgeable than they were, but organic living can be costly if your mindset is to spend less money on food, and it will take more time for it to be an integral part of society here. Farmers need to be shown how to use organic farming techniques and told how important it is not to douse our crops in artificial fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, since

these go straight back into our bodies and the soil. And why is she living this way? She says: “My dream is that everyone will go organic. I have an electric car, and I have made this my life. It’s because our island is so small that we could do so much more! We could all have – or more of an incentive to own – an electric car, and access to free energy. It is possible! When are people going to start switching off the light when it isn’t theirs, or stop only thinking about the bill?” Good question!

Natural Pesticides Create your own DIY remedies for your garden

ardening is a joy for many, a hobby that requires patience and work, but ultimately provides great rewards. Watching your seedling grow into a blossoming plant, uprooting your first garden vegetable, or picking your first fruits nestled in the branches are such simple yet gratifying pleasures. Without people using the land to table approach throughout the centuries, civilization would not have flourished. So why have people become less self-sufficient – convenience. Today, we are so spoilt with the abundance of fruit and vegetables available from all over the world at any time of year – but at what cost? Unless you buy organic (which isn’t always available) you have no idea what has been sprayed and doused onto your seemingly healthy fruits and vegetables. We live in a climate that is a haven for creepy-crawlies, so it is no wonder that local farmers must use pesticides to have any sort of profitable income, and for cost reasons they use chemical-based products. If you decide to grow your own produce, you don’t have to resort to harsh toxic methods to keep your plants safe. There are many variants of natural products that you can use and make yourself at home which are safe for humans and pets, and non-toxic for the environment.

GARLIC SPRAY – Most insects can’t stand this potent bulb which is so loved by humans! Simply blend or crush 5 cloves. Add half a cup of water and five drops of dishwashing soap. Pour mixture into a glass jar and leave to stand in the sun for 2 days. Strain the mixture into a spray bottle to remove the bits and dilute the concentrate with 2 ½ cups of water. Spray your plants liberally once a week. (Don’t spray too close to harvest time as the garlic may affect the flavour of your crops)

2 3

NEEM OIL – This natural oil only affects chewing and sucking insects and not the beneficial pollinating ones. To make one litre of neem plant spray you need 1tsp of pure, cold-pressed neem oil, 1/3 tsp of detergent, and 1 litre of warm water. Pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake. EPSOM SALT – Many gardeners are fans of this easily available, inexpensive product. Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral with many uses around the home and garden. By simply sprinkling dry Epsom salt around the base of plants or alongside the row when you plant your seedlings, it deters slugs and beetles. There is also an added benefit that the plants will get a boost of magnesium and sulfur.

WHITE OIL SPRAY – By using 2 simple products that everyone has in their cupboard, you can create an effective pesticide that coats the insects such as aphids and mites. Mix one cup of vegetable oil with ¼ cup dishwashing soap, mix the ingredients in a jar until the mixture turns white (hence the name). This becomes the concentrate which needs to be diluted before you use it – about 1 tablespoon mixed with 1 litre of water.

CITRUS OIL AND CAYENNE PEPPER INSECTICIDE – No, this isn’t a recipe for a fancy new cocktail in town. In fact, these two simple ingredients work very together to combat pesky ants. Just mix 10 drops of citrus essential oil with 1 tsp of cayenne pepper and one cup of warm water. Shake well and spray.

ORGANIC

ARCHITECTURE

he term was coined by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 20th century and is broadly used to describe any building the shape of which mimics nature and harmonises with its natural environment. Organic architecture stems from an understanding that the wellbeing of the human psyche cannot be nurtured by removing people from the natural world in which they belong. To this end, organic buildings grow from the ground – as one with their site – while also providing occupants with a connection to the exterior. This kinship with the environment in Wright’s words meant, for example, “not to build on top of a hill in dominance, but beside it in partnership”.

Frank Lloyd Wright Wright was born in 1867 in Wisconsin, USA, into a Unitarian, idiosyncratic teacher family. A set of wooden building blocks known as ‘Froebel Gifts’, a kindergarten gift from his mother, predetermined his career. He was later quoted as saying: “these cubes, spheres and triangles are in my fingers to this day.” His creative period spanned over 70 years, during which he designed more than 1,000 diverse buildings of which 532 were completed. His colourful personal life often made the headlines for his affairs, various turbulent marriages and divorces and even a murder at his Taliesin studio in 1914.

Five examples of beautiful Organic Architecture

Organic Architecture is not a stylistic or aesthetic movement. Each building is a response to its site, the character of its occupants and the time in which it is designed. Because each of these conditions differs, each ‘Organic’ building is unique.

Biesbosch Museum The Biesbosch Museum, located near the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands, recently underwent a massive redesign which saw the island museum completely covered under a naturally-insulating grass blanket. The eightmonth-long transformation also added an organic restaurant, an outdoor seating area and a new extension wing. A rooftop walkway winds through the new grassy knolls and ends in a look-out point that

allows visitors to admire one of the last extensive freshwater tidal wetlands in northwestern Europe. De Biesbosch National Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, holiday-makers and photographers. Through a constant battle with and against water, flood protection and other design focuses let you discover up-close how man and nature can work together.

Location: Dordrecht, Netherlands. Architect: Studio Marco Vermeulen. Completed: 2015.

Fallingwater It is impossible to not include Wright’s classic of Organic Architecture in this non-inclusive list of his genre. Fallingwater in rural Pennsylvania, built in the late 1930s as a holiday home for the wealthy Kaufmann family, has often been described as ‘the best all-time work of American architecture’. This private residence is built on top of a waterfall and strongly reflects Wright’s passion for Japanese architecture, particularly in the importance of interpenetrating exterior and interior spaces and the strong emphasis placed on harmony between man and nature. One example of this is a rock ledge, which used to be Kaufman’s favourite sunning spot, protruding up to a foot through the living-room floor, left in place as it was.

Location: Pennsylvania, USA. Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed: 1939.

Sydney Opera House In designing the Sydney Opera House, Danish architect Jørn Utzon took inspiration from many natural sources, including the harbour setting, headlands, palm leaves, shells, waves, ribs, clouds and even snow and ice. These offered the imprint of nature’s organic forms, colours and textures that can be recognised in this remarkable example of organic architecture, or ‘additive architecture’, to use Utzon’s term. Constructed between 1959 and 1973, the building includes many features that are today recognised as hallmarks of sustainable design. As explained by Utzon himself: “By being in contact with our surroundings, we find our way into architecture’s innermost being…

The true innermost being of architecture can be compared with that of nature’s seed.”

Location: Sydney, Australia. Architect: Jørn Utzon. Completed: 1973.

Shell Similar to Fallingwater, this holiday villa in Karuizawa, Japan, also fits perfectly into the surrounding woodlands, while at the same time echoing nature in its design. As the name suggests, the oval-shaped building is reminiscent of a shell. According to the architects, “being in sync with nature isn’t about yielding to nature – it’s about coexistence. The existence of the structure depends on its power to endure nature. By isolating living space from the wilderness, and upgrading its quality as a shelter, the house will be protected from nature and will provide a comfortable environment. With this, the house will be taken care of and used frequently and continuously.”

Location: Karuizawa, Japan. Architect: ARTechnic. Completed: 2008.

Parque Guell This short list of organic architecture marvels would not be complete without Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. He designed Park Guell, amongst many modern organic buildings that tend to escape lines and rigid geometry in favour of wavy lines and curved shapes underscored by new forms of concrete and cantilever trusses. The public park is surrounded by an undulating mosaic wall and demonstrates Gaudi’s high regard for nature. He used natural elements such as stones and recycled ceramics, rather than firing new ones. To avoid levelling the land, Gaudi designed meandering viaducts and, moreover, he planned the park to include numerous trees.

Location: Barcelona, Spain. Architect: Antoni Gaudi. Completed: 1926. 31

ARCHITECTURE Dini Martinez catches up with Sustainability Expert Ewan Briggs in New Zealand

first met Ewan Briggs when we were working together for a Sydney sustainability consultancy on projects such as reducing a company’s carbon emissions, considering human rights in lending decisions and reducing and recycling waste. He had just sailed from the UK to Australia and already then, almost 10 years ago, he was a massive inspiration to the whole office. Whatever venture he touched acquired a green fling of innovation and excellence. He is not into promoting himself or counting the number of ‘likes’ on his blog (21cstraw.wordpress.com), but rather gets on with what needs doing to make our world a more sustainable place.

How did you first become interested in sustainability? In 2004, I had a conversation with my sister about unsustainable fishing which led me to read Charles Clover’s The end of the Line. This opened a whole can of worms for me. Essentially, I thought that if this was the way we treated our oceans, in what other areas are we mistreating the planet? This led me on a learning experience that continues to this day and has covered food, energy, building, water, agriculture and climate change, to name a few. I changed my career from IT to sustainability, began a second Master’s Degree in renewable energy and sustainable building design and got a job with the Carbon Trust in London. After a few years there, I decided to move to

Australia. I bought a neglected racing yacht, made it ocean-ready and took a year off to sail to Sydney via the Panama Canal. In Sydney, I sold the boat and became a sustainability consultant, specialising in carbon and energy.

I REALISED IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO BUY SOME LAND, BUILD A NATURAL, LOWENERGY, PASSIVE SOLAR HOME AND LEARN HOW TO GROW SOME OF MY OWN FOOD

After a couple of years there I realised it was time for me to ‘walk the talk’ and decided to move to New Zealand, buy some land, build a natural, low-energy, passive solar home and learn how to grow some of my own food. Over the past few years I’ve developed skills in natural building design and construction – including timber framing, plastering, tiling and just about everything inbetween.

So what comes next? I’ve done a permaculture design course and am implementing some of the principles and techniques in our garden, and establishing a food forest. As the house is approaching completion, I’m turning my design focus to the outside, to harness the renewable energy potential

we have onsite, and I have plans to convert an old washing-machine motor into a wind turbine. I’ve also got a long list of potential social enterprises that I’ve been adding to over the last few years and I’m keen to get started on turning some of them into reality – as and when I get some more time away from my current priorities of family, the house and our food and energy production.

Can you share some of those social enterprise ideas with us or are they top secret? No secrets – as Elon Musk says: if we were together on the sinking Titanic and I have a great idea for a bucket, it’s in the interests of us both for me to share it and work together. I believe that if we are to

have a sustainable civilisation in the future, we’re going to have to collaborate and not compete. My lead contender is using biochar to take what is often viewed as a waste stream to help address a number of issues, including carbon sequestration, soil fertility, fertiliser use, nutrient run-off and water quality – all of which are major issues both in New Zealand and worldwide. The idea bank is very diverse – from sailing to building, waste, energy and food production.

What else do we need to address to make our future more sustainable? At the moment, almost everything we do in our western civilisation is profoundly unsustainable. Our system relies on growth to function. There is

perhaps nothing less sustainable than growth and until we address this approach to growth we are just rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. It’s clear that, under our current political leadership systems, the change we need isn’t going to happen – certainly not fast enough and arguably not at all. So the change needs to come from the bottom up.

You are a sailor. How has this influenced your sustainability journey? Sailing teaches you the potential power of the elements whilst also enjoying a natural environment. Long-distance cruising has taught me a lot about selfreliance, responsibility and independence. In this environment, you’re responsible for all your own

energy, food, water, safety, shelter and transport. There’s a lot to learn that we can apply in our wider lives.

What comes to mind when thinking ‘Malta and Sustainability’? My view is that smaller communities are more functional than larger ones when it comes to sustainability issues. Moreover, it’s easier on an island to take responsibility for – and ownership of – your environment. So, I’d like to think that a relatively small island community like Malta could turn things around and show the rest of us what’s possible and necessary.

Do you have you any favourite quote to share with our readers? “You reap what you sew.” 33

NOT JUST WARMING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON IMMIGRATION . Words by Julian Cardona, paintings by Gulja Holland

. Watershed by Gulja Holland

t one point, when Leonardo DiCaprio was interviewing the then US President Barack Obama for the critically acclaimed climate change documentary Before the Flood, he asked what terrified him the most. Mr Obama did not hesitate: “A huge portion of the world’s population lives near oceans. If they start moving, then you start seeing scarce resources the subject of competition between populations. This is the reason why the Pentagon has said that this is not just an environmental issue, but also a national security issue.” Other military leaders have confirmed this. “Climate change is the greatest security threat of the 21st century,” said Maj. Gen. Munir Muniruzzaman, chairman of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change and former military adviser to the President of Bangladesh. »

. Sea River by Gulja Holland «It takes only a one metre rise in sea level rise to flood 20 per cent of Bangladesh, he said. “We’re going to see refugee problems on an unimaginable scale, potentially above 30 million people.” According to the EU Migration Policy Institute report, the migration that will result from climate change will dwarf anything we have seen before. Numbers between 100 to 200 million displaced people have been thrown into the discussion and, whilst these figures are subject to debate, there is no doubt that the consequences will be catastrophic. The major catalysts are a rise in temperatures, disruption in water cycles, severe storms, risers in sea level and droughts, with the added tension resulting in heightened ethnic conflicts and regional wars. Trying to understand how the disasters described above unfold is a truly scary ride. Starting with a rise in sea level, a rise of one metre in this century is considered conservative by most scientists. Now contemplate this: 16 out of the 22 largest cities are seaports! When it comes to rising temperatures, an increase of only one or two degrees will seriously reduce crop production in the most povertystricken regions of the world. 36

To make matters worse, diseases such as cholera and malaria thrive in warmer water and one can only imagine the impact on migration, should the threat of infected water materialise. And what about storms? When talking about mega-storms that dwarf anything to which we are accustomed, the immigration impact is, of course, due to the exponential increase in damage to

IT IS FAIRLY EASY TO PREDICT THAT THE DIRECTION OF MIGRATION FLOWS RESULTING FROM CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BE INFLUENCED BY PROXIMITY, HISTORICAL (OFTEN COLONIAL) TIES, AND ETHNIC OR LINGUISTIC AFFINITY

the infrastructure that will leave hundreds of communities and millions of people without homes. Some areas will be more affected than others. Emerging economies such as those in Asia and Africa will be the most vulnerable to climate change, with India and Bangladesh being cited more than other countries. This is because when the effects of climate change are coupled with factors such as poverty and population density, the conclusions are even grimmer. Other examples of vulnerable countries are Haiti, Madagascar and the Philippines. Norway was ranked the least vulnerable. This raises the following question: is it possible to predict migration flows? According to the report, “It is fairly easy to predict that the direction of migration flows resulting from climate change will be influenced by proximity, historical (often colonial) ties, and ethnic or linguistic affinity.” Climate-influenced migration from the Middle East and North Africa will likely move towards the closest European lands across the Mediterranean. Emigration from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America is more likely to move towards

the USA and Canada. Countries that still have migratory colonial agreements, such as Montserrat (UK territory) and Martinique (France), will be allowed to resettle in their former colonial territories. Heavily populated Asian cities will find it more problematic, according to the report. “Adjacent countries are themselves poor and densely populated.” The likelihood is that migration happens at a rural-to-urban level. Now we can stop and understand what Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement means for the world. Firstly, we must take a moment to understand the breakthrough obtained by the Paris Agreement. The 2015 accord is widely believed to be the world’s best chance of tackling catastrophic temperature change. Nearly 200 nations agreed to reduce their emissions and limit global temperature rise to “well below” two degrees Celsius by the end of the century. In withdrawing, America will become one of only three countries that do not support the accord: war-torn Syria and Nicaragua – the latter because it does not believe that the terms of the Agreement are sufficiently ambitious! In a recent letter, 22 Republicans urged Trump to exit the Agreement, which required states to reduce the carbon emissions from power plants – something that many fossil-fuel-loving Republicans oppose. The fear that Trump’s plan will drive up global CO² levels at a very dangerous rate is not unfounded. One also has to consider that even, if the US had adhered to the Paris Agreement, the Americans were still expected to exceed the limits imposed by it. One can only imagine what the outcome will be now. However, all is not doom and gloom. At a recent summit in Italy, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitments to the Agreement and the world economy is pushing towards renewable energy apace. Solar and wind power are now either the same price or cheaper than new fossil fuel generation in more than 30 countries, says a report from the World Economic Forum. Public opinion also supports action to tackle emissions. The world also has a new ‘leader’ in the field: China. Not only has the Chinese government fully backed the Paris Agreement, but it is eyeing an opportunity to extend its soft power. A Chinese energy company even wants to re-train American miners as windfarm technicians. Whichever way the story unfolds, we must remember that humanity has to pay its dues to nature. “Countries are going to pay for climate change, one way or another,” said former American VicePresident Dick Cheney. “The best way to pay for it is by tackling the root causes of climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the national security impacts will be increasingly costly and challenging.” One man’s perilous decision will not stop the millions of people of goodwill, who are pooling all their intelligence and resources to stop the single greatest threat of our generation. Let us just hope that, for the love we have for our children, this saga ends like a good Hollywood movie: with the triumph of those who are on the right side of history. The images illustrating this article are oil paintings from a collection titled From a Distance by artist Ġulja Holland depicting environmental issues. They are on display at Lily Agius Gallery until the 24th of June. www.lilyagiusgallery.com

DIVING

PARADISES of the

WORLD It is 15 years ago and still I remember it as if it had been this morning. My first dive in the ocean – a submersion into a fairy-tale world of flabbergasting colours, corals of all shapes and forms, fish I hadn’t even found in the Aquarium and that time-less beauty of weightlessness. In total connection with my breath, I have blissfully floated through many a world’s best diving sites since, from shallow to up to 30 metres. Let me share some of my favourites with you.

Cuba When you hear Cuba and diving, the Queen’s Gardens (Jardines de la Reina) will most certainly come up. I am sure this remote archipelago lives up to all its expectations, but because of its liveaboard requirements, we had to content with Playa Giron, three hours south of La Havana. However, at no dive did this feel like a second choice. On the contrary. There is a huge variety between deep and shallow dives, walls and caves and tunnels – one almost up to 80 metres long! My favourite dive to day combined some plentiful seascape, with a wall into a cave, and all from a beach entry. There are many diving areas along Cuba's 5646 km of coast and nearly 100 of the world's 500 shark species are found around here. Many of Cuba’s coral reefs and sea grass beds are amongst the most intact marine ecosystems in the region, thanks to environmental protection playing a high priority at official levels.

When to Go

The best time to dive in Cuba is between December and April, outside the hurricane and during dry season, although prices will be higher then. The average water temperature is 25 C.

Great Blue Hole, Belize No diving bucket list would be complete without the famous great blue hole in Central America’s Belize. The circular 300 metres wide and 125 metres deep submarine sinkhole is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is outlined by coral reef and inhabited by Caribbean Reef Sharks and the occasional Hammerhead. There is probably no other experience like it. With up to 30 metres visibility, imagine coming over a bathwater-warm reef of vibrant colours, descending into a cool, deep blue hole where the water begins to waver and shimmer as you enter the transition from salt to fresh water at about 15 metres. Watch the enormous tuna and other pelagic fish dive into the hole to clean themselves as you

briefly remove your octopus to taste the fresh water. Then it’s necessaryl to have logged a good amount of diving hours beforehand to be able to descend in confidence a further 25 metres to explore the enormous stalactites hanging from the ceiling like stone-age chandeliers and stalagmites of ancient caverns carved out through erosions during the last ice age. With this depth, it is a technical decompression dive not suitable for beginners.

When to Go

Since Jacques Cousteau’s famous dive in 1960’s, large amounts of scuba divers come here every year. Like Cuba, the best time to visit is between December and April. The average water temperature is 25 C.

Malta No need to venture afar when one has one of the world’s best diving spots right at your door step. Another benefit is that you can squeeze in several dives in a relatively short time, if needed, due to Malta’s conveniently short distances. Personally, wrecks have always fascinated me. Lucky for divers, Malta has probably one of the highest density of them in the world, each with its very unique features. The tugboat Rozi MV off Cirkewwa, for instance, has been listed amongst the top three dive sites in Europe. Generally, visibility is great and there is a mass of sea life featuring barracudas, morays, octopus, cuttlefish and even dolphins. HMS Maori at St. Elmo Bay is also a beautiful wreck with plenty of swim-throughs, lots of marine life and a great place to spot the illusive sea horses. It offers a whole additional set of beauty during night dives as well. There are plenty more wrecks, from minesweepers, over

tankers and ocean-liners, and even a plane, all at different depths catering to all levels of diving. And there is more. Malta’s underwater exquisiteness doesn’t stop at wrecks. The Blue Hole in Gozo is also often listed amongst the top Mediterranean dive sites. The Santa Maria Caves in Comino are suitable to all levels and very popular due to their fascinating cave systems with great swim-throughs, large underwater tunnels, fascinating views and abundant sea life. You can spot Nudibranch, octopus, crabs, spiny lobster, eels, mullets, shrimp, damselfish and morays. Often Banded Sea Bream will swarm divers who feed them with bread. Some of the caves are half above water. For the underwater photographer possibilities are endless.

When to Go

The warmest months for diving are from June to November with temperatures at times exceeding 20 C.

Australia’s Barrier Reef/ Yongala wreck QLD The Great Barrier Reef. The name resonates, attracting divers from around the world. Listing all great diving sites in this UNESCO World Heritage Site would take at least an article in itself. Thus let me instead focus on one of my absolute favourites. The SS Yongala is a 109 metre long shipwreck 90 km southeast of Townsville off the coast of Queensland. Full of marine life you may see manta rays, sea snakes, potato cods, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral. The passenger ship, whose name in the local Aboriginal language means ‘broad watering place’ was launched in Southampton in 1903 and sank during a cyclone in 1911, killing 122 people, a racehorse and a bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be

warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. Unfortunately, the recent environmental record is not so good, with coral bleaching occurring across the reef at unprecedented rates. Besides visiting rather sooner than later, this is also an urgent reminder to look after our oceans and environment globally and reduce carbon emissions and pollution as much as we can.

When to Go

The best time to dive the Great Barrier Reef is between August and December when visibility is highest due to less rain and wind. Water temperatures year round hover around 25C. 39

The Movie CARMELO

The Public Broadcasting Service embarks on a new initiative entitled Film Malti. Written by Tony Cassar Darien highly complex wartime story – based on real events, but with some key episodes still buried in red tape under the Official Secrets Act – forms the plot behind the winning script that is to be made into a full feature film in a co-production by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and A&AB Productions. When PBS chairman Tonio Portughese announced the winner of the competition, late last month, he explained the purpose behind the innovative Film Malti project. “The aim of this exciting initiative,’ he told the press, “is to incentivise the development of original, quality-driven work for the broadcasting station and support the creation of new and innovative feature films by local filmmakers, at the same time endeavouring to bring Film Malti to the attention of overseas audiences.’ In collaboration with the Arts Council, PBS issued a call for applications which were adjudicated by a Board comprised of Rev Fr Joseph Henry Abela, Mr Toni Attard from the Arts Council and Ms Audrey Harrison, a Carmelo Borg Pisan i member of the Malta Film Commission, chaired by Mr Tony Cassar Darien. The adjudicators were impressed by the level of presentation of the proposals and eventually agreed unanimously on the winner. The chosen work tells the life story of the controversial wartime personality Carmelo Borg Pisani and was written by Charles Stroud, based on the literary work Ghal Holma ta’ Hajtu by Lawrence Mizzi. Carmelo Borg Pisani (10 August 1914-28 November 1942) was a Maltese-born artist and Italian Fascist who, on being discovered during an espionage mission in Malta, was found guilty by a British war tribunal and executed for treason. Pisani believed that Malta’s Latin soul was being destroyed by British rule and in order to restore Malta to its previous state it was necessary to remove the British. To this end, Pisani – along with many other Maltese students – joined the Fascist Party of Italy and the Black Shirt (Camicie Nere) movement. This led to him participating in the Italian occupation of Kefallinia (also Cefalonia) in Greece with the Compagnia Speciale del Gruppo CC.NN. da sbarco della 50a Legione. On 18 May 1942, Pisani was dispatched on a secret mission aimed at making him the first (and only) Axis spy on the island of Malta. He disembarked in the Ras idDawwara area of Dingli Cliffs and transferred all his rations to the cave there, which he knew from his youth. However, the unusually inclement weather and rough sea washed all his possessions away within 48 hours and he was forced to wave down a British patrol boat. Upon rescue, he was taken to the Military Hospital in Mtarfa. All would have probably have been well, had Pisani not been recognised by one of his childhood friends, Copt Tom Warrington. He was transferred to Corradino prison, interrogated and accused of treason. On 12 November 1942, Pisani stood trial. Since the Maltese Legal Code was suspended for the duration of the war, a popular jury was not convened. In addition, the judges did not consider his renouncement of British citizenship and passport, his acquisition of Italian citizenship and his participation in combat with the Italian Army. In fact, his participation in combat only served to weaken his position, since he had fought against Greece – an ally of the United Kingdom. On 19 November he was sentenced to death for conspiring against His Majesty’s government and for treason. His execution followed nine days later. While arguments continue in Malta as to whether or not he was a traitor of his country, in Italy the name of Carmelo is a legend. Benito Mussolini called him a

WHILE ARGUMENTS CONTINUE IN MALTA AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS A TRAITOR OF HIS COUNTRY, IN ITALY THE NAME OF CARMELO IS A LEGEND.

‘Maltese Martyr’ and in 1943 he created in Liguria the Battaglione Borg Pisani in his honour. He was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour, the highest Italian military award, by King Vittorio Emmanuele III. Requests have regularly been made by his family and the Italian Government to exhume his body and give it an honourable burial, requests that have never been acceded to. In The Knight, the late former Maltese Premier Dom Mintoff described Borg Pisani as follows: “He was no common adventurer selling his services to the winning side; he was a quiet young artist fired by reckless idealism. He faced the gallows at peace with God and with his conscience. Malta is not ashamed to have had him as one of her unlucky sons.” A&AB Productions’ director Michael Bonello explained: “The Borg Pisani saga, although an important part of our history, has never been told either accurately or with an open mind. We decided to submit our screenplay for adjudication because we firmly believed that, now so much water has flowed under the bridge, we could present the story without any prejudice. It is not our intention to take sides: we do not intend to judge the man. We will leave it up to our viewers to decide: hero or traitor – it’s up to them. “It is a story that is of interest not only locally but also to our Italian neighbours, where the spirit of Carmelo Borg Pisani still lives on for many. The story will be told in the vernacular – with Maltese, Italian and English being spoken.” A&AB Productions is best known internationally for its four-part documentary The Saharan Series, which was broadcast to worldwide audiences, and locally for the Reati and Sptar Mater Dei series. The film’s producers are Andrew Bonello, Charles Stroud and Michael Bonello. Adam Bonello is also the director, as well as being responsible for editing and original music. The producers are putting together a young and enthusiastic crew and a number of apprenticeships are being offered.

MyFather… With next Sunday being Father’s Day, we thought we would celebrate it with some memories and thoughts on the main man in our lives – our father

Kenneth as a toddler with his father Freddy

Kenneth Zammit Tabona

Growing up my dad was the ever present, ever inventive entertainer, a big kid who liked nothing more than spending time with my brother, sister and me at weekends when he wasn’t in the office – playing chase, telling jokes or making up songs. I look back fondly on the days when he would collect me from school and take me to a field to pick capers, which was his way of edging us closer to nature, away from the noise of passing traffic and busy streets. There was also a time when he’d meet me after ballet class, (I must have been aged around five or six) and take me to a toy shop where I could choose a different fairytype doll each week. I often think this is why I developed a particular interest in shopping around for the perfect children’s toys or vintage items where the nostalgia lies. Among his friends he was the life and soul of the party and would often be the joker at the adult table as well as entertaining a room full of kids by creating games and taking part in them as well! People say we look alike and that I’ve inherited his sense of humour. I’d say we are both headstrong with a keen aptitude for learning and seeking out new projects in which to fully immerse ourselves!

Artist and Artistic Director at the Valletta International Baroque Festival and the Manoel Theatre I was only nine years old when my father died. He was 58 and could have been my grandfather. He was a very charming man; very tall and a little rugged – like most of his family – was passionate about football and loved dancing. Not at all intellectual, he used to listen to me spouting stories from Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare with patience and resignation. That, and all the goriest stories from the Old Testament, was my favourite reading! He was fascinated by the fact that I drew and painted with frenetic facility and always referred to me as ‘Picasso’. He died the day after England won the World Cup in 1966 after a euphoric celebration waving a huge Union Flag from the balcony of Granny’s house. I think I inherited my gregariousness from him and also my sense of humour – not that my maternal side lacked one but my father’s brand was very special. Carina and her father Emanuel Grima and mother Rose Marie

Carina Camilleri Fashion stylist and owner of Models M modelling agency

Julia with her father Francis

Julia Spiteri Paris Co-founder and director of digital marketing agency You & Media

As a young girl, my dad was my super hero. He always encouraged me to be the best in whatever I did. Never satisfied with being second best, it was either first in subjects at school, or not good enough! It taught me to really go for it with whatever I do. For a long time, he also used to sew clothes for me – suits and dresses. Many a time, I would be propped on a chair for pinning and tacking. He also instilled in me self-confidence. Although I was super chubby, had buck teeth and rimmed specs, his mantra to me was “always tell yourself how beautiful you are when you wake up in the morning.” He was very forward thinking for his time and one of the things he told me, at the age of 10, was about accepting people. I remember him saying: “Whether it is a man and a woman, a man and a man or a woman and a woman, if there is consent, it’s okay!”. Everything was a rose garden until I started going out with boys – something he was not happy about! » 43

«There was a time when it was full-on conflict and god knows how many times he asked me to leave the house: “My way or no way!” My dad spent all his life working hard to provide me with a good education; he helped me academically but he also helped me to be practical. My dad is now 81, struggling physically but mentally as solid as a rock. We still enjoy arguing just as we used to, but it’s on a different level now. He takes the term ‘hard-head’ to a new level but I owe him a lot. Happy Father’s Day!

He made many sacrifices for his family and his days at work were always very long. He was a workaholic and I think I turned out to be a bit like him in that respect! Over the years, we didn’t always see eye to eye but we both loved the business world. Almost 18 years ago he decided I should go on to study optics and he dreamt of opening an optician’s outlet. I am so happy that I agreed to this because today it is a big success. So, as predicted, Daddy was right again. Daddy is almost 80 now and we still enjoy discussing work topics and I still seek his opinion in work-related matters.

has built his career and this was always transcended in all I did, both as a young man and as I grew up in life. Father taught me to be dedicated in everything you do and to have the highest level of respect for the people who work around you. These are all characteristics that I have inherited from him and which I hope I shall pass on to our next generation.

Simon on his father David’s lap A recent photo of Joanna’s son Peppi with her father Joe

Lily with her father Jean in Mdina age 2

Joanna Delia

Lily Agius

Aesthetic Physician and owner of ‘People and Skin’

The editor, and art gallery owner

The older I grow, the more I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and inspiration my father passed on to me. I treasure our evening walks around the courtyard, when I would ask him to ‘teach me something’! He loved mathematics and astronomy and he harboured such an intense desire to learn, to understand the world. One of my earliest memories involves him pushing me on a swing and explaining how he got the energy to push me from the sun, via photosynthesis and the food chain. I think he started losing me when he started talking about anti-matter. He encouraged me to think – to think and read everything I could get my hands on, to respect opinions and to respect nature and the powers of the physical universe. He asked me to keep an open mind, to try and understand things and not be gullible. “Aim to be creative” he told me. “The ultimate aim in one’s life should be to come up with an original idea.” He got me addicted to museums – I would get lost in them, excited about everything there was to learn and appreciate, whether artistic or not. He made everything seem possible as long as one worked hard enough! I would be nothing without him!

My father and I have always had an undeniable bond. It’s a difficult one to describe, but I know that – despite everything we have gone through – he is always there for me, no matter what. He instilled in me a hard work ethic – after seeing him work long hours to build his dream in London – and a natural social moral to treat everyone the same. He takes a genuine interest in everyone he meets and has a memory for people that is hard to beat! He is a rare character full of natural charm that is incomparable, and has an eternal young attitude to life. What you see is what you get – he is an open book, and those who know him will agree that he never gives up – ever!

Pierre Fava with his father Reginald

Pierre Fava CEO Chemimart Group Celia and her father Alfred Bord

Celia Melillo Managing Dispensing Optician at O’Hea Opticians My father means the world to me. As a girl I remember him as the strict parent always wanting me to study harder. Then came the teenage years when we argued about how late I could stay out. As I grew older I realised that Daddy always wanted the best for me. He was very keen about me getting the right education and graduating in pharmacy. 44

The fondest memory I have of my father while I was growing up is the importance he gave to family life, which always culminated during Christmas time, when he would spend endless hours preparing our home and making sure that we all received the gifts we had asked for. The great Christmas lunches he used to prepare were always second to none and would be the family talking-point for weeks on end. The sheer enthusiasm my father has for life and all that is around us has inspired me throughout my life. Standing up for what is right, always keeping your word and being a gentleman above everything else were always the principles around which my father

Simon Bernard Grech Architect My dad is a curious man, in both senses of the word, not a stereotype and imbued with a never-ending thirst to investigate and understand things with an open mind. He encouraged me to take up Judo – which I practiced from the age of four. Every Wednesday was reserved for an outing with my mother: later this would develop into a monthly boys’ night out. He would introduce me to something new every time: Indian food, Edward Debono’s lateral thinking, eating a de-boned fish in a posh restaurant, politics and spending time in the no longer existent live music, smoke-filled and beer-smelling atmosphere of BJs jazz club in Paceville. All these were reference points I would use later on in life. As I approached my twenties, we used to spend hours until the early hours of the morning putting the world right over a bottle of port and a pack of smokes. My dad loves to cook and takes every opportunity to produce one of his, mostly successful, meals for the three of us, my study evenings with my university colleagues and my friends and partners. When he reached retired retirement age, he decided to continue learning and graduated successfully with a BSc (Hon) in Human Language Technology. I think he has influenced me in a positive way: to be optimistic, to enjoy cooking, to think things over while looking for different approaches and, of course, to be curious.

THE OLDER I GROW, THE MORE I APPRECIATE THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND INSPIRATION MY FATHER PASSED ON TO ME – Joanna Delia

Angela Mallia Certified health coach and detox specialist hat is the best diet for irritable bowel syndrome?

People with IBS are often plagued by pain in the abdomen. An irritable bowel is generally a functional disorder of the digestive tract and triggers include milk products, coffee, alcoholic beverages, raw fruit, citrus fruits and fried and fatrich food. The symptoms often manifest themselves as bowel irregularities such as alternating diarrhoea and constipation. There may also be flatulence, bloating and cramps. This is why the right diet is so important for managing IBS, remembering that the influence of diet is unique to each person.

Causes of IBS Since the causes of the development of

LIVING WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

an irritable bowel have not yet been clearly identified, it is important to find out to which foods you are sensitive. It is recommended that you keep a diary to document what you have eaten, at what time, how you felt and what symptoms were shown. This makes it easier for you to find out which foods are causing problems and which are not. Often, stress and psychological conflict situations can be the cause of the problem. Eating under time-pressure and inadequate chewing of food must also be taken into account, as well as nicotine and alcohol consumption.

Diet for IBS Foods high in fibre are recommended. These help digestion, accelerate the intestinal passage, counteract constipation and improve the intestinal flora. However, not all fibre is created equal – there is soluble fibre and

insoluble fibre. When you suffer from IBS, soluble fibre is your friend. This is found in potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, berries, mangos, oranges, rice, quinoa, oatmeal and barley. Dairy is problematic for all IBS sufferers. The fat contained by dairy products may increase the occurrence of diarrhoea, and many people who suffer from IBS are lactose-intolerant. Recommended are sour milk products such as kefir, natural yoghurt and buttermilk but if you need to cut out your dairy intake, make sure to get your calcium from other sources. Other things to avoid are cruciferous vegetables, legumes, beans, caffeinated drinks, fizzy and sweetened drinks, processed food and fried food.

Steps to take right now • Begin by keeping a food diary for the

next two weeks. • Once you have figured out the foods to which you are reacting the most, completely eliminate them – including those mentioned above. Begin slowly reintroducing them to your diet, once your IBS symptoms have gone. • Drinking peppermint tea helps relax your muscles and reduce pain. Fennel tea is fantastic for bloating and gas. Increase your water intake. • Make sure you have breakfast every day. • Eat smaller meals, eat more often, eat slowly and chew more. • Lifestyle changes are also important. Mild exercise such as walking or yoga helps the muscles of the bowels return to patterns of normal contractions. • Reduce stress! angelamallia.com

Grilled aubergine with moonblush tomatoes and saffron yogurt dressing As an IBS sufferer, as well as being dairy and gluten-intolerant, I’ve got this type of cooking down to a fine art! Less is always more, and simplicity is the key. Dusha Lia, private chef and food consultant. NB: I find that yogurt has no negative effect on my IBS symptoms. INGREDIENTS 1 aubergine; 500g cherry tomatoes 1 tsp salt 1 tsp dried thyme 2 tbs olive oil Small pinch saffron strands 200g natural Greek yogurt Fresh mint and coriander leaves METHOD

Saffron Yogurt Dressing Put saffron in small bowl. Cover with 1 tbs just-boiled water, leave for 10 minutes, strain saffron liquid over yoghurt, season and stir. Cover and set aside to infuse for an hour.

Moonblush Tomatoes Preheat oven to 220°C Cut tomatoes in half and place, cut side

up, in an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with salt, thyme and olive oil. Place in the oven and immediately turn it off. Leave the tomatoes in the oven overnight, or for a day, without opening the door. The result is the most delicious tomatoes ever – that can be stored in the fridge for up to five days. Use as an instant pasta sauce, a salad component or with goat’s cheese and bread for a simple lunch.

Aubergine Slice aubergine into thin rings, brush with olive oil and grill on a griddle pan. Leave to cool. Place aubergine on the plate, overlapping slightly, arrange moonblush tomatoes on top, drizzle saffron yogurt over generously and sprinkle with fresh mint and coriander. You will be amazed how such simple food can be so delicious! www.baltazar.com.mt 49

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME The Flicks Tumblers range of handmade tumblers and jugs by Mdina Glass are made from clear glass accented by the distinct coloured ‘Flicks’ that lend the collection its name, resulting in a contemporary look that will jazz up your kitchen and table! See them at all Mdina Glass outlets and online mdinaglass.com.mt. For more information call 21415786 or email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt and follow Mdinaglass on Facebook.

Nero Lattice lanterns by Mdina Glass are mouth blown glass encased in a metal structure and finished off with a high-grade leather handle. Available in 3 sizes and a range of colours, they look stunning during the day and even more so at night when lit with a candle inside. See them at all Mdina Glass outlets and online mdinaglass.com.mt. For more information call 21415786 or email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt and follow Mdinaglass on Facebook.

These elegant fine bone china mugs are embellished with 22 carat gold and are part of a wide selection of cups, mugs and other unique tableware items at Henri Luxury Gift Boutique. You will find Henri at Pjazza Tigné and Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Call 20106306, see www.henri.com.mt or Henrimalta on Facebook.

BLOOM

A Delicate & Floral Gin enriched with Honeysuckle, Chamomile & Pomelo

You can find a large selection of unique figurines and decorative objects, like this vase with monkeys, at Henri Luxury Gift Boutique. The idiosyncratic, fun and artistic creations are an ideal and original gift for everyone, including yourself! You will find Henri at Pjazza Tigné and Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Call 20106306, see www.henri.com.mt or Henrimalta on Facebook.

BLOOM Premium London Dry Gin is not quite like any other premium gin. It is a light, delicate and floral gin with a totally unique slightly sweet taste created by a bespoke blend of 3 botanicals: honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo. BLOOM is best served with sliced strawberries, which enhance the floral flavour. Truly the perfect drink to refresh, relax or even reward yourself after a day of work.

Bloom Gin is available from all Charles Grech outlets in, Valletta, B’Kara, Sliema, Ibrag, Ta Xbiex, and Bugibba. 51

SOME

YOU TIME MAKING SCENTS

MINERAL SUNBLOCK A chemical-free shield between you and the sun

ummer is quickly approaching and temperatures are rising: it’s the time of year that most of us long for. When it comes to the sun-care department, we’ve been told, time and time again, to apply generous amounts of sunscreen every time we go out, even on overcast days. Applying sunscreen all day, every day, is now non-negotiable; we’ve all established its importance, but are we making informed decisions about which product to opt for? A new range of organic mineral sun blocks called Organii has hit the local shelves and the response has been phenomenal. Did you know that sun block can be either chemical or mineral? Chemical sunscreen uses chemical filters to protect you from the sun’s rays. These penetrate the skin creating a chemical reaction that changes UV rays into heat and then releases that heat from the skin. Heat may cause inflammation of the skin, which can in turn have damaging effects and result in premature aging. Mineral sun block, on the other hand, acts as a physical shield between you and the sun, so UV rays bounce right off you! Mineral sun protection, (also known as physical sunscreen) relies on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as mineral filters to physically block UV rays from penetrating the skin. These

Polo Red Extreme is a powerful blend of vibrant blood orange, addictive black coffee essence and supercharged ebony wood for the fearless man who lives life to the extreme. Ralph Lauren fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart, tel: 2149 2212.

mineral active ingredients do not break down as readily in the sun, which basically means greater protection for longer. It’s like having a million umbrellas protect you from the sun’s rays! Mineral sunscreen is naturally broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays, whereas chemical sunscreen requires a combination of multiple ingredients to achieve the same effect, so they can sometimes be more irritating to the skin, making mineral sun block especially useful for those with sensitive skin. Organii products are sourced from ethical manufacturers and are certified natural and organic with conscientious packaging. They are also vegan and free from parabens and colourings. Unlike chemical sunscreens which, once applied, usually take around 20 minutes to work, Organii Sun Milk protects your skin immediately upon application. It has a fluid consistency that makes it extremely easy to apply, making it a go-to product that is ideal for the whole family, babies included! Organii is distributed by MINT Health. Mint’s mission is based on the belief that good health leads to happiness and peace of mind. The focus of their young team is on encouraging a more holistic approach to health and well-being. Should you have any questions, feel free to get in touch on info@mint.com.mt or by calling (+356)2093 9800.

Valentino Uomo Intense is for the man with charismatic allure and an assertive dominant masculinity with a distinctive aura. An eau de perfume concentration with a long-lasting trail to enhance a man’s everyday charisma or for a special occasion, it has a suave, leathery fragrance, a deep, unforgettable olfactory signature: black leather and suave vanilla accords.

LOOK AND FEEL FABULOUS Here are some beauty item picks of the month

MAKE ME UP

New from Medik8: Alcohol-free blemish control pads are an effective all-in-one treatment pad designed for blemishprone skin, a must-have clarifying treatment for adults and teenagers to improve the appearance of problematic skin and help prevent new breakouts! It is available from all leading salons and certified Medik8 centres. For trade enquiries contact: Beauty Culture Group, Sta. Venera, on 2144 0424 or 2744 0424 or email info@beautysuppliesmalta.com or visit www.beautyculturecentre.com

Paco Rabanne: Million Monopoly Collector. Fortune favours the brave, so Paco Rabanne’s famous 1 Million Gold Bar and insolent Lady Million diamond are back in collectors’ editions. The coveted item is an all-gold engraved metal box to showcase the throwing of the dice. For our gentleman player, the bar chances the simplicity and strength of gold as always — this time banking on the dice of success. He’s a risk-taker and deliberate high-roller. Meanwhile, our golden girl causes a sensation with the chiselled contours and encrusted diamonds of her gold facet. On and on it sparkles, insolently so. Distributed by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery.

Sugar Lip Scrub from Diego Dalla Palma is a gentle scrub that exfoliates the lips, leaving them soft and smooth. The comfortable and enveloping formula glides over the lips, smoothing them and buffing them, thanks to the action of microspheres that gently remove dry and chapped skin. Distributed by Chemimart.

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A bottle of 1 Million Monopoly worth €72 courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery. For a chance to win, answer the following question: What is the name of the main painting by Gulja Holland illustrating the article by Julian Cardona on climate change and immigration inside this issue? Like First Magazine on Facebook and send your answer the good, old-fashioned way, by post, to: FIRST COMPETITION, The Malta Independent on Sunday, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s, by 27 June.

WINNER from the MAY ISSUE Francesca Pisani from Sliema is the winner of Rose Extase Perfume from Ta’ Xbiex Perfunery

Josef Mizzi has made health and fitness his life as a personal trainer. He admits that it isn’t easy getting started, but it can be done! resistance as well as cardiovascular exercise. I recently started boxing as well and it has helped me in pushing my body to its limit. I support the notion that you must change the stimulus through which you put your body so that you are able to improve as much as you possibly can.

Do you have to travel for training? Do you train when you travel? Since I work as a personal trainer, I usually use my travel time to disconnect from my daily working environment. It may seem unethical to do the opposite of what I preach to my clients, but when you spend all your day training people as well as yourself, being surrounded by exercise, exercise and more exercise, the only thing you crave when you go on holiday is to relax and enjoy the break. However, I do tend to walk a lot when on holiday to make up for it!

Photo by Baskal Mallia

What marathons have you taken part in, what does it involve and how do you suggest people who ve never done one before prepare for it?

ave you always given importance to health and fitness?

I must admit that as a young boy I didn’t know any better so I did not actually care what food I ate. However, I was always a very active child and always played some sort of sport. It was only in my teens that I started learning about how specific food helps physical performance, and that is when the whole concept started making sense.

When did you decide to take up fitness as a career? I remember vividly the first compliment I had about my new appearance from a friend who had not seen me for a while. The satisfaction I felt at that moment is indescribable. Some people may say it was the ego feeding off that compliment, but when you have been giving your all to reach your goal and someone notices the effort, it just feels good! So at that moment I decided that I wanted to reciprocate that feeling by helping others reach their own fitness goals.

I DO ENJOY THE OCCASIONAL CHEATING MEAL HERE AND THERE, ESPECIALLY SOME ICECREAM IN SUMMER, BECAUSE I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT BALANCE IS THE KEY What do you eat on a typical day? I am actually quite versatile in my way of eating. I might eat one way one week and another way the next. For three months now I have been on this diet where I only eat red meat or chicken once a week and I must admit that, apart from feeling better in general, it allows me to actually enjoy eating the red meat or chicken even more than before. Moreover, I do enjoy the occasional cheating meal here and there, especially some ice-cream in summer, because I firmly believe that balance is the key.

How often do you train? I do not have a pre-set exercise regime at the moment. I make it a point to train at least four times a week, being sure to include a healthy dose of both

I have taken part in quite a few marathons, both short distances as well as half-marathons. I mostly participate in such events in order to support clients of mine who decide to take on the challenge. In a nutshell, running a marathon is quite a challenge, especially if the only exercise the person is used to is getting up from the sofa to get a soft drink. My suggestion would be to get a check-up from your GP before starting any sort of exercise regime. Then seek the help of someone qualified so that your training is properly guided and safe. Lastly, remember that it will take time and never give up. Running a marathon is not a walk in the park – pun intended!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a healthy lifestyle but just does not know where to start? These days, exercise and dieting is far more accessible on the internet than it was. However, people often forget that not everything is for everyone. You and I are not the same and therefore might not need the same diet plan or exercise regime to reach our goals in a safe and healthy way. Therefore, without wanting to sound biased, my advice would be to seek professional help before attempting to try anything on your own. You do not need to stick with a nutritionist or personal trainer forever, but at least you will be starting off in the right direction.

What’s next for you? I am currently working on a number of successful projects, both in my line of work as well as in other fields. I am very much looking forward to my future while working towards my goals. As Paulo Coelho wrote in my all-time favourite book The Alchemist – “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” Josef Mizzi is an ambassador for O’Hea Opticians