Atelier_17

Volume 17

Winter Elements

Volume 17

Pietà, Malta 178, Marina Str. +35620103715 +35620102949

Floriana, Malta 31/32, St. Anne Str. +35621233715 +35621222949

We live in a society which many coin as predominantly characterised by a sense of “busyness”. A term which defines or better explains the way each and one of us interact. The way we behave. The way we deal with our daily chores. The way we live.

“Busyness” a term which many feel has increased in its intensity in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. The post pandemic era we live in which some feel has made our sense of “busyness” worse whilst others feel has cast such a glaring light on why we should address our “busyness” to appreciate more what surrounds us be it architecture, be it nature, be it fashion or beauty.

Publishing Editor Omar Vella

Design

An appreciation which we can see through a photo, through art or even through our naked eye. And in the process of such an ongoing debate we are heading to the end of another year which for some was good, for others a bit less.

Joellson Bezzina info@unionprint.com.mt

Printing & Publishing Union Print Co. Ltd www.unionprint.com.mt

Irrespective of this year’s outcome, we all look ahead for a new year which we all hope will be a positive one.

Proof Reading Ramona Vella Cini

FRONT & FEATURE PHOTOS: Model: Charlotte Stivala Paper Artist: James Dimech Photos: Matthew B Spiteri Hair: Yuva.byclinton Makeup: Jennifer Dimech Theme inspiration Lucentini Ceramic Disclaimer: Particular attention has been given to ensure that all the content of this magazine is correct and up to date as on date of issue. The views expressed in the articles, interviews and photogrphs are those of the authors and are not neccessarily endorsed by the publisher. While every care has been taking during production, the publisher does not accept any liability for errors that may have occurred. Copyright © 2023.

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ELEMENTS

Lucentini

Photos: Matthew B Spiteri Hair: Yuva.byclinton Makeup: Marilyn Cini Paper Artist: James Dimech

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“Design in art, is a recognition of the relation between various things, various elements in the creative flux. You can’t invent a design. You recognize it, in the fourth dimension. That is, with your blood and your bones, as well as with your eyes.”

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Lucentini 22

A detail, a concept, an artefact are the source of inspiration of any Lucentini tile. Yet talented artists are also inspired by the country’s cultural heritage, the island’s history and also contemporary Malta. Every piece of Malta is spelt out in the beautiful tiles that adorn the walls of many local and foreign homes.

Lucentini handmade tiles are the new trend in the local interior design industry. They are bold, colourful, artistic, distinct and truly bring to life any empty space in a house or any other living space. Indeed, their stylish and elegant kick make them the logical choice for any wall project.

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Lucentini

The vision we have Dorothy Cordina

We live in a society which is primarily dictated by “busyness”. A new term that coins our everyday life. Busy running after time. Time - We feel all like we are “pressed for time,” that there’s “not enough time in the day,” and that we are “running out of time.”

In our struggle for time, we often cut corners. We often miss out on the details.

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And coincidentally, it is in those details that we find the roots of what Lucentini Ceramics are all about. Lucentini Ceramics, a project, a concept, an idea that has as its inspiration from our country’s cultural heritage and traditions, our island’s history, contemporary Malta and also by many other local elements. Be it a door knob, be it a colourful door, be it an idiom or an indigenous plant. Be it a detail in a masterpiece hidden in one of Malta’s churches or museums.

Be it a specific detail in one of Malta’s Megalithic Temples - they all serve as a muse for talented artists to create beautiful ceramic tiles that adorn the walls of many local and foreign homes.

Yet Lucentini Ceramics are dynamic in their nature thus taking inspiration also from abstract matter; be it life, society, emotions as well as contemporary issues. It is also dynamic in its ability to collaborate with local talents as well as leading local brands. A key characteristic in Lucentini’s nature which makes it stand out of such a busy crowd. A key characteristic that gives us the opportunity to take the brand to think prospectively. To think and plan the next step.

The next step supported by a clear vision of where we want to go.

Of how we will get there and above all, of what we want to achieve.

A long-term vision which will see the Lucentini Ceramics brand consolidate its market presence, its market share. A vision which will also see the brand thrive abroad. A realistic goal we are working on given the potential and demand beyond our shores.

Feet on the ground. Step by step: together with a strong determination, perseverance and a belief in the Lucentini Ceramics brand, we will succeed.

But to achieve our goal we need architects, interior designers, designers and all other key players in the industry. We need them to understand what Lucentini Ceramics are all about. We need them to appreciate the craftsmanship behind every tile produced. We need them to believe in its potential. Every player in the industry is our ambassador. They are all part of the the Lucentini Ceramics story.

What we have achieved over the past years is not the end of our journey but rather the beginning of an amazing journey which will see us dream more, create more and above all meet each potential ambassador to walk this path together. To gradually write the success story of Lucentini Ceramics.

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James Dimech

Lucentini

Details Matter

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CRAZY PAPER James Dimech is a true talent with such an incredible creative mind.

An interior designer and a passionate (PAPER ARTIST), he is also a sensitive philanthropist and keen animal lover

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James is bold, different, colourful and packed with ideas that seek to constantly think out of the box or without the box. His talent is particularly visible in his passion to create wearable art using waste materials.

He has been professionally involved in Design for the past 30 years. Artistically inclined since childhood, he graduated with a BA (Hons) in 3D Design and proceeded to enhance his skills by following specific specialized courses in Italy, concentrating on latest trends in the design world. His design work emerges as being functional and distinctive. Each of his projects is designed with a hands-on attitude that takes on a miscellany of tasks ranging from something as contained as a shop window display, through to engagingly involving residential and commercial property make-overs.

However James has a soft spot for Origami and Paper ART. This led him to a very successful debut into the world of fashion design, a passion he had since childhood and started creating Wearable Art – beautiful garments made mostly from paper and other upcycled material.

His passion for paper art was borne out of his want to do something different combining Art with Fashion in a sustainable way to help create awareness on the environment and abandoned animals. In fact, his first creation that was seen and appreciated on an international level was a garment made with pull tabs from a cat food can, the same cans he opens daily to feed stray cats. Since then his style evolved thus creating artisan masterpieces displayed in leading local and international events.

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“Incorporating Resident Engagement into Decision-Making Processes” To enhance our democratic institutions, it’s imperative that we create an environment that fosters strength and productivity, particularly at the local level. This is achieved by establishing mechanisms that ensure that within all levels of government work everything is carried out in the best interest of the community. This involves keeping residents well-informed and actively engaging them in decision-making processes.

The term “resident” holds a broader significance than initially perceived. While not everyone in our society is recognized as a citizen, all individuals living within a country, regardless of their citizenship status, are considered residents. Therefore, the term “resident” encompasses and includes everyone.

Residents should be aware of their rights and responsibilities, including the right to participate in decision-making and the obligation to do so. To facilitate this, residents should be well-informed to actively contribute to the formulation of recommended policies. Engaging residents, especially at the local level, ensures accountability for their elected representatives and extends to public services and central government operations.

At the local council level, the term “resident” signifies the connection between the Local Council and its residents. Residents possess both rights and responsibilities, including the right to participate in decision-making and the duty to do so. This combination underpins local democracy, a fundamental pillar of our communities’ well-being and development.

The Local Council plays a pivotal role in this social mechanism. When effectively managed, it directly enhances residents’ quality of life. This synergy indirectly benefits local socio-economic development, creating a two-fold impact across the nation.

When resident participation is lacking, it results in a democratic deficit within society and the community. It not only impacts social aspects but also hampers collective development, potentially leading to challenges in delivering effective public services for local and central governments.

Individuals are the driving force behind this mechanism. While the Local Council is responsible for establishing systems and platforms that provide residents with access and opportunities for participation, residents must also utilize these opportunities wisely, offering suggestions that lead to the acceptance and smooth implementation of decisions.

Civil society also plays a significant role as various issues addressed by civil society directly affect their communities. It is crucial for them to advocate for residents’ views, particularly on matters such as transportation, social housing, subsidies, public spaces, the environment, and more.

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Structured Consultation Process When initiating the consultation process, specific practices should be followed to ensure its effectiveness: • Clearly define the problem and reasons for change, indicating whether legislation is necessary to enhance the quality of life.

• Establish a clear vision of the expected results while highlighting the tangible impacts of the decision.

• Identify key groups that will be involved in the process.

• Choose an accessible method for consultation, especially in today’s digital age.

• Ensure that digital methods are equally accessible to all.

• Maintain ongoing communication, updating stakeholders on the progress and outcomes.

• Continuously monitor the consultation process, ensuring transparency.

• Explain the rationale behind the decision-making process, promoting discussion and feedback, which, in turn, facilitates implementation.

All of these elements are vital, and as councillors and local councils, embracing the concept of active democracy is crucial to empower residents and involve them in the decision-making process. It is essential to provide the best platforms for residents to participate effectively.

At the local government level, promoting resident involvement in local politics is imperative. By reestablishing residents’ trust in local politics, residents are more likely to participate thus leading to lasting engagement and empowerment.

Democracy implementation Implementing such a mechanism is advantageous for democracy as it fosters transparent, inclusive, legitimate, and accountable political landscapes. Since the public plays a central role in decision-making, such mechanism cultivates increased trust in local and central government and the associated institutions.

This heightened resident participation is beneficial when implementing new strategies, policies, or initiatives as residents feel a sense of ownership over the decision-making process. The inclusivity of ideas from various sections of society leads to more equitable policies and decisions, ensuring no one is excluded and every voice is considered.

When these practices are in place, the implementation of decisions becomes more accessible and allows for constructive feedback and opposition from various individuals or groups in society. This simplifies the transitional phases of implementation.

I strongly believe that if we don’t conduct this test of awareness, the public will continue to lose interest in Local Government, something that, once lost, may never be regained.

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THE VOICE

Francesca

Bartolo Francesca Bartolo a Maltese Coloratura MezzoSoprano, who will graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (formerly known as Trinity College of Music) in London with a BMus (Hons) in Performance in July 2023. Her studies are generously supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, the Malta Arts Scholarships Unit & Trinity Laban Bursaries.

Photos:

JOSEPH CALLEJA

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Francesca started classical voice training at the age of fifteen in Malta where she obtained her ABRSM Grade 8 singing exam whilst gaining performance experience, singing in concerts and recitals held in various venues all over Malta. In 2016, Francesca moved to London to work on her voice development, were she works with various professional tutors including Marcus Van Den Akker, Sarah Pring and Dylan Perez.

Francesca went on to complete a one-year Foundation Course in Music (Voice) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance during the academic year 2018/2019 where she had the opportunity to improve her signing technique, performance skills, musicianship, and artistry before starting her Bachelor of Music at the said college. Apart from her Trinity Laban education, Francesca attends various stand-alone courses and masterclasses, most notably she has studied with Ubaldo Fabri in Italy and with Vladimir Chernov in Austria.

After finishing her BMus course in June, Francesca will be participating in the Manhattan Opera Studio Summer Festival in New York where she will be playing the Third Lady in W.A.Mozart’s Magic Flute and making her debut at Carnegie Hall. In September Francesca will start her Masters in Music Performance, where she will continue to study under Sarah Pring and Dylan Perez at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Dress: Charles & Ron 33

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Charting the Course to Excellence

As Malta continues to carve its niche as a superyacht destination, its rise to prominence is the direct outcome of dedicated and ongoing efforts to nurturing an environment conducive to maritime excellence, and for which Yachting Malta has been on the forefront.

Positioned strategically in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta takes pride in its extensive maritime legacy spanning centuries. Thus, efforts to preserve and advance its maritime infrastructure has placed Malta to the forefront of the industry.

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Photography: Alex Turnbull

Yachting Malta’s Efforts in Positioning Malta as a Premier Superyacht Destination

The Crucial Role of Malta’s SuperYacht Industry The superyacht industry is of paramount importance to Malta, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and global standing. Malta is considered to be an excellent flag and jurisdiction, as evidenced by the size of its ship registry: the latest figures as at August 2023 show that there were over 1,110 yachts exceeding 24m which fly the Maltese flag.

The proximity of the shipyards to the workshops, chandlers, and other service providers also offers an added advantage in the form of reduced necessity for travel between suppliers.

The development of the Superyacht Industry Policy document which was the result of a close collaboration between Yachting Malta, together with Transport Malta and other key industry players was launched by the Government in November.

The policy’s guiding principles are to “make Malta a jurisdiction of choice for the superyacht industry by fostering a sustainable ecosystem supported by reliable infrastructure, quality services and a skilled workforce”. Furthermore the document highlighted the four pillars which grouped several strategic actions that were proposed by the industry for the industry itself. The identified pillars are: Product Development; Legal and Regulatory Framework; Human Resource Development; and, Environment and Social Considerations.

The document set out the vision and roadmap for Malta’s superyacht industry, which stresses the importance of having the right means to be able to continue attracting superyachts to Malta. This will be achieved by not only means of an attractive jurisdiction but by providing an eco-system which will enable Malta to offer a sustainable and holistic package.

This means that superyachts have access to marinas, fullscope service agencies, yacht management companies, repair and maintenance outfits, training academies and engineering services.

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International Exposure The Superyacht policy document also recognised the need for promotional initiatives aimed at elevating Malta’s profile within the global Superyacht industry. Yachting Malta has played a crucial role in intensifying these efforts, strategically participating in three of the major international boat shows on the circuit this year, providing an added impetus to the promotional endeavors.

Yachting Malta’s strategic participation in prominent events such as Boot Düsseldorf, Dubai International Boatshow, Cannes Yachting Festival, the Quaynote Superyacht Conference and Monaco Boat Show underscores its deliberate approach to be actively engaged with not among key players in the yachting industry. All are seen as influential events that draw international crowds and key industry players thus providing an excellent opportunity to showcase Malta’s superlative yachting facilities. From state-of-the-art marinas, and the unparalleled beauty of its surrounding waters, presence at these Boat Shows enable Yachting Malta to go beyond glossy brochures and digital presentations as its physical presence allows it to establish meaningful connections and foster relationships that are pivotal in attracting high-net-worth individuals seeking a premier yachting experience.

Yachting Malta’s presence is a result of collaborative efforts with local entities, reinforcing existing strong relationships. Through strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, including the corporate and yacht service providers, and government agencies, Yachting Malta has developed a unified front that strengthens Malta’s image as a sought after yachting destination. By leveraging the expertise and resources of local entities, Yachting Malta ensures a comprehensive representation at these global platforms, fostering a seamless and compelling narrative that resonates with international audiences.

“Yachting Malta’s efforts to make Malta the superyacht destination of choice is on the right course. Through our dedicated contributions to shaping policies, securing international exposure, and fostering close collaborations with local entities, we are setting the standard for excellence in the yachting industry. Together, we are charting a course that not only showcases Malta’s maritime splendour but also establishes it as the preferred haven for discerning super yacht enthusiasts worldwide.”

- Michael Mifsud, CEO, Yachting Malta 38

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HELPLINE ĨŽƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝƐĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ Call us on Freephone 153 ƚŽ ďĞŶĞĮƚ ĨƌŽŵ œĞŶnjŝũĂ ^ĂƉƉŽƌƚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ

www.sapport.gov.mt

The Alliance of Real Estate People Uniting property experts under one brand to innovate and improve Malta’s real estate market.

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In the dynamic world of real estate, Alliance Real Estate Group has emerged as a trailblazer, defying industry norms and setting new benchmarks for success. Under the visionary leadership of its award-winning CEO Michael Bonello, the Group has experienced unprecedented growth, expanding its footprint from seven founding branches to thirty, and more than tripling the number of property advisors on its books to over 350, in the process, redefining Malta’s real estate corporate landscape.

Bold decisions for change Alliance’s journey began with a bold decision to break free from the constraints of an international franchise model. CEO Michael Bonello shares that the decision for independence, was driven by a realization of serious master franchise shortcomings that remained unaddressed. With the unanimous support from his entire team, this pivotal moment led to the establishment of an independent Maltese real estate brand, and marked a significant turning point in the company’s history.

Strategic Planning and Seamless Transition Its first year was dedicated to meticulous planning and execution.

With the support of CFO Leslie Xerri, the guidance of business advisor Ivan Bartolo and legal expertise from Dr. Norval Desira, a seamless transition was set in motion. Noteworthy was the strategic investment in human and technical resources, including dedicated training for property advisors, led by CPO Frank Borg, and the formation of an in-house

Compliance Unit headed by MLRO Mario Gauci and Ritianne Spiteri. Its newly recruited CMO Pierre Mizzi, concluded the branding design, website and social media channels setups, whilst Group COO Gordon Attard handled the technical side of the transition. “We planned to switch off our old system on a Friday and switch on a fully fledged and operational replacement with thousands of active property listings by the following Monday morning.

Looking back, it’s amazing how everything worked so smoothly, and the number of new listings kept increasing exponentially,” explains Bonello.

At the time, Alliance operated seven founding branches: Alliance Tigne managed by Gordon Valentino, Alliance Strand managed by Angelo D’Arrigo and George Tabone, Alliance Marina managed by Fabien Debono, and Raphael Degabriele, Nicky Sammut, Paul Sammut and Ana-Marija Zafvirovska and Francois Spagnol managing Alliance Swieqi, Alliance Pender, Alliance San Gwann and Alliance Santa Venera respectively.

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Letting Division - A Strategic Launch The launch of Alliance Letting 18 months after the main brand launch was a strategic move, aligning with the completion of a non-compete period. Abigail Simiana, appointed as Letting COO, played a pivotal role in rapidly building a robust letting team, positioning Alliance as a major player in the letting sector.

Franchising - Uniting Former Competitors The introduction of franchising in March 2022 marked a paradigm shift for Alliance. What sets Alliance apart is the unique approach of bringing former competitors together as part of the same team. CEO Michael Bonello expresses pride in achieving what no other Maltese brand has done before, creating a united front from individuals who were once competitors.

“That first franchising announcement in March 2022 was the culmination of months of hard work to structure an equitable franchising model that could take us to the next level of our corporate growth in year three”, he explains.

“First to join were Alliance Balzan, run

by Jamie and Lorraine Dimech and Alliance Attard, run by Erika Deguara and Nikki Vella Petroni. These were two completely new localities for us to operate from and whilst we already had our flagship Alliance branch in Sliema, newcomers such

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as Alliance by Thirty-Four run by Adrian Friggieri and Gordon Cachia and Alliance by Fine Homes, run

by Andrew Debono, who are also based in Sliema, demonstrated that successful synergies can be found with people who were previously competitors. One franchise office we had opened in the Sliema Fortizza area was forced to shut down due to serious failures to adhere to our standards”, he continues.

Another very well-established real estate company that decided to rebrand their premises to Alliance, was Ina Pavlova with her team opening Alliance by Steps Properties in St Julians, in June of that year.

Bonello goes on to explain how those first six franchises proved that the franchising concept made for a stronger Alliance that was ready to continue accepting more people who wanted to be part of the growing Alliance family.

Working with Developers To build stronger relationships and better understand the needs of property developers, Sandro Chetcuti was invited to join the company’s Board of Directors soon after his term as President of the Malta Developers Association ended in 2021. Some of the largest ongoing residential projects that have taken on board relevant suggestions from Alliance, are improving their developments for the benefit of end buyers.

Michael Bonello was awarded The Economic Update’s Top Entrepreneur Award in 2012 and the Real Estate CEO of the Year title at the Malta Real Estate, Property, and Development Awards in 2021.

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Phenomenal Growth in 2023 With a growth mindset launched at the company’s annual meeting, an astounding expansion programme led to Alliance opening seventeen new branches in the span of a few months this year.

Spearheaded by Head of Franchises Naomi Ver Elst Micallef with the support of a strong C-Level team, the growth was strategic and purposeful. New branches were established in both familiar and previously untapped localities, showcasing Alliance’s commitment to serving diverse markets.

Michael Bonello takes us through the trailblazing journey, “We expanded North with the signing on of Graziella Vella with her team, opening Alliance North in St Paul’s Bay and Oren Chasanmus opening Alliance Rental Solutions in Sliema. Also in March, we opened Alliance Central Business District and two branches in Fgura – Alliance South with Kevin De Leonardo, Roderick Zahra and Rodnick Abdilla and Alliance Fgura with Kris Bugeja with his team.

Our nineteenth branch opening was Alliance St Paul’s Bay with Ottavio Suda, Natasha Cassar, Margaret Gauci and Marise

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location where we didn’t have a branch before, until it was opened by two Alliance stalwarts – Gordon Valentino and Kenneth Grillo. As much as we love welcoming new people to Alliance, we’re excited to see a highly experienced property advisor rise to become a business owner and manager In May and June, we welcomed with us. another two established offices, coming from two other Mark Molnar is another estate franchise networks. Mauro agency owner who decided Sammut came with his team to forgo his own brand to join of 14 sales and letting advisors Alliance with his team of 8 to open the new Alliance M property advisors. Mark is now Estates branch in Gzira and operating Alliance by Let Buy Charlene Xerri Gatt opened Mark, from a prestigious office Alliance Gozo with her team on the Sliema front. The last two teams to join us this year also left also joining en masse. from an international franchise.

BCP Properties is another Dylan Callus and his team of 12 opening we celebrated property advisors, joined us to around the end of June. Co- open Alliance Tarxien, and Joe owners Mantvydas Matthew Caruana Curran joined with Narusevicius and Pavle his 9 advisors, to open Alliance Brajkovski are building a Ibrag. great team at this branch, as is Andrew Agius at Alliance My biggest satisfaction is that Mosta. Andrew also joined us most of these people left well from another agency to take established franchise networks over this prominent corner or in some cases, their own office, and it’s great seeing him solo businesses, to come plug into our system and start build his team. working together with positive More enquiries kept coming synergies on the same team. in over Summer, and by Now I can say that my dream September we welcomed has come true.”

Ahmed Ali to open Alliance by 2024 - a year of consolidation Malta Commercial Agency in Ta’ Xbiex. Zabbar was another As the Alliance family nears Camilleri, and the twentieth followed soon after with Alliance The Place, spearheaded by co-owners Chris Cachia and Kristine Bonnici. Then came Alliance Naxxar with Jeffrey Mallia and Marco Satariano in charge. This was another completely new locality for us.

400 people, Michael Bonello announces a strategic decision to halt the acceptance of new franchisees in 2024. The focus will shift towards consolidation, optimizing operations, and further strengthening the existing branch network for the benefit of both Alliance personnel and clients.

Continuous Improvement Alliance remains dedicated to the continuous improvement of its services. The establishment of the Alliance Academy and this year’s collaboration with ICE Malta for digital media training, exemplify the commitment to enhancing the skills and expertise of its

property advisors. The focus on exclusive listings through the Alliance Selected product, led by industry expert Jeremy Borg Grech, reflects a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.

As the Alliance family nears 400 people, Michael Bonello announces a strategic decision to halt the acceptance of new franchisees in 2024.

Alliance management team from left: Frank Borg, Naomi Ver Elst Micallef, Pierre Mizzi, Gordon Attard, Leslie Xerri, Michael Bonello, Mario Gauci, Abigail Simiana, Jeremy Borg Grech and Ritianne Spiteri.

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Future Initiatives Looking ahead, Alliance plans to continue its trajectory of innovation and growth.

The Alliance team, fuelled by a relentless pursuit of excellence, envisions the launch and enhancement of new products, further improvements in market offerings, and the ongoing development of its personnel through comprehensive training programs.

Conclusion Alliance Real Estate People stands as a testament to the power of vision, strategic planning, and collaborative efforts. The company has not only carved a prominent niche in the Maltese real estate market, but it is also redefining industry standards. As the journey continues, the focus remains on unity, innovation, and a commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients.

Follow the unfolding chapters of this remarkable success story at alliance.mt and on social media.

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ALLIANCE HEAD OFFICE Email: hello@alliance.mt WhatsApp: +356 7779 7909 ALLIANCE ATTARD Contact: Erika Deguara & Nikki Vella Petroni Email: helloatt@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE BY MALTA COMMERCIAL AGENCY Contact: Ahmed Ali Email: hellomca@alliance.mt ALLIANCE MARINA Contact: Fabien Debono & Nicole Aquilina Email: hellomrn@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE SOUTH Contact: Rodnick Abdilla Email: hellosth@alliance.mt ALLIANCE ST PAUL’S BAY Contact: Ottavio Suda & Natasha Cassar Email: hellospb@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE BALZAN Contact: Jamie Dimech & Lorraine Dimech Email: hellobzn@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE MOSTA Contact: Andrew Agius Email: hellomos@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE STRAND Contact: George Tabone & Trevor Caruana Email: hellostr@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE BY BCP REAL ESTATE Contact: Pavle Brajkovski Email: hellobcp@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE NAXXAR Contact: Marco Satariano Email: hellonxr@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE TARXIEN Contact: Dylan Callus Email: hellotxn@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Contact: Reuben Micallef Email: hellocbd@alliance.mt A

ALLIANCE NORTH Contact: Graziella Vella Email: helloant@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE THE PLACE Contact: Chris Cachia Email: helloatp@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE PENDER Contact: Nicky Sammut Email: hellopnd@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE BY THIRTYFOUR REAL ESTATE Contact: Gordon Cachia & Adrian Friggieri Email: helloatf@alliance.mt

LLIANCE BY FINE HOMES Contact: Andrew Debono Email: helloafh@alliance.mt ALLIANCE FGURA Contact: Kris Bugeja Email: hellofgr@alliance.mt ALLIANCE GOZO Contact: Charlene Xerri Gatt Email: hellogozo@alliance.mt ALLIANCE IBRAGG Contact: Joe Caruana Curran Email: helloibg@alliance.mt ALLIANCE BY LET BUY MARK Contact: Mark Molnar Email: hellolbg@alliance.mt ALLIANCE M ESTATES Contact: Mauro Sammut Email: helloame@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE RENTAL SOLUTIONS Contact: Oren Chasanmus Email: helloars@alliance.mt ALLIANCE BY STEPS PROPERTIES Contact: Ina Pavlova Email: helloasp@alliance.mt ALLIANCE SWIEQI Contact: Raphael Debagriele & Nemanja Trajkovic Email: helloswq@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE TIGNE Contact: Gordon Valentino & Alexandra Vella Email: hellotgn@alliance.mt ALLIANCE ZABBAR Contact: Kenneth Grillo Email: hellozbr@alliance.mt

ALLIANCE SAN GWANN Contact: Paul Sammut & Anna Ebejer Email: hellosgn@alliance.mt ALLIANCE SANTA VENERA Contact: Francois Spagnol Email: hellosvn@alliance.mt

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THE MEANING OF HAPPINESS Interview with Frank Martela Frank Martela is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specialized in meaningfulness, human motivation and how organizations and institutions can unleash human potential. He has two Ph.D.’s from organizational research (2012, Aalto University) and practical philosophy (2019, University of Helsinki), has spoken at universities on four continents including Harvard and Stanford, written for Scientific American Mind, and Harvard Business Review, and been interviewed by New York Times and Vice News. His book A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Experience (HarperCollins, 2020) has been translated to 24 languages, including French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Indonesian.

As one of his main areas of study, Frank Martela has researched extensively on the question of what makes people happy. During his research visit to Malta, Atelier discussed with Frank why the Nordics are at the top of the world happiness rankings as well as how corporations can help create a happy society.

What actually is happiness?

I think there’s no straightforward answer to that question. There are several different things that are labelled as happiness, and it might be better to keep them separate. When happiness is measured in psychological surveys, we might be talking about how satisfied you are with your life as a whole.

But another way of conceptualising happiness is regularly experiencing positive emotions, such as feeling joy, laughing, and smiling. At the same time, happiness could be considered the lack of negative emotions. When we research this topic, we have to separate these different constructs, because they predict different things and are affected by different things.

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How can having national happiness contribute to political change?

It’s probably going to have a much bigger role than it has had before, because we haven’t been measuring it in a high-quality way for too many years. Ten years ago, there wasn’t too much movement around the topic, but since then, many countries have implemented these annual wellbeing surveys, and because of that, we are getting more and more data about the factors that are contributing to people’s happiness on a national level. So, now we can start to implement policies based on their probable influence on people’s happiness. Right now, for example, New Zealand has this wellbeing budgeting project so that when they are making the budget, they are not only measuring the probable impacts on the economy, but they also want to evaluate the impact on people’s wellbeing. I think that it’s going to have a much bigger role in the future in national politics.

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The Nordics are often considered to be the happiest countries in the world. How come?

My colleagues and I dug into this topic last year, and we were able to identify four factors that seem to explain why the Nordic countries are doing so well in these surveys. One is that the institutions are functioning well in the Nordic countries. We have high-quality democratic institutions, so people trust that elections are free, the press is free, the institutions are able to deliver whatever they’re trying to deliver, and there’s not much corruption. Another factor is that the Nordic countries have quite extensive benefits for people, like pensions and unemployment benefits and so forth and protect people against various difficulties in their lives. People feel that they don’t have to be so afraid of various downturns in life. Then the fourth factor is about the sense of freedom.

They have economic freedom, they have political freedom, and they have cultural freedom, so people can dress however they like, people can express different sexual identities and other things more freely than in most other countries. Of course, there are problems also in the Nordic countries with regard to these things, but on average, there are less problems than in many other countries.

What role does trust play in a community?

Finnish people tend to trust each other and value honesty. If you forget your laptop in a library or lose your phone on the train, tram or bus, you can be quite confident you’ll get it back. Kids also often take a public bus home from school or they go to school on foot or play outside without supervision. This is because we are still considered a safe country. I suggest you and your fellow citizens to think about how they can support their community. How could you bring about and create more trust? How could you support policies that build upon that trust? Small acts like opening doors for strangers or giving up a seat on the bus make a difference, too.

What kind of role do you see for companies in developing a happy society?

Companies must make sure that their own employees are doing well, especially in the modern work life, where it’s more about the quality of your output than the quantity. In this process companies must foster a culture where intrinsic motivation is key. And in order to do so, the workplace has to ensure that people are actually having high levels of engagement, high levels of commitment, and through that, not only having higher levels of wellbeing, but also performing better.

If you want to get the best people to your company, you can offer high salaries, but you can also promise that here, you’re going to be able to use your capabilities to the max and feel that you’re able to contribute. Having the reputation of being a company where people have high levels of engagement can be quite important when the competition for the best talent is getting fiercer in many fields.

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What is one piece of advice you would give to future students who have an interest in following in your footsteps?

Two pieces of advice. First, read widely, and outside of the academic literature. The philosophical works on existentialism can be a great place to start, because from there you can find interesting and plausible ideas.

Then, you can check the research literature, adjust the research question to best advance the science on the topic, and test the ideas empirically.

Second, make collaborative connections with the researchers who inspire you! Go to the conference, send emails to people working on related topics, invite other researchers to collaborate with you on your projects.

The more the merrier, and if they’re more experienced in the field it can also be a helpful learning experience. I’ve had several projects which I probably could have competently completed by myself, but I reached out to invite collaborations with more senior members of the field, like Mike Steger, Richard Ryan, or Ken Sheldon, and it turned out to be a excellent learning experience because I could see first-hand how other experts think about complicated theoretical issues (self-determination, meaning in life) and how they think about and apply various methodological techniques.

Those collaborative experiences have done much to advance my thinking and my career.

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Rice University’s new engineering and science building opens

The newest research facility at the storied university, the SOM-designed building masterfully blends into the existing campus architecture.

December 4, 2023 - The newest and largest research facility in Rice University’s historic core campus — the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science is now open.

The 250,000 square foot O’Connor Building provides students and researchers with technology-rich facilities that align with the University’s goal to stay at the forefront of scientific discovery and to recruit the country’s best scientific and engineering minds.

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report and the O’Connor Building will only elevate this standing.

An epicenter for interdisciplinary collaboration, the new high-performance facility includes state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, offices, a cafe, as well as many interactive gathering spaces. A multi-purpose event space with an outdoor terrace sits at the top level with views of the campus and the Houston skyline.

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Photos: SOM | Dave Burk

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“We looked beyond the boundaries of the building to transform a core location on this important, historic campus,” said SOM Design Principal Javier Arizmendi. “The design strikes a balance of historic and contemporary materials, leverages existing circulation pathways, and creates an energetic hub of social and scientific activity for the next generation of scholars and innovators.”

The design activates the adjacent Engineering Quad and extends the vitality of campus into the building, where a five-story central atrium creates a hub of activity, connecting to seminar rooms, break areas, and informal gathering spaces. A transparent glass facade at the atrium’s ground level showcases this activity to the campus at large. At the building’s main entrance, a cantilevered sculptural stair is framed by brick walls and a fritted glass wall.

The O’Connor Building was designed by SOM with a deliberate focus on fostering collaboration in four key research areas: advanced materials, quantum science and computing, urban research and innovation, and the energy transition. To promote this interaction, the stair tower and the central hub connect a series of stepped double-height collaboration areas on different levels. Intimate conference rooms and break areas with warm, natural materials provide further opportunities for informal learning and connection.

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“At the heart of our campus, the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science represents far more than mere bricks and mortar,” said Luay Nakhleh, William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering, Professor of Computer Science and BioSciences at Rice University. “Within these walls, brilliant minds from across the globe will converge to conduct groundbreaking research and develop innovations that solve some of society’s most urgent challenges.

The breadth of research experiences provided to our students within this facility underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional engineering training that transcends traditional boundaries.”

Circulation through and around the building is encouraged, reinforcing the campus’s well established pedestrian arcade network. A robust art program incorporates new works from world-recognized artists and the iconic bas-relief sculpture Energy by sculptor William McVey that was preserved from the original Abercrombie Engineering building.

Maintaining the identifiable aesthetics of the historic campus, the facade of the O’Connor Building features a composition of brick and punched windows articulated by a series of angled brick pilasters and fins.

The covered arcade along the western edge is shaded by a delicate brick and stone veil that modulates sunlight for thermal and visual comfort. The arcade veil is composed of alternating bands of brick and cast-stone modules, spaced apart with rotated bricks in between, allowing light to filter between the gaps.

A commitment to sustainability and reducing the building carbon footprint was achieved through both passive and active design strategies, including maximizing daylight, strategic placement of angled pilasters and vertical fins, and the use of skylights to soften the strong Texas sun. Thanks to these passive design strategies and an energy efficient HVAC and lighting system, the laboratories use 50 percent less energy than a comparable research space.

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MAD ARCHITECTS

Unveils Design for Renovation of an old Shanghai Cement Factory Warehouse In recent years, pioneering architects from home and abroad have since been commissioned to design a cluster for the park that will preserve historical industrial buildings such as the “10,000-Metre Silo”, the “Cement Silo” and the “Kiln Tail Tower” through continued reuse. Through renewing and reusing the historical industrial buildings and developing facilities for research and development, cultural and sports services, and creative commercial support, the cement factory will be transformed into a complex campus with various types of business and dynamic The Shanghai Zhangjiang Cement architectural spaces.

Factory was once one of the three largest cement factories in “Industrial heritage is preserved Shanghai. It was built in 1971 and and utilised not only because of had witnessed the development of the historical memories it carries, Shanghai’s urban construction in but more importantly because it the past 50 years before its ceasing gives the future a sense of history. production in 2013. The warehouse So we don’t need to celebrate and was once the first stop for ships to consolidate industrial aesthetics send raw materials to the cement here, but rather focus on the spirit factory for processing, and it is also of the contemporary and the future.” the largest existing building in the -- Ma Yansong, founding partner of cement factory. Its riverfront façade, MAD Architects. like a vast painting scroll, is the urban memory of generations of Shanghai people.

The object of the renovation is the “Wanmicang” warehouse on the southside of the Shanghai Zhangjiang Cement Factory. MAD’s renovation envisions a threedimensional hierarchy of time and physical dimensions through the juxtaposition of old and new structures. Like a rising ark, the transformed building will bring new life to the decaying industrial site by transforming the park into a multifunctional public waterfront space integrating culture, creativity, commerce and shared offices.

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The renovation will preserve the original industrial architectural look of the warehouse as the old roof is replaced by an ark-like metal ‘floating’ volume. The contrast between the roughness of the old concrete and the smoothness of the new metal will give new life to the dilapidated factory building while the original industrial space will be transformed into a multi-functional urban living room. The long mottled façade of the original industrial building has been repaired and reinforced to become part of the memory and soul of the new space. The west wall facing the Zhangjiang Sub-centre was removed and replaced by a full-face suspended glass curtain wall, which is set back from the original wall to create a 24-hour urban public space on the outside.

space with a great sense of depth. As one enters the interior, one is greeted by an unfolding giant ark. A metal ladder leads up to the roof, attracting people to embark on a journey to explore the future and the unknown. Underneath the ark are the mottled walls of the old factory building and a tiered garden. The gardens are filled with creative, cultural and catering businesses that together create a vibrant new community that can activate the larger urban space.

The old and new structures are completely separated by a glass curtain wall between the old factory wall and the floating ark. Light pours down from the gaps in the curtain wall, falls on the garden, and is reflected on the slightly reflective stainless steel ceiling at the top to fill the entire space with a sense of natural light and The bright, open factory space is visible from greenery. The sunlight changes its angle over behind the transparent glass curtain wall. The time, animating the old bricks as if to remind design takes advantage of the long, narrow and people of the passage of time and the history of tall volume of the warehouse to create an interior this site.

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In order to invite people inside the building to enjoy the riverside view, the first floor of the old factory building is opened up along the river and integrated with the waterfront plaza.

Additionally, a corridor was set up in the middle of the building to connect the plaza in the park with the riverbank. A newly designed bridge connects the two sides of the River, allowing more people in the area to enjoy this new public space more conveniently.

The floating effect of the Ark is realised by adding new columns, floor trusses, spanning trusses and large spanning beams, etc. The old walls are reinforced and repaired by means of studs, steel wire mesh and steel frames, etc., in order to retain the sense of historical vicissitudes to the maximum extent.

The renovation project is expected to be completed by 2026.

The rooftop was envisioned as an additional urban public space. People can freely access this space and enjoy the view of the Chuanyang River in the distance. The eaves of the Ark tilts down gently to minimise the oppressive feeling that the height of the building may have on the banks of the Chuanyang River and at the same time optimise the view from the roof terrace.

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Exploring Robotics and Automation!

ZŽďŽƟĐƐ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ƐĐŝĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĚĞƐŝŐŶŝŶŐ͕ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƵƐŝŶŐ ƌŽďŽƚƐ͘ ƵƚŽŵĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ǁŚĞŶ ŵĂĐŚŝŶĞƐ ĚŽ ƚĂƐŬƐ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ŚƵŵĂŶ ŚĞůƉ͘

tŚĂƚ ŝƐ Ă ZŽďŽƚ͍ ƌŽďŽƚ ŝƐ Ă ƐŵĂƌƚ ŵĂĐŚŝŶĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ĚŽ ƚĂƐŬƐ ďLJ ŝƚƐĞůĨ͘ /ƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ƐŚĂƉĞĚ ůŝŬĞ ŚƵŵĂŶƐ͕ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ͕ Žƌ ĞǀĞŶ ŵĂĐŚŝŶĞƐ͘

/ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů ZŽďŽƚƐ

,Žǁ ĚŽ ZŽďŽƚƐ ǁŽƌŬ͍ ^ĞŶƐŽƌƐ͗ ZŽďŽƚƐ ŚĂǀĞ ĞLJĞƐ ;ĐĂŵĞƌĂƐͿ ĂŶĚ ƐŬŝŶ ;ƐĞŶƐŽƌƐͿ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĞů͘ ƌĂŝŶ͗ ĐŽŵƉƵƚĞƌ ďƌĂŝŶ ƚĞůůƐ ƚŚĞ ƌŽďŽƚ ǁŚĂƚ ƚŽ ĚŽ͘

ƵŝůĚ ĐĂƌƐ͕ ƚŽLJƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͊

^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ZŽďŽƚƐ

DĞĚŝĐĂů ZŽďŽƚƐ ƐƐŝƐƚ ĚŽĐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵ ƐƵƌŐĞƌLJ͘

,ĞůƉ ƵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ͕ ĐŽŽŬŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶ ƚĂůŬŝŶŐ͘

tŚLJ ZŽďŽƚƐ ĂƌĞ ,ĞůƉĨƵů͍

ZŽďŽƚƐ ĐĂŶ ĚŽ ĚĂŶŐĞƌŽƵƐ ũŽďƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŵŝŐŚƚ ďĞ ƌŝƐŬLJ ĨŽƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͘ dŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ǁŽƌŬ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ŐĞƫŶŐ ƟƌĞĚ͕ ŚĞůƉŝŶŐ ƵƐ ŐĞƚ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ ĚŽŶĞ ĨĂƐƚĞƌ͘

ƵƚŽŵĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ǀĞƌLJĚĂLJ >ŝĨĞ͗

^ĞůĨͲĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ ĂƌƐ͗ ĂƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ĚƌŝǀĞ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ Ă ŚƵŵĂŶ ĚƌŝǀĞƌ͘

>ŝŐŚƚƐ͕ ƚŚĞƌŵŽƐƚĂƚƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ ĐŽŶƚƌŽůůĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂĐŚŝŶĞƐ͘

ŚĂƚďŽƚƐ ŽŵƉƵƚĞƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ƚĂůŬ ƚŽ ƵƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶƐǁĞƌ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ͘

/ESkillsMalta

@eSkills_Malta

www

eskills.org.mt

Malta’s Path to Sustainable Finance As forward-thinking individuals, we should envision a future for Malta that is not just sustainable but also transformative. Our shared belief, as a country, must ponder on how we are to reshape our economic landscape to serve our people, our communities, and the environment.

The question I pose is: How can we create a model that champions sustainability while driving economic growth?

The answer is crystal clear: We embark on a twin transition towards a greener and digitised economy, a mission we are ready to accomplish.

Our collective journey is illuminated by tangible examples of what lies ahead.

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What lies ahead? It’s a journey that calls for the transformation of mindsets within the corporate sphere, urging them to wholeheartedly embrace innovation.

As John F. Kennedy expressed, “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” These words resonate deeply, underlining the enduring power of innovative ideas. Our path forward must encompass three vital components: fiscal support for transformative investments, risk mitigation for entrepreneurs, and expanded bank lending for green and digital projects.

Furthermore, we unleash the full potential of EU funds by utilising them to provide varied guarantees for those who want to champion positive change, bolstering private investment in sustainability. This strategic approach can magnify EU funds, bolster entrepreneurial confidence, and trigger private sector investment, enabling funds to flow into other public initiatives.

Our commitment to SMEs, the backbone of our economy, must be unwavering. I for one, recognise that they often lack access to capital markets, relying predominantly on banks for financing. It is therefore imperative that we must simplify the process, lowering capital requirements for bank lending to SMEs involved in green and digital projects.

Beyond this however, the great leap forward would be positioning Malta as the Mediterranean’s premier hub for Green Finance. Leveraging our financial expertise, we can create a thriving Green Financial Hub, uniquely adaptable to the needs of innovative companies seeking green financing. This not only enhances our financial sector but also revitalizes it in a post-greylisting environment, fostering a robust, sustainable and thriving ecosystem of green investors.

This vision for Malta is not just a distant dream; it’s a resounding call to action. Now is the time to ignite change, embrace innovation, and seize a greener, more digital future. Malta has the potential to lead the way towards a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.

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Consider investments in Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone, a game-changer that can liberate us from the shackles of fossil fuels and usher in an era of clean, renewable energy.

Think about recent investments in cutting-edge technology, such as the ones undertaken by STMicroelectronics Malta, poised to catapult our industries into the digital age.

it will force us to bear the financial burden of climate-related disasters.

So, how do we fund this vision? A levelled, sound discussion on partnerships between public and EU funds and the private sector must take place. While public and EU funds provide the foundation, the real impetus comes from unlocking the vast reserves of private capital Challenges? Yes, they are there, but we must be that lie dormant. Malta boasts a rich history of unfazed. Breaking away from established norms substantial investments from individuals and can be daunting, but the dividends we can reap corporations, and we now have €24 billion in idle by enacting change can and will far outweigh deposits—funds that could be easily channelled the costs of the status quo. Staying complacent into a decarbonised and digital economy or in may seem comfortable, but it’s a path that will simpler terms, into a better future for all. inevitably lead to a loss of competitiveness in the Our collective vision must not just be an years to come. aspiration; it needs to be actionable, tangible My vision is straightforward: sustainable and executable. Malta has already laid the economic growth accompanied by an elevated groundwork with the Green Bond Framework, quality of life for all Maltese citizens. Achieving translated into a successful issuance of a Green this transition requires substantial capital Bond by a public company. Local retail investors investments, possibly in excess of €13 billion in enthusiastically joined the cause, demonstrating the coming years. However, let’s be clear—the the appetite for sustainable finance. cost of inaction will far surpass this figure, as

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URBAN HAIR

Interview with KARL BRINCAU

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!"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#' !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#' !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#' !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#' Atelier discusses hair and beauty with one of Malta’s leading talents in the industry, Karl Brincau. With a wealth of experience in the beauty industry, Karl’s extensive knowledge means he has plenty of golden nugget beauty secrets – and we can’t wait to steal just a few for ourselves.

Atelier asked Karl to spill some of his all-time favourite hair styling tips, and the professional rituals he swears by. He also shares some formal hair tips for those vying a career in the industry.

How did you get into hairdressing?

It all began with a twist of fate. It wasn’t a career path I had initially planned for myself. In fact, it was my sister who inspired me to explore this world. She is a hairstylist herself, and occasionally I used to help her out and spend time at her salon back then. In the end I found myself captivated by the artistry and creativity involved in hairdressing and here I am 11 years later pursuing my passion and making people feel transformed and great about themselves.

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It is often said that hairdressing is not a job, itʼs a craft. To what extent do you agree?

I agree to a significant extent. Although the job itself requires long hours of work, it’s a craft that requires creativity, skills and continuous learning to master the art of hairstyling and endless techniques.

In what way do hairstylists bring out the beauty in you that you couldnʼt see before?

Hairstylists enhance your beauty by understanding your unique features, face shape, and personality. We use our expertise to create a hairstyle that complements your natural attributes, boosting your confidence and helping you see a more polished, beautiful version of yourself.

Sometimes a drastic change in hairstyle can reveal a side of you that you didn’t know existed.

What inspires you?

As a hairdresser, I find inspiration in many places. My clients and team often inspire me with their unique styles and ideas. Additionally, I’m inspired by industry icons, fellow hairstylists and trends in fashion and beauty. It’s a combination of these influences that fuels my creativity and passion for hair.

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Who is your beauty icon?

A beauty icon to me is someone who is widely recognized and celebrated for their influence in the world of fashion and not just beauty. In the modern world of hairdressing I would say Jen Atkin and Chris Appleton, which are both known for their work with the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez and an endless A-list of celebrities. Their ability to style hair is just amazing

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!"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#'( !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#'( !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#'( !"#$%&#'()"* !"#$%&#'( Who is your demographic?

Our salon, which has been proudly serving for six years, caters to a diverse clientele. While our specialties lie in natural colours and extensions, we have found that our demographic is quite varied. We welcome women and men from all walks of life who appreciate personalized, high-quality hairstyling services. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that we create looks that enhance the beauty of everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of age, background, or personal style preferences.

Whatʼs unique about what you do?

What sets my approach to hairstyling apart, is my commitment to understanding my clients on a personal level. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to truly grasp what a client desires in terms of their hairstyle and overall look. By fostering a strong and trusting relationship with each client, I ensure that their vision is not only met but exceeded. This personalized connection allows me to tailor my expertise to their specific needs, making every appointment a unique and satisfying experience. My clients aren’t just appointments; they’re valued individuals, and I take pride in it.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start as a hairstylist?

Absolutely, my advice to someone starting as a hairstylist would be: • Passion is Key: First and foremost, ensure that you genuinely love what you do. Hairstyling is a creative and dynamic field, so your passion will be your driving force.

• Find Your Niche: Focus on what you truly enjoy doing within the realm of hairstyling. Whether it’s colouring, cutting, extensions, or something else, specializing in your area of interest can set you apart.

• Avoid Comparisons: There will always be other talented hairstylists, but comparing yourself to them can be discouraging. Instead, use their work as inspiration and focus on developing your unique style.

• Target Your Audience / clientele: As a business owner, define your target audience clearly.

Understanding your ideal clients and catering to their needs can help you build a loyal customer base.

• Believe in Your Brand: Confidence in your skills and the brand you represent is vital. This belief will radiate to your clients and help you establish trust and credibility. Remember that the journey in hairstyling is as much about personal growth and creativity as it is about technical skills. Stay true to your passion, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of believing in yourself and your unique style.

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THE FOOTPRINT OF THE HUMAN Interview with Alicia Moneva

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The common thread in all Alicia Moneva’s work is the footprint of the human, with humanized objects and spaces made by man, architectural painting and photography, trying to explain social and psychological concepts through the figure. Atelier recently caught up with Alicia who shared with us her style, the central role the human element plays in her work and what’s next for her.

Your work has been defined as; “the sum of many Photographies in the alone on, as a counterfoil of still that they summarize the time and the space in an alone instant.”

Can you elaborate on that?

These matrices could incorporate movement into the image. I have always had a fascination with video creation as it allows for the expansion of ideas. Many of my series consist of video art pieces, which contribute to the narrative by introducing moments and movement.

Why are your photographic ideas usually related to the human being.

I am fascinated by the human being, both from a psychological perspective as an individual and from a social standpoint as a collective. I have dedicated considerable time to studying psychology in order to gain insights into human behavior and its manifestations.

Additionally, I am intrigued by the evolutionary aspect that connects us closely to our ancestors. One area that particularly captivates me is the development and transformation of personal identity.

In what way is painting and photography are part of my existence?

I began my journey in the realm of painting, focusing on oil paintings of various objects. What captivated me the most was the depiction of time within them, as they narrated stories through silence. Additionally, I explored painting fragments of architecture, fascinated by the spatial elements and the atmosphere they encompassed. Little did I know, my interest in time and space was already intertwined with the human experience.

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I recently read that your work models are people you know, in your environment. Why? I collaborate with individuals in my vicinity as it makes me feel at ease. Numerous photos necessitate a sense of trust with the subject. I refrain from providing instructions prior to the shoot, allowing people to pose in a more organic manner. Prior to the session, we discuss the overall concept and the intended message of the photograph.

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In what way does science and arts inspire you?

Science has always played a significant role in my life. I pursued studies in biological sciences, with a particular focus on biochemistry and genetics. My interest in physics was sparked by my family and friends, several of whom are architects. They also introduced me to philosophy, and we even organized discussions on the subject.

After completing my studies, I worked alongside architects where I was responsible for creating zenithal plans that formed the basis for their projects. These plans were crucial in making the architectural proposals more comprehensible. They were often quite large, sometimes measuring up to five meters in length. When viewed from a distance, they possessed an abstract quality that enticed viewers to approach and explore the intricate details of the city within these proposals. Since then, I have found this storytelling method to be particularly captivating, as it offers various levels of interpretation. The zenithal view consistently provides a comprehensive understanding of the whole, allowing one to appreciate the work from a holistic perspective. On the other hand, examining the individual parts and details offers a different vantage point.

It seems architecture also offered you the possibility to help your vision take shape, structure and scale.

Yes, it teaches you to know how to look.

Scale seems to me to be a very important concept, not only on a plastic level. Mentally it is.

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Whatʼs next for you?

Keep doing, keep learning.

Now I’m very interested in AI, and how we can integrate it into our lives, and also in transhumanism. let’s see what comes out of this!

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A Cutting Edge Interview with Pete Burkill

Pete Burkill is the talented stylist behind many trending celebrity looks. He has a special eye for detail. An eye which earned him a reputation as one of the best talents the industry has ever produced.

His unique vision and contemporary style has spread rapidly through the industry, bringing must-have looks to leading fashion pages and blogs, whilst predicting hair trends ahead of the catwalk. Pete Burkill shared with us his views on the industry, his demographic and what’s next for him.

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Model: Millie Bobby Brown Photography & Make Up: Buster Knight Hair: Pete Burkill

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Who is your demographic?

I have a wide demographic. During my career path, It included a vast age segment of men who often sought to change their character by means of a fresh look. A fresh and different look. It also includes my loyal clients at salon with whom I try to always introduce new skills and techniques. Especially with my female clients with whom a specific style can become boring and that’s the moment when the possibility to try out a new hairdresser may be considered.

Needless to say, the demographic also includes my international students at the academy as well as models to personalities who I deal with during shoots for PR and beauty editorials.

Model: Millie Bobby Brown Photography & Make Up: Buster Knight Hair: Pete Burkill

Who is your ultimate hair icon?

I would say Vidal Sasoon. He had a huge influence on every hairdresser today. It takes a true genius and visionary to entirely change the way in which hairdressers cut hair and women wear hair. Moreover, he changed the whole concept of how we not only cut hair, but how women looked - bringing a freedom to them and their hair. The industry is indebted to Vidal’s courage and single-minded vision, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.

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Debunk the biggest hair myth you have ever heard.

I would surely debunk a popular myth that if you want your hair to grow fast, you should never cut it. The amount of heat that we used for blow-dries as well as the strain caused when dying inevitably affects the hair by causing dryness and eventually split ends. Thus, it is necessary to regularly trim hair so as to ensure healty long hair.

What do you predict will be huge in the world of hair this autumn and winter?

The trend at the moment is favouring more cuts other than hair styling.

Millie Bobby Brown Photography & Make Up: Buster Knight Hair: Pete Burkill

Whatʼs unique about what you do?

I would say it is my versatility. My ability to continue to work on clients so as to ensure that the work I do remains relevant to what my clients want.

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Whatʼs next for you?

That is indeed a good question.

Hoepfully to celebrate more with product companies and hair esssential companies. I am working on helping to transition artists into new faces in their career and there is a big scope in re-inventing people.

Hunger Magazine Editorial Model: For Detta Hair: Pete Burkill

Harris Reed Photography and Hair: Pete Burkill Make Up: Buster Knight

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Explore more

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Brand Ambassador

Wines of

MALTA and GOZO High-quality tourism often stems from travellers seeking meaningful and novel experiences in the places they visit. These interests span a spectrum, ranging from history, art, and culture for the leisurely explorer to more active pursuits like free diving and rugged terrain biking for the CFXGPVWTQWU *QYGXGT QPG PKEJG VJCV UKIPKsECPVN[ TGUQPCVGU YKVJ C DTQCF demographic is that of wine and gastronomy. Fortunately, within this niche, Malta and Gozo boast a compelling narrative to share.

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Wine is about the land its grapes are grown on, the sun and other elements which ripen it, the people who craft it as well as those who savour it. Malta and Gozo have their very own distinctive wine story to tell; a cluster of tiny islands steeped in historical episodes of grand intensity and prominence, cultivating its own unique grape varieties, huddled by the magnificence of the Mediterranean sea. A mere 316km² of land, and yet vineyards still find space to dedicate to regale us with a curious angle to our identity, luscious summer greenery and delicious wine.

This is a story that needs to be told and retold and to this effect, the Malta Tourism Authority has appointed Joséf Bonello as the first Brand Ambassador – Wines of Malta and Gozo to spearhead and fortify its narrative. And the timing could not be better. So many of our visitors today are eager to learn more of our wine story which exalts the multicultural identity of our islands, its lavish historical mosaic and a glorious geo-climatic make up.

With our earliest archeologic traces of winemaking activity dating back to the Punic era, we can boast of a culture dating back at least 3 thousand years. This comes as no surprise since the Phoenicians are known to have used the

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Mediterranean as their trade route and were famous for their love of wine and for often using it in their bartering trade. Since then, Malta’s chequered history was often unkind on the development of our wine story since a number of the islands’ occupiers seriously discouraged it proliferation for their own specific reasons.

One must admit that it is thanks to homemade wines which kept the heart beating to survive despite adversity, that today we have an industry to be proud of.

The Maltese wine scene has undergone tremendous growth over the past forty years or so. Today, more and more wine drinkers have garnered better appreciation of the quality of our own wine as well as its importance to our culture, our agriculture as well as our tourism product. Local wine makers have been working very hard to largely overcome a reputation which our wines have habitually been labelled with, particularly on home soil and often unfairly. Thanks to their endeavour, coupled with support from local authorities and the crucial catering sector, we have started to bolster a justified sense of pride in what our islands have to offer.

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It is very encouraging to note that the quality of our product is reaching very high levels which continues to rise and has all the potential to add value to the Malta product. Local wine lovers and retailers alike have a renewed confidence in the beverage and this needs to be further supported in order that fine wine from Malta and Gozo receives the respect it deserves, both at home as well as throughout the wine world.

And it is in this highly-revered wine world where a vast number of premium wine regions including New World countries like South Africa, the US, Australia and Chile to name a few, claim to owe a high portion of their fine quality to the fact that their much-flaunted climatic profile is Mediterranean. Long, hot summers and short mild winters create an ideal environment for the ripening of grapes for fine wines. If there is one country that can boast not only having Mediterranean ‘type’ climate, but sitting at the heart of the real McCoy, it would be Malta. That, coupled with the fact that we are surrounded by a mass of sea which mitigates extremes, further underlines the importance of our geographic location.

The role of the new Brand Ambassador within the framework of the Wine Embassy Malta and Gozo is to address various challenges both on the international scene as well as the one at home which has its peculiarities. The number

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of wines from different countries and regions found in Malta’s bottle shops and restaurants is nothing short of extreme. Many seasoned wine drinkers are more familiar with Italian or French wines than our own. The competition that our wines face on our own soil is gigantic, a scenario not shared by any other European wine making country or region. In addition, basic economies of scale work against the commercial aspect of our wines when compared to countries with much stronger negotiation power for materials, lower labour costs, larger markets etc. Climate change of course, is also a matter of serious concern which needs to be assessed in detail.

There is also the fact that Malta is still often disregarded on the international wine scene. Mediterranean Wine Fairs, specialist publications and other such initiatives often omit Malta and Gozo and this needs to change as our islands have their rightful place in the wine story of the world.

The challenges are clearly not to be underestimated, yet the potential rewards are of national interest and importance and have an exhilarating impact on our identity and character as a fine wine producing nation.

Bacchus eyes us favourably, so let’s look our best possible.

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MALTA’S PARTICIPATION IN HORIZON EUROPE SO FAR (2021-2023)

20% €32.97 102

success rate for Maltese participants

Million in EU Contribution

signed Grant Agreements

EU NET CONTRIBUTION IN MILLION EURO

40 30 20 10 0

FP5 (1998-2002)

FP6 (2002-2006)

FP7 (2007-2014)

H2020 (2014-2020)

Horizon Europe 2021-2027* (so far)

*Figures based on first 3 years of the programme

# P N H N

KOAN Chef KRISTIAN BAUMANN

He is a Korean-born Dane presenting a culinary journey through South Korea using Nordic techniques. The restaurant’s menus are a reflection of Kristian’s years of research in South Korea, from street kitchens to royal court cuisine. Each dish carries a purposeful cultural resonance, offering diners a taste of Korean heritage infused with Danish artistry.

Notably, the restaurant offers a unique experience through wine and beverage pairings, including Korean sool and other Korean drinks to complement the menu.

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KOAN gained 2 MICHELIN STARS in 2023, only 10 weeks after opening 99

Pietà, Malta 178, Marina Str. +35620103715 +35620102949

Floriana, Malta 31/32, St. Anne Str. +35621233715 +35621222949

Volume 17

Winter Elements

Volume 17