The Russian reception in the spacious grounds of Ariel House, Kappara always has a lively ambience, with girls in colourful costumes and a Russian Orthodox priest or two to bring a little of Russia to the Mediterranean.  This year there were two excellent Russian singers who came especially for the occasion – tenor Alexei Safiullin and soprano Elena Reshetnikova who entertained the guests and even sang well-loved Italian songs. 

The President and Mr Preca, members of government, the Leader of the Opposition and members of Parliament were among the 300 or so guests present.  

There were canapés and Vodka and a variety of food and drink which included some Russian delicacies, too. 

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr Boris Marchuk explained in his speech what the celebration, that evening was about. On June 12, 1990, the Declaration of National Sovereignty was adopted by the Russian Parliament “which became a turning point in our country’s history and brought about fundamental political and economic transformations in our society,” he said.

The Russian Ambassador, the President of Malta and the Director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Malta Mr Oleg Beglov presenting the President with a copy of the first ever Russian-Maltese-Russian Phrasebook

 

This holiday, His Excellency explained, symbolizes the common destiny of the Russian people, who back then, at the start of the 1990s, made their choice in favour of a free and open Russia, a common home for more than 180 ethnic groups and people of different faiths. “It was the Russian people’s will and strength that helped us to get through numerous hardships and set our country firmly on a course of democratic and free-market reforms,” he said.

The Executive Director of U-Group (Malta) Ltd. Ms Anastasia Budykho and her daughter, the Ambassador of Ireland to Malta Mr Jim Hennessy and the Russian Ambassador

The ambassador went on to say that this year which was declared a Year of Culture by President Putin, has been of significant importance to Russia. It is intended to be a celebration of Russia’s cultural roots, patriotism and moral values. “A unifying role of Russian culture, history and the Russian language for our multi-ethnic population could not be underestimated and we will continue building our future with this in mind,” His Excellency continued.

Chev. Hubert Mifsud the Hon. Consul General of Japan in Malta, the Commanding officer of the Italian Military Mission Colonel Luca Mariz and Siga Mariz,  H.E. the Ambassador of France M. Michel Vanderpoorter and the British High Commissioner

Mr Marchuk then went on to talk of the major international sports events which took place in Russia – the 22nd Olympic and the 11th Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi which attracted the attention of the whole world and for which Russia prepared with a sense of responsibility and with an enormous love for sports but “also with the hope that these Games would live up to their Olympic ideals.” His Excellency, with a sense of pride, also referred to the victory of the Russian ice-hockey team in the World Championship in Minsk and Maria Sharapova’s triumph at the French Open “which also brought much joy to all Russian fans.” 

The ambassador then spoke of the tragic events “in one of our neighbouring countries, where a violent conflict has claimed numerous innocent lives.” He mentioned the statements made by various leaders to put an end to this military confrontation and hoped that these would be transformed into concrete steps to stop the violence and to begin an all-inclusive dialogue between the two sides of the conflict. 

Ambassador Boris Marchuk, the President of Malta and the Director of Link School of English, Mr Roger  De Gaetano and Mrs De Gaetano

He then referred to Malta as a ‘super power’ of friendship. Here he quoted from the President of Malta’s inauguration speech and went on to paraphrase the great Russian poet Pushkin, Malta “is a country where all flags of the world are most welcome”.

Mr Marchuk then said that the relations between Russia and Malta have a centuries long history “and rest on a solid foundation of traditional friendship and mutual respect between Russian and Maltese people.”

The two countries established diplomatic relations forty-seven years ago and, said the ambassador “the relationship between us has been consistently growing in many areas. Yet, a lot remains to be done to meet the potential both our countries have.” He then referred to the visit of a former ambassador to Malta, Mrs Valentina Matvienko who was honoured with the National Order of Merit during her visit to Valletta last December. He also mentioned the recent visit of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which resulted in the signing of an Agreement on Cooperation with the Malta Chamber of Commerce; then there was the Double Taxation Convention which came into force in May. He also mentioned the restoration of the Russian Chapel at San Anton Palace; the Russian families who have made Malta their home; the Russian tourists coming to Malta who are on the increase. His Excellency said he was confident that the friendship between Russia and Malta will continue to grow for the benefit of both nations.

After adding a few words in Russian for the benefit of his compatriots he thanked the staff of the Embassy, the sponsors of the reception, UGroup and the two singers – Alexei Safiullin and Elena Reshetnikova.

His Excellency then proposed a toast to the health of our President and the Maltese people.

It was then the turn of our President to make her speech which, too, was well received.

 

 

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That evening I recalled a splendid Exhibition of Documents  and Objets d’Art held in 1998 in the Grand Council Chamber at the Palace in Valletta. Its title was Three Centuries of Russo-Maltese Historical Connections. It was this very hall which had witnessed the audience granted by Grand Master Perellos to Peter I’s emissary, Boris Petrovich Scheremetev on whose neck the Grand Master placed a chain with a diamond-studded cross. This was probably the beginning of our relations with Russia. There were so many highlights one of them being the Bush-Gorbachev summit in 1989. Russian ships were in and out of Grand Harbour and came to be refitted several times. There were Russian refugees, Princess Poutiatine who introduced ballet to Malta and Biago Tagliaferro, the master mariner, ship owner and banker who settled in Malta in the early 19th century. He specialized in the Russian Black Sea grain trade, was a philanthropist and his descendents continue to live in Malta. So yes, relations between the two countries go back a long way.

Although the invitation to this event said 7.00 till 9.00pm several guests went on the dance floor and joined the Ambassador and Mrs Marchuk who were enjoying themselves dancing away. 

A most pleasant and lively evening finished considerably later than 9pm.

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