Well, I am quite familiar with the Razzett L'Antik in Qormi as I have been there several times to various events. One dark winter's night I finished up in the dry moat opposite, to my utter amazement. Thank goodness it wasn't raining. And no, it was not the drink of course. I had not even entered the place. Another time I got hopelessly lost as it is a one way street and I went around several roundabouts before I found it but I can now find my way there very easily. This is where Maurice O'Scanaill launched his latest book, A Moving Death.

I am told by the present owner, Ben Camilleri, that this building probably dates back to the 17^th century and it was a mill room and a store to start off with. The owner or operator of the mill soon built a house next door. During the early 18^th century the double mill room was born - possibly the only double mill room on the island. The business either changed hands or the owner changed the business and the place was then used to keep imported bulls.

In the '70s the bulls were replaced by pigs and chickens. Ben Camilleri and his wife Mary then stepped in and bought it in 1988, when it was still being used as a farm. It took them over 10 years to get planning permits and another 18 months to restore it. The Razzett l-Antik as we know it finally opened its doors to the public in August 2002. The Camilleri's Maltese evenings on Wednesday nights are particularly  popular and they also cater for weddings and other occasions.

***

Well, it was Dr Andrew Azzopardi who recently launched A Moving Death at the Razzett, in front of a huge crowd of guests. I was astonished at the turnout. Many of Maurice O'Scanaill fellow singers in the St Paul's choir were there and I was rather hoping they would burst into song. Dr Azzopardi, kept his promise of a short speech and said that Rory McCormac's novel A Moving Death "is intriguing with loads of beautiful character and contextual descriptions all located in Malta."  He told us that the novel provided comfort and company to him after a long day. "The pleasant thing about the book wasn't only the beautiful descriptions, the characters that unfold, the intrigue, the relationships, the conflicts, the doubts, the psychological chitchat but it was also the opportunity that you can read the book in doses depending on how much you feel like it and have time for - for as Maurice himself says, you go back and forth without having to keep a note of what happened last to understand what's next... this book is punctured with plots and sub plots. It's about crimes, misdemeanours, dubious behaviour centred around 'a full of go' police department.' Gosh! I said to myself. That sounds exactly like Malta. Andrew seems to have enjoyed the book very much and passed on his enthusiasm for it to the guests.

There were thanks from Maurice (the real name of the author as you must have gathered by now). This sort of event takes a lot more organizing than meets the eye and the author was full of praise for Gail Debono in whose hands it was.  And then on to the book-signing, canapés and drinks. Ben and Mary provided plenty of scrummy canapés and a variety of drinks to keep everyone more than happy. It was a most pleasant ambience.

I was secretly thrilled when one of the waiters asked me if I danced or did I perhaps teach dancing. Well, at the newly acquired 74 kilos did he not think that that is highly improbable but I did not want to discourage him and murmured that no, I didn't, adding, 'unfortunately'. Later on someone asked me if the sculpturess Zell Osborne was my daughter. Well, no, my children are half her age. People's perceptions are so different and that is one of the things that make life interesting.

 

A retrospective

I have never met Chris Ebejer nor have I been to any of his exhibitions so far. Fate has conspired that I am simply not around when they happen or I am doing something else. I have seen his work in newspapers and in photographs sent by email and I have to say I am entranced, especially by his ceramics. His retrospective exhibition is being held at the Casino Maltese and will be open to the public until 28^th December, including  Sundays. If you love beautiful art, real art, then don't miss it.