The mystical atmosphere of the Mdina Dungeons was the ideal backdrop for the launch of the book Pandora, penned by Ruth Frendo and Charles Zarb (pictured) which was held last week. Pandora has been on the air for two years and has become quite popular with viewers as it focuses on the world of the paranormal and the supernatural.

The programme is a mixture of experiences and opinions recounted by personalities and viewers, as well as doses of documentaries, interviews and reality slots. The topics are what are described as paranormal, but also include stories which people have heard about but which have not been dealt with by the media before.

Likewise, the book Pandora is a collection of the documentaries and the experiences recounted by local celebrities such as Grace Borg, Norman Hamilton, Toni tal-Van, Hooligan, Gordon Pace, Joe Cachia, Melissa from the group Chasing Pandora, Ira Losco, Morena, Lynn Faure', Trevor Zahra, Gorg Peresso, Ruth Sammut Casingena, Jon Lukas Woodenman and DJ Gianni, and many others.

Guests invited for the launch included a number of the above-mentioned individuals, as well as members of the press. An executioner greeted the considerable crowd and invited them to take a peek at the book, which was placed inside a wooden box holding an antique dagger and grains of sand. A reception followed in the courtyard of the Mdina Dungeons to the sound of medieval music playing in the background. Photographer Kevin Casha was in charge of taking photos of the function and the general background.

During the presentation, television producer and presenter Ruth Frendo explained how Charles Zarb had approached her with the idea of publishing the book. The proposal was immediately taken up as both of them realised that there was a lot of potential in the material that the programme offers. On the other hand Ruth Vella, who is the head of programmes at One Television, stated that in the era of the internet, it has become extremely rare for a television programme to be converted into a book. Ms Vella thus felt that it was an honour for the television station to have one of its programmes turned into print. Last and not least Mark Vella, who is the director of Wise Owl Publications, recounted a personal paranormal experience which he and his family lived through when he was younger. This experience has also been included in the book.

Ruth Frendo commented on how happy she is with the book: “I am thrilled to have worked with professional people such as Charles Zarb, Mark Vella and Nathalie Portelli of Wise Owl Publications. I am extremely pleased with the book itself and hope that the audiences will like it as much as they like my programme! I would like to take this occasion to thank my husband Charlo C Bonnici, as well as Mary Anne Zammit, Joe Cachia, Ignatius and Charles from the Mdina Dungeons, Wise Owl Publications and One Productions for helping me accomplish this wonderful dream.”