Emma Calleja (Junior College team, representing the United Kingdom)
A group of young people recently participated in debate fora known as the NSTF Mini European Assembly. There were 12 teams in all, each representing a different European country. Whether it was France versus the United Kingdom, or Luxembourg versus Poland, each team had to strive hard to reach consensus.
After months of hard work and intensive research, three groups were pronounced as winners: the Junior College (representing the United Kingdom), St Aloysius College Sixth Form (Bulgaria) and University of Malta (Denmark).
As winners we were given the opportunity to visit the major European institutions in Strasbourg and Brussels. We were there to witness what many watch on television and to speak to people whom others only read about in newspapers...
Our first stop was Strasbourg, a classic town situated in the North-East of France. The place hosts three of the many European Institutions: The Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly, the European Court of Human Rights (an organ of the Council of Europe) and also the European Parliament.
At the Council of Europe we discussed issues such as the problem of irregular migration in Malta with Mr John Wilkinson, chairman of the Committee of Migration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We also discussed the founding of the Council of Europe and its role in today’s Europe with representatives from the Private Secretariat of the Secretary General of the Council and from the Committee of Ministers. We also had the opportunity to have a discussion with the Maltese representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Maltese delegation explained its role in the Council and which issues it was tackling. We were also honoured to pay a courtesy visit to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Renè Van Der Linden, who fascinated us with his views on European values and how the council strives to
sustain them.
Another discussion took place in the Court of Human Rights. Mr Justice Giovanni Bonello, the Maltese judge at the Court, explained how the European Charter of Human Rights is implemented within the Court by giving examples of various cases and judgements… and we felt highly privileged to be able to sit in the court room and get a feel of what it is like to sit in the judges’ seats – an opportunity which is not often experienced, especially not by a group of teenagers. I am sure that my team mates have their photos framed in their room, constantly reminding them exactly why they are still at school, working and studying hard.
Another visit was to the European Youth Centre, where we could get a better feel of what the Council of Europe is doing directly for and with young people. Most opportunities within the European Youth Centre may be accessed by students and young people who are involved with local or European NGOs… so getting involved is not a bad idea after all.
However, there is more to Strasbourg than just European institutions and debating issues. We were able to taste French cuisine, visit cultural sites and also celebrate the beginning of summer along with the French people in their celebrated Fête De la Musique.
Already exhausted, but highly enthusiastic, we headed on to the second part of our trip which led us to “Europe’s Centre”: Brussels! The ratification of the European Constitution was an inevitable topic for discussion, with the voting still taking place in many countries. Other dis-cussions were held with Dr Leonard Mizzi from the Malta Business Bureau and also with Prof. Arnold Cassola, secretary-general of the European Greens.
Another active discussion was held with the Maltese translators in Brussels. They explained the importance of our national language and why it is imperative to sustain its official use in the European Union.
In the European Commission (Charlemagne building), we discussed the Euro-Med partnership and Barcelona Process with Mr Rafael Dochao-Moreno who is specifically responsible for this in the External Relations Directorate-General. We could envisage the direction the work in this process is taking.
We were honoured to be able to enter the Berlaymont Commission building in order to meet the Maltese Commissioner Dr Joe Borg, with whom we discussed his role as Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The students were given time to ask questions and discuss various issues linked with the European Commission and how it works with a College of 25 Commissioners.
In Brussels we were also able to feel the difference which young people can make in the European Union, particularly via the European Youth Forum. This Forum works as the spokesperson for all European Youth with the European Union via National Youth Councils and European Youth NGOs.
Greater insight as to the work being done by the Maltese in Brussels was gained through our visit to Malta’s Permanent Representation, where we were first given an overview of the role the Representation plays, particularly within the Council.
We then went on to discuss various areas in greater depth directly with the Maltese diplomats assigned to cover these different areas.
After a few days of meetings in the warm weather of Brussels (there was a heat wave!) we took a break to visit the wonders of the city. One of the many things we learned was the location of the Grande Place, an enormous square surrounded by historical buildings in which Northern Baroque exuberance reigns, and which has become the rendezvous of peoples from all over the world. While most of us were more interested in shopping (a Maltese trait we just could not rid ourselves of!), others admired the city’s panorama or were just carried away by the heavenly aroma of chocolate wafting around our noses – hardly surprising, since we were in the country known as the “land of chocolate”.
We can hardly believe that our adventure has come to an end but it continues to live within us. The experience has been a useful tool to give us a taste of the REAL life and activities in the European Institutions. We have been there, discussed ideas and shared our perspectives. Through this trip, our hopes and dreams have been ignited, our horizons have been widened and our expectations of discovering ourselves and our dreams exceeded.
But the story is not finished yet. On the contrary – it is only just beginning! Young people are the minds and voices of the future, so our thanks go to all of those who helped us make our voices heard.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Student Travel Foundation (Malta) which organises this programme yearly, and other entities which supported the NSTF Mini European Assembly XVI: the Foreign Affairs Ministry, The Malta Tourism Authority, the European Parliament Malta Information Office, MEP Simon Busuttil, Tumas Group and Air Malta plc.
For further information about the NSTF Mini European Assembly, please contact Ilaria Flores Martin on tel. 2558-8241, or by emailing [email protected]
Mhux bic-Cajt music video
Shopping in Milan, dinner in Paris or how about learning how to fly a plane? These are some wishes the brainbox production team are working on for the program Mhux bic-Cajt starting in October as part of the TVM Autumn schedule.
Philip Vella has been chosen to be the composer of the Mhux bic-Cajt soundtrack. Apart from his long list of successes in festivals such as Ghanja tal-Poplu as well as Malta Song for Europe, Philip is renowned for his satirical lyrics in songs such as X’Jimpurtani and Jien Bezzul.
“For the production team he was our obvious choice. With a programme title such as Mhux Bic-Cajt, who else could you imagine composing the soundtrack?” asks brainbox director Sabrina Mulligan. “As soon as the team heard the finished song we knew that, apart from being the programme’s signature tune, the song had the potential to be a popular radio tune as well, so the idea for a music video for the song followed. This is one of the first times a Maltese TV programme is launching a music video to complement a local TV production.”
The music video will include Mhux bic-Cajt TV host Eileen Montesin, as well as the song’s composers, Philip Vella, Joe Micallef and Vinny Vella (pictured) who will also be the show’s musical trio.
“While acknowledging the importance of including various music genres in the programme, we wanted our musical trio to be part of the entertainment rather than merely playing songs like the normal run-of-the-mill band. Philip, Vinny and Joe are not just musicians but great entertainers and together with host Eileen Montesin, the programme promises to be entertaining and fun,” Sabrina adds.
Viewers will soon be able to watch the music video on TVM while the sound track is being distributed to a number of radio stations.
Ever heard of four year-old ballerinas?
No one could blame you if you have never heard of four-year-old ballerinas. But they do exist in Malta! At such a young age, what can these little girls do? And if they can move and dance a little, can they be trained to act in unison, with self-controlled discipline and professionalism on stage in front of a live audience? Can we compare them to the Russians, Chinese or Japanese, who take the art of dance very seriously indeed from a very young age?
Olivia Dow, Principal of Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, situated at Naxxar, had this to say: “When a girl is very young, three to six years old, her bones are supple and can be moulded with the right training so that she develops properly, with a good turn-out from the hips, straight back, beautifully stretched upper half, legs and feet, long elegant neck and so on. As years go by, these girls learn how to split, turn, and literally fly through the air! They learn the technique of near-impossible feats which they themselves did not think they were capable of doing with such ease, in a million years!
“The next stage is to introduce these girls to pointe shoes, when their ankle is strong enough and their technique warrants this advancement in their ballet career. At the same time, they are introduced to the Inklassiko Method (on Saturdays) where they do body toning, stretching, more pointe work technique, character dance, modern/contemporary workshops and Jazz taught by Ivelina Dimitrova.
“Hard work is obviously necessary to achieve perfection, but when they do achieve these results, they are over the moon with joy, and so are their parents who then start to realise that what I have said from the beginning makes good sense.
“Every year, we provide our pupils with a very professional innovative live performance to which parents, relatives and the public are invited. It is at that time that parents really start to appreciate the hard work which goes on and realise that their efforts have not been made in vain.”
The Russian Classical Ballet curriculum-Legat System is one of the safest methods in existence and was developed by one of Russia’s foremost dancers, who is still hailed in Russia and the world. His name is Nicholas Legat, and he taught famous dancers like Nijinski, Pavlova, Vaganova, Preobrajenka, Egorova, Sedova, Karsavina, Fokine, Bolm and his favourite pupil, Nadine Nicolaeva, who later became his wife. After his death in 1937, Nadine succeeded him and taught many other well-known ballerinas from all over the world, including our own Olivia Dow.
When Legat opened his school in London, there was another generation of famous students whom he taught such as Alexandra Danilova, Lydia Lopokova, Markova and Serge Lifar. Margot Fonteyn, Anton Dolin and Dame Ninette de Valois , founder of The Royal Ballet (who died at the age of 102) were also students of Nicholas Legat.
Olivia Dow always maintained that the sooner boys and girls start ballet classes the better. She takes great satisfaction in knowing that what she started in the September of 1993 has now been realised. Many of the members from those earlier years, such as Martina Zammit, Jessica Farrugia, Davinia Marie Mifsud, Marianna Dogum, Larisa Mirela Bonello and Rita Bonello went on to graduate, quite a few of them with Honours with Distinction. Rita Bonello actually won the Russian Ballet Society Nicholas and Nadine Nicolaeva Legat Memorial Scholarship, getting the highest marks out of all the students of all the Legat Schools of Russian Ballet world-wide. And what many people did not believe was possible has materialised: three of these girls made it before they took their academic `O` levels at a very young age – on or before their 14th birthday!
In fact, Rita Bonello has just come back from the UK where she enrolled in a summer school in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. She was highly praised by the teachers, all soloists of The Royal Ballet, and awarded the Virtuosity Prize at a ceremony to which parents were invited.
A surprise master class, by the internationally-renowned principal ballerina of The Royal Ballet Darcey Bussell, was given to Rita and her colleagues – an experience which none of them will ever forget.
The Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet – Malta was given due credit and many asked whether there were more students in this school with Rita’s high standard of technique and experience. Rita has been a ballerina since she was four years old, when she took part in her first performance at the New Buskett Roadhouse in 1994. So it is abundantly clear now that Olivia Dow`s concept of life-long learning and stage experience has withstood the test of time. This year’s Fantasyland – The Danceshow was indeed a showcase full of Olivia Dow’s talented students and fully-fledged ballerinas.
The Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet takes ballet very seriously but also believes that being conversant with other disciplines is advantageous, as long as there are solid classical foundations which should never be neglected. That is what one finds at Olivia Dow’s – a cultural and artistic vision in action and an authentic Russian Classical Ballet method which really works.
Olivia Dow recommends a visit to www.oliviadow.com to find out more. Recently, video clips of all Olivia Dow`s productions since 1994, including eight clips from Fantasyland - The Danceshow, have been added to the site for further enjoyment.
The new school term starts in September.
For more information and enrolment phone/fax 2158-3368, mobile 9947-4127 or email: [email protected]
Guaranteed laughs with new sitcom
Summer is almost over, and before you know it, the weather will turn cold again, you will have to return to school, work will pick up again, and pretty soon you’ll be back to those dreaded Monday evenings – fully loaded with fresh worries and hassles, and still four days to go before the weekend. Wouldn’t it be great if for at least half-an-hour you could just forget about all your worries and just have a good laugh? That is exactly why this autumn, Super One TV will be unleashing Malta’s first proper sitcom,
L-Erbgha l’Huma.
This programme follows the lives of four young adults who were brought together by fate to live in the same house. If you want to start off a new week on a good note, just throw yourself in front of the TV every Monday at 8:35pm and watch the antics of these four characters who don’t seem to be particularly keen on growing up. Apart from its comedy value, L-Erbgha l’Huma is also highly educational. For example, you can learn how to get a free meal, why it is a bad idea to get on a truck full of sheep, the vital importance of wearing trousers before leaving for a job interview, and how you should never answer a wrong number. In fact, the show is so packed with puns that many people will need to watch the repeat on Sundays at noon just to catch the jokes that they missed the first time round!
Every episode also includes a variety of extra characters, thanks to a continuous stream of special guest appearances. These range from personalities like Edward Mercieca and Joe Tanti, to singers like Georgina Abela, Karen Polidano, Ivan Grech and a whole host of others. Basically what you must remember is that this autumn – possibly for the first time ever – Mondays will be a day to look forward to.
The Characters
Stephanie Gauci
The sole woman in the family, Steph is also the only one of them who has a job. Coming from a modest background, Steph has worked hard to become a lawyer and it is quite impossible for her to be any more different from her husband. He is in charge of all household matters and whenever Steph dares to touch a cooking pot, you may rest assured that chaos will ensue. Although not a patient woman by any stretch of the imagination, Steph nevertheless agrees to allow her husband’s newfound brothers to live with them. The results of this are that every day she must put up with all kinds of crazy situations – including of course, those that she herself causes!
The role of Steph will be played by Angele Cauchi, who has played such characters as Lorna in Viva l-Ministru, and Sandra in Dejjem Tieg?ek Becky. Angele has also hosted a variety of TV programmes including Bottegin, Artenium, and Kerser Kwi??.
Ray Gauci
The exact opposite of his wife, Ray comes from a wealthy family and is perfectly content to spend the entire day doing housework in peace. His passion is art and he dreams that one day he might actually manage to sell one of his paintings. Since his parents have been separated for a long time, Ray is used to spending time with just himself for company. That’s why it was all the more shocking, right after he got married, to suddenly discover that he has two brothers he knew nothing about. All of a sudden, Ray finds himself having to look after an entire family, as the four of them start living together.
Malcolm Galea will be playing the part of Ray. Previous roles include Henry in Viva l-Ministru and Sinon in the film Helen of Troy. Malcolm Galea is also a radio presenter.
Toni Pace
Quiet and unassuming, Toni is the son of a “woman of the streets” who never met his biological father. This man was none other than Ray’s father, who frequently likes to experiment in the romantic department. Although Toni managed to find a decent job, a place to live, and even a fiancée, this soon changed when his younger half-brother Daniel returned from America. It wasn’t long before Toni lost everything and, for the first time in his life, he had no choice but to try and contact his natural father for help.
A well-known face in local theatre, Marc Spiteri will be making his debut appearance on Maltese television as Toni. Marc has also played several roles on films such as Paris’s Bodyguard in Helen of Troy and the apostle Saint Matthew in the BBC documentary Miracles of Christ.
Daniel Mitchell
Although he shares his mother with Toni, Daniel is the son of an American sailor. Soon after he was born, Daniel went to America with his father but returned 20 years later to find his brother and start a new life in Malta. Unfortunately, Daniel isn’t a very good influence and before long he has managed to ruin Toni’s life as he has ruined his own. Daniel has just started learning Maltese and despite the fact that he tries very hard, he’s not quite there yet. Although, technically speaking, Daniel isn’t related to Ray at all, since he is his half-brother’s half-brother, Ray is quick to accept Daniel as his quarter-brother.
Keith Pavia will be another new face for local television. Keith has taken part in a multitude of works on the Maltese stage and three years ago was the winner of the award for best actor at the MADC One Act Play Competition.
Rita Camenzuli
Rita is the woman who lives in the flat directly above this unorthodox family. She used to lead a very quiet and harmonious life with her telephone and radio as her sole companions. Alas, this all changes when her new neighbours moved in…
Marylu Coppini needs no introduction as Rita. Marylu has several years of experience acting for stage, camera, and cinema alike.
P & Li … u l-Mummy
P & Li …u l-Mummy is another original play written by Chris X. Grech and Leigh-Anne Abela, produced by Stage Breeze and directed by Chris X. Grech.
This humorous, bubbly and intriguing performance takes off in Malta and ventures into a far away land. Li (Leigh-Anne Abela), a petite 25-year-old lady, her 27–year-old husband Gorg Puli (Chris X. Grech) and their closest friends Simon (Keith Borg) and Annie (Dorianne Bonanno) are VERY open-minded! They have all learnt how to play the game of life by their own rules, but somehow Li has never come to terms with a particular chapter in her life.
Unexpected circumstances and happenings in our lives sometimes change our attitude and perspective towards life – and that’s what has happened to Li.
Just when we think that we’re leading a perfect life, there comes a time when we realise that it’s far from perfection. In the peak of our “perfection” we always end up with something unexpected happening. That’s what life is all about. Nobody knows what the future has in store for us. So what’s going to happen in P & Li …u l-Mummy? Come and check out the last performance at this year’s Dramafest 2005 at The Malta Drama Centre, Blata l-Bajda this evening at 7.30pm.
Bookings for this year’s unique Drama Festival experience can be made by calling 2122-3216 or 2122-3200, by email to: [email protected] or by SMS on 9980-8447 or 7905-0351.
(Other supporting actors include Nathalie Calleja, Theresa Cilia, Mireille Mifsud, Sarah Lee Zammit, Olivia-Ann Marmara’)
Net Stars Futsal team in search of new coach
Net Stars FC is seeking a new coach for the coming Futsal season 2005/06. Following last year’s success, the reality show Net Stars will embark on a bigger project by featuring the day-to-day life of an existing MFA 11-a-side team playing in the national third division league.
NET Television has joined forces with Santa Lucia FC and the new coach of the club will be former Net Stars Futsal coach, Joe Micallef. Last year, Mr Micallef guided the Futsal team to an unbeaten run of 12 matches in the official MFA five-a-side third division, Section A league.
This year Net Stars FC will play in the second division and NET TV’s cameras will still follow the team occasionally. Following the appointment of Mr Micallef with Santa Lucia, the production team are interested in recruiting a new coach. The ideal candidate must have an excellent level of discipline and be camera-friendly and must have at least followed a foundation course in coaching or preferably possess a ‘C’ licence in coaching. Interested applicants should send an email to the production team together with their coaching CV on [email protected] by Wednesday, 31 August.
Net Stars will be back on NET Television on Tuesday nights, starting in September.
Singers announced for Independence Festival
The list of singers for the final night of the Independence Festival has now been announced.
The final night will also include the public vote. Attractive prizes will be won by some of the lucky voters, in addition to the prize for the singer with most votes. The televoting number, the singers and the songs are as follows:
50043301 Sejhiet - Maria Mallia
50043302 L-Arkitett ta’ l-Univers – Mark Tonna
50043303 Destin - Mauro Kitcher
50043304 L-Irgiel - Corazon Mizzi
50043305 Ix-Xemx mill-Gdid - Eleanor Cassar
50043306 Int u Jien - J Anvil
50043307 Naf Ghalfejn - Daniela Vella
50043308 Ahseb Ftit - Mike Spiteri
50043309 Ghannaqni - Glen
50043310 Il-Boghod mid-Dlam - Laura Bruno
50043311 Ma Rridx - Nadine Axisa
50043312 Jien Mhux Hekk - Shirley Galea
50043313 L-Ghanja ta’ L-Ipokresija - Mark Spiteri Lucas
50043314 Notturn -Audrey Marie Bartolo
50043315 Le Ma Nibzax - Christian Arding & Justine Bezzina
50043316 Mewg Qerried - Aldo Busuttil & Debbie Scerri
50043317 Orqod Orqod - Rita Pace
50043318 Qmugh tad-Deheb - Donna Marie Ellul
50043319 Il-Mewg Ghannej - Adriana
50043320 L-Ghada tal-Festa – Catherine Vigar.
Success for Maltese flamenco dancer in the UK
Lara Lanfranco has recently returned from the United Kingdom, where she attended a five-day intensive course organised by the Spanish Dance Society. The course was awarded to Ms Lanfranco by the Society last year, after the June examination session held in Malta in which she scored top marks. The course was given by two renowned instructors, Immacolada Ortega and Juan Mata, both of Spanish origin. It focused mainly on Flamenco, Technique and Bulerias. During the course, Lara was singled out to demonstrate some of the Grade 5 syllabus to teachers, choreographers and fellow students who attended the course. The Society was so impressed by her technique and passion for the dance that they have invited her to attend again next summer. Her experience, in her own words, was “Fantastic, Amazing, Brilliant.”
Lara, who is a Doctor of Laws, is a graduate of the College of Jazz Dance and is currently furthering her studies in Spanish Dance under the tuition of Ms Nina Winter.
This year she will be assisting in the teaching of some of the Spanish Dance Classes at the College of Jazz Dance. Courses start on the 26 September.
For further information and registration, call 7942-1864 or 9944-5703.