The traditional Lighting Ceremony at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, which has been taking place on 8 December for several years now, was exceptionally enjoyable this year with the General Manager, Italico Rota and his wife Livia at their liviliest.

Bubbly in the lobby and then, after a witty few words by Signor Rota, and with a little help from his magic wand, the lights in the gardens went on. Guests flocked to help themselves to the hot chestnuts being roasted just outside the lobby to the strains of the accordion of a Russian musician.

Soon everyone was heading for the dining room at The Villa which was looking its best. The surprise of the evening was The Quartet ‘Carousel’ – a professional Russian group which plays classical and jazz music on Russian folk instruments. There were awesome Russian dancers, too, and a couple of the men were almost standing on their heads as they twirled and whizzed round the beautiful girls. The soprano not only had the looks but also the voice. Guests were mesmerized by the lovely show.

Once the Russian musicians and dancers’ programme came to an end the Domenic Galea Quartet and singer Dorothy Bezzina continued to entertaining guests while they were enjoying one delicious course after another. Signor Rota then took to the dancing floor with his wife Livia and other female guests. It was a buoyant crowd lead by the Rotas and fuelled by some excellent wines and lively music.