Being invited to Villa Macedonia, the residence of the Ambassador of Spain to Malta is always a pleasure whether for luncheon or a reception in its beautiful gardens. Villa Macedonia was built in 1934 for a Count with a very long name, Bernardo Manduca Piscopo Macedonia Zammit.  It won an architectural award for its architect Giovanni Sacco, in 1937.

I have read somewhere a description by Carmel Bezzina that in his time, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus used to be celebrated with grandeur and the procession with the Holy Sacrament used to stop at Villa Macedonia. Mr Bezzina recalls that the portico of the villa used to be dressed in red damask and decorated with flower pots and candles. The smell of frankincense mingled with the fragrance of flowers blossoming in the villa at that time of year.  He describes the moving scene of members of the different confraternities in their colours and banners inside the portico in silent adoration of the Holy Eucharist - for a makeshift altar had been set up for the occasion.

It is certainly not difficult to imagine the scene and how the villa was closely associated with the social life of Balzan at the time.

 

Villa Macedonia has been rented to the Spanish embassy for a number of years now. As I was parking I said to myself that there are two blessings on such occasions: parking is so easy, inside the grounds of the villa; and since the Ambassador and myself were lunching a deux our exchanges were to be uninterrupted. This is never so at receptions and other occasions where many people congregate but where serious conversation is almost impossible.

I asked HE José Maria Pons Irazazabal who presented his credentials to our President last September, to show me round the many framed photos in his sitting room and point out to me some highlights of his life. He told me he was born in Palma de Mallorca and has three children who are all living there. He seems to be a doting father but also one with a distinguished career, judging from the photos of him with world leaders.

He has been in the diplomatic service or in public office since he was around 27-years-old and has had experience in different countries and also different departments, commerce and consular among them. And so, step by step, he advanced through years of diplomatic service to be appointed ambassador. He has travelled a great deal abroad for his country: Warsaw, Bern, the Netherlands, Denmark, Lithuania, Austria. His last posting before Malta was in Beijing. His second wife is still Ambassador of Spain in Beijing but is due to be posted back to Spain, much to their relief.

****************************

From our conversation His Excellency struck me as being a sober man, by which I don't mean that he does not touch wine - we both enjoyed our vino tinto at lunch which started with an excellent gazpacho. By sober I mean that in an emergency for example, he would not cower and prevaricate behind some portico or other but would take matters in hand and act. He is not the sort to snap under pressure and seems to me to be a man of decision. I certainly would not associate the word 'reckless' with him. He understands the dignity of his office. He is dedicated to seriousness. His interest in Malta and the Maltese is genuine. We discussed various aspects of Malta including the buses. I get the impression that he is more than just relieved to be in a country, no matter how small, whose culture he understands and which is comparatively nearer his country and his family. It was not so in Beijing, he told me. The way of thinking and doing things is so very different and therefore it is not an easy posting for a European especially because of the language problem.

I gathered that His Excellency is a man who likes to have a firm grip on situations.  It is not easy to have a firm grip if language is a problem. There is in every sense a desert between China and Europe and being so far away from one's children cannot be easy.

His Excellency is diplomaed up to his eyeballs: a degree in law, several qualifications in International studies as well as European Studies. He has been very active academically both as professor, assistant professor, author and lecturer. He still lectures regularly he told me. On the fun side he enjoys watching football and was President and sat on the Board of Directors of Mallorca's football club.

He has been decorated by several countries: France bestowed its Legion d'Honneur on him but several other countries, too, have recognized his achievements including Iceland. Just as well he doesn't wear all these medals at receptions!

As can be expected he enjoys reading but also playing tennis and swimming and has produced and directed a number of documentaries.

His career has been full of diversity as is his conversation. Journalists sometimes call him with questions which he cannot always answer, he told me, although of course he does his best to be of help to them.

When we see each other at receptions now I feel I know a lot more about him and what he stands for. And yes, luncheon was delicious, as can be expected.

**********************

Russian National Day Reception

Last month, on 11 June, I enjoyed a very pleasant reception at the Russian ambassador's residence in Kappara. Mrs Dolores Cristina, who  was Acting president, was present and looked elegant in a summery dress with a silk turquoise jacket. There were ambassadors, representatives of political and business establishments, several Russians and admirers of Russia and other guests.

In his speech HE Ambassador Vladimir Malygin said this special day symbolizes the choice made by the people of Russia to live in a country where everyone enjoys personal freedom, political and economic stability and cultural diversity. He pointed out that the relations between Russia and Malta nowadays continue to develop in the spirit of friendship which both nations have historically enjoyed. He mentioned the entry into force of the Double Taxation Agreement in 2014 and Malta's removal from the Russian Finance Ministry's list of offshores in January 2015.

H.E. drew attention to the signs of a growing mutual interest by the business communities of two countries which were highlighted by the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's delegation visit to Malta in June 2014 when the Agreement on Cooperation with the Maltese Chamber of Commerce was signed. There was a business mission and in April the largest Russian private airline 'Transaero' started regular flights to Malta from Moscow. "Without any doubt it will help to increase tourist exchanges between the two countries which saw a record number of Russian tourists visiting Malta last year - 40 thousand people." His Excellency said that the warm-hearted hospitality of the Maltese is appreciated by the growing community of Russians who have decided to settle down in Malta. According to the latest statistics, Russian compatriots, who actively participate in promoting various spheres of bilateral relations, amount to nearly 1% of the total population of Malta.

His Excellency then mentioned the annual celebration of Russian Christmas at the Russian Chapel at San Anton Palace and the two performances starring ballet dancers from the Bolshoi, Mariinsky and other leading Russian theatres 'for the first time in many years in Malta, events which were a great success with the local public.'

In her speech the Acting President extended her deepest and heartfelt best wishes to the People of the Russian Federation and to the growing Russian community in Malta on the occasion of the National Day of Russia. She added that the relations between Malta and Russia have deep historical roots and are embedded in a solid foundation of traditional friendship and mutual respect.'

It was a good party too and the weather was kind. The excessive heat had not yet hit these islands. And at last it was an occasion for me to meet my contact on e-mail, the efficient Nikita Sobolov who, for some reason or another, I had imagined to be a young lady. He turned out to be an articulate young man who speaks excellent English.