Many know Kenneth Vella as an expert journalist on horse-racing.

But he is also the head master at the Mater Boni Consilii St Joseph School Paola and non-resident Ambassador of Malta to Estonia and Finland.

Here he tells us about his passion for horse-racing, the Maria Regina feast in Marsa, and what his childhood memories are.

What was the last book you read?

Protocol, The Power of Diplomacy written by Capricia Penavic Marshall.

Who is your favourite author?

Kahlil Gibran, author of the famous and inspiring book, The Prophet.

What was the last film you watched?

The Diego Maradona Documentary Movie

Which film have you seen multiple times and enjoyed every time you saw it?

Grease.

Who is your favourite actor/actress?

Maltese actress Gemma Portelli.

What is your favourite TV series?

I do not have one in particular. When I have some free time I prefer to watch international and sport news on Italian and English channels and also French and Swedish horse trotting racing.

What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play?

In order of preference – Horse Racing, Football and Cycling (I have a passion for cycling thanks to my father who was a local champion in the 60s)

Which team do you support?

Inter. But today I am not as passionate and enthusiastic as I used to be in my childhood days. Today’s Inter players cannot be compared to the likes of Rumenigge, Brehme, Mattheus, Bergomi, Diaz, Berti, Altobelli, Passarella, Zenga, Baresi and others.

Which song would you sing at a karaoke night?

It would depend on the mood. But I might go for Torch by Soft Cell. Hopefully I will be the last one to be chosen!

Who is your favourite singer/band?

Very difficult to choose between Duran Duran, Wham, Tears For Fears and Depeche Mode. However, if I had to choose only one band I would go for Depeche Mode.

Which show/event would you like to attend/have attended?   

The Forever Young Festival being held in Ireland later on this year between 15 and 17 July. It is considered the biggest festival of 80’s bands in the world.

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?

A box of matches, the bible and a knife.

Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?

I think the sense of smell.

What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?

I don’t think I have ever eaten anything unusual. I am very traditional in this aspect.

What is that one thing you could not go a day without?

Mobile phone.

Which fictional character do you relate to most?

I always admired Sherlock Holmes and I have always been described by my colleagues as being a good observer and this helps me to be a good judge of character.  I also think I have very good logical reasoning skills.

Do you check your horoscope?

No.

What age would you choose if you could be one age forever?

22. I was also born on 22 March and at 22 you feel neither very young nor old.  

What invention would you erase from history?

The atomic bomb.

Would you like to know the day when you will die?

Definitely not.

 

What's your favourite animal?

This is easy…the horse.  Horses have been my passion since I was a little boy.  I was brought up in Marsa and my relatives used to take me to the Marsa Race Track where I used to enjoy watching the races.  I also have horses of my own and in the past I used to go horse riding frequently. I still follow this sport.

What's your favourite type of foreign food? 

Spaghetti…especially carbonara

What is your favourite hobby?

Walking. When I have time I enjoy a one hour walk from Marsascala to St Thomas Bay.

What's your favourite season?

Spring

What's your favourite ice cream topping?

Hot Fudge

What's your favourite board game?

Monopoly

What is your favourite pizza?

Pizza ai Quattro formaggi

What is your favourite colour?

Blue as it is considered to be the colour of the sky and the sea, associated with open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, expansiveness, inspiration, and sensitivity. It also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, heaven, and intelligence. Blue is also associated with my favourite traditional Maltese feast that of Marija Regina of Marsa.

What is your favourite pasta dish?

Rigatoni with beef

What is your favourite cartoon show?

Holly e Benji.

 

What did you like to do most during the summer holidays?

Meeting friends, playing football in the streets of Marsa (Maria Regina Area) late at night when traffic was almost inexistent and most of all travelling abroad in July with my father who used to work as a long-distance driver.

What career did you see yourself in when you were young?

Lawyer, but changed my career to teaching for a number of reasons.

What is your best childhood memory?

Together with my grandmother, cousins and friends preparing for the feast of Maria Regina.

Did you learn how to ride a bike?

Yes with the help of my father. My father still has the first bicycle that I rode.

Who was your super hero?

My Grandmother, who died two years ago. Alone, she managed to take care of her 4 children and later on gave a helping hand in the parenting of four nephews and nieces. Till her last days she encouraged me to study, to respect and to help others. She has always been my source of inspiration and motivation.

Which toy do you wish to have kept?

A matchbox lorry

What subject did you excel in at school?

German, In Form 1 and Form 2 I was even given a special prize by the German Embassy in Malta for excelling in the subject.

What subject did you dislike the most in school?

Physics – I had a phobia when it came to this subject. 

Was there some family tradition that was never missed?

Attending the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Marsa Maria Regina Church.

What are the best values you owe to your parents?

The values of respect, helping others and that I should always keep my feet on the ground and not forget my roots. I come from a working class background, my father was a long distance driver and my mother used to work in a factory in Bulebel. They did their utmost to give me a good upbringing, to see me succeed in my studies, career and professional life.

 

What would you change about yourself if you could?

Pay less attention to what others say.

What really makes you angry?

The lack of gratitude by some people who you would have helped on different occasions.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Half full

Are you a sore loser?

Sometimes…it depends on the occasion and situation

What is your biggest regret?

Not having travelled and visited more countries when I was younger.

What’s the first thing you look for in a partner and/or friend?

Common values and respect

What is your greatest fear?

To die without seeing my loved ones for the last time

What is your life motto?

Believe and achieve.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Don’t lie to me, I am not stupid

What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?

A positive and encouraging message sent by a close friend.

 

If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you do or buy?

Giving money to charity, buying a big villa with pool and book a ticket to go to Hawaii.

If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?

Pope John Paul II, George Michael, Diego Maradona and Jean De La Valette .

If you could bring one person back from the dead who’d it be?

 

I think it would be my grandmother who influenced me throughout my life.

 

If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

2000 years ago, holy land in the times of Jesus Christ

If you could relive one moment in your life, which would it be?

The birth of my daughter Mariah.

If you could live anywhere outside Malta, where would it be?

Grosbois trotting training centre in Boissy St Leger on the outskirts of Paris. The centre is in the middle of a forest, surrounded by nature. 

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Salmon

If you could know the truth behind a secret or mystery, which would it be?

The truth behind the origins of COVID-19.

If you could eliminate one of the seven deadly sins, which one would it be?

Greed

If you had to be given a superpower, what would you choose?

To be invisible!

 

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Walk or swim?

Walk

Summer or winter?

Summer

Italy or England?

Italy

Restaurant or delivery?

Restaurant

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird

Fish or meat?

Fish

Mobile phone or TV?

Mobile phone

Black or white?

White

Film or TV series?

Film