So much seems to be happening in March, mostly on the culture side. One event follows another and we are left breathless trying not to miss anything, which is of course impossible.

Yesterday I had invitations to two events which I simply did not want to miss. I had accepted both. A handful of us were invited to lunch by Nicky Paris and Justin Zammit Tabona, directors of Xara Collection, a lunch at Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi, to celebrate International Women's Day.  

That evening there was Omaggio alla Callas: La sua Musica e le sue Parole at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, with soprano Antonella Orefice and pianist Neville Jason Fahy. Breathless at the end of the day but I managed both events and enjoyed both the lunch and the concert.

Last year, this lunch for International Women's Day was held at the French residence in Zebbug, in the gardens, on a beautiful spring day with plenty of warm sunshine. The French ambassador then was Agnes Von der Muhll. In August Her Excellency was replaced by H.E. Sandrine Lelong-Motta, who was invited to the lunch and offered the French residence at Zebbug for next year's lunch. Her last posting was in Morocco. We were all very pleased to meet her and welcome her to Malta.

Being at Id-Dar tal-Providenza was an eye opener for although it is very present in our lives many of us have never been there and are only vaguely familiar with what goes on.

During lunch I was sitting next to the Dar's Administrator, Nadine Camilleri Cassano. She pointed out that DTP is celebrating its 60th anniversary later this year. "We serve 115 residents who live in Siggiewi as well as in four community homes.  We provide a home and family-like environment for those persons who for one reason or another can no longer live with their family. They enjoy various activities such as music sessions, use of the pool and the multi-sensory room as well as outings to various activities in Gozo." How much does it cost to run such a home with all the members of staff and so on that are needed to run it efficiently? "Euros7.6 million annually," she replied. That, of course, is a huge amount of money.  They somehow manage to raise it but also believe that Divine Providence will help.... And it does.

I love being surrounded by good people and there is an endless amount of them at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

But to go back to the beginning. Ecabs sent me a most elegant Mercedes although I paid Economy as usual. Moreover I had a very interesting Maltese driver who happened to live in those parts and gave me a running commentary about the surrounding area, which, at this time of year, is green and full of wild flowers.

When we arrived Fr Martin Micallef was there to greet each of us. He is well known for his work at the helm of Dar and was recently appointed new Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia. I looked this word up and no, it is not a country. Find out for yourselves if you are interested.

Anyway, Nicky Paris was there to greet us in the yard full of sunshine. Our Prosecco or juice were constantly replenished and there were some delicious canapes.

I expect nothing but excellence from the Xara Collection team and the Zammit Tabonas. Their restaurant Rosami at the Villa, in St Julian's gained a Michelin star, de Mondion at the Xara Palace in Mdina, has kept its Michelin star and the Medina, their popular casual restaurant at the Xara Palace remains in the Michelin Guide, what an honour.

Before lunch was served most went to visit the premises. Extensive and well kept what I saw was impeccable. Lunch and we were greeted by a beautifully laid table with a yellow theme.  We were all presented with a yellow tulip.  L'Occitane, one of the sponsors left each of us a delicious yellow box full of bath samples, in a yellow gift bag,  

So, what did we eat you may wish to know. What can you expect of the Xara Collection if not excellent food, a little different and beautifully presented. We started with Chicken and Rossi Prawn Terrine, leek, butternut, micro greens and miso dressing. It all looked so pretty and I did not want to disturb the beautiful presentation but of course, being of a greedy disposition and because they looked so delicious I did and enjoyed every morsel.

Forbidden Black Rice Risotto was delicious... wild mushrooms, goat's cheese, artichoke.  I loved the name of the dish ... Forbidden or not I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then Pan Roasted Grouper, winter greens, potato cream, bacon and pea foam.

For me the star of the show was the Mascarpone and Bailey's Tiramisu. The perfect tiramisu as far as I am concerned. Far better than any I had ever made.

Nicky gave a short speech and said:"Lovely to have held a luncheon for such inspirational ladies, from all different fields to celebrate International Woman's Day.  The Dar tal-Providenza offer a home like environment for persons with disabilities and support for their families.  We all felt very privileged to have been hosted in this special home by Mons Martin Micallef and Nadine Cassar Camilleri."

Justin Zammit Tabona, one of the Directors of Xara Collection told me: "It was a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful job that Dar tal-Providenza and their team are doing... what so many of us don't know about ...and put one's life into perspective on how lucky and blessed so many of us are. It was a great honour to have hosted such wonderful women and share this experience." I don't know why I am wonderful, but who is quibbling. Thank you so much for inviting me.

I returned home with Francesca Fenech Conti, with whom I simply do not see eye to eye about abortion. If you say that you want human rights for all, why don't  you believe that babies, too, though unborn, are also entitled to human rights and therefore to live?
We did not discuss abortion in her car and anyway, what chance do I stand with a woman who is half my age and twice my size? Instead we enjoyed a laugh or two and discovered a few facts about each other now.

Allow me a favourite quote: "Ogni meditazione è vana, ogni sacrificio è inutile, ogni perfezione si trova bloccata, se la nostra anima non é bagnata e torturata dalle sofferenze degli uomini..."

Tikno Adjam, poeta sinto

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