For 10 years running, The Xara Collection has opened its doors for a night of art and generosity in aid of id-Dar Tal-Providenza, from its earliest editions at The Xara Palace to its now familiar home at The Xara Lodge.
This year marked a particularly special milestone: the 10th edition of this beloved event. Organised by the Zammit Tabona family together with the team at The Xara Collection, the evening was once again held under the distinguished patronage of His Lordship Mgr Joseph Galea Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop of Malta. All proceeds and donations collected throughout the evening went towards id-Dar Tal-Providenza.
On 15 July, guests marked this milestone year with welcome drinks and canapés crafted by Xara Catering, as they wandered through a magnificent art exhibition curated by Ms Wibke Seifert and Art catalogue sponsored by Seifert Systems. The exhibition features pieces from local artists, with a percentage of proceeds from every sale donated to the cause. Some artists, including Alex Attard, Tiffany Banner, Andrew Borg, Sarah Calleja, Simon Fenech, Ian Restall, Marcus Seifert and Kenneth Zammit Tabona, went above and beyond, generously donating 100% of their proceeds to Id-Dar Tal-Providenza.
The evening flowed into a seated dinner, where conversation and celebration shared the spotlight with the World Cup, which was screened throughout the night for football enthusiasts among the guests. Between lively discussions and attentive football watchers, guests donated generously, securing entries into a raffle featuring an impressive selection of prizes, including shopping vouchers, hotel stays, tours and a hand-knitted blanket made by Xara Collection owner Susan Zammit Tabona.
The evening's success rested on the generosity of its loyal sponsors, many of whom have supported the event since its very first edition: APS Bank, HSBC, MFSA, KPMG, VJ Salomone, Seifert Systems, RAICO, MUMN, WearWorks, Malta International Airport, BOV, The Mimici Foundation, EY, PwC, Halmann Vella, AP Valletta, BlueRock, Concept Stadium, GSD and JUGS. A special thank you also goes to those who generously donated raffle prizes and additional support, including Iniala, Hotel Orfila Relais Chateaux Madrid, ME Malta, EnricoTravel, Hotel Mistral St Julian's, The Notarial Archives, The Point Shopping Mall, Sicilia Outlet Village, The Creatives, Alistair Floral Design, Farsons, Charles Grech, Kontrada, MacBake, Frutti di Mare, Marsovin and Jimmy Vella Fruit and Veg Ltd.
None of this would have been possible without the people behind the scenes. The Xara Collection extends its sincere appreciation to its staff members who gave up their leave or their evening to ensure the event unfolded seamlessly, from the chefs in the kitchen to the hostesses on the floor and the operations team.
By the end of the night, an impressive €76,700 had been raised, once again surpassing the previous year's total, and marking tend years of unwavering generosity from the community.
Nicola Paris, Director of The Xara Collection, said: "Reaching the tenth year of this event is a milestone that fills us with immense pride. What began as a commitment to support Id-Dar Tal-Providenza has grown into a cherished annual tradition that brings together our community through generosity, hospitality and a shared desire to make a difference. This year's total of €76,700 is a remarkable achievement, and over the past ten years this initiative has now raised more than €400,000 for Id-Dar Tal-Providenza. More inspiring than the figures themselves is the unwavering support shown by our sponsors, artists, guests and team members. On behalf of The Xara Collection, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of this special evening and to the invaluable work carried out by Id-Dar Tal-Providenza every day."
The Xara Collection extends its gratitude to all those who played a role in the event's success and looks forward to continuing this tradition of giving in the years ahead.