AA NEWSPAPERnewspAper PROMOTING promoting INTEGRATION integrAtion AND And DIVERSITY diversity IN MALTA in mAltA nJanuaryovember 2014 2013 Malta’sKif naraw Documented lill-barrani TheLiving Maltese in Malta... Tenor

History In DangerMaltin jitħalltu bis-safar, studju u komunika- OnMaking Multiculturalism a difference zzjoni bl-internet, żwiġijiet mal-barranin qed joktru b’rata mgħaġġla. Jasen ogle It-tfal barranin f’pajjiżna ma jiġux biss side By side Damian OzOemena iriele bl-adozzjonijiet. Hawn mijiet ta’ tfal ċkejkin ta’ fattizzi, karnaġġjon u dehra ‘differenti’ Th e world-renowned Maltese tenor, They say that sometimes you meet your des- li naħseb iħobbu jinku daqs in-neputi żgħir Joseph Calleja, appointed as Maltese tiny on the road you take to avoid it. But whether tiegħi. Meta lanqas għad għalaq seba’ snin diġa’ Cultural Ambassador almost two years coming to Malta was my destiny or not, I intend ntebaħ li meta jaqbillu jista’ jgħid li hu Malti, ago, spreads the word about the Maltese to pursue with vigor whatever dreams I had as a meta jaqbillu jgħid li hu Ingliż. Naf fiċ-ċert li Islands wherever he goes. Side by Side child, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead. I la qatt se jkun tifel tipiku tar-raħal Malti imma asked him a few questions in a short in- have survived, I intend to succeed....by divine in- lanqas qatt m’hu se jħossu purament Ingliż. L- terview and here’s what he told us: tervention or sheer willpower. identità tiegħu se tibqa’ mfassla x’imkien bejn Side by Side (SBS): Is multiculturalism/ Armed with lots of ambition and dreams hemm u hawn. Bħalu fl-iskola ta’ San Pawl il- integration important to you? Why? of making it abroad, I left my country, Nige- Baħar issib tużżani ta’ tfal oħra: Missier Malti u Joseph Calleja (JC): Multiculturalism ria, prepared to take whatever the world omm Russa; missier Ġermaniż u omm Maltija; is important to everyone as it is happening threw at me. Yes, I have taken some beat- omm Niġerjana u missier Malti eċċ eċċ. Ta’ whether a society wants it or not. ing…. more psychological than physical. But min jgħid li din l-iskola hija post fejn jiltaqgħu Continued on Page 3 I haven’t been deterred by the© josephcallejadiscrimina- tfal ta’ aktar minn tletin nazzjonalità. Daqs tion, stereotype perceptions, sometimes hos- Dr Carmen sammut, sebgħin tifel u tifla minnhom waslu l-ewwel tile and negative attitudes of some local per- seniOr leCturer Fil-miDja darba fuq l-għatba tal-iskola la jafu jitkellmu sons and even foreigners, in the host country, Dakinhar li rċivejt ‘email’ biex niltaqgħu, Malti u lanqas Ingliż. Imma t-tfal jaqbdu tarf which, instead of rejecting, I have used posi- għedt bejni u bejn ruħi “dan barrani”. Ismu u malajr; fost iċ-ċkejknin din id-diversità tista’ Love & Foodtively so far in order to pursue my dreams. kunjomu jinstemgħu mill-Ewropa tal-Lvant. żżid is-seħer tat-tfulija u tintuża’ bħala riżors Page 4 X’ħin daħal l-uffiċċju deher li ma kellux xeħta edukattiv li jiswa’ mitqlu deheb. invited me for a ‘beach holiday’ in Gozo to tipika Maltija: bjond, għajnejh żoroq u twil. Iżda x’jiġri meta t-tfal joħorġu mill-iskola? sacha staPles Kellimtu bl-Ingliż. Weġibni bil-Malti. Kellimni Is-soċjetà tagħna kif tgħin lil min jasal fostna visit her retired parents. I had just fi nished my b’Malti perfett mingħajr ħjiel wieħed ta’ aċċent ħalli jintegra biex jasal ikun komdu jgħix incredibly demanding and challenging under- stanġier. Naħeb li kien iltaqa’ mar-reazzjoni hawn? Ironikamenet minkejja li llum huwa graduate degree, I quit my handful of part-time The Side by Sidejobs, and I had Survey left a long term relationship a tiegħi kemm-il darba. “Jien iben ġenituri Poll- tant faċli biex popli diversi jikkomunikaw u few months prior. I was young and free and akki© Jasen imma Ogle għext2014 hawn ħajti kollha u għalhekk jivvjaġġaw, hawn reżistenza għall-‘oħrajn’. ready to shed who I was and have an adventure. inħossni wieħed minnkom”. Waqt li aħna l-Maltin dejjem kellna l-fama li ta through legal channels from outside the FOtini matskani I spent three weeks under the hot July sun F’dinja li qegħda tiċkien, it-taħlit bejn in- aħna ospitabbli mal-barrani, fl-aħħar snin raj- Europeanin Gozo (the Union temperatures and is not that a refugeesummer or were an nazzjonalitajietGeorge Orwell m’għadux once said, ħaġa“Th erari. most Maltin eff ect- naTh tiżdied ere arefostna about biża’ 750,000 ta’ kulturi books oħra. in Hemmthe Na- Prior to commencing our project, SOS asylumon record). seeker. I was enchanted by the dusty island iveisiefru way uto barranin destroy people jiġu…uħud is to deny jibqgħu. and oblit-Falza tionalċerta reżistenza Library. Th għal ere wasla are bookstal-barranin in the fostnalibrary Malta conducted a survey to evaluate the and Theits quiet questionnaire solitude. I took was longdivided dips into in the three sea erate their own understanding of their history.” which have not been moved in over 200 years. hi l-impressjoni li ħafna barranin jiġu hawn forsi għaliex għad ma drajniex inkampaw current situation in Malta vis-à-vis integra- sections,at Xlendi one and general Hondoq section ir-Rummien; for all respond I drank- If he is correct, then prepare to be destroyed, as A complete catalogue of the library’s archives bottles of Cisk for pocket change; I ate too Malta’sjisirqulna written xogħlna, history jew is in li dangerjfittxu of ażil,being inkella lost. doesf’soċjetà not existli kull yet. ma jmur qegħda ssir aktar tion and cultural diversity. The survey was ents followed by a section for Maltese nation- għax pensjonanti. Il-verità hija li bosta jiġu kumplessa. Hemm min idarrsu l-aktar il-kulur conductedCourtesy of Sashathrough Staples an electronic survey in- alsmany and pastizzi another and for Thirdgorged Countrymyself onNationals. the de- Perched upon the towering shelves of Malta’s However, through the eff orts of the National licious food on off er. I learned how to make għall-imħabba. Għosfor iż-żmien ta’ meta kien Librarytal-ġilda and skura. New Biżżejjed Leaf - awieħed non-governmental jara l-kum- terface over the internet where respondents The survey was based on a blend of yes/ National Library, one can fi nd books covered I had never even heard of Malta and yet I Ħobż biż-Żejt and acquired a taste for the jingħad li “baqra tajba tinbiegħ pajjiżha”. Illum voluntarymenti fuq organisation‘Facebook’ jew- the fuq archives l-internet left biex be- were asked thirty-two (32) questions related no, open choice (OC) and multiple choice in holes which insects have tunnelled their way found myself on the island in the summer of my local tomato. I took many photographs, each hind by the Order of Saint John are being pre- through.wieħed minn Others kull are tliet stained żwiġijiet with f’Malta the sweat huwa of wieħed jintebah li hawn ansjetà liema bħalha. totwenty-fi their feelings ft h year. about I arrived interculturalism almost by accident and (MC)one reminding questions, me regardinghow far away the from personal home served, electronically catalogued, digitised and Malta’sma’ persuni humid barranin. climate Ħarsa and some lejn il-kunjomijiet would even Iżda ironikament huwa l-internet u l-midja the-- I wasintegration living in ofmy Third native countryCountry of Nationals Canada viewsI was; on how cultural diff erent diversity this andculture integration is from ofmy appear to crumble to dust if disturbed. fid-Direttorju malajr turik kemm it-taħlit biż- archived.soċjali li huma Continued l-akbar onmezz Page komunikattiv 6 in- (TCNs)and my inneighbour Malta. Forrelocated the purposes to London. of thisShe peopleown. Continued legally residing on Pagein Malta 9 who are non- żwieġ minn dejjem kien komuni; aktar mal- terpersonali bejn il-ġnus. Paġna 13 project, a TCN is a person who came to Mal- European citizens. Page 5

simshar: all Maltese Plants pgpg Will’s Friends pgpg Passion and pgpg Andrew“My name Chetcuti: Is pg a Fictional Tale Of Two 12 and animals are 13 Commitment 15 Karmenu, and 16 IntertwiningBe-Trade stories 3 Immigrants!Pay it Forward 12 InMixja Maltese Boxing 13 LifeI’m From in America Malta.” 14

General Programme Solidarity & Management of Migration Flows 2007-2013 european Fund for the integration of third-Country nationals (iF) project part-financed by the european Union Co-financing rate: 75% eU Funds: 25% Beneficiary’s Funds Sustainable Management of Migration Flows 2 January 2014 January 2014 3

2 November 2013

PromotingEditorial interculturalism through the media The Maltese Tenor Fear Of On Multiculturalism Diversity DearDear reader, Reader, of the EuropeanMaltese Union. culture. Today, with just underand 5% adapting of the popula to them.- Country You can Nationals read about (TCNs), is Ian hope example you enjoyof how reading the me- the second is- Through tionthis beingnewspaper, non-Maltese, SOS different Malta traditions,Malta’s lifestyleswritten heritageand dia oncan pages actively 6 promoteand 7, integrationsue of Side – by by celebrating Side and I cul urge- you to read WelcomeWelcome to to the the second first edition edition of of Side Side by Side,wants Malta’s to raise cultures awareness are fusingabout thewith different the Maltese andway theof life. island’s We can natural tural habitat diversity and for how a healthier it our society. last issue which will be published late Side by Side Continued from Page 1. Malta is a Prof. Arnold Cassola byfirst Side, newspaper Malta’s first promoting newspaper integration promoting and diversity.cultures thatnow are eatpresent specialties in Malta. from Sidearound by the migratedworld in traditional here on page 13.Enjoy You reading will thealso first issuein April. and follow us on Facebook prime example of multiple cultures fusing This project came to life following the hard work that restaurants as well as sample interesting blends such as the for updates. Do give us your feedback and suggestions on into one and I think anyone would struggle diversity and integration in Malta. SOS Side’s January issue offers you a myriad of find an interview with Rebecca Cremona, The fear of diversity in Malta is great. If MaltaSOS Malta is publishing has been doingthis newspaper since 1991. withSocial Solidarityarticles isincluding typical ‘sausageexperiences roll’ –of a blendvarious of German director sausage, of ‘Simshar’ French andwhat actress you would Clare like Agius to read about in the forthcoming edi- to find such diversity on such a small you are a migrant with a darker skin, the fear Thirdone of Countrythe four pillarsNationals SOS inMalta mind. focuses But on. ThirdFollowing Country pastry Nationals and Maltese who ingenuity. call Malta on page 12. tions in January 2014 and April 2014! footprint anywhere in the world. perception is even greater. But do we know whoa number are Third of projects Country involving Nationals? integration andtheir diversity, home such Aas surveyKevin andconducted Rama Krishnaprior to commencingSide by works Side on also features a number SBS: Do you talk about Maltese culture that Maltese people have been migrating for suchAccording as Media to Interact the European and Intercultural Commission’s Malta, SOSfrom Malta India, Laiqthis projectAhmed indicated Atif from that Pakistan at times, lackof ofopinion knowledge articles and featuring the topic of and traditions in the places you visit? centuries? Do we know, for example, that a definition,felt the need toThird produce Country this newspaper, Nationals and are todayas well we areas Canadianunderstanding Sacha Staples may lead who to sharesa sense of feardiversity which canand act integration as along with a The Editor JC: Maltese culture is not in imminent sizeable community of Maltese was certainly personsproud to presentwho are you not with citizens the first ofedition their of Sideher by journey Side. toa barrierfinding to love. appreciate diversity. Side bypage Side of wants useful to adinformation- The Editor on embassies, Bartek Romanczuk danger but we are losing a lot of our tra- living in the Sicilian town of Trapani during countryMalta’s of richresidence history inis anEurope excellent and example are of howIntegrating cul- dress in Malta these issuesmeans by familiarising informing and educatinghigh commissions, its readers. consulatesBartosz Romanczuk and local [email protected] the course of the fifteenth century? Whilst not Citizens of any other Member State yourself with local habits, food and culture organizations. www.sosmalta.org/sidebyside ditions. It pains me to see that so many tural diversity shapes a nation. The different rulers who This innovative pilot project initiative, co-funded [email protected] Maltese choose to scorn or look down one could justify a substantial number of reigned over this tiny archipelago left an imprint on the through the European Fund for the Integration of Third www.sosmalta.org on our ‘folklore’, often seen as the doings Maltese living in the capital Palermo or in of the “lower class” by those who should the Sicilian towns nearer to Malta, such as the ones on the eastern coast, like Ragusa, know much better. I, of course, promote Siracusa, Catania and Messina, how is it that Malta no end around the world but I guess inhabitants of Malta settled down in good Living Together In Diversity our trademark, for hundreds of years, has numbers in Trapani, which lies furthest Take action: Fight discrimination been our kindness and the fact that we are away from Malta, on the north-western tip good natured, positive people. This is the of Sicily? general perception by those who know ons equality,transforming NCPE worksculture to promoteto respect equal diversity. and dynamic. This creates acceptance, nCPMearia Theresa Portelli treatmentWe learn and alsofrom the people elimination who haveof dis -different contributes to reduce racism and challenge our islands. maria theresa POrtelli criminationexperiences, by raising beliefs awareness, and perspectives monitor- on life. stereotypes in societies. Therefore, we SBS: As the Maltese Cultural Ambassador, Racial and ethnic discrimination occur on ing nationalDiversity laws thus and enriches EU Directives, the educational imple- ex- should celebrate the differences and respect do you think your role can be conveyed a daily basis, hindering progress for millions mentingperience policies, and networking promotes withpersonal different growth and diversity. successfully through your music? How? a healthy society. of people around the world; from denying in- stakeholders, investigating complaints and JC: What my music does is create Diversity has the potential of strengthening dividuals the basic principles of equality and providing assistance to the general public. For more information contact the National awareness about Malta. Given our size a society because the influence from different Commission for the Promotion of Equality non-discrimination to fuelling ethnic hatred, What can I do if I, or other persons I and limited global importance, we need cultures with various beliefs and ideas gives (NCPE) on 2590 3850, [email protected] or that may lead to racism, intolerance and geno- know, experience discrimination on the ba- rise to a society which is more open-minded on Facebook. to take every opportunity for exposure cide, that destroy lives and communities. sis of race or ethnic origin? we can get. I have yet to meet a journalist, How can I identify that I am discrimi- You may want to deal with the situation tv or radio presenter who is not genuinely nated against on the basis of my race or eth- yourself by raising the issue directly with the interested in this small rocky island with nic origin? person or people involved or with a supervi- Diversity: 7000 years of history, its own language and Some Maltese might have escaped from Discrimination on the basis of race or eth- sor, manager or discrimination/harassment fully independent to boot. Malta in order to avoid paying debts in- nic origin occurs when a person is treated less contact officer.The variety If this ofdoes experiences not resolve and the political,perspectives economic which and arise social from life. differences in race, SBS: What have you learnt from being curred on our island. However, it is also favourably than another person in a similar issue, or youculture, do not religion, feel comfortable mental or doing physical abilities,You can heritage, address age, discrimination gender, sexual in orientation,a possible that, due to the long periods of situation because of his/her race or ethnic origin. this, you can lodge a complaint with NCPE. number of different ways: exposed to diverse cultures? scarcity and hunger that hit the Maltese is- gender identity and other characteristics. For example, it would be direct discrimination How can I file such a complaint? By seeking the advice of others in order JC: People are scared of what do they lands in the first half of the 15th century, the if a real estate agent refuses to rent a house to a It does not cost anything to file a com- to understand why discrimination may have not know or understand. Having said that, Maltese were attracted to Trapani, especially person because s/he is of a particular racial back- plaint with NCPE. Your complaint needs to taken place and how the system and struc- I don’t think the majority of the Maltese during the reign of Alphonse of Aragon ground or skin colour. It is also racial discrimina- be put in writing. NCPE has a Managcomplaintsing ture di canve rsbe changed;ity inv olves: are racists. Of course, there are weak ele- (1416-1448), because, thanks to its close ties tion when there is a rule or policy that is the same form on its website www.equality.gov.mt If behaviours or attitudes of others are ments in our society who have given in with Spain, it had become an important bee- SOS Malta’s for everyone but has an unfair effect on people of that you can• completeAcknowledging and send people’s to its offic differences;- discriminatory, promote change and high- to bigotry and xenophobia and it is up to hive of economic and commercial activity. SOS Malta’s a particular race, colour or ethnic origin. This is es. An NCPE’s• Recognising officer can differences also assist youas valuable;in light the benefits of inclusion and diversity. the rest of us to fight these phenomena by Honofrio from Malta was the first known Maltese migrant to Trapani in calledAn indirect environment discrimination. where Andifferent example racesof in- livecompleting • a Complaints’Preventing discriminationForm if you come and promotingPractice inclusioninclusiveness in all the spheres of © josephcalleja education, education and more education Aims and Activities 1418. On 14 October of that year, Julianus Aims and Activities directtogether discrimination changes theon theway basis you of raceview is whenyourself across any difficulties. Following receipt of a life including at work, and with friends and on both sides. de Missina, a resident of Trapani, sells SOS Malta is a registered Vol- aand company the world. says thatWhen employees you are must surrounded not wear bywritten Complaints’ Form, the case is inves- acquaintances, and give everyone the oppor- Honofrio, who was also living in Trapani, a untary Organisation, set up in 1991, hatspersons or other from headwear different at work, parts as thisof the is likely world to andtigated by NCPE. tunity to make their voice heard. SOS Malta is a registered three year old horse for the price of 16 tarì. which works with local and interna- havecoming an unfair from effect all walks on people of life, from you some realise racial/ that NCPE is bound by confidentiality and in Know the law and your rights and seek On his part, Honofrio promised to pay off Voluntary Organisation, set up in ethnicthe world backgrounds. is divided by subtle differencesthis respect cannot divulge any information the help of organisations which promote tional partners. A society without differences is hard to Continued from Page 2. Students are a walk-through history of the country, the whole sum within the month of June, 1991, which works with local and andHow you ambegin I covered to appreciating by Maltese the law? enormousto third partiesThere in relationnever towere, the ininvestigation. the world, twoequality, like NCPE. The organisation assists socially imagine; thus we should not consider heavily involved in the ‘Living Diversity’ food-tasting, music, henna, and sessions 1420. A few days after the first act of sale, international partners. diversityDiscrimination around you. on the basis of race/eth- Once an opinionsinvestigation alike, is concluded, no more thanthe Com two- hairs,Most importantly, take action, if you disadvantaged groups in improving these differences as an obstacle, but group, which implements the notion of on Arabic calligraphy and Arabic language. he entered into another commercial deal. The organisation assists nicRecognising origin is covered diversity by Chapter means 456 understand of the missioner- deliversor two an grains; opinion the on mostthe case. universal De- experience or witness a discriminatory situ- their quality of life by providing sup- should rather see them as an essential ‘experiential learning’ – learning by doing. The Kuwaiti display is an annual event or- This consisted in a métayage agreement (for socially disadvantaged groups Lawsing how of Malta, peoples’ Equality differences for Men andand Women similarit pending- on the outcome, the parties involved ation, contact responsible bodies such as port services and opportunities to im- quality is diversity. part of life. Students are asked to choose the themes they ganised by Kuwaiti students attending the cultivation of land) whereby Thomeno di in improving their quality of life ies can be mobilised for the benefit of themay be called upon for mediation in order to NCPE and seek advice. Act, and by Legal Notice 85/2007 – Equal want to discuss: the topics for this scholastic University of Malta. Magister Angelon, an inhabitant of Trapani plementby providing development support and change. services SOS individual and society as a whole. In society Treatment of Persons Order. These laws fos- consider proposalsMichel Eyquem for remedial de Montaigne action. (1533-92) year are fashion, art, music, food and religion, acting on behalf of his sister in law Preziosa, Maltaand opportunitiesalso encourages to advocacyimplement on today, diversity is beneficial because it gives Council of Europe, ter equality on the basis of race or ethnic What can I do to preventFrench essayistor combat dis- and through the activities, students can get to was giving in métayage, on a fifty-fifty basis behalfdevelopment of social causesand change. and promotes SOS people the chance to experience different ‘All different – All equal’ Education pack origin in employment, banks, financial insti- crimination? NCPE can be contacted on 2590 3850, know more about various traditions in other for two years, a vineyard situated in con- modelsMalta ofalso good encourages care and practice. advocacy aspects from what they are accustomed tutions as well as education and vocational Stopping discrimination is not always easy. [email protected] or on its Facebook trada Rachalgidi to Honofrio Maltensis. to. In fact, each person plays a key role in on SOSbehalf Malta of workssocial on causes four pillars and training; and in the provision of goods and Everyone has a role to play to help ensure that Page ‘National Commission for the During this month of October 1418, thatpromotes encompass models the above of good objectives. care services and their supply. people from diverse cultures and backgrounds Promotion of Equality’. Honofrio was taken up by intense busi- Theseand practice. are: Social Solidarity; Volunteer- Who can help me if I feel discriminated have the same opportunities to participate in During a visit to the Kuwaiti Celebrations at the ness activity, so much so that again a few ing;SOS Overseas Malta Development; works onand fourRe- against on the basis of race/ethnic origin? University of Malta, the students are admiring the days later, on 23 October 1418, together searchpillars and that Training. encompass the above The fight against discrimination on the Kuwaiti jewellery with his partner Andrea, he entered into objectives. These are: Social Within the pillar of Social Soli- basisExploring of race or ethnic origin is one Diversity of the Through Education another métayage transaction. This time it Solidarity; Volunteering; Overseas areas of priority for the National Commis- darity, SOS Malta implements pro- cultures. To give some practical examples, was the Trapanese citizen Raysio Nicolaus Development; and Research and sion for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE). when talking about India, the group set up Luchivello who gave to Honofrio and An- jects advocating for increased in- Training. NCPE envisages a society which is equal and an Indian wedding simulation: during this drea a vineyard situated in contrada Putei terculturalSide by Sideunderstanding falls under andthe Sothe- freeBartek from discrimination Romanczuk and champions in- celebration the bride and groom throw rice on métayage terms, together with the loan of introductioncial Solidarity and pillar. implementation Under this of clusiveness whereby everyone, irrespective “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can into the fire: a ritual which represents prosperity Last year we talked about Egypt and the students a sum of 31 tarì, which was to be given back measurespillar SOS which Malta contribute implements towards of their gender and family responsibilities, change the world.” in their new life. had the opportunity to cook and eat the Tamiya, during the following grape harvest. The typ- the two-way process of integration race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, re- Sometimes, guest speakers are invited to an popular snack in the Middle East made from ical insolia grape variety is mentioned as a projects advocating for increased chickpeas. andintercultural social inclusion understanding of migrants andliv- ligion or belief, and gender identity, is able to Malala Yousafzai hold sessions for the group. Members from produce of this vineyard. ingthe in introduction Malta. and implementa- achieve their full potential. the Japanese Association visited the school Honofrio was the first of at least 51 tion of measures which contribute In order to have a society which champi- last December and gave a lesson on Japanese Today, we need to be culturally-competent. Maltese working in Trapani in the first half of towards the two-wayContact process Details of Since I was a little kid I have al- the teachers, who shared a thorough origami – the traditional art of paper-folding. Learning a language can be a stepping stone the fifteenth century. These Maltese people, integrationSOS Malta,and social 10 Triq inclusion il-Ward, ways heard a particular phrase ad overview of how this small group that Students had the opportunity to work in teams to build bridges between different cultures. In six centuries ago, would have possibly been nauseam: “education brings about started last year is flourishing. Shirley of migrantsSanta living Venera, in Malta. SVR 1640 and create origami Christmas hollies. the image on the left, a student from China branded as ‘klandestini’, ‘immigranti il- Tel: +356 21244123 change”. And now that I am no longer speaks with passion about the group’s “What is ‘Taameya’?” Those coming from took the teaching role and showed her peers legali’ in today’s terminology. Yet, they a child, I was struck by the words of activity, which she and her colleagues, Chinese calligraphy. Students had the op- Email: [email protected] the Middle East/North Africa would instantly worked hard, integrated culturally and Malala Yousafzai, the well known Sarah Azzopardi and Doreen Muscat, give you an answer - it is a popular snack, also portunity to try out calligraphy using paint socially with the local people and even- Website: www.sosmalta.org Contact Details Pakistani schoolgirl and activist to carry out. known as ‘falafel’, made from chickpeas. The brushes and Chinese ink. tually became part and parcel of the local SOS Malta,Facebook: 10 Triq SOS il-Ward, Malta the rights of education, specifically The group began with the premise word itself means ‘nourishment.’ Students The ‘Living Diversity’ group is a beauti- Trapani population. SantaVoluntary Venera, Organisation SVR 1640 education for women and youths. of changing the mindset that be- had the opportunity to cook and eat this dish ful example of how education can be used Today, six centuries later, there are at RegistrationTel: +356 No. 21244123 VO/0033 With the quote above in mind, I ing different is wrong, with intent when they were talking about Egypt. The first- to widen knowledge of traditions brought least 90 families in Trapani whose name is Email: [email protected] thought of exploring what is happening to broaden others’ knowledge so as known appearance of the legume fritters was by different cultures. It also teaches us an Maltese or Di Malta. The original Maltese Website: www.sosmalta.org in the field of diversity and education to appreciate differences. “Children reported in Egypt. important lesson: in order to appreciate migrant has blended perfectly with the local Facebook: SOS Malta in Malta. St Thomas More College teach us important lessons in life – During the month of October the students talked During a visit to the Kuwaiti display at the diversity we need to move beyond seeing di- population. Voluntary Organisation came together to organise a group pro- they want to know and experience – about India. One of the activities included setting University of Malta, students forming part of verse cultures from a distance but to dive in Maybe we should look at these past Registration No. VO/0033 Last December the Japanese Association visited the school and moting diversity within the school. so we try to use that positively and up an Indian wedding. This image shows the bride the ‘Living Diversity’ group had the chance to and explore these cultures to expand our own models in order to appreciate the value of gave a lesson on Japanese Origami. The students worked in teams The organisation, ‘Living Diversity’ change fear into curiosity.” Shirley and groom who are throwing rice into the fire; a learn more about the Kuwaiti culture and ad- knowledge and recognize that there is no cul- migration today. and made two Origami Christmas Hollies is led by Shirley Galea Riani, one of told me. Continued on Page 3 ritual which represents prosperity in their new life. mire their jewellery. Activities also included ture which is superior to any other. 4 January 2014 January 2014 5

2 November 2013 Malta’s Leaders Have Their Say On Interculturalism NGOs Have Their Say On Interculturalism Promoting interculturalism through the media dipendentement minn kemm hu ekonomika- X’tip ta’ attivitajiet jistgħu jsiru biex jgħinu lil Qormi. Togħġobni ħafna Firenze bħala belt globe Albania, Peru, Tunisia, Ukraine, Ghana, government policy and action plan on in- mood: Vietnamese curry, Eritrean injera L-Eċċellenza Tiegħu Dott. Carla Camilleri ment żviluppat. Dan ifisser li pajjiżna kellu jibda persuni minn pajjiżi terzi biex jintegraw? kulturali bl-ikel bnin tagħha. the United States and so on. Whether we, as tegration of TCNs is needed, before one and spicy meat stew, Lebanese mèzes and George Abela, President jħares lejh innifsu b’mod differenti, fis-sens li Bla dubju li l-isfidi għal integrazzjoni akbar Messaġġ qasir għall-Maltin li qed jaqraw dan Dear Reader, Maltese, see theMaltese potential culture. of the Today, cultural with di -just canunder start 5% thinkingof the popula about- singularCountry activities Nationals (TCNs),Chinese is dim an example sums... ofNot how in theany me particular- jekk qabel konna nqisu lilna nfusna bħala ġeo- kienu u għadhom jinħassu ħafna f’pajjiżna, il-ġurnal / Messaġġ għall-persuni li ġejjin minn versity that exists is another thing, as many that could help. Without a solid foundation order of preference ! Aditus Foundation tion being non-Maltese, different traditions, lifestyles and dia can actively promote integration – by celebrating cul- tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta grafikament u sa ċertu punt ukoll soċjalment l-aktar meta d-diskors jaqa’ fuq l-immigranti pajjiżi terzi. studies show that minority communities in on which to work on and with activities Which foreign and local city is dearest to pajjiż maqtugħ mil-bqija tad-dinja, issa sibna irregolari. Hawn nemmen li xi wħud għadhom Lil ħutna Maltin u Għawdxin nawguralhom Welcome to the first edition of Side by Side,Malta Malta’sstill face cultures discrimination are fusing in with various the Maltese being way implemented of life. We canin isolation, tural diversityI fear that for a healthieryou? Why? society. rwieħna inter-konnessi permezz tax-xibka jibżgħu li din il-forma ta’ integrazzjoni tista’ is-saħħa, l-għaqda u d-dehen li jibżgħu għall- first newspaper promoting integration and diversity.spheres of life suchnow aseat employment, specialties from housing, around manythe world of the in benefits traditional will be short-termEnjoy reading and the firstI love issue Valletta, and follow the viewus on fromFacebook the upper ta’ komunikazzjoni li waslet f’pajjiżna wkoll, tkun ta’ theddida għall-kwalita’ ta’ ħajja li jgħixu! valuri sbieħ li għandna bħala poplu u li dejjem This project came to life following the hardeducation, work that healthcare restaurants as well as as well local as samplepolitical interesting lost in blendstime. such as the for updates. Do give Barrakkaus your feedback gardens and still suggestions remains one on of my kif ukoll it-taħlit ta’ żwieġijiet bejn Maltin Dan forsi huwa riżultat ta’ snin twal ta’ ħakmiet iddistingwewna. Lil dawk li ġejjin minn pajjiżi SOS Malta has been doing since 1991. Social Solidarityparticipation. is typical ‘sausage roll’ – a blend of GermanWhich sausage, Maltese French Heritage what is youmost would im- like favouriteto read about ones… in the the forthcoming buildings are edi -old and u barranin minn nazzjonalitajiet differenti. barranin li tawna idea x’aktarx protettiva ta’ kif terzi nixtieq ngħidilhom ma jibżgħux ikomplu one of the four pillars SOS Malta focuses on. FollowingHow important pastry is and interculturalism Maltese ingenuity. for portant for you? Why? tions in January 2014crumbly and April and 2014! no matter how many times Jien indur l-iskejjel kemm pubbliċi, privati u inħarsu lejna nfusna sal-punt li l-importazzjoni jintegraw fis-soċjeta’ u l-kultura tagħna. Il-fatt a number of projects involving integration andMalta? diversity, A survey conducted prior to commencingI am not whether works as on such it is “Maltese” or you’ve walked down any one street, you reliġjużi u nista’ nikkonferma kemm għandna ta’ ideat u kulturi ġodda fostna inftehemet bħala li ġejjin minn pajjiżi differenti għandu jgħin such as Media Interact and Intercultural Malta, SOS I would Malta say thisthat projectinterculturalism indicated andthat theat times, “Heritage”, lack of knowledge however andI think that the import- always find something new to look at... As numru kbir ta’ studenti ġejjin minn pajjiżi dif- sors t’allarm iżjed milli waħda ta’ opportunita’. biex tikber l-opportunita’ li naqsmu l-ideat u felt the need to produce this newspaper, and todayrecognition we are of theunderstanding benefits of may migration lead to aare sense ance of fear that which we still can tend act as to give to the family, my grandmother says: “in Valletta you have ferenti tad-dinja. Għalhekk għall-mistoqsija Għaldaqstant filwaqt li jien nevita li niġġener- noħorġu b’opportunitajiet ġodda li jgħinuna Whatproud doesto present interculturalism you with the mean first to edition you? of Sidethe bigby Side.challengesa barrier that Malta to appreciate will be facing diversity. in Sideincluding by Side extended wants to adfamily- Theand Editorfriends, is to walk looking up at the buildings”. Lon- tiegħek dwar kemm Malta hija pajjiż interkul- alizza, nipperferi nassoċja ċerta mġiba bħala nibnu l-preżent u l-ġejjieni ta’ uliedna aħjar I wouldMalta’s say richthat interculturalismhistory is an excellent means example the theof how years cul to- come,dress particularly these issues when by informing taking andwhat educating makes itsMalta readers. a good Bartoszplace to Romanczuklive in. don, is my favourite foreign city, as I lived turali, inwieġeb li hi skont il-pass li bih qed waħda prinċipalment immotivata minn biża’ minn dak li sibna aħna. ability to be aware of and to understand one’s into consideration the numbers I spoke about After that it must be imqaret… there for two years and it became my second tural diversity shapes a nation. The different rulers who This innovative pilot project initiative, co-funded [email protected] tinfetaħ għad-dinja u l-opportunitajiet li din minn dak li hu ġdid u sa ċertu punt ‘differenti’. X’messaġġ għandek għas-suċċessur tiegħek? own culture and the foreign culture and how earlier. This is of particular importance since According to a survey conducted for home. It is a melting pot of music, food, art, Xi jfisser l-interkulturaliżmu għalik? iġġib magħha. Liema hu l-iktar wirt Malti importanti għalik? Fi tmiem din il-Presidenza, il-messaġġ bothreigned effect over any interactionthis tiny archipelago between people left anbe imprintcultural on diversity the through in all sectors the European of life in FundMalta for thisthe Integrationproject, food of Thirdis an element www.sosmalta.org that unites politics, fashion and a lot of bustle! L-ewwelnett nixtieq nirringrazzjak ta’ din Kemm hu importanti l-interkulturaliżmu Għaliex? tiegħi lis-suċċessur tiegħi hu li jkun dejjem it at work, at university or socially, in enter- is an ever growing reality and the existence of - what is your favourite local and foreign Your short message for Maltese na- l-intervista fil-ħarġa tal-gażżetta tagħkom. f’pajjiżna? Għalija l-akbar wirt li għandu dan il-poplu qrib il-poplu u li jassigura li dejjem ikun il-vuċi tainment areas, on a bus etc... prejudices can have a profound long-term im- dish? Why? tionals and a short message for TCNs Huwa dejjem ta’ pjaċir kbir għalija naqsam Personalment inħoss li għal pajjiżna l-in- hija l-familja. Dan ngħidu b’mod partikolari fi anke siekta ta’ min hu bla vuċi u vulnerabbli. How intercultural do you think Malta is? pact on society itself. That’s a difficult question since I love living in Malta. mal-poplu ħsibijieti dwar temi importanti, u terkulturaliżmu jibqa’ fattur importanti ħafna, żmien meta qed isiru ħafna tibdiliet li jekk ma Matul il-ħames snin li ili fil-Presidenza kelli The total foreigner population in Malta has What activities can help Third Country Na- cooking and food, I would say imqaret with I would give them the same message: naħseb li f’dan il-każ b’mod partikolari. Għalija kemm għal għarfien akbar tas-sehem tagħna noqogħdux attenti jistgħu faċilment jeħduna x-xorti niltaqa’ direttament mas-saffi differenti increased from 11,999 in 2005 to 20,384 in tionals to integrate better? ice-cream (a bit of fusion there) as a local “Explore and enjoy the differences, have pa- l-interkulturaliżmu huwa l-ilsien komuni li bħala poplu attiv fuq livell internazzjonali lil hinn mis-sens ewlieni tal-valur propju ta’ tas-soċjeta’ tagħna u dan għeni nifhem aħjar 2011, with migrants hailing from all over the TakeI think that at this action: stage, a comprehensive Fightdish and for foreign discrimination food it depends on the tience and a meal together”. bih titħaddet id-dinja globalizzata tal-lum. u dak li jseħħ lilhinn minn xtutna, kif ukoll din ir-realta’ li sawret u nittama tibqa’ ssawwar id-dinamika ta’ kif qed jevolvi pajjiżna fit-tajjeb Mhemmx għalfejn wieħed imur ’il bogħod biex għalina bħala individwi li rridu niżviluppaw l-identita’ sħiħa tal-poplu tagħna. u l-ħażin tiegħu. Il-President jibqa’ l-gward- jifhem li bir-rivoluzzjoni li ġabu magħhom il- ons equality, NCPE works to promote equal ir-relazzjonijiet tagħna fi sfond ta’ soċjeta’ aktar Skont stħarriġ li sar f’dan il-proġett, l-ikel jan tal-Kostituzzjoni li min-naħa l-oħra hija nCPe mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni il-pajjiżi, il-popli inklussiva, tolleranti u lesta taqsam l-esperjenzi huwa wieħed mill-aktar fatturi li jgħaqqdu l-ogħla espressjoni tal-identita’ sħiħa tal- treatment and also the elimination of dis- recognizesmaria theresathe multifaceted POrtelli individual, for ghettoisation and social fragmentation: this is a born in Germany and spent my formative u l-kulturi tagħhom qorbu aktar lejn xulxin. tagħha ma’ ċirku akbar ta’ bnedmin. L-istorja n-nies - liema hu l-aktar platt favorit tiegħek fejn poplu tagħna. F’dan is-sens imorru flimkien Maria Pisani crimination by raising awareness, monitor- example, I may be a Maltese national with a lose - lose situation for all. years in England. My family and I returned to Huwa każ li tassew tgħid li sirna villaġġ globali. tal-poplu tagħna turina li kulmeta tħallatna jidħol l-ikel Malti/ikel barrani? il-fatt li l-President iżomm viċin tan-nies li MalteseRacial father, and ethnicand an discrimination American mother, occur ona ing nationalHow important laws and EUis interculturalismDirectives, imple for- Malta 27 years ago...so to a certain degree my Kemm taħseb li hija interkulturali Malta? ksibna ħafna esperjenza u sirna poplu b’iden- L-Għaġin il-forn u l-ħobż biż-żejt huma l-ik- jirrappreżenta fl-ogħla kariga kostituzzjon- Germana daily basis,husband, hindering a Muslim progress and for black millions and mentingMalta? policies, networking with different life experience has been determined by this Malta hija multikultrali u dejjem aktar qed tita’ iżjed għanja u kapaċi tiddistingwi ruħha liet favoriti tiegħi ali, filwaqt li jħares dawk il-valuri intrinsiċi li Integra Foundation withof people Maltese around children: the world;I cannot from fit denying into a neatin- stakeholders,Malta’s history investigating is based oncomplaints migration; and the colonial, and geopolitical reality - so I think it issir hekk. Norbot ma’ dak li għedt qabel, il-lum aktar. Dan inħoss li għandu jibqa’ jkun il-kejl li Liema hi l-iktar belt għal qalbek f’Malta/barra jagħmlu lil dan il-poplu wieħed dehen tal-wirt box,dividuals my identity the basic is hybridprinciples and of cannot equality be andpi- providinggeographical assistance position to of the the general islands, public. combined is this history of colonization, and Maltese mi- it-taħlit tal-popli m’huwiex għażla imma realta’ bih inkejlu l-progress li jagħmilna dak li aħna, minn Malta? Għaliex? li kiseb mingħand ta’ qablu u responsabbli ta’ geonholednon-discrimination and increasingly, to fuelling this ethnic is the hatred,reality withWhat 7000 can years I doof colonialismif I, or other is testimonypersons Ito gration that interests me more than anything li saret parti mit-tessut soċjali ta’ kull pajjiż, in- mhux tant dak li għandna imma dak li aħna. Naturalment inħoss raħal twelidi li hu Ħal- dak li se jħalli warajh fil-ġejjieni. ofthat many may Maltese lead to racism,nationals. intolerance As such, and intercul geno-- know,Malta’s experience experience discrimination as a hub of migration on the ba and- else, and how it has impacted national identity turalismcide, that recognizes destroy lives the andfluidity communities. and complexity sisintercultural of race or ethnic dialogue. origin? In an increasingly glob- and ‘Malteseness’. of eachHow and can every I identifyindividual that and I challengesam discrimi the- alizedYou world, may want migration to deal has with intensified the situation and tra - According to a survey conducted for this of different cultures. We have reached out, an activity, recognized by the Intercultural Dia- mine which I consider as a delicacy through The Prime Minister Of The essentialistnated against and onstatic the notion basis of myindividuals race or ethand- yourselfjectories by have raising diversified. the issue directlyMalta is withpart ofthe this project, food is an element that unites - what and given a welcoming home, to thousands logue Regional Championship Award, should the blend of spices, herbs, vegetables and fruit. global change. Interculturalism is important is your favourite local and foreign dish? Why? ethnicnic origin? groups. However, that said, we must also person or people involved or with a supervi- Republic Of Malta of foreign people. We have learnt from this act as a perfect example of events which can be With regards to my favourite city, this must be careful not to ignore or cast aside the power for every country: Malta is no exception. I love tea in a glass with tinned milk! It re- Discrimination on the basis of race or eth- sor, manager or discrimination/harassment experience and, together, progressed eco- organized to encourage citizens, particularly be the Italian capital. I consider Rome as structures that exist within society: structural What activities can help Third Country Na- minds me of my Nanna, and I love going to a contact officer. If this does not resolve the political, economic and social life. nomically, socially and culturally while from a young age, to set aside potential fears an amazing and exciting destination which inequalitiesnic origin occursin relations when to a age,person dis/ability, is treated class, less tionals to integrate better? Maltese każin and ordering ‘te’ ġo tazza u pas- safeguarding national interest. and reach across cultural boundaries. Malta celebrates culture and history with its beauti- gender,favourably ethnicity, than another‘race’, sexualperson identityin a similar and issue,Opportunities or you do notto givefeel voice,comfortable to get todoing know tizzi’You -can it something address Idiscrimination only do in Malta. in Anda I What activities can help Third Country has the potential to attract the most reputable ful architecture, panorama and art. legalsituation status, because amongst of his/her others, race remain, or ethnic pushing origin. this,the you‘other’, can to lodge embrace a complaint diversity, with to engageNCPE. in numberlove Asian of different food, particularly ways: dim sum - I enjoy Nationals to integrate better? people around the world. Their talents and Your short message for Maltese nationals and someFor example, individuals it would and groups be direct to thediscrimination margins of dialogueHow can - not I file only such to ‘celebratea complaint? diversity’ but theBy wayseeking the foodthe advice is served. of others in order A lot more can still be done. I believe educa- their ideas will be part of Malta’s success a short message for TCNs living in Malta: What does interculturalism mean to you? society.if a real Social estate exclusionagent refuses is detrimental to rent a house to these to a alsoIt todoes engage not incost difference anything and to filealso challengea com- to understand Which foreignwhy discrimination and local city may is dearest have to tion and communication are the crucial tools and identity. Their contributions will be a My message to the Maltese people is to keep The term ‘interculturalism’, as is the case individualsperson because and groups,s/he is of and a particular indeed Maltese racial back so-- plaintinequalities with NCPE. - this isn’t Your always complaint easy, but needs it’s about to takenyou? place Why? and how the system and struc- with ‘multiculturalism’ is a contested term. to break down stereotypes and foster more valuable investment in our country’s edu- in mind that Malta has an important role to play cietyground in general. or skin colour. It is also racial discrimina- beacknowledging put in writing. differences NCPE has and a creatingcomplaints spaces ture canI have be changed;a number of ‘favourite’ spots in Malta, respect and acceptance. Misunderstandings cation system, health sector, job generation in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. Different Whilst the term is not new, it has received tion How when intercultural there is a rule do or you policy think that Malta is the is? same formto agree on andits websitedisagree, www.equality.gov.mt to build trust, to de - butIf behaviours I think Lapsi or attitudesis probably of otherstop of aremy list can, and will, arise but I am confident of our and social services. regions and continents around us can offer ex- increasing interest over the past few years. forI believeeveryone Malta but hasis a an culturally unfair effect diverse on country,people of thatvelop you a sensecan complete of belonging, and sendand workto its towards offic- discriminatory,– it’s beautiful, promote and I also change have anda lot high of child- - ability to build more cooperative relationships According to a survey conducted for this periences, opportunities and innovations to our AsSOS I understand Malta’s the term, ‘interculturalism’ madea particular up of race,many colour different or ethnic ethnic origin. groups, This beis es.inclusive An NCPE’s communities. officer can also assist you in lighthood the benefitsmemories of inclusion- Lapsi was and a diversity.constant for with people of all races and ethnicities. project, food is an element that unites - what citizens. Therefore, open up to different cultures, refers to a process rather than a fixed reality. Which Maltese Heritage is most important me. Also iMdina, it’s quite special. Abroad? I theycalled Maltese indirect nationals discrimination. or migrants. An example On a day of into- completing a Complaints’ Form if you come Practice inclusion in all the spheres of I recall an initiative taken by the Senglea is your favourite local and foreign dish? Why? to those people becoming part of our nation in a ThisAims process andaims to beActivities dialogical in as much day level there is intercultural dialogue: at work, for you? Why? think Florence is a particularly beautiful city, local council back in 2008. EU funds were On a personal level, I would opt for the tra- legal manner. The foreigners already residing in as it aims to create spaces for individuals and direct discrimination on the basis of race is when acrossAll anyof it!difficulties. Malta has aFollowing fascinating receipt history, of a life butincluding I’m not at really work, a andcity withperson... friends Panajachel, and SOS Malta is a registered Vol- at school, on the bus, in the supermarket and so tapped to hold an intercultural dialogue with ditional bebbux bl-aljoli as my favourite local Malta can vouch that, when treated with respect, groups within society to interact, discuss, to on.a company However, says certain that individuals employees andmust groups not wear do writtenand I’m Complaints’ proud to be Form, Maltese. the caseThat is invessaid, - myacquaintances, Guatemala. and give everyone the oppor- What does interculturalism mean to you and refugees residing at the open centres, Maltese dish. The snails with aniseed gravy and red our people excel in warmly embracing different shareuntary different Organisation, and common set perspectivesup in 1991, and facehats exclusion or other headwear as a result at work,of discriminatory as this is likely at to- tigatedNannu by was NCPE. in the British army when Malta tunity Yourto make short their message voice heard.for Maltese nationals how important is it for Malta? professionals and foreign nationals living in garlic paste is synonymous with Malta’s cuisine cultures. So, my message to them would be to towhich work together. works withInterculturalism local and alsointerna reflects- titudes,have an stereotypes, unfair effect fear on andpeople racism from some- and racial/ this wasNCPE colonized is bound by the by British,confidentiality as a result, and I inam andKnow a short the lawmessage and foryour TCNs rights living and in seek Malta. Malta is capable of embracing different cul- Cottonera. The sessions involved children and mainstay in typical Maltese restaurants keep actively participating in the Maltese life a tionalshift away partners. from essentialised identities, and canethnic - and backgrounds. indeed already is - leading to isolation, thisMaltese, respect born cannot of Maltese divulge parents,any information but I was the helpMore of of organisationsa message for allwhich really: promote let’s talk. tures. History has proved this. For many years from the primary school and Junior Lyceum but also when dining at home. I must admit and contributing to future of this island, small The organisation assists socially How am I covered by Maltese law? to third parties in relation to the investigation. equality, like NCPE. we have built a succesful synergy with people participating in debates with refugees. Such that the Indian cuisine is another favourite of in size but large in aspiration. disadvantaged groups in improving Discrimination on the basis of race/eth- Once an investigation is concluded, the Com- Most importantly, take action, if you their quality of life by providing sup- nic origin is covered by Chapter 456 of the missioner According delivers to a an survey opinion conducted on the forcase. this De pro- -experience Your shortor witness message a discriminatoryfor Maltese nationals situ and- a Alba Cauchi Laws of Malta, Equality for Men and Women pendingject, food on is the an elementoutcome, that the unites parties - what involved is your ation,short contact message responsible for TCNs living bodies in Malta. such as port services and opportunities to im- tħaddan fiha studenti ġejjin minn 33 nazzjon- dwar il-mezzi prinċipali ta’ komunikazzjoni, ħxejjex, taħlit u ikel ieħor tipiku għax nemmen li Act, and by Legal Notice 85/2007 – Equal mayfavourite be called local upon and foreign for mediation dish? Why? in order to NCPEChange and seek is advice.beautiful, especially because it is Il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni Dr. plement development and change. SOS alità differenti. Nemmen li maż-żmien, is-soċjetà fosthom lingwi u għodda oħra, kif ukoll l-is- huwa ideali għal attivitajiet soċjali. Għalhekk in- Organisation for Friendship in DiversityTreatment (OFD)of Persons Order. These laws fos- considerToo many proposals to mention, for remedial depending action. on my mood challenging. Openness is a two way process. Simon Busuttil Maltija qed issir dejjem aktar interkulturali. Dan trutturi soċjali li bihom tiffunzjona l-komunità ħossni komdu ħafna kull meta nżur pajjiżi oħra Malta also encourages advocacy on ter equality on the basis of race or ethnic I eatWhat or cook can accordingly I do to prevent or combat dis- I believe that the concept of otherness we kemm minħabba influwenzi interni, bħar-relazz- li jgħixu fiha. B’hekk, kull min għandu d-dritt fil-Mediterran, bħaċ-Ċipru, Spanja u l-Greċja, behalf of social causes and promotes origin in employment, banks, financial insti- crimination?Which foreign and local city is dearest to you? NCPEoften can associate be contacted with interculturalism on 2590 3850, or mul- jonijiet li qegħdin niffurmaw ma’ xulxin fuq il-post jgħix f’pajjiżna jkun jista’ jagħmel dan b’mod għax l-ikel u l-ingredjenti favoriti tiegħi huma Why? ticulturalism is bridged and internalised, the models of good care and practice. resource,tutions asthe well encounter as education with the and other vocational needs to Stopping discrimination is not always easy. [email protected] or on its Facebook tax-xogħol u fuq livell soċjali, kif ukoll minħabba sħiħ. L-aktar mod effettiv għall-integrazzjoni komuni kullimkien fil-Mediterran. be harnessed with an open mind and be seen as Rome and St. Julian’s - they are my home away minute we identify in the differences we all SOS Malta works on four pillars training; and in the provision of goods and Everyone has a role to play to help ensure that Page ‘National Commission for the influwenzi esterni, bħall-impatt ta’ mezzi ta’ sħiħa tal-individwu hi permezz tas-sistema Liema hi l-iktar belt għal qalbek f’Malta/ a means of growing, strengthening and adding from home and my childhood home, places that have. We all must be open to building relation- komunikazzjoni ġodda u s-social media. Jiena edukattiva, kemm għal min qed jasal f’pa- barra minn Malta? Għaliex? that encompass the above objectives. valueservices to an and already their colourful supply. reality. peoplehave contributedfrom diverse to cultures making and and backgrounds shaping who I Promotionships, accepting of Equality’. diversity, valuing it, and living nħoss li hija l-ġenerazzjoni żagħżugħa li hi l-iktar jjiżna, kif ukoll għal tfal Maltin li jridu jħaddnu Hu diffiċli ħafna għalija li nagħżel belt These are: Social Solidarity; Volunteer- WhatWho activities can help can me help if I Thirdfeel discriminated Country Na- haveam today.the same opportunities to participate in it out as best we can. interkulturali fil-mod kif tilqa’ u tħares lejn kulturi l-prinċipji ta’ soċjetà interkulturali. jew raħal li nista nqisu bħala “favorit”, għax ing; Overseas Development; and Re- tionalsagainst to onintegrate the basis better? of race/ethnic origin? differenti. Naturalment, għad hemm ħafna xi jsir Liema hu l-iktar wirt Malti importanti għa- kull belt jew raħal f’pajjiżna għandu storja search and Training. ThisThe is alwaysfight anagainst interesting discrimination thing to evaluate, on the biex is-soċjetà tagħna ssir verament interkulturali, lik? U għaliex? x’jirrakkonta. Pero jekk ikolli nagħżel post Within the pillar of Social Soli- I’dbasis say ofboth race ad-hoc or ethnic events origin where is theone promo of the- u għalhekk nemmen li s-soċjetà tagħna tinsab fi Fl-opinjoni tiegħi l-aktar wirt Malti b’saħħtu u naħseb li nagħżel il-belt kapitali tagħna, il- tionareas of ofdiversity priority is forpurposeful, the National but also Commis rather- darity, SOS Malta implements pro- transizzjoni. importanti huwa l-kapaċità tagħna bħala nazz- Belt Valletta, li apparti l-istorja u l-arkitettura thansion activitiesfor the Promotion that are one of Equalityoff, opening (NCPE). and Kemm hu importanti l-interkulturaliżmu jon u anke bħala emigranti barra minn pajjiżna meraviljuża tagħha toffri wkoll lenti fuq l-istil jects advocating for increased in- re-evaluatingNCPE envisages the currenta society reality which to issee equal that andit is f’pajjiżna? tul is-snin li naddattaw għall-bidla. Il-fatt li ta’ ħajja varjata tagħna. Barra minn Malta, bla tercultural understanding and the trulyfree openfrom todiscrimination welcome differences and champions whether local in- Jiena nqisu bħala importanti ħafna, kemm Malta hi kollezzjoni ta’ gżejjer żgħar, influwen- dubju ta’ xejn, il-belt favorita tiegħi hija Pariġi What does interculturalism mean to you? Xi jfisser l-interkulturaliżmu għalik? introduction and implementation of orclusiveness foreign. The whereby truth is Ieveryone, believe that irrespective the key lies L-interkulturaliżmu jfisser li mhux biss għall-individwu kif ukoll għal pajjiżna. zata minn kulma jiġri madwarna, kebbset fina għaliex tixgħel bir-rikkezzi storiċi, artistiċi u The encounter with difference that moulds in an open society that caters for difference, full measures which contribute towards of their gender and family responsibilities, nittolleraw iżda li ngħożżu u li nitgħallmu Għandna ħafna x’nitgħallmu mill-esperjenzi l-għarfien li rridu nkunu flessibbli, ħabrieka, u kulturali tagħha. a reality into a new one that is stronger and stop, be it local, national, international, gender, mir-rikkezza tal-kulturi differenti li jinsabu differenti ta’ xulxin. Kuntrarju għal dak li kapaċi ndawwru l-isfidi f’opportunitajiet. Dan Messaġġ qasir għall-Maltin li qed jaqraw morethe colourfultwo-way oneprocess than theof previousintegration one: a differentrace or ethnicity, ability, opinion sexual etc. orientation, Integration age, comes re- fis-soċjetà tagħna. Illum il-ġurnata, is-soċjetà ġie li nisimgħu, il-kulturi differenti jsaħħu l-aspett ta’ dak li jagħmilna Maltin hu evidenti dan il-ġurnal u messaġġ għall-persuni ġejjin sourceand socialof learning, inclusion and aof key migrants for reflection, liv- fromligion a society or belief, that and is open gender and identity,willing to is embrace able to tagħna hi magħmula minn nies li ġejjin minn lis-soċjetà u l-identità tagħna u mhux idgħa- fl-istorja, kemm fiż-żmien meta użajna l-pożizz- minn pajjiżi terzi. primarilying in Malta. of who we are, as individuals and difference,achieve their therefore full potential. a paradigm shift is needed bosta kulturi differenti, b’ideat, stili ta’ ħajja jjfuha. Soċjetà li tintegra lil kulħadd u li ma joni ġeostrateġika ta’ pajjiżna biex żviluppajna Il-messaġġ tiegħi huwa l-istess kemm għall- as a community at large. acrossIn the order board. to have Obviously a society ad-hoc which efforts champi al-- u perċezzjonijiet li huma għalkollox differ- twarrab lill-ebda mill-membri tagħha hi industrija marittima b’saħħitha għal sekli twal, Maltin kif ukoll għal dawk li ġejjin minn pajjiżi How intercultural do youContact think Malta Details is? ways help those that appreciate the diversity and enti minn xulxin. Soċjetà interkulturali ma soċjetà b’saħħitha. Dan hu importanti mhux sa riċentement meta sirna membri sħaħ tal-Un- terzi: ilkoll għandna ħafna x’nitgħallmu minn Over the SOSyears Malta,Malta has 10 definitely Triq il-Ward, opened up commonalities are they through music, art, sport tħarisx lejn dawn il-kulturi differenti b’mod biss għaliex l-inklużjoni twassal għal tisħiħ u joni Ewropea. xulxin, u l-apprezzament tal-esperjenzi ta’ kull to a world of difference,Santa Venera, European SVR mobility 1640 has or shared history and shared values. passiv, iżda tagħtihom valur u tqishom bħala sense of belonging tal-individwu, iżda għax Skont stħarriġ li sar f’dan il-proġett, l-ikel wieħed u waħda minna jikkontribwixxi sabiex contributed to openingTel: our +356physical 21244123 borders and Which Maltese Heritage is most important mental frontiers. I think we are still in early stages importanti għall-progress u għall-iżvilupp ta’ twassal lis-soċjetà biex tkun aktar kreattiva, huwa wieħed mill-aktar fatturi li jgħaqqdu ikollna soċjetà aktar innovattiva, aktar konxja Email: [email protected] for you? dik l-istess soċjetà. ambizzjuża u innovattiva. n-nies – liema hu l-aktar platt favorit tiegħek ta’ dak li qed jiġri madwarna u għalhekk, but it is definitely a developing reality and an Our language, as it is the reflection of a people that Kemm taħseb li hija interkulturali Malta? X’tip ta’ attivitajiet jistgħu jsiru biex jgħinu fejn jidħol l-ikel Malti/ikel barrani? Għaliex? soċjetà aktar b’saħħitha. ongoing process.Website: www.sosmalta.org to a certain extent has always been open to growth, Mingħajr dubju s-soċjetà Maltija hija lil persuni minn pajjiżi terzi biex jintegraw? Jiena nqis ruħi Mediterranju għax jogħġobni How important Facebook:is interculturalism SOS forMalta Malta? change and outside influence, while still managing magħmula minn persuni minn ħafna kulturi Soċjetà interkulturali jrid ikollha istituzz- ħafna l-ħut, l-insalata biż-żejt taż-żebbuġ u Nixtieq nieħu din l-okkażjoni biex nawgura sena Extremely! I amVoluntary a firm believer Organisation in the power to reshape its identity over time. We are the product differenti. Sas-sena li għaddiet, pereżempju, jonijiet li jiffaċilitaw l-integrazzjoni, inkluż ħwawar oħra. Meta nkun mal-ħbieb inħobb ġdida mimlija risq u saħħa lill-editur, kontributuri of difference Registrationand complementarity. No. VO/0033 For a coun- of difference, colonial past, nationalism, trade, mi- l-iskola primarja ta’ San Pawl il-Baħar kienet strutturi li jgħinu biex individwu jsir jaf aktar nipprepara mezze, jiġifieri platti differenti bi u lill-qarrejja kollha ta’ Side by Side. try such as ours where people are its primary gration, exchange, links, and crossroads. 6 January 2014 January 2014 7

Malta’s Documented History In Danger - Volunteers Needed

Jasen Ogle

Continued from Page 1. The vast majority of the books and letters in the library were left by the Order “Unless you have an array of staff to record the Courtesy of the National Library of Malta of St John. After his passing, four fifths of a knight’s volumes of books available, it’s difficult to preserve possessions were left to the Order. Most of a knight’s them without volunteers,” added National Librarian possessions consisted of books and letters. One knight and CEO of Malta Libraries, Oliver Mamo. Books are left over 9,700 books to the Order. preserved by being taken apart and reconstructed. “It’s On average, 10 volunteers per week donate their like plastic surgery,” Oliver noted. time to the library. They clean books before they can Various machines are used in the preservation be preserved, catalogued and digitised; but more vo- process. Some of the machines required include wet and lunteers are needed. “Raising money is the easy part,” dry vacuums, light boxes, book suction tables, cold suc- said New Leaf Chairperson, Monique Chambers, tion tables, and conservation and cleaning machines. who has helped raise €50,000 through private and Funding is needed to purchase new machines and corporate donations. to train volunteers to clean books before they are sent for preservation. With current resources, Oliver estimates it will Unless you have an array of staff take 25 years to preserve and catalogue the library’s to record the volumes of books collection. “It’s not always about money, but about time,” Mo- available, it’s difficult to preserve nique said. An American volunteer came to Malta them without volunteers over the summer just to help preserve books. Continued on Page 7

Drawings by Giorgio Grognet Courtesy of the National Library of Malta

Damaged book Restored book

© Jasen Ogle 2014 © Jasen Ogle 2014

Courtesy of the National Library of Malta Courtesy of the National Library of Malta

Continued from Page 6. “It is excellent work experience which is Latin for cradle. Incunabula are considered to be the for students, historians, librarians and archivists,” she added. The National Library of Malta houses earliest printed books, dating back before 1501. The work is overwhelming, which is why volunteers are needed Amongst the Order’s collection are Ptolemy’s Cosmographia, urgently. an important collection because of the which contains an engraved map of the Mediterranean with “To volunteer, you need to be able to give up your phone holdings of the Order of Saint John. Malta at its centre. for a few hours, which can be therapeutic. You become ob- sessed with reading about history while you clean these Some of these books are not available The National Library provides a unique books,” Monique said. “It’s mind-blowing when you read outside of Malta letters of King Henry VIII,” she added. experience for visitors because these “Volunteering to dust the letters and books becomes very interesting when you come across letters of congratulations Preserving documents at the library is an ongoing process. historic books are currently on shelves from an ambassador or a monarch to another monarch after Over 53 archival collections from Malta were microfilmed ascension to a throne,” Oliver added. by the Malta Study Center of the Hill Museum and Manuscript in plain sight to the viewing public And for the inquisitive ones, the National Library has its Library in Collegeville, Minnesota between 1988 and 1999. own hidden rooms and secret passages that are used to get The Manuscript Library’s mission is to preserve endangered from one room to another. manuscripts and archives. Over the past 18 years Dr Theresa There are also two volumes of Plautus’ Comoedia, and Vann held the position known as the Joseph S Micallef Curator Quintilianus’ Institutiones Oratoriae, which were both left of the Malta Study Center. to the Order by Cardinal Joaquin Portocarrero, who died in It’s mind-blowing when you read Dr Vann is currently working with Maroma Camilleri, Rome in 1760. letters of King Henry VIII Senior Assistant Librarian at the National Library, to “Guillaume Caoursin’s well-known work Rhodiorum electronically catalogue the archives of the Knights. Historia belonged to Fra’ Sabba di Castiglione, another “The National Library of Malta houses an important collec- knight of the Order. Although his office is lined on all four sides with carved tion because of the holdings of the Order of Saint John. Some “The book bears Castiglione’s signature and an autograph wooden bookshelves stacked to the ceiling, Oliver’s office has of these books are not available outside of Malta,” Dr Vann said. note by the historiographer Fra’ Giacomo Bosio,” Maroma told a secret door; the location of which he has not shared with “I believe the rarest document in the Library is a Papal Bull Side By Side. Side by Side. “It’s good for hiding from meetings,” he joked. from 1113 approving the Hospital of Saint John in Jerusalem,” There is potential for the National Library to be opened up Descrittione di Malta, the first book on Maltese historiography Maroma added. The Pope’s subscription can still be faintly seen to tourism that could help raise funds for the preservation of published by Gian Francesco Abela, who was the Vice Chan- on the document. these priceless books. cellor of the Order and the father of Maltese historiography, was The variety of the library’s books and documents is testament “The National Library provides a unique experience for found in Oliver’s office. It is one of his favourite books in to how rare and precious the National Library’s collection is. visitors because these historic books are currently on shelves Digitization studio the library. The oldest document found in the library is a small piece in plain sight to the viewing public,” said Dr. Vann. Courtesy of the National Library of Malta “The preservation team takes care of the books as if they of papyrus with Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back to 300BC. In comparison, other libraries keep their oldest books be- © Jasen Ogle 2014 were their children. They love talking about them,” Oliver said. The Order’s collection includes 60 volumes of incunabula, hind vacuum-sealed glass out of the reach of visitors. 8 January 2014 January 2014 9

Wish For Others What You Wish For Yourself Love & Food laiQ ahmed atif sacha staPles

The Fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Mus- of Ahmadi Muslims, at our major events all Continued from Page 1. And then one and how he laughed, I remembered the shape lim Community very rightly describes the members of the Community, make a pledge evening, I met a man. I had seen him in Gozo of his smile. Now just fl ashes written upon my shortcomings of this opinion, highlights the and promise to give up their lives, wealth, at the festa of San Ġorġ and was immediately memory. Two weeks later I found myself on beauty of diversity, he says: time and honour not just for their religion drawn to him. I cannot describe it in any other another plane, fl ying the same path back to “This would be an attempt on par with but also for the sake of their nations and way except to say that it was electric, magnetic, that man. turning a bouquet of varied flowers, as if countries. To be integrated it is necessary to and incredibly surprising. I did not have the We spent seventeen days together: learning by some wizardry, into just one particular believe the country you live in is your own chance to speak to him -- he was on one side of about each other and about our cultures. I think flower. We understand from various so- and you must desire for it to succeed. This the pjazza and I was on the other -- but I knew, we intrigued each other -- we had diff erent opi- cieties and social systems and the societal is true integration. viscerally, that he was signifi cant. I do not know nions, diff erent infl uences, diff erent traditions evolution that each newcomer brings with if I believe in love at fi rst sight and I do not know and perspectives. We challenged each other in them distinct colours and fragrances. This love for all hatred for none if it was a ‘connection’, but that night, there was ways that we had not experienced in prior rela- happens in all countries and happens from a pulse beating from him directly into my heart. tionships: I am Canadian and he is Maltese. all sides. To erase the distinctiveness of the Th ankfully, destiny stepped in and I saw him He showed me the island and I saw it with outsider and declare the sole existence of Freedom of expression, freedom of faith, again in Malta one week later. Although Malta is fresh eyes, his eyes. He was the island’s am- just one ‘flower’ in the bouquet, be it a rose equality, justice, human dignity and equitable small and this may not seem notable, it is -- there bassador and I was the tentative explorer. We or jasmine or some other flower, but not to opportunities also play a vital role in the esta- were many factors that should have prevented us went for lunches and dinners, so much of what allow mutual existence in the bouquet is not blishment of tranquil and serene atmosphere. from being in the same place at the same time, we did revolved around food. Pizzas in small the correct way to create compromise and Mutual cooperation for the common and yet, we were. When I saw him I remember villages on the Southern tip, cappuccino’s and uniformity. This mode of action is contrary good, sharing and adopting all positive there was a shimmer around him, maybe from pastries in Sliema and St. Julian’s, forkfuls of Photo courtesy of Laiq Ahmed Atif to the natural societal evolution and nations aspects of each other, and joining hands the wine or perhaps from the magic of meeting Cassata Siciliana at seaside restaurants; fa- cannot gain from it in any way.” against every evil will also lead to a posi- one another again and for the fi rst time. mous pastizzi in Rabat. Food punctuated our Laiq Ahmed Atif However, the opposite scenario is also tive coexistence. Knowledge of each other’s A few days later I left Malta and returned to conversations and our courtship. And I started unrealistic and impracticable. When im- cultures, customs, traditions and local to learn and understand the prominent role of President Canada, but I knew I had left a part of myself Courtesy of Sasha Staples Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta migrants refuse to assimilate into the host language are also necessary to break the on that island. I remembered the way he moved food and eating within the Maltese community. culture and cling on to native languages barriers of misunderstanding, fear and Now, fi ve years later, I am living in Malta and traditions, they effectively create a isolation. All the people should show mu- permanently with my Maltese man and our Due to the ever-new modes of transpor- sub culture apart from the one in which tual respect and tolerance, and care for the daughter. Writing these words and remembe- wheat at home, but will occasionally treat hard, even impossible. What has always been a tation and means of communication avai- I believe that respect they live. This in turn creates difficulties sentiments and feelings of others. Their ta- ring how we met; it now feels surreal, like a himself when he is out. We agree that since unique and important part of our bi-national lable today, the world is now known as a for them and leads to isolation. lks and discussion should exhibit the true story spun from gold as opposed to the narra- we have cut down on wheat we have more relationship is our individual ability to explore, global village. In this global village human towards the law of the For a progressive, prosperous and tole- sense of community and words should be tive of my life. Although I still have pangs of energy and feel less bloated. We eat in soli- experiment, and adapt to each other’s diff erent immigration is becoming an increasing land, faithfulness and rant society, a very realistic and practica- selected very wisely. The rights of poor and homesickness, I feel peaceful and settled in the darity with our daughter who cannot have cultural position. We each bring something phenomenon worldwide. In almost every ble approach is highly essential. As far as needy, the rights of neighbours, the rights life we have made here in Malta. any wheat in her diet. We indulge in local, unique to the table, whether it is a new pers- part of the globe we find people of different loyalty with the adopted integration of Muslims into the Western of streets, the rights of the community Food continues to be an important part of seasonal vegetables fresh from the farmer. pective or a fresh and healthy meal. backgrounds, languages, colours, creeds, societies is concerned, it is also a two-way should all be honoured. our daily lives, but gone are the days when I We eat rice, quinoa, lentils, and sprouts in Who is Sacha Staples? nationalities and different religious beliefs country is a cornerstone process and both the immigrants and the Th e current Head of the Ahmadiyya Mus- indulged in pasta and pizza and Maltese bread abundance. Local and Italian poultry and Sacha Staples is originally from Toronto, Ca- living together. This diversity, on one side of effective integration locals have to play their positive and res- lim Community explains that: “Muslims with every meal. Since becoming a mother and meats from the butcher; and cheese from nada and has been living in Malta for the past makes our world colourful, charming, at- ponsible roles. have been taught that in order to integrate learning of my daughter’s food sensitivities to across Europe and beyond. fi ve years. Her experience as an expatriate in tractive and very lively, however, on the Both parties should try to live by the prin- with their local societies and develop mutual wheat and gluten, I have discovered a new way It is not always easy to change, it can be very Malta has inspired her to create a blog to chart other hand the world is facing some cha- countries, and it is true that under the in- ciple of give-and-take and show flexibility respect, they should seek to learn about all of to eat and enjoy food. Avoiding wheat while li- her new life in her adopted homeland. Malta llenges for the peaceful and harmonious fl uence of certain ignorant and extremist and benevolence for each other. Everyone the good aspects of every society, every re- ving in the Mediterranean -- where wheat is a Notebook is a lifestyle blog in the form of a coexistence of diverse human society. clerics, some Muslim individuals or groups should try his utmost to always put respon- gion, every city and every country. It is not staple of the diet -- may seem like an anomaly, I had never even heard of personal notebook that showcases her inter- Many countries have shown their con- have a very prejudicial and irrational attitude sibilities and obligations before his rights, enough to simply learn about such values, but I have learned that I am not the only one. est in culture, literature, art, design, fashion, cerns about the increasing immigration towards Western nations and non-Muslims. and should become the one who gives, and but Muslims must endeavour to adopt them Th ere is a small, but growing community of in- Malta and yet I found myself food, motherhood and travel. She is par- and in particular immigration of Muslims Th e truth is that this irrational attitude of not who always takes. As the Holy Prophet into their own personal lives. Th is is guidan- dividuals on the island who are changing the on the island in the summer ticularly interested in her role as foreigner into the Western societies. Questions are theirs has nothing to do whatsoever with the Muhammad, peace be upon him, advised ce that truly inculcates togetherness and a Courtesy of Sasha Staples way that they eat. within the close-knit island community and being raised that is it possible for Muslims true teachings of Islam and practices of the that “the upper hand (of the donor) is better spirit of mutual trust and love.” My parter has adopted my alternative of my twenty-fi fth year how this unique position aff ords new perspec- to remain loyal to their faith and with their Holy Prophet Muhammad. Islam has presen- than the lower hand (of the receiver).” Better integration also requires that im- cooking practices – he does not eat any tives on Maltese life and customs. adopted countries? Can Muslims become ted such luminous and realistic principles that I believe that respect towards the law of migrants must enter with a willingness to part of the Western societies? their implementation can create integration the land, faithfulness and loyalty with the integrate with the local people, whilst the Once immigrants have settled in a new between diverse groups in the real sense. adopted country is a cornerstone of effec- locals should be ready to open their hearts country, what should be expected of them Before I come to the point of integration tive integration. The Holy Prophet Muham- and display tolerance, open-mindedness and in terms of their degree of integration with of Muslims, it is appropriate to point out two mad particularly emphasised that love for forbearance. Th ey all should try to truly live Moroccan government Honours their hosts? This is an issue becoming very main opposite opinions as far as integration one’s nation is a part of faith for any true by these two golden principles that “wish for debatable and there is a crucial need to bring is concerned. There are some who want im- Muslim. When loving your country is a others what you wish for yourself” and “love out the realistic solutions for the better and migrants to become a complete part of their basic element of Islam, how can any true for all, hatred for none,” because these are the progressive integration of immigrants. new culture, even if this means abandoning Muslim exhibit disloyalty or betray his na- essence and golden principles for a harmo- Moroccan Community Leader In Malta I understand the concerns of the Western their customs, language and traditions. tion and thereby forgo his faith? In terms nious and peaceful integration.

Bartek romanczuk

Around 1000 people in Malta add a touch who were present for the event, shared their very is ready to assist the community in any issues of Morocco to the rainbow of diff erent cultu- positive experiences of working alongside Ms. encountered. Mr Abdesselam Bouhadi of the We Were Different res present on our islands. Seventy Moroccans Borg. Mr Yahia Sghiri, the Counsillor of the Mi- RNI party in Morocco and the President of the became Maltese since 2008. nister in charge of Moroccans living abroad and Moroccan Community in Italy, Mr Abdallah Th is community is held together by one Mr Hatim Amrani, who is the Head of Cultural Khezraji were also present. Th ey listened to the Activities in the Directorate of Cultural Action concerns of the Moroccans who attended and on how they are coping in their new home. Th e Fine, I had a funny accent according to them, person, Ms. Dounia Borg, President of the shazia khan darmanin and Social Ministry in Morocco, were also pre- off ered their feedback and support. majority of the time they are not from the same but seriously, bully me? I took care of that with Moroccan Community in Malta, who was For years I thought sent for the event. Ms. Borg was described as an country. Th e things that bring them together a good left hand. appointed Coordinator of the Moroccan Na- energetic person who works hard to achieve her FACTS ABOUT MOROCCO Photo courtesy of Shazia Khan Darmanin are the experiences they have in common, the I was Maltese However, my parents did what they always tional Rally of Independents party (RNI) in goals for the community. Anyone who attends O cial name:  e Kingdom of Morocco diff erent cultures they bring on the table and did. We were plucked yet again and moved back Malta on Friday 13th December 2013. a Moroccan or a multicultural event where Location: North West Africa the most common thing they share that lingers to Malta, but things were diff erent now. I knew During the appointment event, Mr Paul Ms.Borg is present can testify to this. Size: 446,550 km2 unspoken, gathering at the helms… Fear! A pal- parents needed a break from me and my little who I was and I was scared. You see, fear reveals Dalli, a friend and consultant, Mr Martin Mr Mohamed Basry, General Consul of the Population: Over 32 million pable fear that is present when one moves to a brother. I did what every normal kid in Malta the blemishes and bad habits. Slowly I would Chetcuti, Qawra Aċċess Centre Manager, along © Jasen Ogle 2014 Kingdom of Morocco in Rome stated that he Capital City: Rabat new country and needs to get to know the ‘dos did. I was happy. remember why I had to speak three languages with a number of other distinguished guests and don’ts’. Th is is a choice they make to change, However, at the tender age of eight my world a day, why whenever we had gone shopping in evolve, experience the magic of life lessons along was uprooted. My parents decided, once again, Valletta a total stranger would stare at my dad. I with it’ll-be-funny-later humiliations. without consulting me or my brother to move thought it was because he worked as a doctor at It was slightly diff erent for me. I did not have a back to Pakistan. You see, that is where we the emergency department, but I would remem- Traditional Moroccan Bread choice. I was plucked out of my mother’s womb originally came from… I did not know. I was ber the puzzled looks. I would remember why and unbeknownst to me I was brought to sunny shocked out of my wits. I could not believe it. people at the shop would automatically speak in Ingredients: 1. For the yeast preparation, place the and shape into a fl attened round shape. Place brown colour is achieved. The ready loa- Malta at the tender age of 3 months. Granted, I It was a totally diff erent world. Th ere were so English when we could speak Maltese (except 150ml lukewarm milk and water mixture in on fl oured baking trays and fl atten further to ves should sound hollow when tapped could not formulate a sentence, but for years I many people. To pray they would go on their for my mum). Or why we had so many more 275g white bread fl our 175g wholemeal fl our a recipient, add the sugar and stir to dissol- produce circles of about 15cm in diameter. from below. thought I was Maltese. Yes, we spoke a diff erent knees and bow. Oh, I did not even know I was foreign friends than local. We were diff erent. I ve. Add the yeast then stir and put aside in language at home. From my part it was broken: Muslim! Th at was a revelation. suddenly felt out of place in Malta and in Pa- 2tbs salt 4. Cover the dough with oiled clear wrapping 250ml mixed warm milk and water a warm place for about 10 minutes until the fragments of three to four diff erent languages in It was diffi cult. I could not speak Urdu pro- kistan. But for me Malta is and always will be mixture bubbles up. fi lm and place in a warm place for 1-1.5hrs. one sentence. Only the wise could understand perly (one of the offi cial languages), so I ended home. It is a love and hate relationship really. 2tbs of sesame seeds Allow the dough to raise and when it springs Shazia has a background in industrial design, me: of course English or Maltese to people out- up speaking mostly English. I dearly missed I never gave into people’s perception of 2. In a separate large bowl, add the 275g and back if pressed. Only then, it is ready to bake. drama and communications. She now pursues a Yeast preparation 175g of fl our and salt. Add the yeast mixture side the family. I was hanging out with neigh- my friends, the beach and my nanny. I really me. Instead, I let it teach me how to handle 5. Preheat the oven to 200oC or gas mark 6 career in TV production and writing. and warm milk and water until dough beco- bourhood kids. I went to school, catechism, missed a lot of things, but then the nightmare diffi cult situations. I felt I could switch from 150ml mixed warm milk and water Sprinkle the dough with sesame seeds and mes fairly soft . Knead into a ball and knead parties, picnics, fi shing, every other Saturday the slowly eased. I got to know my cousins, went one culture to another swift ly. Now I think of 1tbs of granulated sugar bake for 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to again on a fl oured surface for 10 minutes. A steadfast feature of people living overseas is children’s cinema day at Alhambra in Sliema, to school and ate like a pig. I was also bullied at it as a positive experience that still continues 2tbs of dried yeast 150oC or gas mark 2, and continue baking that they huddle together at cafés, bars or restau- watching cartoons in Italian and had a nanny school for being diff erent, which honestly made to infl uence my life like a magical passport to 3. Divide the dough into two equal parts for a further 20-30 minutes until a golden- rants and relate not just about their past but also who would take me on long walks when my no sense, because I looked exactly like them. a global citizenship. November 2013 11 Crossword

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DOWN ACROSS 8 9 10 1. The coming together of people from different eth- 1. Communication among people of different origins nic backgrounds (6, 11) (4, 9) 2. Civilization (7) 8. Travel permits (7) 11 12 13 3. Bring up (4) 11. Becoming the spouse of a foreigner (13) 4. At a distance (4) 13. Winged creature living in heaven (5) 5. Going to another country to live over there (11) 10 14. Opposite of imaginary11 (4) January 2014 January14 201415 16 6. Tension (6) 16. Vast (5, 5) 17 7. A place for shelter for those in danger because of 17. Notion or theory (4) their beliefs (6) 18 19 20 18. _ _ _ and drink! (3) 9. Personality (9) 21. Something which is not the same (10) 21 22 10. Large bird of prey, adopted as the symbol of 23. Clothing (4) the US (5) Wordsearch Sudoku 25. Lands belonging to a mother country (7) Useful Bodies For TCNs 12. With a mix of people from different lands (5, 6 ) 29. Member of Germanic people who conquered parts 23 24 25 26 27 15. Someone who works for a wage or salary (6) R A D Y O F R T V A D Y R O F C J G COMMUNICATION of England in 500-600 AD (5) 28 16. To tell a fib (3) C S B I D B X C Z F L D N H T V N L CULTURE19. After Christ (2) 4 9 830. A3 man-eating giant or terrifying person (4) Embassies - Consulates - High Commissions F E S C V29 P I O N H E R I T A G 30E N 31. Short for telephone number (3) FOOD 20. People who are unfairly blamed (10) A S O U E C B M Y B G S X F H P O J 32. Either..._ _ (2) 31 22. Liberty (7) 3 6 Y I P C O K F M T R A C E C F I E N FRIENDS24.HIP A person of British or Northern European origins (5) 34. A settler in a foreign country (9) Office Address Telephone Office Address Telephone 32 33 34 35 U D U C N E D U W N U V S U T H D B GLOBALISATION 37. Opposite of ‘off’ (2) Malaysia 78 Villa Amodeo, Eucharistic Congress Road Mosta 2142 2704 26. A circus entertainer who trains8 wild cats (4, 5) 5 Albania 76 Gwardamangia Hill, Gwardamangia PTA 1314 2724 6597 I E N O I T A N O E G W C A E S X C 38. 1066 and all that! (6) 36 37 HERITAGE27. Who a person is (8) Austria 143 Palazzo Marina St. Christopher Street, Valletta VLT 1465 2201 5110 Mali 16 Triq il-Mediterran San Gwann SGN 1871 2138 7010 V Q C F S T E I T Y N R S T I D B F 39. People sheltering from persecution (8) 38 39 40 28. Of Scandinavian origin, a long time ago! (6) Bangladesh Delf Buildings Sliema Road, Gzira GZR 1637 2134 5005 Mexico 150 St. Lucia Street Valletta VLT 1185 2123 0680 M O U S V H G C D J A I G U T N H E INTEGRATIO33. NJulius Caesar, for example!1 (5) 8 41. To mix 7with other races (9) P J L Y K I N A S G L I F R W E G W Belarus 293 Republic Street Valleta 2122 0200 Monaco Notabile Road Mriehel BKR 3000 2144 8466 LANGUAG35.E Feel deep regret for a lost thing or dead person (5) 42. A person’s essential qualities or character (6) Q K T U L D Q T Q A D B R Y C I D C Belgium 18A/3 M.A. Vassalli Street, Valletta VLT1311 2123 0893 Montenegro 1 Kaxxetta Building, Triq ir-Rand Attard ATD 1300 2143 6349 41 42 36. To be greatly and visibly worried3 (4) 1 E F U E F F X I B E R C T J Z R G Z NATIONS The Malta Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Morocco 12 St. Christopher Street Valletta VLT 1468 2205 8000 40. European Currency Unit (3) Solutions in the next edition X D R X C R F O O D U X U G H F F H RACE Botswana Industry, 2123 3873 Namibia 300 Republic Street Valletta VLT 1110 2122 5459 5 2 4 The Exchange, Republic Street Valletta R T E H G G L N O I T A R G E T N I New Zealand Villa Hampstead, Oliver Agius Street Attard ATD 3102 2143 5025 RELIGION Brazil 402, Main Street, Qormi QRM 1101 2158 5802 A C I O Y G H O K H S X C N U H E R Capital Business Centre San Gwann Industrial Estate, Norway 2144 8466 kellimni.com... 9 6 Bulgaria 9 Britannia House Level 2, Old Bakery Street Valletta VLT 1450 2125 5265 Triq Taz-Zwejt San Gwann SGN 3000 Answers to November Crossword Diary of events Canada 103 Archbishop Street 2552 0000 Panama 147/5 St. Lucia Street Valletta VLT 1185 2124 4784 Across: 1. Racerelations 8. Tickets 11. Intermarriage. 13. Angel 14. Real 16. Largescale 17. Idea 18. eat 21. Differ- encethe 23. Gear online 25. Colonies 29. platform Saxon 30. Ogre 31. Tel for32. Or 34. YOUth Immigrant 37. On 38. Norman 39. Refugees 41. 4 8 Colombia 11 Censu Borg Street Hamrun HMR 1163 2124 3238 Cassar Shipt Repair LTD, Slipway 6, Marsa Cross Pakistan 2124 4500 Integrate 42. Nature 29th November: True Talk - Story-in-Business Sem- 14th December: MET Opera - Falstaff Verdi @St. Sky Apartments, Block B Flat 2, Marina Street Pieta Street Marsa MRS 1549 Down: Racialintegration 2. Culture 3. Rear 4. Afar 5. Immigration 6. Stress 7. Asylum 9. Character 10. Eagle 12. Chile 2125 1411 inar by Robert McKee @ MCC, Valletta James Cavalier PTA 9042 Peru 50 Triq it-Tlet Knejjes Balzan BZN 1303 2144 5504 Multiracial 15. Earner 16. Lie 19. AD 20. Scapegoatsto 22. youth Freedom and 24. provide Anglo 26. assistance. Liontamer 27. Identity 28. Viking 2 1 4 7 33. Roman 35. Mourn 36. Fret 40. Ecu 30th Nov - 1st Dec: Malta Comic Con 18th December: Parsifal - Live from the Royal Opera Regional Business Centre, Level 2 University Heights, We encourage you to express Cyprus 2777 2777 Poland 60 South Street Valletta VLT 1103 2124 4306 Events to be held in December 2013 House (MUSIC) @ Eden Cinemas, St. Julians Achille Ferris Street Msida MSD 1451 your concerns and talk about Level 1, Suite 5 Tower Business Centre, Tower Street 1st December: Patches Market (arts & crafts market) @ 25th December: Christmas Day Portugal 2549 6000 the issues directly affecting you. Czech Republic 7 Pjazza Celsi, Naxxar NXR 2013 2141 3893 Swatar BKR 4013 Pinto Wharf, Valletta 27th December: Sleeping Beauty - Live from the You are not alone, there is some- Ecuador 7 St Chrisopher Street, Valletta VLT 1468 2125 1196 Romania 60 South Street Valletta VLT 1103 2123 2111 1st December: Britten on Film: ‘At the G.P.O. and Bolshoi Theatre (DANCE) @ Eden Cinemas, St. Julians one who cares about you, and Estonia 50A Amery Street Sliema SLM 1703 2137 8888 kellimni.com Diary Of Events San Marino 2 St. Ubaldesca Street Paola PLA 1401 2167 4956 Beyond’ @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta 29th December: In Guardia Parade > Military re- cares that your life can be free 1st December: Nt Live presents The Habit of Art enactment @ Birgu Finland 63/64 Gaham Street Sliema SLM 1711 2134 3790 Serbia 274 Main Street Mosta MST 1017 2143 5304 from pain and fear.” (Encore) @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta Events to be held in January 2014 Honduras 98 Old Bakery Street Valleta VLT 1458 2125 1873 Seychelles Villa Venezia, Ta’ Xbiex Terrace Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1035 2132 4100 These services seek to reach Events to be held in February 2014 ĦELWA) @ Melita Street, Valletta 8th December: Feast of the Immaculate Conception15th March: Malta 1st International January: Judo New Open Year’s @ Day > Public Holiday Hungary 54 Regent House, Bisazza Street Sliema 2732 0963 Sierra Leone 99 St. Anthony, Lanzon Street Tarxien TXN 1811 2166 3208 out to young people who are de- > Public Holiday Cottonera Sports Complex9th January: Public lecture by Professor Robert Iceland Continental Cars LTD, Princess Margaret Street Msida MSD 2347 6343 Slovakia 120 St Ursula Street Valletta VLT 1236 2132 2531 nied or stripped of their rights 1st – 10th February: Valletta International Pi- ano12th Festival December: Public Lecture by Martin15th, Morana 22nd March: - Ghirlando: Met Opera >‘Industrial Werther – Heritage in Malta’ (Month- India 67 Canon Road, Santa Venera SVR 9037 2122 2346 – particularly young persons’ Massenet @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta Slovenia 84 Villa Ika, Good Shepherd Avenue Balzan BZN 1622 2144 1063 2nd‘Bejn February: Kliem Lostu Storja’, Illusions a study– Live linkingfrom the Maltese words ly lectures by DIN L-ART ĦELWA) @ Melita Have you ever had something experiencing abuse or neglect, 16th March: Alarme – Military re-enactment @ Indonesia 21/22 St. Barbara Bastion Valletta VLT 1961 2299 5111 South Africa 14 Lighters Wharf, Grand Harbour Menqa Marsa MRS 1442 2122 7101 Bolshoiwith the Theatre island’s (DANCE) history @ (MonthlyEden Cinemas, lectures by DIN Street, Valletta that you needed to discuss with differently-abled youths; youths St. Julians Vittoriosa (Birgu) Waterfront Japan 38 Sir Luigi Preziozi Square Floriana FRN 1154 2123 6703 Swaziland 12/9 Vincenti Buildings, Strait Street Valletta VLT 1432 2137 1032 L-ART ĦELWA) @ Melita Street, Valletta 10th - 26th January: Valletta International Baroque someone but you could not? Is whose families are in crisis; ado- 4th February: Lecture by Dr Aaron Micallef – 19th March: Feast of St. Joseph – a Public Hol- 12th December: The Nutcracker - Live fromiday the and Royala Religious festival Feast –@ celebrated Manoel Theatrein the Jordan 389 St. Joseph High Road Hamrun SVR 1015 2144 1463 Sweden 19 Zachary Street Valletta VLT 1133 2569 1790 there something that is troubling lescents who are bullied by their ‘Underwater Landscapes’ (Monthly lectures by DINOpera L-ART House ĦELWA) (DANCE) @ Melita @ Street,Eden VallettaCinemas, townSt. Julians of Rabat. 19th January: Jewels - Live from the Bolshoi Theatre @ Kazakhstan Block D1 Flat 8, Housing Estate, Ta’ Xbiex 9947 1309 Switzerland 6 Zachary Street Valletta VLT 1131 2124 4159 you and you don’t know how to peers or superiors; youth with ad- 8th13th February: December: Verita’ Republic – Piano Dayand Soprano> Public Holiday19th March: The EdenSleeping Cinemas, Beauty – St.Live Julians from South Korea Exchange Buildings, Republic Street Valletta VLT 1117 2229 6164 Royal Thai Consulate 4/4 Regent House, Thailand 2131 9326 start tackling it? Is there something diction problems; youths who are Concert @ Casino Maltese, Valletta the Royal Opera House (DANCE) @ Eden Bisazza Street Sliema SLM 1641 Cinemas, St. Julians Latvia 1923 Valletta Road Marsa MRS 3000 2568 1205 that you want to share with others? being discriminated against on the 8th, 15th February: Met Opera > Rusalka – ‘Young people can potentially get hurt Living in Malta, you may have fear to speak 21st March: Marsa Cricket Association Cricket Tower Business Centre Level 1, Tower Street Swatar The Philippines 148/13 Tower Road Sliema SLM 1604 2347 0210 Now you can… basis of religious, racial or sexual Dvorak @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta Lebanon 2549 6000 easily, yet help is at hand even in cyberspa- up, talk about my problems but you will only Festival – Form 1 and 2 boys and girls 09:15 – BKR 4013 Monument Services Centre, National Road Blata l-Bajda Ukraine 2124 2007 ce... Atkellimni.com kellimni.com you is cana service talk to us that about grounds;live once. andTake thischildren opportunity in conflict and if there 9th February:International Bil-Qadfa ta’ Kulħadd – Walk PACI 13:00 @ Marsa Day Sports ClubQawra Access Centre HMR 9011 and Cycle for Charity @ Żejtun Lithuania 40 Alpine House, Naxxar Road San Gwann SGN 9032 2576 0000 anything…wefocuses on are offering her to listen.’ support These are to the withis something the law. distressing you in life and you 29th – 30th March: Joseph and the Amazing United States words of James Buhagiar from www.kellim- always thought that you can’t find support 10th February: St. Paul’s Shipwreck - a National 12 December 2013 Luxembourg 90 Palazzo Pietro Stiges, Strait Street Valletta VLT 1436 2123 1345 youths and adolescents suffering The services offered by Kel- Technicolor Dreamcoat in aid of Puttinu Cares Embassy Ta’ Qali National Park Attard, ATD 4000 2561 4000 ni.com, an online service that provides free about , now is the chance, www.kellimni.com Public Holiday and a Religious Feast - celeb- @ Oratorju Don Bosco, Victoria (Gozo) anonymous,from any formconfidential of social support exclusion, to young limni.comis the online are support private, for you. confidential, rated in the Parish Church of St. Paul Ship- Vietnam 81 Vinci Buildings, B Bontadini Street Birkirkara BKR 1732 2069 1053 different countries and through the organisation of people,abuse, who neglect, are invited and/or to browse psychologi the website- andThe free kellimni.com and you can team choose is reachable to re through- wreckedmartin in Valletta Chet andC utiin the streets of Malta’s 30th March: The Golden Age – Live from the Bolshoi Theatre (DANCE)a programme @ Eden whichCinemas, will be organised with the direct forcal friendly difficulties guidance andwherever information, they comeespe - maine-mail, anonymous. chat and online forums. Our services capital city cially if they do not know who to turn to. allow service users to express their concerns As part of the efforts conducted by theSt. JuliansQawra Ac- participation of different artists from various coun- from. kellimni.com's James Buha- Visit kellimni.com for more 12th February: Don Giovanni Live from Kellimni.com is a partnership project and talk about the issues directly affecting thecess Royal Centre Opera to facilitateHouse (MUSIC) an integration @ Eden process31st March: within Freedom tries. Day Through– a National thisPublic process we aim to provide a con- betweengiar told Appoġġ, us “We the are Salesians,ready to Aġenzijalisten information.them. Young people need to know that they Cinemas, St. Julians Holiday Organisations Żgħażagħ and SOS Malta. are not alone, that someone outside of their the community of San Pawl il-Baħar, the manage- crete base where residents from various backgrounds 13th February: Public lecture by Fr Edgar The aim of kellimni.com is to support the immediate circles cares about them, that their ment of the centre is teaming up with a number of will have the opportunity to mix and get to know Vella – ‘Relics and Reliquaries in the Diocese Events to be held in April 2014 youth who is going through a difficult moment life can be free from pain and fear. The services ofresidents Malta during coming the Baroque from Period’ different (Monthly nationalities to or- others in an informal environment. OFFICE ADDRESS TELEPHONE WEBSITE and has no one to turn to during this difficult provide an opportunity for all young people to Volserv, a way to integrate lectures by DIN L-ART ĦELWA) @ Melita moment. Our services are free, private and reach out for help and support through chan- ganise an event where the value of UNITY4th – 5thwill April: be Durufle’Through Requiem by thisthe Maltaactivity Qawra Access Centre and Arabic Culture Information Society 3 Triq Felic Borg San Gwann SGN 2093 9923 8638 http://www.acismalta.com Street, Valletta confidential and the user can choose to remain nels of communication that are easily accessi- promoted through active participation. PhilharmonicThis event isOrchestra PACI and Working Schola Cantorum Group also aims to collect funds in aid of Friends of Australia Association Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place Valletta 2122 2644 anonymous.SOS Malta, in partnership with bleA to them.team of around 150 volun- 19thgoing – 22nd to take February: place Archaeocustics on Thursday Confer 12 - DecemberJubilate @ atRobert the SammutISTRINA Hall, Floriana 2013. Through this initiative the participants ence – The Archaeology of Sound @ Corinthia Maltese Australian Chamber of Commerce and Culture 25 Forrest Court Mensija Street St Julians 2137 4027 the Ministry of Health, run a ser- teers includes a number of foreign- Qawra Access Centre. 5th, 12th April: Metwill Opera also >be La contributing Boheme – in the help which will be given Palace Hotel & Spa Puccini @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta China Cultural Centre 173 Melista Street Valletta VLT 1127 2122 5055 vice at Mater Dei Hospital where ers who work with patients to offer During the past months, as part of the remit of to those in need. This is in fact another concrete initia- 21st – 23rd February: The Voca People Per- 6th, 27th April: In Guardia Parade @ Vittori- Malta China Friendship Society 62 Triq San Kristofru Valletta VLT 1465 http://www.maltachinaonline.org volunteers, recruited by VolServ, them a better overall experience formance@the centre Malta to addressFairs & Conventions the needs Centre of the osacommunity, (Birgu) Waterfront tive where people coming from different backgrounds Vhelpolserv in the daily running of the whilst at the same time show part 21st,a working 22nd, 23rd, group 28th February: was set Fiddler up by on thethe Qawra10th April: Access Public lecturewill be by uniting Professor to workPeter towards a common aim, that of German-Maltese Circle Messina Palace, 141 Triq San Kristofru Valletta VLT 1465 2124 6967 http://www.germanmaltesecircle.org Hospital. Assisting patients and of the hospitality that Malta is re- RoofManager @ Manoel to Theatre,focus on Valletta the needs of foreignVassallo residents – ‘The Grandhelping Master those presides who needover assistance. Greek Catholic Community 132A Archbishop Street Valletta VLT 1444 2123 7872 http://greekcatholicmalta.com relativesSOS Malta, whilst in partnership at the same with thetime Mi - nownedyourself for.with the Maltese culture and langua- 23rdliving February: within Vodafonethe community Malta Marathon of San PawlStrait il-Baħar. Street’ (Monthly lecturesActive by participation DIN L-ART is a key element within the World Islamic Call Society Corradino Road, P.O. Box 3 Paola, PLA 9037 2169 7203 nistry of Health, run a service at Mater Dei ge and thus integrate better. starting @ Mdina ĦELWA) @ Melita Street, Valletta Hospitalcontributing where tovolunteers, the local recruitedsociety isby AFor team more of around information 150 volunteers visitincludes a This working group which was entitled PACI Work- community which need to be supported as through 23rd February: Alarme – Military re-enact- 13th April: Palm Sunday – Traditional reli- Russian Centre for Science and Culture 36 Merchants Street Valletta VLT 1173 2122 2030 VolServ, help in the daily running of the number of foreigners who work with patients the best way to familiarize yourself www.sosmalta.org/volserv or menting Group@ Vittoriosa is one (Birgu) of Waterfrontthe five which aregious being festivity set up such an attitude we can build a better society for our Association of International Women www.aiwmalta.com Hospital. Assisting patients and relatives to offer them a better overall experience whilst whilstwith atthe the Maltese same time culture contributing and lanto the- sendat the an same email time toshow volservnet@sos part of the hospitality- 28thto address February: the Gypsy particular Mambo ‘Underground’needs of various 13th target – 20th auApril:- Holyown Week benefit and Easter and Celfor- the benefit of those living with Emigrants’ Commission Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place Valletta VLT 01 2122 2644 www.mecmalta.com/emmcomm.html localguage society and thusis the integrate best way tobetter. familiarize malta.orgthat Malta oris renowned call on 21244123. for. –diences Macedonian within gypsy the brass locality. band @ ThroughOrpheum thisebrations empower – processions- us. Foron Good this Fridaypurpose and Qawra Access Centre is con- Theatre, Gżira Easter in various localities around Malta and Inizjamed Malta www.inizjamed.org ment process residents are actively being engaged to stantly embarking on similar initiatives which pro- Gozo For more information visit 28thidentify February: the Startneeds of Carnivalof their respective community and vides space for various target audiences to take the John XXIII Peace Lab Triq Hal-Far Zurrieq, ZRQ 2609 www.peacelab.org kun www.sosmalta.org/volservint li tagħmel 25th – 30th April: Malta International Fire- come up with initiatives to address these needs. The active role whilst constructively give feedback which Maltese Arab Chambre of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture 22A Bergia ta Sant Anton, Vjal De Paule Balzan BZN 9022 2148 2750 or send an email to Events to be held in March 2014 works Festival by the Ministry for Tourism id-differenzavolservnet@sosmalta. International Christmas Celebration is inand fact the oneMalta of Tourism could Authority be transformed in concrete action. Further in- Friends of America Malta Dar L-Emigrant Misrah Kastilja 2122 2644 org or call on 21244123. 1stthe – initiative 4th March: which Carnival is beingactivities organised around 26thby the April: PACI Met Operaformation > Cosi aboutFan Tutte the – work which is being conducted Volontarjat fl-isptar Ma- Happy Moments Kenya 1 Tal-Fanal, Triq il-Fanal L-Ghasri GSR 1207, GOZO 2156 3308 http://www.happymomentskenya.org/en/ MaltaWorking and Gozo Group and the Qawra Access Centre.Mozard @ St. Jamesby Cavalier, the centre Valletta may be obtained from the Qawra Ac- ter Dei u fil-Komunitàkun int li tagħmel Stars and Stripes Malta Kaxxa Postali 6, Ghajnsielem GSM 1051, GOZO 9943 3115 id-differenza 1st, 8thThrough March: Met this Opera celebration > Prince Igora number – 27th ofApril: people Gozo Halfcess Marathon Centre startingFacebook @ Page. Updates about the In- Borodin @ St. James Cavalier, Valletta Xagħra Koperattiva Malta Kuba 178 Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp Santa Venera HRM 1015 2122 4325 http://kmkcoop.com ĊempluVolontarjat fuq fl-isptar Mater coming from different nationalities will be celebrat- ternational Christmas Celebration event and other Dei u fil-Komunità 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th March: In Guardia Parade 27th April: Start of the Malta International Adoption Unit (Agenzia Appogg) 469 Triq San Guzepp Santa Venera SVR 1012 2278 8000 www.fsws.gov.mt/en/apppogg/Pages/welcome-appogg.aspx Tel: 21 244123 Ċemplu fuq @ing Vittoriosa the festive (Birgu) season Waterfront whilst promoting theirMusic respecFestival -and Competitioninitiatives are posted regularly. One may also contact The English-Speaking Union 93/3 Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida L-Imsida MSD 9024 2133 6658 http://esumalta.org jew żuru l-websiteTel: 21 244123 13thtive March:cultures. Public This lecture bypromotion David Cardona will – be 28thtaking April: place The theWinter’s Qawra Tale Access– Live fromManager by sending an e-mail on www.sosmalta.orgjew żuru l-website ‘Archaeologicalthrough the research setting carried up ofout traditional in Roman thestands Royal from Opera [email protected]. (DANCE) @ Eden www.sosmalta.org sites in Malta’ (Monthly lectures by DIN L-ART Cinemas, St. Julians 12 January 2014 January 2014 13

Simshar: Bringing Maltese Realities All Maltese Plants And Animals Are Immigrants!

To The Big Screen PROF. Patrick J. Schembri

Jasen Ogle By definition, islands are surrounded Why should what was previously the sea event that brought a new influx of im- by the sea, which, to most animals and floor rise to the surface and become land? migrants – the permanent colonisation ©Josef Bonnici plants that do not fly or swim, is a formi- There are two processes involved here. of the islands by humans that occurred dable barrier to cross. So, how do plants The first is what is known as tectonic mo- sometime between 7,500 and 7,000 years and animals, including large species, vement, which in effect means that the ago. These human colonists, who were reach islands in the first place? Specifi- rock of the sea floor is heaved upwards pastoralists and farmers, brought a num- cally, how did the terrestrial plants and by processes acting within and below the ber of species to the islands with them, animals that are found in the Maltese crust of the earth; the second is sea level some deliberately, such as the crop plants islands get here, given that the islands change – if the sea level drops, then the they cultivated and the animals they are located 96 km south of Sicily and shallow sea floor will be exposed to the husbanded, and some accidentally, such 290 km from North Africa? To answer air. Both processes acted on the block of as vermin, pests and other species asso- this interesting question, one needs to rock in the central Mediterranean where ciating with the human population itself ask an additional question: when did the Maltese Islands are located; however, and with its domestic plants and animals. the Maltese Islands actually became some 6 million years ago a unique event The Maltese Islands have been, with only islands? happened – the Mediterranean dried up. relatively brief interruptions, colonised The Maltese Islands are made up of The details of why this happened are be- permanently since then, but by different rock that even a cursory inspection will yond the scope of this article, but in simple A recently introduced species into the Maltese peoples, and each wave of human immi- show to be full of fossils. Geologists terms, tectonic movements cut off the con- Islands – the Red Palm Weevil – first noted in 2007 grants brought with it new species. While date the oldest rock to be exposed at the nection between the Mediterranean and and accidentally imported with palm trees many of the pre-human phase colonising surface of the islands (known technica- the Atlantic in the region of what today is species still remain, especially in groups lly as the Lower Coralline Limestone) to the Strait of Gibraltar, and the very warm ‘ice-ages’, which are climatic cycles of cold that are small and unobtrusive, such as some 27 million years ago. The fossils climate that prevailed at the time caused and warm periods. Ice never reached an- insects, spiders, terrestrial snails and such in this rock type, and in the four layers most of the sea to evaporate, leaving much ywhere near the Mediterranean; however, like, for some groups of plants and ani- of the Mediterranean seabed as dry land. during an ‘ice age’ a lot of water was trap- mals, most of the presently occurring spe- The central Mediterranean area where the ped on land in the form of ice in northern cies are in fact new immigrants that have © Prof. Patrick J. Schembri Maltese Islands are located certainly be- latitudes, and sea level was low in the reached the islands due to deliberate or ac- came dry land, connecting North Africa Mediterranean, whereas during the warm cidental transport by humans. For exam- to Europe by what is called a land-bridge. phase, this ice melted and sea levels rose. ple, excluding domestic species, of the 15 This land-bridge lasted for some half a These sea level fluctuations had an im- or so terrestrial mammals occurring pre- million years, after which time new tecto- portant effect on the biota of the Maltese sently in the Maltese Islands, only bats and nic movements opened what is today the Islands: during sea level lows, more land one species of shrew were actually present Strait of Gibraltar, refilling the Mediterra- was exposed and the islands became lar- on the island before human colonisation. nean from the Atlantic and establishing ger than they are today and often merged © Prof. Patrick J. Schembri Sicily, the Maltese Islands and the other to form one landmass; additionally, as the islands in the central Mediterranean area sea receded, the channel between Malta as the islands we know today. and Sicily became narrower and may, on During the period that the land-bridge at least one occasion, have actually disap- Inspired by real events, Simshar is the fic- “Watch the film as if it’s any other film; not as a The same could be said for the surviving fa- The film is principally in Maltese with some was in existence, plants and animals, even peared completely (during the maximum tional tale of two intertwining stories; a fishing Maltese film or an issue film,” Rebecca said. “This mily members who lost their loved ones in the scenes in English when characters of different slow-moving and slow-dispersing species, sea level regression, thought to have been accident which claimed the lives of three men is not a film to pass judgment on the migrant is- fishing accident. “Sharin’s tragedy is a situation nationalities are communicating, there are also had plenty of time to move or disperse from of 120-130 meters), leaving Malta and Si- and a young boy, and a mission to save the lives sue. The issue is a backdrop in the film that re- that many families have experienced; that of lo- moments with Ethiopian and Libyan dialects. both North Africa and Europe to occupy cily joined by dry land (a land-bridge). of irregular migrants fleeing Africa by boat. flects the reality of contemporary Maltese life.” sing a child,” Clare said. “The role was difficult Fishing jargon was translated with the aid of the newly exposed land in the central Medi- Sea-level lows therefore facilitated the Side By Side sat down with Simshar director “The audience would have to be a rock not for me particularly because the woman I was professional fishermen. Other languages were terranean. Obviously, when the Mediterra- crossing of plants and animals from Si- Rebecca Cremona and Clare Agius who plays to feel something,” Clare added “I feel it will playing is still alive, so I chose to keep the acting translated with the help of a translator and nean refilled, only those that were living cily to Malta, since the stretch of water to Sharin, a woman who suffered a tragic loss open hearts and minds.” as natural as possible and hope to honour her actors; however, there was some dialogue im- on the highest ground, now islands, sur- be crossed was much narrower than it is when her son and Father-in-Law died in a boa- and all mothers who can relate to this tragedy.” provisation guided by Rebecca. Lofti Abdelli, a The endemic Maltese Centaury, Palaeocyanus crassifolius, the National Plant of Malta. The vived. This is how the Maltese Islands got now, or may have even been non-existent. © Prof. Patrick J. Schembri ting accident out at sea. The diverse cast and crew was made up of Tunisian actor who played Simon; the spouse ancestors of this species were amongst the first their first set of species. During such sea-level lowstands, as they “We have two parallel stories that have to do We sometimes forget that people from Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, France, of Sharin, was helped by the actual Simon to wave of immigrants that reached the Maltese These first colonisers came mainly from are called, successive waves of immigrant with change,” Rebecca said. “The increasingly Germany, Denmark, Croatia, England, Italy, Tu- help his Maltese and turn of phrase. Sheep are not native to the Maltese Islands but we are dealing with human Islands soon after their formation. Europe, presumably because of the shor- species colonised the Maltese Islands, the challenged fishing community and the irregu- nisia, Mali, Togo, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Ni- For those who do not understand Maltese, were brought here by the first humans who es- ter distance European species needed to nature and number of which depended on lar migrant situation are both Maltese issues. lives geria, Sudan, America, and of course many from the film will be screened locally with accompan- tablished a permanent settlement. The plant the that subsequently formed above it, are of travel to reach Malta. When they were cut how much the sea level fell and on how sheep are grazing on (known as the Kaffir Fig) The film is not about these issues, but about Malta. “The film wouldn’t have been as attractive ying English subtitles. There will also be a pu- marine plants and animals and reveal the- off on the islands by the sea, some species long the lowstand lasted. During sea level was also introduced by humans, although much how they are felt in the personal, mundane life Before filming a protest scene, Rebecca had to to me if it was just Maltese without other nations rely Maltese version for cultural purposes. “We se rocks to have been formed on the sea eventually died out, some survived more highs, the sea level rose again, isolating more recently; it was originally introduced for of it all.” The film is very local, but ultimately explain to one of the child-actors in the film why represented,” Clare said. “From a technical stan- need to be realistic about the audience, because bed; in fact, all five main rock types that or less unchanged, and began started to the islands once more (and may at times ornamental purposes but it is now found in the it is about a family whose survival is at stake, the extras were holding up signs that read ‘blacks dpoint, it wouldn’t be possible without the fo- we [the Maltese community] are so small, so the make up the Maltese Islands represent se- develop differently from their mainland have actually been higher that at present, wild in a number of places which is a theme that can be appreciated by an out.’ “She is completely integrated; she speaks reign companies involved,” Rebecca added. aim is to be accessible,” Rebecca explained. She diments that accumulated on the sea floor ancestors, eventually becoming so diffe- by about 6m). During such highstands, international audience. perfect Maltese, but she couldn’t understand this continued, “The fact that we are a post colonial and which later, through chemical and rent as to become new species altogether populations of species became completely The film may be seen as somewhat contro- part of the film,” Rebecca explained. The migrant English speaking country helps, yet we are so Everyone respects physical processes, became consolidated and unique to these islands – endemic cut off from their parent populations in The Maltese Islands are still receiving versial as the politically hot topic of irregular children we worked with on the film are com- mixed and so insular at the same time.” into the different types of rock. It is only at species (see the article ‘Uniquely Maltese’ Sicily, allowing some of these species to de- new immigrant species to the present day. migration is one setting in the tragic tale, but pletely integrated to the point that they don’t un- each other the top of the youngest rock present (known in the Side by Side November 2013 issue). velop differently from their ancestors and to Some species continue to be introduced both Rebecca and Clare are not afraid to speak derstand the migrant issue.” For those children, This work is the perfect way as the Upper Coralline Limestone) that we This first wave of immigrants was fo- become new endemic species. deliberately or accidentally through hu- their minds on the topic. “The issue of rescue at skin colour and land of origin is not important. There were no communication problems start finding fossils of species which live llowed by other waves of immigrants du- During the Pleistocene, there were at least man agency. One such case that has made sea is not straight forward” Rebecca said. “And due Some of the cast members from Africa were on the set because of the diversity of the crew. to cross barriers in very shallow water or on the shore; ring that period of time that geologists call 11 major ‘ice ages’ (more properly called the news is the Red Palm Weevil, a large to the extreme complexity of the issue we someti- able to lend their experience to the director There was always someone there to translate geologists date these upper rock strata to the Pleistocene (from about 2.5 million ‘glacials’) and a large number of minor ones. beetle originally native of tropical Asia mes forget that we are dealing with human lives.” and other cast members, because they lived for someone else when necessary. “I love wor- The film was shot entirely in Malta, in twen- some 7 million years ago, so in effect, the years ago to 11,700 years ago). During the Especially significant because of the variety which has invaded Europe and Africa and During a separate television production, the reality of being irregular migrants. “When king with anyone who has a passion for what ty-one different localities and at the Medite- Maltese Islands have only been islands Pleistocene, the northern hemisphere was of immigrant species that colonised Malta which was introduced in Malta sometime Clare was able to witness a rescue operation you become familiar with the real people in they are doing,” Clare said. “When you are on rranean Film Studios. It was the first film to be since that time. gripped by what are popularly called the during these events were the major glacials in 2007, most likely imported with infec- from an AFM airplane. “It’s different when tragedy, you are reminded that these are peo- set, no matter where you come from, everyone edited at the PBS creativity hub. Sound mixing that occurred some 690,000 years ago, bet- ted palm trees. However, there are many you see rescue operations compared to just ple not statistics,” Clare said. “There were adapts to one-another. Everyone respects each was done in Dublin, Ireland, and colour gra- ween 490,000 and 300,000 years ago, and examples of similar occurrences. On the hearing or reading about it,” Clare said. “It has very emotional moments, because some of other. It doesn’t matter who you are or where ding was done in the US. Opening in 2014, © Prof. Patrick J. Schembri between 17,000 and 22,000 years ago. other hand, some immigrants reach the is- such an impact on you, that you change your the cast remembered the tragedies they went you come from.” She continued, “This work is Simshar will be Malta’s first feature film aimed Many of the first and subsequent immi- lands on their own steam through natural thinking.” through,” Rebecca recalled. the perfect way to cross barriers.” at a local and international audience. grant species and their descendents were dispersal. For example, several species of fascinating creatures; they are now extinct, grasshoppers and locusts swarm in North but their remains are still found as fossils Africa and during such swarms, a few in- in numerous sites, the most important of dividual insects may be blown across the which is the cave at Ghar Dalam in Birzeb- sea to the Maltese Islands if sufficiently buga, which is a tourist attraction. A visit to strong winds are blowing in the right the Ghar Dalam museum will show that in direction. Indeed, the Migratory Locust those days the Maltese islands were home to is a very rare locally occurring species, dwarf hippopotami, dwarf elephants, giant probably originating from such occasio- tortoises, a giant flightless swan, giant dor- nal dispersal events. mice, a giant lizard, a dwarf deer and a host Once the Maltese Islands became is- of others. Note that all these species came lands, they presented a new terrestrial from Europe, not Africa, as during glacials environment that gradually became colo- sea level was never low enough to connect nised by plants and animals that crossed Malta and North Africa or to narrow the over to the islands by various means at va- channel between the two significantly. Five different species of Maltese Door-snails, all of which are endemic to the Maltese Islands. The rious times, a process that is still on-going. After the end of the last great glaciation, ©Josef Bonnici ©Josef Bonnici ©Josef Bonnici ©Josef Bonnici ancestor of the two species on the right reached the Maltese Islands from Sicily via the land bridge that In a sense, therefore, all species occurring formed when the Mediterranean practically dried up. The ancestor of the others crossed over from some 11,000 years ago, the Maltese Islands on these islands are immigrants, including Sicily during the Pleistocene glaciations. entered a period of isolation until the next humans! 14 January 2014 January 2014 15

We are Happy Here Passion And Commitment In Maltese Boxing

visitors from Australia, Russia, Th e Czech “Th ere was a system to prepare you for Jasen ogle Republic, and Hungary, marriage. Th e family was in talks [about ma- Kevin takes care of hospitality and sche- rriage] in September 1992. By December we duling matches. He uses cricket to bring an were engaged and got married in March of international audience to Malta. Th e local 1993,” Rama said. © Jasen Ogle 2014 I always liked boxing; it is leagues in Malta are made up of Maltese and Weighing the consequences of a love ma- expatriates who play together and against rriage and an arranged marriage, she conclu- in the Maltese mentality that each other. Family and his community are ded that she would be happier with an arran- important to Kevin. ged marriage. men have to be tough guys Together, the local Indian community “It was more benefi cial to have the love celebrates Hindu feasts like Diwali. They and support of your family through an “Compared to the UK, the quality of boxing in prepare special sweets as offerings and wear arranged marriage and to learn about your Malta is improving, because on average, there brand new clothing. While it is celebrated in partner, than to have a love marriage and be are more boxing matches in Malta,” he said. different ways in each of the Indian states, without family.” Haithem Laamous is arguably the most well as well as around the world, Kevin said that known and most experienced boxer in Malta. “fireworks is a must” - another common Th e 24 year old half-Tunisian boxer has com- characteristic with the Maltese. peted in 50 fi ghts spread among 11 countries. By invitation from the Indian Consulate, He has taken younger boxers with him to members of the Indian community in Malta compete in international tournaments. “Our meet to celebrate Holi, the Indian festival of blood is warrior blood,” he said. colours. “We get together and throw colours He hopes to represent Malta in the up- at each other, and when we are done, the con- coming Common Wealth Games. sulate cleans the colours off the pavement.” Th e 20th Commonwealth Games will be Kevin has some advice for foreigners who held in Glasgow this year. In previous years, come to live in Malta. He understands that Malta’s representation in boxing has been dor- it is not easy to integrate and that it takes Jasen ogle mant in this event, which the Malta Boxing time, but the fi rst place to start is where you Federation is trying to change. work. “Get to know co-workers, invite them Gym owner and Secretary of the Maltese Kevin and rama Krishna took side by side on the journey that to your house, mingle aft er hours and talk Nineteen days aft er their marriage, Kevin Boxing Federation Steve Abela would like about your experiences.” He said that you and Rama fl ew to Malta. “I was lucky that started 20 years ago when they left India for Malta. They told us to see Malta represented in boxing at global make friends through friends, so it is best to Kevin has a brother who lives here. He has a events such as the Commonwealth Games their individual vision of how their lives played out in Malta. start with the people you see the most. wife and kids, so it was good to have people and the Games of the Small States of Europe. Rama is originally from Chennai, India. to help show me the ropes.” Last year the federation became affi liated It was easier for Kevin than most to inte- She and her brother grew up in an upper It was diffi cult for Rama to integrate when “Cricket is my family,” he said. Kevin is with AIBA, which Mr. Abela says is a key step- grate in Malta. “We are all over the world,” he middle-class family. She admits that she lived she fi rst came to Malta. “It takes time to be the chairman of the Marsa Cricket Associa- ping stone for Malta’s boxing presence to be said, noting the peaceful nature of Indians. a sheltered life. accepted in social circles,” but “I had a won- tion. He is an ambassador for the sport and seen in international games. “Th e Maltese excel “We never clash with the locals. We never do “I was always escorted wherever I went. derful Maltese neighbour who brought me for Maltese culture. “When we play foreign more at 1 on 1 sports: boxing, swimming, and anything to damage the name of our people. I did not have many responsibilities before into Maltese society,” she recalled. teams, we give a miniature luzzu (a Maltese shooting; than team sports,” Mr. Abela said. We do not want to complicate life.” getting married. I was fi ft een the fi rst time I Th e couple found great support in their fi shing boat) to the visiting teams as a me- Most people involved in the business would Kevin appreciates the Maltese culture, stepped on a bus,” she told Side by Side. neighbours, especially when Rama was preg- m e nt o.” agree that although boxing is steadily increasing because he believes Indians have a lot in Rama was in her second year at university, nant with her fi rst child. During the summer, the Marsa Cricket in popularity in Malta, funding is the biggest common with the Maltese. “The Maltese studying English literature, when she met Kevin. Rama became pregnant with Adam six Club played matches against a team from setback. Th ere is a need for sponsorship not focus on education for the sake of their Kevin and Rama’s marriage was arranged, months aft er her marriage. Five years later New South Wales and against Cardiff Uni- only for boxers and events, but funding to tra- children. We have the same attitude: we are which is not uncommon in India. Th ey met Eric came along. versity in the spring. Last year, Malta hosted in and employ more judges and referees. family-oriented, divorce is not part of our only 10 days before their marriage. New friendships fl ourished when Kevin a cricket tournament featuring international Th ere are professional courses available culture, we teach our children good morals and Rama met the parents of Adam’s school abroad for training, but lack of money and and values, and we adopt the local culture friends. “Th ere was no need for me to meet man-power is restricting boxing in Malta. and learn the language.” others, because I had no social ties until When Kevin moved to Malta, he worked Adam started school.” as a fuel injection technician for fi ve years, In the meantime, Kevin and his brother had You have to be humble but with a growing family, it was important established their restaurant, so he was able to Boxing is gaining more attention in Mal- several days ahead of a fi ght. “I do not touch humble to fans, even if they do not like you.” to seek more income to sustain his family. dedicate more time to his family. ta as local fighters and boxing organiza- alcohol to make sure I am clear headed to One Maltese boxer who earns a living as to fans, even if they do not His brother, who was experienced in catering Rama decided to put her English literature tions are being recognised by the likes of judge a fi ght.” He continued, “I am scared of both as a licensed professional boxer and li- and food services, suggested that they open degree to use by enrolling in a Teaching English the World Boxing Union (WBU), the In- drugs; especially in boxing, because although censed professional trainer is “Super” Steve like you their own restaurant. as a Foreign Language course and becoming an ternational Amateur Boxing Association a boxer might not feel anything during a fi ght, Martin. When he is not training three times On November 29, 1993, Kevin and his English teacher for a few years. (AIBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the consequences aft er substances wear off a day, he is teaching other boxers at his gym brother opened Krishna - an Indian-themed and the World Boxing Federation (WBF). can be horrible.” in Marsa. He gives his fi ghters exercise and Th e ‘Catch-22’ diffi culty for Malta is that Kevin and Rama opened a stationary shop af- boxers need more fi ghts to gain experience restaurant in Sliema. Th is past November ter some time, but realised that it took time away Attendance at local bouts are increasing Most boxers in Malta are semi-professional. diet plans. He also leads them in sparring marked the 20th anniversary of the opening with the help of boxers, gym owners and Th ey earn money through selling tickets to and training sessions. and exposure, but too many fi ghts saturate the from family. Rama is family-oriented - taking market. Th ere is at least 1 boxing even occu- of Krishna. her children to various activities and private promoters. their fi ghts. Martin is currently the World Boxing Th e restaurant has attracted many visitors Local promoter Demis Tonna has seen at- Union International Champion. He has rring every month from January to March of lessons and spending Saturday aft ernoons wat- this year. over the years that keep coming back. ching the boys play cricket. tendance increase at his events over the last fought against boxers of various nationalities “We have created a network of clients that year. His fi rst event sat an audience of 500 Eighteen years ago, boxing both in Malta and abroad, but usually leaves It is fi nancially diffi cult for boxing enthu- “I’m very happy here, but island fever gets to siasts to attend events every month, which in keeps up during winter. We have seen three ge- me every now and then,” she said. spectators and his most recent promotion fi - in Malta was dead, but is Malta to spar. “I spar with boxers in the nerations of families… we know them so well.” lled to capacity with 1,000 viewers. He had to United Kingdom to maintain a professional turn poses a problem for event promoters and When the fever sets in, she goes abroad with growing very fast boxers to earn money. While he enjoys serving authentic Indian some of her girlfriends who leave their men turn away another 300 at the door to comply fitness level,” Martin said. dishes to his patrons, sharing his culture is with safety regulations. He is one of few local fi ghters to receive Gym owners and boxing devotees who behind and enjoy a quick getaway. Kevin and invest their time in the sport lose time away what is most important for Kevin. “We try to the boys also experience island fever from time Both Demis and his 17 year old son Doul- sponsorship to earn a living, so he can con- educate the Maltese about Indian food.” He ton do double duty as promoters and boxers; Garth “Th e Problem” Galea is a semi-pro- centrate solely on training. from work when they go abroad to participa- to time, so they go abroad as a family, but in te in tournaments and conferences, but they does this through food and sport. spite of that she said, “We are all happy here.” although, Demis mostly competes as a means fessional boxer from Balzan who has been Zak Farrugia, 20 of Bugibba has been to stay active and healthy. training for 3 years. Like most boxers he boxing since the age of 14, but only fi ghts make these sacrifi ces to further develop the As a match maker, Demis makes sure that started in kickboxing to keep fi t and active abroad. He is the Amateur Boxing Associa- current young crop of boxers in Malta. “We fi ghters are not over or under-matched. He and transitioned to boxing. “I always liked tion of England Class B National Champion. need people to take interest in judging and requires that all boxers fi ghting under his pro- boxing; it is in the Maltese mentality that He trains locally, but his career hopes rest refereeing. We could also use help in marke- motions are fi t to fi ght and drug tested before men have to be tough guys,” He said. in the UK where he hopes to turn professio- ting and public relations to further promote stepping in the ring. It’s diffi cult for boxers to make the shift nal. He is optimistic about boxing in Malta. boxing locally,” Mr. Abela said. On To You, Dear readers “I do the paper work, I make sure they from semi-professional to professional. “I will get checked before each fi ght, even down try to go pro, but you have to leave your job to checking and signing off on gloves before in order to do that,” Galea said. Most boxers boxers enter the ring,” Demis said. work during the day to earn a living and train We are happy to present to you the second issue of Side To date, there have been fi ve TCN contributors to the increased integration. Th us, we are inviting you, our dear He sometimes steps in the ring and spars before and aft er work. by Side. As a team, we have been challenging ourselves to newspaper: two in the fi rst issue, and three in this issue. Th e readers to attend this roundtable workshop to participate with local fighters to gauge fighting ability, “I do training camp for 8 weeks before a provide the best possible content, including real life stories main theme of the newspaper will be ‘What does intercultu- in the discussion. matching their strengths and weaknesses fi ght, but I also have to work. It’s diffi cult to and events which we are excited to be sharing with you. ralism and cultural diversity mean to you?’ The newspaper Th e project began with a scoping exercise, directed at against those of others to help him choose work and be on a good level in boxing,” said As part of the project, two employees were recruited in will provide means of an informative exchange between TCNs and Maltese, to ask about what kind of content they fighters who will put on a good show. “Pro- Etienne “il-Buddy” Spiteri, who has been order to ensure that the objective of the project is reached: the Maltese population and different TCN populations would find of interest and what their ideas about cultural moting is an art on its own,” Demis said. fi ghting semi-professionally for 4 years. Bartek as editor and Jasen as journalist. Having both a Mal- promoting understanding, tolerance and integration. The diversity are. Now, it’s your turn. We would like to encou- “Eighteen years ago, boxing in Malta was Th ere are not a lot of opportunities for tese and a Th ird Country National (TCN) was a starting point electronic version is available through our Facebook page rage you, the reader to send in contributions, letters and dead, but is growing very fast,” said Mal- sponsorships for boxers to go professional, at SOS Malta towards giving birth to Side by Side. Th rough and the SOS Malta website which enables you to access the comments to ensure a higher level of interactivity within ta Boxing Commission Chairman, Charlie but they are necessary for Maltese boxers to this, SOS Malta has shown that diff erent cultures can come newspaper online. the newspaper and online version. Kindly send them to Cardona. be able to train and compete with more expe- together, not only to enhance and promote integration, but Following the third issue, the project will end with a [email protected]. I would also like to take the opportu- Not only does he chair the Malta Boxing rienced international boxers. also to be an example of collaboration in interculturalism. roundtable workshop during diversity week in which con- nity to thank you for reading! Commission, but he is a referee and a jud- A carpenter by trade, Richard “Th e Viper” The objective of Side by Side is to promote understanding tributors, TCNs and other stakeholders will come together ge for semi-professional and professional Vella can attest to the growing popularity of of positive aspects of interculturalism, cultural diversity to discuss cultural diversity in Malta. Th is activity will re- bouts. boxing and the need for more spectators in and the richness that TCNs living in Malta can bring to sult in a recommendations report regarding how to move Emma Zammit Charlie and Demis agree that drugs are not Malta. “People recognise me from fi ghts and the islands. forward with cultural diversity newspaper as a tool for Project Leader, Side by Side welcome in boxing. Charlie takes it a step fur- stop me in the streets,” he continued, “you © Jasen Ogle 2014 ther by abstaining from alcohol during and cannot be shy or too cocky. You have to be 16 January 2014

“My Name Is Karmenu, And I’m From Malta.” karmenu duca Teresa in Calcutta in 1963. Oooops! I was almost Jovanni, a young 20-year-old who is already going to forget that while still on the island, I was serving a life sentence and has a two-year-old an active member of the Th ird World Group. (I Colours give life. Colours son, can practically neither read nor write. still love that group dearly!) Since then, I have Bring Joy. Colors announce Th e only thing which, he says, he can do well lived in Paris, the city of lights; Manchester, the is play with Nintendo. He has never been to cradle of the Industrial Revolution; Noto, the spring school; neither has he ever worked in his short A newspAper promoting integrmasterpieceAtion city of ASiciliannd baroque;diversity Perú, the in mAltA life. A wasted life. In such circumstances, the land of the Incas; Colombia, the once drug- In the Los Angeles County Jail there are role of the chaplain is crucial— the chaplain november 2013 capital of the world; Guatemala, the land of so no bright colors. Th e benches, the walls, the brings hope in hopeless situations, love to many active volcanoes (literal and metaphoric); doors, are all painted in drab colors—gray, those who have been rejected by society, and Calcutta, the city of Kali Ma and Ma Teresa; and green, and black. Colors are used only to friendship to those who have lost the possibi- fi nally LA, the Bollywood of the West! (In my distinguish one inmate from another, thus lity of having any. missionary work, I also got to visit Cuba, Ve- indicating how one is to behave: the ones in As a chaplain, my service to the men inside nezuela, Mexico, Haiti, Bangladesh, El Salvador dark blue uniforms are the inmates called is very varied. Th e most obvious services are: Kif naraw lill-barraniand Manila. Hmmm, remind me, how does the Livinggeneral population, the onesin in lightMalta... blue are administering the Eucharist; preparing for the refrain go? Join the MCs to see the world?). the gays or homosexuals and transsexuals; sacraments; listening and counseling inmates; I enjoy the familiarity and gossip of living there’s light green for the trustees, those who visiting those who are stuck for twenty-four in small towns and at the same time I thrive in work inside the jail, that is, those who can be hours a day in their cells; giving death notifi - Maltinthe anonymity jitħalltu ofbis-safar, a large city,studju as ulong komunika as I have- Makingtrusted to do a task; orange fora the maximumdifference cations (the hardest of all! Very hard to tell a “Mal-what?” What’s that?! Th at is the type zzjonia small bl-internet, community żwiġijiet of Brothers mal-barranin and friends qed security ones, brown for those in the jail hos- man that his mother died while he was incar- of question I usually get when I mention my joktruaround b’rata (I tend mgħaġġla. to get lost too quickly!) I love pital and yellow for those who work outside, cerated); helping sheriff deputies during cell It-tfal barranin f’pajjiżna ma jiġux biss cleaning the streets that surround the jail. country. “Please! At least ‘where’ and not ‘what,’” large cities; not just for the sake of being Damianextractions Oz whenOemena an inmate iriele deliberately (and I used to retort; but not anymore. I used to get bl-adozzjonijiet.anonymous, but Hawn more formijiet the ta’feeling tfal ofċkejkin being sometimes viciously) decides he is not going more annoyed. Aft er eight years living in Los ta’a part fattizzi, of, at onekarnaġġjon with, without u dehra sticking ‘differenti’ out from Colors give life. to leaveThey hissay cellthat for sometimes whatever you reason meet (soyour before des- Angeles, I got used to it. Also, I’m more comfor- lithe naħseb crowd, iħobbu because jinku I am adaqs Missionaries in-neputi of żgħir Cha- Colors bring joy. the deputies use force or pepper spray they call Colors announce spring. tiny on the road you take to avoid it. But whether table and less neurotic about my thick Maltese tiegħi.rity Brother Meta lanqas of the għad Blessed għalaq Mother seba’ snin Teresa diġa’ of cominga chaplain to Malta who wastries my to destinyconvince or thenot, inmate I intend to accent (nowadays I fi nd it rather exotic—it is not ntebaħCalcutta. li metaOra projaqbillu nobis. jista’ jgħid li hu Malti, In jail there is no joy. toleave pursue the with cell peacefully,vigor whatever never dreams had any I had success as a Italian, not Middle Eastern, not Armenian and I there!); and . . . a not-so-obvious chaplain’s- meta jaqbillu jgħid li hu Ingliż. Naf fiċ-ċert li In jail there is no spring. child, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead. I get a kick when Lolo tries to imitate it). Aft er all, Seasons never change. job of sitting for hours inside the offi ce while who doesn’t have an accent in LA—the melting la qattI amse jkun currently tifel tipiku tar-raħal one ofMalti the imma haveinmates survived, line Iup intend to cut to succeed....bytheir toe nails divine and/or in- pot of cultures? lanqas qatt m’hu se jħossu purament Ingliż. L- In fact, there is not even a window to let in terventionfi nger nails or sheer (and willpower.believe me, aft er two or three Yes, my name is Karmenu and I was born and identitàCatholic tiegħu se tibqa’ chaplains mfassla x’imkien who bejn God’s light. monthsArmed without with lots touching of ambition nail andclippers dreams tho- raised in Malta. But whereas in Perú I was consi- hemmserve u hawn. in Bħalu the fl-iskolalargest ta’ jailSan Pawlin il- Time is measured in terms of when: ofse making men are it abroad,so grateful I left that my we country, chaplains Nige are- dered the gringo (any white person is called grin- Baħar issib tużżani ta’ tfal oħra: Missier Malti u When the trustees distribute breakfast, ria,ready prepared to off er tothat take unoffi whatever cial service). the world go) who’s loaded with money, here in LA I am omm Russa; missierthe Ġermaniż world u omm Maltija; lunch, and supper. Every other month or so, I try to visit other When the deputies do the two daily head threw at me. Yes, I have taken some beat- considered as another alien in search of a better omm Niġerjana u missier Malti eċċ eċċ. Ta’ counts. ing….inmates more whom psychological I have met than in physical.the past, But and future. Little do people know that my income in min jgħid li din l-iskola hija post fejn jiltaqgħu When the inmates appear in court. I whohaven’t are beennow doingdeterred time by in the prison discrimina (genera-- Perú (between 1995-1998) and my income in LA tfalSo ta’ what aktar distinguishes minn tletin me nazzjonalità. from others? DaqsApart tion,lly speaking, stereotype jail perceptions, is for those sometimes awaiting hostheir- Drsince Carmen 2005 has not sammut, changed, not even one sol or from the small crucifi x which we MCs pin on sentence or their trial, whereas prison is for sebgħin tifel u tifla minnhom waslu l-ewwel Colors give meaning to life. tile and negative attitudes of some local per- soneeni dollar.Or l Ite Cisturer still at zero Fil- dollarsmiD anja hour. Very the left side of our shirts, I am (as far as I know) those who have been already sentenced to darba fuq l-għatba tal-iskola la jafu jitkellmu few people in LA know or understand who I am the fi rst Maltese to set foot in Men’s Central Red tells us STOP! It means blood, danger. sonsmore and than even 364 foreigners, days). Iin give the hostpreference country, to andDakinhar what I do, especiallyli rċivejt ‘email’ in a city biex where niltaqgħu, everybo- MaltiJail in u downtownlanqas Ingliż. Los Imma Angeles. t-tfal Yes, jaqbdu that’s tarf big Green gives us permission to cross the road, and which,those whoinstead are of doing rejecting, life sentences, I have used those posi who- għedtdy from bejni the u hood bejn ruħicalls each“dan otherbarrani”. bro. IsmuOk, let’s u malajr;news! No,fost Iiċ-ċkejknin did not make din itid-diversità onto America’s tista’ is also the symbol of hope. A white fl ag means tivelyare on so Deathfar in orderRow andto pursue especially my dreams.to those kunjomutake it from jinstemgħu the top. mill-Ewropa tal-Lvant. żżidMost is-seħer Wanted tat-tfulija and, no, u Itintuża’ am not bħala writing riżors this surrender. Black is the color of death and mour- Pagewhose 4 families are either nonexistent or too X’ħinI was daħal born l-uffiċċju in 1965 in Maltadeher li and ma lived kellux in Qor-xeħta edukattivarticle sitting li jiswa’ down mitqlu on deheb.a metal stool stuck to ning, blue is associated with the sea and the sky. poor to travel long distances to visit their lo- tipikami till Maltija:I was twenty-four bjond, għajnejh years old. żoroq In 1990, u twil. aft er the Iżdaconcrete x’jiġri fl meta oor int-tfal a six-by-eightjoħorġu mill-iskola? foot cell. Colors give life; they give meaning. And this is ved ones. Visiting a Death Row inmate; one Kellimtugraduating bl-Ingliż. from the Weġibni University bil-Malti. of Malta, Kellimni I joi- Is-soċjetàI am currently tagħna one kif oftgħin the lilCatholic min jasal chaplains fostna precisely the sickness that grips those “bodies” awaiting execution, is a singular experience b’Maltined the perfett Missionaries mingħajr of Charity ħjiel wieħed Brothers ta’ aċċent (MC), ħalliwho servejintegra in thebiex largest jasal jailikun in komduthe world jgħix and (as the guards call the inmates in the Los Ange- because whilst for “normal” prisoners you les jail). A life without meaning! stanġier.a Catholic Naħeb religious li kien group iltaqa’ founded mar-reazzjoni by Mother hawn?the busiest Ironikamenet in all of the minkejja United States. li llum huwa The Side by Sideare sitting aroundSurvey a small table in a big hall amidst other inmates and their families and tiegħi kemm-il darba. “Jien iben ġenituri Poll- tant faċli biex popli diversi jikkomunikaw u friends, for a prisoner on Death Row, you are akki imma għext hawn ħajti kollha u għalhekk jivvjaġġaw, hawn reżistenza għall-‘oħrajn’. literally locked together with him in a four by inħossni wieħed minnkom”. Waqt li aħna l-Maltin dejjem kellna l-fama li ta through legal channels from outside the FOtini matskani six-foot cage. In a relatively big hall, there are F’dinja li qegħda tiċkien, it-taħlit bejn in- aħna ospitabbli mal-barrani, fl-aħħar snin raj- Europeanabout twenty Union such and cages. is not a refugee or an nazzjonalitajiet m’għadux ħaġa rari. Maltin na tiżdied fostna biża’ ta’ kulturi oħra. Hemm Prior to commencing our project, SOS asylum seeker. isiefru u barranin jiġu…uħud jibqgħu. Falza ċerta reżistenza għal wasla tal-barranin fostna Malta conducted a survey to evaluate the The questionnaire was divided into three hi l-impressjoni li ħafna barranin jiġu hawn forsi għaliex għad ma drajniex inkampaw current situation in Malta vis-à-vis integra- sections,Deathrow one general inmates section for allhave respond a - jisirqulna xogħlna, jew li jfittxu ażil, inkella f’soċjetà li kull ma jmur qegħda ssir aktar tion and cultural diversity. The survey was ents specialfollowed by placea section infor myMaltese heart nation - għax pensjonanti. Il-verità hija li bosta jiġu kumplessa. Hemm min idarrsu l-aktar il-kulur conducted through an electronic survey in- als and another for Third Country Nationals. għall-imħabba. Għosfor iż-żmien ta’ meta kien tal-ġilda skura. Biżżejjed wieħed jara l-kum- terface over the internet where respondents The survey was based on a blend of yes/ Death Row inmates have a special place in jingħad li “baqra tajba tinbiegħ pajjiżha”. Illum menti fuq ‘Facebook’ jew fuq l-internet biex were asked thirty-two (32) questions related no, open choice (OC) and multiple choice my heart, not because they are awaiting their wieħed minn kull tliet żwiġijiet f’Malta huwa wieħed jintebah li hawn ansjetà liema bħalha. to their feelings about interculturalism and (MC)execution, questions, but because regarding of the shamethe personal many of ma’ persuni barranin. Ħarsa lejn il-kunjomijiet Iżda ironikament huwa l-internet u l-midja the integration of Third Country Nationals viewsthem on have cultural brought diversity unfairly and on integration their families of fid-Direttorju malajr turik kemm it-taħlit biż- soċjali li huma l-akbar mezz komunikattiv in- (TCNs) in Malta. For the purposes of this peopleand loved legally ones, residing the unnecessary in Malta who and are useless non- żwieġ minn dejjem kien komuni; aktar mal- terpersonali bejn il-ġnus. Paġna 13 project, a TCN is a person who came to Mal- Europeanpain they citizens. have brought Page 5to the victims’ fami- lies, and the guilt they have to carry for life, up until the day the State decides it is time to kill the “monster.” Dear Reader, if you have read up till here, you might be convinced that I’m a bit cra- zy to be or rather to look forward to be, in such dire, pain-full and dark places. I guess I am! If twenty-three years ago, you had told me that I would be writing this article inside Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, while waiting for Lolo and a group of fi ft een inmates to come in for their art class, which I also give twice a week, I would have consi- dered you crazy. But today if you ask me, “How can you do it?” I’d readily answer, “How can I not do it?”

Karmenu Duca is the author of Ten Years in Prison, a diary of his time as a chaplain in Colombia’s, Guatemala’s and LA’s jails and prisons.

pg pg pg pg “All rights reserved.Will’s No part ofFriends this publication covered by the copyright thereon may be reproduced or used in any formAndrew or by any meansChetcuti: Be-Trade(graphic, electronic,3 or mechanical,Pay including it Forward photocopying, recording,12 taping, or Mixjainformation storage and retrieval systems)13 withoutLife the permission in America of SOS Malta.” 14

General Programme Solidarity & Management of Migration Flows 2007-2013 european Fund for the integration of third-Country nationals (iF) project part-financed by the european Union Co-financing rate: 75% eU Funds: 25% Beneficiary’s Funds Sustainable Management of Migration Flows