Maltese-Canadian Victor Micallef Shines with The Canadian Tenors

FMLA Newsletter Issue 12 September 2011Maltese-Canadian Victor MicallefShines with The Canadian TenorsStory about this talentedToronto resident on page 6.

From the Editor’s Desk:MORE Music In Our LivesNot long ago in the Maltese Link, I wrote about the important rolemusic always has in the lives of Maltese emigrants, describing themany family and social events that took place in New York City whenmy mother was growing up.Today, we leave New York and go to Toronto to meet Victor Micallef, aMaltese-Canadian, who is part of the Canadian Tenors.Victor began his music training at the piano was he was four, but healso liked singing. Very shy by his own admission, Victor‟s father, thelate Joe encouraged him to sing at St. Paul‟s Church, in Toronto‟sMaltese community. He sang solo in the choir at Mass and also atweddings, funerals, and special programs at the church. Sadly, his father passed awaywhen he was 16, but Micallef kept on with the piano lessons and singing. It was this earlynurturing in the Toronto Maltese community, he says, that was instrumental in who he istoday and what he is doing.When he was 16, Victor began formal voice lessons and later went on to the University ofWestern Ontario and the University of Toronto to earn a Bachelor‟s degree in vocalperformance.Flash forward: This once shy performer is now oneof the Canadian Tenors, an ensemble of four menwho have mesmerized audiences throughout theworld with their solo and collective voices.I spoke with Victor earlier this month when he wasback in Toronto to record a new album (the Tenors‟second). He says he is on the road often, andactually clocked in more than 300 days away fromhome last year, but was happy to speak with theMaltese Link about how his Maltese background, hisfamily‟s interest in music and the encouragement ofthe Maltese community all played into his vocalcareer.You can read more about Victor and The CanadianTenors beginning on page 6.● ● ● ● ●And now from the “Our Language is Not Dead Yet” file: Just this morning while riding a busto the subway that takes me to New York City for work, I met a Gozitan couple and amutual Gozitan friend. Of course, we spoke (they much better than I!) in Maltese. Peoplearound us noticed we were speaking something “different.” Their heads perked.This should not have been unusual because we hear Spanish, Creole, and Arabic on the busevery day. Two people politely asked what language we were speaking. I smiled. “Maltese,”I said proudly.Saћћa u sliem dejjem!Claudia Caruana ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 2

From The President:The Teaching of Maltese HistoryIn the August issue ofMaltese Link, I gave arather dismal but, Ibelieve, realistic picture ofthe state of Malteselanguage maintenanceamong second andsubsequent generations ofMaltese origin. I alsoreferred to the possibility that our culturemight, however, linger on based on othersupportive structures which might beindependent of the ability to speak thelanguage. This would include, in particular, aknowledge of Maltese history.The news has, however, reached us thateven this bastion of culture is now underthreat. Changes are afoot within theEducation Department in Malta that aim tochange all this.Up till now, secondary school students havehad one lesson a week in Maltese history(two lessons in Forms 1 and 2 at the JuniorLyceum). This will continue for the nextscholastic year, after which the new NationalCurriculum Framework, currently in aconsultation phase, is expected to kick in.Within this new framework, history as asubject will disappear altogether and will beamalgamated within a subject called„Citizenship Education,‟ which combines thestudy of history with social studies,geography, personal and health education,and home economics. It is expected that allthese subjects will be allowed 2-3 lessonsper week (3-5 lessons in Forms 1 and 2).We believe this is a retrograde step, andwould deal a near-mortal blow to ourconcept of history as underlying our conceptof culture. Without in any way denigratingthe value of the other subjects includedwithin this framework, we believe that thisconcoction will dilute the very idea of historywithin the curriculum.There are serious implications also to thestudy of history at the tertiary level (seearticle on this topic by Prof Henry Frendo:„Save Maltese History‟, The Times, March27, 2009).If these changes are bad enough forstudents in Malta, they are even moreominous for Maltese living abroad whoconsider that one essential link between usand those living in Malta is precisely thehistory that we share, not geography, nothealth education, not home economics.Such a move will drive a wedge deeperbetween us, and separate us even further.Gone also are all hopes of having studentsin Malta studying some aspects of migrationhistory that was emphasized at theMigrants' Conventions held in Malta, andwhich we were led to believe were not onlydesirable but also achievable.In struggling to maintain our culture, wehave encouraged the teaching of Maltesehistory. In some places, such as inMelbourne, we have set up a MalteseHistorical Association with the aim ofreminding ourselves of our history. As partof the Migration Museum Project, a „virtualmuseum‟ website has been set up(www.maltamigration.com) which containsthe most comprehensive information aboutmigration history, including full texts ofseveral books written by Fr. LawrenceAttard, who has chronicled Malteseemigration through the 1800s to thepresent.We also were hoping that the scholarshipspromised by the Education Ministry could beused by young people to upgrade theirknowledge of Maltese history, so essential toculture maintenance.It would be a great shame if all this isallowed to disappear within a vague meléewithout any obvious benefit to anyone inparticular. Those of us who are old enough,those who left the Maltese islands prior toSEPTEMBER 2011 Page 3

Independence, when the study of historywas restricted to reading passages from asingle book which was often neitherinteresting nor accurate, will understand thelacuna that existed then.Are we going back to those days?We still are hoping that the promisedCultural Institute will have some role to playin ensuring that Maltese history is widelydisseminated and that every effort will bemade to ensure that all individuals ofMaltese origin, whether currently living inMalta or abroad, will have a good grasp oftheir history.For more details relating to the proposedcurriculum framework see:https://secure2.gov.mt/meef/Page.aspx?pid=543Maltese HeritageProgram Thrives inTorontoMaurice Cauchi ■Carmen M. Galea, Instructor – MalteseHeritage Program.One of the first School Boards in Ontario toencourage the promotion and education ofan emigrant‟s cultural background was theMetropolitan Separate School Board(MSSB). In the 1970s, Toronto‟s SeparateSchool Board approached Godwin Darmanin,a Maltese emigrant, who conceived the ideaof starting Maltese Heritage Classes in aWest-End school.After many meetings with the Board,correspondence with the Government ofMalta, and consultations with thecommunity, the first class of approximately25 students was started in 1977 at St.James School in Toronto‟s West-End.Darmanin was instrumental in initiating thefirst Maltese Heritage Program, and insucceeding years, he remained a resourceperson should the Maltese Heritage Programrequire his services or advice.In 1979, the classes were moved to theirpresent location at James Culnan CatholicSchool in West Toronto. The number ofstudents attending the Saturday morningsessions, at that time, was approximately100. Students were divided into three orfour classes, depending on their knowledgelevel of the Maltese language. Thecurriculum was developed for elementaryschool-aged children.Many Maltese Canadians have moved out ofmetropolitan Toronto to the suburbs in the1980s and 1990s. Since then, unfortunately,there has been a decrease in the number ofstudents attending the program. Presently,the number of students is approximately 20,with a staff of two instructors and avolunteer student assistant.The Metro Separate School Board supplies2½ hours of instruction per week (onSaturdays) for elementary school-agechildren. The instructors provide lessons inMaltese, and lessons in history and culturalinsights. The instructors are Carmen Galea,Cheryl Bezzina, and Ritienne Bonello.The Maltese Heritage Program alsoparticipates in various community functions,such as singing Maltese Christmas carols atthe Seniors‟ Christmas dinner hosted everyyear by the Maltese Canadian Federation, aswell as participating at the Imnarja picnic,which takes place the last Sunday in June.Since the program began, the message of“Il-Priedka tat-Tifel” (Traditional “Boy‟sSermon”) has always been delivered by astudent from the Maltese Heritage Class.qormija@sympatico.caCarmen M. Galea ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 4

Joe Sherri on Courtesy Visit to H.E.Dr. George Abela, President of MaltaJoe Sherri, President of the MalteseCanadian Federation, last month, paid acourtesy visit to H.E. Dr. George Abela atSan Anton Palace.The President of Malta paid tribute to theMaltese communities abroad and expressedspecial interest in both the challenges facingthe Maltese community in Canada as well astheir many successes and achievements. Dr.Abela also enquired about culturalcelebrations, the involvement of secondgenerationMaltese in community-relatedevents, clubs and the Maltese CanadianFederation.The President of Malta thanked the MalteseCanadian community for their donation lastChristmas to the L-Istrina Community ChestFund.All the Maltese clubs in Canada fall underthe umbrella of the Maltese CanadianFederation, which is a member of theFederation of Maltese Living Abroad. JoeSherri has been President of the MalteseCanadian Federation for close to ten years.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 5

Canadian Tenor Victor Micallef Had HisMusical Start in Maltese CommunityVictor Micallef with Natalie Pratt at 2005 Bank Of Valletta Concert in Toronto.It's a late summer afternoon and by goodfortune, Victor Micallef is at home in hisnative Toronto. By his own admission, itoften is difficult to find him home becausehe travels extensively with the CanadianTenors, crisscrossing Canada, the UnitedStates, Europe, and beyond.In the background, I hear the sounds of anactive three-year-old (a budding singer,perhaps?) but not to worry, we will have anengaging phone interview and chat thisafternoon.From shy boy to accomplishedsingerBy his own admission, Micallef said he was avery shy child but liked to sing. “People likedlistening to me,” he says. ”But I just feltuncomfortable. I began piano lessons at agefour and also enjoyed playing for others.”Editor's note: When FMLA secretaryAlbert Vella said there would be asurprise in the mail for me, my curiositywas piqued. The package arrived a fewdays later and it was a CD, The CanadianTenors. I played the CD and wasmesmerized. The voices of four men—tenors—Remigio Pereira, Fraser Walters,Clifton Murray McKnight, and VictorMicallef serenaded me as I worked at mycomputer.It was ecstasy. The music captivated me.It put me in a great moodI would play this CD many times. Micallefis Maltese-Canadian, and I knew I wouldwant to share with Maltese Link readersthe remarkable story of his life andmusic. Here it is.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 6

Victor, son Zacharias and wife Kathleen.He adds: “My late father Joe thought itwould be good for me to sing at St. Paul's,the Maltese church in Toronto, to overcomemy shyness. As time went by, I sang atmany church occasions, including weddings,funerals, and special church ceremonies.Sadly, my dad died when I was sixteen andwas not able to hear me, but I continuedsinging because it made me happy and thepeople around me happy.”At 16, he began taking formal voice lessons.It also was at this time that Micallef playedin a band at the church and it was in thatband he met his future wife, Kathleen, adrummer. They have a son, Zacharias, nowaged three.After high school, he attended the Universityof Western Ontario and then University ofToronto where he earned his Bachelor‟sdegree in vocal performance.In late fall, 1998, Micallef moved toFlorence, Italy, where he began studyingwith his mentor, tenor Franco Pagliazzi.While in Europe, he performed both operaand in concert with several companiesincluding Il Teatro del Maggio MusicaleFiorentio. He has worked with worldrenewed conductors including, Zubin Mehta,Claudio Abbado, and Daniel Oren.By 2004, he had returned to Toronto andbeen accepted as a member of the CanadianOpera Company's Ensemble Study. For thenext two years, he performed andunderstudied the role of Luke in theCanadian premier of Ruder's TheHandmaid's Tale, the title role in Britten'sAlbert Herring, Tamino in Mozart's, TheMagic Flute, both Macduff and Malcom inVerdi's, Macbeth, Roldolfo in Puccini's, LaBoheme, and Edgardo in Donizetti's Lucia diLammemoor. He also recorded as a soloistand in ensembles with Il Teatro del MaggioMusicale Fiorentino and with the OrpheusChoir.Introducing the Canadian TenorsThen, something unusual happened in 2006.There was a cross-Canada casting call forthe Canadian Tenors. This ensemble hadformed once before, but founder Jill AnnSiemens, a composer from Victoria, BritishColumbia, wanted new tenors. Micallef wasin Italy at the time and flew back to Torontoon the proverbial “dime” to make the castcall. A fourth Tenor was selected to join theensemble in 2009. The Canadian Tenors allhave European roots in Portugal, Ireland,and Scotland, making the ensemble a“cultural mosaic” and very representative ofCanadian culture.The Canadian Tenors with Elton John.Although there are other tenor groups suchas the Irish Tenors, each group is individualand not a franchise, Micallef says. TheCanadian Tenors are different because weeach write and play music as well as sing.We also sing in several languages, includingItalian, French, and Spanish.”Their work is eclectic and is a carefulSEPTEMBER 2011 Page 7

ANZAC Memorial Planned for FlorianaGround was broken in the Argotti Garden,Floriana in August for a memorial to theAustralian New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC). This garden dates to the time ofthe Knights when it was used to growbotanicals that could be used for medicines.Australia and New Zealand were two of thecountries that sent their soldiers to help theAllies in Europe during World War I. ANZACwas formed in Egypt in 1915 and operatedduring the Battle of Gallipoli in westernTurkey. ANZAC was disbanded in 1916.During WWI Malta (often referred to as the“nurse of the Mediterranean”) was turnedinto a “hospital” where many thousands ofsoldiers from the then British Empire,including ANZAC, were treated and nursedafter being injured in battles that took placein Gallipoli.In Malta, many of the ANZAC soldiers weretreated for their injuries. While many ofthem recovered and were sent back home,276 died there and were buried in variouscemeteries on the island.Fund Raising for theANZAC MemorialToward the end of 2005, at a meeting of theMaltese Australian Association-Malta (MAA),Nicholas Bonello, association president,presented his idea of having an ANZACMemorial erected in Malta and for the MAAto sponsor it. The idea was accepted.Other local Australian associations alsobecame involved in fund-raising andplanning for the Memorial.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 9

Both the Australian and the NewZealand High Commission gave theirblessing to the idea and wererepresented on a new committeewhich was named the ANZAC MemorialCommittee–Malta.A Malta-wide design competition washeld and artist/sculptor Gianni Bonniciwon the competition with the designshown here. His son Hermann wasappointed architect of the project.It took more than 2½ years before thefinal application to MEPA, the Maltalocal planning authority, resulted in the“go ahead“ in 2009.The next step was tosecure funding. Asubstantial donationcame from the MalteseAustralian Association-Malta and other localAustralian associations.Individuals alsocontributed. A fund wasstarted by The MalteseHerald, which is published in Australia.Organisations such as the MAWA ofPerth, the MCCV of Melbourne, theMCC of NSW, and the AMC-SA ofAdelaide organised functions to raisefunds for the Memorial. Other Malteseassociations in NSW, Queensland,South Australia, and West Australiaalso contributed.It is anticipated that the ANZACMemorial will have the names ofmembers of ANZAC buried in Maltashown on the Memorial. Completion isscheduled for some time during 2012,because the anticipatedembellishments will need the fiat ofthe local planning authority.Many promoters of the Memorialbelieve it is a fitting way ofremembering the ANZACs buried inMalta, and, also be a permanent“thank you” to Australia, the countrythat welcomed scores of thousands ofMaltese to its shores.Nicholas Bonello OAM ■Maltese Link CirculationNotes from theSecretary:On behalf of thecommittee of theFederation of MalteseLiving Abroad, I ampleased to share a fewshort updates with FMLAmembers and the readersof our newsletter.Albert E. VellaThe Maltese Link is now distributed directly andelectronically to close to 850 readers in Australia,Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany,Greece, Italy, Libya, Luxembourg, Malta, Peru,Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, andVatican City.The newsletter also is distributed, eitherelectronically or by mail, to around 10,000members of our organizations: Gozo Club,Maltese American Social Club of South SanFrancisco, Maltese Canadian Club of London, LaValette Social Centre, Australia, and Malta Societyof New Zealand Inc.Maltese Link Back Issues on OurWebsiteMaltese Link back issues are available on ourwebsite at www.malteseabroad.org.Member organizations are encouraged to create alink from their websites. ■Monument Design CompetitionAnnouncedThe Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs andthe Malta Council for Culture and the Arts areinviting interested artists or artistic teams whoare EU member-state citizens to participate in adesign competition for a monument honouringEurope.The design is to consist primarily of a waterfeature and should also include a physicalstructure.Submission deadline is 7th October 2011.More information and guidelines about thecompetition on can be found at maltaculture.com.E-mail: info.mrra@gov.mt ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 10

Malta Book BagFenech, Marthese.Eight-Pointed CrossBDL Publishers. San Gwann:Malta. ISBN: 978-99957-33-08-7.640pp., 2011.The violent clash between the OttomanEmpire and the Knights of St John on theisland fortress of Malta serves as thebackdrop to Eight-Pointed Cross. Youngsiblings Domenicus and Katrina Montesalive under constant threat of raids by theOttoman Turks, the staunchest enemies ofthe Christian knights. All the while,hundreds of leagues away in Istanbul,Demir‟s dream of becoming an imperialhorseman in the Sultan‟s cavalry is his onlysalvation against relentless torment by hiscruel brother.The Turkish invasion of Malta and theisland‟s bloody defence will forever changethe lives of the three protagonists, whosefates are intertwined not only with eachother, but with nobles and peasants,knights and corsairs, tyrants and galleyslaves, on both sides of the conflict as thenovel sweeps across the Mediterraneanworld of the sixteenth century – fromMalta, a barren Christian outpost, toIstanbul, the glittering seat of Islam, fromfilthy prison cells to lush palace gardens.Against soaring cliffs and open sea-lanes,the men and women of Eight-Pointed Crossface corruption and oppression, brokenvows and betrayal, as two great empirescollide. Surviving this battle-soaked worldof swords and scimitars will test the limitsof every character‟s courage, loyalty, andlove.About the author: When she was 12,Fenech lived in Malta for six months,enrolling in an all-girls private school run bynuns. She lasted three days before gettingkicked out for talking too much. Back inToronto, she started her own businessrecording, editing, and selling bootlegheavy metal concerts.While in highschool, she tooka position witha popularseafood chainas its firstfemaledishwasher. Shelater workedwith specialneeds childrenand adults,wherewitnessingsmall miracleson a daily basis was part of the job.A former kickboxing instructor, Fenechcurrently teaches high school English andhistory. She speaks fluent Maltese andFrench and is learning Italian.As part of her research for Eight-PointedCross, she took up archery, and ended upaccidentally becoming a certified instructor.She has a passion for adventure,photography, running, music, snowboarding,and yoga. ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 11

Guido de Marco.The Politics of PersuasionDVD. Valletta: Malta.Allied Publications. 57 minutes,Studio Services, 2011.months before passing away in 2010, hehad finished recording excerpts from hisbook of memoirs.This professionally produced DVD witharchive films, photographs, and soothingbackground music is a gold mine of Malta‟ssocio-political history that covers all thesignificant moments of the author‟spersonal and political life. There isan introduction and a menu allowingthe viewer the choice of watchingthe whole DVD or selecting thechapters separately.I am more than convinced that allpublic and university libraries shouldhave copies made available to alltheir readers and to students whowish to have a clear image ofepisodes concerning Malta‟s recenthistory, including Malta‟s EuropeanUnion accession experience, which,Guido de Marco had noted, “was nota switch-on, switch-off affair” afterhis meeting with Commissioner HansVandenberg.I also hope that more Maltesepoliticians will be encouraged andgiven the opportunity by publishersto produce similar DVDs.Two technical points I would like tomention here:I noticed that when I clicked on“Play Video” on my iMac, the playerskipped the „Introduction‟.My second technical point is that thepublisher should inform all Macusers that the video can only beviewed with the help of a freeapplication called, VLC Media Player.Professor Guido de Marco (1931-2010), aself-made man, a leading and influentialpolitician who had had an importantinfluence on Malta‟s contemporary history,was also a well-known statesman outsideMalta, through his diplomatic initiatives inthe Middle East, the USSR, the Far East,Africa, the United States, and Europe.In 2007, de Marco published The Politics ofPersuasion, his autobiography. A fewMichael Riccio, Ph.D., is a former tutorand visiting lecturer at the BritishInstitute in Paris (London University)(1981-2007) and a seniorlecturer/researcher in English at theUniversité Paris Dauphine, where heteaches general English (preparationfor Cambridge exams) and businessEnglish. ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 12

Aquilina, Joseph.Concise Maltese-English,English-Maltese Dictionary1,200 pp., 2006. Valletta:Midsea Books Ltd.All-too-often today, people rely on theInternet for translating Maltese into Englishor English into Maltese.Now, there is an authoritative conciseMaltese/English dictionary that will helpstudents, translators, and the general user.This new version of Professor Aquilina‟sfour-volume dictionary is suited to theneeds of today‟s users. New synonyms alsohave been added to give the user a widerchoice of English words.Since abridgement was the main exercise inthis version, obsolete words, verbalphrases, idioms and expressions, crossreferences as well as etymological notationswere deleted. The system of presentingderivatives under the headword however,was retained, but these were put inalphabetical order.The orthography in this dictionary is theofficial orthography of Maltese, originallydevised by the Gћaqda tal-KittiebaMaltin/Akkademja tal-Malti in 1924 andlater revised in two subsequent updates. ■Robins, Denise.Mument ta' MћabbaTranslation of EmmanuelPortelli.BDL Publishers. San Gwann:Malta. ISBN: 978-99957-33-04-9. 265 pp., 2011.‘Int tfajla żgħira imma wisq romantika –għandek bżonn li toqgħod ferm attentagħaliex, xi darba, sa tweġġa‟ ħafna‟, wissietkemm-ildarba Barbara lil Christa. Dan kienveru għaliex Christa, b‟mod iddisprat riedetli tkun maħbuba – kellha xewqa kbira li ssirtħobb lil xi ħadd. Iżda meta ż-żewġt iħbiebjivvjaġġaw għal btala ġewwa Franza, ittnejnli huma jsiru jħobbu lill-istess raġel –Stephen Harrimay; bniedem tassew fabbli,direttur ta‟ waħda mill-aqwa ditti talprofumerijaf‟Pariġi.Din l-esperjenza jkollha r-riperkussjonijiettagħha li jaffettwaw bis-sħiħ l-attitudni tażżewġttfajliet għall-mod ta‟ kif iħarsu lejn ilħajja– u lejn l-imħabba. ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 13

The Maltese as “New Europeans”Several months ago, Eurobarometer, theEuropean Commission‟s series of publicopinion surveys in the European Union(EU), published a report called "NewEuropeans." The choice of name wasdeliberate: the report's focus was theconnections Europeans have outside theirown country in a world marked byglobalisation and mobility.It is beyond the scope of this article to offereven the most cursory review of thereport's content. The detail with regards toboth results and methodology is extensive,offering many "nuggets" to pick andanalyse. I will limit myself to two findingsrelated to Malta.As is customary with news that comes inpairs, one is positive, the other not somuch.First, the good news. Malta is the EU statewith the highest number of respondents(66%) reporting close relatives livingabroad, including countries outside the EU.This percentage is even more significantwhen one considers that the question doesnot take into consideration multiple repliesfrom people who have more than one closerelative abroad (not uncommon with manyMaltese). It also asks only about "closerelatives" (parents, siblings, and children)without factoring in, say, aunts, uncles, andcousins.This is an important finding. It shows thatin Malta, diaspora issues are important.They concern not only a considerablenumber of Maltese abroad but also manyMaltese families in Malta. There is everylegitimate reason for people to expect thatmaintaining and enhancing links withMaltese abroad is a priority deservingpolicymakers' attention.There‟s less reason to be optimistic aboutanother finding.Another question asked: “What do youthink are the most important characteristicsto be Maltese?” A maximum of threeanswers was allowed.Quite a few respondents answered “toshare Maltese cultural traditions” (30%),“to feel Maltese” (31%), “to exercisecitizens‟ rights” (31%) and “to have beenbrought up in Malta” (36%). But, by far, thelargest number (68%) answered “to beborn in Malta.”This could be interpreted to mean that,although people in Malta perceive firstgenerationmembers of the Maltesediaspora as unequivocally Maltese, theymight not extend such an honour to thesecond and subsequent generations, evenwhen they retain Maltese language andculture.The efforts, past and present, made byleaders of Maltese communities abroad tomaintain the link between their childrenand Malta are important and commendable.But, their efforts have to be matched bypolicymakers in Malta to change publicperceptions of the “new Maltese” livingoutside the country. This report can befound at:http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_346_en.pdfFranklin Mamo Secretary-General ofMaltin fil-Belġju asbl ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 14

MeetAustralian-MaltesePhotographerand Athlete,Martin BonniciMartin Bonnici says that as a child he alwaysdreamed about becoming a professionalathlete and representing Australia ininternational competitions. He says he alsodreamed of being an acclaimedphotographer.Today, the Melbourne resident has doneboth.Bonnici says he comes from a “typical”Australian family of migrants: “My father,Tony Bonnici, a barrister, was a Maltese bornin Egypt. He has served on the Federation ofEthnic Communities Council of Australia, theEthnic Community Council of Victoria, andwas the president of the Maltese Communityof Victoria. My mother Betty, who trained asa nurse, was born in Australia to Swedishparents. Because my father was involvedactively in establishingthe Maltese community in Victoria, aschildren we grew up in the Maltesecommunity, so it‟s in my blood.”A Successful Career as aBobsleigherAthletic as a youth, Bonnici found a sportthat engaged his interest: bobsleighing.“From 1988 to 1992, he says, “I was part ofthe Australian two- and four- man Bobsleighteams. I represented Australia in theAmericas Cup, Canadian/American Cup,European Cup and World Cup, as well as theWorld Championships in St. Moritz,Switzerland. I also participated incompetitions in North America, Germany,the Former East Germany, Switzerland, theFormer Yugoslavia, Italy, Austria, France,and Canada.”And, more was to come.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 15

“My team was selected to attendthe Elite Sports Program at theAustralian Institute of Sport inCanberra where we participatedin testing and training campsthat helped to advance athleticability and performances while intraining and in competition,” hesays.Bonnici says that in 2001, he wasinvited to assist with technicalhelp for “push” training for theAustralian men‟s bobsleigh team,and the following year, wasappointed National Push Coach ofthe Australian bobsleigh teamand co-founded and coached theAustralian women‟s bobsleighteam.Success withPhotographyPhotography, however, wasalways in the picture. At the endof 1992, Bonnici graduated fromthe Melbourne School of Art andPhotography and then moved toCanada the following year. There,he started working as a freelancephotographer specializing intravel, adventure travel, sport,adventure-sport, aerialphotography, andphotojournalism.When he returned to Australia in1998, he planned and lead acamel expedition crossingWestern Australia on aphotographic trip, travellingthrough the Great Sandy Desertto the Tanami Desert. He also coordinatedand participated in aone-month photographic seakayaktrip in the north ofAustralia as well as numerousother adventures.Today, Bonnici specializes ininternational travel andThe Azure Window, Gozo.adventure photography as well as photojournalism.“In the field, I find the opportunity for a very broadstyle of photographic work. I define my work as acontinuous visual philosophical question, “Is the imagea moment in a lifetime, or a lifetime in a moment?” hesays.Along with commercial photography, Bonnici exhibitshis work regularly. He is one of six international councilmembers of the Mirca Art Group, where he representsboth Australia and Malta. The Mirca Art Group is activein international arts exhibitions and arts books and“proactive in human rights, choosing to make our pointculturally via the arts,” he says.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 16

In August, Bonnici facilitated theHuman Rights Exhibition(sponsored by the Mirca ArtsGroup) at the University of Malta.Judge Giovanni Bonello, formerJudge of the European Court forHuman Rights in Strasbourg,opened the exhibition.And Now… PhotographicTourismA few years back, Bonnicideveloped a new tourismconcept: Photography MadeEasy. This is a basic, three-hourphotographic workshopconsisting of a one-hour lecturefollowed by a two-hour walk,putting into practice what wascovered in the lecture. “The ideais to teach people photography inthe field and make difficulttechnical photographic principleseasy and accessible to anyonewho wants to learn in a friendlyeasy going environment.”Malta always was in the picture.Bonnici then developed,Photographic Master Classes ofMalta and Gozo.“I wanted to create two-weekmaster classes and cultural toursin Malta twice a year. Theseclasses are designed soparticipants learn photographyand post-production skills(printing) in the field and onlocation, explore the rich culture,travel, architecture and generalstreet photography whileexperiencing Malta from theinside. The intention of thesePhotography Master Classes is tofoster international arts tourismto Malta,” he says. These classesThe Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta.are offered in March and October/November.Bonnici's ultimate dream? “I want to continuedeveloping my work and explore the visual language ofthe arts within photography so I can find the intricatenuances that will take the viewers of my work on ajourney and leave them affected.”Malta continues to be fueling that dream. As Bonnicisays: “Australia is the mother of my blood… but Malta isthe grandmother of my blood!”Bonnici‟s work can be viewed at:www.martinbonniciphotography.com andwww.photographymadeeasy.com.au. ■SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 17

Maltese Celebrate8th September inLuxembourgThe Maltese community in Luxembourg gottogether again this month. This communityis composed of approximately 200 people,many of whom are employees of theEuropean Institutions, with a smallernumber employed in the private sector andtheir families.Of special note was The Victory Day MalteseParty, commemorating il-Vitorja, andorganized by a group of volunteers. It tookplace on the 8th September at the EuropeanCommission‟s Jean Monnet Building.On the menu as you can see in thephotograph: Maltese culinary specialities, ofcourse.Peter Vella ■On-Line Book ServicesEditor’s Note: We are publishing thisinformation about on-line booksellers atthe request of several readers.Here are several websites and services thatmay be helpful if you are seeking booksabout Malta, learning the Maltese language,and art culture.www.maltaonlinebookshop.com. Thiswebsite bookseller, owned and operated byPatrick Anastasi, who lives in Malta, lists anextensive number of Maltese books, andbooks about language, on its website.www.bdlbooks.com. Book Distributors Ltd.,which operates a book warehouse in SanGwann, has an extensive number of Maltesebooks available at its website.www.maltabook.com. This website/on-linebookselling service is operated by A.C.Aquilina Booksellers on Republic St.,Valletta.www.agendamalta.com This website/on-linebooking service is operated by AgendaBooks, a bookselling chain in Malta. AgendaBooks took over the Sapienza Bookstore onRepublic St., Valletta, several years ago. ■The Federation of Maltese Living Abroadnewsletter, Maltese Link, is distributed free ofcharge to members of the global MalteseCommunity.Letters to the editor, comments about theFederation, and requests for information should beaddressed to the editor atccaruana29@hotmail.comThe editor has the right to edit material for styleand content or refuse publishing material that is inpoor taste or potentially libellous.If you do not wish to receive further copies of thisnewsletter, please send a note to the Secretary,Albert Vella, e-mail: atvella@rogers.comOpinions published here do not necessarily reflectthe views of all individual members or theExecutive Committee of the FMLA.SEPTEMBER 2011 Page 18