May is a month renowned for its flowers and for this reason the Malta Horticultural Society (Socjeta Maltija tal-Ortikultura), founded 1903 will be organising its 109th annual Great Spring Show at part of the Palace and the gardens of San Anton in Attard - on the weekend of the 5th and 6th May 2012.  This show is a golden opportunity for those who like Horticulture to attend or even to exhibit flower arrangements, cut flowers, pot plants, fruits, vegetables and homemade preserves. It will also be a delightful event for holidaymakers in the Island. This year the Malta Horticultural Society is going to have in our show Ms Patrizia Di Braida a famous Floral Designer from Italy and she is going to make a display at the Seashells Resort-Suncrest in Qawra on Thursday 3rd May at 7.00pm and a main Flower Arrangment at San Anton for The Great Spring Show. At the Malta Horticultural Society event one can find a lot more of interest, like three different flower arranging schools, the Bonsai Culture Group and live entertainment like jazz band and dogs display of Malta police corps, the Attard and Xghajra scouts band, eight different dancing schools, Ta' Verna Folk Band-Gozo, the Attard village Brass Band, and displays of local honey, olive oil and hand crafts. The show opens for the public on Saturday from 2.00pm and 10.00pm and on Sunday from 08.00am and 9.00pm. On Sunday at 7.00pm H.E. the President of Malta Dr George Abela and the Hon Minister George Pullicino will present the cups and trophies to the winners in the various sections and certificates to non competitive exhibits like the Local Councils, Band Clubs, NGO’s, Day Centers, Parishes and other Denominations etc. On both evenings the show gardens will be illuminated and there will be an open air snack bar. Entry fee: adults 2 Euro; children under 14 years old enter free.

The run-up to the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, known as Lapsi, is being celebrated in Gozo with the sixth edition of Lejlet Lapsi – Notte Gozitana, organised by the Ministry for Gozo, on the weekend of the 18th-20th of May. Costumes from the National Collection are being displayed under the auspices of Heritage Malta in the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry for Gozo, Victoria; paintings by Emvin Cremona are on display at the Banca Giuratale on Independence Square, Victoria; and the Cittadella Centre for Culture and Arts has two exhibitions – the 70th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross and the Santa Maria Convoy, and the Gentes IV Collective Exhibition. On Friday, the18th of May at 9 p.m. Soundtracks Spectacular is being held on St Francis Square, Victoria, with music, dance and film by the Gozo Youth Orchestra and the Moveo Dance Company with the participation of professional Maltese and Italian dancers. Foot and bus tours are being held on Saturday the19th and Sunday, the 20th at 10am from the Victoria Bus Terminus taking in rural chapels, the countryside and the Citadels hidden curiosities. A local crafts fair starts at 10am on Saturday the 19th of May on St Georges Square. An Artists Garden, with the students of the Music, Arts and Drama Schools in Gozo celebrating the four seasons of culture in art, music, dance and drama, also starts at 10am in Villa Rundle Gardens. There are free horse-drawn carriage rides, including in the traditional karozzini, between Savina Square and Villa Rundle Gardens. Several parts of Victoria come alive from 9pm, with various music and dance events, including Villa Rundle Gardens, the Cathedral Square and Gran Castello in the Citadel, and Victorias narrow streets and alleys. Independence Square will have live music on a grand piano and is the main chill-out venue from midnight. On Sunday the 20th, Villa Rundle Gardens will host Gozitan folk groups, traditional games and animation from 9am and at 8pm. Stella and Leone, a musical based on the novel by Gozitan poetess Mary Meilaq, is presented by the Gozo Theatre Club. For more information please call 00356 22156700, e-mail info@gozoculture.com or visit www.gozo.gov, www.eco-gozo.com or www.gozoculture.com.

COMPLETE ISLE OF MTV 2012 LINE UP

Cassie to Support Sizzling Summer Concert in Malta on 26^th June 2012

Iconic Ice-Cream Brand, Cornetto, Announced as

European Sponsor

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and the Malta Tourism Authority today revealed that biggest selling digital singles artist Flo Rida and globally renowned singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado will join recently announced will.i.am at this year's Isle of MTV 2012, due to take place on the stunning, sun-drenched Mediterranean island of Malta on 26^th June.

Set against Malta's iconic backdrop of Il Fosos Square, Miami-based rapper, Flo Rida and Canadian super-star Nelly Furtado will take to the stage for what promises to be another summer spectacular.  Supported by US recording artist Cassie, the pair will join will.i.am, in delighting the 50,000 strong crowd at one of Europe's biggest free outdoor music events with summer anthems such as Wild Ones, Big Hoops (Bigger the Better), T.H.E (Hardest Ever) and King of Hearts.

Said Nelly Furtado: "Im so excited to go to Malta and perform for MTV. It's my summer of The Spirit Indestructible-its gonna be serious!"

"I'm excited to come to Malta and be a part of the Isle of MTV, Malta is beautiful and I hear nothing but great things about the festival, can't wait," added Cassie.

Keeping music fans cool in the simmering heat and during the event's intense line-up will be iconic ice-cream brand, Cornetto, European sponsor of the Isle of MTV 2012.  The partnership is part of Cornetto's Summer of Music campaign, which will offer music fans the chance to watch some of the hottest acts around.  Together with MTV, Cornetto will also launch a competition in search of the next great emerging DJ/Producer later this summer.

Shining the global spotlight on Malta, MTV will film the concert for international broadcast across 63 MTV channels and 153 territories around the world as part of its World Stage music series.  Isle of MTV Malta Special 2012 will be broadcast on MTV music channels from 1st August 2012.

The Isle of MTV Malta Special, delivered through a successful partnership with Malta Tourism Authority, is now in its sixth year, and has become one of the must-attend highlights of the summer music calendar, attracting fans from all over Europe to party in the stunning sun-kissed Il-Fosos Square in Floriana. One of the coolest and most eclectic free European music events, Isle of MTV has built a reputation for showcasing some of the biggest names from the international music scene.

Isle of MTV Malta Special is produced by 360 Playmaker, a business unit of MTV Italia producing shows, lives, formats and events. As well as producing last year's Isle of MTV Malta Special, Playmaker also produce events such as MTV's flagship awards show, the 2011 MTV EMAs in Belfast, multiple MTV World Stage and MTV PUSH concerts and MTV Live Georgia held in Batumi in August 2011.

Now in its 10^th year, the franchise has seen past performers such as Snoop Dogg, Far East Movement, David Guetta, Kid Rock, Kelis, The Scissor Sisters, Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, The Chemical Brothers, Enrique Iglesias, N*E*R*D, Shaggy, Garbage, Jazzy Jeff, Gorillaz, OneRepublic and Morcheeba rock the Isle of MTV stage.

Previous Isle of MTV main event locations have included Torre de Belem, Lisbon, Portugal (2002), Ile du Gaou, Six-Fours Les Plages, France (2003), Tossa De Mar, Costa Brava, Spain (2004), Piazza dell Unita' d'Italia, Trieste, Italy (2005).

Malta's three main islands are situated at the heart of the Mediterranean and offer an endless list of experiences; from meandering around the many museums or the narrow winding streets of Mdina, the Three Cities or its capital city, Valletta; to swimming under the stars in the famous Blue Lagoon or diving the spectacular Blue Hole in Gozo; to partying all night in the many nightclubs or simply chilling out, soaking up the sun and watching the world go by.

Besides the local bands, the 2012 Malta Tattoo will include the following foreign groups

• Pryde of East Lothian Pipes and Drums with Scottish dancers from Scotland,
• Cornwall Air Training Cadets Band from England,
• Rullest Precision Roller Skating Team from Estonia,
• Orkiestra OSP Nadarzyn and majorettes from Poland

Alfred Busietta

Tel:      00356 2137 6312

Mob:   00356 7906 8676

ISLE OF MTV MALTA ON 26^th JUNE 2012

Viacom International Media Networks and the Malta Tourism Authority today announced that Isle of MTV, the free outdoor music extravaganza hosted in Malta each summer since 2007, is back for another year on 26^th June.  The news announced via a joint press conference in Malta this morning, also confirmed multi-platinum selling musician and producer, Will.i.am, as the first name in what promises to be a stellar line up.

The Isle of MTV Malta Special, delivered through a successful partnership with Malta Tourism Authority, is now in its sixth year, and has become one of the must-attend highlights of the summer music calendar, attracting fans from all over Europe to party in the stunning sun-kissed Il-Fosos Square in Floriana. One of the coolest and most eclectic free European music events, Isle of MTV has built a reputation for showcasing some of the biggest names from the international music scene.

The music extravaganza has seen global acts such as Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, David Guetta, The Black Eyed Peas and LMFAO perform in front of an audience of more than 50,000.  The open-air concert, a mixture of live performance, and location settings will be filmed and edited into a 60-minute special to broadcast across 20 MTV channels throughout Europe.  Additional talent line-up and further details for this summer's free concert will be announced in spring 2012. 

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Environment, Dr. Mario de Marco said: "We are proud to partner once again with MTV for the sixth edition of the Isle of MTV, the biggest free open air concert in Europe. The Malta Music Week is fast establishing itself as one of the top pop music festivals in the Mediterranean. Spectacular venues, top artists and great music are a guarantee. We look forward to welcoming music and concert lovers from all over Europe to what promises to be once again another fun-filled great music event."

Added Antonio Canto, Senior Vice President Be Viacom, commented: "We are delighted to be bringing the Isle of MTV back to Malta for the 6^th consecutive year.  At Be Viacom, we are all about engaging and entertaining our fans whilst providing the best 360 solutions for our partners who want to reach this very coveted demographic.  MTV has always been expert at harnessing its multiplatform offerings to deliver the very best and we are excited to be bringing another sensational show this summer on the ground, on television and online for all to enjoy."

"We're absolutely thrilled to have Will.i.am on board for Isle Of MTV.  He is without a doubt one of the most dynamic and compelling performers the world of music has to offer.  Will is certain to light up the huge Malta crowd with his dizzying array of talents," commented Bruce Gillmer, EVP Music, Talent Programming and Events, VIMN. "With further talent to be announced, this promises to be another awesome show."

About Will.i.am

Will.i.am is the frontman and producer behind the multi-platinum selling group The Black Eyed Peas.  He has helped steer The Black Eyed Peas to be one of the most popular and internationally successful groups in music today.  They have sold over 18 million albums worldwide and won a host of awards and accolades throughout their illustrious career including three Grammy awards.

On his own, will.i.am has established himself as one of music's hottest producers. He has collaborated on tracks with Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Kelis, Nas, The Game, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes and fellow Black Eyed Pea, Fergie. He has developed into a highly revered, sought-after musician, songwriter and producer.

He is set to release a new solo album in May 2012.

During the month of March, the Maltese islands are being extensively promoted in one of the world's most renowned department store, Harrods in London.  The ambitious promotion, entitled 'This Is Malta', is the initiative of Malta's High Commissioner in the UK, H.E. Joseph Zammit Tabona, and was taken up by three Maltese government agencies:  Malta Enterprise, the Malta Tourism Authority and Finance Malta.  The three entities have jointly co-ordinated the Harrods promotion.

The campaign covers diverse areas of the store.  It consists of an impressive display in the windows overlooking Brompton Road which include national artefacts provided by, Heritage Malta, above which one can see a number of Malta flags embellishing the facade of the store.  A contemporary painting exhibition of Maltese artists can be viewed in the foyer of the elegant Georgian Restaurant while imagery of the Maltese Islands is on show in various showcases and screens throughout the store.   The store's display windows and screens are all variously themed, promoting diverse aspects of the Maltese islands, especially with regards to history and culture, tourism, business and industry as well as financial services.  The display screens throughout the store will also be airing a number of sponsored and/or promotional clips of Malta & Gozo throughout the month of March.

Over and above, the Harrods Store Guide for the month of March also carries full-page advertisements of Malta-based companies and banks, whilst the Harrods magazine March issue, carries a 16 page feature on Malta and Gozo with a foreword by the Prime Minister, Dr. Lawrence Gonzi.  All receipts printed at the tills during this month will also be carrying full-colour adverts on the back, promoting Gozo as a destination in its own right and the investment opportunities inherent there. 

Since this event also coincides with the awarding of the George Cross to the Maltese Island, a replica of the George Cross medal has been put up on display.  Another 13 paintings donated by artist Kenneth Zammit Tabona for the Duke of Edinburgh Award

are likewise on display,

Moreover, a number of Maltese businesses, banks and other entities have taken the opportunity to organize networking and informative meetings at Harrods during March and take up has been very encouraging.

The support of a number of other entities was also instrumental in the organisation of this event namely Air Malta Plc, The Ministry of Gozo, Malta International Airport plc, HSBC Bank Malta plc, Bank of Valletta plc, Corinthia Group, Hilton Malta, The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, Mdina Glass, Grand Harbour Marina and the Malta Experience.

The Malta Experience, an international award-winning audio visual spectacular has delighted over 4.5 million visitors since its creation back in 1980.

Now in its 5th edition, the theme brings the element of the sea as the islands natural resource to portray Maltas unique 7,000 year history using the latest in digital technology to combine sensational photography and re-enacted motion clips interspersed throughout the 43 minute presentation. Complementing this version, the company initiated further product development in its multi-lingual system which now hosts 16 simultaneous narrations, to suit the ever-growing visitor nationalities to the island.

The attraction is ranked among the islands most popular tourist destination. Rightly positioned as the ideal start to one’s sight-seeing itinerary, it is the only production that presents a quick entertaining yet informative guide of the islands history up to present day.

The Malta Experience is aptly housed within the Mediterranean Conference Centre formerly the Sacra Infermeria of the Knights of St. John. Until recently, access to this monumental building would only be possible during formal events associated with conference, corporate incentives and theatre entertainment. Today the Centre is also open to the general public to admire its architecture as well as its history. Visitors to The

Malta Experience may add, at a nominal fee, a visit of the Sacra Infermeria after the show. Guided tours are held regularly throughout the day.

This new product comprises a 40 minute walk-through along the main halls with verbal commentary by a professional guide trained specifically to convey an interesting account of the Centre which combines myth and fact in a light-hearted way that is suited for all types of visitors. The Sacra Infermeria is among the most imposing buildings in Valletta. The building which commenced during the reign of Grand Master Jean De La

Cassiere in 1574 was considered among the best hospitals in Europe able to accommodate up to 914 patients at its maximum. Its Long Ward measuring 155 meters in length was known to be among the longest non-supporting structures in Europe at the time.

Supplementing the core product, The Malta Experience provides its visitors the convenience for souvenir shopping offering a varied selection of the more traditional items of glass, filigree, pottery, books and more.

Situated at the edge of the bastion promontory, the cafe terrace offers majestic land and seascape scenery of Malta’s renowned Grand Harbour whilst enjoying a wide selection of tasteful delights.

The Malta Experience philosophy seeks to relate the islands history in an informative and educational way keeping within the parameters for cultural recreation.

The newly-opened Palazzo de Piro Cultural Centre will be hosting a series of recitals of excellent quality which will be organized by Barocco Cultural Events in Malta.  The restored noblemans house which has been opened as a cultural centre is the venue for major exhibitions and premier national artistic and heritage events and exhibitions. The recitals planned for the forthcoming months blend thoroughly with the elegant and beautiful ambience of the Palazzo which exudes the wonderful sense of history and the roots of the nation.

The Malta Carnival brings along with it visions of colour, festivities and exuberance.  To celebrate this event with style, the first concert to be held at the magnificent Palazzo De Piro at Mdina Malta, is going to be A Baroque Carnival.  As grand as the baroque period, this concert is set to be a colourful and exuberant performance. The performance is going to feature an unusual instrumental formation of two flutes and a cello.

The concert is going to highlight the musical works of two prominent Baroque composers par excellence: J.S. Bach and Antonio Vivaldi.  The latter is a native of Italys Venice, a city which is synonymous of the exuberant baroque carnival.  Vivaldis works all convey this expression of exuberance and magnificence, colour and movement.  J.S. Bach, a German composer, is the total expression of the German Baroque movement and he is revered for his intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty.

The programme will feature J.S. Bachs Partita in G Major and  Trio Sonata in E Minor, Antonio Vivaldis Trio Sonata in C Major and the French baroque composer Bois Mortiers Concerto for two flutes. 

The trio who will be performing the sparkling recital will be Silvio Zammit and Ramona Zammit Formosa (flutes) and Simon Abdilla Joslin (cello).  The performers are well-known musicians who excel in their performances.

The discovery was made by the Malta Rock Climbing Club in Wied il-Ghasel, Mosta.

Buried under vegetation and rubble from a nearby quarry, the staircase – cut from stone – connects the bottom of the valley to the unearthed site.

Employees of the Rural Affairs Ministry and 15 climbers cleared the. Club president Andrew Warrington draw attention to the fact that a significant part of Malta’s military heritage had been saved, while the staircase would improve access to the area.

The Victoria Lines run along a natural geographical barrier known as the Great Fault. The network of fortifications cut across the width of the island north of the old capital of Mdina, was a unique monument of military architecture. They were built by the British between 1870 and 1899 as a first line of defence.

Works on this project started in October 2011. It is planned that the project will be completed by the end of 2012 although components of the project may be completed and in operation before this date.

The project will be spread over approximately 20,000 square meters and will comprise a public aquarium, a public garden at promenade level, multi storey car park, facilities for local dive schools, catering facilities including a reef club, a merchandise outlet and a tourist information kiosk.

The public aquarium will have more than 25 display tanks with, amongst others, Mediterranean fish, commonly found in Maltese waters together with replicas of historical artefacts that one can find in the seas around us.

The main tank of the aquarium will house species from the Indian Ocean, including two shark species. The main tank will be approximately 12 meters in diameter. Visitors will be able to go through a water tunnel thereby experiencing the fish at a much closer range.

All tanks will be expertly themed to replicate the underwater environment. Additional features of the public aquarium include a class room facility, interpretation, touch pools, a temporary exhibition space, veterinary and quarantine facilities, etc.

The national aquarium will be housed in an underground building located under the promenade level.  However, its entrance facilities are being housed in an iconic curved shell structure in the form of a starfish.  

The garden will provide additional recreation facilities for pedestrians who use the popular Qawra promenade. The car park will have a capacity of over 140 cars.