Sunday Circle (March 2019)

MARCH 2019 – ISSUE NO. 290

THE FUNNY SIDE OF SEX Kevin Naudi interviewed

DANCING IN THE STORM Adorable mum and son duo winning at life

BEATING INSOMNIA PANCAKES AND PRINJOLATA

RITTY TACSUM

Raw emotion

Fully-interactive digital edition.

Download TOM Mag from Apple Store or Google Play.

CONTENTS

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COVER STORY

PEOPLE

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As personally shy as she is bold in her work, experimental photographer Ritty Tacsum prepares to unveil her most personal exhibition yet. She sits down with Iggy Fenech to explain the hardships and liberation of baring it all – emotionally, speaking, of course.

Stand-up comedian Kevin Naudi seemingly burst out of nowhere to playing to a crowd of hundreds at one of Malta’s biggest venues.

Maureen Saguna checks out what tickles this man’s funny bone.

RAW EMOTION

STYLE

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TOO BROKE TO SHOP? Goodbye impulse buying, hello conscious fashion planning. Blogger Stephanie Xerri Agius chronicles her journey towards what seems set to be one of 2019’s biggest fads – the capsule wardrobe.

‘EVERYONE RELATES TO SEX’

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L I T E R AT U R E

FOOD

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For the past 48 years, Merlin Publishers have been at the forefront of Malta’s publishing industry, bringing us classics like Fra Mudest, Il-Ħajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Ġenoveffa, and the Sqaq lInfern trilogy. Here, Iggy Fenech meets publisher and editor Chris Gruppetta to get a better understanding of how books are taken from concept to shop.

Recipes by Pippa Mattei

GIVING BOOKS THEIR SEXY BACK

HISTORY

I STOPPED ASKING ‘WHY ME?’

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Breast cancer and an adorable seven-year-old who battles chronic kidney disease on a daily basis haven’t dampened the joiede-vivre that blogger Lorinda Mamo exudes. She shares her story with Ramona Depares in an inspiring account of true silver linings.

Renowned UK author and broadcaster James Holland returns to Malta this month to give a talk about the island’s incredible war-years history. Anabel Attard discovers why he’s so passionate about our past.

STORIES FROM THE WAR

PRINJOLATA AND PANCAKE SEASON

H E A LT H

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EXIT LIGHT, ENTER NIGHT Newborn keeping you up at night? Teenager’s sleeping pattern have shifted? Or maybe it’s you who just can’t switch off. Whatever your sleeping problem, Janita Falschlunger will probably sort it out. Maureen Saguna finds out more.

REGULARS

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

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C BODY

THIS PUBLICATION IS BEING DISTRIBUTED AS PART OF:

Send your letters to: Ramona Depares, executive editor, Sunday Circle, Allied Newspapers Ltd, Mrieħel, or email: ramona.depares@timesofmalta.com. The executive editor reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and where space is limited. For advertising enquiries email: renee.mdecesare@timesofmalta.com or call: 9947 7193. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole, or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed in the Sunday Circle are not necessarily those of the editor-in-chief or publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor-in-chief and publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or illustrations. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome, but cannot be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The editor-in-chief is not responsible for material submitted for consideration.

A WORD FROM

the editor

I first encountered Ritty Tacsum’s photography some eight years ago, I guess, mostly thanks to a dear former colleague, Lisa Gwen, who introduced me to Ritty’s works. Of course, those of you who are into the arts scene in Malta will be familiar with both names and will be aware of the achievements of both.

This editorial is not intended for those who are already ‘into this sort of thing’, as they won’t need me to sell them the idea of exactly how good this young photographer is. It’s here to convince everybody else, those who maybe wouldn’t typically feel comfortable attending an arts exhibition, for whatever reason. I mean, the fact that I actually wrote ‘this sort of thing’ without batting an eyelid is indicative of the problem why art is not viewed as belonging to everyone.

Too many restrictions abound when it comes to the visual arts, and I’m hoping that this month’s cover interview with Ritty will go some way towards promoting the idea that, if it moves you, yes then it’s ‘for you’.

Of course, there is good reason why some people may feel alienated and might be a bit loath to attend certain exhibitions. The word...cliquey... does come to mind.

Sometimes, worse words come to mind, even. I’m just fresh

from watching Velvet Buzzsaw – ostensibly it’s a horror movie, but in reality it’s a very thinly-veiled send up of the pretentiousness of the artistic world. It’s hilariously spot on in too many cases, do watch it (unless you’re of a squeamish disposition). My favourite part of the film – spoiler alert – is when one buyer stops chatting to an artist in order to worship a couple of rubbish bags lying in the centre of the room.

“That’s not art,” the artist says tersely.

The buyer looks around the room confusedly, wondering which part of the room was ‘the art’ until finally he sees a lone painting and breathes a sigh of relief.

With this scene, I could actually feel a thousand eyeballs rolling. And this is exactly why I fell in love with Ritty’s works, which are the opposite of pretentious. When you view her works, there is no sense of trying to make a statement at anyone’s expense, or trying to ‘trick’ you. Her works just... are. And you look at them, and they move you.

And isn’t that exactly what art is supposed to do, move us?

Read all about her upcoming exhibition in this edition, and I hope you all get to enjoy feasting your eyes on the real deal.

STYLE MALTA WELCOMES FENDI

Synonymous with the world’s leading brands, SARTO continues to cater to the ever-growing demands of Malta’s discerning fashion lover by adding Italian powerhouse Fendi to its portfolio.

From the original ‘it’ bag, The Baguette, which has now reached icon-status, to the recent and highly-noticeable ‘Fendi/Fila’ collaboration, the arrival of this global player is truly exciting news for the style-savvy and quality-seeker alike. Shoppers will be particularly thrilled by the spring/summer 2019 collection by Karl Lagerfeld, which delights in the symmetries of the natural world where the pragmatic and the exotic combine. Explore the fashion house’s range of clothing, bags, footwear, swimwear and accessories for men and women at sarto.com.mt or SARTO, Ross Street, St Julian’s. Tel: 2202 1601.

THE WORLD’S SMARTEST SPORTS CAR

The Jaguar I-PACE is a pure Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) that is thrilling to look at and drive. It was engineered to take full advantage of its smart, electric powertrain and to increase its potential. Designed with 90kWh for longevity and to support extended periods of constant maximum power, one fullcharge provides 470km (292miles) on the WLTP cycle! The Jaguar I-PACE also uses connected car technology that features the Touch Pro Duo Infotainment system. Muscats Motors, Rue D’Argens, Gzira GZR 1368, Tel: 2326 4589/5/7/8, E: info@mml.mizzi.com.mt

BEAUTIFUL. POWERFUL.

INTRODUCING THE TOMMYXZENDAYA COLLECTION

Tommy Hilfiger has just premiered the spring 2019 TommyXZendaya collaborative collection. Co-designed by the American designer with actress and global brand ambassador, Zendaya, the collection is a celebration of the strong, iconic women of the ‘70s, heralding the Battle of Versailles fashion show that took place during that era and the powerful statement made by the American models who took to the catwalk.

The collection is defined by structured silhouettes, including high-waisted jeans and suits, elevated in a rich cream, navy, burgundy and Cabernet red colour palette with ‘Z’ and ‘T’ embroidery. Rainbow stripes and multicolored zodiac-inspired prints add a playful edge to the collection. www.trilogy.com.mt 6 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

The New Range Rover Evoque Diesel MHEV is driven by the most innovative, lowest emission powertrain yet, and the results are truly astounding! With its distinctive coupé-like silhouette, Range Rover Evoque is a compelling successor to the vehicle that captured hearts all over the world. On and offroad handling, combined with its all-weather capability, guarantees that this compact SUV delivers a confident and assured drive, no matter the conditions. Delivering a wealth of information and entertainment, Range Rover Evoque is equipped with InControl infotainment system, Touch Pro, as standard. It seamlessly links both you and your vehicle to the wider world.

The new Range Rover Evoque includes various capabilities, such as allterrain progress control, which enables you to set and keep a steady speed in challenging conditions. Muscats Motors, Rue D’Argens, Gzira GZR 1368, Tel: 2326 4589/5/7/8, E: info@mml.mizzi.com.mt

NEWS

RITTY TACSUM EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW ON TOM MAG! Sunday Circle is back with extra content, extra interactivity and extra fun thanks to the new edition of our digital version, available for free via TOM Mag. This month, check out an exclusive video interview with photographer Ritty Muscat, where she explains how she shares her emotions through her photography.

There are also some fabulous competitions with prizes that are guaranteed to give a great start to your new year. Taking part is so easy, you don’t even need to send emails or use snail mail – just a click on the right button and you’re in with the chance to win. You know what you have to do, head over to TOM Mag App right now.

Meantime, if you are still unsure how to get to all the fabulous content, the TOM Mag digital app is available both through the Apple Store and Google Play. So, if you have not yet done so, simply download the TOM Mag App and click on the December edition of Sunday Circle. Enjoy! And if you’re social media freaks like us, follow MAG us on Instagram by looking up @SundayCircleMag, and on Facebook!

TOM PHOTO: BERNARD POLIDANO

PUBLISHER Allied Newspapers Ltd.

PUBLICATION SALES MANAGER Renée Micallef Decesare

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ramona Depares DESIGN Joseph Schembri ASSISTANT EDITOR Iggy Fenech

COVER Ritty Tacsum. Photography: Bernard Polidano EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Iggy Fenech, Ramona Depares, Pippa Mattei, Rachel Zammit Cutajar, Maureen Saguna and Anabel Attard

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HOW TO DOWNLOAD

To enter these competitions, follow the instructions on the right, and then find the respective competition page on our digital edition!

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Go to the AppStore on your iPhone or Google Play on your Android phone.

Search for ‘TOM MAG’.

Download the ‘TOM MAG’ and open the application.

Download the March 2019 Sunday Circle with one tap.

It’s that simple!

TED BAKER OPENS FIRST STORE IN MALTA Located in the popular shopping destination of The Point Shopping Mall in Sliema, the new Ted Baker store is inspired by Malta’s position as a popular filming location and takes visitors on a unique, cinematic adventure. The new store houses Ted’s menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessory collections. Ted Baker is represented by Hudson, a retailer and distributor of leading fashion and sport brands in Malta, Spain and North Africa.

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Its soft texture and unique, sophisticated rose scent come together in a luxurious, multisensorial ritual for the face that leaves it feeling revitalised, hydrated and smooth. Diego dalla Palma is exclusively distributed by Chemimart, Tel: 2149 2212.

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COVER STORY

Photography Bernard Polidano Make-up Francesca Grech Accompanying Model Kurt Cassar Location Casa Ellul, Valletta

w a R

n o i t o m e

AS PERSONALLY SHY AS SHE IS BOLD IN HER WORK, EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHER RITTY TACSUM PREPARES TO UNVEIL HER MOST PERSONAL EXHIBITION YET. SHE SITS DOWN WITH IGGY FENECH TO EXPLAIN THE HARDSHIPS AND LIBERATION OF BARING IT ALL – EMOTIONALLY, SPEAKING, OF COURSE.

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COVER STORY

If I had to choose one phrase to describe Ritty, it would definitely be ‘a clash of opposites’. See, this 28-yearold photographer, who has exhibited her work on the American and Asian continents, is as shy a person as they come and yet, her work, is incredibly bold.

This contradiction also comes out during our cover shoot, for which Ritty settles into bed with a semi-nude model in her lap, leaving the safety of being behind the camera. The reason for this daring statement is to echo her upcoming exhibition, but being in front of the camera also leaves her feeling extremely awkward.

“I think there are several conflicting traits in my personality,” Ritty tells me as she gets her make-up touched up before continuing our shoot. “I can never tell which version is the stronger or the truest reflection of who I am; I guess all of them make up ‘me’ as a human being… What’s certain is that I’m most comfortable behind my camera.

“Photography, you see, has always been a way for me, an introverted person, to externalise my thoughts. And, in fact, I never had the urge to get professional training in it as, to me, my main focus is to express my emotions and not to be technically perfect, which I think can be seen in my images.”

Yet, ironically, Ritty is, emotionally, quite an open book. You just have to look at the 30 works set to be exhibited in Where I Lay Down to see these antithetical personality traits materialise before your eyes. Indeed, even though she’s not in the photos,

her personality is reflected in her choice of locations and her state of mind in the timeline of their creation.

For starters, Ritty never took most of these photos with the aim of exhibiting them, instead these were just snaps taken over a period of five years mostly for personal reasons.

Some were uploaded to Ritty’s social media channels and others have already been exhibited abroad, but many have never been seen by anyone except her curator, Lisa Gwen. And, in my mind, there’s a very good reason for that.

Photography has always been a way for me, an introvert, to externalise my thoughts

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 11

COVER STORY “This upcoming exhibition is, in many ways, the result of Lisa’s keen eye,” Ritty explains. “Over the past few years – since my first show in 2011, to be exact – she has been spotting a visual and physical pattern in the photos through my use of spaces, namely the bed and the sea. These places are what I look for when I’m experiencing anything from joy to grief. I think, in hindsight, these two elements have been haunting me.”

So, on the one hand, we have the bed as location and subject in this exhibition. The bed, a safe and comfortable space where we can be vulnerable, uninhibited and at one with our thoughts. On the other, we have the vastness of the open sea, where we stop being individuals and simply become part of the scary, engulfing and wild landscape… To someone who knows Ritty, that is very clearly a reflection of her experience of life.

In fact, speaking to Lisa about the final 30 photos chosen for the exhibition, which she selected out of hundreds of snaps Ritty has taken on the subject, she quickly tells me that she sees this work as ‘autobiographical’. And there is probably no other person who could say that with more complete confidence than Lisa, who has worked with her for so many years.

“Each work for this exhibition features one or more figures within, or interacting with, an environment; sometimes dominating it while, at others, being dominated by it,” Lisa explains. “These are the contrasting places in which Ritty finds rest and solace, or where she attempts to find balance, and it’s definitely one of her most personal exhibitions to date.

“I have to say that we have the ideal artist-curator relationship, in which one feeds off, and responds to, the other. In fact, I’m extremely grateful for the blind trust she places in me, whether it’s in conceiving the subject and theme of the exhibition, or in the actual choice of images and their pairing.”

Ritty’s work – be it for her upcoming exhibition or her previous ones – continues to be a reflection of herself and her life. And the themes she explores through her photography, are closely related to her feelings, her 12 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

COVER STORY past experiences, her thoughts, her upbringing and her Maltese identity.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that her talent has evolved vastly throughout the years and has created a portfolio that encompasses works done with multiple exposure, superimposition and surrealist themes in mind.

“Such themes are then inevitably translated into the work that I produce,” Ritty continues. “Indeed, most of my images are the fruit of my daily thoughts, dreams and experiences. Sure, I usually have a preliminary idea of the final shot before taking it, however several

aspects come into play, like the mood I’d be in, the models I’d be working with, and the weather we’d be experiencing on the day. That means that, sometimes, the final image is better than I would have expected it be, and that sometimes I discard a whole shoot.”

The work that doesn’t get discarded is usually extremely emotive, and speaks a language that can be understood by practically anyone. So good is Ritty’s voice through the medium of photography that, in 2013, she was invited to exhibit at the MOCA Taipei in Taiwan, in a

collective exhibition about posthumanism that included works by artists like Björk, Patricia Piccinini and Daniel Lee. Since then, she’s even held a solo exhibition at the Photoville Fair in Brooklyn, New York thanks to Arts Council Malta, as well as other collective and solo exhibitions in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Brussels.

In many ways, it’s Ritty’s rawness and conflictions that make her work so noteworthy. I think it reflects the darkness and the light we each have inside of us, and cracks open a tiny window into a world we often box up.

And with her choice of colour palette for the images in Where I Lay Down – muted blues, dreary greys, earthy browns and dirty pinks – she will once again ask us to let our guards down and be vulnerable with her. A scary proposition, but a beautiful one indeed.

Where I Lay Down shows at Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta between March 8 and March 28.

Admission is free. www.rittytacsum.com

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 13

STYLE

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STYLE

Too broke to shop?

GOODBYE IMPULSE BUYING, HELLO CONSCIOUS FASHION PLANNING. BLOGGER STEPHANIE XERRI AGIUS CHRONICLES HER JOURNEY TOWARDS WHAT SEEMS SET TO BE ONE OF 2019’S BIGGEST FADS – THE CAPSULE WARDROBE. There is no better time than now to look back wistfully, reflecting on what we did and where we have been in terms of goals, achievements, or other personal targets. Such serious thoughts do not usually concern the world of fashion, often perceived as whimsical and ephemeral. To those who live, breathe, and work in fashion, however, it is legitimately close to being one’s centre of gravity. A medium of selfexpression, akin to forging one’s identity. But lest we fall into a philosophical whirlpool, this piece focuses on a personal style journey on the one hand, whilst also offering some suggestions on how to hone one’s sartorial choices.

My own journey began long before adopting the appellation of a fashion blogger, but it was admittedly one huge learning curve that enabled me to learn more about the distinctions between fashion and style. Being immersed first-hand in the local fashion scene has afforded me ample opportunities to carve out my own signature looks, but also to be more daring or experimental when some fads were concerned.

However, somewhere along the way, it became clear that not all fads would fit in my personal style,

and it would be unsustainable to buy more clothes just because they were in vogue. This is where impulsive buying was determinedly replaced by an attempted capsule wardrobe.

On reading about the capsule wardrobe concept, it seems unlikely that we would successfully restrict ourselves to a finite number of items. However, it is not impossible to curate a more mindful collection by being stricter with the select pieces added every season within the year. This entails blending the new with pieces we already have, such as integrating trend-driven pieces within a classic-oriented collection. As far as shopping is concerned, it is advised to avoid hauls or buying in hefty amounts. Conscious shopping is definitely more on the agenda for 2019, as is a concerted effort to be less driven by temporary fashions.

The above are veritable challenges for fashion bloggers, but probably it is time to let go of that pressure to buy more. In light of recent developments online, more bloggers and YouTubers are

more conscientious when it comes to shopping. In reality, one does not really need to buy into every single fad of the numerous microtrends that descend upon high street stores annually. Hauls and buying from dubious online websites are being shunned in favour of de-cluttered, streamlined wardrobes. We may become more savvy when it comes to choosing those pieces that would join the

shedding practices that reflect a lifestyle of excess and wasteful consumerism. The tides are turning and fellow bloggers overseas are

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 15

STYLE

ranks of a versatile wardrobe collection. One suggestion is to have 80% of classic, trend-less pieces as opposed to 20% of fad-driven garments.

So in an attempt to achieve a balance between timeless pieces and fresh offerings by the cyclical fashion world, I embarked on smallscale experiment whereby I used only 10 garments and 4 pairs of shoes. These were configured into numerous outfits, some of which are showcased here. This exercise led me to be more creative and come up with various looks despite using the same pieces. This goes to show that one can restrict one’s wardrobe, but that does not necessarily mean always wearing them in the same iterations.

The Items: 1 pair of blue jeans (classic); 1 pair of vinyl pants (trend); 1 skirt (snakeskin print; trend); 3 tops (these could be easily used as a base for different outfits); 1 long black coat (classic); 1 short coat (the Teddy coat; trend); 1 pair of heels (classic); 1 pair of kneehigh boots (classic); 1 pair of loafers (classic)

The Looks: 1.

2.

3.

Casual looks include wearing a neutral-coloured polo neck to keep you warm and allow for accessorising, while draping a long coat to contrast the lighter colours of slip-on boots that compliment the palette and fit snugly over jeans.

Proportions are key as is the case in the more playful outfit that sees a cosy slightly oversized Teddy coat slung over a fitted top and vinyl pants.

Dare to bare some skin with a buckled heel.

The same polo neck, black coat, and knee-high boots can be given a totally different look by swapping the jeans with a printed skirt, and sticking to the same colour family adds a touch of sophistication. This look definitely combines the trendier pieces with classic ones.

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In conclusion, when creating a curated wardrobe, it is important to resist the temptation of buying something new for every event or occasion one has to attend. This is not sustainable anymore, particularly because of the environmental impact. It is not feasible to have an evergrowing mass of clothing that is either mismatched or worn once in their wardrobe lifetime. It is ironically more refreshing to see people wear the same clothes over and over, restyling them or somehow making them look different. Needless to say, this type of experimentation may lead to a healthier relationship with clothes, to less consumerism, and more conscious shopping.

HUMOUR

PHOTO: MATTHEW B SPITERI & JUSTIN CAMILLERI

STAND-UP COMEDIAN KEVIN NAUDI SEEMINGLY BURST OUT OF NOWHERE PLAYING TO A CROWD OF HUNDREDS AT ONE OF MALTA’S BIGGEST VENUES. MAUREEN SAGUNA CHECKS OUT WHAT TICKLES THIS MAN’S FUNNY BONE.

‘Everyone relates to sex’ 18 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

HUMOUR

When I met Kevin Naudi, it was gloomy and pouring with rain, but I swear that the room lit up when he walked in. This is a man who is larger than life and as expansive in real life as he is on stage.

If you are wondering who Kevin is, I don’t blame you. He wears so many hats that even I am having a hard time describing what he does. During the day, he is a creative director in his family-run business and is proud dad to two little girls. What he is best known for, however, is his acting and standup career. When I asked him how he manages to do everything, his reply was refreshing: “I don’t! It’s a juggle and many balls are dropped at times.”

Kevin is known for doing solo shows. When I say solo, I really mean that. He writes, produces, directs and performs his shows single-handedly.

His first show was attended mainly by his family and friends. “I was just being Kevin,” he says. Still, it was so well-received that it spurred him on. A second show followed two years later and a third one, No Limits, drew a crowd of more than 750 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre last December.

In Kevin’s case, it feels like comedy was the one to choose him rather than the opposite. He has always been known as the joker of the group by his friends and doing his own show seemed like a natural progression. His friends are still the first people he tests his jokes on. “I’ll be out with friends and I’d be joking around. It’s spontaneous. I see my friends’ reaction and notice the feedback. If it works, I use it.”

When I asked him how he comes up with his sketches, he replied that he draws inspiration from everyday life, taking notes on his phone or on post-its when inspiration strikes. “I’m a sponge,” he says. That said, he doesn’t write a full script that he learns by heart, but rather comes up with an idea and a list of things he’d want to touch upon.

Once he has a general idea of how a sketch will go, he runs it by his sister and his

I never set out to be liked by everyone. I wanted to do standup as it’s meant to be done

PHOTO: ALBERT CAMILLERI

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HUMOUR

Kevin's wife Jean and his kids.

“He’s the funniest dad in the world” KATE, AGED 6

wife, but there’s no saying what will actually make it on stage and what else will be added on. His audience’s reaction usually determines how far he will take a joke.

And some jokes are taken pretty far, particularly those about sex. Sex and family life are, in fact, two of his favourite topics because “everyone relates to them”. What about the fact that half of his audience is likely to be an acquaintance or relative here in Malta? Does he ever censor himself? “I never set out to be liked by everyone. I wanted to do standup as it’s meant to be done,” he replies, adding that while he steers clear of political satire, he knows that his shows are so wellreceived because he speaks out and makes light of the thoughts, fears and struggles that all of us experience but don’t talk about. Because, “nobody laughs at anyone’s success”.

What about his family? He says that his wife doesn’t mind the intimate details he goes into during his shows and that, although his mother tends to feel a bit embarrassed 20 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

during his shows, she still finds them very funny.

At a certain point, Kevin’s demeanor became a bit more subdued. He told me how becoming a parent changed everything. “My biggest regret is not starting standup earlier. I wish I had been where I am now back when I had more time and freedom.” That is not to say that he regrets having a family. On the contrary, one of the first things he told me when we met was that becoming a father taught him the true meaning of love. He prides himself on being a hands-on dad who always shares the household duties with his wife, no matter how busy he is.

Kate, who at six years of age has a slight advantage over her toddler sister, is particularly close to him. She thinks “he’s the funniest daddy in the world” and even wanted to take him to school for show and tell! After finding out that a couple of her teachers had already seen her dad’s shows, she asked him to see them on video, which sent Kevin in a slight panic. He couldn’t oblige because of their mature content, but promised her that he would do a standup for kids one day.

So what is it he misses from his life before children?

“The thing is, the fuller your youth is, the more reason you have to miss your past. I wish I’d had a crap youth.” He admits that he misses the freedom he had as a child, when he would spend hours playing outdoors without a care in the world. He recently watched The Goonies, a staple in every 1980s child’s life, with Kate. “When I see the freedom of those kids...what’s getting to me is that I cannot relive it,” he admits. “If I had a time machine, I’d go back. Not to change anything, but to relive it.”

While reliving the freedom of his childhood might not be an option, Kevin is living a childhood dream of his. Apart from his standup shows, he has acted in various films, some alongside big Hollywood names like Joseph Fiennes. When I asked him whether he prefers acting to standup, he said that he loves everything about acting in films, including the long hours waiting, something others might perceive as boring.

HUMOUR It also allows him to observe and learn more about directing, which is something he already does in his job as creative director.

As for standup, the weeks leading up to a show are fraught with anxiety and even though he has a good support system, it still takes a lot out of him. Still, the immediate contact with his audience is very rewarding and few things beat the thrill of a live standup performance.

That said, doing standup in Malta can also be disheartening. The fact that there are no standup clubs like there are in England, for example, means that he only gets to perform a show once or twice after having worked on it for months. That is why he is setting his sights far beyond our shores. In fact, he is currently discussing the possibility of taking his standup act all the way to Australia, after having been contacted by a prominent agent there.

And that’s not all! He is also working on a script which he hopes will be turned into a film.

PHOTO: MALCOLM LOWELL

So, where does he see himself in the future? His future is here, he says, but he also plans to perform in other countries and to expand his acting CV. I cannot foresee the future but, after a few hours talking to him, I think I can safely assume that this jack of all trades will be a master of them all.

LITERATURE

Giving books their sexy back FOR THE PAST 48 YEARS, MERLIN PUBLISHERS HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF MALTA’S PUBLISHING INDUSTRY, BRINGING US CLASSICS LIKE FRA MUDEST, IL-ĦAJJA SIGRIETA TAN-NANNA ĠENOVEFFA, AND THE SQAQ L-INFERN TRILOGY. HERE, IGGY FENECH MEETS PUBLISHER AND EDITOR CHRIS GRUPPETTA TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BOOKS ARE TAKEN FROM CONCEPT TO SHOP. J.K. Rowling, in her Cormoran Strike series (penned under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith) famously wrote that "we need more readers and fewer writers", in a thinly-veiled send up murder mystery that did for the publishing world what Netflix’s Velvet Buzzsaw is doing to the world of art right now.

Now, things may not get that cutthroat – or gruesome – on the local front, but excitement there is aplenty.

Throughout the past decade, the publishing sector in Malta has grown, giving local books their sexy back. This is partly thanks to a hugely revamped Malta Book Festival that ditched the concept of a fair and turned the annual event into a multi-platform calendar of events that has included some huge international names, not to mention a

host of satellite events organised by the Malta Book Council that keep the buzz alive around local literature.

But it is also thanks to a pool of Maltese publishers who have gone the extra mile in giving the kiss of life to an industry that had been somewhat ailing.

One such publishing house is Merlin Publishers, headed by Chris Gruppetta, and one of the biggest winners at the recently announced National Book Awards with two of its authors - Loranne Vella and Antoinette Borg - winning top honours for Best Book and Best Emerging Author respectively.

Today, Merlin is established as one of Malta’s leading names in publishing and it all boils down to a decision taken in 1966, when it started

supplying textbooks to local schools.

They didn’t know it then, of course, but that move ensured the company would become a big part of many people’s childhood and education, while also making it financially viable for them to publish work by local authors.

Today, the nook that housed the original bookshop – built to fulfill the family matriarch’s dream of running such an establishment – is still there, but I make my way into a townhouse opposite for my meeting with Chris.

Upon entering Chris’s office, my gaze lands on a mountain of books sent in by international publishers for potential translation into Maltese. Most will not get the green light – there’s simply not enough demand for it to happen – but each will be read and checked for potential.

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 23

LITERATURE “In Malta, publishing exists against all odds,” Chris says as we go through the many titles on offer. “We’re such a small market and we work with such tiny budgets, that it’s almost incomprehensible that we manage to publish anything at all!”

Chris follows this by recounting a story of when he was giving a presentation abroad. Apparently, no one could believe that the marketing budget for most publications locally could be as little as €200 – but, considering the amount of work that goes into bringing such publications to market and the small budget they start off with, that’s actually not a bad amount.

“The process of publishing a book starts from a rather obvious point, in which the author sends us their manuscript for evaluation,” Chris explains. “We take many things into consideration when saying ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ to a book, including whether it’s any good and whether it’s been wellwritten, however, it goes further than that. We’re a small publishing house, so we also need to look at whether we’ve published anything similar in the preceding weeks or months, as it makes no sense for us or the authors we represent to create competition among ourselves.”

Next comes the delicate discussion revolving around terms, conditions and royalties. Locally, distributors take a 50 per cent cut on the book’s final price, meaning that, on a €10-book, publishers and authors would have a grand total of €5 to cover all the work and pay for royalties.

As Chris continues to explain, Malta’s publishing scene – due to its size and the size of its market – has many grey areas, particularly when it comes to vanity (self-) publishing and other similar practices. “In my opinion, no bona fide publisher worth their salt would ask for payment from the authors. That would mean that they don’t believe in the product in the first place,” he insists.

Of course, there have been times when Chris made mistakes and let manuscripts that were successful go, or believed in books that didn’t go down well with readers. But that, is part of the 24 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

PHOTOS: MARK ZAMMIT CUTAJAR

How can we expect readers to engage when every woman in a book is a housewife and every man just comes homes to find his ‘minestra’ waiting for him? game – the same game which has seen Chris say “yes” to books he wasn’t entirely sure of and which went on to become hits.

“The manuscript is the work of the author, but it takes a team to turn it into a sellable book,” Chris continues.

“In fact, each author who gets the goahead on their manuscript is assigned an editor straight away.”

The editor’s job in this case is long and crucial. Firstly, they must go through the manuscript to perform ‘developmental editing’ to ensure the plot, the characters and the pace it is

written is consistent. Secondly, the editor would so what is called ‘line editing’, in which literally each line of the manuscript is broken down, analysed and fact-checked to ensure accuracy related to the time, place and the world it is set in.

Once all that is complete, the proof readers come in: “Most of the books we publish are in Maltese, and since there is no spellchecker, each script is proofread twice to minimise spelling mistakes,” Chris adds.

Finally, an excerpt from book is used to determine page layout, that includes the type and size of the paper being used, font and font size. Once this is confirmed, it is finally sent to Pierre Portelli – Merlin’s in-house graphic designer – whose task is to read the book and come up with ideas for the cover. And, as Chris is quick to point out, the cover is the thing people will interact with longest before they decide to purchase it or place it back it on the self.

“Creating a good cover is not just an art, but also a science. People have their own pre-conceived ideas of what a cover means before they even see it,

and that is the result of years of marketing indoctrination.

When you look at Scandinavian noir, for example, the books have a very specific style and mood. In other words, creativity here is limited by the book’s genre and its target audience.”

With Merlin publishing almost one book per week of the year, this process is practically never-ending. Yet, as Chris picks up the new books some of their latest titles,– including Lupu Lupettu, Clare Azzopardi’s adaptation of the French children’s classic Le Loup; and Elizabeth Grech’s book of poetry, Bejn Baħar u Baħar – his enthusiasm is infectious.

“We want children and adults to read more and better, particularly in Maltese, and that is why we have diversified our range of titles. We’ve adapted books from Brazil and are in the process of publishing a picture book from Colombia. This is important, as reading is meant to teach you new things and show you new worlds.

“In fact, one thing that is shocking to me is the amount of manuscripts we receive from young local authors which are old-fashioned in outlook, particularly when it comes to sexism. How can we expect readers to engage when every woman in a book is a housewife and every man just comes homes to find his ‘minestra’ waiting for him?

“As a publishing house, we have veered away from this even when it comes to children’s books and textbooks, but it’s not about preaching, it’s about reflecting reality: most simply don’t live like this anymore, and not all kids are the same!”

Wrapping up our interview, the conversation once again steers to textbooks, which Merlin now also publish themselves. These are, by far, their biggest-sellers as schools and school-children purchase these year-in, year-out, making such an enterprise financially viable. And, to my mind, the fact that children’s education helps make authors’ dream of publication a reality while allowing publishing houses to bring literature to the masses is wonderful cyclical machine that reuses resources for the greater good.

A number of Maltese publishers, including Merlin, will be present at the Campus Book Festival which is being organised by the National Book Council and the Għaqda tal-Malti between March 27 and 29 at the University of Malta. Full programme of events is available in the Campus Book Festival Facebook page. www.merlinpublishers.com

HERITAGE

Stories

from the

war It’s easy to forget the history that literally envelops us here in Malta.

Sometimes – on rare occasions when I find my mind has time to wander – I think of the many people that have walked the cobbled streets of Mdina, or dined in a dinky village-core café, or even danced in one of those beautiful historic Valletta buildings.

One person who knows more about all those people than most is

26 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

RENOWNED UK AUTHOR AND BROADCASTER JAMES HOLLAND RETURNS TO MALTA THIS MONTH TO GIVE A TALK ABOUT THE ISLAND’S INCREDIBLE WAR-YEARS HISTORY. ANABEL ATTARD DISCOVERS WHY HE’S SO PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR PAST, AS HE ALSO REVEALS HE WILL SHORTLY START FILMING HIS LONG-AWAITED MOVIE, A PAIR OF SILVER WINGS, IN MALTA.

British author and broadcaster James Holland.

Now, if you love history, you probably know James. After all, he regularly appears on television and radio, and has written and presented two BAFTA-shortlisted documentaries, namely Battle of Britain and Dam Busters, for the BBC. But it doesn’t stop there. Because James is also extremely well versed in our own local history, having the book Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege 1940-43, which tells the story of the island’s war years. In fact, there’s no doubt that James knows more about Malta’s history than most of us.

“I first visited Malta back in 2002,” James tells me, as he chats excitedly about his upcoming charity talk at the Phoenicia Hotel later this month. “I’d just managed to get a book deal for a planned new history of the Siege of Malta in World War 2, and was over for my first research trip.

“I touched down in Luqa, picked up a car and drove to Valletta. By this time it was evening and the light was fading but I walked over to the Upper Barrakka and looked out over Grand

Harbour – it was magical. Exactly the same place as the black and white photos I had back at home of Grand Harbour in the 1930s, with the Three Cities and the magnificent bastions staring back at me.

“Everyone I met and everything I saw over the next week or so confirmed my initial impressions: that Malta was an incredible island and a very special place. I entrenched myself first at the Malta Aviation Museum where Frederick Galea and Ray Polidano looked after me brilliantly and became firm friends, and then spent a long time in the fabulous library on Republic Square looking at every single edition of the Times of Malta printed during the Siege. That library remains one of my very favourite buildings on the island.”

Talking about his incredible career in TV, radio and in print, James says he has been incredibly lucky. He first got really into history when writing a novel with a backdrop to the Battle of Britain, and found he really enjoyed it.

One of the Spitfire pilots he interviewed was Geoff Wellum, who also told him about his time on Malta in the summer of 1942.

HERITAGE

James Holland

People look on during the award ceremony.

Awarding of the George Cross.

“It was fascinating and I wondered why I knew so little about what had happened to Malta during the war,” he continues. “When I tried to read more, I couldn’t find a good narrative account of the Siege – as this was before Amazon took over the world! – and so suggested to my agent that perhaps I might write a history of the Siege of Malta in the Second World MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 27

HERITAGE

The crowd leaving Valletta.

The Upper Barrakka saluting battery.

War. He thought it was a good idea, so I wrote an outline, sold it to publishers both in the UK and USA, and took the plunge: I gave up the day-job and became a full-time writer and historian.”

As a result of that, James’ book Fortress Malta was published in 2003. Since then he’s written 26 books of all kinds, travelled the world interviewing veterans, visited archives, made television programmes, and more.

There is so much of the history that he loves that he finds it hard to narrow down his favourite stories. When pressed, he cites the extraordinary depth of our island story that he finds so incredible – from pre-history to the Great Siege, to the Second World War and beyond. “This is the island of Homer and St Paul, at the heart of the Mediterranean and a bridge between different continents and cultures,” he says. “I love wandering through Valletta and Mdina, visiting the historic monuments, seeing the church clock of St Publius in Floriana still stuck at the time it was bombed in 1942.

There are also some amazing sights related to my own field – the incredibly moving crash site near Santa Katarina, for example, or the two Spitfire cannons still sticking up out of the soil in a field to the south of Mdina where a plane dived down into the ground during the war.”

I walked over to the Upper Barrakka and looked out over Grand Harbour – it was magical But Malta’s history isn’t just in the past for James. This year he is due to start filming A Pair of Silver Wings here too, based on a novel he wrote a few years back and which is partly based during the Siege of Malta in 1942 and then again in 1995.

“It’s exciting,” he smiles. “And equally exciting to be heading to the island this month for a one-off lecture at the Phoenicia on 14 March entitled Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege 1940-43, which I am giving in aid of the Save Valletta Skyline appeal.

“And why not? I love Malta; Valletta’s skyline is surely one of the most beautiful in the world and, if I can help at all, even in a very small way, then I’m very happy to do so.

Malta has been good to me and it’s a place I’ve returned to many times over the years, including with my family. I have no doubt that this trip will be just and wonderful, and I am looking forward to sharing some of my favourite stories with those present at the talk.”

A Spitfire Vb, a few days after its delivery flight to Malta.

28 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

The Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege (1940-1942) lecture by James Holland will be held on March 14 in the Ballroom at the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta. The talk will be followed by a short meet-and-greet with guests, and an optional VIP dinner.

Advance booking on petragd@guisthall.com is essential.

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Designing Life on Stage FRESH FROM A BUSY YEAR OF PERFORMING IN – AND DESIGNING COSTUMES FOR – MANY OF MALTA’S STAGE PRODUCTIONS, ISABEL WARRINGTON IS NOW KICKSTARTING THE 2019 THEATRE SEASON WITH A LEAD ROLE IN JB PRIESTLEY’S CLASSIC THRILLER, AN INSPECTOR CALLS. SHE TELLS LAURA BONNICI WHY SHE’S THRILLED TO BE WORKING WITH THE MADC AGAIN, AND HOW SHE’S ABLE TO STAY ON TOP OF HER CREATIVE WORKLOAD. How does it feel to be joining the cast of An Inspector Calls and playing the role of Sybil Birling?

I’m thrilled! Sybil Birling is the sort of character you’d love to hate.

She’s the stereotypical British upper middle-class wife of the early 1900s, who thinks she is in control, until she learns some unpleasant truths about her family that challenge her perceptions.

What is it like to work with MADC again?

It’s always a privilege to work with the longest-standing dramatic institution in Malta. Since MADC kickstarted my acting career, it will always have a special place in my heart.

You seem to have had a very busy year! What other roles have you taken on recently?

I began 2018 performing in MADC’s panto, Cinderella, as well as designing the costumes for the show.

Then I performed as Tanya in Mamma Mia – by far the highlight of my year!

After that I was the loopy Sarah Good in The Crucible, another great experience. In October, I played Rebecca in Herman Grech’s original script, De-Terminated. I rounded off the theatrical year with the designs for MADC’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

How do you combine your performance work with designing costumes, your property projects, caricature and other work?

I do have quite a diverse portfolio of work. Time management and a good attitude are vital in all aspects of my work.

Each one presents its own challenges, so having a clear head and good planning are very important in the success of every project. It’s vital to me that I enjoy all the projects I am involved in, in whatever capacity, as this spurs me along when things get tough.

What’s next for you after An Inspector Calls?

This year I plan to focus a lot more on my art. My caricatures have created many wonderful opportunities so, as well as continuing to design costumes for theatre, I also hope to start working on illustrated children’s books. I’m looking forward to travelling more and spending more time painting both in my studio and in the great outdoors.

MADC’s production of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls will be performed at Blue Box Theatre – M Space, Msida – opposite Junior College (ex-Polytechnic) on 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 March 2019, with all performances starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at €15 and €20, and are available online at www.bluebox.com.mt or by calling the Ticket Hotline on +356 7979 3737.

It is suitable for general audiences and children aged 12 and over.

30 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

“Since MADC kick-started my acting career, it will always have a special place in my heart.”

CIRCLE PROMOTION

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF THE NUPO DIET TO KICK START WEIGHT LOSS, AND NUPO ONE MEAL FOR AN EASY AND NUTRITIOUS MEAL ON-THE-GO! Nupo’s story started in 1981, when Danish obesity researcher Dr Flemming Quaade developed a solution that would change the lives of his overweight and obese patients.

He set a new standard for weightloss and innovated the Nupo Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD). This formula helped his patients lose weight efficiently and effectively, while at the same time providing all the nutritional requirements the body needs.

Since then, the brand – whose name is a contraction of the words ‘Nutritional Powder’ – has grown exponentially, bringing weight-loss solutions to people across Europe, China, and India.

As the world’s best-documented VLCD brand, Nupo’s products’ viability and efficacy have been attested to by over 50 independent clinical studies carried out in hospitals. It has been proven to be safe and effective for anyone who is overweight, ranging from the morbidly obese to those who just need to lose a few kilos.

Finally, this specialised nutritionally balanced meal replacement system has landed in Malta!

If you want to lose weight…

If you want to control your weight…

The NUPO DIET SHAKE, DIET OATMEAL, DIET SOUP are the brand’s flagship products, and were designed as fullmeal replacements that include all the vitamins and minerals needed to facilitate fast and healthy weight loss.

GMO-and gluten-free, the Diet Shakes, Oatmeal and Soups contain very little calories, reaching a maximum of 700kcal/day when taken as instructed: six servings a day, along with two-to-three litres of calorie-free liquids, preferably water. There are a variety of delicious flavours to choose from in this category, namely Chocolate, Strawberry, Caffe Latte, Mango/Vanilla and Blueberry/Raspberry for the shakes, Tomato, Vegetable and Spicy Thai for the soups and an Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.

Meals are prepared in two minutes, as all one needs to get started is your favourite NUPO Diet Shake, water and a Nupo Diet Shaker.

The NUPO ONE MEAL is an on-the-go solution that won’t crank your style. Available as a lowcalorie, ready-made shake or as a low-calorie bar, or as a pancake, the One Meal is aimed at those looking to keep weight off by replacing one meal per day, or shedding the final few pounds by replacing two meals per day. One serving of these portable meals includes 30% of the vitamins and minerals needed in your daily diet for just 200kcal! There are various mouth-watering flavours for the bar (Brownie Crunch, Lemon Crunch and Toffee Crunch) and four variants for the shake (Chocolate, Caffe Latte, Vanilla/Banana, and Blueberry/ Pomegranate).

Making all this even better, are the Nupo Calorie Control pancakes, which are super-easy to whip up, making them the perfect, quick, low-calorie breakfast.

So, give the Nupo lifestyle a go…

You’ve got nothing to lose but weight!

Nupo products are available from all leading pharmacies and health shops. For further trade enquiries, kindly contact E.J.Busuttil Ltd. on 21 447184 or send an email to nupo@ejbusuttil.com.

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 31

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Which Procedure is Best for You? ANDREI CAMENZULI, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SAINT JAMES EYE CLINIC, EXPLAINS WHY REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE COULD BE A BETTER SOLUTION FOR SOME THAN EYE LASER SURGERY.

Spread across 535sqm, the Saint James Eye Clinic is the ultimate centre for eye-care. It offers some of Malta’s most advanced eye-related procedures including SMILE Eye Laser surgery, Femtolasik and cataract surgery, among various other treatments.

Having been in the business for well over a decade, the Eye Clinic is always on the look-out for the latest advancements in eye-care, and the Refractive Lens Exchange procedure is fast becoming the refractive procedure of choice for patients looking to correct both their distance, as well as close vision, in one go for good. Here, we find out more about the minimally-invasive surgery which lets 450 patients a year bid goodbye to their spectacles.

What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?

RLE is the replacement of the natural crystalline lens with one made

from a special material that the body can’t reject. The procedure is very similar to that done for cataracts…

Only, in this case, the desired effect is to correct eyesight. There are three types of lenses that tackle different visionary issues here: one for shortsightedness, one for far and shortsightedness, and another for astigmatism.

What does the procedure involve and what is the recovery time?

This pain-free procedure takes around 10 minutes per eye and is done under topical anaesthesia administered through eyedrops. It’s minimally invasive, and we use a special tool to replace the patient’s natural lens with the custom-designed one. Since we’re not putting the optic nerve to sleep, patients are able see immediately.

Admittedly, a bit blurrily at first, but full-vision is restored in just a matter of hours. This is a one-time operation: the lens itself does not deteriorate so you will have corrected vision for life.

What’s the difference between RLE and Eye Laser surgery?

They are two completely different procedures used for two very different reasons. Eye Laser surgery is performed on the cornea and is used

to correct mono-focal vision, particularly shortsightedness. This makes it perfect for younger people – in this case, under 45 – whose eyes are still healthy. RLE, on the other hand, is what we would suggest to patients who have presbyopia [longsightedness caused by loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye]. This happens to most of us as we grow older, so RLE offers a one-time solution that allows us to see better for the rest of our lives.

Of course, RLE is more invasive than laser, but it’s quick, pain-free and the results are phenomenal.

Is everyone eligible for RLE? No, in fact we run a series of diagnostic tests before confirming the suitability of a candidate for the surgery. These advanced tests enable us to take a detailed look at the general health of the eye and other potential issues. Also, since the synthetic lens is custom-made to fit the size and specifications of the patient, these tests give us the information we need to ensure a perfect match.

Ultimately, what we suggest is for people to book an appointment in order to assess their particular situation and requirements following which we are able to guide them towards the best possible solution.

Saint James Eye Clinic, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2247 2630/1; Email: info@stjheyeclinic.com; Web: www.stjheyeclinic.com MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 33

CIRCLE PROMOTION

REGULATING YOUR BIGGEST ASSET HAVE YOU BEEN STUCK FOR YEARS TRYING TO SELL YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY BUT JUST COULDN’T BECAUSE OF SOME UNSANCTIONABLE ILLEGALITY – THEN THIS ARTICLE IS A MUST-READ.

If it’s not you, we all know someone who, in the past, had taken the liberty to extend that one room in the backyard, split their property into two units, extended their property into the front garden, or built a smaller internal yard without planning permission. ‘This is my home and I shall do whatever I please with it,’ you can hear them exclaim. Only it doesn’t really work that way, especially when you come to try selling or getting a bank loan for your property.

There are many people who, when in the past they carried out works in their home or property, did not think or bother too much whether or not they required planning permission. Thinking that they’d make life easier and get the works over faster, many just went ahead with works, not worried that, in the future, when they came to sell, they were going to find major obstacles.

Few people understand this, but not all illegal development is sanctionable. Although the word sounds bombastic what it really means is that a normal planning permit cannot be issued for certain illegal works – most of which are related to sanitary issues or specific planning regulations.

So, what are your options if you find yourself with your back against this wall?

The first and most obvious is to return things back to how they were before. Although this might not always be simple or possible. The second option, is to engage an architect and allow them to verify whether the illegal works can be sanctioned through a normal planning application. In which case, the architect will submit the planning application on your behalf.

If this isn’t possible either, the Planning Authority, two and a half years ago, introduced what today is known as the regularisation process. Through this new application procedure, the PA is providing property owners with a ‘onetime opportunity’ to regularise existing unsanctionable, non-conformant developments.

34 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

CIRCLE PROMOTION

To benefit from this ‘scheme’, your property needs to tick the boxes of some important requirements. Firstly, your property needs to be located entirely within the development boundaries. If this box is ticked, then you need to ensure that the footprint appears in the PA’s aerial photos of 2016 – not later. Thirdly, your illegal structure must not constitute an injury to amenity and, lastly, the use of the building must be in accordance with the Authority’s current planning policies and regulations. In other words, if you use your garage to do panel beating commercially without permission, and it’s in the middle of a residential zone without permission, this illegal use will still not be given permission under this ‘scheme’.

What will it cost you? Beside the professional fees of the architect you engage, every regularisation application is subject to a fee, calculated on the total and combined roofed over area of each floor of the property being regularised. As an applicant, you will also be obliged to pay a minimum administrative fee of €50.

Since the ‘scheme’ was opened in August 2016, the Authority has received nearly 10,000 regularisation applications generating close to €23 million. The PA has been bold enough to inject this money back into the community. In fact, the Authority channelled €18 million into the popular Irrestawra Darek Scheme and Marsamxett Balcony Grant Scheme. Most of the remaining money got directed to the Development Planning Fund for urban improvement community projects.

Nevertheless, applying for planning permission before carrying out any development works remains the safest and only way to ensure that your money, time and peace of mind are secure! www.pa.org.mt MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 35

RECIPES

PHOTOS: RACHEL ZAMMIT CUTAJAR

Prinjolata and

pancake sea son

BY PIPPA MATTEI

Carnival is a time of revelry as Catholics indulge for a few days before the forty days of fasting during Lent.

During these few days the streets of Valletta come alive with the bright colours of floats and costumes.

Carnival has many traditions some of which have disappeared with time. The kukkanja was a custom started by Grand Master Marc ’Antonio Zondari in 1721. A ‘mountain’ or pyramid of beams covered with leafy branches was erected in the palace square in Valletta, hiding all sorts of prizes.

Competitors would climb the mountain and claim the prizes as they reached them. This custom originated from the Sicilian custom when the same competition took place and reference was made to the ‘Land of Cuccagna’ – a utopia where the Italian 36 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

peasants believed a mountain of endless pasta could be eaten!

Another mountain or pyramid that appears in Carnival, is the sweet Prinjolata, named for pine nuts, which is one of the main ingredients. This also originated from Sicily and Mary Taylor Simeti, author of Pomp and Sustenance –Twenty-Five Centuries of Sicilian Food tells us that in Messina, a ‘Pignoccata’ is made at Christmas time. “The little balls, made of elaborate dough, are baked and then heaped into one large pyramid, which is then iced, with chocolate on one side and a white sugar glaze on the other”.

The Maltese prinjolata resembles this but has changed slightly and is eaten during Carnival, not at Christmas. This is my tried and tested recipe.

RECIPES

Prinjolata INGREDIENTS Kourambiedes 200g lard 500g self-raising flour 100g almonds, roasted till turning pink them very finely chopped 2 tbsp orange blossom water (ilma zahar) 1/ 2

tsp mixed spice tsp baking powder 75g (3oz) icing sugar

1/ 2

Butter cream 225g unsalted butter at room temperature 300g icing sugar A few drops of brandy 1/2 tsp vanilla essence A little tinned (evaporated) milk 50g pine nuts 50g almonds, roasted and finely chopped 50g candied peel, finely chopped American frosting 200g sugar 75ml water 2 egg whites 1 tsp vanilla extract 150g green and red glace cherries 50g unsalted shelled pistachios or 50g roasted chopped almonds 50g pine nuts 50g dark chocolate METHOD • To make the kourambiedes, melt lard in a medium sized pot (do not boil).

• Mix in icing sugar, baking powder, orange blossom water and mixed spice, stir with a wooden spoon.

• Add chopped almonds and flour slowly.

• When you cannot stir with the spoon anymore, turn off heat and mix with your hands (having allowed to cool for a minute or so).

• When the mixture does not stick to your hand anymore, shape into balls the size of a golf ball (this dose makes approx 24 balls) and put on a baking tray.

• Bake in a slow oven – 150°C till just turning brown. Take out of oven and

allow to cool. Set aside.

• If you are cooking these biscuits and not using them for the ‘prinjolata’ – they are very good on their own - roll them in sifted icing sugar.

• To make the butter cream, beat butter and icing sugar till pale and fluffy.

• Add brandy and vanilla essence.

• Continue beating, adding a little tinned milk to make a smoother and lighter cream.

• Into this cream, mix in the pine nuts, candied peel and the roasted chopped almonds. Set aside.

• To make the American frosting whisk egg whites till stiff.

• Meanwhile, melt sugar in water over heat and boil until a transparent syrup forms (this is called the soft boil stage, when a tsp of the mixture forms a ball when dropped into a glass of cold water, or a blob sticks to your finger when put onto marble).

• Add this syrup very slowly to the beaten egg whites, together with the vanilla extract, and continue beating till a white frosting is made. Allow to cool.

• To assemble prinjolata, prepare a flat cake plate. Build up tiers of your Greek biscuits starting with about five and ending with one at the top and bonding all the tiers together with the prepared butter cream.

• Carefully cover the assembled biscuits with all the butter cream.

• When firm, cover the mound with the American frosting using a spatula to smooth the sides.

• Allow to dry slightly.

• Chop the glace cherries into halves and place all over the ‘mountain’.

Next throw on the remaining pine nuts and the pistachios all over the frosted surface.

• Finally either grate the dark chocolate over the prinjolata, or alternatively melt the chocolate and when melted, pour over the mountain in thin lines.

• Allow the prinjolata to set and dry before carefully cutting and serving.

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 37

RECIPES

Flippin’ pancake s Just after the Carnival comes Shrove Tuesday on 5th March, better known as Pancake Day, when Catholics used up all the milk and eggs in the house to prepare for Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday the following day. Whether you like them in the French crêpe-style, thin and topped with lemon and icing sugar, or the thick Scotch style served with butter and jam there will be pancakes for everyone this Pancake Day.

Pippa’s pancake s Makes 12

INGREDIENTS 500ml milk 2 eggs 200g plain flour 1 tsp salt To cook the pancakes, approx. 50g lard (like TREX a vegetable lard), or sunflower oil 38 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

METHOD • Place all the ingredients, except the flour, in the food processor and liquidize at minimum speed.

• Remove the cap and spoon in the flour. Replace the cap and switch on to maximum speed.

• Blend for 30 seconds. Allow to stand for quarter of an hour.

• Using a small crêpe pan, approx. 23cm diameter, melt 1 tbsp of the lard or oil in the pan on high heat, swirling it round to get the whole pan thoroughly lubricated.

• Tip the excess lard or oil into a metal bowl. (The pan needs to be coated in fat, but the pancakes should not be cooked in fat).

• When the pan is really hot, turn the heat down to medium and add 1 soup ladle of the pancake mix, tipping it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated. It should only take 30 seconds or so to cook.

• Lift the edge with a palette knife and if the pancake is tinged golden underneath, carefully turn it over with an egg-slicer and cook for a further 10 seconds.

• Carefully slip the pancake onto a sheet of greaseproof paper.

RECIPES • Continue like this, adding 1 tbsp of the melted excess lard or oil until all the pancakes are ready (heat more fat if necessary).

• Keep the pancakes warm and serve immediately either with a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkling of sieved icing sugar, or alternatively with some Maple syrup or chocolate spread.

Scotch pancake s Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 125g self-raising flour 15g sugar 1 egg 125ml milk Some lard or margarine or butter or oil METHOD • Put the flour and sugar in a bowl, add the egg and half the milk, and beat with a whisk till smooth.

Add the remaining milk, and beat until bubbles rise to the surface.

• Rub the griddle or frying pan with a wad of kitchen paper and salt.

• Wipe clean and then grease very lightly with your chosen fat.

• Just before cooking the scones, heat the pan until the fat is ‘hazing’, then wipe the surface again with another piece of kitchen paper.

• Ladle the batter onto the heated pan in 6cm rounds well spaced apart.

• When bubbles rise to the surface, turn the scones with a palette knife and cook for another 30 seconds or until turning golden brown.

• Place on a cooking rack and cover with a clean tea towel while the rest are being cooked.

• As soon as you can, spread with butter and jam and serve at once.

Celebrate local traditions with Pippa Mattei Love traditional recipes? Get more of Pippa’s recipes in her cookbooks 25 Years in a Maltese Kitchen (also translated into Maltese) and the Gourmand award-winning Pippa’s Festa. All three books are available at all leading bookstores or online from www.mirandabooks.com with free delivery to Malta and Gozo addresses.

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 39

CIRCLE PROMOTION

Invasive Alien Species

STOP

THE SPREAD

FROM EXOTIC PETS TO INSIDIOUS PLANTS, INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES CAN WREAK HAVOC ON MALTA’S UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM. HERE, TWO ENVIRONMENT OFFICERS FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY – MARKO FILIPOVIC AND ANNA GUREVA – EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

When talking about invasive alien species (IAS), one may automatically think of life from beyond our planet, yet the reality is that IAS can come from places much closer to home, in the form of exotic animals, seeds and plants.

Of course, none of these animals and plants have anything wrong in themselves, but when they are placed outside of their natural range, they may – more quickly than one might imagine – upset the environment they find themselves in.

“Malta’s biodiversity is threatened by IAS more than others because Malta is an island and its ecosystem and biodiversity were formed in isolation,” explains Marko, who works on the European Union (EU) Regulation on IAS within the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). “So, when species which are not native to Malta are, intentionally or unintentionally, brought in, they can completely upset the natural balance.”

The reasons for this are various. For a start, these IAS may not have any natural predators in their new environment, leading to their population to grow exponentially and unchecked. They could also become predators of local species themselves; species which would have, until then, lived in an environment that had struck a balance between predator and prey populations.

“The red swamp crayfish and the red-eared slider are perfect examples of this,” he continues. “At one point, they had become popular exotic pets to have, but many people

40 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

either got bored of them or don’t realise they could grow to the size they do, and set them free in local fresh water ponds.

“The crayfish, in particular, is extremely capable of adapting to the local environment, is known to have a large number of offspring, and has no natural predator in Malta…

The result? It has unbalanced the fresh water food chain by competing with the endemic freshwater crab for space and food, and feeding on tadpoles of the indigenous species of frog, leading the number to dwindle.”

This doesn’t just happen with animals, however.

Fountain-grass (Pennisetum) was introduced to Malta as an ornamental plant, but has spread widely because of its large seed production, which is easily dispersed by the wind. In some instances, the fountain-grass can take over a whole field, especially if abandoned, rendering it prone to wildfires.

Ironically, fires also fuel the growth of this species due to the higher growth rate when compared to native ones.

“We’ve seen many non-local plants in pots outside houses or exotic animals being kept as pets … But what we need to keep in mind is that nothing exists in a vacuum: seeds of IAS, for example, can be transported by the wind or birds and, once they take hold, it is extremely difficult to eradicate them completely,” Anna says.

In a move to tackle the problem of IAS, the EU has identified 49 species of Union concern, in line with the EU Regulation on IAS, in order to help Governments implement the necessary measures to tackle them in their territory.

CIRCLE PROMOTION

crimson fountain-grass

red swamp crayfish

These are part of the EU’s ‘black list’, and their usage, sales and importation in European countries is regulated. Moreover, this guidance is aimed at helping people to make better and more informed choices on these issues.

To empower citizens, Malta’s Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change (MESDC) has launched the ‘Malta Flora and Fauna’ app, which can be used to obtain information about the different species that exist locally (native or alien), as well as to send photos with a geotag of any specimens they don’t recognise. Each request is taken seriously, with information sent to the user and follow ups conducted as necessary.

ERA also has a number of site-managers who are on the lookout for such IAS, which ensures they have as much information as possible, but there’s more. Adding to this, ERA has launched a national strategic policy on IAS that addresses prevention, detection, control, risk-assessment and, in severe cases, eradication.

“This was accompanied by sector-specific codes of good practice for pets, zoos and aquaria, fishing, protected areas, gardens, animal-aided hunting, landscaping and horticulture to ensure awareness among the various stakeholders and to give them better-targeted examples on how to contribute to stopping the spread of IAS,” Anna continues.

As for citizens, Marko and Anna’s advice is to stick to local varieties of plants and trees, ‘which require less work due to them having adapted to our dry, warm climate’; and to research exotic pets properly before obtaining one.

red-eared slider

IAS Workshop for Stakeholders ERA is inviting pet shop-owners, gardeners, landscapers and importers to a consultation workshop on Invasive Alien Species set to be held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Attard on Thursday, 14 March 2019 between 8.30 and 11.30am.

To secure a place, please call on 2292 3609 or 2292 3606.

For more information on IAS or for a list of banned species, please visit www.era.org.mt

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 41

PEOPLE

Six-year-old Henry faces the daily challenges of his condition with an impish smile.

PHOTOS: CHRIS SANT FOURNIER

I stopped asking, ‘why me?’

SEEING HER ADORABLE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BATTLING A CHRONIC KIDNEY CONDITION ON A DAILY BASIS HAS NOT DAMPENED THE JOIE-DE-VIVRE THAT BLOGGER LORINDA MAMO EXUDES – AND NEITHER HAS SURVIVING BREAST CANCER. SHE SHARES HER STORY WITH RAMONA DEPARES IN AN INSPIRING ACCOUNT OF TRUE SILVER LININGS. When Lorinda Mamo, the bubbly lady behind the popular A Bird With a French Fry blog, found out she was pregnant, her reactions were pretty much what one would expect from your typical expectant mother – happiness, excitement and a small touch of nervousness. It was a happy time and she had a number of things to look forward to. The birth of her first baby, the success of her arts and crafts blog, which she had just started and which was really taking off at a time when such blogs were still relatively new for Malta…

Everything changed around the 20th week of pregnancy, when the 42 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

young woman was informed by doctors that there was ‘something wrong’ with the pregnancy. Only, they didn’t quite know what. And so, an unending routine of tests started and what began as a routine pregnancy suddenly became one of the most anxious periods in Lorinda’s life.

“Everything seemed to stop. I quit the blogging, because what was supposed to be a happy, carefree journal of my life and pregnancy suddenly was no more. Everything was extra work, a reminder that something was not as it should be. My enthusiasm for life fizzled away,” she tells me.

Looking at her today – a pretty, young mum with a super well-behaved and impossibly adorable son in tow – you wouldn’t think so. To those looking in from the outside, she is the epitome of the ‘I have it all together’ woman, guaranteed to generate a frisson of jealousy from those of us who are altogether less efficient at life. And yet, appearances are certainly deceptive in this case as, while Lorinda does indeed have it all together, this does not mean that she has an easy life. It is rather the opposite, in fact.

“Upon Henry’s birth, I was told that my baby had been diagnosed with Prune Belly Syndrome and

PEOPLE

Chronic Kidney Disease,” she says, looking fondly at Henry – the baby who is very much a young gentleman, six years down the line.

News that is enough to throw anyone’s life off kilter. But it wasn’t to be the last piece of bad news the Mamo family was to receive – some time after the birth, Lorinda found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with cancer.

“Once again, my life became a series of hospital visits and tests. I had resumed blogging, and had already shared some of the news about Henry’s condition with my followers – although back then I was not as open

about everything as I am now. This was back in 2014 and there was still a bit of a taboo about health issues online,” she explains.

Then, Lorinda took the decision to take blogging more seriously, sharing details of both her and Henry’s condition in the hope that she would raise awareness about both while offering a ray of hope and encouragement to those who were going through similar health problems.

Those of you who are not familiar with Lorinda’s blog might wonder why anyone would read about a journey that have more than its fair share of sadness and problems. They’d

be wrong to wonder this. Any of her followers – and there are many – know that Lorinda’s posts are anything but a pity party. On the contrary, they are bubbly and full of joy, despite the very obvious fact that a lot of the topics tend to be sombre ones. Thus, an unexpected stay in hospital for Henry over the Christmas period became a chronicle of gingerbread houses and the building thereof; cute photos showing gifts and goodies; inspirational anecdotes about how the day was spent and about Henry’s progress. Hardly the approach that anyone would expect given the circumstances.

MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 43

PEOPLE And this is precisely what makes A Bird with a French Fry so popular and sought after. It takes all the crap that life can throw at anyone and turns it into hope, with Lorinda and Henry managing to find a tiny window of happiness in what would typically be rather dismal situations.

She laughs when I mention this.

“I am not saying it’s all perfect, of course. We have bad days, moments when we are not exactly cheerful. But I have come to realise that it is useless to spend your days worrying about something that is beyond your control. It is far better to try and find the little things that make it all worthwhile,” she tells me.

In fact – remarkable – despite the upbeat tone of the blog, the posts do Lorinda Mamo not attempt to whitewash whatever difficulties the duo is going through. The reader is given an honest account of She had ample reason to be whatever is happening, including those angry. As soon as Henry was born, she days when Lorinda may not be feeling was told that they were not sure best equipped to deal with it all. And whether he would make it to the next yet, somewhere, there is always that day and, even as time went by, his little touch of humour, of humanity, of parents were often told that it wasn’t cautious optimism, that make it so sure how long he would survive. endearing.

“I couldn’t accept it. Then, when I It wasn’t always like this, the discovered I had cancer it was young woman tells me frankly. In the suddenly too much. I was not happy, I beginning, questions of “why me, why was stressed all the time, not to Henry?” were inevitable. There were mention resentful.” long, dark periods when the unfairness Then something clicked – of their situation threatened to destroy suddenly, she realized that her stateall manner of peace in the lives of both. of-mind was also affecting Henry. The “I mean, things were already bond between the two meant that it difficult with Henry’s condition. I was natural for him to feed off her couldn’t understand why he was the mood. It was all she needed to help one made to suffer? What had he done her snap back to her old self. to deserve it, after all? Nothing. And I “It took me a while, but I realized had followed all the rules, too. I didn’t it was futile to keep asking whose fault drink or smoke. I was angry, so angry it was, to find someone to blame. It for a long time.” was no-one’s fault. And I didn’t want 44 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

to continue transmitting all these feelings of anger to my son.”

The rest is history, the Lorinda and Henry duo that their followers have all gotten to know and love going from strength to strength. Life continues to throw unexpected curveballs, but Lorinda continues to throw them back, although it all comes at a price.

“In October I had a small stroke, which is suspected to be caused by chemotherapy medication I was on. It seems like my body is tired of everything that it has been put through. On New Year’s Day, I was having tea and my heart started racing. I was not stressed, it was a perfectly lovely day and there was no obvious trigger. And yet…”

And yet, Lorinda refuses to lose her smile.

And it’s gratifying to see that her bubbly nature has infected Henry, who strikes me as one of the happiest children I’ve met in a long time. And this joie de vivre is also transmitted to all those who come in contact with the duo, with people often getting in touch to thank her for helping them get through a difficult time.

“The feedback is amazing and I’m touched by the amount of people who reach out to share their stories.

Through the blog I have made a lot of new friends. I have heard a lot of stories, some sad, some happy, some a mix. But we all seem to have one thing in common; we all want to see the little things, the good things in a life, even if life is difficult,” she concludes with a smile.

Follow Lorinda’s and Henry’s adventures on www.abirdwithafrenchfry.com

CIRCLE PROMOTION

HELP FEED THE STRAYS

BORG CARDONA & CO. LTD IS DONATING 5C FOR EACH KILOGRAMME OF ROYAL CANIN DOG OR CAT FOOD PURCHASED IN MALTA AND GOZO TO HELP FEED STAY DOGS AND CATS. THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO DO IS ENSURE YOUR BAG CARRIES THE STICKER DISPLAYING THE LOGO OF THE ROYAL CANIN MALTA CHARITY CAMPAIGN.

GOZO |

ST. PAU L’S BAY | |

SLIEMA |

ST. J U L I A N S

VALID THROUGHOUT MARCH 2019

AT TA R D

|

ON SELECTED LINES

FGU R A

BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE

|

Be healthier.

Be happier.

which has represented the brand on the Islands for over 30 years.

As a consumer of the world-famous Royal Canin brand, you will continue paying the same price you normally would. The only thing you need to keep an eye out for is the sticker displaying the logo of The Royal Canin Malta Charity Campaign, as only these bags are eligible.

For more information contact us on sales@borgcardona.com.mt or find us on Facebook Royal Canin Malta.

VA L L E T TA

Until April 2019, Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd will be donating 5c for each kilogramme of Royal Canin dog or cat food you buy to local animal sanctuaries and registered feeders of strays.

This initiative aims to provide food for dogs and cats in need, as well as to improve their quality of life and generate greater awareness in the community on animal well-being.

“Thanks to the volume of business of Royal Canin, this small donation per bag can make a big difference,” says Nigel Borg Cardona, the Director of Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd,

HEALTH

Exit light, enter night NEWBORN KEEPING YOU UP AT NIGHT? TEENAGER’S SLEEPING PATTERNS HAVE SHIFTED? OR MAYBE IT’S YOU WHO JUST CAN’T SWITCH OFF. WHATEVER YOUR SLEEPING PROBLEM, JANITA FALSCHLUNGER HAS SOME PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. MAUREEN SAGUNA FINDS OUT MORE.

Janita Falschlunger PHOTO: MARK ZAMMIT CUTAJAR

How many times have you heard the expression “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”? Reducing one’s sleeping hours to a minimum used to be seen as a badge of honour, because the less you slept, the more you were living life. This glorification of busyness, however, is being countered by the wellness industry and sleep is one of the main areas which are being targeted.

Meet Janita Falschlunger, sleep consultant and firm believer that sleep is one of the main pillars of optimal health.

46 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

TOM MAG

V I D E O

Curiously, what led her to her profession was a severe lack of sleep. As a post-graduate student in psychology back in her native South Africa, Janita was also a new mum. When her first baby was eight months old and a poor sleeper, Janita was burning the candle at both ends, tending to a fussy baby who never seemed to sleep and trying to fit in hours of studying which required her to be focussed. Needless to say, both her health and her grades started suffering. So she hired a sleep consultant to train her baby to sleep and two weeks

HEALTH

Sleep is our body’s way of repairing and maintaining itself.

Apart from repairing its muscles, fighting illness and making memories, our body cleanses itself of all the toxins accumulated during the day while we sleep.

later, her daughter was sleeping regular hours and so was she. Janita was so impressed by the whole experience that she decided to start studying sleep while still doing her postgraduate degree. After finishing both courses, she moved to the UK with her husband. By now she has had her second daughter, who was only a few months old at the time. Moving across continents with a toddler and a newborn in tow did not phase Janita. She thought it was the perfect time to start not one, but two new courses! This time she opted for sleep

sciences and wellness respectively. She admits that it was not easy coping with everything, but the fact that she could further her studies online (and everyone had regular sleeping hours) helped.

Janita feels that now, more than ever before, we need to give sleep its due importance. When asked why we need sleep, she said that, put simply, it is our body’s way of repairing and maintaining itself. Apart from repairing its muscles, fighting illness and making memories, our body MARCH 2019 ∫ Sunday Circle 47

HEALTH

Sleeping for six hours or less for 10 days is equivalent to going for two days without any sleep

cleanses itself of all the toxins accumulated during the day while we sleep and this is especially the case with our brain. During sleep, cerebral fluid flushes out toxins from our most important organs much as cleaners go through a block of offices at night to clean it up and have it ready for business in the morning. Without enough sleep, the first phase of sleep is shortened, thus inhibiting this ‘flush’ from happening, and that is only one of the many consequences of not getting enough shut-eye. Other risks include heart disease, diabetes and memory loss. Lack of sleep has also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and strokes.

The amount of sleep needed depends on a person’s age but adults need between seven and nine hours a night. Many people claim not to need more than five or six hours of sleep, but the reality is that only 1-2 per cent of people can survive on six hours or less of sleep for prolonged periods of time. So the chances that someone is a ‘short sleeper’, as these rare individuals are referred to, are actually very slim. Recent studies have shown that although a person might feel fine, eight or more nights with only six hours of sleep deteriorates one’s mental capacity. In fact, sleeping for six hours or less for 10 days is equivalent to going for two days without any sleep.

The quality of the sleep we get is equally important.

When it comes to poor quality sleep, the main culprits seem to be alcohol and caffeine. If you drink half a bottle of wine before bed, you will get less REM sleep, which is needed to create memories, retain information and for the brain to recover. Instead, the deep sleep phase is lengthened more than it should be. That’s why we tend to feel groggier than usual after such a night.

On the other hand, having coffee in the afternoon or evening shortens the deep sleep phase, so your body does not have enough time to recover from the day and repair its muscles and fight illness. When I asked Janita how I could possibly drop my afternoon espresso, she assured me that an afternoon dip in energy is normal and suggested that instead 48 Sunday Circle ∫ MARCH 2019

of making a beeline for the coffee machine, I should get some fresh air and movement for ten minutes.

We all know how unpredictable sleep patterns can be with babies and young children, but what about teens who are suddenly night owls and then sleep so deeply in the morning that they might as well be comatose? Apparently, it is quite common for a child’s sleep cycle to be delayed by a couple of hours when they hit puberty, making it hard for them to fall asleep at the usual time. Since their sleep cycle is then cut short in the morning, they end up losing a couple of hours of sleep every night. This, in turn, makes for some very irritable and tired teenagers who are inattentive at school, struggle to focus on their homework and tend to be obnoxious towards their parents. The solution? No screens for an hour before bedtime, dim lights and a tidy room. It sounds like every teenager’s parent’s dream, but Janita is very much of the opinion that boundaries and routines are as important for teenagers and adults as they are for younger children.

While, traditionally, we tend to think of sleep consultants as baby whisperers, Janita has seen an increase in sleep problems in adults, particularly those with high pressure jobs. They tend to have gym memberships, eat a healthy diet but then ignore their sleep. The consequences are not only detrimental to their health, but also to their work. They get sick more often, are more stressed, less productive and more negative. That is why, apart from workshops for babies and adults, she is now also offering corporate workshops, which she tailors to the clients’ needs.

She strongly believes that companies should invest in a workshop for their employees once a year, the same way they do for team building activities.

So, if you fall asleep the moment you touch the sofa, feel like you’re nursing a hangover every morning or just need help getting your children to cultivate good sleeping habits, Janita is your friend. As for me, I’ll be limiting my coffees to the mornings. Maybe.