Although the monthly aboutmalta.com newsletter rarely delivers personal information about the people behind it, I think it's fitting that I announce that I shall be visiting Malta this month. The main reason I bring this up is because this is my first visit in almost 4 years.

Change is inevitable, so I'm quite curious to see what changes have occured in the Maltese Islands since the last time I was there. Some of my observations will undoubtedly end up on Toni Sant's Blog.

March is a wonderful time to visit the islands. Spring brings with it the end of the dreary winter season, and preparations for Holy Week and Easter are also in the air. Although I'm not usually a nostalgic sort of person, I must say that I'm really looking forward to this visit. Most of all I'm eagerly anticipating the joy of spending time with my family and friends.

Toni Sant
Consulting Editor, aboutmalta.com

P.S. To subscribe to this newsletter just contact us.

1. Last Month's Daily News from MaltaMedia
2. Top Picks:
     a. Holy Week and Easter in Malta + Gozo
     b. Malta Song for Europe 2005
3. This Month in Maltese History
4. What's On This Month

01 Malta not to accept being convergence region
02 Malta on track to correct deficit
03 Parliament discussing public holidays measure impementation
04 Maltese Bishops call for regulation of assisted reproduction
05 Drug bust in B'Kara
06 Fabrizio Faniello takes Sweden by storm
07 Malta born man invents new machinegun
08 Irregular immigration conference ends
09 Carnival festivities come to an end
10 Malta celebrates the feast of St. Paul
11 Malta-born musician to go on trial over abuse charges
12 Timely police action foils robbery
13 Malta lowest spender on heart disease
14 PM to present Malta’s Objective One status
15 Customs seize counterfeit objects
16 Armed police surround man’s residence
17 Barroso positive on Malta's request for EU funding
18 Gozitan students caught cheating on unemployment benefits
19 50-year-old man dies tragically
20 Chiara is Malta's choice for Eurovision Song Contest 2005
21 Malta reaffirms Middle East commitment
22 Immigrants stage protest
23 MEPA launches two new electronic services
24 Hotel occupancy in Gozo half that of Malta in November
25 Government debt increases by 12%
26 Chiara to start promotional tour
27 USATODAY.com portrays Malta's scenery as Oscar-worthy
28 National Broadband Stategy launched

Read and/or listen to the latest daily news from MaltaMedia.com.

a. Holy Week and Easter in Malta & Gozo

MaltaMedia's seasonal feature for Holy Week and Easter in Malta highlights traditional, religious, astronomical, and gastronomical aspects of the greatest celebration in the Christian calendar. Whether you're after an understanding of why the date for Easter Sunday changes each year, a virtual via crucis, free Easter e-cards, or the recipe for figolli, you'll find it all in this feature.
 

b. Malta Song for Europe 2005

Following the frenzy of last month's Malta Song for Europe festival we now know that Chiara will be once again representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest. This year the Eurovision will take place on 19 and 21 May in Kiev, Ukraine. As it has done over the last few years, EurovisionMalta.com continues to track the lastest news about Malta's entry.

30 YEARS AGO (20 March 1975)
Malta's roving ambassador Joe Attard Kingswell leaves for Brussels for revision talks on Malta agreement with the E.E.C.

20 YEARS AGO (25 March 1985)
The BBC Micro-Users Club holds a one-day exhibition on micro-Computing applications with 16 stands featuring the multiple users of BBC Micro-Computers, at the Hotel Phoenicia Ballroom.

10 YEARS AGO (28 March 1995)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lawrence Gonzi, rejects a request by the Leader of the Opposition, Alfred Sant, for Parliament not to debate a motion proposing Malta's membership in the Partnership for Peace programme.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
1 March 1954: Paul Abela, Composer
8 March 1968: Ray Calleja, Actor/TV Presenter
9 March 1940: Maria Sciberras, Medical Doctor
30 March 1913: Censu Tabone, President of the Republic (1989-1994)

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
7 March 1997: Frank Ganado, Actor, dies at 84
17 March 1996: Vitorin Galea, Actress, dies at 67
22 March 1971: Pietru Pawl Saydon, Biblical Scholar/Translator, dies at 76
28 March 1885: Adelaide Cini, Philanthropist, dies

See aboutmalta.com's daily full list of birthdays, deaths, and events in Maltese history.

Today in Maltese History is produced exclusively for aboutmalta.com by Mario Axiaq.

Wednesday 9 March 2005
Beangrowers (Live)
The Beangrowers play at The Alley in Paceville to promote their most recent album Dance Baby Dance and in preparation for their upcoming trip to the USA.

16 + 18 March 2005
Romeo & Juliet
C.F. Gounod comes to the Manoel Theatre in Valletta with the participation of tenor Joseph Calleja, soprano Tatiana Lisnic, baritone Alejandro Gallo and the National Orchestra.

Friday 18 March 2005
Our Lady of Sorrows
Processions marking devotion towards Our Lady of Sorrows take place in the evening across most towns and villages in the Maltese Islands.

19, 20 + 23 March 2005
Ikun Li Trid Int - It-Triq tas-Salib
Birzebbugia Catholic Action Youths present Manwel Mifsud's popular way of the cross muscial at the B'Bugia School Hall; performances start at 7:30pm.

View aboutmalta.com's full calendar for this month's events in Malta and Gozo, or to submit a future event to our calendar.