Author: Albert Fenech

Author

  • Albert Fenech was born in Malta in 1946. His family moved to England in 1954 where he spent boyhood and youth before in 1965 returning to Malta. He spent eight years as a journalist with “The Times of Malta” before taking a career in HR Management Administration with a leading international construction company in Libya, later with Malta Insurance Brokers, and finally STMicroelectronics Malta, employing 3,000 employees, Malta’s leading industrial manufacturer. Throughout he actively pursued international freelance journalism/ broadcasting for various media outlets covering social issues, current affairs, sports and travel. He has written in a number of publications both in Malta and overseas, as well as publishing two e-books. For the last eight years he had been writing a “Malta Diary” with pictures for Lyn Funnel’s B-C-ingU.com international travel magazine.

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Further Afield, History

Mediterranean + Sea +Malta = Middle Sea Yacht Race

By Albert Fenech Internationally, October is not a special month of tremendous events. It heralds the incoming winter season – more associated with forthcoming... Read more.
Celebrity, Charity, Further Afield

One of the Pillars of Malta Today – Pasquale Pistorio RIP

A saviour when most needed By Albert Fenech The death of Pasquale Pistorio did not come as a shock. After all he was 89 and lived a life of generous…... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

Malta and Gozo door knockers – a symbolism of status

By Albert Fenech Would you ever imagine in your wildest fantasies that before the days of high-rise apartments, front door-knocking and door-knockers had a whole... Read more.
Food and Drink, Health & Beauty

“Move your bloomin’ … whatsit!”

Trot along with the gee gees, but …   Just as Eliza Doolittle blurted out “move your bloomin’ … whatsit!” to the flagging race horse and to... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

New Buildings May Be Resisted Before Becoming Iconic

It’s not often that a construction site and a prospective new building evokes so much passion, so much praise and enthusiasm, so much anguish and so much disgust... Read more.
Further Afield, History

The Magical Process of Fungus Rock – One of the Many Natural Attractions Around Malta & Gozo

Dwejra is a fascinating little spot in the north west of Gozo, just north of the little village of San Lawrenz. It is a mostly uninhabited area but it has…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Further Afield

Malta and Gozo – the beautiful Coral Islands of my dreams

From an early age I was a habitual bookworm, reading everything that was readable. Road signs, displayed adverts, street notices, newspapers, magazines, books and... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Further Afield, Sport

Trotting with the Gee-Gees; One of the earliest British traditions in Malta and Gozo

By Albert Fenech If you have the royal horsey inclination for what is termed “The King of Sport” then on practically every winter Sunday afternoon your feet... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Further Afield

Both of Malta’s feet stand firm in the EU

By Albert Fenech When some years back banner headlines announced that the EU Commission was deliberating a ban on the manufacture and sale of Maltese pastizzi –... Read more.
Further Afield, History

Is It True that the French Have Never Forgiven Malta? And to Whom Does the Sword Belong?

The French have never quite forgiven Maltese “indiscretion” even though over 220 years have passed but the name of Malta still smarts with some French historians... Read more.
Entertainment, Further Afield, History

Fiesta Time in Malta

August is the month for boisterous festas and celebrations – the time to join in the fun! In our Gregorian calendar, August is the eighth month of the year and…... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

When the new upset the old but today is looked upon with great pride

By Albert Fenech It’s not often that a construction site and a prospective new building evokes so much passion, so much praise and enthusiasm, so much anguish... Read more.
Entertainment, Further Afield

Malta Fashion Week 2025 – a growing international reputation

By Albert Fenech Malta’s Fashion Week commenced some years back after being launched by designer Adrian J Mizzi in what then was seen as a vain event to mimic... Read more.
Further Afield, History

Why oh Why? The lapses of the human brain

Albert Fenech I am now entering my 80th year – not a time to be so curious and not a time to ask so many questions and wonder why this…... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, Further Afield

Two Unexpected Surprises as our Lives Continue to Change

A burning question – are we Maltese, alcoholics? Modern living means modern changing. When I was a boy many, many years ago, facts and events were facts and events... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

My Treasure Island – a Rock of Fascination Throughout my Life

Episodes, loves and dreams By Albert Fenech As I straggle (I purposely used “straggle” and not “struggle”) on to the end of my lengthy life my thoughts dig... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, History

Dig in caves and caverns and you shall find and discover Potholes in Malta and Gozo always brim with astonishment

By Albert Fenech I have said it time and time again and do so with pride – per square metre of land, Malta and Gozo are the richest countries in…... Read more.
Further Afield, History

“Sette Giugno”, the first steps for independence of Malta and Gozo Hunger and deprivation manifest in public disturbances

By Albert Fenech It cannot be denied that Malta has a past of colonial enforcement, stretching back to Roman times, the 500-year dominance of the Knights of St John... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, History

The magical process of Fungus Rock and there are other natural attractions around Malta and Gozo

By ALBERT FENECH Dwejra is a fascinating little spot in the north west of Gozo, just north of the little village of San Lawrenz. It is a mostly uninhabited area…... Read more.
Further Afield, History, Uncategorized

Old Tales that Determined Human Beliefs Over Thousands of Years

In today’s techno world total nonsense! Some well-known tales dated pre-history and were subsequently and diligently handed down from one generation to another... Read more.
Forestry and Nature, Health & Beauty, History

Popular, natural cures in the past – prepare to go urgh!

Urine, umbilical cords, chicken heads & necks – pretty distasteful! Today’s medications very much depend on what the World Health Organiation decrees, backed... Read more.
Art, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

The Artistic and Cultural Heritage of Many Chapels in Malta and Gozo

Visitors to Malta and Gozo have a lengthy heritage of religious fervour of artisanship to visit and enjoy. These were mainly the result of fervour of religious extremes... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Food and Drink, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

Melos = Melita = Malta … Land of Honey and Busy Bees

…sadly on the wane By Albert Fenech How did country names come about? Yes, England came from Anglo-Saxon Land and the United States is obvious as well as Scotland... Read more.
Entertainment, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

Malta in the Merry Month of May

My favourite month of the year! By Albert Fenech Yes, of course, I was born in the Merry Month of May and naturally it has to be my favourite month!…... Read more.
Entertainment, Further Afield, Historic Buildings

Summer – the most relaxing season in Malta & Gozo

“Put another nickel into the nickelodeon, all I want is music, music, music” By Albert Fenech The entertainment group Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square)... Read more.
Further Afield, History

Good Friday – Memories of a Religious Upbringing

My Godfather – known in Maltese as parrinu – was my late uncle Edwin Bowman married to my mother’s sister Annie, who was an ultra-religious Roman Catholic... Read more.
Coastal, Further Afield, History

The Cumin Isle – Comino

The “getaway” for Maltese and Gozitans and with a remarkable history In days of yore, holiday travel abroad was largely unknown to the majority of the community... Read more.
Further Afield, History

On 31st March Malta celebrated 46 years of freedom from colonial rule. What did Malta and Gozo go through in the preceding 7,250 years?

By Albert Fenech The 31st March this year commemorated probably the greatest day in history for Malta and Gozo when for the first time in 7,250 years the islands... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, History

The History, Magic and Mysticism of the Tiny Island of Filfla

The Maltese archipelago consists of six separate islands, Malta the main island and vastly over-populated, Gozo the sister island suitably populated (for now but... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

Gozo’s Fort Chambray in the Fray

Preserving history, heritage and culture, or resorting to current economic needs? By Albert Fenech Plans to develop the historic British barracks of Fort Chambray... Read more.
Further Afield, History

Salina – When a Keg of Salt was Worth More than its Weight in Gold

Malta boasts a lengthy history in saline culture.  Let’s take a look… The salt of the earth has always fascinated me as an expression but also a reality.... Read more.
Food and Drink, Further Afield, History

Thousands of Years of Olive History in Malta and Gozo

Spice every room in the house with the aroma of burning olive twigs By Albert Fenech In days of yore, every Palm Sunday was a special occasion when those attending…... Read more.
Further Afield, History, Sussex

My Greatest Stroke of Fortune which Changed my Life

Meeting Lyn Funnell at Horsted Keynes! By Albert Fenech I was brought up and schooled in England and later permanently returned to Malta in 1965 but over the last... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, History

Splendid greenery on “The Rock” – the Malta Oasis in the Med

By ALBERT FENECH salina46af@gmail.com Modern communication being what it is (what it is NOT is verbal communication!) thousands of Maltese who holiday overseas throughout... Read more.
Art, Entertainment, Further Afield, History

Make Merry, then Repent… when in Malta

Eat, drink and be merry it’s Carnival time! Then you have 40 days to repent on your waywardness By Albert Fenech Seventy two years ago I was aged just seven…... Read more.
Art, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Further Afield, History

February in Malta: Solemnity Contrasts with Frivolity… and Whisky

Being so small, the Maltese Islands have always been subject to startling contrasts because of occasions which directly contrast each other  but remain community... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Further Afield, History, Sussex

First-ever television picture transmitted – a Maltese Cross!

TV inventor John Logie Baird makes resounding international history and uses the Malta/St John’s Brigade medallion for his first workshop transmission Many thanks... Read more.
Coastal, Further Afield

Travelling to Malta and Gozo and money no problem? The top class hotels to reside in

By Albert Fenech The renowned and highly influential US journal/gazette “The Wall Street Journal” has just listed the five top areas throughout the world to... Read more.
Art, Further Afield, History

The Beautiful Tiling in Malta

If the sun shines too much, block it out – but deploy floor and wall tiles to bring the colour in! Artistic craftsmanship has been slowly but surely dwindling... Read more.
Art, Entertainment, Further Afield

Valletta, Malta – Baroque Music Festival Throughout January 2025

By Albert Fenech Undoubtedly, Valletta is a city swelling with grandeur. Modern architecture beams from its entrance as traces of history are draped on its façades,... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

Albert’s Favourite Article of 2024 Malta’s elongated skulls – maybe outer space aliens? More myths and mysteries

By ALBERT FENECH Myths or mysteries – Malta overflows with them ranging from theories that Malta was the ‘nerve control centre’ of the lost continent Atlantis... Read more.
Art, Celebrity, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Further Afield

Daily Events in Malta & Gozo to New Year’s Eve

The inhabitants of the Maltese Islands are always super-active the year round but in December are in full swing to provide a dazzling array of Christmas events that... Read more.
Entertainment, Further Afield, History

Celebration of 50 Years as a Republic & Bumper Christmas Activities in Malta

In some philosophies, Friday the 13th is looked upon as a day of bad luck and misfortune, particularly in Britain and British oriented areas. In other philosophies... Read more.
Further Afield

Maltese Islands Strengthen their Role as Major International Gaming Centres

By ALBERT FENECH The Sigma Europe Conference held in late November left a strong economic impact on Malta, with the founder of the event, Eman Pulis, saying that... Read more.
Art, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

A luxurious and noble house for the nobility – Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta

By ALBERT FENECH The riches and splendours of Casa Rocco Piccola in Valletta Visitors to Malta and Gozo ranging back over many centuries have never stopped to wonder... Read more.
Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

The mystery of the bones in St Gregory’s Chapel; How did they die and why were they interred there?

By ALBERT FENECH  On 12th March, 1969, fifty four years ago, work was being carried out on the transept side of the Chapel of San Girgor (St Gregory) at Zejtun.…... Read more.
Coastal, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History, Uncategorized

The Most Defended Location in the World (Not Where You Might Think)

The Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, Hadrian’s Wall, the US-Mexico Border Wall and the Aurelian Walls around Rome as well as fortifications and walls around... Read more.
Art, Entertainment, Historic Buildings

Malta: Five Days of Art & Music in Beautiful Surroundings

Malta will be presenting another resplendent weekend between Wednesday 30th October and Sunday, 3rd November with classical music recitals and arts in beautiful... Read more.
Uncategorized

5,000 Years of History – Hagar Qim in Malta

Antiquities – are they just “old stuff” not worth wasting time over and anyway, we have heard all about them over and over again? A high proportion of travellers/tourists... Read more.
Coastal, Entertainment

A Famous International Yacht Race

Living on small miniscule islands renders one to being a very minor citizen on the international scale of things. HOWEVER, there is always the enormous sensual and... Read more.