September 2021 - The Phoenicia Malta

Joe Smith as our latest Artist in Residence

Joe Smith Exhibition at The Phoeicia Malta

As part of our ongoing initiative to promote local talent, we welcomed Joe Smith as our Artist in Residence throughout September.

Joe has become a popular and well-known Maltese photographer both locally and abroad.

As a young man, prior to becoming a photographer, Joe was a keen painter with an interest in abstract art. “Even though I was painting all the time, I always had an interest in photography and knew that one day I would make the switch”, Joe reflected. “I bought my first NIKON camera in 1979 while on holiday in Canada. I spent six weeks snapping everything I saw, experimenting with different angles and shots. I was instantly hooked”.

In 1977, Joe joined the Public Service, and photography became a side project. However, even though it became his side hustle, Joe began exhibiting his pictures in 1981 which quickly led him to further opportunities to exhibit abroad.

By 1985, photography had started to become Joe’s main artistic activity. By 2008, Joe won a major EU competition called ‘Cultures on my Street’. Joe’s winning shot was that of a cobbler in Rabat, Malta. In 2014 and 2015, Joe was shortlisted in the prestigious Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. He was the first Maltese artist to take part and exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He got shortlisted once again in 2021 with a series of three portraits.

In 2009, Joe published his first book called ‘Survivors – The Aging Population of Birgu’, which boasts breath-taking photos together with stories related by the average person going about their daily life in Birgu. “I love the human condition where the portrait says something about the sitter. I don’t like things to look too sterile, I like to capture the moment as it really is”, commented Joe when explaining his own particular style. With the first edition exceeding his own expectations, Joe will soon be releasing the second edition.

Joe has made a name for himself within the international community of photographers, and has travelled abroad to the UK, Dubai, and Italy to judge international competitions. We are proud to have Joe’s work on display at The Phoenicia Malta for everyone to enjoy. With an interest in dance, the images in our exhibition all focus on decisive moments captured throughout various performances such as ballet.

World Tourism Day

Take an inside out approach to achieving excellence

A message from Robyn Pratt, General Manager, The Phoenicia Malta

When the team at The Phoenicia Malta decided to celebrate World Tourism Day, I reflected on the messaging from UNWTO in relation to this year’s theme. The words – “behind every number, there is a person” stood out for me. This is something I am very passionate about and over the years as I have supported brands and companies in developing a culture that will support the delivery of quality guest experience, I have implored leaders and managers to think “from the inside out”.

It has always been said in the hospitality industry that “People make the difference” but I feel that perhaps in many cases these were said because it was in some cases the right thing to say. Did we really lead from the front to ensure that our people REALLY made the difference or more importantly that they felt that they REALLY were able to make the difference.

Now more than ever before it is critical for us to consider our business from the “inside-out”. What do I mean by this? If we focus first on ensuring our team members feel engaged with the business and feel dedicated and passionate about doing their best this energy will be bought to life at every touch point for the guest.

The role of the leader and manager in inspiring and engaging team members to deliver excellence has never been so vital as each day we fight the battle to recruit and retain team members who will bring our promise to life.

I am incredibly proud to work alongside some wonderfully committed team members here at The Phoenicia Malta, I hear on a daily basis from guests about how it is the people who make this experience one that they want to come back to time and time again. And the reason we are able to achieve this is that “this team is truly like a family” – we have our ups and downs but at the end of it all everyone is committed to delivering the best possible experience for the guest. And it is because there is such a strong sense of unity/family at the core of all that we do.

The team laughs together, they cry together, they celebrate together and when the going gets tough they pull together to deliver the best experience for the guest and that is in the end what hospitality is all about. The coming together of people from many different cultures, of many different ages, of all genders – all focused on delivering an experience that will engage and delight the guest.

I have worked in this industry for 45 years – every day is different – every day has new challenges – every day has new highlights and that is what makes it an industry that those who have chosen to work within it and make it their life love about it.

I wish everyone a great International Tourism Day and want to humbly thank every team member of The Phoenicia Malta team for always being focused on doing the very best they can to deliver a guest experience that will become a great memory for these guests of the hotel and the hospitality industry.

My message to any leader or manager reading this article – Focus on inspiring and engaging your team and they in turn will focus on inspiring and engaging your customers! And be the leader who would inspire you to be the best version of you and others will follow!

Making a Difference: Smiling With Jerome

Smiling with Jerome NGO - The Phoenicia Malta

At The Phoenicia Malta, we are committed to helping the local community as much as we possibly can. This month, we have partnered up with NGO Smiling With Jerome, to donate €1 from each dessert sold at Phoenix Restaurant throughout September to help their cause. Furthermore, on 28th September we will hold our Trivia Tuesday at The Club Bar from which proceeds will be donated to the NGO.

Smiling With Jerome was founded in October 2017, after Kenneth and Josette Frendo lost their 20 year old son, Jerome, to bone cancer. Kenneth and Josette vowed to make a difference, by helping all those who were suffering just like their son had.

As a fully registered foundation, Smiling With Jerome has helped many families with funds, initiatives, and general support they may need to help a loved one who is currently sick or suffering from a disability.

Some approach Smiling With Jerome when other traditional avenues are closed off to them. The team at Smiling With Jerome have even helped patients get to America to receive the latest breakthrough treatment available.

One of the latest initiatives is their “Chemo Bags of Hope” which is a bag given to all patients currently undergoing chemotherapy to help them alleviate their discomfort and boost morale. The bags contain various items such as a lap blanket, chemo hats, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, colouring books and stationary, lollipop, toys, and more.

Each bag costs €60 to put together, but Smiling With Jerome distributes them for free to Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre (SAMOC), Gozo General Hospital, and patients referred to the foundation by the Hospice Malta.

Smiling With Jerome is a foundation that does its best to help people who really need it. From funding, support, and morale boosting initiatives such as their recent fashion show, this NGO is making a huge difference to people’s lives.

The foundation currently relies on donations from individuals and businesses. If you would like to make a donation, visit www.smilingwithjerome.com or visit Phoenix Restaurant where €1 from every dessert sold in September will go to Smiling With Jerome.

From Lego to London: Getting to know Anna Horvath

Sorgi by Anna Horvath - Artist in Residence - The Phoenicia Malta

As a young girl, Anna had a fascination with the way buildings were designed and built. Now, as a talented narrative designer, Anna Horvath, our artist in residence throughout July, August and September, helps companies to successfully design and build exhibition stands that literally stand out from the crowd.

Born and raised in Hungary, the young Anna always knew that she would be involved in design and the arts. “As a child, I was absolutely obsessed with Lego, I am still obsessed with Lego” mused Anna when speaking about her past. “I always had a fascination with buildings, how they were designed and built, I knew that I wanted to be a designer”.

After studying to become an architect back in Hungary, Anna moved to London to successfully complete an MA in Narrative Environments from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

Her graduation was the beginning of a successful journey which led her to work on some exciting large-scale projects in London, Berlin, Lisbon, Budapest, and of course, Malta.

Anna’s impressive portfolio of work includes the Jewish Museum in Berlin, a pop-up store for Hermès’ Petit H collection in Lisbon, and her first furniture collection that was launched during the Paris Design Week.

Now based in Malta, Anna has created her own brand AHA Objects, focusing on furniture design. “My designs aim to be more than pure functional objects, there is often a hidden social, cultural, environmental or political commentary embedded”

Through AHA, Anna works with local manufacturers to design unique furniture collections for the local and international markets.

Anna’s latest project, SORĠI, focuses on the overdevelopment of Malta and the loss of heritage sustained over the past few years of intense construction work all over the island. SORĠI is helping to raise awareness on the urgent need for alternatives to speculative developments disrespectful of their contexts and Maltese heritage while seeking to offer sustainable solutions for the recycling of the increasing amounts of construction waste accumulating across the Maltese Islands.

“Construction waste is a big issue here in Malta, but sea plastic is also a major issue, I am passionate about raising awareness to find a better way of using and recycling this waste to create something worthwhile while helping the environment” commented Anna.

In Maltese, the word ‘Sorġi’ is derived from the Maltese verb ‘Sorga’, which means an anchoring ship or a person about to feel tired and would like to sit down. This perfectly encapsulates what Anna is trying to achieve through her work. Anna’s unique benches can be spotted all over the island, where passersby may rest and enjoy the view Anna has chosen to highlight through the careful placement of her work.

As our artist in residence throughout July, August and September, Anna’s Sorġi collection of outdoor furniture has been proudly displayed at The Phoenicia Malta.

Photos by Therese Debono