Lions Club Sliema co-sponsors books on Postcolonial literature During a special session of the Literature and Comparison Series organised by the Department of English and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Malta two books edited by Dr. Stella Borg Barthet: A sea for encounters: Essays towards a Postcolonial Commonwealth, and Shared waters: Soundings in Postcolonial literatures were launched. The launch took place on Thursday 4 March 2010 at the Aula Magna of the University of Malta in Valletta. In the picture the President of Lions Club Sliema, Dr. Alphonse L. MacDonald, receives copies from the editor as appreciation for the financial support received from Lions Club Sliema through its Arts Fund.

2009 Peace Poster Contest Award Ceremony
On 13 March 2010 Lions Club Sliema organised an award ceremony at the Banca Giuratale in Victoria, Gozo “to celebrate the artistic talents of young Maltese and Gozitan artists”. Since 1988 Lions International has organized an annual Peace Poster Contest open to youth from all over the world age 11 – 13 years; since 2007 Lions Club Sliema has again organized the national competition. The theme of the 2009 contest was “The Power of Peace” and the finalists of the 2009 national contest were honoured at the ceremony. The contest was won by Jonathan Young, a 12-year-old boy from Xaghra, Gozo, a student of the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary of Victoria. The other finalists were Zoe Gatt, Emma Gatt and Alannah Xureb of St. Michael’s Foundation, and Lorna Spiteri and Faustine Schembri of Agius de Soldanis College Gozo.

The poster by Jonathan Young as the winner of the national contest was by right entered in the 22^nd Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Out of over 350,000 entries from 65 countries 24 finalists were selected to compete for the Grand Prize. Jonathan Young poster with as motto “Peace conquers suffering and despair and brings hope, life and unity!” was among the finalists. His poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the theme of the contest.

The posters of the six finalists as well as some deserving entries were displayed at the Banca till 18 March 2010, courtesy of Annabel B. MacDonald who organised and maintained the exhibition

Dr. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Local Councils presented the winners of the national 2009 contest with a Certificate of Merit, and a token of appreciation provided by the long standing supporter of the national peace poster contest Agenda Bookshop. They also received a momentum from the co-sponsor of the Award Ceremony: Banif Bank.  Jonathan Young as the international Merit Award winner received the international Certificate of Merit and a cheque in the amount of 500.00 US dollar.

The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Kevin Sciberras, Cultural Coordinator, Island region of Gozo, Chev. Frank Gatt, Principal Gozo College and Mr. Anthony A. Borg in representation of the Honourable Minister for Gozo who made congratulatory remarks to the artists, expressed their appreciation of Lions Club Sliema’s effort to promote world peace and the participation of young Maltese and Gozitan in the international contest, and promised support for future activities. 

Dr. Said Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils, Mr. Anthony Abela, Chairman      Arts Committee Lions Club Sliema, Master Jonathan Young, Merit Award 2009

Finalists of the 2009 National Peace Poster Contest: back row: from left to right:           Emma Gatt,      Jonathan Young, Lorna Spiteri, Zoe Gatt, Faustine Schembri,      foreground: Alannah Xureb.

Overview of the ceremony