Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541179
My essentials SAMUEL CUTAJAR 26, violinist/ musician I am a Maltese 26-year-old violinist based in London but go around for concerts in Europe and of course my home island, Malta. I have been working with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Sinfonia Cymru and other ensembles in London but also am an active chamber musician particularly with Duo Hafdar—a violin guitar duo. I love kayaking, swimming and walking aside from music. 1. Book 2. Film 3. Internet 4. Music 5. Place I am of course a classical music lover, particularly of works I haven't performed or will never perform. But I am also a big fan of good funk music by Vulfpeck/ Cory Wong and I also love a bit of Elvis. ALDABRA is a dream destina- tion even though practically im- possible to go to. It is the world's second-largest coral atoll, locat- ed east of the continent of Africa and has the most special water one could lay eyes on. Hopefully, I can visit someday (and hopeful- ly in the super near future!) BREATHING: A New Sci- ence To A Lost Art. I learnt so many different things in this book as you can imagine from such a captivating title! It was recommended by an old pro- fessor of mine from my un- dergraduate years at Trinity College, London. It is fasci- nating that we human beings, constantly ignore the most beautiful and obvious thing in our everyday life—breath- ing! I also learnt that so called progress isn't always the best thing for our existence and to genuinely savour and improve our breathing through simple methodologies and practises. I have watched Rose Island recently. It is a film based on the short-lived Republic of Rose Island, a micronation built on a man-made platform in the Adriatic Sea by Italian engineer Giorgio Rosa. THE idea of becoming the head of state to a self-con- structed tiny piece of land is brilliant but the intrusion from a mighty long-estab- lished state, is also a great lesson. I 100% would recom- mend it. It is humorous and allows for self-reflection on how much we chase our in- novation, dreams and what the outside influences that diminish those dreams are. I am getting into online cooking recipes and pro- grammes. I was intro- duced to Marco Pierre White—a character with- out a doubt—who is very insightful into the beauty of simplicity in cooking. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 4 5 1 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 NOVEMBER 2025 ALMANAC 3 2