Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545722
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2026 COMMERCIAL Dan Snow brings 5,000 years of Maltese history to life at The Phoenicia Malta THE Phoenicia Malta recent- ly welcomed British-Canadian historian and broadcaster Dan Snow for an evening that ex- plored over 5,000 years of Mal- ta's history through some of the island's unique archaeological treasures. Staged as both a live panel and a podcast recording, Five Objects. Four Historians. One Extraordi- nary Story. was organised by Visit Malta in partnership with Herit- age Malta and supported by The Phoenicia Malta. Joining Snow in the hotel's Grand Ballroom for the event were three of the island's leading historians: Liam Gauci, Senior Asset Development Manager at Heritage Malta; Professor Ma- nuel Buttigieg of the History Department at the University of Malta; and Keith Gatt, Principal Curator at Fort St Elmo. In an engaging conversation that blended expert insights and storytelling, the panel explored the people, conflicts, voyages and defining moments that shaped Malta's story, as told through a se- lection of extraordinary artefacts. The featured treasures included the Tyger Goblet, an Order of St John blunderbuss, Admiral De- cres' presentation sword and the iconic George Cross, as well as prehistoric obsidian and Phoe- nician amphorae recovered from the depths of the Mediterranean. The evening was broadcast live across the respective channels of Visit Malta, Heritage Malta and The Phoenicia Malta, and re- mains available to watch online. Dan Snow hosts the History Hit podcast, which has run for more than a decade and draws around three million listens a month. He has already featured Malta twice on History Hit, with episodes on both the Great Siege and the is- land's pivotal role in the Second World War. Robyn Pratt, General Manager at The Phoenicia Malta, opened the evening, followed by Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef and Kenneth Gambin, COO of Heritage Malta. "There are few better places for an evening like this than a hotel that has stood at the gates of Valletta since 1947," says Ro- byn Pratt. "These walls have wit- nessed many of Malta's key mo- ments, so the choice of venue for this special evening is hugely fit- ting. This was a rare opportunity for the island's own treasures to tell the story of over 5,000 years of history." For more information about The Phoenicia Malta, visit www.phoeniciamalta.com. HSBC Malta employees support cancer research through ALIVE Cycling Challenge 2026 HSBC Bank Malta employees have come together to support the ALIVE Cycling Challenge for Cancer 2026, to contribute to one of Malta's leading fund- raising initiatives dedicated to cancer research. During the first quarter of 2026, 45 HSBC Malta col- leagues took part in the initia- tive by cycling, running, walk- ing and swimming, combining personal effort with a shared purpose. Over the course of the challenge, employees collec- tively completed 5.5 kilometres of swimming, 1,000 kilometres of walking and running, and 425 kilometres of cycling. HSBC Malta also provided a €5,000 sponsorship to the Alive Charity Foundation in support of its work. Organised by the Alive Char- ity Foundation, the ALIVE Cy- cling Challenge brings together cyclists, organisations and the wider community to raise funds for cancer research in Malta. Since its inception, the initia- tive has raised over €1.1 million in support of the University of Malta through the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT), funding a range of important research projects. HSBC Malta's involvement this year builds on its contin- ued support for community initiatives that aim to deliv- er long-term positive impact. Funds raised through the 2026 challenge will contribute di- rectly to ongoing and future cancer research projects in Malta, helping to strengthen local scientific capability and bring hope to patients and fam- ilies. Glenn Bugeja, Chairperson of the HSBC Sports and Social Committee said, "Cancer can affect so many people, includ- ing our colleagues, customers, friends and families. By sup- porting the ALIVE Cycling Challenge, we're helping fund research that can lead to better outcomes in the years ahead. It's a reminder of what we can achieve when we come togeth- er." Alive Charity Foundation Chairperson Nicky Camilleri thanked HSBC Malta for its continued support, "We are grateful to HSBC Malta and its employees for standing with us once again. Their support helps us continue investing in research that has the potential to make a real and lasting dif- ference in people's lives." Representatives of the ALIVE Cycling Challenge 2026 gather outside the HSBC Qormi Branch, joined by HSBC Malta's Sports and Social Committee presenting a donation cheque in support of cancer research