Video about the National Insect Initiative

The Foundation is presently developing an educational video clip about the Maltese Honey Bee within the context of the National Insect Initiative. Before the video’s release, we will introduce the crew and protagonists featured in it.

Saviour Bonnici serves as the videographer and editor for this project. He is the producer and wildlife cameraman for the esteemed program, Natura Maltija, which has featured several wildlife species on the Maltese archipelago. Additionally, Mr. Bonnici holds the position of Physical Education and Nature Education Teacher at Saint Aloysius College.

A retired teacher, Michaelangelo Muscat, is a third-generation beekeeper, who has been rearing honey bees since the 1970s. With a dedication to mastering his craft, Michaelangelo has pursued several courses on beekeeping, including a prestigious 200-hour program which he completed with distinction. His achievements in apicultural products have earned him numerous awards, including the 2013 Award for Maltese Craftsmanship, and more recently, the 2023 Award for Artisanal Food and Beverage. Michael will share his experience with the Maltese Honey bee in an interview featured in this project!

Jorge Spiteri, is the national representative of the Maltese Young Beekeepers for the International Centre for Young Beekeepers. Since 2013, he took up beekeeping activities in various localities around Malta, including public spaces and educational institutions to create more awareness about the importance of the honey bees among people of all ages and backgrounds.

Arnold Grech, a name that is synonymous with the Maltese Honey Bee. A veteran beekeeper who has been rearing honey bees since 1949, Arnold was the principal Maltese investigator who together with international researchers, definitively classified the Maltese Honey bee naming it Apis mellifera ruttneri, paying homage to the esteemed German apidologist Fredreich Ruttner. Throughout his tenure as Agricultural Officer, Arnold played a pivotal role in Maltese apiculture, a commitment he continues to this day by still being a beekeeper.

Professor David Mifsud has distinguished himself as one of Malta’s leading entomologists. After earning his Ph.D. abroad, he has held numerous academic positions at the University of Malta since 2001, contributing to over 200 scientific publications. Through his work, he continues to play a crucial role in Maltese apicultural, tirelessly promoting and advocating for the conservation of the Maltese Honey bee. In recognition of his significant accomplishments, he was awarded the National Order of Merit in 2016.

Simone Cutajar is engaged in multiple conservation projects focused on Malta’s unique environment. Serving also as Malta’s Citizen Science Ambassador for the European Citizen Science Association, she actively bridges public engagement with science. As part of her joint PhD degree between the University of Malta and the University of Bologna, she is conducting groundbreaking work focusing on microorganisms in Maltese honey bee stomachs. Simone’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Creative Initiative Award and the National Best STEM Community Project Award. The work carried out by Simone is part of project PAM (Pathogens and the Apis mellifera ruttneri Microbiome) financed by the IPAS+ – Option C – PRIMA Training and Mobility Award 2023 of the Malta Council for Science and Technology. Simone’s PhD is financed through the Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation.

Professor Michael Spagnol is a prominent researcher in Maltese language and culture. He studied Maltese and Linguistics at the University of Malta, earned his PhD in Linguistics at the University of Konstanz, Germany, and completed a post-doc at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig. Specialising in morphology, lexicography, and dialectology, he has contributed to various research projects on terminology, dialects, and oral traditions. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Head of the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta and holds editorial positions in key publications and committees in his field. He also runs Kelma Kelma, connecting the Maltese people with their language through linguistic curiosities! Having contributed to the script of this project, Prof. Michael Spagnol will also serve as our Maltese narrator!

Tenor Joseph Calleja, Malta’s most celebrated tenor, requires no introduction. Since he started singing at the age of 16, his performances have captivated audiences worldwide, gracing renowned opera houses across the globe. Calleja’s exceptional talent has garnered him numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination and a Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa by the University of Malta in acknowledgment of his achievements. Beyond his musical talent, a lesser-known aspect of Joseph Calleja’s life is his passion for beekeeping, particularly his deep respect for the Maltese Honey bee!

A versatile musician, Chris Gatt has been active in the musical scene since his early years. Having graduated from the University of Malta, he now shares his expertise as a music educator at the School of Performing Arts. Additionally, he contributes his skills as a musician to the vibrant soundscape of the local music scene, currently also performing as a member of the local band, Auntie’s Yellow Sofa.

Neil Cutajar, currently a PhD candidate at the University of Malta, holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry. Alongside his academic pursuits, he participates in creative writing and local theatre. His appointment as the Foundation’s treasurer aligns seamlessly with his dedication to nature and conservation. Neil contributed greatly to drafting the script for this audiovisual project.

Our own co-founders and serving administrators Abner Joe Buttigieg and Dylan Farrugia, who were central in the planning and development of this project. Abner’s more than a decade-long commitment to the local apiculture sector drove his unwavering determination to contribute to the conservation of the endangered Maltese Honey Bee. His dedication led him to cross paths with Dylan during his Master’s studies, which focused on the Conservation Genetics of the endemic Maltese Bee. United by their shared passion, they founded the Foundation, with Abner assuming the role of secretary and Dylan as its President. While Abner was heavily involved in the planning of this endeavour, Dylan alongside videographer Saviour Bonnici, co-directed this audiovisual project.

This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.