Le Méridien Kids Can Cook

Remy, the cute cartoon keen on French Gastronomy in the famous children’s movie "Ratatouille", better watches out for Le Méridien Kids! Indeed, whilst the animated character was displaying his fictitious culinary talents on a giant screen placed in the kitchen of Le Méridien St Julians this Saturday morning, an enthusiastic (and very lively) junior kitchen brigade was actively working with real ingredients, under the amused yet professional supervision of Executive Head Chef Reuben Grixti.

Children's Art for the Planet

This year, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa went "Beyond the Hour*" on the occasion of Earth Hour 2011, a global awareness movement for the environment that started off in 2007.

Indeed, on Saturday 26th March, instead of simply switching off the lights from 8.30pm till 9.30pm as indicated by this energy-saving project, the Hotel’s management went one step further. Guests and patrons were formally invited to join the Team in the hotel lobby at 8.15pm to share a welcome drink. Shortly before the lights went off, the official video of Earth Hour 2011 was projected on a giant screen to raise awareness of the initiative amongst all present. This introduction video was followed by a choreographed Le Méridien moment called “evening ritual”, whereas members of the staff – dressed in the appropriate branded costumes - solemnly entered the lobby and lit up the candles placed on the center piece of the room. The scene was rolled out on a powerful music by the artist Enya playing in the background. The evening then transformed into a candle-lit moment whilst a talented guitarist pleasantly entertained the guests for a couple of hours.

Earth Hour at Le Méridien: children’s pledge for Mother Earth

At 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for the Earth Hour. So will all Starwood Hotels worldwide. Fully supported by its mother company, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa will adopt the initiative for the 3rd consecutive year. But with an interactive and creative twist this time.

"The project has been impressively evolving on a global scale", states Mark Muscat de Celis, Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien St Julians. "And we don’t want to fall behind. We want to involve our community, encourage Maltese people to take action and motivate our youth to adopt a new perspective."

With this philosophy in mind, Le Méridien St Julians is launching an interactive competition based on children’s creativity and aimed at populating what promises to be a unique art exhibition. Indeed, the management is enthusiastically inviting all children between 7 and 14years old to come up with an A4 creation on the theme of "Mother EARTH"*. The technique (water colours, pencils, collage, etc.) is left to the preference of the child, however all artworks must be laid on A4 sized paper. The drawings will all be exhibited on the 26th March at the KuDéTa Bar & Lounge. On that day, hotel guests and local customers will be able to enjoy this "Mother EARTH" art exhibition and vote for their favorite piece of art. The winner of the competition will get a free afternoon of horse riding for him/herself and his/her close family, together with a picnic basket full of delicious Le Méridien treats.

Art competition for children on the theme of "Mother EARTH"

On top of this original exhibition, Le Méridien St Julians will of course respect the electricity curfew that will put the entire hotel in the dark from 8.30pm till 9.30pm. "But switching off the lights is a simple gesture that must come across as a celebration", emphasizes Angela Saliba, Hotel Manager. "We want to go beyond a mechanical energy saving moment and we are inviting all our patrons to take a stand with us by sharing the magic of a candle-lit evening". Indeed, for an hour and decorated by the children’s creations, Le Méridien’s public areas will solely be lit with candles. To encourage both hotel guests and local customers to visit the premises for this special evening, the Management is also organizing a "Happy Hour" at the KuDéTa Bar & Lounge from 8.30pm and 9.30pm: for every drink purchased at the bar, clients will receive a second one for free.

AMBIguous: a creative versatility!

This upcoming art exhibition, named "AMBIguous", is gathering the creative forces of two very versatile Maltese artists: Mr. Mark Mallia and Ms. Claire Attard-Vella. It will be on display from the 12th till the 27th of March 2011, on the second floor of Le Méridien St Julians in Balluta Bay. Access to the exhibition area is free of charge.

Claire Attard-Vella working on one of her creations