To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, two dinners under the theme “Women and War: Flavours of Resilience” were held at the Château de Pourtalès in Strasbourg on 29 and 30 October, as a continuation of the Maltese Presidency’s cultural programs. These evenings brought together history, gastronomy, and reflection, offering guests a tribute to women’s endurance during the war.
The events invited guests to experience an authentic Maltese dinner prepared by Maltese chefs, with dishes inspired by the wartime era. The eight-hands dinners were created by four of Malta’s leading female chefs – among them acclaimed Chef of The Golden Fork, Letizia Vella, alongside Francesca Farrugia and Emily Micallef – who reinterpreted traditional recipes such as balbuljata and pastizzi through a contemporary lens.
Set within the historic Château de Pourtalès venue outside of Strasbourg, built in 1750 on the foundations of a noble French family’s country house, the place offered a fitting and evocative backdrop, its heritage echoing Europe’s enduring history and resilience.
In attendance were members of the Strasbourg public, the Maltese community residing in Strasbourg, as well as representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Council of Europe. Together, they shared in an evening that blended food, music, and storytelling — animated by actors Jeremy Grech and Charlotte Formosa, among others, who brought to life moving narratives from Malta during the Second World War, turning the dinner into a living tribute to courage and resilience.
The events also acknowledged the courage of women confronting conflict today, paying particular tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian women, with charities and voluntary donations dedicated to this cause. Complementing the dinners, guests were invited during the daytime to attend the screening of the documentary “The Women of the George Cross Island” at the Council of Europe, which delves into the lives of remarkable women whose strength, perseverance, and intelligence helped shape the course of the Second World War, doing justice to their vital role in bringing one of humanity’s darkest chapters to an end.