Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1041944
maltatoday 11 | SUNDAY • 21 OCTOBER 2018 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT SOME birds are common, others much less so. One of our rarer heron visitors is the Eurasian bittern, a relatively large bird but a shy and secretive customer that would prefer to stay out of sight. At a glance it may look drab and nonde- script but a closer look at its patterned plumage of browns, ochres and yellows will reveal an extremely handsome ani- mal. Apart from its intrinsic beauty, however, that pattern has an important survival purpose: place the bird in its nat- ural habitat – a reedbed – and it will virtuallly disappear even before it hurries off into the reeds. A few birdwatchers were lucky to see one or two of these scarce migratory her- ons over the past week. Like all herons, the Eurasian bittern (M. kappun) is a protected species in Malta, but that didn't stop a number of them being gunned down by our socio- cultural traditionalists. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 534: Find out more at www.foemalta.org/event/good-food-good-farming/ Text Victor Falzon Photo Raymond Galea THE eighth edition of the ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People was officially launched this week. Aimed at children aged six months and upwards, the productions cover an eclec- tic range of performance arts, including theatre, puppetry, music, dance, film, opera, workshops, and much more with performers coming from 11 different countries. Speaking at today's launch Minister for Justice, Culture, and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that "since its inception ŻiguŻajg has grown steadily in size and quality to become a highlight of the cul- tural year in Malta; the Festi- val is once again expected to welcome thousands of chil- dren and families through its doors. "While the festival will mainly be focused in and around Valletta, it will again reach out to audiences in Gozo, this year placing two projects on our sister island," adds Minister Bonnici. "For its eighth edition we will be presenting a unique celebratory experience with activities on the streets, in- teractive installations in main squares, and other artistic works in over 20 different lo- cations," says Festival Direc- tor Daniel Azzopardi. "During the year that we are celebrat- ing the European Capital of Culture, Valletta will serve as the stunning backdrop for our programme, which seeks to strengthen the quality and excellence of the creative sec- tor." This year's edition of the festival will also focus on the professional development of some local theatre prac- titioners within the indus- try, while also developing an eco-friendly strategy to raise awareness among audiences and the creative sector on the importance of an environ- mentally sustainable plan. ŻiguŻajg is now an awar- dee of the Premju għall-Arti, having won the Best Artistic Programme award; it has also received international rec- ognition from the European Festival Association (EFFE) for being "...strong in artistic quality and scoring high in European and international engagement and community involvement." ŻiguŻajg is produced by Fondazzjoni Kreattività and will run from the 16th to the 25th November 2018. Tickets will be available online from Friday 12th October. For more information visit www. ziguzajg.org The ZiguZajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People is back 534 - DAY OF ACTION 631. EURASIAN BITTERN The tremendously popular award-winning festival returns with an eclectic programme of 27 productions from 11 different countries Join us to push for good food and good farming — Ta' Qali Farmers' Market on 27 October! THIS October Friends of the Earth Malta with our partners all over Europe, invite people to raise their voices to ensure that policies support farmers, the environment and climate-friendly agriculture that is tied into local economies over global food chains. Every single day thousands of local farmers are working hard to produce wonderful, healthy, refreshing food for our plates. We will be at the Ta'Qali Farmers' Market on Saturday, 27th October, from 8am to 1pm, showing support for good farmers and asking you, what sort of food and agricultural system do you think needs supporting. We will have healthy snacks made from local and seasonal produce so that we can picnic, share ideas and discuss how we want our food produced.