Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1153841
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 AUGUST 2019 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT Oystercatchers are large stocky shorebirds. They are un- mistakable in their neat black and white livery and mas- sive orange-red bill. They do actually eat oysters but they are not all that fussy, faring equally well on limpets, crabs, small fish, worms and other invertebrates. Oystercatchers (M. gallina tal-baħar) are not often seen in Malta as they don't migrate much but birdwatchers scanning the sea do spot small flocks from time to time, as happened these past weeks. Recently, one stunning individual graced the lagoon at Għadira nature reserve and spent a few profit- able days gobbling killifish from the brackish water. Al- though protected, the oystercatcher's stunning plumage and scarcity all too often attract the attention of hunters. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Aron Tanti 673. OYSTERCATCHER THE ŻiguŻajg Season, a brand new programme of events for children and their families tak- ing place all year round, certainly brings to mind the enthusiasm generated for the news of the children and young people arts Festival launched way back in 2011. A collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv, the Sea- son is the result of an increased need for regular activities taking place throughout the year that cater for the 0-12 age bracket. The ŻiguŻajg Season will, in fact, further de- velop what good is created by the Festival by bringing audiences closer to live performances and instil in them an appreciation of arts and culture. It will also offer creatives increased opportu- nities and a professional framework where to develop new work and engage in their practices throughout the year. With over 100 activities varying from film to storytelling, dance to puppetry, and multi- sensory arts to music workshops, the ŻiguŻajg Season aims to provide the youngest with a highly diverse interactive arts experience. Add to the mix a series of entertaining events developed in partnership with the Malta Cham- ber of Scientists that will champion the close links between science, technology, engineering, mathematics, with activities for all the family. Whilst ŻiguŻajg Season will see the develop- ment of new productions by some of the fore- most artists in the field, it will nonetheless build upon the successful legacy of ŻiguŻajg Festival. In fact, a selection of past Festival commis- sions that are known to have gone down well with audiences will be making a comeback this season. This has been confirmed by Daniel Azzopardi, ŻiguŻajg Festival Director & Spazju Kreattiv Programme Manager: "Whilst ŻiguŻajg Festi- val will continue to serve as an annual show- case, the Season will be the platform for artists to develop their skills and for audiences to be entertained all year round to what best the sec- tor has to offer. This venture is part of our con- tinued aim to nurture appreciation in the arts through the production of highly diverse and quality-driven initiatives." Everyone is encouraged to book early in order to avoid disappointment, whilst those inter- ested in attending a series of events through- out the year can benefit from multiple discount packages. Group rates and school bookings are also available, whilst culture pass eligible perfor- mances will be announced later on. This and more information is now avail- able on the newly revamped ŻiguŻajg web- site https://www.ziguzajg.org/ or by calling 21223200. ZiguZajg season launch 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 574: Booking and more information at: www.foemalta.org/events ITTRI mill-Mitħna Tiegħi is the translation of a col- lection of short stories, Let- tres de mon moulin, mainly located in Provence by the French novelist Alphonse Daudet (1840 – 1897) pub- lished in 1869. Soon after the publication of the Let- tres, Daudet became the most popolar novelist in France. Alphonse Daudet in his early twenties, tired of the darkness and noise of Paris, used to spend his summers in his mill in Fontveille, "perched like a big butterfly" on top a hill, "a sort of general headquar- ters, a centre of strategic operations" of a multitude of rabbits. These immor- tal tales which secured his fame were born (at least theoretically) in this dis- used mill, under the burn- ing sun in the valley of the Rhone. This old abandoned mill, for Daudet, becomes the soul and the spirit of Provence; in the silence of the Alpilles or in the noise of the and the drums, the stories charged with emo- tion, joy and tears, remain fresh for ever. Maltese read- ers will quickly come to see echoes of our society in the tales… Malta as we used to know it, is what makes the Maltese translation feel so natural. Ittra mill-Mithna Tieghi Books by Alphonse Daudet - Translated into Maltese by Joe Pulè