Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1438074
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 DECEMBER 2021 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 793. Foresta 2000 WAY back in the late 1990s BirdLife drew up plans to recreate a large tract of Mediterranean woodland. We called it Foresta 2000 as it was our gift to the thrid millennium. With help from our pro- ject partners Din l-Art Ħelwa and PARK, we planted and nurtured over 20,000+ trees and shrubs. Despite several vandal attacks who chopped down and burned thousands of saplings we forged ahead. Today the maturing vegetation provides food and shelter to a thriv- ing fauna, not least birds, insects and reptiles. What 20 years ago was a degraded place overrun by squatters, hunters and illegal of- froaders, is today a second Buskett in the making. But don't take our word for it: go for yourself and enjoy the feel of a new forest. It's free and open 24/7. Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 685: Read full interview at https://foemalta.org/mar Interview with Fr Mark Ciantar, OFM, Inteko IN 2007 Franciscan friar Mark Ciantar gathered young volunteers and co-founded a green community space for youth in Malta based on permaculture values. His aim was to protect the island's environ- ment, while also providing a refuge for young people who were deal- ing with personal conflicts and obstacles at risk of exclusion. De- fying the rampant construction on the island, they restored an old farm and created permaculture gardens. Connection with nature had a healing effect on land and people. This way, formerly excluded youth became creators of a sustainable community. Together with a group of young people, Mark recently founded a non-governmen- tal organization named Inteko, through which initial and ongoing support is offered to individuals and entities that seek to reha- bilitate their fields, gardens and possibly food-producing spaces. The concept of 'integral ecology', mentioned by Pope Francis in the fourth chapter of Laudato Si, plays a fundamental part for the NGO's work. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this Wood carving exhibition and book launch Date: Until 30th January 2022 Place: Savoy, Republic Street, Valletta Artist Ray Cortis will be exhibiting his wood carving masterpieces for the public to admire the carving on olive wood at the Savoy Arcades Valletta. There will be also for the first time the launch and sale of his book with all the collections. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member The Advent: Winter Wonderland Date: 24 December 2021 Place: The Ivory Suite, Maxtura After The Advent: Winter Wonderland is back, with its biggest Christmas event to date. This event will be strictly 17+ and compliant with the current Covid-19 regulations, therefore; The Covid Vaccine Certificate and ID Card are necessary upon entrance. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Bruce Springsteen has sold the master recordings and publishing rights for his life's work to Sony for a reported $500m. The deal gives Sony ownership of his 20 studio albums, including classics like Born To Run, The River and Born In The USA, according to multiple US reports. Anne Rice, author of the gothic novel Interview with the Vampire, has died at the age of 80. The American writer, who sold more than 150 million books, died surrounded by her family on Saturday night. A 20-time Grammy winner, Springsteen's music generated about $15m in revenue last year. She died due to complications resulting from a stroke.