Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1440009
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JANUARY 2022 14 COMMERCIAL Last CareMalta ZVART piece unveiled at Villa Messina GoTo Malta teams with Nature Trust for restoration project CAREMALTA unveiled its last Zaren Vassallo Art (ZVART) piece for 2021 at Villa Messina – this time a pictorial relief by artist Antonio Mifsud, entitled Age- ing is a Blessing. The work of art can be found in the home's chapel. The ZVART initiative, launched by the Vassallo Group to celebrate its 75th anniversary, has been implemented in a number of properties belonging to the group, with the aim of embellishing the work environment through the beauty of art. Mifsud's work of art narrates the bond and love that still exist between the el- derly and their families. In fact, the art- ist's piece – a fusion of sculpture and painting – features a well-groomed elderly couple, together with their pet and a young girl. "I also wanted to highlight the wisdom, experience and ideas of older persons – important values passed on to younger generations," he explained. The piece is dominated by a central figure representing benevolence. "Since the piece was commissioned by an el- derly home, I wanted to stress the love and care older persons receive from their carers," added Mifsud, who is a nurse at Mater Dei Hospital by profes- sion. Ageing is a Blessing is Mifsud's first work of art for a care home. However, the artist is also the mastermind behind an eight-station Via Crucis at Mater Dei's chapel – which is a modern take on the centuries-old tradition that com- partmentalised the account of the Pas- sion of Christ into 14 tableaux. Mifsud owes his academic grounding to his tutor, Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, who instilled in him a love for sacred art. The artist's Catholic upbringing, the obligatory after-school Catechism lessons, as well as a simple life centred around village church activities also contributed to his pronounced inclina- tion to focus on this genre. Mifsud's works can be found in public places, churches and private homes, as well as in several prestigious art collec- tions. THIS Christmastime, GoTo Malta is giving a helping hand to Nature Trust – FEE Malta in a major habitat restoration project currently underway in one of the island's key natural areas. The group of around 15 volunteers from GoTo Malta joined forces with Nature Trust – FEE Malta Site Manag- ers to help clear one of the water cours- es found on the Pembroke Natura 2000 site. Together, the project team worked to clear the water course from harmful invasive alien species, before planting the native and rare Juncus acutus and Carex extensa plants – both species known for their ability to filter water. "Maintaining these water courses is vi- tal, not just to enable rainwater to drain from roads and residential areas, but al- so to act as a crucial water source for our natural areas and replenish the water table," says James Gabarretta, Site Man- ager at Nature Trust – FEE Malta. "Due to our limited resources and green ar- eas, every single restoration project re- lated to Malta's environment is impor- tant. With the generous contribution of time and energy to these projects from teams like GoTo Malta's, we can work together to preserve what's remaining and appreciate what we have." As one of the oldest and largest en- vironmental NGOs in Malta, Nature Trust – FEE Malta's values of protect- ing and preserving the natural heritage of the Maltese Islands mirror GoTo's vision for a sustainable, environmental- ly-aware future. "It was a pleasure for us to partner with Nature Trust in this hugely impor- tant initiative," says Zach Bergerson, GoTo Global's Country Manager for Malta. "One of GoTo's key missions is to help reduce private vehicles on our roads, so that cities can one day have more green space than parking lots. We will keep our commitment to CSR ac- tivities with local organisations for the benefit of Malta's community and envi- ronment throughout 2022. Meanwhile, the GoTo Malta team wishes to thank all our riders for choosing GoTo in 2021 and for joining our exciting journey of continued growth towards a more sus- tainable world." GoTo giving a helping hand to Nature Trust