Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1453707
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 FEBRUARY 2022 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 802. Common Chiffchaff WE often focus on birds that are "common" in name but not so common on the ground, at least not in this country. But the com- mon chiffchaff really is common. It's a tiny thing – smaller than a sparrow – and roughly the shape and colour of a small leaf, indeed these birds are known collectively as leaf warblers. Chiffchaffs are restless birds, always flitting among branches, on compost heaps and pond edges along valley beds, in their constant search for mi- nuscule insect morsels. We only see chiffchaffs in autumn and win- ter, hence their Maltese name vjolin tax-xitwa. The "vjolin" refers to their repetitive siff-saff, siff-saff, siff-saff song, perhaps reminiscent of someone sawing away at a violin. They are currently very vocal, and will soon be preparing for the long-haul flight back to mainland Europe to nest. Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 693: Join us and subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on our campaigns https://foemalta.org/join Farmers' Voices – Cane Vella from Biome Munch CANE Vella from Biome Munch is a young farmer and environmen- talist at heart, who together with his partner Cassandra passionate- ly works on his farm applying sustainable and ethical farming prac- tices. Their vision is to promote a Mediterranean Diet and make eating a local and nutritious diet simple, affordable and accessible to people in Malta. Cane and Cassandra are passionate about educat- ing the community on growing their own food, nutrition and living simply and sustainably. Besides their farm work, they welcome peo- ple to the field and host events and workshops. READ more about them and their farm and listen to what Cane has to share about this experience as a farmer: https://foemalta.org/ blog/biomemunch/ 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 Her Say Start date: 11 March Place: Saint James Cavalier This production, about women's stories features original pieces of women's writing. 3of Malta's foremost contemporary playwrights, Simone Spiteri, Lara Calleja and Chiara Hyzler will present an evening of exciting new writing as monolgues, in Maltese and English in comedic and drama form. This programme will be about female human stories in the face of misogyny, ageism, and getting to know about what it means to 'come out' in a light hearted piece. These are real stories, not often talked about in local theatre, but not just for women, but for anyone with an interest in the human psyche and relationships in our world. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member SPRING v2.3 Start date: 26 March Place: The Mill: Arts, Culture and Craft Centre The Gabriel Caruana Foundation back with SPRING at The Mill. This is their first exhibition of the year will feature fresh artworks by Jade Zammit, Michela Grech and Kim Sammut! These three up-and-coming artists will be showing a curated selection of work that has been months in preparation, guided by our Cocreative Director and Curator Elyse Tonna. Make sure to visit The Mill for the opening on Saturday 26th of February between 4.30pm to 8pm. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Two paintings are set to go on show again seven years after they were stolen from the artist's home village. Three pieces by George Smart were among four artworks taken from Frant Memorial Hall, near Tunbridge Wells, in a burglary in 2015. Ukraine's Eurovision singer Alina Pash put on hold by broadcaster. Ukraine's national broadcaster UA:PBC has now "suspended" the signing of the agreement for her to be the country's representative at the song contest. There's currently an investigation into a 2015 trip she made to Crimea, an area Russia seized control of in 2014. Two were recovered after an expert on the artist spotted them on sale at an auction house. It means her Eurovision journey is on hold as she waits for the outcome.