Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1519042
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 APRIL 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 914. Paper Wasp MOST people treat wasps with respect, not out of love but because of that nifty sting! People find it hard to understand that wasps' main aim in life is not to sting humans – they've better things to do, like finding food and raising a family. One familiar species is the paper wasp, that stripey black-and-yellow creature we often see in gardens. Like us, paper wasps (M. żunżan tax-xehda) have a sweet tooth, so they visit flowers for their sugary nectar. As summer approaches, most wild flowers die off, and that's why wasps often patrol beach- es looking for discarded ice-cream wrappers to lick! Incidentally, they're called paper wasps because they build their nest out of paper, paper they manufacture from chewed wood pulp. Yes folks, wasps discovered paper-making ages before our humanoid ancestors came down from the trees. Fancy that. Friends of the Earth were a part of climate performance at Malta Biennale 2024 DISPLACEMENT MALTA is a site-specific version of Displacement realized for the opening of Malta Biennale of Art 2024. Displacement MALTA is directed by the visual artist and choreogra- pher Andrea Conte (Andreco) and the Studio Andreco with the sup- port of Friend of the Earth Malta and the Malta Biennale. The performance is dedicated to the consequences of water-related cli- mate changes. In particular, the choreography explores such processes as desertification, flooding, sea level rise and the "displacement" of en- tire populations caused by these processes. The work reminds us that millions of people are currently forced to migrate and leave territories that have become hostile and unlivable as a result of climate change, wars and social issues. Victor Falzon, www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 788: Read more here: foemalta.org/blog/displacement-performance-2/ 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 Intensive with Elena Ciavarella on April 27 Place: ZfinMalta National Dance Company Providing an intensive experience for young people, ZfinMalta is hosting Elena Ciavarella to lead a contemporary workshop for dance practitioners from 10 – 14 years old as well as 15 years and over. This intensive is aimed at dance students and young adults looking for immersion into new dance techniques and vocabulary - Participants with and without previous dance training are welcome to join! Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Fireworks Festival On April 30 Place: Esplora Interactive Science Centre Experience Esplora Interactive Science Centre after hours on Sunday 30th April from 7:30pm. Enjoy interactive exhibits, captivating science shows, and the grand finale of the Malta International Fireworks Festival. Indulge in refreshments at EsploraCafé and savor a meal al fresco overlooking the grand harbour. Don't miss this exclusive evening of science and spectacle! A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Taylor Swift's songs are back on TikTok following a dispute that led her label to stop licensing its content to the app. Her music's return on Thursday comes ahead of the release of her new album, The Tortured Poets Department. Critics are split over Netflix TV drama Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith's bestselling thriller novels, which stars Andrew Scott as the fraudster. The Guardian's Lucy Mangan called the actor "absolutely spellbinding", giving the show five stars. Universal Music pulled songs by its artists in January, including Rihanna and Ariana Grande, citing a licensing dispute. Set in 1960s New York, Scott plays the ruthless Tom Ripley, sent to Italy by a shipping magnate to convince his son to return home to the family business.