Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537460
Nature Notebook New National Record: Sunflower Towering at 3.6 Friends of the Earth Malta is proud to announce a new national record: the tallest sunflower in Malta, measuring an impressive 3.6 metres, grown in its very own community garden. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the power of community spirit and collective effort. It highlights not only the dedication of FoEM's team but also the invaluable contributions of local volunteers and resi- dents. Established in 2018, the Giving Garden transformed a neglected Brit- ish-era building into FoEM's headquarters and a thriving green space for the community. Today, it continues to flourish, quite literally, thanks to years of hard work and sustainable gardening practices. Green idea of the week 131 Read more here: https://foemalta.org/press-releases/ sunflowertowering/ Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member 1. Isle of MTV Malta Music Week 2025 Date: 15 July Location: Fosos, Floriana, Malta This ticket gives you access to the IOMTV Front of Stage VIP Area plus entrance to all the IOMTV Malta Music Week Club Events at the hottest venues in Malta featuring a top international line-up. Don't miss out the fantastic events with Access to all of the events + savings on your ticket price, with one single ticket. 2. Tango tales & American dreams Date: 19 July Location: Fosos, Floriana, Malta Join the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Sergey Smbatyan for an unforgettable summer evening of cinematic scores, evocative tangos, and symphonic brilliance. Featuring bandoneon virtuoso Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, the programme journeys through the music of Morricone, Rota, Piazzolla, and Ives in a concert that bridges film, dance, and classical traditions. 3. Paper Cities: Building Malta by Hand Date: 23 July Location: Grand Master's Palace, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta On Wednesday 23rd July at 16:30, we are inviting young ones (7-12 years) to answer this question in a crafty workshop putting a spotlight on Malta's urban transformation, taking place at the newly restored Grand Master's Palace in Valletta. 4. Waves of Change Date: 24 July Location: Grand Master's Palace, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta On Thursday 24th July, we are inviting young explorers aged between 7 and 10 to join us in an interesting afternoon workshop at the stunning Grand Master's Palace in Valletta. Starting at 16:30, participants will let their imagination loose to create their very own masterpieces inspired by Malta's sparkling blue seas, using vibrant watercolours and cool wax-resist crayon and collage techniques 5. Dance Festival Malta Date: 24 to 27 July Location: Valletta, Malta Held between the 24th and 27th of July, the festival features an inspiring programme of workshops, masterclasses, and performances that celebrate the richness of global dance cultures. Showcasing renowned international artists and choreographers, Dance Festival Malta invites both audiences and participants to immerse themselves in the universal language of movement. 6. Tribute to ABBA Date: 25 July Location: Teatru Rjal, Valletta, Malta The Malta Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Matthew Bugeja, pays tribute to the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA who shot to fame in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with their song Waterloo. Enjoy this and other all-time favourites such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Money Money Money, Super Trouper, and The Winner Takes It All performed by leading Maltese singers and a live orchestra under a starlit Maltese summer night. 7. Plastic Free July - Night Eco Market Date: 24-27 July Location: Gnien Indipendenza, Tower Road, Sliema, Malta In honour of Plastic Free July, explore a curated collection of eco-friendly, plastic- free, and lovingly crafted products that inspire and delight. Discover unique treasures that blend heart and purpose, every evening from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Don't miss this eco-conscious experience in Malta's bustling heart! 8. Back to the Roots – Mediterranean Herbs in the 21st Century: Lecture 3 Date: 26 July Location: Valletta Design Cluster, Bull Street, Valletta, Malta Interested in growing your own herbs but not sure where to start? Join us for an engaging and practical session with Dr. Claudette Gambin, a botanist and Principal Scientific Officer at Ambjent Malta, who will guide you through the essentials of successful herb gardening in Malta's unique Mediterranean climate. This lecture is designed to empower beginners and gardening enthusiasts alike with the knowledge and confidence to cultivate healthy, flavourful herbs— whether on a windowsill, balcony, home garden, or shared community space. Dr. Gambin will cover key aspects of herb gardening. Plastic Free July - Night Eco Market 978. Yelkouan shearwater THE yelkouan shearwater is a secretive gull-like seabird. That strange word yelkouan is a Turkish word that means wind-chas- er and it fits the bird to a tee. Shearwaters spend virtually all of their long life at sea, gliding over the waves and diving for fish and squid. The only reason they come to land is to nest. The yelkouan shearwater (M. garnija) nests in several places around the Medi- terranean, and our seacliffs are one of them: indeed Malta is home to 10% of this bird's world population! No wonder BirdLife Malta spends much effort, time and money studying the cliff colonies and seeking ways to ensure this precious population does not decline, e.g. thanks to this research nine massive chunks of sea around the Islands have been identified as shearwater feeding grounds and sub- sequently declared marine Natura 2000 sites. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 JULY 2025 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, John J Borg (Photo)