Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1539444
Nature Notebook Gozo Community Assembly Friends of the Earth Malta is holding a community assembly on Saturday, 20th September at the Government Experimental Farm, Xewkija, 10 AM, for Gozitan residents. This assembly aims to voice the concerns of the residents in these localities. These assemblies aim to bring together local residents through public meetings where people can share their experiences and concerns about the locality, particularly in relation to the coastline and the sea. The NGO is organising several such assemblies across the Maltese Islands, at the start of September the organisation held another assembly for the com- munities in Valletta and Floriana. Voice your opinion and help FoEM fight for a better local environment! Together we can bring change! Green idea of the week 800 Find out more and register here: https://foemalta.org/ event/gozo-community-assembly/ Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Sailors in the City Date: 18 September Location: Sailors' Paradise,99 Strait St Valletta, Malta Step into wartime Valletta and relive the vibrant spirit of Strait Street on VE Day. In this immersive show, barmaid Violetta and her sailor brother Duminku bring to life the characters, stories, and music that once echoed through Malta's most infamous street. Featuring a live accordion in the atmospheric Sailor's Paradise Bar, surrounded by original WWII artefacts. Includes a complimentary beer! Music From Your Favourite Films Date: 20 September Location: Malta Society of Arts, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta Prepare to be transported through the magic of cinema — not on screen, but through sound. Music from Your Favourite Films is a live chamber concert that brings together the emotional power of beloved movie scores and the sophistication of classical performance. Presented by Muzikart Ltd, this concert offers an elegant and heartfelt journey through the soundtracks that have defined generations of film lovers. Independence Day Concert Date: 21 September Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta, Malta The Independence Day concert features the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. This concert forms part of the national activities which commemorate 61 years of Malta's Independence. Tickets are free and can be obtained by sending an email request to: info.fm@festivals.mt. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber 2 Date: 24 September Location: Hilton Malta, Vjal Portomaso, St. Julian's, Malta This show will commemorate the success of previous collaborations with The Helping Hands Group, which reintroduced musical theatre to Gozo. The orchestra, under the musical direction of Mro. Joseph Grech, will be performing original West- End orchestrations of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpieces. Into The Woods Date: 25 September Location: Narrow Street, Triq Id-Dejqa, Victoria, Gozo This cinematic event invites audiences to experience the beloved musical film in a unique outdoor setting, blending the magic of storytelling with the ambience of a starlit evening. Whether you're a fan of musical theatre or simply seeking a memorable cultural outing, this screening offers a captivating journey through fantasy, music, and imagination. The Magic Flute Date: 25 and 26 September Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta, Malta One of Mozart's most beloved operas, The Magic Flute blends fantasy and adventure with beautiful music. It follows Prince Tamino, who, aided by a magic flute and the bird-catcher Papageno, seeks to rescue Pamina from the sorcerer Sarastro. Conducted by Philip Walsh, directed by Denise Mulholland and featuring the singers from the Opera Nova Project alongside a full orchestra from the Fames Institute, Macedonia made up of young musicians from all over Europe and Malta. The Magic Flute is a joint collaboration between Opera Nova Project and Teatru Manoel. A Legacy of Music Date: Sunday 28 September Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta, Malta Banda San Guzepp Kirkop proudly presents an evening of distinguished music-making at the historic Manoel Theatre. Under the direction of Maestro Brian Cassar, the band will perform a refined programme featuring stirring works by Verdi and Sibelius alongside contemporary masterpieces by Piazzolla. Marking the 75th anniversary of its foundation, Banda San Guzepp Kirkop invites audiences to an exceptional concert celebrating its rich musical heritage in one of Malta's most revered cultural venues. The Valletta Waterfront Autumn Fest Date: 25 and 26 September Location: Valletta Waterfront, Triq il-Vittmi Furjanizi tal-Gwerra, Floriana, Malta The Valletta Waterfront Autumn Fest Stroll through artisan stalls, enjoy street performances, sip on fine wines, soak in live music and more at the Valletta Waterfront against the stunning Grand Harbour. International Puppet Festival 2025 Date: 226 to 28 September Location: Pjazza ta-Zjara tal-Madonna, Triq il-Knisja, Gharb This captivating performance blends storytelling with artistry, as talented puppeteers bring unique, handcrafted puppets to the stage. Perfect for families and audiences of all ages, the show promises laughter, wonder, and a touch of nostalgia. Immerse yourself in a world of imagination, where vibrant puppets tell heartwarming tales that will captivate both the young and the young at heart. Into the Woods will be on at Vcitoria in Gozo 987. Hermit crab OUR coastal waters are home to many kinds of crab. One particular group – the hermit crabs (M. granċ tal-bebbuxu) – have a rather en- dearing habit. As a general rule, crabs are armour-plated to protect from predators. Not hermit crabs: these guys run out of armour half- way down their body, which leaves their nether end soft and vulnera- ble. They solve this problem by crawling (backwards) into empty snail shells that they find, and then carry them around wherever they go, hence their Maltese name. A nifty solution, with one drawback: while the crabs grow in size, their adopted shell obviously doesn't. So her- mit crabs must at some point find bigger shells and transfer residence. One of our most common species is the shore hermit crab (pictured above), easily recognised by the snazzy red-and-white striped "feet". 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 SEPTEMBER 2025 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon (photo)