Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1539881
Nature Notebook THRIFTiversary 40 Years of Change in Style. Friends of the Earth Malta is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with their very first Pop-Up Thrift Shop! For one weekend only, FoEM's office will transform into a thrift shop! This pop-up will be on the last weekend of September, on 27 & 28 at the FoEM Garden to shop for pre-loved, good-quality clothes and give them a second life. Every item you purchase helps the NGO raise funds to con- tinue their work for people and the planet. Celebrate the 40 years of environmental work, discover unique treasures, and support a greener future. Location: FoEM Garden Date: 27 & 28 September | 10:00 – 17:00 Green idea of the week 801 Find out more here: https://foemalta.org/event/thriftiversary/ Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member 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. International Puppet Festival 2025 Date: 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. Puerto Flamenco Date: 1, 2 October Location: Teatru Salesjan, Triq Guze' Howard, Sliema, Malta Once again, the stage will ignite with the power and passion of dancer FRANCESCA GRIMA 'LA CHICA', percussionist ANDREJ VUJICIC, and the remarkable talents of the "young guns" of flamenco: dancer MIGUEL EL RUBIO, vocalist MANUEL NIÑO DE GINES, and guitarist DAVID CARO. Joining them this year is the rhythmic powerhouse, dancer ABEL HARANA, a true artist's artist, whose vast understanding of the art form is a true inspiration to the lovers of the genre and a masterclass in improvisation and interplay. Circuits presents Wolfgang Flür (Ex- Kraftwerk) and Peter Duggal (UK) Date: 10 October Location: Liquid Club, Triq Hal- Gharghur, San Gwann, Malta Electronic Music Malta proudly welcomes to our islands the legendary Wolfgang Flür (ex-Kraftwerk) with his Musik-Soldat project. As the iconic electronic drummer of the pioneering German band Kraftwerk, Wolfgang Flür helped define the golden age of electronic music, contributing from Autobahn (1974) through Electric Café (1986). Special guest for the night is Peter Duggal (UK), an electronic music artist who has performed original works at festivals and venues across the UK and Europe, notably with Wolfgang Flür, and alongside influential figures including Juan Atkins and Ulrich Schnauss. Local line-up to include RAIM (Sound Synthesis / Acidulant back to back), Duo Blank and Faddy. EMM is supported by Arts Council Malta. Jazz Assemblea 2025 Date: Starting 25 October Location: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta Jazz Assemblea is an open invitation to come together and celebrate the vibrant spirit of jazz in Malta. Now in its second edition, the festival returns to Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta from September to November 2025 with a dynamic programme of live concerts, visual experiences, discussions, workshops, an album launch, and more. Paris Opera Voices Date: 29 October Location:Teatru Salesjan, Sliema, Malta Paris Opera Voices is a meeting of cultures, traditions, and stories, where the human voice takes center stage. The evening brings together the rich bass-baritone of Alejandro Baliñas Vieites, the radiant soprano of Teona Todua, and the refined artistry of Christine Zerafa on piano. The program features arias and ensembles by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Bizet, Donizetti, and more. Annie Date: 31 October, 1, 2 November Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta FM Theatre Productions – renowned producers of Rapunzel: A Tangled Panto, Dear Evan Hansen and Jesus Christ Superstar – proudly present the beloved family classic Annie. Paris Opera Voices will be on 29 October at Teatru Salesjan in Sliema 989. Mediterranean willow WILLOWS are generally associated with rivers, so it's hardly sur- prising that Malta is no stronghold for these trees. We have two species – the white and the Mediterranean – and both are locally endangered. Both are in fact protected, but our willows need more than protection if they are to recolonise the countryside. We've ruined their natural habitat, pumping dry all the wet valley floors that could have been a potential nursery for natural regeneration. The Mediterranean willow (M. safsafa żgħira) is somewhat less rare than the white willow, with small stands at Ġnien il-Kbir (near Bus- kett) and Wied il-Girgenti, but they won't spread to other valleys without some serious restoration of freshwater wetlands. Growing new trees from seed is the healthiest way, but here's the rub: unlike most trees, willows are either male trees or female trees. And the few trees we have left . . . are all male. So no seeds are ever likely here. Luckily, though, willows are easy to propagate from cuttings. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 SEPTEMBER 2025 ALMANAC Victor Falzon