Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542534
Nature Notebook FoEM Plant-Based themed month in February - Open Call for Restaurants Looking to shop second-hand but don't know where to begin? Friends of the Earth Malta has created a handy map featuring thrift, vintage, and charity shops across Malta where you can find pre-loved clothes, books, housewares, and more - giving items a second life! The fashion industry is a major polluter, consuming vast amounts of wa- ter, energy, and chemicals. Globally, about 85% of textile waste ends up in landfills or incinerators instead of being reused or recycled. In Malta, only 5.4% of textile waste was recycled in 2023, with 77 tonnes recycled out of over 1,425 tonnes generated. Most textiles that aren't do- nated contribute to landfill waste, and despite EU directives for separate textile waste collection, recycling rates remain low. Thrifting helps reduce this environmental impact by extending the life of clothing and reducing demand for new resources. Green idea of the week 1002 Explore Malta's thrift shops and start your sustainable shopping journey here: Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Beethoven & Mahler Date: 11 January Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta Austrian soprano Elisabeth Breuer joins the MPO led by Michael Laus, opening the programme with fiery emotion and vocal intensity in Beethoven's Ah! Perfido. Mahler's Symphony No. 4 takes listeners on a luminous journey of transcendence. With graceful melodies and delicate orchestration, it evokes a childlike view of the world, culminating in a soprano solo that imagines a serene, heavenly life. Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Date: 15, 17 January Location: MFCC - Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, Attard, Malta The Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is back. The semi finale will be held on 15 January and the finale will be held on 17 January. Tickets can be purchased from maltaeurovision.mt That "dreadful awful hole" in Pietà Date: 13 January Location: Malta Enterprise, Gwardamangia Hill, Pietà, Malta For nearly two centuries, Villa Frere has captivated visitors with its rich and varied history, and none of its features has stirred more curiosity than the mysterious "dreadful awful hole". Edward Said, founding volunteer of The Friends of Villa Frere, will uncover the story behind this intriguing landmark. Made With Love Artisan Fair Date: 31 January Location: Villa Rundle Gardens, Triq ir- Repubblika, Victoria Celebrate with us at the Made with Love Artisan Fair! Explore a delightful array of handcrafted treasures and unique, heartfelt goods perfect for gifting—or keeping just for yourself. Wander through an atmosphere brimming with creativity, charm, and inspiration, where every booth tells a story. From hand-poured candles and bespoke jewelry to artisanal home décor, local artwork, and one-of-a- kind fashion pieces, there's something special for everyone. Enjoy live music, interactive demonstrations, and tasty treats from local vendors as you shop, mingle, and support passionate makers from our community. Bring your family, friends, and loved ones for a day filled with laughter, discovery, and memories to cherish. Live Jazz Band with Wine & Charcuterie Date: 16, 23 and 30 January Location: Spinola Café & Lounge Spinola Café & Lounge, St Julian's, Mlata Enjoy a night of live jazz music at Spinola Lounge. Sip on free-flowing wine, savor shared charcuterie boards, and relax in a refined yet relaxed atmosphere by the bay. Sing With Us Date: 18 January Location: Teatru Astra, Triq ir- Repubblika, Victoria, Gozo Get ready for a magical musical journey as Kantamagħna returns for its most exciting edition yet! This vibrant singers' festival brings together powerful voices, fresh young talent, and the irresistible energy of Kantamaghna Junior, all wrapped in a dazzling, feel-good atmosphere. Backed by the sensational DCapitals Big Band, every song shines bigger, bolder, and brighter—blending emotion, rhythm, and pure joy into one unforgettable experience. Expect goosebumps, smiles, and plenty of moments that will have you humming long after the final note fades. Astronomical Observations Date: 23 January Location: Hagar Qim Temple, Triq Hagar Qim, Qrendi, Malta Participants will be divided into two groups: one will join a curator's tour of Hagar Qim, discovering its 5000-year- old architecture and its relationship with the surrounding landscape, while the other will take part in a guided astronomy session with telescope observations of Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, and other deep-sky objects. Tickets are available at Heritage Malta's online store and from all Heritage Malta museums and sites. Uncorked by Farsonsdirect Date: 1 Febuary Location: InterContinenta, St Julian's, Malta Join us for Uncorked Wine Portfolio Tasting, a rare opportunity to explore Farsonsdirect's full wine selection. For the first time, this extensive showcase is open to the public, inviting wine lovers, collectors, and curious beginners to discover an extraordinary range of bottles from around the world. 1003. Algerian Hedgehog DUE to Malta's small size and extensive human population, it's to be expected that we have very few wild mammals in Malta. Indeed, most of the ones we have aren't even native but were brought over by people from overseas. One of these is the Algerian (or vagrant) hedgehog, most probably introduced from North Africa. When this happened is unknown but it was pretty certainly long ago because the hedgehog (M. qanfud) is today widespread in Malta and Gozo. Secretive and largely nocturnal, it goes about its business, foraging for snails, slugs and other small animals in fields, gardens and road- sides, rolling into a ball of spines in the face of danger. While this defence is effective against its natural predators, this strategy proves invariably fatal when the danger is an oncoming car, as evidenced by the many roadkills that litter our country roads. When out driving in the dark in the countryside, please spare a thought for our spiky friend, and slow down. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JANUARY 2026 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, Alice Sicoli (photo) https://foemalta.org/blog/malta-thrift-shops-map/