Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543310
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 FEBRUARY 2026 CULTURE The Environmental Committee at UM Junior College hosts fourth edition of festAmbjent "THE Environmental Com- mittee at UM Junior College is hosting the fourth edition of fes- tAmbjent from 16–20 February 2026, placing a powerful exhibi- tion, In Captivity for Life in Mal- ta, at the heart of this year's pro- gramme. This exhibition in the College Foyer highlights some of the known wild animals held in captivity in Malta. IT serves as a wake-up call, confronting audiences with the harsh reality and extent of wild- life confinement on Malta, and urging reflection on the ethical, safety and environmental impli- cations of such practices. The week also features an Eco-Writing Workshop and L-Ambjent taħt il-Lenti – Mis- toqsijiet bla Kantunieri, an open Q&A session addressing Malta's most pressing environ- mental issues, alongside inter- disciplinary seminars, informa- tion stands of environmental NGOs, the Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre, Heritage Malta, a bake sale, a pre-loved clothing event and a pet day. The week will be con- cluded with a planting activity. The full programme may be found at https://www. um.edu.mt/jc/ouractivities/ festambjent" Full-gun salute to mark St Paul's Day from the Saluting Battery, Valletta ON Tuesday, a full-gun salute was fired from the Saluting Battery in Val- letta to mark St Paul's Day. This annual event recalls a centuries-old tradition when major re- ligious feasts were com- memorated with artillery salutes fired from Mal- ta's fortifications. Historically, more than 100 religious oc- casions were marked in this way, although by 1824 the number was reduced to 24, with a slight increase in later years. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna revived this his- toric practice in 2004 following its restoration of the Saluting Battery and has since reinstated the firing of two full- gun salutes annually, held on St Paul's Day (10 February) and Vic- tory Day (Marija Bam- bina – 8 September). This public event was organised by Fondazz- joni Wirt Artna – the Malta Heritage Trust and supported by the Malta Tourism Author- ity and the Bank of Val- letta.