Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543384
Nature Notebook Join Friends of the Earth Malta to welcome the new gardening season with two events at the premises of Friends of the Earth Malta: Com- munity Gardening and a Clothing Swap & Thrift Party FoEM will reopen the garden on Sunday, 22 February. Expect the usu- al: getting your hands dirty and building community. But that's not all! If gardening isn't your thing, you can still join for the clothing thrift and swap party. Bring along any clothes you haven't worn in a while and swap them for an equal weight of new clothes. Even if you don't have anything to swap, come along anyway! There will also be a kilo thrift store open, where you can find your next favourite outfit at a low price. As usual, you are encouraged to bring vegan/vegetarian snacks to share! Sunday 22nd February 2:00-7:00 PM Friends of the Earth Malta, Floriana Green idea of the week 1005 Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Rythms of Vision Date: 22 February Location: Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, Malta This programme showcases 32 years of chamber music by composer Zahra, tracing the evolution of a bold and unmistakable musical voice. At its core are three compelling piano and clarinet duos: Mouse in the Machine (1992), Boiling Clouds (2018), and Catch My Breath (2023). The earliest work draws inspiration from Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, while the later compositions reveal Zahra's distinctive contemporary style — marked by rhythmic clusters, pulsating grooves, and raw, aggressive textures. The programme also features a series of interdisciplinary works for piano and video, reflecting Zahra's long-standing exploration of visual narrative in music. Since 2007, he has developed an aesthetic that fuses live performance with videography, creating immersive sound-and-image experiences where the video's sound design becomes an integral part of the music. Code Breaking Date: 22 February Location: Fort St Elmo, Saint Elmo Bridge, Valletta, Malta Code Breaking is a fun, interactive activity for children aged 7–11. Time- travel into the thick of the Second World War and uncover the secrets of military communication and cryptology. From morse code to early code-breaking techniques, participants will learn how vital messages crossed battlefields and seas without falling into enemy hands – before working in teams to crack their own secret codes. Successful codebreakers will be rewarded with a small gift in recognition of their teamwork and problem-solving skills. Tickets are available online HERE and from any Heritage Malta museum or site. Women's Day Concert by Vox Dulcis Chorale Date: 6 March Location: Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta CVox Dulcis Chorale are performing a varied programme of music to celebrate International Women's Day. Songs include jazz, musical theatre and contemporary songs. John Anthony Fsadni will conduct the choir and Petra Magri Gatt will accompany at the piano. The show will be hosted by Nicole Vella. Eco Festival Date: 6 March Location: Upper Barrakka Gardens, Triq Sant' Orsla, Valletta, Malta The Eco Festival is a joyful celebration of sustainability, featuring a curated market of handmade, eco-friendly products from local artisans. Ideal for tourists, it offers one-of-a-kind souvenirs that are plastic-free, organic, and crafted with love. From Carmen to Neverland Date: 7 March Location: Sir Temi Zammit Hall, Msida, Malta The MYO embarks on a riveting musical journey under the baton of Robert Hodge. Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 2 brings fiery Spanish drama, while Debbie Wiseman's The Fairy Tale of The Selfish Giant offers warmth and reflection. Alan Menken's Beauty and the Beast Overture sparkles with enchantment, leading into John Williams's soaring worlds – from the exhilarating Hook to The BFG and the magic of E.T. Palace Concerts: From Darkness, To Light Date: 29 March Location: Francesco Mazzei at Villa Corinthia Balzan, Malta Palace Concerts presents a series of timeless classics set within the elegant surroundings of Corinthia Palace, Attard. The inaugural edition, From Darkness to Light, traces a profound musical journey from Lent and Passion through reflection to the joy of Easter. From the intensity of the Passion to the radiance of Easter morning, this concert offers a deeply moving progression from shadow into light. Featuring some of the most beautiful and instantly recognisable works for choir and strings, the programme is carefully curated to stir the emotions, calm the spirit, and uplift the heart. Zabbar Autofest 2026 Date: 15 May-17 May Location: Mercury Tower Plaza - Kottonera Promenade - Zabbar, Malta Get ready for one of Malta's most anticipated annual automotive celebrations! Żabbar Autofest 2026 brings together car enthusiasts, families, and the local community for a spectacular showcase of vehicles, entertainment, and purpose-driven fun. 1009. Fan-lipped orchid TO see orchids in Malta, you needn't go winching yourself Atten- borough style up a hundred metres into rainforest canopy, there are probably a few in your nearest rocky valley. So if you want to spot some of our most fabulous – if rather small – wild flowers, it's a good time to look. One of the more common orchids out at this time is the fan-lipped orchid (M. orkida ħamra). It grows in garrigue areas with plenty of soil pockets, and a cluster of these tiny beauties is a true joy. Despite our ever-shrinking habitat, the countryside still boasts more than 30 species of orchid. Some are common, some ra- re, but all pinnacles of flowerhood – indeed orchids are among the most evolved flowers in the plant kingdom. If you find one of these beauties there's usually others around, so please tread lightly. And never EVER pick any! 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 FEBRUARY 2026 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, Mark-Anthony Falzon (photo) Register here: https://foemalta.org/event/202602-community-garden/