Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544871
Nature Notebook A Pro-active approach for communities to enable Soci- etal Transformation Have you been to Comino lately or do you form part of any local gov- erning body or commercial entity which may have an interest in Comi- no? If so, we would value your feedback in a brief survey which will contribute to findings for the Comino Case Study as part of the Pro- Coast project. This is the second wave of a survey conducted by PRO-COAST, a Eu- ropean Union project conducted by nine European universities, evalu- ating local environmental initiatives. The survey aims to gather infor- mation on environmental attitudes, perceptions and opinions as well as the general background of the respondents. This survey is Anonymous and Respondents must be 18+ years. Please take the survey here and share with friends/colleagues: EUSurvey – Survey Green idea of the week 1017 Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member The Maltese Hypogea in the European Context Date: 8 May Location: St Paul's Catacombs, Hal- Bajjada, Rabat, Malta What makes Malta's underground burial sites different from those across the Mediterranean? And how did these spaces reflect both shared traditions and local innovation? Amélie Date: 8 to 17 May Location: Teatru Manoel, Old Theatre Street, Valletta, Malta The Musical is a whimsical and heartwarming stage adaptation of the 2001 French film directed by Jean- Pierre Jeunet. The Essence of Gozo Date: 9 to 31 May Location: Arthall, Triq G.P.F Aguis De Soldanis, Victoria, Gozo This exhibition is a reflection on the spiritual and elemental nature of Gozo, exploring the dialogue between its rugged coastline, rural village life, and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. Through sculptural ceramics and acrylic paintings. MICAS presents Reggie Burrows Hodges: Mela Date: 8 to 30 May Location: MICAS — Malta International Contemporary Arts Space, Triq Joseph J. Mangion, Floriana, Malta Mela, this landmark exhibition features over 30 new works inspired by the American artist's relocation to Malta, inspired by the island's culture and coastal landscapes. Sunny Side Festival 2026 Date: 14 to 18 May Location: UNO Malta, ATD, Attard, Malta Sunny Side Festival is a multi-day cultural music event set across Malta's coastal, cultural, and open-air locations, bringing together leading international and local live electronic artists for a carefully curated programme alongside the island's landscapes, food, and culture. Nature in the Archives – Curator's Tour Date: 15 May Location: National Museum Of Natural History, L-Imdina, Malta What happens after a specimen is collected? Discover how notes, sketches, and observations become part of the scientific record. This curator-led tour explores how naturalists record, classify, and interpret life, revealing how fieldwork and archives shape our understanding of biodiversity. 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! Zabbar Autofest 2026 brings together car enthusiasts, families, and the local community for a spectacular showcase of vehicles, entertainment, and purpose-driven fun. Curated Exhibition at 1926 La Galerie Malta Date: 15 to 30 May Location: 1926 La Galerie Boutique Art Suites, Valletta, Old Theatre Street, Valletta, Malta 1926 La Galerie Malta presents a curated exhibition featuring works by Carlos Pardo Gomez and Goran Cejkov, offering a considered dialogue between contemporary artistic practices in an intimate gallery setting. The exhibition opens with a special opening evening on 15 May, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, where guests are invited to view the works, meet artist Goran Cejkov in person, and enjoy relaxed conversation over a glass of Prosecco. VeganFest Date: 16, 17 May Location: Oak Tree Circle, Attard, Malta We're beyond excited to welcome you to the 3rd edition of VeganFest Malta — our little (but growing!) slice of plant-powered paradise right here in the stunning Ta' Qali National Park. Sonic Sediments Date: 20 May Location: Hagar Qim Temple, Triq Hagar Qim, Qrendi, Malta Sonic Sediments is a live, experimental sonic performance developed for the Malta Biennale, Satellite Events Program, 2026. 1020. European turtle-dove IKE many birds, turtle-doves (M. gamiema) migrate. In spring and summer the European population nest across the continent, after which they cross sea and desert to spend winter south of the Saha- ra. But the turtle-dove has a big problem: despite its gentle nature, this diminutive dove with the mournful purr rouses the bloodlust in thousands of Maltese men – and many thousand more around the Mediterranean – and they flock to the countryside in their pickups to gun them all down. These men's efforts, combined with the ef- fects of intensive agriculture and widespread use of pesticides and herbicides, have slashed Europe's turtle-dove numbers by more than half in recent decades. Yet hunters insist on their "right" to keep blasting turtle-doves even in spring when the birds are on their way to nest and hopefully multiply. How killing a declining species (now listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable to extinction) can be described as sustainable defies science and reason. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MAY 2026 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, Benjamin Metzger (photo) Register Here: https://foemalta.org/event/navigate-climate-emo- tions-on-earth-day/