Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545828
Touch Nature Date: 15 July Location: National Museum Of Natural History, Mdina, Malta Designed for children and youths on the neurodiverse spectrum, this free bilingual workshop explores how sunlight shapes nature. Through sensory activities, participants discover plants, animal behaviour and leaf textures before creating unique sun-inspired artwork. Recommended for ages 8+. Back When by Bob Cardona Date: Ends 16 July Location: The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, Mdina, Malta Maltese artist Bob Cardona draws on memory, place, and everyday life to create work that reflects the quiet character of Maltese culture and identity. BACK THEN revisits cherished memories of people and places from Cardona's childhood in Malta. The works capture the warmth and simplicity of a bygone time. Mdina Resounds: Echoes of the Silent City Date: Ends 17 July Location: St. Paul's Cathedral, Triq San Pawl, Mdina, Malta Step inside the hidden spaces of St Paul's Cathedral for an immersive journey through the history of Mdina. Through live music, song and theatrical storytelling, Echoes of the Silent City brings to life the rise of Napoleon, the fall of the Knights and the resilience of the Silent City. Pjazza Ghana Date: Ends 17 July Location: Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta A vibrant night of għana led by Mikiel Is-Superstar, featuring top għannejja, rich storytelling, lively improvisations, and the Citadella Folk Group. Titular Feast of St. Joseph Kalkara (Sagra Familja) Date: Until 17 July Location: 80 Rinella, Kalkara, Malta Featuring Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja, the week is brought to life with lively festive band marches, intricate street decorations, and spectacular fireworks reflecting over the picturesque harbor. A truly unique occasion where culture, tradition, and community spirit meet. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Harbour, this titular feast is a magnificent blend of religious devotion, community pride, and artistic expression. Titular Feast of St. Joseph Kalkara (Sagra Familja) Date: Until 17 July Location: 80 Rinella, Kalkara, Malta Featuring Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja, the week is brought to life with lively festive band marches, intricate street decorations, and spectacular fireworks reflecting over the picturesque harbor. A truly unique occasion where culture, tradition, and community spirit meet. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Harbour, this titular feast is a magnificent blend of religious devotion, community pride, and artistic expression. Collection in Focus – Prints Date: 22 July Location: MUZA, Merchants Street, Valletta, Malta Explore the art of printmaking through guided discussion and practical insight. Learn techniques including etching, engraving, lithography and woodcut, and discover how artists have used them for centuries to share ideas and creativity. Gain a deeper appreciation of prints as remarkable artistic and technical achievements. Isle of MTV Malta 2026 returns! Date: 26 July Location: Il-Fosos, Floriana, Malta The wait is over! Isle of MTV Malta is back and bigger than ever. Global pop icon Katy Perry is set to headline Isle of MTV Malta 2026, bringing her biggest hits and electrifying energy to the island. Held in Floriana, this iconic summer festival promises an unforgettable night of music, atmosphere, and world-class entertainment. Nature Notebook El Niño's return is a global warning, but its impacts will also be felt in Malta. As one of the Mediterranean's climate hotspots, Malta is already experiencing rising temperatures, marine heatwaves, water stress, bio- diversity loss, and increasing pressure on energy and natural resources. A stronger El Niño could intensify these challenges, affecting public health, agriculture, fisheries, water availability, and vulnerable commu- nities. As one of the first EU member states to ratify the Paris Agreement, Malta must strengthen climate action by reducing fossil fuel depend- ence, expanding renewable energy, improving water management, protecting ecosystems, and building greater resilience against future climate impacts. Green idea of the week 1029 Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member 1029. Cicada THE loud song of the cicada is a sound I associate with heat, haze and blinding glare – a typical Maltese summer afternoon. At over 100 deci- bels, that ear-numbing churr is the loudest animal sound you're likely to hear, and early July is when they all start up (though it seems they began a bit earlier this year). Despite the loud acoustics, cicadas are hard to spot because they always clam up when you approach. The cicada looks rather like a gigantic fly with large, transparent, multi-veined wings. It's actually a bug and it produces its churr by rapid vibration of a patch on its abdomen. It's only the males that chirp, which they do to attract females for some fun. Cicadas (M. werżieq ta' binhar, ċikada, żerżur, żarżur) spend most of their life – sometimes several years – as larvae, sipping root sap underground, and only the last few weeks of their life as winged adults. So we should forgive them for celebrating their short wild stint above ground so festively! They're harmless, by the way. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JULY 2026 ALMANAC Victor Falzon To Read Full Articles: https://foemalta.org/blog/el-nino- returns-a-wake-up-call-for-malta/ El Niño returns: A wake-up call for Malta Cruising to Filfla Date: 12 July Location: Sliema Ferries Terminal, Sliema, Malta Discover Filfla's fascinating history, unique wildlife and dramatic coastline on a scenic boat trip. Then cruise through Malta's Grand Harbour, exploring centuries of maritime heritage, iconic fortifications and spectacular views of the historic harbour and surrounding cities.