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35 maltatoday, THIS WEEK SUNDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2013 New book explores Malta's rich medieval legacy THE 439 years before the arrival of the Knights of the Order of St John, were a period of transition for the Maltese Islands. It saw Malta go from a Muslim island, conquered in 870, gradually changing into a bulwark of Latin Christianity, and in the meantime being ruled by several powers: the Normans, Swabians, Genoese Counts, Angevins and the Aragonese, all of which left their impact on the islands, and on its art and architecture. This rather long period in Malta's history is often overlooked and hence, few are able to appreciate the rich legacy that was fast evolving. A newly published book by Charlene Vella, assistant lecturer in the Department of History of Art at the University of Malta, specialised in Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, takes a fresh look at this long period in Maltese history and successfully manages to deliver several examples of how the Maltese Islands were often no cultural backwater, and that sophisticated artistic patronage had been in fact, achieved. Indeed, contrary to popular belief, the Renaissance style reached Malta before the arrival of the Knights. This book moreover also takes into consideration the broader artistic and historical context of other central Mediterranean countries. Published by Midsea Books, The Mediterranean Artistic Context of Late Medieval Malta: 1091-1530 is the result of four years of research carried out locally and abroad. During her research, Vella has managed to have a Renaissance painting that had been entirely re- 382. BLACK-NECKED GREBE Grebes are fascinating waterbirds, all of them accomplished divers, if rather ungainly on land. Six species occur in Europe, three of which turn up in Maltese waters too, though none of them too common. The most frequent is the black-necked grebe (M: blongun sekond), which one may spot with some luck (and a quick eye) in our creeks and harbours, bobbing among the boats and diving for small fish. A handful or them - at least seven this year - yearly spend the winter at Ghadira nature reserve, a relatively safe haven. Grebes are lake and river birds, many spending their life at the same site. But where winters are too cold and savage, like in northern and eastern Europe, the birds fly south to spend the winters in the milder Mediterranean. Hence their presence here. Have you signed the REFERENDUM PETITION to BAN SPRING HUNTING? Please download a form from www.birdlifemalta.org. Thanks. Text and photo Victor Falzon painted in the 17th century studied and restored thanks to the University of Malta Research Programme and Banif Bank plc. Another surprise was the rediscovery of a medieval white marble capital in the reserve collection of the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta which was thought to be lost or misplaced, but which Nicholas Vella spotted. An image of this capital was used on the front cover of this new book. Speaking about this new publication, Dr Donal Cooper, Lecturer in Renaissance Art and Fellow of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge states: "To the outside observer or casual visitor, Malta's heritage is dominated by the stupendous architectural and artistic achievements associated with the Knights of St John. Interspersed amidst the islands' baroque glories, however, the more attentive viewer will soon notice subtler traces of older and more complex traditions that reach back through the Renaissance and deep into the Middle Ages. Their story, rarely told, is now accessible to both a specialist and general readership thanks to this ground-breaking book." Dr Cooper adds, "along the way Charlene Vella sheds a great deal of new light on Malta's cultural formation in the early medieval period. She also overturns the easy assumption that the Knights inherited a tabula rasa when they arrived in Malta in 1530. On the contrary, we learn, the Rhodians would have encountered a cultivated mercantile elite in the Mdina Civitas capable of commissioning works from the Mediterranean's leading artistic centres: Sicily, Catalonia and even Venice." The book costs €55 and it will be available as from the first week of December from all main bookshops. Aichi Biodiversity Targets – Biodiversity values integrated The aim of this target is to place biodiversity into the mainstream decision-making framework so to help give it greater visibility amongst policy-makers when formulating country development strategies and planning progress. This target considers all biodiversity values since it underpins a wide range of services that support economies, food production systems, secure living conditions and human health. In addition biodiversity is central to many cultures, spiritual beliefs and worldviews and has intrinsic value in its own right. As such biodiversity has multiple values some of which can be quantified in monetary terms and others which are more abstract. Given the various values of biodiversity that need to be considered when taking actions towards this target a multidisciplinary approach will be required to assess the values of biodiversity. It also targets to integrate biodiversity into national development and poverty reduction strategies since these are key instruments in countries' efforts to eradicate poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals. It also requires integrating biodiversity into national and local planning process; especially since land use planning can have major impacts on biodiversity. The target also seeks to integrate biodiversity into national accounting and also into reporting systems As part of its national obligations Malta targets that by 2020 the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the opportunities derived from their conservation and sustainable use, are recognised and integrated in national policies (including national accounting, as appropriate), as well as decision-making and planning processes. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 284 Great way to reuse corks – Hang on to any corks from wine you drink over the holidays. They're perfect for sticking on the end of bamboo canes in the garden next summer, so you don't poke yourself in the eyes.