Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/306555
THIS WEEK maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2014 35 THIS WEEK Just because it's common and widespread doesn't mean it doesn't have its charms. While the female is admittedly lacklustre in colour, the male Spanish Sparrow is quite a looker, especially at this time of year when plumage is at its brightest and sharpest. Indeed, compared to other European sparrows, our Ghasfur tal-Bejt is one of the prettiest. Like most other birds, sparrows are right now busy raising families in their bulky nest, many of which as we all know, are built in house ventilators. Originally, Spanish Sparrows nested in caves and cracks in clis – they still do in some parts – but the cosy nooks and crannies in human structures provided excellent des-res for these intrepid birds, and they have largely switched to human habitations. Spanish Sparrows readily adapt to changing conditions, a knack that helped them thrive in a human society that isn't always kind to birds; moreover, their omnivorous diet allowed them to capitalise on our mountain of food waste as well. Despite the name, by the way, Spanish Sparrows are native Maltese to the bone. Text and photo Victor Falzon 402. SPANISH SPARROW 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 304: ACT NOW! - Tell your MEP you don't want big business putting their hands on your laws: http://politicsforpeople.eu/malta/ Brussels is the lobbying capital of Europe. And with so many of our national laws starting life at the EU level, it is not difficult to see why. Big corporations, lobby consultancies and law firms spend hundreds of millions of euros every year to ensure that EU policy-making meets the needs of big business – and it works. In the past few years we have seen the processed food industry defeat proposals for health labels on packaging; the big banks avoid effective regulation after the financial crisis; internet firms water-down data privacy laws; and EU trade deals consistently put profits before people. The EU Commission consults more often with big business than with NGOs, unions and independent experts. For example, when the Commission prepared for the ongoing negotiations on a sweeping trade deal with the US (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP) almost 95 per cent of its meetings with stakeholders were with big business. This means that the secretive TTIP talks could end up undermining a wide range of public interest regulations. And without full transparency, lobbyists will be free to continue to peddle influence in secret and without restriction. That's why we have launched the Politics for People campaign, together with partners across Europe, to invite Euro candidates to pledge to "stand- up for citizens and democracy against the excessive lobbying influence of banks and big business". And we hope to attract the support of hundreds of candidates (and ultimately MEPs) across the EU as the election campaign progresses. Text by Martin Galea De Giovanni EP candidates and EU lobbying Showcasing conservation efforts at St John's Co-Cathedral Talk about 'metal art' THE series of monthly talks at Din l-Art Ħelwa continues on May 8 with a presentation by Head Con- servators, Dottessa Daniela Murphy Corella (National Heritage Conser- vation and Dottore Simone Vettori (Iconos Restauri). The talk is entitled 'Conservation Treatments and Procedures un- dertaken at the Auvergne Chapel, St Johns' Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta'. This joint venture, undertaken at St John's Co-Cathedral by the two Florentine conservation firms represented by Simone Vettori and Daniela Murphy Corella has given way to notable results, which will be illustrated during the talk. Col- laborating at this enterprise were: Site director, Dr Cynthia de Giorgio, St John's Co Cathedral and conser- vator Francesca Muscat, St John's Co-Cathedral: Gilder, Conservator Francesca Brogi: Stone experts, Con- servators Elisa Bestetti, Anna Dezio, Francesca Colombi: Easel painting expert, Conservator Sabrina Cassi: Diagnostics, Ottaviano Caruso. De Giorgio will open the talk with a brief presentation. The talk will take place on Thurs- day, May 8 at 18:30 at Din l-Art Ħelwa, 133, Melita Street, Valletta. Entrance is free of charge but dona- tions to Din l-Art Ħelwa would be appreciated. For information: 21225952 or in- fo@dinlarthelwa.com Scandinavian artist Marie Louise Kold, whose very popular exhibition of metal art, "Lines of Flight", is being held at the Upper Galleries of St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, will be giving a public talk on the unique techniques she uses to achieve the colours, textures and effects in her art. Kold is successful professional artist, with a good following in her native Scandinavia and with her art in many countries through- out the world. In the talk she will also cover the uncompromising entrepreneurship that has made living off her art possible. The talk, 'The Metal Art of Marie Louise Kold' will be held in the Music Room at St James Cavalier on May 15 at 19:30. Lines of Flight will remain on display until May 25 Marie Louise Kold