Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/820803
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 MAY 2017 42 This Week I always wonder how Kemmuna still exists as it is! In the current mad rush to grab and develop ODZ land like there's no tomorrow it's incredible that Kemmuna has survived relatively unscathed. There are eyesores, like the derelict pig farm, the degraded Santa Marija beach and the gradual uglification of the Blue Lagoon shoreline. But by and large this beautiful anachronism of an island is actually one place where you can walk and forget for a while that you're in the most densely populated country on the planet. Rocky but not bare, flat but not featureless, Kemmuna is rich in flora and a magnet for tired birds migrating across the channel. No wonder the island is a bird sanctuary, and no wonder BirdLife makes intensive bird studies there every year. Its researchers are there right now, manning the bird ringing station at Wied l-Aħmar, so if you fancy a day trip to the island, do stop by at the station, the ringers will be pleased to explain the work they do. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon | Photo Aron Tanti Bittersweet Chocolate Demands to Supermarkets (I) 556. KEMMUNA GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 459 FIREPLACE LOGS: Roll up newspapers and tie them tightly with string to make makeshift logs. You can then use them in your fireplace, saving on wood. The tale of theatrical female emancipation in Gzira THE Gżira Project is an immer- sive community theatre experi- ence that tells the hidden stories of the women who worked behind the scenes at this theatre until they were eventually allowed on stage with the men in the 70s. Taking place at the Teatru Sales- jan in Sliema and put together by the theatre's in-house troupe, At- turi Salesjani, the show will take audiences on a tour of the back- stage rooms of this historic old building and hear both factual and fictional fragments from the lives of the women who sewed, painted, fed and brought up the next gener- ation while their husbands, fathers and brothers acted on the Teatru Salesjan stage. Through real-life stories, actual events and experiences we have traced the history of this unique 'island' in the busy centre of Slie- ma. Working with performers who are both descendants of the origi- nal theatre-workers and some who are also entirely new to the area, the performance will be a home- grown drama which nonetheless boasts an international cast, in- cluding actors from Germany and South America as well as their Maltese counterparts, and whose age ranges from 7 to 75. Over the past three months At- turi Salesjani have gathered to- gether at the Teatru Salesjan to train, learn new skills and prepare themselves to tackle this project under the direction of London- based theatre director Antony Gardner. This performance will also include contributions by Leanne Ellul – winner of the Fran- cis Ebejer Award for new writing and experimental electronic art- ist, composer and musician Renzo Spiteri, amongst others. The Gżira Project will be staged at the Teatru Salesjan, Sliema on May 20, 25, 26 and 27 at 20:00 and May 21 and 28 at 15:00. Per- formances will be limited to 60 au- dience members. Bookings: www. ticketline.com.mt. The Gżira Pro- ject is being produced by the Sale- sian Oratory and is supported by the Malta Arts Fund Working with performers who are both descendants of the original theatre-workers and some who are also entirely new to the area, the performance will be a home-grown drama which nonetheless boasts an international cast The actors forming part of The Gzira Project range from 7 to 75 years old