Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/835410
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 2017 40 This Week VALLETTA 2018 is currently in- viting artists, NGOs, cultural as- sociations, performers, musicians, choirs, storytellers and citizens from different backgrounds to reg- ister for a free info session on how to take part in Orfeo and Majnun, one of the largest participatory projects for the European Capital of Culture year. This interdisciplinary, participa- tory music-theatre project which includes workshops, a parade and an opera in 2018, combines the myth of Orfeo and Eurydice with the Middle Eastern legend of Leyla and Majnun. The production deals with the themes of love, loss and longing and makes use of multiple textures, including shadow puppet theatre, to express a new take on these well-known tales. Interested participants can at- tend one of the six free info ses- sions which will be taking place around Malta and Gozo. The one- hour info sessions will be taking place on the following dates: June 28 at 18:00 at Juventus Domus in Zejtun; June 29 at 10:00 at Ham- run Scouts Group, Hamrun; June 30 at 10:00 at Razzett tal-Markiz Mallia Tabone, Mosta; June 30 at 18:00 at Birkirkara Local Council Hall, Birkirkara; July 1 at 10:00 at Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta; and July 1 at 18:00 at the Gozo Visual and Performing Arts School in Xewkija, Gozo. Those interested in participating are to send an e-mail to orefeoand- majnun@valletta2018.org by June 22, stating which info sessions they would like to attend. Following info sessions, work- shops will be held in which par- ticipants will have the opportunity to collaborate and co-create with local and international artists. Par- ticipants will choose which artistic field they would like to work in, developing their own interpreta- tions of the themes of love and longing. For more information, log on to valletta2018.org/events/orfeoma- jnun German-born photographer Fritz Grimm, who has lived in Malta for the past five years, has spent the last two capturing Malta and Gozo's landscapes for an exhibi- tion that promises to take viewers' breath away. Running between June 1 and 29 at Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, and between July 1 and 31 at The Cittadella in Gozo, most pictures on display at 'Love Malta' will then be donated to museums and galleries in Malta and Gozo. "Malta has given me the oppor- tunity to truly unleash the artist within me; its rugged scenery and countryside inspire me continu- ally," says the artist, who took up photography 10 years ago. "I love heading out to meditate and 'be at one' with the landscape, and I felt it was time I gave something back to this beautiful country that has given me so much. That's why I've decided to hold this exhibition and to donate most of the pieces to museums and galleries around the islands." Fritz's series of 16 photographs will be printed on 180cm by 120cm canvases in ultra-HD to showcase Malta's world-renowned scenery, including the much-loved and -missed Azure Window, and its unmistakable palette of colours. Each print has been mounted un- der acrylic glass and tells a story of a unique and unforgettable mo- ment experienced by the artist. "It takes great sensitivity and tal- ent to capture this kind of magic," says Liana Waeckerli, who is or- ganising Fritz's landmark land- scape photography exhibition. "This is an exhibition by someone who loves Malta but didn't grow up in it, which gives these portraits of instantly-recognisable places a whole new angle and perspective that would be hard for any local to capture. It's the Malta you love, but through a new set of eyes, if you will!" Running for almost two whole months, 'Love Malta' promises to be an unmissable exhibition that will have people fall in love with the islands all over again. The 'Love Malta' exhibition by photographer Fritz Grimm will run between June 1 and 29 at Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, and between July 1 and 31 at The Cittadella in Gozo. For more information about Fritz Grimm, log on to www.fritz.photog- raphy The Peregrine Falcon (M. Bies) is the undisputed bullet of the animal kingdom. In aerial pursuit of prey it can clock 320km/h, making it the fastest living thing on earth (apart from people in machines). Many know the Peregrine by its other name: the Maltese Falcon, a moniker that came about thanks to history and a bit of Hollywood. Centuries ago Peregrines bred commonly around our seacliffs, feasting on other birds like gulls, doves and duck. It was common enough for the Order of St John to trap one or two every year to gift the King of Spain in return for staying in Malta. But over the last century Peregrines were decimated through persecution by hunters and in the 1980s the last breeding Peregrine was killed. For many years after that we only saw Peregrines occasionally on migration, but in recent years a pair or two nested along some remote stretches of seacliff. Can this nation someday become civil enough to share the land with the bird that carries its name? 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 Aront Tanti 10 actions for a biodiverse Europe – Push through management of protected nature sites 561. PEREGRINE FALCON GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 464 SHOE DEODORISER - Crumple up balls of newspaper and stuff them into smelly shoes. Leave overnight and discard – and any odours will have disappeared. Coverage of the Natura 2000 network of protected nature sites is still incomplete – action is mainly needed to finish designating marine sites, though there are also still some gaps on land. Marine protected areas are vital to combat accelerating biodiversity loss and extinctions in Europe's seas. They still only cover 6% of our seas, well below the 10% global target. Moreover, many Member States are far behind in putting in place appropriate measures to ensure good management of protected nature sites. Less than 50% have a clear conservation objective or management plan: many countries have few or no plans. Member States must finish designating Natura 2000 sites and establish and implement management plans for all protected nature sites – using an inclusive, participatory process. The Commission must pursue much greater progress on this, including by enforcing action through freezing EU funds or applying for legal injunctions. Information Sessions for Valletta 2018 Project Stunning HD landscapes of the islands on display in Malta in Gozo 'Love Malta' by Fritz Grimm is a two-month showcase featuring a series of 16 ultra-HD photos – most of which will later be donated to museums and art galleries Photographer Fritz Grimm: "I love heading out to meditate and 'be at one' with the landscape"