Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/871892
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 39 This Week No need to be a botanist to tell a cypress. Though it comes in several forms, the tall conical shape always gives this tree a distinct character. Its deep dark green foliage generates that austere aura, an aura no doubt reinforced by the fact that it is the tree most often planted in cemeteries. Cypresses are coniferous, meaning they produce cones rather than flowers – the familiar cones of the cypress take the form of small footballs. The Italian Cypress (M. Ċipress) is common across southern Europe and native to the eastern region. Whether it originally grew wild in Malta or whether it was imported in antiquity is uncertain. What is certain is that the Italian Cypress is one beautiful evergreen tree that gives some welcome shade – and a sweet whiff of resin – in this sun-baked rock. 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 Desirée Falzon 574. ITALIAN CYPRESS GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 477: SEEDLING POT - Layer several sheets of paper on top of each other and shape them into a makeshift container for germinating seedlings. The EU and its Member States must prioritise our nature. To have a chance of meeting the 2020 goal of halting the loss of biodiversity in the EU, and to ensure that the Directives deliver even more on protecting Europe's most important nature places and species, the Commission must now intensify action to encourage and enforce better implementation. The EU and Member States also need to ensure that nature is at the heart of other policies – and in particular to halt the damage from major projects and the threat from industrial farming practices. People want nature in their lives. Ordinary people are standing up for their right to nature and for strong laws to protect nature – more than 520,000 citizens have said so directly to the Commission in a record breaking public consultation. Where the laws are flouted, communities are demanding action. They deserve to live in a healthy vibrant natural environment; and the EU has a responsibility to step up action to deliver it. 10 actions for a biodiverse Europe 2020 EU biodiversity strategy International indie showdown at Nil by Mouth Cult music festival returns with an eclectic showcase of European indie rock and pop at Sky Club, Paceville on September 30 HAIRYAMP Promotions and Trackage Scheme, two of Malta's top alternative music promotion groups, have this year joined forc- es to organise another edition of the cult-favourite Nil By Mouth festival. Having established itself on the scene some years back, the event – which brings together lo- cal musicians on stage with some acclaimed international counter- parts – this year will be a 'bigger and better' affair as the festival moves from the smaller (and sadly-missed) venue of V-Gen in Paceville, to the more expansive Sky Club. Taking place on September 30, Nil by Mouth 2017 was put to- gether with the aim of targeting bands and electronic acts who are no strangers to Europe's top festivals. All foreign acts have been touring extensively this summer, playing renowned fes- tivals like Primavera Sound, Best Kept Secret, End of the Road, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals to name but a few. Headlining will be Brighton- based indie legends The Wed- ding Present. One of the UK's top bands in the late 80s and early 90s, the band retains its cult status till this very day. With eighteen top-40 singles in the UK alone under their belt, they were one of the BBC's late disc jockey John Peel, most played bands. The band has changed line-up over the years but frontman Da- vid Gedge has not only kept the band's name alive, but the band as relevant and influential as ever. Another band featuring at this year's edition are Happyness. Heavily influenced by bands such as Sparklehorse, Pavement and Yo La Tengo and with two al- bums under their belt, the band has received great critical ac- claim from the likes of NME, The Guardian, Uncut and Q. Probably one of Holland's finest musical exports to date, Weval bring their broad and diverse electronic sounds to this year's Nil By Mouth with a live set. This Dutch duo are growing at an out- rageous rate with this summer proving to be a rather busy one for them playing one festival af- ter another. Pitchfork described their debut album as being "per- fectly-sequenced, mysterious and moody, the fully formed nature of their song-writing sublime, their pacing and monolithically tasteful atmosphere is remark- able.'' Also not to be missed on the night is Madrid-based electronic artist Pional's DJ set. Renowned for his collaborations with John Talabot, Pional has also remixed the likes of The XX, Frank Ocean and The Rapture. He was de- scribed by Spain's most circu- lated daily newspaper "El Pais" as being a "mainstay of the national electronic music scene". Local alternative band The Velts will kick off the event in style with local electronic artists Kntrl and Fabricka also perform- ing on the night. This year's edition of Nil By Mouth is being held in collabo- ration with Broadside Terrace, Band Aid Music, Krea, XFM 100.2, Taxify, The British Council and The Dutch Embassy. Keep up to date by following Nil By Mouth's Facebook page ( h t t p s : / / w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/594339120736481/) for any updates on the event, offers and competitions. Tickets can be bought online from: h t t p s : / / s h o p . t r a c k a g e s c h e m e . com/event/nil-mouth-sessions/ The Wedding Present will perform at Nil by Mouth on September 30