Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/977918
maltatoday SUNDAY 6 MAY 2018 40 This Week VALLETTA 2018's annual Valletta Green Festival, now in its fifth edi- tion was officially opened this week in Pjazza San Ġorġ, which is housing the festival's iconic Infiorata boasting the festa motif. The infiorata, now a staple of the Valletta Green Festival, is the biggest one to date, constructed of 110,000 plants. A rooftop garden has also been opened in Pjazza San Ġorġ, on top of the roof of the Main Guard. Valletta 2018 Chairman Jason Mi- callef said "We've created two gar- dens for this edition of the Valletta Green Festival. The garden in Pjazza San Ġorġ and the rooftop garden at the Main Guard. This is setting an example to other Government or- ganisations to create green spaces and make these accessible to the public. This, in turn, will encourage citizens to create their own green spaces at home." Parliamentary Secretary for Con- sumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista said, "This year the China Cultural Centre will also par- ticipate, and in an eight-metre space will awaken themes of friendship between Malta and China, environ- mental awareness, and reflect on the country's ancient philosophy. This project will reflect the Chinese cul- tural ideal of physical and emotional health in a modern-day context. This is not the first time the China Cul- tural Centre has left its mark in our cultural sector, and I would like to thank them for their investment and participation in these events and for always supporting the Maltese Cul- tural sector." Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that "This year's Infiorata has more than 110,000 plants and cel- ebrates the Valletta 2018 theme. This year is a clear testimony of the great strides Malta has achieved in the cul- ture sector. All the cultural events be- ing organised for this year's celebra- tion of culture and events happening around Malta and Gozo are a clear example of how much the public has the culture sector at heart and is at the centre of our strategy." "I would like to congratulate the team running the Valletta 2018 Val- letta Green Festival for their dedica- tion and excellence. I was honoured that my Ministry was able to partici- pate in a big way to make this festival a success and help raise environmen- tal awareness", stated Minister for the Environment, Sustainable De- velopment and Climate Change Jose Herrera Apart from the Infiorata and roof- top garden, numerous workshops and educational activities will be tak- ing place in the square, which will include workshops by Solar Cinema, a film project by Valletta 2018 that sees pop-up screenings taking place around the island using the power of solar energy. The programme of family-friendly activities offers visitors rare glimpses into some of the capital city's little- known historical treasures, including the four-hundred-year-old gardens of the Archbishop's Palace and its Piano Nobile, the garden of St Cath- erine's monastery, St Augustine's church and gardens, and St Domi- nic's Basilica gardens. These will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm and between 4pm and 7pm, from Friday to Sunday. The roof garden at the Main Guard will remain open till the 13th of May. Valletta 2018 is also collaborat- ing with Nextbike to promote green transport. People may rent Nextbike bikes free for two hours by down- loading the Nextbike code, regis- tering and inputting the free code: 863386. The project is a Valletta 2018 col- laboration with the Maltese Arch- diocese, the Ministry for Sustainable Development, The Environment and Climate Change; the Environmen- tal Landscaping Consortium (ELC); the PARKS Department, as part of the Tree 4 U (34U) campaign; Was- teServ Malta Ltd; European Green Week and several local environmen- tal NGOs. Events St George's Square Exhibition tents by various NGOs including the China Cul- tural Centre in Malta, ELC, Garby & Tidy, Birdlife Malta, SharkLab Malta, Solar Cinema, Żibel, The Gaia Foundation and WasteServ. Flower carpet made of flower pots covering an area of more than 1000sq.m. Today: 9.30am onwards Location: St George's Square, Valletta Sites open to the public Green Roof In Malta, buildings cover one third of the Island, leaving greenery in the dirt track. Green roofs are one way to bring plants back to urban areas with loads of benefits. A green roof will be exhibited on the roof of the Office of the At- torney General to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of greenery, and how they can imple- ment green initiatives within their homes. Till Sunday 13 May: From 9.30am Location: Roof of the Main Guard, St George's Square, Val- letta St Augustine's Church & Gardens St Augustine's church and gardens, and the recently discov- ered foundations of the church will be open to the public. Today: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 7pm Location: Old Bakery Street, Valletta (Entrance from Old Bakery Street or Zekka Street) St Catherine's Monastery & Gardens The gardens of St Catherine's Monastery will be open to the public. Today: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 7pm Location: Republic Street, Valletta The Basilica of St Dominic & Gardens The gardens and refectory of the Basilica of St Dominic will be open to the public Today: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 7pm Location: St Dominic Street, Valletta The Archbishop's Palace & Gardens The Archbishop's Palace gardens, ground floor and under- ground cisterns will be open to the public Today: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 7pm Location: Archbishop Street, Valletta NGO talks and workshops in St George's Square Plants and habitats Planting workshops and educational talks on helping create essential habitats for insects that rely on pollen to survive Today: 9.00am to 2.30pm Planting workshop: 11.00am – Noon The Valletta Green Festival