Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/997322
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JUNE 2018 11 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT What's in season - June WHEREVER in legend there were dragons there were often dam- sels as well. So it is also in nature, for just as there are dragonflies there are also damsel- flies. In this case, however, drag- ons and damsels are close relations! Everyone knows dragonflies: those large, colourful insects that just love to show off their flying and hovering prow- ess over their pond; plus we have several species. But few know about the island bluetail, our single damselfly species. It's much smaller than dragonflies, tiny and less showy, and when it lands it modestly closes its wings along its body, un- like dragonflies who never fold theirs. The island bluetail (M: damiġella) is a slender thing that you easily overlook unless you move in close and scrutinise every leaf or stalk hanging at the water's edge. Then maybe you'll spot what looks like a very slim black cottonbud with a thorax of vivid green (if male) or blue/green/pink if it's a lady. Damselflies feed on mosquitoes and midges, which are common around ponds. FINALLY, figs are back! After a few years of very minimal harvests, due to the dev- astating im- pact of the fig bark beetle, or H y p o c r y p a h l - us scabricol- lis, this year the harvest of the early figs, known as bajtar ta' San Ġwann, looks promis- ing. After the first round of fruit matures in early June, a second round of fruit develops on the same trees about 6 weeks later, which are known as tin or farkiz- zan. Make hay while the sun shines, and enjoy the sweet, plump and tender fruit on their own, or as the main eye catcher in a salad, as in the recipe below. If you have any fig trees of your own, keep an eye out for small fine holes on the bark of the fig tree, as these are in- dicative of the larvae of the bark beetle carving their way through the stem. If found, contact the Plant Health Di- rectorate to obtain advice about treatment and preventive measures, so that hopefully the local fig tree population can be protected and we can enjoy delicious figs year after year. FoE Malta published the AgroKatina report about the lo- cal fruit & vegetable supply chain, and the pocket guide highlighting when local fruits & veggies are in season. Find out more on www.foemalta.org/agrokatina, where you can also order a free copy of the pocket guide. 615. ISLAND BLUETAIL 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 GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 5167: Find out more and try our tasty Fig, halloumi & hazelnut salad: https://foemalta.org/fab/figs/ Text and photo Victor Falzon Ira Losco releases double album 'No Sinner No Saint' IRA Losco has just released her double album marking her 15 years in music. The much awaited body of work titled "No Sinner No Saint" is divided into two CDS, one named 'No Sinner' the other 'No Saint' each including 11 brand new tracks as well as a bonus track. "Following the huge suc- cess of 'The Fire' was daunt- ing, but once I started writ- ing I realised this was not like previous albums. There were a lot of ideas on the table to chose from. The changes that unfolded in my personal life surely had an im- pact in some way or other on my writing. It also seemed right to celebrate so many active years in music. It was my wish to give something more to all those who have supported me throughout these 15 years and we ended up with 24 songs. No Sinner No Saint' is a manifestation of who I am. I'm neither a Sinner nor a Saint but a bit of both at dif- ferent selected times in my life. The idea of the double album is to enjoy both sides in whichever order one wants" Ira Losco says. Ira Losco is often referred to as 'Malta's Queen of pop', other times as a 'Chameleon' with her ever-changing and unpredict- able releases. From the rock sound of 'Driving One of your cars', to the reggae vibes of 'What I'd Give', the Ska Rhythm of 'Me Luv U Long Time' or the pop anthem of 'One In A million' she's always leaving her fans guessing what's com- ing next. A description which she has earned and also suits her fine is a 'Juggernaut' hav- ing released six studio albums, two full length remix albums, one full length DVD, a 400 page photographic journal and 2 EPs. Her last release was her EP with Warner Music which included Walk on Water. 'No Sinner No Saint' is Ira Losco's 7th studio album. All tracks were produced and mixed by Howard Keith at Jag- ged House studios. "This release is probably a first of its kind for Malta. It is certainly very unu- sual for an artist to release a studio double album nowadays. It has become a single's market which unfortunately also means relationships with fans are short lived unlike Ira's case." Howard Keith also added, "The fact that it's unusual makes it challeng- ing but interesting. Ira's at her best when challenged. Whilst the album has a very current sound to it, 'No Sinner No Saint' has lots of personality with an eclectic variety of genres retain- ing Losco's identified sound. I say this with every album but truthfully her vocals just keep getting better" One can identify to an un- derlying tone from the 80's in some tracks whilst with tracks like Bad Habits there's also a hint of 90's Old School rap . On another song titled 'Holy Water', where Destiny is featured as a guest singer, there's a Gospel soul touch to it and on the song titled 'Breathe' it's back to her roots show- ing off her raunchy vocals. The last track on the album titled 'You Did it Again' co- incidently marks Ira Losco's 100th song to date . This is a clear indication that her rep- ertoire has grown considerably through the past 15 years. The album also includes Losco's most recent singles namely 'We Are The Soldiers', 'OMG', 'One in A Million' and an an- niversary edition of one of her very first singles 'Love me or Hate me' which she announced at her sold-out concert last Christmas. Last week Ira Losco surprised her fans yet again with the release of the Coca-Cola an- them for the FIFA World Cup "Colors" where she featured alongside Jason Derulo. A few days ago she also performed her first series of upcoming Live shows in front of jam packed audience in Zabbar. The next Live concert will be in Gozo at Hondoq Bay on the 6th of July followed by an intimate perfor- mance at Infinity 11th floor, H Hotel on the 14th of July. Ira Losco has also announced that this album will be accompanied with more music video releases, a full length 'making of' video and a vast selection of merchan- dise. Reduced price at Tarxien Temples on Jum Hal Tarxien HERITAGE Malta will be opening Tarxien Temples at a reduced price during Jum Hal Tarxien commem- orated by the Tarx- ien Local Coun- cil on Sunday, 24 June. Tarxien Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, con- sist of a complex of four megalithic structures built in the Neolithic (ca 3600-2500BC) and re-used in the Bronze Age (ca 2400- 1500BC). The earliest of the four structures is located at the easternmost end of the site and was built between 3600 and 3200BC. The South Tem- ple holds the largest number of reliefs in stone represent- ing animals and various spiral motifs. The Central Temple is unique as it has the most com- plex architecture based on six apses (semi-circular cham- bers). Walkways within and outside the temple pro- vide accessibility to all and also provide visi- tors with the opportu- nity to view the prehis- toric remains from a unique viewpoint. The site is also covered by a protective tent, con- structed in 2015 as part of the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project. During Jum Hal Tarxien, Heritage Malta will be taking the opportunity to encourage local and for- eign audiences to visit Tarxien Temples at the reduced price of €2. Tarxien Temples open from 09.00hrs till 17.00hrs, last admission at 16.30hrs