fbpx

Local Artist Creates Life Size Turtle Model With Gozo Beach Clay

Local Artist Creates Life Size Turtle Model With Gozo Beach Clay
Jul 31 2023 Share

Raphael Mizzi, a local artist who loves to create temporary models using beach clay around Malta, has recently unveiled his latest creation: the sea turtle. 

Using the materials from the surrounding environment, namely beach clay, driftwood and stones at ir-Ramla l-Ħamra, Raphael captured the sea creature’s surfacing to lay eggs during the summer period. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Raphael Mizzi (@raphaelmizzi.art)

‘Sea turtles are truly mesmerising creatures’, wrote Raphael, ‘and it’s a privilege to pay tribute to their beauty and importance in our Mediterranean Sea.’ 

‘Let’s continue to cherish and protect the wonders of our seas, so that future generations can marvel at the incredible marine life that calls it home.’

Raphael became known for his Mediterranean monk seal sculpture earlier this year. Known as ‘Bumerin’ or ‘Monka’, the species was sadly last sighted in Malta back in 1974. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Raphael Mizzi (@raphaelmizzi.art)

Raphael’s sculptures are not only an artistic rendering of the biodiversity of our islands, but also an encouragement to safeguard their existence and conservation. 

#MaltaDaily 

Malta daily Facebook 300x250

100 Trans Men Sign Up For Miss Italy To Protest Trans Woman Ban

100 Trans Men Sign Up For Miss Italy To Protest Trans Woman Ban
Jul 30 2023 Share

After Italy introduced a ban on trans women from competing in Miss Italy, 100 trans men from the country entered the pageant in protest. 

Miss Italy’s newly changed rules exclude trans women, and follows the recent victory by trans woman Rikkie Valerie Kolle for Miss Netherlands. 

The Italian pageant patron Patrizia Mirigliani claimed after the victory that inclusivity for transgender women in pageants was ‘absurd’ and would not ‘jump on the glittery bandwagon of trans activism’. 

The comments caused an online stir, and prompted transgender men to sign up since they fit the new criteria of ‘woman from birth’. 

Due to Italy’s strict process of finalising names and gender-related identification, many transgender men fit the category and thus could compete in the pageant. 

This comes as Malta holds its very first Miss Trans Malta. The competition welcomed Miss Universe Malta 2023 to crown the first ever winner, Ira Almonia Quijada. 

#MaltaDaily 

Raising Awareness On World Anti-Human Trafficking Day

Raising Awareness On World Anti-Human Trafficking Day
Jul 30 2023 Share

July 30th is World Anti-Human Trafficking Day, and to raise awareness about the serious issue, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Reforms released the story of Sephora, who unknowingly ended up within a prostitution ring. 

Sephora, speaking anonymously, shared her story about how she was chasing a dream to work on a cruise ship. 

Unfortunately, as she travelled to Spain to being her career, she realised she was not finding what she signed up and ended up in a prostitution ring abroad. With very little means of escape, it was through a police raid that she finally returned back home safely. 

Raising awareness about this issue can break the taboos about speaking about it and help those suffering in such conditions to find a way out and resume their lives. 

#MaltaDaily 

Jason Micallef Proposes Mahoney’s Tema 79 As New National Anthem

Jason Micallef Proposes Mahoney’s Team 79 As New National Anthem
Jul 30 2023 Share

Jason Micallef, the chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency, is proposing a new national anthem for Malta to replace the current one written by Dun Karm Psaila. On Facebook, Micallef shared that while attending writer Ray Mahoney’s funeral, he was moved by the song “Tema 79,” which was created for the rock opera Gensna. He believes that “Tema 79,” with lyrics by Ray Mahoney and music by Paul Abela, should be Malta’s new national anthem due to its profound emotional impact and strong sense of national sentiment that transcends any occasion.

Micallef expressed utmost respect for the existing national anthem by Dun Karm Psaila, but he ardently advocates for “Tema 79” to be given this prestigious honor. He is convinced that the song possesses all the necessary elements to represent the country as its anthem.

However, his proposal is not without controversy, as the rock opera Gensna has been closely associated with the Labour Party, which might cause divided opinions on the matter. Sung by Mary Spiteri, “Tema 79” has resonated deeply with people from various backgrounds, making it a strong contender for the new national anthem.

The current Maltese national anthem dates back to 1922 and was officially adopted when Malta gained independence in 1964.

#MaltaDaily