Notte Bianca welcomes record-breaking crowd of 85,000 people for this year’s edition

Oct 2 2022

The Notte Bianca is finally back, and with a bang, as a record 85,000 people attended the iconic Maltese event held in Valletta on Saturday night.

With 50 organised activities including 300 individuals and 548 artists, the night was definitely considered a success, with Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici calling it a ‘big return’.

The arts and culture festival is one of Malta’s largest national calendar events and welcomes multiple local acts covering music, dance, theatre and more such as Tribali, Manatapu, Sterjotipi and many more.

Festivals Malta Chairman Aaron Zahra stated that the festival’s success shows how important arts and culture are for the Maltese people whilst artistic director Antoine Farrugia highlighted that many activities were tailor-made with specific artists for the event and are not things you would see anywhere else. Meanwhile, Festivals Malta CEO Annabelle Stivala stated that the Notte Bianca is one of the organisation’s largest events, thanking everyone involved for their contribution.

Did you attend the Notte Bianca?

#MaltaDaily

Both King and late Queen to feature on newly revealed UK coins

Oct 1 2022

The Royal Mint has just unveiled the first look at the 50p piece and a £5 Crown, which will officially be the first coins depicting the new King Charles III.

The King Charles III effigy was crafted by sculptor Martin Jennings, with the official approval of the design already released by the King himself. To keep with tradition, Charles’ effigy faces to the left, which is the opposite direction to the late queen.

The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: “• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022” which translates to: “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”

Charles does not wear a crown on the coin, yet another tradition wherein previous kings also did not don the royal head piece. However, Queen Elizabeth II did wear the crown in the five coins produced during her reign.

The currently existing 29 billion coins featuring the queen circulating in the UK and other countries will remain legal tender but will be phased out over time through use.

The Royal Mint made coins featuring the monarch for over 1,100 years, making it Britain’s oldest company. It stated that the coins will be available to collectors next week and in general use before 2022’s end.

#MaltaDaily

Seven election candidates spent €25,000 on campaign

Oct 1 2022

According to a fresh new report by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, it was found that seven election campaign candidates spent €25,000 on their run for parliament.

Out of these seven election candidates, one was from the Nationalist Party and six were from the Labour Party. Out of those latter six, four were ministers.

However, the findings reported that most election candidates did not provide a list which details the campaign donors. Many declarations were actually found to not necessarily explain the true picture of all these costs.

Candidates are required by law to spend no more than €40,000 should they contest two districts. This applies to expenditures during the official campaign period, which kicks off the moment an election is announced. However, candidates are known to start their campaign mission well before this period.

45% of all candidates within the two major political parties – the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party – declared spending €5,000 during the 2022 general election campaign.

The report also noted how valid prospective candidates can be turned away from contesting elections as they would need to spend a large sum in order to even come close to getting elected.

#MaltaDaily

Bella Hadid closes Fashion Show with Spray-On Dress

Oct 1 2022

As the Coperni Spring/Summer 2023 show came to a close during Parish Fashion Week this Friday, model Bella Hadid was sprayed with a liquid that transformed into a dress she could don.

Hadid stepped out in nude underwear before getting sprayed with a special liquid concocted by fashion designers and scientists alike.

The grand finale, as shown by New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman, utilised a spray-on technique which was developed by Spanish Fashion designer Manel Torres’ company Fabrican.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Malta Daily (@maltadaily.mt)

Hadid could at one point release her arms, which she was using to cover her chest when walking out in nude underwear. Some finishing touches were then made by hand, with the main spray containing cotton or synthetic fibres.

These have been suspended in a polymer solution, which evaporates when it makes contact with the body. The pieces making up the dress can actually be removed and turned back into a solution for further use.

#MaltaDaily