Orange weather warning issued as Storm Helios hits the Maltese Islands

Feb 9 2023

As Malta continues to face strong winds and heavy rain as a result of Storm Helios, these conditions show no signs of slowing down with an orange wind warning in the last moments.

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Greater damage and stagnation is expected in the coming hours, with multiple events being cancelled and the Gozo Channel halting its operations on Thursday and Friday.

Such conditions are expected to persist on Thursday evening and tomorrow Friday 10th February, with the authorities urging the public to take the necessary precautions when commuting and travelling.

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Malta’s carnival to return between 17th and 21st of February 2023

Feb 9 2023

Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici announced that, after two years of reduced editions, Malta’s carnival will be returning this year with the original format between the 17th and 21st off February 2023.

During a press conference, the details for the official 2023 carnival were given by the Minister, who described the carnival as one of the most important events in Malta’s cultural calendar.

The government is committed to invest further in it, the Minister explained. ‘This is not only done through words but through an investment of €1.2 million in tractors and trailers which will be used by the Carnival floats.’

Bonnici also praised the various artists who make it their mission to make the carnival a feast of talent and artistry.

Festivals Malta chairman Aaron Zahra said that the level of carnival in Malta is already very high. However, he said, through these investments, whilst also adhering to various environmental and sustainable goals whilst celebrating.

The carnival is of course coming after years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, said Zahra. ‘The anticipation for carnival of this year is great. We encourage the public to attend the activities being prepared for carnival as we offer the best cultural experience for everyone who is interested.’

On their part Carnival artistic director Jason Busuttil and Festivals Malta Chief Executive Annabelle Stivala explained that this year’s carnival will not be possible without all the artists involved.

Festivals Malta will also be organising new measures which will help collect any waste left over to ensure that the festival is celebrated in a sustainable fashion.

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More flooding as bad weather expected to persist

Feb 9 2023

More footage sent to this newsroom shows more flooding across Malta and Gozo, this time in St Julian’s, as cars attempt to wade through the water.

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The bad weather, against which the Malta International Airport is issuing an orange warning due to intense wind and rainfall, is expected to persist up until tonight and tomorrow Friday 10th February 2023.

Such weather conditions come with the usual warnings so that people take the necessary precautions, especially when commuting outside.

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€330,000 restoration work investment underway at Marina Curtain

Feb 9 2023

The so-called Marina Curtain in Valletta, is currently being restored under the supervision of the Restoration Directorate. It forms part of Valletta’s original enceinte designed by Francesco Laparelli in 1566, which serves to link the flank of the bastion of St Peter and Paul anchoring the land front on the eastern side of the city with St. Barbara Bastion overlooking the Grand Harbour.

During a press conference, the Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government,Owen Bonnici explained that the works are being done with an investment of Euro 330,000 and cover circa 3000 m2 of bastions. The restoration process started in October 2022 and will be concluded this year. have a 12 month implementation period.

Minister Owen Bonnici said that it is thanks to such initiatives that we have the opportunity to continue taking care of our national heritage, a heritage that shapes our identity as a people.

“This restoration fulfils our cultural strategy in a way that our heritage is more accessible, and due to the numerous significant finds of historical and artistic worth, we are bringing back a historical site that can admired also by the general public and tourists,” Dr Bonnici explained.

The Senior Architect Chanelle Busuttil explained how the restoration works currently being carried out consist of cleaning, re-pointing and plastic repair of the stone fabric and of the upper parapet wall.

“The consolidation works on the other hand can be categorized in three main interventions: firstly, the replacement of the missing stone cladding, secondly the repair of the remaining existing stone cladding and finally the rock consolidation through rock bolting and shotcrete,” Perit Busuttil explained.

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