The Valletta Green Festival officially kicks off

Apr 28 2022

The Valletta Green Festival – an annual event which is synonymous with Malta’s Cultural Calendar – has finally kicked off today and will take place until Sunday 1st May.

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici and Minister for Environment, Energy, and Enterprise Miriam Dalli were present for the Valletta Green Festival’s official opening.

Bonnici stated that “Year after year, the Valletta Green Festival is increasing in popularity. This is because the main theme is about the environment and this is dear to many people. In fact, the Government’s priority is to have more environmental and sustainable projects in urban areas for the benefit of the citizens.”

Minister Bonnici also said that “Such activities strengthen the artistic and cultural aspects and continue building ‘green’ collaborations with various entities. We will continue to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors, as well as engaging directly with the public.”

The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise, Miriam Dalli, urged the public to attend the festival to enjoy the infiorata and the various activities taking place. “Visitors can experience the work carried out by the various entities responsible for the protection of nature and the environment while gaining more information on valleys, biodiversity, natural habitats and waste separation, among others,” she said.

Valletta Cultural Agency Chairman Jason Micallef said, “The Valletta Green Festival is the first in a series of open-air events the Agency is organising this spring. The festival is being held until Sunday 1^st May and clearly shows the Agency’s commitment to raise environmental awareness not only by means of its projects and buildings but beyond”.

The theme for this year’s edition is the importance of public spaces, the protection of natural habitats and the effect this has on the flora and fauna of our islands. The festival’s main attraction, the infiorata was designed by the VCA’s graphic designer Clint Spiteri and is taking place in Pjazza San Ġorġ. This year’s infiorata, made up from some 50,000 plants and herbs, features the design of a frog in a 500 square metre area, highlighting habitat destruction of the Painted Frog, the only amphibian we have in Malta.

This year’s festival also features the Ruff Mudder canine obstacle adventure, which will be introduced at Laparelli Gardens on the 30th April from 10am till 4pm. Further to last year’s initiative, the Valletta Cultural Agency will continue its urban greening contribution and will be leaving behind a 15% legacy introducing several plants and trees in Bull Street and Charles Street, Valletta.

Do you plan on visiting the Valletta Green Festival?

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“This war has left $600 billion in damages”, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Apr 28 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has created $600 billion in damages, which is approximately €570 billion.

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A post shared by Володимир Зеленський (@zelenskiy_official)

Zelenskyy revealed this during a recent meeting with local and regional authorities, where they discussed potential ways forward for Ukraine once the conflict has dissolved.

The Ukrainian President explained that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have destroyed over 32 million square metres of domestic territory, with over 1,500 schools and around 350 hospitals.

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Mino Raiola and Fabrizio Romano squash rumours of football agent’s death

Apr 28 2022

Following misinformed reports of the super agent’s death, both Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano and Mino Raiola himself have shut down rumours of Raiola’s death.

Romano tweeted that Dr. Alberto Zangrillo from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan stated that he is “outraged by the phone calls from pseudo-journalists speculating on the life of a man who is fighting to survive.”

Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to ressuscitate.

— Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) April 28, 2022

He was hospitalised back in January, eventually undergoing a delicate surgery with the details of which remaining unknown to this day. The famed football agent represents international stars like Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erling Haaland.

Raiola himself also took to Twitter to semi-jokingly share that his current health status is: “pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to resuscitate.”

At the moment, the agent is currently in hospital, fighting for his life.

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Shop owners should specify whether they want clients to wear masks, says Charmaine Gauci

Apr 28 2022

Superintendent for Public Health Prof. Charmaine Gauci has stated that shop owners who want their clients to wear their masks in their premises should erect a clear sign on the establishment’s entrance.

This was revealed during an episode of Times of Malta’s Ask Charmaine, after it was announced that mask-wearing will no longer remain obligatory as of Monday 2nd May. The only exception for this is in hospitals, medical clinics, elderly people’s homes and during flights.

Despite this significant relaxation of measures, Prof. Gauci recommended that people still wear their masks. “The individual responsibility is important, because when a person goes into a public area, they do not no if others around them suffer from medical conditions.”

Prof. Gauci also stated that while Malta seems to be exiting the more difficult phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, testing must still be conducted and the authorities will still be monitoring the amount of individuals admitted to Mater Dei Hospital and the ITU because of COVID-19.

What do you make of this?

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