Dozens of volunteers will gather at Għajn Tuffieħa this September for a festival that will help make the world a little bit better, as all profits will go to charity.
Organised by NGO The Bubble, the Festival of Love will be held from September 23 to 25 at The Elysium in Għajn Tuffieħa and the surrounding area.
Half of the proceeds will go to the Garden of Smiles project by the Right to Smile foundation, which provides women in India and Kenya access to opportunities by exploring their creative potential and narrowing gender gaps in their education system.
A fifth of the proceeds will go to The Gaia Foundation for integrated coastal zone management, 15 per cent to the NGO Why Not? for educational workshops and events, and another 15 per cent goes back to The Bubble for next year’s festival.
It is a festival for hippies, for rockers, for children and for old and young alike
Asked about the main attractions for this year’s festival, Duncan Fenech from The Bubble said the event is multicultural – a festival that brings together workshops and interesting talks, as well as live music and artists.
“I would say that the main attraction is the atmosphere. Essentially, it is just a group of people wishing to make a positive change to the world around them and urging more people to do the same, and having fun doing it.”
But is it a festival for hippies?
“Yes, it is a festival for hippies, a festival for rockers, a festival for children and a festival for old and young alike. So do I agree? Yes and no. The Bubble is a festival for everyone,” Mr Fenech said.
“The Bubble attracts a mixed crowd by means of word of mouth and an organic marketing system. Each participant, such as the workshop leaders, artists or musicians work on inviting and bringing their own friends.”
The festival, which last year raised nearly €13,000, depends on the help of volunteers. Around 120 people subscribed this year, and while some usually drop out, there will be around 80 lending a helping hand.
Ninety per cent of the volunteers are based in Malta, half of whom are Maltese. About 10 per cent are flying in especially for The Bubble from the UK, Germany and some other countries, as well as Maltese who live abroad, Mr Fenech said.
For Leigh James Marshall, who is from the UK, doing voluntary work abroad allows a person to develop an alternative set of skills.
“I have strived in my development to adapt in new and challenging environments. I have been presented with opportunities to collaborate with a variety of like-minded people and to share knowledge and experiences. Volunteering for a non-home NGO is a privilege.”
For more information, look up The Bubble on Facebook.
