Environment
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Free energy – fact or fiction?
In a world where energy consumption is always rising, the cost of generating energy is becoming ever more expensive. So it is not surprising that in many countries, including Malta, this subject always features as an election issue. This is because...
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Sea holly – ix-xewk tar-ramel – Eryngium maritimum
Darrin Stevens The sea holly, known as ix-xewk tar- ramel in Maltese, is very rare habitat and is confined to sand dune communities. It is a perennial plant with a tough greyish-blue herb of 20-60cm height, appearing as a shrub rather than a herb...
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Sea Rocket – kromb il-baħar – Cakile maritima
The sea rocket also known as il-Kromb il-Baħar is frequent found in coastal areas, particularly on sandy beaches and similar substrates, in both exposed and shaded conditions. The sea rocket is a hairless herbaceous plant with succulent leaves,...
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Where we must go sustainably
Land, air and sea transport around urban areas have been well studied globally yet there is still very little literature that deals with these concerns in small islands. Putting research on transport into practice was the theme at the first...
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Giant fennel – il-ferla – Ferula communis
The giant fennel, or il-ferla in Maltese, is frequently found in Maquis, garigue and phrygana, steppes, country lanes and road verges, abandoned fields and disturbed ground. The plant is perennial; stem stout, smooth, cylindrical, hollow and it...
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Spiny asparagus – l-ispraġġ xewwieki/ iċ-ċaqċieqa – Asparagus aphyllus
The Spiny asparagus or iċ-ċaqċieqa is frequently found in most habitats, including maquis, garrigue, fallow fields, valleys, along rubble walls and sand dunes. This plant grows as a highly variable shrub with rigid, spiny, branched stems with...
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A plant that loves the sea
The European searocket is indigenous to Malta. Known in Maltese as kromb il-baħar, the plant grows mainly on sandy beaches. It starts flowering in December and remains in flower until August. This weekend I found it flowering at Għadira and Golden...
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The Maltese hyoseris
The Maltese Hyoseris, sometimes referred to as the Gozo Hyoseris, is a small shrublet belonging to the daisy family, bearing the scientific name Hyoseris frutescens. The name Hyoseris is composed of the words hyo, meaning swine or pig (derived from...
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No more fireworks factories
I am an avid aficionado of fireworks and parish feasts in general and I strongly believe fireworks have an intrinsic role to play in our feasts. But having said this, the Labour Party’s pledge, made by Michael Falzon, to tweak existing planning...
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The Mock Privet
The Mock Privet, sometimes referred to as the Mediterranean Jasmine Box, is a tree belonging to the olive family, bearing the scientific name Phillyrea latifolia. The name Phillyrea is derived from Greek name Philyra, a sea nymph who, according...
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Wied ta’ Għajn Żejtuna
Wied ta’ Għajn Żejtuna is located within the settlement boundary of Santa Marija Estate in Mellieħa, flanked by villa development along most of its length. Formerly part of a much wider system, the valley is now limited to the valley-bed proper...
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The very wary starling
The starling is one of the best-known birds in Europe and is a common wintering bird in Malta. The first birds start to arrive in September but the majority visit us from October to early spring. In most of Europe, starlings are tame and confiding.
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Rohan Gate, Żebbuġ
The de Rohan Gate marked the entrance to the village of Żebbuġ. Emmanuel de Rohan de Polduc, the 70th Grand Master of the Order, accorded to Żebbuġ the title of Citta’ Rohan in 1777. In return, the people of Żebbuġ were obliged to erect two...
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Close to despair
At the end of another lavishly-funded UN conference that yielded no progress on curbing greenhouse emissions, many of those most concerned about climate change are close to despair. As thousands of delegates checked out of their air-conditioned...
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What’s in a cup of coffee?
Whatever the weather, a steaming cup of coffee puts the spark back in our day. For a guilt-free brew, we have all heard of fair trade coffee – which helps secure the rights of coffee workers. But what is the coffee industry doing to combat global...
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Hompesch Gate, Żabbar
This triumphal arch was built to commemorate the event when the 71st and last Grand Master of the Order Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim declared Żabbar a city – Città Gratiosae Hompesch. Hompesch visited Żabbar in 1797 and it was only after the...
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Siculo-Norman building
Siculo-Norman architecture was imported to Malta through Sicily during a period spanning circa 400 years from the early 12th century onwards. Siculo-Norman architecture is derived from Romanesque architecture, which then developed into Gothic...
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The duck that changes coat
The mallard, known in Malta as kuluvert, is a wild duck found in the Americas, Europe, Asia and North Africa. It has also been introduced in Australia and New Zealand. Mallards visit the Maltese Islands in autumn and winter. One or two can regularly...
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Festival celebrates Majjistral territory
Culinary delights and crafts from the Majjistral territory lie at the heart of a Christmas festival at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta ’ Qali this weekend. Combining art, live music and a rich blend of local delicacies, the festival,...
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The Inquisitor’s Palace
This building, which was originally built to house the Law Courts (Castellania) of the Order of St. John during the 1530s, was later used as the residence of the Inquisitor. It served as the law courts till 1571, even after the Order transferred its...
