There was a tranquil atmosphere within the open-air kitchen that participants of Malta’s first ecological festival had set up.

One man stirred a wok heaving with tofu and red peppers, as a young woman braided another’s hair. Behind them, a toddler playfully slapped a djembe.

But the moment the quivering boom of a Tibetan gong rolled across the Mellieħa copse, the makeshift community sprang to life, moving from pots, drums and tents to the laughing-yoga session about to start in the workshop area below.

Held over the past weekend with the blessing of the Mellieħa local council, the Community Eco-Gathering – organised by sustainability NGO Why Not? – sought to present an alternative, more sustainable form of outdoor living.

Nothing was left to chance. Custom-made rocket stoves cooked food as small cups marked “Ashtray” hung off trees.

Two portable toilets glistened in the sun, unused, as festival-goers chose to use the compost toilet and straw-laden “fairy pee palaces” set up instead.

At night, hundreds of candles and dozens of solar-powered fairy lights kept the festival site glowing.

Organisers had gathered an entire parachute’s worth of rubbish in the run-up to the festival, said core organiser Ed Hamilton.

Several participants carried the anti-litter vibe into the weekend, taking part in a beach clean-up of nearby Slug’s Bay on Saturday.

“We’re just trying to create a model for sustainable living that could inspire others,” Mr Hamilton explained.

“In the longer term, we hope to have a permanent ecological space that we can tend to, for all society to enjoy.”

Later, people gathered on cushions and floor mats to listen to Peppi Gauchi from the Permaculture Foundation explain the importance of holistic approaches to agriculture.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. We’ve been coming to Malta for around seven years but had never found anything like this before,” said John McCaffrey, 58.

“It’s great to see so many young, vibrant, positive-minded Maltese people.”

Mr McCaffrey, a hairdresser from Northern Ireland, had chanced across the festival while browsing a local blog.

In a remote section of the campsite, reiki, massage, reflexology and other therapists offered their services free of charge or in exchange for token gifts.

“It makes for such a change from everyday life,” said Emmeline Schembri, 24. “It’s so peaceful... it almost makes you wish it didn’t have to end.”