The Earthgarden festival will not be held this year to the disappointment of the thousands of people who every year scurry to Ta’ Qali to celebrate art and music in a relaxed and cool environment.

This celebration of culture and ecological awareness, which usually attracts about 10,000 people, had to be cancelled because of lack of sponsorship.

“While understanding the prevailing financial reality, it’s also a fact that Earthgarden keeps attracting foreigners year after year,”the festival organisers said.

“It is for this reason that we could not understand why such an event that easily qualifies for funds from different government departments got none this year.”

For the past five years, the multicultural festival was held over a weekend at the National Park in Ta’ Qali.

Some of the areas are free of charge while the main music concerts, held in the Greek Theatre, require a paid ticket.

Organisers Reuben Spiteri, Natalie Vella Wright and Howard Keith said the activities that were open to the public free of charge relied heavily on sponsorship.