Din l-Art Ħelwa is organising its annual Spring Fête and open day at the historic Msida Bastion Garden next Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Currently in full bloom, the garden has exotic and indigenous plants and trees, set among exquisite early 19th-century neo-classic monuments. Din L-Art Ħelwa won the 2001 Silver Medal from Europa Nostra for its painstaking restoration of this site.

Volunteers are collecting any unwanted bric-a-brac for its White Elephant Stall, food and preserves, books, and potted plants. The public is advised that these can be delivered to the garden every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. for early sorting.

The annual open day provides DLĦ with much needed income for the maintenance of this spectacular historic garden that overlooks Marsamxett Creek, Lazaretto and Fort Manoel.

On the day, guided tours by volunteer historians will be held at 12.45 p.m. and 2 p.m., and refreshments will be on sale. Many local artists will be setting up their easels for an outdoor painting session during the event. Admission is free.

The Msida garden is best reached by taking the first turning left on Great Siege Road below the Phoenicia Hotel outside Valletta, then the first fork right down past the public library below Belt is-Sebħ.