Culture in Nature KA2 - Malta

KA210-ADU - Small-scale partnerships in adult education (KA210-ADU)

The final chapter of the Erasmus+ KA210-ADU – Small-scale partnerships in adult education: Culture in Nature project concluded in Malta, offering participants a striking contrast to their previous experiences in Latvia and Finland. Beginning on 26th June at the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island, the group experienced Malta's unique Mediterranean environment. This is a dramatic shift from Nordic forests to azure seas and limestone cliffs. This opening day provided both cultural immersion and project orientation as participants prepared for their final mobility experience.

The following day took the group through Malta's historical heart, exploring the Three Cities and Valletta's streets and fortified walls. Cultural highlights included visits to traditional family-owned businesses and tasting ftira, Malta's beloved flatbread, alongside the immersive Malta 5D experience. The day's reflective session sparked crucial discussions about defining "nature" and examining how Malta's arid yet culturally rich environment shapes local traditions. Participants also refined the evaluation tool developed throughout the project's journey.

Day three immersed the group in authentic Maltese celebrations through the traditional feast of Mnarja, a centuries-old festival honouring Saints Peter and Paul that combines religious devotion with agricultural heritage. Participants witnessed folk singing, traditional foods and even met Malta's President. The evening brought them to Siggiewi's festa, where Malta's dramatic relationship with the sky was on full display through various street and church lights, fireworks and the traditional "giggifogu."

The southern exploration on day four connected participants to Malta's ancient roots at Għar Dalam cave, where evidence of Malta's prehistoric inhabitants and extinct fauna revealed how the island's limestone geology shaped civilisation from megalithic times. The day concluded in Marsaxlokk with its colourful fishing boats and a traditional Sunday family meal, a very common Mediterranean habit showing community and hospitality.
The final day focused on consolidating insights and refining the evaluation tool, drawing from experiences across all three countries to create a versatile resource for culturally-conscious event planning. An exploration of Mdina, Malta's ancient capital, provided a contemplative contrast with its silent, fortified streets and panoramic countryside views, before participants enjoyed a spontaneous nighttime swimming session.

As the project concluded, participants reflected on their transformative journey across three distinct European environments. The contrasts—from Latvia's forests to Finland's winter landscapes to Malta's Mediterranean shores—had broadened their understanding of how nature influences culture and provided new frameworks for questioning traditional approaches to event planning. The refined evaluation tool stands as their collective achievement: an accessible, comprehensive resource for creating meaningful cultural experiences that honour both local traditions and natural environments.

With the final conference meeting scheduled for November, participants look forward to sharing their enriched perspectives and the lasting connections forged through this unique exploration of culture in nature across Europe.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.