2013 in review | Good ideas in 2013

Kelma Kelma

Kelma! Kelma! xi tkun inti? Minn fejn ġejt? Meta tnissilt?

In its simplest form, Kelma Kelma is "a page about the beauty of the Maltese language" - but that's just a humble appreciation for the Facebook page that is now followed by 25,000, producing a steady stream of linguistic curiosities which, as its author Dr Michael Spagnol says, is also "providing people not only with a sense of pride in heir own language but also something deeper, like a sense of belonging."

https://www.facebook.com/kelmakelma.mt

Maltese Roads

Maltese Roads Traffic Updates has actually been around since 2011, but it's such a useful Facebook page - over 21,000 users cannot be wrong! The page gives useful information on traffic jams, road accidents, roadworks, road closures or road flooding and also safety information on oil spills. It's mainly user-generated content that also employs SMS texting for new updates and its website also has four CCTV cameras on the streets.

https://www.facebook.com/maltatraffic

Stand-up comedy

In March 2013, when Labour's 'Taghna Lkoll' shtick was reaching fever pitch, a group of actors and stand-up comedians decided to send up the 'Courage to Vote' ad - that soon gave way to a series of stand-up comedy nights at the Hard Rock Café, showcasing some of the best and upcoming talents the island has to offer.

Men Against Violence

Men Against Violence is engaging men and boys to stand up and end violence particularly against women and girls, be it domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, harassment, stalking and rape. "Men Against Violence aims to raise awareness of the issues at stake in an effort to foster healthy relationships between men and women. Violence against women affects everyone and that is why our focus is to prevent it for the benefit of all men, women and children."

Think!

Think! is a good idea from 2012... but the University Of Malta's magazine has introduced a vast array of scientists, academics and thinkers to the general public thanks to its well-designed magazine. It's eggheads and geeks version 2.0, and a great read too...

Humans of Malta

'Malta is a small sunny island in the heart of the Mediterranean. We hope to capture its charm and character one portrait at a time,' say photographers Ryan Galea (pictured, right) and Nicky Scicluna, whose idea inspired by Humans of New York has now spread to Malta. "We believe that most of the people on the streets carry within them many exceptional stories and experiences. The aim of Humans of Malta is to get these stories out in the most genuine way possible."

Tal-Ostja

On Facebook and on its own website Tal-Ostja.com is a collection "of all the coolest, alternative things you can find in Malta" - it really is - and pays tribute to all the people whose home-grown products are an ode to the love and passion they put into their work. Find anything from fruit and sandwich bars to illustrators, the Maltese language and ethnic markets. "Tal-Ostja.com is aimed at Maltese people as well as visitors who would like to get to know the Malta beyond the pastizzi and Kinnie."

'Ostja' in the Roman Catholic world is the Holy Eucharist, but as the Maltese and Spaniards know, it really means "Awesome", "wow", or in this case... "that's really great."

Coalition Against Spring Hunting

The Coalition is made up Alternattiva Demokratika, Birdlife Malta, Coalition for Animal Rights, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Greenhouse Malta, International Animal Rescue Malta, Moviment Graffiti, Nature Trust and Ramblers Association of Malta.

In 2013 it launched a petition for an abrogative referendum to ban spring hunting, which is not permissible by EU law and from which Malta has been derogating since 2004. But with the illegalities that come from spring hunting, as well as illegal trapping itself, during the past 10 years, it has become an intolerable activity that must be stopped in the interest of Maltese wildlife and the general public's right to access the countryside.

Spaceboy Illustrations

Mark Scicluna is not just MaltaToday's cartoonist, but also the co-creator of A Spaceboy Dream, the adventures and daydreaming of tragic hipster Vincent Fournier. In 2013, Mark Scicluna and Moira Zahra launched Spaceboy Illustrations, their portfolio of work - the versatility of their illustrations is used for editorial content, brand promotion, and even for live drawings of postcards during weddings... now that's a great idea.

Gourmet burgers

Remember the deep-freeze opening and a packet of six patties being slammed onto the counter? Wave goodbye and welcome the gourmet burger, with good quality ground beef put together from scratch and turned into an overall restaurant experience. All hail the nouveau burger, turning it from 'grubby' being sold by grubby street vendors to having a place at many worthy restaurants.