The Aurora Opera House in Victoria Gozo, will, this Saturday, join in with the world-initiative of Earth Hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Earth Hour is a 60-minute lights-out around the world involving over 5 million people in 6950 cities and 152 countries.

Major landmark illuminations will be switched off around the globe in an effort to raise awareness about conservation of energy and sustainable living. The Aurora Opera House, has been registered for this initiative, so that its Earth Hour will be accumulated to the global records.

Earth Hour first started in 2007 with 2.2 million people joining in the event. The 2012 edition saw for the first time, the participation of Arab countries such as Libya. The theme for 2013 is ‘Uniting People to Protect the Planet.’

A new initiative by the WWF, entitled: ‘I will if you will,’ aims to promote environmentally sustainable messages on both corporate and individual levels. The positive effect of such an exercise is aimed to go beyond these 60 minutes of lights-out.

The Aurora Opera House said that it has invested in a number of extensive green projects, measures that will help to give the theatre more sustainable energy. One such investment was by switching to energy-saving lighting fixtures, including stage-lights used for theatre productions. This follows the thorough installation of sensory lighting and water fixtures, which control water and electricity consumption.

“However,” the Aurora said, “one of the largest and most remarkable projects embarked upon is the installation of photovoltaic panels for the generation of electricity. A total of 192 panels, covering approximately 450m2 have been installed on the Aurora’s roof.”

With an investment of €72,817, co-financed by the European Union (Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013), National Funds and NGO Funds, these panels are expected to generate 68,000 kWh every year, i.e. a surplus of energy which the theatre said will then be redirecting to the national grid, freeing the air we breathe from 60,000kgs of CO2 emissions every year from our power stations.

Such projects are beneficial not only to the theatre but also to the community at large, which is left to enjoy cleaner air. Furthermore, it is a new lifestyle, with a sensitive environmental conscience that the theatre aims to instil in the hundreds of volunteers who work in the cultural field.

The Leone Philharmonic Society (owner and manager of the Aurora Opera House) said that it “is proud to be marking its 150th foundation jubilee as the first band in Gozo, with such environmentally friendly projects and other related events including an eventual tree-planting event.”

More information can be obtained from www.teatruaurora.com, or www.leone.org.mt.

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