A note from the editor Vanessa Byrne / Managing Director
Welcome to our sunny July edition of OTWO Magazine!
You know Summer’ s here when flip flops mysteriously melt on Gibraltar’ s pavements and your reusable water bottle becomes your new best friend. It’ s that time of year when we’ re all craving a bit of shade, sea breeze, and some eco fun. Whether you ' re off on an adventure or hiding indoors with the fan on full blast, we’ ve packed this issue with inspiring stories to keep your mind cool and your heart committed to our planet.
This month, we’ re delighted to welcome some fantastic new advertisers to the OTWO family: Gibraltar Pass, Marble Arc, our gracious and well-deserved winners of the Shop Window Competition and GibSilver, a brilliant local organisation with a powerful message. Check out what these amazing teams have to offer— it’ s a real pleasure to have you with us this month!
We’ re also proud to shine a spotlight on PwC Gibraltar, a forward-thinking company leading the way in environmental responsibility. Starting this month, PwC joins us with a regular spread, sharing their sustainability goals and the impactful steps they’ re taking to protect our natural environment. Thank you for trusting us to help tell your story.
In May, OTWO Magazine attended Bassadone Automotive Group’ s“ Driving a Sustainable Future” event, where sustainability took centre stage. With roots dating back to 1904, Bassadone showed how deeply environmental values are embedded in their operations; from solar energy and waste management to humanitarian aid and employee wellbeing. With support from Professor Daniella Tilbury and roundtable discussions on electric vehicles, heritage, and mental health, the event was a shining example of corporate responsibility and community spirit. Bassadone is truly helping drive Gibraltar into a greener tomorrow.
This month’ s edition also features a poetic journey into prehistory with an article about Tres Ciervos( Cueva del Cañuelo) in Sierra Momia, Spain. Through the story of Yanga the shaman and a sacred stag, we explore ancient cave art, spiritual symbolism, and the global mythology of deer as mediators between worlds. It’ s a reminder of the deep and ancient connection we share with nature and why preservation efforts matter so deeply today.
The fourth instalment of our Berlin series takes a solemn turn, visiting the Topography of Terror Documentation Centre and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Through powerful exhibitions and stark emotional landscapes, we confront the darkest chapters of history, highlighting the need for remembrance, responsibility, and never turning a blind eye. As Primo Levi reminded us:“ It happened, therefore it can happen again”.
On the lighter side of nature, we take you out to sea in the Strait of Gibraltar, where whales, dolphins, and orcas thrive in a rich marine crossroads. Guided by certified companies like Estrecho Natura and Turmares, visitors can experience the wonder of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, while supporting marine conservation and research. These tours aren’ t just about seeing wildlife; they’ re about reconnecting with nature and remembering that we all share the same ocean home.
This past month has been incredibly special, connecting with so many inspiring, forward-thinking local companies and witnessing firsthand the amazing work being done to protect our environment. The point is clear: let’ s be respectful, to our planet, to each other, and to future generations. Let’ s move from reactive to proactive, and design policies that truly consider tomorrow. That’ s what excites me about what we’ re seeing locally: vision, action, and real sustainability goals in motion.
We also celebrated another brilliant edition of our annual EcoFestival, bigger, brighter, and better than ever! Happy families, smiling faces, incredible eco-conscious products, and as Minister Cortes put it:“ great EcoFun!” We’ re already planning next year’ s event and can’ t wait to see you all there again. Our environment cares for us, it’ s time we show how much we care for it.
As always, my deepest gratitude goes to our collaborators, readers, and followers for your continued support and belief in what we do. We’ ll never stop sharing the message of environmental sustainability, because we truly believe there’ s a better world already growing and together, we can nurture it.
Peace & Love always, Vanessa x
OTWO 72 / JULY 2025 5