Malta Song Festival|Malta Festivals

Although Malta is a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with a small population, it is nonetheless rich in its history and its culture. When in the 1950s, in nearby Italy the San Remo Festival, and later in Switzerland, the Eurovision Song Contest came into existence, Malta soon followed suit by organizing its own National Song Festival.

##Origins and other festivals in Malta

The first Malta Song Festival was organized by the Maltese section of the Young Christian Workers movement in 1960. Out of 72 submissions, 20 were chosen for the two semi finals. Eventually 10 made it for the final of Saturday 5 November 1960. All shows were held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun and were transmitted on the island’s cable radio system, now extinct, and then better known as Rediffusion. Eight of the ten songs were sung in Italian, one in English and one in Maltese. Each song had to be presented with two different musical arrangements. It was also a requisite to have two different singers for each song.

On 14 November 1960 RAI TV transmitted a video coverage of the festival in its evenings news bulletin.

As far back as 1960 the organizers of the festival were already planning to send the winner to the "Eurovision Song Contest". But the time was not yet ripe for such a dream to materialise.

In December 1961 the same Young Christian Workers movement organized also the first "Festival Ta' Kanzunetti Maltin" (Festival Of Maltese Songs)". The songs in this festival were all sung in the Maltese language. Although it was organized again in 1962, but after the 1962 edition, a decision was taken that the "Festival Ta' Kanzunetti Maltin" (Festival Of Maltese Songs)" would no longer be held.

In 1963 a decision was taken by the Malta Song Festival Board, that it was no longer feasible to organize two separate festivals. Instead it was decided that every song should be presented on stage in two languages, one of which should in Maltese.

In 1964, the Malta Song Festival was transmitted for the first time on the Malta Television Service on November 16, 17 and 21. The final results were however announced in a presentation ceremony held and transmitted also on Malta Television on Wednesday 25 November 1964

In 1967, Rediffusion Malta, managed to issue the first long playing album of Maltese compositions, entitled "Malta Song Festival 1967". Joe Grima and Victor Aquilina, then Head Of Programmes and Assistant Head Of Programmes respectively of Rediffusion Malta, were the producers of this first 33 RPM of Maltese songs. In 1967 and 1968 Rediffusion Malta fully financed the festival.

During the same period the late author and composer from Rabat, Malta, John B. Cassar,who was a pharmacist and a teacher by profession, had set up an enterprise called "Tourist Revues" . They were the organizers of "The Malta International Song Festival" which had nothing to do with the "Malta Song Festival". They also used to organize "Festival Della Canzone Italiana A' Malta". The 1966 edition of this festival was held at the Alhambra Theatre in Sliema and was even recorded and transmitted by RAI TV. In the 1969 edition of the "Malta International Song Festival" held at the Hilton Hotel in St' Julians, David Bowie was one of the participants.

On the 17 November 1973 "Jove Enterprises" together with Vanni Pule`, Maryanne Xuereb, John Portelli, Joe P. Portelli and others organized the first edition of the "Folk Song Contest" at the Chameleon Suite of the Corinthia Hotel in Attard. The then Malta Government Tourist Board gave its assistance to the organizers of this festival which was also held in 1975 and 1976.

In 1973, the Youth Travel Circle, a youth organization led by Rev. Fr. Maurice Mifsud., organized the first edition of another festival L-Għanja tal-Poplu (People's Ode Song Contest) . The songs of this very popular song festival are all sung in the Maltese Language . Against all odds, L-Għanja tal-Poplu (People's Ode Song Contest) has not only managed to survive, but it has even donned a National perspective. Since the nineties, this festival has been regularly transmitted on local television stations.

In 1986, the "Konkors Kanzunetta Festa San Pawl" was the first song festival ever to be held in a church in Malta. The songs all had a religious theme. The festival was held at the Church of St. Paul in Valletta.

Worthwhile pointing out is the fact that the original organizers of the first editions of the Malta Song Festival, namely the Maltese section of the Young Christian Workers are still very much active in the Malta music scene. In fact, on the 09 and 10 October 2015 they organized the 14th. edition of "Strummin', an annual non-competitive music show incorporating a choir a some 63 guitarists, a band and a group of singers.

##Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 1970 the Malta Broadcasting Authority decided that, as from 1971, Malta would participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. So the Malta Broadcasting Authority and the Malta Song Festival Board joined forces. On Saturday 28 November 1970, 12 compositions competed in the semi-final to a packed audience in the Grandmaster's Ballroom of the Malta Hilton. Six finalists were chosen with the finals held on the 29 January 1971, at the Main Studio of Malta Television Services, now TVM.

In fact in 1971Joe Grech, by now a four time winner of this festival, managed to be the first Maltese singer to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest. Although in 1972 and 1975 Malta participated again in the Eurovision Song Contest, for some very obscure reason in 1973 and 1974 Malta did not participate.

In 1976 the government decided against Malta's participation in the Eurovision. It was only in 1991 that the regular participation of "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest" was resumed.

##1980s and 1990s

In 1981 the organization of the "Malta Song Festival", now known as "Festival Internazzjonali Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija", was taken over by the Ministry of Education and Culture. In the eighties all songs were being sung in the Maltese language and later, a version of the Maltese song was also sung in a foreign language by a foreign artist.

In 1982 the festival was held at Mediterranean Conference Centre between 25 and 28 March 1982. The festival was divided in three categories. Several international singers were invited to take part by singing the festival songs in the language of the foreign participants. Riccardo Fogli and The Tweets, so very well known for their Birdie Song, were the special guests of the 1982 edition.

Up to 2002, the "Festival Internazzjonali Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija", continued to be organized by the Maltese Government, together with another festival whose winner would represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest.

##Return in 2013

On 24 July 2013 a meeting was held at the Manoel Theatre in Malta where Josette Grech Hamilton, Chairperson of the newly formed Organizing Committee, announced the return, after an absence of 11 years, of the "Festival Internazzjonali Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija". Mro Sigmund Mifsud was chosen as a conductor of a ten-piece band signifying the return of live performances to this festival. The Maltese Government decided to re-introduce its support and assistance to the festival

Norman Hamilton and Robert Cefai, the current President and Secretary General of the World Association of Festivals and Artists, better known as WAFA, were also present. The organising committee consisted also of Ignatius Farrugia, vice-chairperson; Deo Grech, Media Relations; Ray Falzon, Pierre Cachia and Simone Bugeja. Anton Attard served as the PBS consultant to the board.

On 18 September 2013, the 14 finalists out of 62 submissions were announced on TVM. The festival was held on Saturday 9 November 2013 and transmitted live on TVM. Apart from the 14 local singers who made it to the final, there were also 13 international guest singers who competed amongst themselves, with the group Bella Vista of Germany winning this section with their song " Fremd Aber Doch Vertrthe" a German version of the 1999 winning song of this festival "Sa L-Ahhar Nifs".

The joy of its return was however short-lived, because in 2014 the "Festival Internazzjonali Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija" has been sent back to limbo. No official communication has been issued about future editions.

##Winners

The following is a non-comprehensive list of the winners of some of the previous editions of the "Malta Song Festival" and of the "Festival Nazzjonali/Internazzjonali Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija":

2010s

• 2013 (9 November) – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place Olivia Lewis : "Hawn Mill-Gdid" (written by Joe Julian Farrugia and composed by Paul Abela)
  • 2nd place Mark Tonna : "Poeta Bla Kliem" (written by Emil Calleja Bayliss and composed by Mark Scicluna)
  • 3rd place: Dario & Grecia : "Solitaire" (written by Rita Pace and composed by Dario Bezzina)
  • 1st in Televoting : Geordie : "Kuragg" (written by Joe Chircop and composed by Philip Vella)

2000s

• 2002 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place Lawrence Gray : "Eklissi" (written by Godwin Sant and composed by Philip Vella)
  • 2nd place (and 1st in Televoting): Julie & Ludwig : "Adagio" (written by Ray Mahoney and composed by Rene’ Mamo)
  • 3rd place: Olivia Lewis : "Holm u Realta’" (written by Fleur Balzan and composed by Paul Giordimaina)
• 2001 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place: Georgina Abela : "Fomm Il-Vjolin" (written by Deo Grech and composed by Andrew Zahra)
  • 2nd place: Ira Losco : "Ingawdu z-Zghozija" (written by Ray Agius and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 3rd place: Olivia Lewis & Paul Giordimaina : "Ma Jifred Hadd" (written by Fleur Balzan and composed by Paul Giordimaina)
• 2000 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place: Enzo Gusman : "Nittama" (written and composed by Philip Vella)
  • 2nd place: Glen Vella & Eleonor Cassar: "Meta Naf Li Inti Thobbni" (written by Paul Ellul and composed by Chan Vella)
  • 3rd place: Paul Giordimaina : "Kliem" (written by Fleur Balzan and composed by Paul Giordimaina)

1990s

• 1999 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place: Fabrizio Faniello : "Sa L-Ahhar Nifs" (written by Alfred C.Sant and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 2nd place: Georgina Abela : "Hallini Nhobbok" (written by Joe Chircop and composed by Paul Abela)
  • 3rd place: Miriam Christine : "Triq Ohra’" (written by Joe Julian Farrugia and composed by Miriam Christine Borg)
• 1998 – Venue: Gozo
  • 1st place: Lawrence Gray : "Min Jaf Ghalfejn" (written by Philip Vella and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 2nd place: Renato Micallef & Adelina Attard : "Ghal Xulxin" (written by Sunny Aquilina and composed by Jason Cassar)
  • 3rd place: Debbie Scerri : "Il-Boghod Mid-Dlam’" (written by Jason Xuereb and composed by Jason Xuereb)
• 1997 – Venue: Gozo
  • 1st place: Catherine Vigar : "Min Jaf Ghaliex" (written by Joe Chircop and composed by Paul Abela)
  • 2nd place: Claudette Pace  : "Ghix Biss Ghal-Llum" (written by Ray Agius and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 3rd place: Georgina Abela : "Nersaq Lejk" (written by Georgina Abela and composed by Paul Abela)
• 1996 – Venue: Open Theatre, Ta' Qali
  • 1st place: Alfred Rapa : "Censu l-Malti u Katarin" (written by Alfred Rapa and composed by Alfred Rapa)
  • 2nd place: Philip Vella  : "Stress" (written by Mario Fenech Caruana and composed by Philip Vella)
  • 3rd place: Renato Micallef : "Djarju" (written by Godwin Sant and composed by Vince Buhagiar)
• 1995 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place: Enzo Gusman John Bundy & Tony Camilleri : "Din Ghalikom...Il-Hbieb Tieghi" (written by Enzo Gusman and composed by Enzo Gusman)
  • 2nd place: Godwin Lucas  : "Il-Gzira Tal-Imhabba" (written by Joe Friggieri and composed by Victor Fenech)
  • 3rd place: Miriam Christine : "Int Tajtni Idek" (written by Julie Brincat and composed by Miriam Christine)
• 1994 – Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
  • 1st place: Doreen Galea & Manolito : "Forsi" (written by Ray Mahoney and composed by Sammy Galea)

1980s

• 1989
  • 1st place: Renato Micallef & Marisa: " Ahfirli " (written by Alfred C. Sant and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 2nd place : Spectrum  : "Hamima Bajda” (written by Ino M. Busuttil and composed by Mario Caruana)
• 1986
  • 1st place Category A : Renato Micallef : " Il-Karnival Ta’ Malta " (written by and composed by Lino Cauchi)
  • 1st place Category B: Joe George  : "Il-Kugin Giljan” (written and composed by Alfred C. Sant)
  • 1st place Category C: Phylisienne Brincat  : "U Int Jekk Bhali " (written and composed by Frederick Camilleri)
• 1985
  • 1st place Category A : Renato Micallef & Marisa : " Separju " (written by Alfred C. Sant and composed by Ray Agius)
  • 1st place Category B: Paul Giordimaina  : "Ghanja Lil-Omm" (written and composed by Lino Cauchi)
  • 1st place Category C: Mike Spiteri & Mirage : "Kompjuter " (written by Alfred C. Sant and composed by Ray Agius)
• 1984 (22–24 March)
  • 1st place Category A : Joe Cutajar : " Messagg Ta’ Sliem " (written by Cynthia Sammut and composed by Paul Abela)
  • 1st place Category B: Renato Micallef  : "Kenn Is-Sliem" (written and composed by Alfred L.Tanti)
  • 1st place Category C: Mary Spiteri "Li Kieku " (written and composed by Sylvia Sammut)
  • Special Price for the song chosen by the Public: Tony Camilleri “L-Ghannej” ( written and composed by Alfred C. Sant)
• 1983 (24–26 March)
  • 1st place Category A : Ralph Dougall : " Lilek Biss " (written and composed by A.Busuttil)
  • 1st place Category B: Paul Giordimaina  : "Ghalxejn" (written and composed by L.Cauchi)
  • 1st place Category C: George Agius : "Habib Tinsiex " (written and composed by Doreen Galea)
• 1982 (25–28 March)
  • Category A (Composers & Authors under 30 years)
  • 1st place: Mary Rose Mallia : " Jekk Trid Il-Hena " (written by Francis Falzon and composed by Ray Cremona)
  • 2nd place: Mary Spiteri  : "Jekk Trid" (written by Doreen Galea and composed by Sammy Galea)
  • 3rd place: "Muzika Muzika " (written and composed by Alfred C.Sant)
• 1981
  • 1st place: The Tramps: " Sinjur Gib il-Paci " (written by and composed by Dominic Grech)
  • 2nd place: Tony Camilleri & Frank O'Neil  : "L-Ittra" (written and composed by Frank O’Neill)
  • 3rd place: Marisa: "Telegramm" (written and composed by Alfred C.Sant)

1970s

• 1976
  • 1st place: Enzo Gusman : "Tifkiriet Taghna T-Tnejn/ Sing Your Song Country Boy" (written by Alfred C. Sant and composed by Ray Agius)
• 1975 (5 February) – Venue: Malta Television Studios
  • 1st place: Renato Micallef : "Singing This Song" (written by M.Iris Mifsud and composed by Sammy Galea)
    • The following were the 5 semi- finalists of the 1975 edition :
      • "Live For Tomorrow" (Rokna Minn Qalbi) sung by Mary Spiteri (written by Mary Sant and composed by Paul Abela)
      • "A New World" (Dinja Gdida) sung by Renato Micallef ( written and composed by Joe Ellul)
      • "Try A Little Love Today" (Id F'Id) sung by Mary Spiteri ( written by Mary Morey and composed by Victor Fenech)
      • "Singing This Song" (Idhaq u Iccajta) sung by Renato Micallef (written by M.Iris Mifsud and composed by Sammy Galea)
      • "Sing A Song Of Love" (L-Ghanja Tal-Imhabba) sung by The Greenfields ( written by and composed by Charles Bajada)

This semi-final was held at the Alhambra Cinema in Sliema on Saturday 1 February 1975. The 21 piece orchestra was under the direction of the late Mro Twanny Chircop and Mro. Paul Arnaud. Norman Hamilton and Mary Grech were the comperes.

(Renato Micallef represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest with this song. It was Malta's third participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and the first time that the song was sung in the English Language.)

• 1974
  • 1st place: Enzo Gusman & Renato Micallef: "Paci Fid-Dinja/Peace To The World" (written and composed by Enzo Gusman)

(Enzo sang the Maltese version whilst Renato sang the English version.)

• 1972
  • 1st place: Carmen Vella & Mary Rose Mallia : "L-Imhabba" (written Albert M.Cassola and composed by Charles Camilleri)

(L-Imhabba represented Malta in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest.It was not sung by the winners but by Joe Cutajar & Helen Micallef)

• 1971 (29 January) – Venue: Studios of Malta Television
  • 1st place: Joe Grech & The Links : "Marija l-Maltija" (written Charles Mifsud and composed by Joe Grech)

(Joe Grech represented Malta for the first time in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest with this song.)

1960s

• 1969 (10 August) (The 10th Edition) – Venue: Buskett Roadhouse, Rabat, Malta
  • 1st place: Carmen Schembri & Carmelo Borg : "Una Stella Fra Mille/Nista' Nib....Mitt Bahar" (written by Victor Zammit and composed by Clement Zammit)
  • 2nd place: The Links & Helen Micallef: "L'Arcobaleno/Il-Qawsalla"" (written by V.M.Pellegrini and composed by F.X.Pisani)
  • 3rd place: The Links & Carmen Schembri: "Le Stagioni/L-Istaguni" (written by Albert M. Cassola and composed by L.A.Scolaro)
  • Best Singer Trophy: Joe Cutajar
  • Comperes: Joan Azzopardi & Charles Abela Mizzi
  • Music conducted by Mro. Joe Vella and Mro. Paul Arnaud.
  • In 1969 Rediffusion Malta Ltd. were not part of the organizing committee of the festival.

• 1968 (7 December) (The 9th Edition) -Venue; Plaza Theatre, Sliema
  • 1st place: Helen Micallef & Mary Rose Mallia : "Ora Tu Capirai/Dalwaqt Tkun Taf" (written by Albert M.Cassola and composed by Carmelo Zammit)
  • 2nd place: Edwin Galea & Joe Bugeja: "Forever More/Ma Tintesiex" (written by Ronald V.Abdilla and composed by Georgette Ciappara)
  • 3rd place: Enzo Gusman & The Links: "The Parata/Il-Parata Zinn Zinn Zinn" (written by Edwin Vella and composed by F.X.Pisani)
  • Best Singer Trophy: Carmelo Borg
  • Special Guest Singer : Malcolm Roberts
  • Comperes: Mary Grech & Norman Hamilton.
  • Music conducted by Mro. Joseph Sammut.
• 1967 (9 December) (The 8th Edition) Venue: Radio City Opera House Hamrun
  • 1st place: Joe Grech & Mary Rose Darmanin : "Serenata/Serenata" (written by George Zammit and composed by Joseph Ciappara)
  • 2nd place: Marie Therese Vassallo & Doris Curmi: "Bit-Tlikki Tlikki /E va va vanno"" (written by Marie Therese Vassallo and composed by Frank Vassallo)
  • 3rd place: Mary Rose Mallia & Tessie Micallef: "Ix-Xorti u L-Imhabba /Ogni Volta" (written by George Zammit and composed by Carmelina Zammit)
  • Best Singer Trophy: Tessie Micallef
  • In 1967 the first Long Playing Album of the 12 finalists was published. Special guests present at the festival were Roger Moore, Jean Kent,Oreste Kirkop and Joseph Calleia.
• 1966 (25,26 & 27 November)(The 7th. Edition) – Venue: Malta Television Studios
  • 1st place: Enzo Guzman & Tessie Micallef: "Tu / Int" (written Albert M. Cassola and composed by Carmelo Zammit)
  • 2nd place: Tessie Micallef & Mary Rose Darmanin: "It-Talba/La Preghiera" (written by Albert M.Cassola and composed by Carmelo Zammit)
  • 3rd place: Carmen Schembri & Carmelo Borg: "Ma Ninsa Qatt/Tu Piangerai" (wrtiiten by Victor Zammit and composed by Clemente Zammit
  • Best Singer Trophy: Not awarded because "M.T.V. management refused to provide the panel of judges with a television set. The judges maintained that to vote for the best singer's interpretation they had to be seen and heard."
• 1965 (25 November) (The 6th. Edition) – Venue: Malta Television Studios
  • 1st place: Tessie Micallef : "Piu' Non Vorrei'" (written by Albert M.Cassola and composed by Carmelo Zammit)
  • 2nd place: The Links & Josephine Debono  : "Pebbles On The Beach" (written by and composed by F.X.Pisani)
  • 3rd.place: Joseph Vella : "Confesso" (written by and composed by Joseph Vella)
• 1964 (16,17 & 21 November) (The 5th. Edition) – Venue: Malta Television Studios
  • 1st place: Joseph Vella & Carmen Schembri : "Io Che Ti Voglio Cosi'" (written by and composed by Joseph Vella)
  • 2nd place: Four Links  : "Sei Troppo Bella" (written by and composed by F.X.Pisani)
  • 3rd.place: Joseph Vella & Carmen Schembri : "Amor Sei Tu" (written by and composed by Joseph Vella)
• 1963 (12,14 & 24 October) (The 4th. Edition) – Venue: Catholic Institute, Floriana
  • 1st place: Agatha Vassallo & Joe Grech : "Ci Sposeremo a Maggio/L-Ghanja Ta' Mhabbitna" (written by and composed by J.Pullicino)
  • 2nd place: Clemente Zammit & Camilleri Bros.  : "Prima La Canzone/Bghatt Ghasfur Jghidlek" (written by and composed by Clemente Zammit)
  • 3rd.place: Agatha Vassallo & Frans Fenech : "Ticche Tacche/Tluppi Tluppi" (written by and composed by G. Fiorini)
• 1962 (17,18 & 19 May) (The 3rd. Edition) – Venue: Radio City Opera House, Hamrun
  • 1st place: Reggie Spiteri & Sylvia Mifsud : "Good Night Amore" (written by and composed by Alphonse Vella)
  • 2nd place: The Satellites & Joe Grech  : "Rebbieha" (written by and composed by J.B.Cassar)
  • 2nd.place: Joseph Vella & Emily Cauchi & Four Stars : "Come Se Mai" (written by and composed by Joseph Vella)

("Rebbieha", sung in Maltese, & "Come Se Mai" both came in the second place)

• 1962 (15 December) (The 2nd. Festival of Maltese Songs) – Venue: Radio City Opera House, Hamrun
  • 1st place: Joe Grech & Carmen Schembri : "Zghazagh Rebbieha" (written by and composed by Ivo Galea)
  • 2nd place: Franz Frendo & Grace Said  : "Gmiel Qaddis" (written by and composed by Saver Pisani)
  • 3rd place: Paul Tanti & Censina Zammit : "Il-Qamar Tal-Mahbubin" (written by and composed by Carmelo zammit)

(Even in 1962 two separate festivals were organized. One for foreign language songs and another one for songs sung in Maltese)

• 1961 (8,9 & 10 June) (The 2nd. Edition) – Venue: Radio City Opera House, Hamrun
  • 1st place: Emily Cauchi & Reggie Spiteri & AEIOU Choir : "Poi" (written by and composed by Alphonse Vella)
  • 2nd place: Four Links & Emily Cauchi  : "Non Piangere Cosi'" (written by and composed by J.B.Cassar)
  • 3rd place: Joseph Vella & Emily Cauchi : "Tutto Di Te" (written by and composed by Joseph Vella)
• 1961 (14,15 & 16 December) (The 1st Festival of Maltese Songs) – Venue: Radio City Opera House, Hamrun
  • 1st place: Four Links & Terry L.Bencini : "Madonnina Omm Gesu'" (written by and composed by J.B.Cassar)
  • 2nd place: Frans Fenech & Reggie Spiteri  : "Xemx Jew Qamar" (written by and composed by Mro. Jos. Ciappara)
  • 3rd place: AEIOU Choir & Carmen Schembri & Grace Said : "Sparaw Ghall-Qamar" (written by and composed by Mro. Jos. Ciappara)

(In 1961 two separate festivals were organized. One for songs sung in a foreign language and another one for songs sung in Maltese)

• 1960 (5 November) (The 1st. Edition) – Venue: Radio City Opera House, Hamrun
  • 1st place: Joe Grech : "Vola Uccellino" (written by and composed by Joe Grech)
  • 2nd place: Terry L.Bencini & Francis Frendo  : "Primavera In Fior" (written by and composed by Inez Lombardo)
  • 3rd place: Terry L. Bencini & Iris Vella Urso : "Polpo" (written by and composed by Paul & Gemma Portelli)
  • Best Singer Trophy: Terry L. Bencini
  • Note: The only song in Maltese in this first edition was "L-Ghada Tal-Festa" written and composed Joseph Ciappara. It did not place with the finalists.