THE MALTA TIMES
Michael Bugeja
Għanafest 2012
Frans Mifsud (ta’ Vestru) and Karmenu Debono (il-Pikipakk) – Photo: Stephen Buhagiar
This year’s edition of the popular Għanafest festival will take place in June.
The festival will feature various styles of Maltese għana (Maltese folksong) as well as music from Morocco, Greece and Spain, a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children.
The festival’s appeal is further complemented by traditional Maltese food and the marvellous surroundings of the Argotti Botanical Gardens in Floriana.
Apart from the opportunity to experience the different styles of għana, the festival programme includes a variety of styles, among them the crossover sounds of the Nisġa Project, whose music is influenced as much by Middle Eastern sounds as it is by Flamenco, Jazz and local traditional instruments.
Another ethnic combo is Hamam, led by Andrew Alamango and featuring musicians from Malta, Italy and Turkey. This year’s programme will also present a selection of Marċi tal-Festa which constitute an important part of Malta’s music heritage.
Three extraordinary international bands from Morocco, Greece and Madrid have been invited to participate. Violinist Jamal Ouassini from Tangier (Morocco) is an international exponent of Arab-Andalusian music. He is also the director of the world-renowned Or chestra Arab-Andalusa of Tangier.
Greekadelia duo presents an eclectic concert of folksong from the rural areas of Greece embellished with live looping and electronic music arrangements.
Zoobazar from Madrid is a powerful Mediterranean-fusion band known for its strong live concerts that involve the audience thanks to its multi-cultural blend of music.
Further to the programme being staged in Malta, the cultural unit at the Gozo Ministry is collaborating with the Council for Culture and the Arts to host a programme in Gozo.
On June 1, 2 and 3, Għanafest will present a programme of għana and Maltese music in Victoria as a prequel to the event. The Malta Council for Culture and Arts, supported by the Re sources and Rural Affairs Ministry, is also collaborating with Mcast to endorse a public art-piece titled Għeruq related to and in spired by the various elements embodying this year’s festival.
Għanafest 2012, Malta’s Mediterranean Folk Music Festival, will be held on June 8, 9 and 10 at Argotti Gardens in Floriana. Performances start at 7 p.m. Tickets cost €3 (per night) or €7 (three-day block ticket) and will be available at the door.
Parking facilities will be available at the Floriana Boy Scouts headquarters close to the venue.
www.maltafolkmusicfestival.org
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