Ira Losco was given a heroine`s welcome yesterday, good naturedly mobbed by over 2,000 well-wishers who went to the airport to congratulate her for her second place in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The instant she stepped off the Air Malta jet Ira was showered with flowers and greeted by Education Minister Louis Galea and his parliamentary secretary Jesmond Mugliett, Tourism Minister Michael Refalo, Air Malta head of marketing John Saliba and Malta International Airport chairman Lawrence Zammit.
The media also hounded her for a comment, and employees on the MIA apron hooted the horns of airport transport buses.
Looking stunned and overwhelmed by all the attention, Ira was escorted to a news conference carried live by the three television stations.
"I was not expecting so much attention. I thank everyone for such a warm welcome - without these people I am nothing," she said, her voice breaking down and shedding a tear from all the emotion.
"I am the same Ira I was when I left and this is not just my success but the success of all the team," she said.
Ira placed second, at the 47th Eurovision Song Contest in Estonia, with her rendition of 7th Wonder, composed by Philip Vella and written by Gerard James Borg.
Organising committee chairman Charlò Bonnici said that Ira gave an excellent performance on the night and the song had all the right ingredients of a winner.
"All this, coupled with intensive promotion and a good dose of good luck led Malta to place second," Mr Bonnici said.
Promotion has become vital in the light of aggressive competition sparked by new rules laying down that only those countries which place in the first 15 positions can take part in next year`s Eurovision.
However, because Spain, France, Germany and the UK pump a lot of money into the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, they are guaranteed a place even if they do not make it to the top 15.
The countries that will not be taking part next year because they got poor results include Turkey, Slovenia, Greece, Austria, Macedonia, Finland, Switzerland, Lithuania and Denmark.
Germany was one of the countries which did not get enough points to qualify, but its place is guaranteed.
So what does the absence of countries such as Turkey and Greece mean to Malta`s entry next year in the light of the fact that neighbouring countries usually vote for one another?
"Well, this means we have lost some of our allies. But next year it will be a different story and a different strategy," Mr Bonnici said.
Committee secretary Robbie Cefai added that next year more importance would be placed on the singer`s choreography of stage.
"The choreography and act of the Latvian winner, Marie N, played a major role in her success. We have to give more attention to this," Mr Cefai said.
Delving into Ira`s career in the music industry, Mr Bonnici said Malta had a one year contract with the German record company Cap Sounds and discussions were already underway to promote Ira`s CD abroad.
Last week Mr Bonnici had also said the committee was in discussions with two giant record companies, Universal and BMG, but the contract with Cap Sounds would have to run out first.
After the news conference, Ira was ushered out to the arrivals lounge where loud chants of "Ira, Ira" echoed through the airport.
The singer Chiara, who placed third in the 1998 Eurovision song contest, had also been mobbed by fans on her arrival.
The flight from Stockholm landed at 4.10 p.m., but fans had started gathering at the arrivals lounge as early as noon.
"We want to be the first to greet her when she appears. This is so exciting," one woman exclaimed.
A group of women said they had also inadvertently turned up on Sunday thinking that this was when the Maltese delegation was arriving from Estonia - they spent much of the afternoon waiting in the arrivals lounge, for nothing.
"Finally at 3.30 p.m. (on Sunday) someone from MIA informed us that we had turned up on the wrong day," one of the women said, as she clutched a flower meant for Ira.
Fans of all ages and from different walks of life held posters of the singer. The message on the banners perfectly conveyed the feelings of the Maltese: Kont bomba and Ghamiltna kburin, they said.
Most of those present were heard debating among themselves as to why Malta missed first placing by a few points.
"A dancer to accompany the song would have worked wonders," one woman said, while another said it would have helped had Ira shown more flesh!
Joe Spiteri from Hamrun said Malta sadly did not have enough "neighbours" to garner enough points to win.
While there were comments of praise and thanks for those countries which gave Malta a maximum 12 points, there were some rather disparaging remarks for Romania, which spared none for Malta`s entry.
Joyce Borg from Paola was drastic. She said the Latvian entry should have been disqualified, it sounded like a cover version of Ricky Martin!
Sue Chetcuti said the rousing reception given to Ira was more than justified:
"It`s our best ever result. Ira`s interpretation on the night was outstanding, and she really made Malta proud," she said.
"She is a sincere and well-educated girl - she`s perfect, from A to Z."
The most common remark among the fans, though, was that Ira oozed so much confidence on stage.
As Ira made her way back towards her home town, Sliema she was greeted by a carcade of well wishers.
Other entertaining stories about the Eurovision night emerged yesterday.
Someone whose wedding was held on the same evening with Eurovision said he was surprised to see so many of his guests missing from the reception hall, especially towards the end of the reception.
A large number of guests were apparently watching the nail-biting finale from the nearest television set!