Xaghra Song Festival

The 26th Xaghra Song Festival, organised by the Victory Band Club, was held recently at the Victory Band Club hall.

Trophies were presented by Michael F. Cini, the band club's president.

Audrey Marie Bartolo and the children's section of the Nativitas Choir, led by mezzo-soprano Sylvana Bonello, were special guests. The festival was compered by Helen Micallef, who also performed.

There was a total of 71 participants in seven categories.

Category A was composed of singers under six years old who participated on a non-competitive basis. A trophy was awarded to each young singer.

Dominique Azzopardi with his song Insejjah Ismek placed first in Category B, open to children aged seven to nine. Alexia Grech was second with the song I Believe in Fairies, Andrew Buhagiar third with Live, Laugh and Love; Mikaela Bajada fourth with Ferrihija Doqqu Qniepen and Angelika Portelli fifth with La Stelliera.

In Category C, for children aged ten to 11, there were also five winners: first - Danika Muscat with Lil Malta rrid; second - Christian Grech with It's Magic; third - Annalise Xerri with White Flag; fourth - Jodie Farrugia with What Dreams are made of; and fifth - Daphne Xuereb with Is-Sigrieti tal-Holqien.

First place in category D, for 12-year-olds, was won by Franklin Calleja with his song La Canzone della Primavera. Jorge Bosios placed second with Everytime; and Sylvana Xerri, third, with One Life.

First place in category E, for children aged 13, was won by Alison Sultana with One More Night. Yanica Marie Formosa placed second with Sa l-Ahhar; and Terry Ann Saliba, third, with Thallinix.

There were six winners in category F, for children aged 14 to 15: first - Ruth Portelli with Only an Ocean Away; second - Maria Debono with I Surrender; third - Christine Sultana with Shisa and Monica Parnis with Flying Without Wings; fourth - Melissa Xuereb with Surrender; and fifth - Melanie Zammit with Stronger Every Minute.

In category G, for youths aged 16 and over, Mauro Kitcher placed first with Passera. Mauro Kitcher and Daniela Vella placed second with Vivo Per Lei; and David Mario Fenech placed third with Eklissi.

The other participants were presented with a consolation prize.