Qala International Folk Festival - October 22, 2006

The first Qala International Folk Festival organised by the local council in collaboration with the Menhir Qala Folk Group and an organising committee, was held between October 5 and 8.

The Menhir Folk Group performed the dance Il Ballata tal-Bjut with a spectacle by the Astra Folk Group from Victoria, the Mnajdra Folk Group from Nadur and the Folklorno Drustvo Val Piran from Slovenia. Qala mayor and committee chairman Paul Buttigieg delivered a speech for the occasion.

Performances at the primary school the following day kicked off at 7.30 p.m. with performances by Drustvo Val Piran and the Menhir Qala Folk Group. Joseph Abela compered the evening.

On Saturday, October 7, morning shows were held in Valletta, organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), and compered by Noel Damato. The evening performances were held in St Julian's, organised by the local council. The Astra and Menhir folk groups and the Folklorno Drustvo Val Piran, provided entertainment.

The evening events were compered by Charles Saliba. St Julian's mayor Peter Bonello distributed mementoes to the folk groups present.

On the morning of the final day, an exhibition was held on It-Tokk Square, Victoria, with performances by the Menhir Folk Group and the Folklorno Drustvo Val Piran. A crafts exhibition was held on St Joseph Square at 4 p.m., which featured paintings, embroidery, lace making, cross-stitch and stained glass, among others. Musicians and dancers from the Menhir Qala Folk Group also participated.

The last show, compered by John Demanuele, was held on St Joseph Square at 7.30 p.m. The church was used as a backdrop, with special light effects. All the folk groups were joined by the Aurora Folk Group from Victoria and the Cangura Folk Group from San Lawrenz.