Over 580 artistes for folk festival

More than 580 performers from 16 countries or regions are expected for the Malta International Folk Festival 2006, to be held at Freedom Square in Valletta on December 28 and 29.

Promoters M & E Management Group said there will be 13 dance troupes from Mexico, Georgia, Nepal, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Holland, Israel, South Africa and Hungary.

The festival is organised by a committee coordinated by Francis Pullicino.

The panel of judges will include representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, from the Malta Council for Culture and Arts and the Malta Tourism Authority. There will also be a representative from Malta's leading international folk troupe, The Paul Curmi Dancers, plus other local authorities in the field.

As in previous years, the various dance and folk groups will also perform in various localities around the island.

Various awards including cash prices will be presented as follows: Overall winner: Trophy and €3,500; first runner up: Trophy and €2,300; second runner up: Trophy and €1,000; and a trophy for the winners of the best musical interpretation, best costume and best choreography.