Maltese girl to perform in Zecchino d'Oro

Only four contestants worldwide get to join the seven Italian singers in the popular annual international festival of children's song, Zecchino d'Oro. One of these is Enya Magri from Mellieħa - and that is already a victory!

For most Maltese, the local connection with the Italian contest would boil down to the entry Il-Merill Tweet Tweet, which gained national acclaim in the 1980s. But this time, it is Enya's turn. She is seven years old and for the past three has exhibited an innate love for performing and singing.

"From a young age, she would pick up a hairbrush, or anything that came her way, to mimic singing into every mirror, reflection, or even her shadow," says her father Paul.

Since then, the brushes have been substituted by real microphones and several song festivals, even foreign, down the line.

Her schedule is tight: she is travelling to Bologna next month to rehearse and record the Italian version of her song with a choir, following which she is representing Malta for the second time at the Festival Verdinote in Naples. And then it is time for the big event in November.

But winning is not important, says her supportive father. "Yes, it is a competition, but that is on the side. We try to approach these festivals as a sort of student exchange programme, whereby Enya can meet foreign friends, learn about different cultures and countries and grow from the experience."

He insists she is not pushed in any way. Enya's interest was born naturally and they let it develop naturally.

She is the one who requests the singing lessons and skips them when she wants to.

At the moment, of course, she is quite into her training with her beloved voice coach, Priscilla Psaila, knowing she has to be prepared for the challenge ahead, but far from anxious and taking the 52nd edition of the prestigious Zecchino d'Oro in her stride.

No one puts any pressure on her - "we want her to enjoy her childhood" - but she has as much backing as she needs from her bicycle-selling father and his wife Elaine. He has cancelled his trips to bicycle fairs to accompany her and carry on her "dream".

"More than anything, Enya has a good ear. It is hard for a child not to go out of tune but her talent lies in the fact she rarely does. Even when she is unwell, she knows how to play with her voice," Mr Magri says.

He may know a thing or two about bikes but he has also taken a keen interest in music and only cycles for leisure these days.

The child aspect of her songs and their lyrics has to be maintained, according to her father, and Enya must live the life of a seven-year-old, despite a weekend of engagements ahead. She is constantly being invited to perform at public events but that does not stop her from swimming every day.

It all started from an application over the internet and Mr Magri admits to being quite surprised when he received an e-mail from the Zecchino d'Oro organistation, saying she had been accepted. Next - but after a tense wait - they chose her song.

"At first, I thought it was a joke. My wife's friend called to say she had fainted on hearing the news... I never thought anything would come of it, all the more because a Maltese girl had been chosen two years ago and I felt it was too close to have another child representing the same country of all those in the world!"

Even though Mr Magri keeps everyone's feet on the ground and wants to take things step by step, he believes Enya, who has also taken up the piano, is likely to focus more on song writing in the future.

Meanwhile, Enya has no problems offering a taste of her singing in the middle of a public garden. But she keeps her Zecchino d'Oro song, composed by Andrew Zammit, with lyrics by Christopher Azzopardi, under wraps. All she reveals is that it is about a mermaid...

What is certain is she will have to adapt her stage performance to suit the strict conditions: no choreography is allowed, unlike in Malta, and hands have to be held firmly behind the back, which Mr Magri feels could work against her.

The televised festival is scheduled for November... and although a highpoint in Enya's singing career it is not likely to be the last.

Having said that, when asked what she would like to do when she grows up, the seven-year-old is quick to say: "I want to be a hairdresser!"