Zecchino d'Oro contestant tells President of the fun of singing

Enya Magri does not require much more confidence to face her upcoming participation in the international Zecchino d'Oro but her victory at another Italian song contest last month should serve to boost her that bit more.

Nevertheless, she told President George Abela during a visit at the Palace in Valletta yesterday that winning the annual festival of children's song in Italy was not in her hands, echoing her parents' words that it was foremost about the fun, the friendships and the overall experience.

The result was immaterial as long as she put on a good show, the seven-year-old said, quoting words that have probably been drummed into her to ease any pressure.

The youngest in her category, Enya won the Verdinote international festival in Naples but it was not the only Maltese victory that time. So did her vocal teacher and composer, Priscilla Psaila, who accompanied her, win first prize for the best music composition.

Enya had to record her song with new modifications, the festival including a live orchestra and a children's choir, in a limited time, her father, Paul Magri, pointed out.

She is not the first Maltese to compete in the Zecchino d'Oro, won by one Maltese child over the last 52 editions. This year, she is one of only four foreigners and nine Italians.

Enya has already travelled to Bologna to record her song Castelli di Sabbia and, considering the organisers are picky about accents and even Italian dialects, she did not face too many problems with her diction.

She is returning to the city on November 12 to gear up for the contest that culminates in a televised show on November 21, aired on Rai Uno.

Enya was tight-lipped about what she would be wearing on the night when Dr Abela queried, saying only that others would be choosing her outfit and eventually revealing that she would be in pink from head to toe.

At the President's Palace, the singer presented Dr Abela with a bouquet of flowers and a cheque from her piggy bank in aid of the "poor". She plans to embark on other fund-raising activities for L-Istrina.

Holding back initially, she soon warmed up as she sank into the large armchair, legs dangling, and told the President she too had seen him on TV when he said he had seen her.

Enya told Dr Abela she used to sing into a brush at the age of three and when he asked her why he could not use a brush himself, she diplomatically answered: "Because you do not sing... But I'm sure you use it for your hair!"

Speaking from experience, his daughter being a soprano, the President told Enya singing was not just fun but also a study in itself and that, looking back, her upcoming performance would remain a cherished memory for life.