The Maltese lyre, a musical instrument which only features in 18th century lithographs of Malta, will be launched at this year’s Għanafest, the Mediterranean folk festival which is held annually in June at the Argotti Botanical Gardens.
Joining the ranks of Maltese instruments such as the żaqq, żummara and flejguta, it will be the first time that the Maltese lyre or lira has been heard in centuries.
In 2010, Malta’s ambassador to Tunisia Vicki Ann Cremona, invited Ruben Zahra – artistic director of Għanafest and leader of the Nafra folk ensemble - to conduct research in Tunisia with the support of the Cultural Diplomacy Fund - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This research at the Ennajma Ezzahra - Centre for Arab and Mediterranean Music in Sidi Bou Said led to tracing the roots of the Maltese instrument in the Byzantine tradition with an offshoot of the same instrument in Calabria.
Ettore Castagna, an Italian ethno-musicologist, musician and expert of the lira collaborated with Mr Zahra on the research and reconstruction of the Maltese lira. The reconstruction of the instrument was entrusted to Pietro Forlani, a master luthier from Calabria.
Nafra’s concert at Għanafest on June 8 will portray the music journey of this research from Tunisia to Italy towards the revival of the Maltese lira. This concert will feature oriental violinist from Tunisia Mohamed Lassoued and Ettore Castagna playing the Maltese lira.
The rediscovery of the lira – like folk music in general - raises questions about the relationship between music, memory and the people.
“How much does Maltese music tell us about ourselves as a people, about our past and our culture? How much of it has been lost? How much can be revived?”
Għanafest, between June 7 and 9, aims to celebrate the diversity of Mediterranean folk music, bringing together a rich programme of għana, Maltese music bands and foreign folk bands. This year’s theme is “Islands” and musicians from Crete, Corsica and Sardinia will take audiences on a musical journey throughout the festival days.
Apart from Nafra, other Maltese bands will bring their own rich mix of traditional and contemporary music. No Bling Show will present their hip-hop/għana fusion project featuring young refugees in collaboration with Marc Cabourdin.
This project is supported by V18. On June 9, upcoming Maltese band KażinSka will give a contemporary rendering of Maltese festa music. Għana will run throughout the festival, which offers a unique opportunity to experience the different styles of the traditional Maltese folk singing.
This festival includes an exhibition and series of workshops on traditional instruments as well as a special programme for children. It is also complemented by traditional Maltese food and crafts, on display in an artisans’ market.
GĦANAFEST – Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival 2013 is supported by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Culture and Local Government. The Festival will be held between June7 and 9 at 7pm, Argotti Gardens, Floriana. Tickets: €3 per day or €7 for a three-day block ticket will be available at the door.
www.maltafolkmusicfestival.org