The standing area in this year’s Joseph Calleja concert on the Granaries in Floriana on August 1 will be free of charge, it was announced this afternoon.

The area, a news conference was told, will be sponsored by the government.

Mr Calleja said he was proud Malta managed to put up such an event, especially given the economic climate in the rest of Europe.

When he spoke about the free standing area, Mr Calleja said he always believed his 'home' concert was about exposing people to culture and music.

He also told concert-goers to expect some surprises.

Artists taking part will include Zucchero, with whom Calleja will sing Miserere, Rebecca Ferguson, Gianluca Bezzina, the DJ duo Tenishia, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the BOV children’s choir.

Some of the repertoire will be from his new album Amore, which he is currently recording in Malta for the Decca record label.

For the first time, the concert is being filmed in high definition with 14 cameras as talks were underway with foreign television stations broadcast the show abroad.

The stage will be on the side of the MCP and tickets for the seating area will cost between €80 and €200.

Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said Malta was proud to have Mr Calleja as its cultural ambassador and hoped that the event would attract tourists to Malta.

The concert is being organised by NNG Promotions.