The raw intensity of folk music returns for this year’s Għanafest between May 30 and June 1 at the Argotti Gardens, accompanied by traditional food and crafts.

Local artisans will be creatively busy on their various stalls and will often chattily explain what they are doing to curious onlookers visiting the festival.

This year there will also be a children’s workshop on tberfil – the decorative painted lettering often found on the old buses, a craft which is rapidly dying out.

Food is carefully picked to a theme; no fast food will be in sight but there will be pastizzi, imqaret and all things traditionally Maltese.

All this makes the festival more than just a series of concerts, but in such a setting folk music can flourish.

Folk’s power lies in its telling of simple stories, the stirring tunes and the stunningly rich voices

Supported by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry for Culture, this year’s Għanafest will have a gypsy/klezmer music theme.

Foreign bands will include BGKO (Barcelona Gypsy Klezmer Orchestra), an ever growing family of professional musicians and singers that are often invited for guest appearances.

Musical band Cinkuši has been playing ethno music for many years, combining their Kajkavian roots and heritage with contemporary trends.

Ramzailech from Israel will provide an unstoppable live act with band members that dive right into the crowd.

The Maltese bands, too, bring their own specific brand of contemporary folk rooted in tradition.

From Mistura and Frank O’Neill to Kantilena, these bands all bring a focus on the Maltese language and contemporary folk.

The qarċilla – the wedding parody which was revived for this year’s Carnival – will make a return to this year’s Għanafest, accompanied by a musical element.

Tickets cost €3 or €7 for a three-day block ticket available at the door. Parking will be available at the Floriana Boy Scouts headquarters, right next to the venue.