The Eurovision Song Contest has had its fair share of unusual entries – from bearded ladies to heavy metal ghouls – and Malta could be next, as a group of singing nuns vie to represent the country in Austria next year.
Six Ursuline sisters, who are yet to decide on a stage name, have written a catchy pop tune with leading songwriter Philip Vella about their experiences raising abandoned children at the Sliema crèche.
“At first we thought it was silly for nuns to enter the Eurovision Song Contest; we felt it wasn’t our place. But then, we figured why not?
“We’re doing it for the Church and for the children we help,” Sr Michaela, 45, told The Sunday Times of Malta, adding that they had even gone to Archbishop Paul Cremona for his blessing.
The group of six are among 48 finalists, who will fight it out in November for a chance to represent Malta in the Eurovision song contest.
The initiative brings to mind Whoopi Goldberg’s popular 1992 film Sister Act as well as Italy’s singing nun, Sister Cristina Scuccia, who won this year’s The Voice of Italy, after becoming a global sensation.
The Maltese entry, Love & Let Go, is based on the emotional rollercoaster ride of raising abandoned children.
But so far, they want to keep the song under wraps and last night instead treated The Sunday Times of Malta to another of their songs.
“We meet all sorts of youth and a lot of people don’t realise how hard it is for them. They don’t all come from careless parents.
“I’ve seen children who’ve been abused, mentally, physically, even sexually. We’ve even had children who had been left tied to their beds,” Sr Michaela said.
The nuns’ hardships are inevitably doubled as they too are ‘abandoned’ by the children they have selflessly raised.
“Caring for them isn’t just about providing a home and warm food. It’s giving our love.
“We watch them blossom and then we have to let them go. It’s hard every time. That’s what this song is about,” Sr Madeline, 59, said.
The group have been working on the song since August and they rehearse after Mass and in between caring for all the children.“It’s tough, we’re not professionals, but we make time for it when we can,” Sr Madeline said.
This is not their first musical endeavour.
In 2011, the singing nuns had dedicated a song to Annabelle Vassallo, a young cancer patient who had captured the hearts of the country as she courageously faced her terminal disease.
“We’ve been singing for nearly 20 years, and we were jokingly told we should try the Eurovision and here we are trying it out,” Sr Michaela said.
Mr Vella, a veteran composer who has been taking part in the local festival every year, with one exception, since 1994, was completely won over by the nuns’ cause.
One of the most successful composers on the island, Mr Vella believes that if the song qualifies, it would stand out because it was unusual and unique.
Both Mr Vella and the nuns are happy with the final “catchy” product.
“It’s a radio song. The second time you hear it, you’ll be singing the refrain,” Sr Madeline said.