Folk musicians from India, Africa and Scotland will take the stage alongside Maltese għannejja for this year’s edition of Għanafest, a three-day celebration of traditional music.

“The focus of Għanafest has always been the culture of the Mediterranean, but this year we are working hand-in-hand with the CHOGM task force to widen our perspective and shine a light on sounds and instruments that have never been heard on our stage before,” said Għanafest artistic director Ruben Zahra.

This year’s edition of the popular festival, which attracted 3,000 audience members last year, will take place between June 12 and 14 at Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

The range of international acts includes Jali Diabate, an expert on the kora, a traditional 21-string West African harp, and Ashwin Batish, combining classical

Indian sitar with funk, calypso, jazz and dance rhythms.

Celtic music will also be represented for the first time by Highland-band Rura, playing a mix of highland pipes, whistle, flute, fiddle and bodhran.

Alongside some 50 għannejja, Malta will be represented by Corazon Mizzi, collaborating with Dominic Galea and Walter Vella, as well as Evan Plumpton leading a team of 20 guitarists.

The Allegria Dance Company will also be presenting a fusion of flamenco dance with typical Maltese għana.