Preparations are all set for this weekend's Ghanafest which this year includes folk musicians from India, Africa and Scotland besides the Maltese għannejja.

This year’s edition is being held between today and Sunday at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

The organisers this year worked together with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting task force to shine a light on sounds and instruments never heard on the Ghanafest stage before.

The range of international acts for Għanafest includes Jali Diabate, an expert on the kora, a traditional 21-string West African harp and the Afro Bougna Band (see them carrying out a sound check this afternoon in the video above), and Ashwin Batish, combining classical Indian sitar with funk, calypso, jazz and dance rhythms.

Celtic music will also be present for the first time, with the participation of 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.