Folk musicians from India, Africa and Scotland will take the stage alongside Maltese għannejja in June for a special Commonwealth 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 [Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] 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 an audience of 3,000 last year, will take place between June 12 and 14 at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.
The more we can internationalise the Maltese product, the stronger it will grow
Speaking at the launch of the festival yesterday, CHOGM artistic director Ray Calleja said the collaboration, ahead of the CHOGM events in November, would serve to explore the Commonwealth ideal of multicultural integration through the arts.
The range of international acts for Għanafest 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 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.
The festival will also aim to celebrate Maltese artisanship, while details like food and drinks will be chosen to enhance the festival atmosphere.
Arts Council Malta chairman Albert Marshall said this year’s multicultural theme tied in with the festival’s commitment to blending traditional local music with international artists, as well as sending Maltese artists abroad to experience other artistic traditions.
“The more we can internationalise the Maltese product, the stronger it will grow,” he said.
Culture minister Owen Bonnici added that the strength of Għanafest was in making relevant an artform that most people no longer considered part of daily life. “It is an opportunity for artists to showcase their talents, while giving the general public the chance to understand that this is an art form that is still very much contemporary,” he said.
“Malta would be less Maltese without għana.”