A classical guitar concert by Simon Schembri will, on Saturday, bring to a close the 2008 Bir Miftuħ Annual Music Festival organised by Din l-Art Ħelwa.

Currently residing in France, Mr Schembri obtained the coveted Concert Artists's degree from the Royal College of Music London.

Under the tuition of Alexandre Lagoya, he was awarded the Premier Prix d'Interprétation de Paris. He received gold medals from the Yehudi Menuhin and the George Cziffra Foundations and is a laureate of the Guitar Foundation of America, a lifetime member of the Academie Albert Einstein and a member of the international foundation Young Concert Artists.

During the concert, which has been made possible through the support of the French Embassy of France and Alliance Francaise, Mr Schembri will play works by Bach, Sor, Tarrega, Villa Lobos, Barrios and Piazzolla.

Tickets cost €20 (Lm8.59) per person, including refreshments after the performance. Funds raised will be devoted to restoration projects undertaken by Din l-Art Ħelwa.

In view of the popularity of these concerts and as the number of seats is limited, tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis.

Tickets are available from Din l-Art Ħelwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta. For further information call 2122 0358 or 2122 5952, until Friday between 9 a.m. and noon. The chapel of Santa Marija of Bir Miftuħ is reached by taking the left fork at the roundabout before reaching Luqa asirport.