Soprano Ruth Sammut Casingena will represent Malta in three festivals of traditional music in Evora, Mertola and Idana-a-Nova in Portugal, over the weekend.

The festivals fall under the Oralities Project, which is co-financed by the European Union under the Culture Programme 2007 - 2013 and aims to help eight participating cities to share and exchange cultural values through music and language.

Ms Sammut Casingena, whose participation is an initiative of the Vittoriosa local council, will be performing her own original compositions, which involve mainly traditional Maltese music fused with contemporary styles. Elton Zarb of Freetime Productions co-produced the songs, which will be released in her new album later on.

The soprano will be accompanied by her team of four dancers: Jes Sciberras, Angelo Bonello, Dianne Portelli and Pamela Baldacchino Kerr. Choreography is mainly by Mr Sciberras.

Ms Sammut Casingena performed in another Oralities programme event in Vittoriosa last May together with three foreign groups: Roda Pe, representing Evora, Os Alentejanos, representing Mertola and Klez, representing Ravenna.

The Tumas Group, Freetime Productions, Privè and Dance Workshop are the soprano's main sponsors for the Oralities Project.