Last year, Mużika Mużika returned after many years of absence in the local music scene, quickly becoming a yearly appointment for audiences and artists who have Maltese music close to their hearts. Logistical preparations for the festival are currently in full swing, with ongoing work to build this year’s new stage, coordinate artist rehearsals, as well as various other preparations.
Festivals Malta has announced that this year the festival will take place between the 21st and the 23rd of April at 9PM, live at MFCC, Ta’ Qali, with tickets for the three nights being launched in the coming days. It will also be broadcast on Television Malta at the same time.
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera, emphasised the importance of this festival, which has regained its place in the Maltese cultural calendar after many years. “This festival has been so successful that we are committed to continue organising it on a yearly basis,” Minister Herrera concluded.
Mużika Mużika Chairman Raymond Bugeja recalled the success of the festival’s first edition, which helped generate interest amongst local artists for this second edition. “We have several new artists who are taking part in this festival, with the inclusion of a new semi-finalist selected from the television programme Mużika Mużika – Il-Vjaġġ Ikompli. This year we also continued to invest in the festival, with a new stage that has been specially designed for this edition”. Bugeja also explained that this year’s presenters are three well-known figures in the local entertainment industry who need no introduction. He revealed that they are none other than Keith Demicoli, Clare Agius and Moira Delia.
Festivals Malta CEO Annabelle Stivala explained that unlike last year, the festival will be able to host a live audience, a new logistical aspect that the team behind the festival is already working towards. Stivala said that Mużika Mużika is an important festival within Festivals Malta’s portfolio of events, because through this festival Maltese music is being preserved while also providing new opportunities to local artists. “I am proud to say that last year we managed to achieve our main goal – to raise bar for compositions in Maltese. Therefore, Festivals Malta will continue to work to provide an appropriate platform for both Maltese song, singers, authors and composers.”
The Artistic Director of Music, Maestro Paul Abela, spoke about the level of artistic talent that is reaching new heights with each edition, as well about the importance of a live orchestra in such a festival. “This year the level of original Maltese compositions has continued to increase, with participation from young artists who are new to the local music scene. Mużika Mużika offers new opportunities to our artists, including the chance to be accompanied by a live orchestra; an important element that makes this festival so unique.”
Mużika Mużika is organised by Festivals Malta and will take place between the 21st and 23rd of April with the support of Carisma Collections, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government. More information on www.muzikamuzika.mt.
