Minister Bonnici meets with singers, composers, authors and members of the L-Għanja tal-Poplu committee

Minister for Culture, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici met with singers, composers, authors and committee members of L-Għanja tal-Poplu. This festival, which will be held on Saturday 2 August at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, will include the participation of the Malta Concert Orchestra under the direction of Mro. Joe Brown.

This year, 124 original songs were submitted and after a selection process, 16 songs were chosen – new and varied works, by Maltese for Maltese.

The public can follow L-Għanja tal-Poplu live on national channel TVM on Saturday 2 August at 20:45, with repeats scheduled for Sunday 3 August at 15:45 and Wednesday 6 August at 20:45 on TVM News+.

Minister Owen Bonnici wished all the finalists every success in this festival and expressed his appreciation for the efforts and creativity of the singers, composers and authors. He noted that L-Għanja tal-Poplu is one of the most prestigious platforms for Maltese language songs, which continues to shape and promote local musical culture. He also stressed the importance of continuing to support these initiatives as they serve to safeguard and promote the Maltese language and identity through music.

This year, the festival will have two juries: a popular jury and a professional jury, both of which will have an equal say in selecting the winning songs for the first three places. Special prizes will also be awarded: the interpretation prize; the singer-songwriter prize; the social theme prize and a new prize given by the broadcasters.

The festival will be presented by Debbie Scerri and George Cremona, two well-known personalities on the Maltese cultural scene.

The evening’s special guest will be Joe Demicoli and before the winners are announced, Laura Bruno will perform the song ‘Għaziża’ which won the 2024 People’s Song.

The Finalist Songs 2025 (Singer/s – Author/s, Composer/s)

1. My Heart – Jessica Micallef (Etienne Micallef, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
2. Like Brothers – Avenue Sky (Joe Julian Farrugia, Philip Vella)
3. Astronaut – Lon Kirkop (Singer-songwriter)
4. I’ll See You in Hell – Rita Pace (Rita Pace, Augusto Cardinali/Rita Pace)
5. Tell Me What I’ll Find – Anna Azzopardi (Etienne Micallef, Dominic Cini)
6. Toninu – Mark Cachia (Singer-songwriter)
7. She’s Still Four Years Old – Graziella Mifsud Schembri Vella (Peppi Azzopardi, Priscilla Psaila)
8. Perla – Martina Fenech and Ishmael Grech (Emil Calleja Bayliss, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
9. Karbet Ćaħan – Danica Muscat (Paul Ellul, Mark Spiteri Lucas)
10. Come Here – Kayley Cuschieri (Joe Julian Farrugia, Philip Vella)
11. My Mind is Restful – Mark Tonna (Rita Pace, Andrew Zahra)
12. We Are Going – Francesca Zammit (Immanuel Mifsud, Francesca Zammit)
13. Dark and Clear – Mark Spiteri Lucas and Mark Micallef Costa (Singers-songwriters)
14. I Love You Too Much – Cherylis (Emil Calleja Bayliss, Peter Borg / Aleandro Spiteri)

Monseigneur / Matt ‘Muxu’ Mercieca / Cherylis Camilleri)

15. Valletta Stories – Haley (Joe Julian Farrugia, Philip Vella)
16. Forgive Me – Daryl Jaymes (Singer-songwriter)

Those wishing to attend can book on www.ticketline.com.mt . More information about the festival, the songs and the artists can be found on the website www.ghanjatalpoplu.org .

This festival is organised by the voluntary organisation L-Għanja tal-Poplu in collaboration with Pjazza Teatru Rjal. L-Għanja tal-Poplu is supported by the Malta Arts Council.

Photos (MCLG)