29 mei – 1 juni 2009
Malta Meditteranean Folk Music Festival
Jeanneke den Boer, DB Consult
http://www.dbconsult-utrecht.nl/
Malta Meditteranean Folk Music Festival
Jeanneke den Boer, DB Consult
http://www.dbconsult-utrecht.nl/
The Utrecht Municipality, department of International Relations, sent Jeanneke den Boer of DB Consult at the end of May to Malta. She was asked to visit Għanafest, Malta Meditteranean Folk Music Festival in order to explore possibilities for cultural exchange and cooperation. Jeanneke asked Behsat Üvez, artistic director of the Utrecht based music ensemble Baraná, to join her.
Għanafest took place on the 29th, 30th and 31st of May in the beautiful Argotti botanical gardens, a lovely spot on walking distance of the capital Valletta. The festival is primarily dedicated to the very unique Maltese singing tradition of għana. Għana is a very raw and straightforward way of singing with little melodic and rhythmic variation. The għannej (singer) seems to be spitting out his song. The programme included several styles of għana : Spirtu Pront, an improvised form of song duel; the narrativeTal-Fatt and Fil-Għoli, a style of singing on a high vocal register. The festival also included Maltese guitar music known as Daqq tal-Prejjem.
Għanafest took place on the 29th, 30th and 31st of May in the beautiful Argotti botanical gardens, a lovely spot on walking distance of the capital Valletta. The festival is primarily dedicated to the very unique Maltese singing tradition of għana. Għana is a very raw and straightforward way of singing with little melodic and rhythmic variation. The għannej (singer) seems to be spitting out his song. The programme included several styles of għana : Spirtu Pront, an improvised form of song duel; the narrativeTal-Fatt and Fil-Għoli, a style of singing on a high vocal register. The festival also included Maltese guitar music known as Daqq tal-Prejjem.
Għanafest also presented a selection of musicians and ensembles which portrayed Maltese identity in a more contemporary fashion. Nafra, the music ensemble of Ruben Zahra, played wonderful compositions inspired by Maltese traditions. In this genre, the angry young musicians of the innovative folk band Brikkuni were absolutely sensational. They took the stage by storm with their energetic folkpunk, influenced by Maltese folk and bands like the Pogues, Ennio Moricone, Nick Cave. Besides the Maltese traditions, the festival presented Mediterranean crossover music groups from France, Israël and Algeria. The festival also hosted a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children.
On sunday morning, għana musicians use to gather in a harbourbar in Floriana to eat, drink and make music. During the festival, all foreign artists and guests were invited to join them in their ‘original theater’ and it resulted in a great spontaneous jam session!
During their stay in Malta, Jeanneke and Behsat had many inspiring meetings with Ruben Zahra, artistic director of the Għanafest, with Chris Gatt of the St. James Cavalier Creative Centre, with Davinia Galea of the Malta Arts Council, with all the musicians. Many ideas came up for musical exchange projects with Maltese musicians and the musicians from Israel and France. And also for cooperation with St. James Cavalier Centre and the Malta Jazz festival. All of these will be discussed with Gertrud van Dam and will get follow up in september!
