Political singing at Għanafest launch

Għanafest got off on the wrong foot today, when journalists invited to a press launched were treated to political singing by some of the Għannejja in Zejtun. Għanafest is organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. The Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Jose' Herrera, was present for this morning's press launch. Journalists were taken to a bar where they were given details of the festival and entertained to some Għana. They were then shown a number of busts of singers in a nearby garden and taken to a second bar, where more għana singing was taking place - including political ghana in favour of Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party. The Għanafest will be held in June at Argotti Gardens in Floriana. The officials stressed that Għana is not just about old men, with several women and even children taking it up. Among them this morning was  six-year-old boy, Nordai Desira, who performed with his grandfather at Ta’ Ġanna Bar. Young Nordai sang that he hoped the leader and those around him would not forget the confidence shown in them. Running between June 7 to 9, Għanafest aims to celebrate the diversity of Mediterranean folk music, bringing together a rich programme of...