Maltese Għana Performed Live in Abu Dhabi

On the 26th of October, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Amphitheatre hosted “Faces and Voices of Malta: A Mediterranean Odyssey,” a mesmerizing celebration of Malta’s rich island heritage.

The venue was adorned with Maltese colours, red and white. Over 300 spectators attended the event, including members of the Diplomatic Corps and Maltese nationals living in the UAE.

Amidst the attendees was Her Highness Sheikha Alia bint Khaled Al Qassimi, who also acts as Managing Director of the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra.

The performance, a tribute to Malta’s għana, a centuries-old folk chant, captivated audiences with its emotional depth and cultural resonance.

Ilħna Mitlufa, featuring the talented Mariele Zammit, renowned għannej Mikiel Cumbo “l-Iżgej”, and father-son duo George and Karol Aquilina, brought the haunting melodies of Malta to life, drawing connections between Maltese and Arabic music traditions.

The improvisational spirit of għana mirrored the mawwal, a shared musical heritage of the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

The evening was enhanced by a photography exhibition by Guido Stilon, curated by the Magna Żmien Foundation, and audiovisual collages by various artists.

Organized by the Embassy of Malta in the UAE, the event was a powerful display of cultural diplomacy, funded by the Cultural Diplomacy Fund and supported by Emirates Airline.

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