Festivals Malta presents the monetary prizes to the Mużika Mużika 2022 winners.

Jun 3 2022

The second edition of Mużika Mużika, held between the 21st and 23rd of April 2022, has proved to be yet another success, as the high-quality production organised by Festivals Malta has again exceeded expectations and elevated the expectations Maltese song to new heights. On the final night, the song ‘Bla Tarf’ written by Kurt Calleja, and composed by Kurt Calleja, Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Peter Borg, was crowned the winner of the 2022 edition.

Earlier today, the composers of the winning songs were presented with their monetary prizes, while the authors, composers and winners of the Best Interpretation and the Best Musical Arrangement were awarded with commemorative trophies.

Minister for Natural Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici reiterated in his speech, “Thanks to such festivals, we are able to enjoy, discover and promote local talent”.

“Today, the local artist also have the opportunity to make a career out of their talents, and we must continue to encourage them through such Festivals, where popularity is growing,” said Minister Bonnici.

Minister Bonnici presented the € 20,000 monetary prize to Kurt Calleja, Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Peter Borg, the composers of the winning song ‘Bla Tarf’, performed and written by Kurt Calleja. Mużika Mużika Chairman, Raymond Bugeja, presented the second prize of € 10,000 to Joe Julian who accepted the prize on behalf of composer Elton Zarb for ‘Tkun ‘L Hawn Għaddi’ performed by Kantera and written by Joe Julian Farrugia.

Festivals Malta Chairman Norman Hamilton presented the third prize of € 5,000 to Philip Vella for the song ‘Ġmielek’, performed by Claudia Faniello and written by Joe Julian Farrugia and Festivals Malta CEO Annabelle Stivala presented the trophies for Best Interpretation to Avenue Sky for the song ‘Minn Taħt L-ilsien’ composed and written by Pamela Bezzina and as well as that for Best Musical Arrangement to Aurelio Belli for the song ‘Tkun ’L Hawn Għaddi’, which was performed by Kantera, written by Joe Julian Farrugia and composed by Elton Zarb.

Festivals Malta CEO, Annabelle Stivala, commented that Festivals Malta intends to keep investing in Mużika Mużika, a festival that has become a staple in the Maltese cultural calendar. “I am honoured by the impeccable level that Mużika Mużika achieved. In this edition, we have reached higher goals. Our plan for future editions is to continue to improve not only for our viewers but also to offer a good platform for our artists to reach new horizons in their music career.”

“This year’s songs were of an astounding level yet again. All the artists, not just the winners, produced high-quality songs that are a true testament to Maltese talent. The next step is to work on the third edition of the festival to keep improving on what we have already achieved,” explained the Chairman of Mużika Mużika, Raymond Bugeja. The chairman also explained that the production for the music video of the song ‘Bla Tarf’ will be starting in the coming weeks.

Mr Norman Hamilton praised the organization of Mużika Mużika and the importance of such a festival to be at the focal point of cultural events. “Once again, the Festivals Malta team has produced a high-level music festival that glorifies Maltese music. I can say that this festival has finally found its place in the Maltese cultural calendar as it truly deserves.”

Festivals Malta, together with the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government, would like to thank all the artists who participated in Mużika Mużika 2022 and congratulate the winners ofthis edition. For more information on Mużika Mużika – Festival Kanzunetta Maltija visit the official site – www.muzikamuzika.mt

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Photo Source: Darren Agius

This weekend is set to be scorching hot at 36°C

Jun 3 2022

Brace yourselves because this upcoming weekend starting today Friday 3rd June is set to be an inferno on the Maltese islands.

Malta entered its first heat wave of 2022 this week after some, one would argue, confusing weather patterns. But now the summer vibes have set in well and we’re in for a scorcher, report weather forecasters.

In a bit of a sequence, the days are set to feel like 34, 35 and 36 degrees Celsius starting today till Sunday. That gives everyone all the more reason to rush into one Malta’s beautiful bays to cool off.

The lowest temperatures are set to drop down to around 22 degrees Celsius, which means it will still be quite hot even at night and that our air-conditioning systems will be working overtime.

This weather forecast also comes with calls for precautions by health authorities, which urge people staying out in the sun to wear protection in the form of sunscreen or hats, whilst also staying hydrated.

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Court claims Abner was ‘insane’ at time of Dembska murder

Jun 3 2022

A court has ruled that the man accused of raping and murdering Polish student Paulina Dembska was insane at the time of the crime.

In a short Friday hearing, the magistrate ruled on the basis of three psychiatrists that Abner was mentally unfit to stand jury at this stage.

This means that the Attorney General must decide whether or not to proceed with an insanity trial or continue the case. The issue of insanity would thus be decided alongside the rest of the case.

Aquilina has been charged with the rape and murder of 29-year-old Polish student Paulina Dembska. Her body was found in Sliema’s Independence Garden on January 2nd. Aquilina was admitted to Mount Carmel, wherein he told doctors he had demonic powers.

If the Attorney General decides to opt for an insanity trial, a specially appointed jury will be tasked with deciding on the sanity issue. If report findings are upheld, the case could be dismissed and the accused cleared on the grounds of insanity.

Aquilina would likely then be transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital under the Mental Healthcare Act. However, although the medical experts have reached a firm conclusion, the issue of legal insanity has to be decided in court.

Aquilina was deemed insane at the time of the murder because they acknowledged that he was facing delusions.

The date of the next hearing is set for July 15th.

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Three week isolation ordered for people with monkeypox

Jun 3 2022

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci has issued new directives requiring people infected with monkeypox to isolate at home for 21 days.

The superintendent also specified that people with symptoms must also quarantine and seek medical advise, as cases of the virus increase across Europe.

Malta still has only one confirmed case of the virus, with the 38-year-old male patient having recently been abroad in a country hit by the outbreak. The mandatory 21 day isolation starts from the day the swab test is carried out.

Times of Malta was informed by Gauci that close contacts are not required to isolate as long as they do not show symptoms. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and a rash that breaks out within one to three days.

A sample is taken from the rash lesions and sent to laboratories to test if it is monkeypox. The disease is also a statutory notifiable one in Malta, meaning that doctors are obliged to inform public health officials if they suspect or confirm a case.

The WHO says more than 550 monkeypox cases have been confirmed in 30 countries outside West African nations where it is endemic. The EMA is also in talks to extend the smallpox vaccine for monkeypox as it has been previously used.

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