Clare Agius, one of Malta’s most celebrated presenters, recently took to social media to reflect on her four-year journey as host of Mużika Mużika. Her post, however, did more than look back — it sparked a wider conversation on how presenters are no longer simply delivering lines between acts, but stepping into roles as performers, storytellers, and cultural commentators.

Clare revealed how Jason Micallef’s invitation in 2021 changed her trajectory. Alongside Keith Demicoli and Moira Delia, she was entrusted with not only presenting, but performing — in Maltese, with satire, theatre, and emotion. Over the years, she said, she grew into the role, rewriting teleprompter lines to make them feel real, and embracing a deeper purpose: to represent a festival that speaks to the identity of a nation.

This year’s edition of Mużika Mużika saw presenters take on an even more ambitious role. From co-host Ray Calleja’s satirical character “Frankie” to viral sketches that challenged societal norms, the hosting wasn’t just smooth — it was sharp. One sketch that featured Frankie judging others’ appearances, breaking laws, and questioning beauty standards, triggered both laughter and debate. Yet ironically, while the satire addressed fat-shaming, superficiality, and identity, most of the public’s reaction focused on the kiss that ended the scene — missing the deeper commentary altogether.

But Clare’s tribute was just one piece of a larger story — and Jason Micallef himself weighed in with a public post detailing the origins and philosophy behind Mużika Mużika. Micallef spoke of the festival’s journey from an idea to a nationally loved phenomenon, recalling how a small, determined team fought to bring back the Maltese song to the centre of cultural life.

In his words, Mużika Mużika was never meant to be just a song competition — it was designed to be a full platform of entertainment and identity, celebrating Maltese music, poetry, theatre, and language. Micallef said the vision from day one was to create a dual-layered show: one part dedicated to the music competition, and the other to a new, elevated style of presentation.

He emphasised that the presenters had to be more than just good at speaking — they had to be performers capable of breathing life into every word. He described the decision to entrust Keith Demicoli, Clare Agius, and Moira Delia with the role as a “bold one” — one based on their individual artistic capabilities. “They are an integral part of the festival’s success,” he said, pointing to iconic moments like last year’s “Gawdenz Bilocca” sketch and this year’s segments with Ray Calleja as clear examples.

Micallef also extended thanks to newcomer Taryn Mamo Cefai, who joined the presenting team this year — reinforcing that this vision of performative, theatrical presenting is now a cornerstone of Mużika Mużika.

At the heart of both Clare’s and Jason’s reflections is a shared truth: that Mużika Mużika is more than a televised festival. It’s become a cultural reset — bringing Maltese music back into the spotlight. It’s a triumph of local art and identity, powered by fearless storytelling and expressive hosting.

So, has Mużika Mużika changed the role of presenters in Malta? In our opinion: Absolutely.

And thanks to artists like Clare, Keith, Moira, Ray, Taryn — and the vision behind the curtain — it’s no longer just about the music. It’s about the message.

#MaltaDaily