Local Singer Combines Malta Eurovision 2024 Top 5 Into Mash-Up

Mar 8 2024

Taking to TikTok Maltese singer Nicole Cassar blended the top 5 songs from this year’s Malta Eurovision Song Contest into one harmonious medley.

@nicolecassarofficial

The Top 5 Malta Eurovision songs of 2024 in one medley 🇲🇹🎶 Huge congratulations to Sarah Bonnici ➰ and a big well done to everyone who participated! 💗 #malta #malta🇲🇹 #maltatok #eurovision #eurovisionmalta #mesc #maltaeurovisionsongcontest #singing #medley

♬ original sound – Nicole Cassar

Nicole, herself a very talented singer, combined the winning song ‘LOOP’ by Sarah Bonnici with the four runner-ups: ‘Banana’ by Matt Blxck, ‘Karma’ by Ryan Hili, ‘Sirena’ by Erba’ and ‘Mara’ by Denise.

Nicole took the parts of these songs which have us all bobbing our heads and moving about and created one impressive mash-up.

The singer-songwriter has been going at it for quite some time on social media, racking up thousands of views on her TikTok videos as she creates covers and her own music.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicole Cassar (@nicolecassarofficial)

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New Concert Venue to Open Soon at Ta’ Qali National Park

Mar 7 2024

The long-awaited works in the concert area of Ta’ Qali National Park have reached their final stages, heralding the imminent opening of a state-of-the-art concert venue.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works Chris Bonett, along with Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia, announced the nearing completion of the project during a recent visit to the park.

Minister Bonett underscored the significance of this redevelopment, transforming a once-abandoned concrete plant into a vibrant space capable of hosting large-scale events. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing citizens with more open spaces for recreational activities, enhancing the quality of life for Maltese and Gozitans alike.

Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia echoed these sentiments, highlighting the government’s dedication to creating green and open spaces for families to enjoy. The concert area forms part of a comprehensive regeneration project within the national park, encompassing various amenities such as a theater, exhibition hall, walkways, and parking facilities.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology and amenities, the concert area will be primed to host top-level concerts and mass activities. Facilities include dressing rooms, an underground backstage, a clinic, security control room, design kiosks, and an extensive array of toilets. Furthermore, the area will benefit from a sophisticated security system, ensuring the safety of visitors round the clock.

The forthcoming concert venue represents a significant milestone for Malta, offering a unique space for cultural and entertainment events.

Head of the Ta’ Qali National Park Unit, Jason Micallef, hailed the regeneration efforts as the largest of its kind in the country, yielding promising results.

With the infrastructure in place, the venue is poised to welcome its inaugural international concerts in the last quarter of the year, marking a new chapter in Malta’s cultural landscape.

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‘Why Do We Dance?’ – The MVMT With New Promo

Planning Board Reverses Decision on Ġgantija Flats

Mar 7 2024

A decision that sparked controversy last November has been overturned by the Planning Board in a post-decision review, revoking an application to construct a block of flats in the buffer zone of Ġgantija temples. The board’s majority voted in favor of the revocation, albeit with the condition that the application be returned to the processing stage.

Chairman of the Planning Board, Emmanuel Camilleri, announced that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage would request a heritage impact assessment from the site developer. This move comes after mounting pressure from various quarters, including the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and a coalition of Gozitan NGOs, who urged the board to reconsider.

The controversy stemmed from the Planning Authority’s initial approval of the 22-apartment block of flats with 20 basement garages, despite objections from UNESCO and public outcry. Situated just 157 meters from the ancient Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back approximately 5,600 years, the development sparked concerns about potential damage to the historic site.

In a significant turn of events, the Planning Board’s decision to revoke the application aligns with planning legislation, specifically Article 80 of the Development Planning Act. This article empowers the board to revoke or modify permits in cases of fraud, submission of incorrect information, error, or public safety issues.

During the review process, it was revealed that the development site fell within Ġgantija’s buffer zone, contrary to earlier assertions. This buffer zone, established by UNESCO, imposes restrictions on development to safeguard the integrity of the heritage site. While development within the buffer zone is not outright forbidden, any proposed projects must undergo a rigorous assessment process and gain approval from UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

The Planning Board’s decision marks a significant victory for conservationists and heritage advocates who have long emphasized the importance of protecting Malta’s cultural heritage.

The Nationalist Party applauded the decision by the Planning Authority. Emphasizing the need for responsible governance, the Nationalist Party called for greater attention to be paid to the protection and preservation of national heritage. They advocated for robust leadership that prioritizes the interests of Malta and Gozo above all else, safeguarding cultural treasures for future generations to cherish.

Julie Zahra, Shadow Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Culture, alongside Stanley Zammit, Shadow Minister for Planning and Lands, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to championing the public good and preserving the nation’s rich heritage for posterity.

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