Malta secured fifth place at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024, held in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday evening. Twelve-year-old Ramires Sciberras performed Stilla Ċkejkna, earning 153 points. Georgia took the top spot, followed by Portugal, Ukraine, and France.

The contest was a milestone for Malta, as it marked the first time the country competed with a song entirely in the Maltese language. Written by Ion Kirkop, Stilla Ċkejkna tells the story of Ramires’ adoption from Cambodia as a baby by his Maltese parents.

Ramires, inspired by Destiny Chukunyere’s 2015 Junior Eurovision win for Malta, said performing at the event was a dream come true. His performance proved popular with audiences, earning him 79 points from online voting, placing him third in this category.

Seventeen countries competed in this year’s edition, with Georgia’s Andria Putkaradze winning with his song To My Mom. Other notable entries included Portugal, Ukraine, and France.

Malta’s fifth-place finish highlights the country’s commitment to showcasing its language and culture on an international platform, with Stilla Ċkejkna making history in the annual competition.

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Last Saturday, PC Bezzina delivered an extraordinary performance at the Malta National Powerlifting Championships, competing in the 83kg weight class.

His remarkable achievements earned him the top spot in his category as well as the overall first place across all weight classes, securing the prestigious title of 2024 -83kg National Champion.

Bezzina’s dominance didn’t stop there—he also set three new national records in the 83kg category, raising the bar for powerlifting in Malta. He achieved an impressive 236kg squat, a 161kg bench press, and a total weight lifted of 677kg.

This exceptional display of strength and determination highlights Bezzina’s dedication to his sport and cements his position as one of Malta’s finest powerlifters.

His achievements not only inspire aspiring athletes but also contribute to the growth of powerlifting in the country.

Congratulations to the new champion!

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Over nearly a decade, the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy told a heartwarming coming-of-age tale centered on the bond between a boy and his dragon.

Now, director Dean DeBlois—who helmed all three animated films, co-directing the first with Chris Sanders—is bringing the beloved story to live-action. Viking teenager Hiccup and his loyal dragon companion Toothless are set to embark on their journey in a whole new dimension, as the Isle of Berk comes to life in stunning realism.

Starring in the titular role of Hiccup will be Mason Thames, best known for his lead role in the horror film “The Black Phone”, whilst Hiccup’s love interest Astrid, will be played by Nico Parker.

Speaking about the casting of Hiccup, director DeBlois stated that Mason Thames fit the ‘oddball’ role of Hiccup as “There was a bit of awkwardness, but also a vulnerability to him which [came] with the fact that he was 15 when we were auditioning him,”

#MaltaDaily