A gathering of indigenous sounds

Maltese għana (folksong), Persian music, Turkish folk-jazz fusion and music from Sicily come together for Ghanafest 2011. The festival will also host a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children.

A wonderful event for the whole family complemented by traditional Maltese food and the marvelous surroundings of the Argotti Botanical Gardens in Floriana. Ghanafest offers a unique opportunity to experience all the different styles of Maltese folksong, known as għana. Besides local folk music, the festival presents a variety of local musicians and ensembles.

This category includes the Big Band Brothers with a selection of Maltese songs from the 1930s, Trania, a fusion world-beat trio featuring Walter Vella, Jason Fabri and Mark Attard and songwriters David Azzopardi and The Green Fields. Three extraordinary international bands from Sicily, Turkey and Iran have been invited to participate in this year’s edition of Ghanafest.

The music of Nakaira from Sicily portrays influences from both Sicilian and Greek traditions with an intriguing combination of instruments such Zampogna, Bouzouki, Saz and Oud. Swing a la Turc quartet features Şenol Filiz; one of the most respected masters of the Ney: an end-blown flute that figures prominently in Middle Eastern music.

The musical arrangements of Önder Focan portrays Turkish music within a folk-jazz context. Navà ensemble will deliver a stunning performance of Persian music from both the classical and folk tradition. The concert of Navà ensemble will also showcase a wide range of musical instruments: Târ – Persian lute, Setâr – long necked lute, the Tombak drum carved from a single block of wood and other percussion: Daf, Dayeréh and Dohol. Ghanafest – Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival 2011 is organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

Tickets are at €3, and €7 for a three day block ticket available at the door. Parking available at the Floriana Boy Scouts headquarters, right next to the venue. For more information contact [email protected] or log on to www.maltafolkmusicfestival.org, www.maltaculture.com.