L-Għanja tal-Poplu

Origins and history

Rev. Maurice Mifsud founded the festival through the Youth Travel Circle, holding the first edition on 5 May 1973 at St. Albert College in Valletta. Participants were initially required to be club members. By 1987, the gathering grew into a national competition open to all local talent. During the 1990s, the contest expanded its reach even further when local television stations began broadcasting the performances to wider household audiences across the country.

The competition format

The contest invites original musical entries across any genre or theme, provided that the lyrics are sung in Maltese. Following formal submission rounds, selected finalists perform their pieces during a live summer showcase. Competitors may sing their own compositions or present works written by other songwriters. On stage, the performers receive musical backing from the Malta Concert Orchestra, competing for top placements, interpretation honours, and awards for social themes or songwriting excellence.

The travelling trophy

In 1987, designer Donald Friggieri crafted the festival's primary award using rosewood, citrus wood, acrylic, and brass. Rather than remaining permanently with one artist, this distinctive trophy is passed on from year to year, held by the winning vocalist for twelve months until the next edition. Alongside the main contest prizes, the organisation presents special honours such as the Enzo Gusman interpretation prize and career recognition accolades for longstanding contributors to Maltese music.

How L-Għanja tal-Poplu is kept

Songwriters and lyricists submit original compositions in Maltese across diverse musical styles. After judging rounds, finalists are chosen to present their pieces live during the final summer concert. Accompanied by the Malta Concert Orchestra, vocalists perform before an audience and television viewers. A panel evaluates the entries, presenting awards for first, second, and third place, alongside special prizes for social themes, interpretation, and songwriting. The winning singer receives the festival trophy to hold for one year.

When and where

The festival takes place every year during mid-summer. The final competition generally falls on a Saturday evening in late July or August, following scheduled submission and selection periods earlier in the cycle.

The contest is staged in Malta. Today, the live final performances take place at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, having previously been held in venues such as Sala Temi Zammit at the University of Malta.

What L-Għanja tal-Poplu means

The festival is dedicated to cherishing and strengthening the Maltese language through creative musical expression. By welcoming any theme or genre, it unites traditional linguistic heritage with contemporary art, giving local lyricists and musicians a shared stage to express Maltese identity, comment on social issues, and present new works.

Questions people ask about L-Għanja tal-Poplu

See also

Festival Kanzunetta IndipendenzaAn annual music contest in Malta celebrating native songwriting around Independence DayValentine's DayA Christian feast day and cultural celebration of love kept on February 14 in many countries.Good FridayA solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of Jesus

Good reading and sources

• L-Għanja tal-Poplu on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.