Malta Song Board to fall under PBS

The responsibilities of the Malta Song Board will now be handed over to the PBS, as a new Board of Directors, headed by Dr. Clare Thake Vassallo has been appointed.Dr. Vassallo, who has already served on the Board for several years, is a senior lecturer at the Department of Translation and Interpretation within the Faculty of Arts.

She joined the Board in the year 2000, where she served for four years, after joining again in 2005 and was in charge of the restructuring of children’s programs on TVM.

Other members of the board include Joseph Bonello, Lara Tonna, Josef N. Grech and Isabelle Gatt.

Meanwhile, it was also announced, that the Malta Song Board will not be re-appointed.

Instead, the Board’s responsibility will fall under the remit of the PBS.

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source:OGAEMalta

Possible collaboration between Mihai Traistariu and Claudia Faniello

OGAEMALTA.com contacted Claudia Faniello's manager Trevor Fenech of Bubbles Entertainment to follow the story about a possible collaboration between the Romanian singer and composer, Mihai Traistariu and the local singer, Claudia Faniello.

Claudia, who is currently on a cruise as part of a realtiy show produced by Where's Everybody, is still awaiting an official invitation by the Romanian composer to finalise the deal proposed by Mihai himself.

In a recent press release, Mihai informed the international media that he has set his eyes on the Maltese singer, Claudia Faniello for whom he would like to write Malta's winning song for Eurovision 2009. "Claudia can win Eurovision with such a song", had commented a very optimistic Mihai.

"We are still waiting for the deal to start", confirmed Mr Fenech, "This is not the first time that Mihai has proposed us such a collaboration, however some 'interferences' from third parties set obstacles along the way. We are hoping that this time Mihai will keep his promise and come forward with his proposal", stated Claudia's manager.

On speaking with OGAEMALTA.com, Mr Fenech explained that Claudia is considering all possible options for her participation in next year's Malta Song for Europe. "She might not even participate! It is still early in the day", concluded Mr Fenech, who is quite aware that Claudia is being tipped as one of the hot favourites to win next year's Malta Song for Europe following her 2nd and 3rd place at the MSFE 2008.

In the meantime, Claudia Faniello's CARAVAGGIO will represent OGAE MALTA at the OGAE SECOND CHANCE CONTEST 2008, following a vote held among the members of OGAE MALTA.




source and photo: OGAE MALTA

Malta to stay in Eurovision Song Contest

OGAE Malta reports:

Malta will continue to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, Culture Minister Dolores Cristina said tonight.

There had been many calls for Malta to withdraw from the contest after its disappointing results in the last three years. Just over 57% of respondents to a timesofmalta.com poll also said they were against Malta's continued participation.


But Mrs Cristina told Parliament that it was the view of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts that Malta should continue to participate.

Malta rehearsal and press conference

Morena is backed by a female vocal and four male dancers. The dancers choreography is up-tempo and tailored for the song which indeed will not be boring for the audience at the second Semi-Final on 22th of May. The four male dancers all wore black sunglasses, and Morena wore high-heeled, long boots decorated with small mirrors. The outfits for the live performance was revealed, and the theme is black with silver and black glitter.





Press conference

At the press conference after Morena's rehearsal, she told the fans and the accredited press that participating in the Eurovision Song Contest "is a dream come true". Moreover, the Maltese delegation elaborated on the meaning of the song, which is about Morena being a spy in a Russian setting where vodka is a secret code.



sources:eurovision.tv; esctoday.com

Elnur Huseynov and Samir Javadzade will give concert in Georgia

Azeri Press Agentliyi reports:

Elnur Huseynov and Samir Javadzade, who will represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision Song Contest 2008, will leave for Georgia on April 3.

Head of Azerbaijani delegation in Eurovision-2008 song contest Adil Karimli told APA that they would stay in Georgia by April 5.“Our representatives will sing the song Day after day

Elnur and Samir will also visit TV channels of Tbilisi and give interview to local media representatives.

The clip of "Day after day" will be demonstrated on TV channels in Tbilisi”, he said.Karimli said Huseynov and Javadzadeh would go on a tour to Europe beginning from April 12.

Our representatives will sing "Day after day" in Malta, Romania, Andorra, Moldova and Slovenia.

Malta:New audio version of Vodka

escmalta.com reports:


Following her successful promotion in Latvia, Morena is back in Malta to kick-off with the video shoot of the Maltese Eurovision entry Vodka.

Morena said that the video will include some up-sailing and some other actions which the Maltese representative is set to do to present an exciting video.

Till now no more official statements have been made about Morena's promo tour schedule but the singer is expected to visit more countries towards her performance in Belgrade.

Following the new version of Vodka and now the video shoot in the next few weeks we will experience the premiere and the launch of the Eurovision version for Malta.

You can visit Morena's MySpace website here, where you can hear the new audio version of the Maltese entry song, Vodka.

You can visit Morena'a blog here.

photo:Brian Grech

Malta - Morena - Vodka

Morena will represent Malta with the song Vodka at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade.

The Gozitan singer Morena is unique in her capabilities of singing. She tries different of styles and her voice is one of the best on the islands.

Last December she won the Malta International TV Song Festival with the song "Boghod Mill-Ghajn...Boghod Mill-Qalb" composed by Renato Briffa and penned by Mark Amaira.

Morena - Vodka

sources and photo:escmalta.com;ogaemalta.com;youtube.com

RELATED : New audio version of Vodka

63 songs submitted for the Junior Song for Europe 2007

OGAE Malta reports:

The Malta Song Board announced that 63 songs were submitted for the 2007 Junior Song for Europe Festival.

This is a remarkable drop from last year's 114 submissions. As a result the Malta Song Board decided that all submitted songs will be heard on a demo cd on Friday 24th August and live on the following day 25th August.
The jury will then choose the 16 finalists for the JSF to be held on the 7th September.

146 entries were submitted in 2005, while 118 entries were submitted in 2004.

Why Malta is not taking part in the Eurovision Dance Contest?

OGAE Malta reports:

OGAE Malta, the official Eurovision fan club, which is affiliated to OGAE International, has asked the Maltasong board and the administration of the Public Broadcasting Services to explain why Malta did not apply to take part in the first Eurovision dance contest, which will be held on 1 September this year.

OGAE Malta believes that this could have been a golden opportunity for professional Maltese dancers to compete against other professionals from around Europe and show their talents in this dance competition.

OGAE Malta also believes that the exercise could help the Maltasong board team, as the local delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, to build stronger ties with other European members of the European Broadcasting Union.

Malta would eventually benefit from such ties in all the competitions held by EBU – the Eurovision Song Contest, the Junior Eurovision and now the Eurovision Dance Contest.

So far, no reaction was received from neither the Maltasong Board nor the PBS Administration.

source:OGAE Malta.com

Malta Junior Song for Europe Festival Regulations

ESCMalta.com reports:

“ After Malta confirmed its participation in the JESC, the Malta Song Board published the regulations for the Junior Song for Europe Festival. ”

The Malta Song Board published the regulations for the Junior Song for Europe Festival. The winner/s will represent Malta in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in Rotterdam on 8th December 2007.

There is no exact date when the Maltese Junior selection takes place. However a possible date will be given later, somehwere in the first week of September.

The closing date for submissions is on 9-10 August 2007. This year the pre-selection takes place on a eliminatory and live phase. On the 25th August 2007 the Malta Song Board announces the 16 finalists that will compete in the Malta Junior Song for Europe Festival.

Like last year pre-recorded backing-vocals and dancers will not accompany the main singer on stage. It is unclear if the festival will take place in last year's open-air venue in the ruins of the royal theatre in Valletta or it will return to Sir Temi Zammit University Hall, Tal-Qroqq.

Junior Song for Europe Festival 2007- Regulations

Maltasong preparations revealed

OGAE Malta reports:

During an exclusive interview with Martin Gauci, Maltasong Board's secretary, held on Ogae Malta's "Eurovision Radio", some interesting facts about the meeting with the songwriters were revealed.

During the same interview held, few minutes after the meeting was over, Martin Gauci revealed the following points:

a. The present Maltasong Board committee members were ALL confirmed by the Minister of Culture, Hon. Francis Zammit Dimech and will serve for the second consecutive year.

b. Robert Abela's proposal, revealed last Sunday on "The Sunday Circle", that the jury might retain the option to change the singers of the finalist songs for Maltasong 2008, did not find a consensus among the Maltasong Board members and so the idea will be shelved;

c. Some songwriters proposed that songs should retain the points by the first (when songs are brought down to 50), second (the semi-finals) and possibly third (final) set of juries and these points will be accumulated throughout;

d. Many songwriters agreed that the final result should be a mixture of judges with televoting and not 100% televoting;

e. Various other songwriters proposed that 50 songs should be kept in the first phase (whether or not they achieve the 50% of the total votes);

Martin Gauci also revealed that the application forms for the Malta Song for Europe 2007 will be issued on Thursday 5th July 2007. Age limit will be between 10 and 15 - according to the EBU rules.

2008 Malta Song for Europe :Meeting With Writers & Singers

from ESCMalta

“ Maltasong board will be holding a meeting this coming Wednesday with Song Writers and Singers with regards to the 2008 Malta Song for Europe.”

The Maltasong board has announced that a meeting will take place this coming Wedensday 4 July 2007 at the Vivaldi Hotel at 19:00hrs CET.

Invited to the meeting are all composers, authors and singers as well as any one who wishes to attend and contribute towards the discussion.

This meeting is of high imortance, and Maltasong chairperson, Robert Abela, has already hinted that next year's festival will see some changes which will be focused more on the song rather than the singer in order to get the best possible result next year in Belgrade, Serbia.

These decisions are being taken in light of the disappointing results that Malta has achieved in the last two editions of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Malta - Olivia Lewis -Semifinal Night

Eurovision Helsinki 2007 - Semi-Final - Malta - Olivia Lewis

Olivia Lewis - Vertigo Promo Video

Eurovision 2007 Malta - Olivia Lewis - Vertigo

Robert Abela promises a "mini-Revolution" for Maltasong 2008!

OGAE Malta reports:

Recently, Mr Robert Abela, Malta's head of delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest promised a "mini-revolution" for the selection of the next Maltese Eurovision entry.

Mr Abela, chairperson of the Maltasong Board - responsible for the Maltese entry at the Eurovision Song Contest, was interviewed by local journalist Lou Bondi. The interview was published on the "Sunday Circle" of Sunday 1st July 2007.

During the interview Mr Abela said that his position is that if the Minister of Culture, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, asks him to stay on he will give it one last shot.

"But if he does go for it he is resolute on a mission - to throw caution to the wind and do what needs to be done. Robert Abela promises a "small revolution", reports Bondi.

"I will give importance to the song, not the singer. It could be that the semi-final winners would be chosen exclusively by a jury whose job would be to select the best songs to go got he final. However, the jury would retain the right to change the singers of those songs. The finals would still be decided by means of 100 % televoting", suggested Mr Abela.

Lou invited us to imagine this scenario:"Can you imagine the reaction of the singer whose song goes through to the final but he or she is bumped off? Imagine...A particular song is chosen by the jury to go to the finals but with a different singer. It goes on to win locally but then bombs abysmally at the Eurovision!!

"And...just for the record: The Lm60,000 forked out for the Eurovision annualy were cut down to Lm10,000 this year. The rest are covered by funds raised from ticket sales, sponsorships, televoting taking and what not. Robert Abela is clearly not happy with this state of affairs.

"This year he spent Lm2,000 of his own money to save face with his Eurovision colleagues abroad", claimed Bondi.

UPDATE: Ogae Malta has learnt from sources close to the Maltasong Board that a meeting with songwriters and other interested parties will be held during this week to discuss the proposals for the next edition of the Malta Song for Europe festival.

OGAE UK set for Birmingham Bash 2

The UK branch of OGAE are repeating the successful event of 2006 with the announcement of Birmingham Bash 2 on Saturday 6th October. The event is open to members and non-members and will be happy to accept members of other OGAE clubs from abroad too.

For the second consecutive year, organisers have chosen Birmingham, the host city of the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, and one of the United Kingdom's most central points as the location for the fan club's annual get-together. Birmingham Bash 2 will take place at Jury's Inn Hotel on Broad Street.

Amongst the day's activities will be a Weakest Link style quiz, an intriguing Eurovision style contest, a glitzy Awards ceremony with special 'Stars in their Eyes' performances and a fantastic disco. And, in the year when the UK sent its 50th entry to the Contest, the Bash will welcome a number of special guests to talk about their experiences of representing the UK. The names of the special guests will be announced shortly.

Paul Marks-Jones, one of the team putting Birmingham Bash 2 together, said: "OGAE (UK), the UK Eurovision fan club, is delighted to be hosting its annual celebration of all things Eurovision in Birmingham for the 2nd consecutive year. In 2006 nearly 100 fans descended on the city and had a great time. This year's Bash promises to be a day full of fun and excitement, and no Eurovision follower can afford to miss it!"

source:OGAE Malta;

Antonis Karatzikos elected as the new co-ordinator of OGAE International

OGAE Malta reports:

Antonis Karatzikos, club president of OGAE Greece has been elected as the new co-ordinator of OGAE International.

The election was held 1st and 15th June, with all OGAE clubs with full membership rights requested to cast their votes for their favourite candidate out of the 4 who presented their nominations. Antonis Karatzikos won the majority of votes and was declared as the new International Co-ordinator of the OGAE Network.

The other candidates were Simon Bennett (OGAE UK), Miroslav Luburic (OGAE Serbia) and Roi Yechezkel (OGAE Israel).

Antonis Karatzikos is the sixth International Co-ordinator of the OGAE Network, the fourth to be elected through a voting. This is the second time for Antonis to serve in this post.

Back in 2005, following Greece's triumph in the contest and following the unexpected resignation of the former IC Aykut Berber from Turkey, there was a need for an immediate replacement. Antonis volunteered to take his place and started working with the rest of the Greek Board, being a permanent I.C. for 9 months.

Following a decision by the OGAE presidents board present in Helsinki, a new election was held on June 2007. Mr. Antonis Karatzikos (OGAE Greece) will serve as the new co-ordinator of OGAE International for a 2-year period till June 2009.

Antonis plans as the new OGAE IC for the following years include the setting up of a new OGAE Website with participation of all clubs in designing and functioning; the upcoming OGAE contests; stronger and more intense relationship with leading Eurovision websites and the EBU and possible ways for closer co-operation between OGAE clubs making OGAE more democratic.

OGAE MALTA sends its best wishes to the new OGAE International Co-ordinator and looks forward to extend its co-operation with all the members of the OGAE Network for the benefit of all the local and international Eurovision fans and artistes.

Climate Change Malta Website Launched

escmalta.com reports:

“ The website for the Climate Change Malta event organsed by the Battista Leisure group has been launched and includes details of the various concerts organised.”

The official website of the Climate Change Malta even that is being organised by the Battista Leisure group is now online and includes various details on the various concerts that will be organised during the event.

Besides various local MSFE, Eurovision and JESC singers, the event will also host Italian star Marco Masini, who will give a concert in Qawra to raise more awareness about Climate change and how one can reduce Co2 emissions and thus reduce global warming, which is one of the most hot current affairs issues.

For more details visit the official website.

Malta won't withdraw

Many rumours have been circulating on the Internet about the possible withdrawal of several countries for 2008, one of the most popular ones being Malta. However, the Maltese broadcaster has confirmed today that Malta will be present in Belgrade, despite having to start in the semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year.

Estonia, who have so far failed to qualify on every single occasion since the semi final was introduced, will also be playing in Belgrade, although ETV are considering their options for Eurolaul, the national final.

Montenegro, who failed to qualify in 2007 on their first attempt as an independent state, have also confirmed their presence in Serbia.

The continued participation of the Czech Republic, however, is more of a confusing matter. After coming last with only one point on their first ever participation, with one of the country's most successful bands, it is as yet unknown whether Czech broadcaster CT will be willing to finance another entry in 2008. However, while esctoday.com awaits confirmation from CT itself, the Czech Eurovision site is still being updated with Eurovision news in Czech, suggesting a continued interest.

source:esctoday.com

Mihai Traistariu in Malta

In 3 weeks - the videoclip and the new single will officially be launch in 14 countries in which Mihai has contracts with Record Companies : Greece , Cyprus , Malta , Germany , Austria, Sweetzerland , Sweden , Norway , Denmark, Finland, Spain , Portugal , Romania and Rep. Moldova.

The new cd will be in shops in these countries in 1 month.

This is the 10th album in Mihai' s career and the 17th videoclip.

In June Mihai will have shows in 6 countries : BELARUS , LITHUANIA , SPAIN , MALTA , ITALY AND NORWAY (ALSO FOR EUROVISION SHOW ON 28th).

MIHAI IN NEW WAVE FESTIVAL

Mihai , also , has been chosen in semifinal of one of the biggest European Contest : "New Wave".

There were more than 3000 competitors from all over the world... and after the first selection Mihai has been chosen in the first 100 competitors .

On 11th Mihai will be in Moscow to take part in the semifinal, where a special jury will choose 16 competitors for the big Final. The contest will be held in Jurmala (in Riga) between 25-30 of July and it will be broadcasted in more than 8 countries.

The people will choose their favourites throgh televoting and a jury will select the first 3 awards.

The winners of the competition will get the following awards : 1 - 50.000 dollars 2 - 30.000 dollars 3 - 20.000 dollars

The audience award will lead to the winner a valuable prize from the Company - "Smolensk Diamonds" .

We wish Mihai good luck in Moscow !!!