Press conference held at Bugibba, kiickstarting Festa Muzika.

Festa Muzika

Festa Muzika: 3 towns, 5 stages, 11 bands, 3 DJs and thousands of revellers celebrating Fête de la Musique, an international music day first started in France.

The first annual Festa Muzika – Fête de la Musique – event to be held in Malta was spread over Bugibba, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay. In all, five stages were erected in the zone: Bay Square, Dawret il-Gzejjer, Triq it-Turisti, ta’ Fra Ben and Triq il-Fliegu Square.

The thousands who thronged to Bugibba were literally spoilt for choice with the music on offer. The acts, playing across the five stages were: Maltese performers Ritienne, the National Orchestra ensemble, Frenzy Mono, the Versatile Brass ensemble and Bitterside, as well as DJs Adrian V, DJ Mahoney and Miss Roberta. A number of UK tribute bands also performed such as: Coldplace (Coldplay), sOasis (Oasis), Jilted Generation (The Prodigy) and world-class Queen tribute band Killer Queen. Other bands performing were British group Just, French band Vegastar, as well as headliners, the sixties’ sensation: The Yardbirds and the Animals. International DJ Sonique was also scheduled to play a set but was unable to make the gig due to flight problems. Undoubtedly, the acts that went down best with the crowds were Killer Queen and the Animals who, after approximately 45 years in the business, proved that they still have more than what it takes to bring the house down.

Also present for the event were Minister for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech and French Ambassador Jean Marc Rives. The French embassy sponsored the visit of rock band Vegastar, that left a very favourable impression on the audiences at Dawret il-Gzejjer. The 21st of June was chosen specifically because it coincides with the international Fête de la Musique, originated in France, but now celebrated on this day in over a hundred countries worldwide, Malta being the latest addition. French Ambassador Rives was very pleased with the organisation and the turnout and augured that this will become an annual event that has great potential for growth. Commenting at the close of the Festa Muzika, Minister Zammit Dimech said that the first edition of the Festa Muzika – Fete de la Musique – was “A tremendous success, that went beyond expectations”. He publicly thanked the French Embassy for the support and co-operation extended for the event and also re-iterated his wish for the Festa Muzika to be held on an annual basis, on the 21 of June.

“We are seeing, with the utmost clarity, that top-notch events are fast becoming a hugely important aspect of Malta’s product offer. This year will definitely go down in the annals as possibly the most ‘happening’ year in Malta’s cultural and events calendar. And this is no co-incidence. We are supporting all manner of events initiatives, whilst ensuring that these events are well-marketed overseas. The catchphrase that is soon to be launched in this regard says it all: Malta – it’s all happening here!. Over and above, the Festa Muzika organized in this region also re-confirms our commitment to the regeneration of the Bugibba/St.Paul’s Bay area. This is just one of the many initiatives ehich the Government is taking to ensure that this important tourism zone does not fall behind in any respect. One of our major commitments to Bugibba and St.Paul’s Bay is the extensive capital projects programme, launched last week, which shall be utilizing more than seven million Euros from the EU’s structural Funds”.

The Festa Muzika 2007 was organized by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Tourism & Culture, in association with the French Embassy, the Bugibba & St.Paul’s Bay bars and restaurants’ association, the MHRA and the GRTU, as well as the St.Paul’s Bay local council.