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Festival Traditional music and intangible heritage Floriana and Żejtun 21–24 May 2026

Festgħana

A festival centred on għana, Malta’s traditional song recognised by UNESCO, combining concerts, transmission, workshops, heritage encounters and community participation.

Traditional singers performing at Festgħana

Festgħana places għana, Malta’s traditional song, at the centre of a programme connecting performance, intangible heritage and community life. The festival extends a practice recognised by UNESCO while creating space for emerging singers and new audiences.

Għana as living heritage

The festival does not present traditional song as a fixed form. It combines performances, tributes, workshops, documentation, encounters between singers and dialogue with other musical traditions listed as intangible cultural heritage.

Moving between communities

Activities take place in several venues, particularly in Floriana and Żejtun. This local presence highlights communities, bands, artisans and the social spaces where popular culture continues to be transmitted.

The 2026 edition

The programme ran from 21 to 24 May 2026 with concerts, workshops, tributes, photography projects and participatory events.

Explore Mużika Mużika and the Malta culture page.

Official Festgħana programme

Mediterranean network

From Morocco to cultural scenes across the Mediterranean.

Discover institutions, festivals, networks and partners connecting artists, ideas and projects across Morocco and the Mediterranean.

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