Eight young Maltese musicians will be presenting a concert of Chinese old and modern melodies as a conclusion to the various activities that have been organised to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta.

The concert, under the direction of Manoel Pirotta, will be held at the Radisson Bay Hotel on Sunday, 25 March. It will be the first time in Malta that a number of Chinese melodies will be played on western instruments.

The president of the Malta China Friendship Society, Reno Calleja, said the concert had been made possible only through the support of the Pembroke local council and the management of the Radisson Bay Hotel.

“We are a voluntary non-funded organisation. We asked for assistance from the Culture Ministry but it was not in a position to help us,” said Calleja. The initiative has the support of the Chinese Embassy in Malta and the Chinese Cultural Centre.

The musicians taking part are Rebecca Apap Sammut (flute), Darren Colombo (clarinet), David Ellul (violin 1), Daniel Zammit (violin II), Daniel Borg (viola), Kevin Psaila (violoncello), Christopher Xuereb (contrabass) and Luke Baldacchino (percussion).

Twenty different musical pieces will be played, ranging from the very ancient to the popular Chinese songs. The entrance fee is Lm1.50.

Further details can be obtained from the Administrative Secretary of the Malta China Friendship Society, Mrs. Doreen Sammut (mob 9948 7218 or from Calleja (7944 9975)