One of Italy’s most popular and established artists, Toto Cutugno, will perform live in Freedom Square Valletta on 1 May as part of the Malta Labour Party Workers’ Day Celebrations, Norman Hamilton said yesterday at a press conference. In ’75 Toto who had already been writing his own songs for quite some time, reached a new level when his song L’été Indian was recorded by Joe Dassin and became a major hit. The following year Dassin recorded another of Cutugno’s songs, Et si tu n’existais pas. From then on requests from French artists came pouring in.

The MLP organising committee, Ray Azzopardi, Norman Hamilton and Alfred Zammit came up with the idea as they wanted a singer who would attract crowds while giving a fresh look to Workers’ Day Celebrations. Many well-known singers are coming out to Malta, Mr Hamilton said, but not everyone can afford to purchase tickets for all the family. This is going to be an opportunity for those who have never attended one of these concerts featuring famous singers, to go to Freedom Square on 1 May and watch Toto Cutugno perform live.

Toto Cutugno won the Sanremo Festival in 1980 with his song Solo Noi and won again in 1983 with his immensely popular song L’Italiano.

The concert will start at 7.30 and is free of charge. Public transport will be organised after the event.

An Italian DJ, singer and a British well-known artist will also perform at the concert, with the support of local talent, but these have yet to be announced.

Mr Hamilton pointed out that the concert will be free of charge to all, giving all Maltese and Gozitan families a chance to enjoy the music.

Furthermore, he added, it was not difficult to persuade Mr Cutugno to agree to the concert as they are old friends.