With the Song for Europe festival still fresh in our minds, it is a great time to look back and learn about the history of this festival in Malta. Lilek Illum, Frans Fenech’s biography narrates how he is actually the reason that we can celebrate this festival. Lilek Illum, written by Ethelbert Fenech and his family charts Fenech’s brilliant singing career in the Song for Europe festival along with other achievements.

Frans Fenech has been active in the local music scene and in the Mellieha local council for a long time. In fact, Tony Micallef describes Fenech as being “a person who always battled against the currents”. Fenech recalls participating in the Song for Europe of 1960 and being scolded for participating with a song in Maltese. This was in fact proved wrong when in the 1963 festival Fenech qualified in third place with his song Baby Gogo.. His success continued in the following year when he placed second and third. In 1965 he placed first with his song Lilek Illum making him a regular guest on TV and radio.

Frans Fenech’s biography is accompanied with an audio CD covering all his famous songs. It is also illustrated with several photos of memorable moments in his life.

The book is being sold for just €12 and all proceeds will go towards Inspire, the Foundation for Inclusion. One can buy this book from Inspire’s main centres in Bulebel and Marsascala, Il-Bejta Charity shop at Birkirkara (just opposite the Civic Centre), D’Amato Records in Valletta and Trading Post Stationery in Sliema. This book is also available in Victoria, Gozo from Inspire’s Gozo Centre.

For more information phone on 2189 0000 and ask for Alexia Sammut or send an email on [email protected]