Festgħana will extend its annual programme beyond its main May edition with the launch of Festgħana fil-Ħarifa, a three-day celebration of għana, Malta's traditional folk-singing practice, focusing on cultural memory, research, community participation and the passing of knowledge between generations, Festivals Malta said in a statement.
Taking place from 16 to 18 October 2026 under the artistic direction of Professor Toni Sant, the inaugural autumn edition will bring together commemorative events, academic discussion, live performances and opportunities for emerging singers. The programme aims to highlight għana not only as a heritage tradition rooted in the past, but also as a living art form that continues to evolve and be passed on to new generations.
The festival will open on Friday 16 October in Żejtun with the unveiling of a monument dedicated to Fredu Abela, known as Fredu Abela ż-Żejtuni. The evening will celebrate his life, his contribution to Maltese għana and his connection with the Żejtun community, providing an opportunity to preserve his memory within the community to which he belonged.
On Saturday 17 October, Verdala Palace will host L-Għana Malti Ħaj Illum (Maltese Għana Alive Today), a national symposium dedicated to the traditional art form. Organised by the Western Region in collaboration with Festivals Malta, the Culture Directorate and the M3P Foundation, the event will bring together researchers, academics, practitioners and community members for a full day of discussion.
The symposium will explore a range of topics, including the preservation and archiving of għana, its musical contexts, oral traditions and improvisation, the transmission of knowledge, and its relationship with UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.
Four thematic panel discussions will form part of the programme, alongside a collective discussion on the future of Maltese għana and the ways in which the tradition can be sustained and developed.
Saturday's activities will conclude with a live għana session in the gardens of Verdala Palace, featuring Ġużeppi Spagnol and his accompanying musicians, followed by a reception.
The festival will close on Sunday 18 October as part of Ġenna ta' Ġonna in Floriana. The morning programme will provide a platform for both emerging performers and spontaneous musical exchange.
From 10:30am to 11:30am, Għannejja Ġodda will give new singers an opportunity to practise, develop their skills and find their place within the tradition. This will be followed by Għana Spirtu Pront, running from 11:30am to 12:30pm, which will showcase the interplay of words, music and improvisation in one of the most dynamic forms of Maltese għana.
Sunday's events are being organised in collaboration with the Floriana Local Council, which is once again welcoming Festgħana as part of Ġenna ta' Ġonna.