Maltese as a language has been described as one of the most notorious identifiable elements and therefore, it does go to show that the music industry takes a liking to the use of the aforementioned method of speech in a number of competitions including L-Għanja tal-Poplu and the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza. The focus is on the latter due to the large amount of submitted entries every year although it has to be noted that quantity does not really mean quality. Nevertheless, most of the winners have been merited their top ranking position especially when noting that the most notable performers to come out were none other than; Eleanor Cassar, Ira Losco, Claudia Faniello, Nadine Axisa, Roger Tirazona, Miriam Christine, Lawrence Gray, Amber, Mike Spiteri and Claudette Pace amongst others. Garnering entry into the competition is not easy and therefore, Spiteri Lucas Entertainment and the Committee of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza thought up the idea to promote a wildcard entry which would be granted through a performance competition on television show; Sas-Sitta which airs every Saturday afternoon on NET Television with Ray Attard and former Eurovision Song Contest representative; Debbie Scerri as hosts.

As a matter of fact, there was renewed interest in the competition following the fact that last years' winner; Simone Gauci spoke positive of the experience and the opportunity to perform on the stage of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza. It would definitely be a coup to have a complete newcomer perform during the evening but nevertheless, the shortlist of semi-finalists in this years' Passport 2 Indifest includes two former finalists in the form of Marie Claire Attard Bason and Ana-Maria Grima whilst some others have also competed in the teenage portion of the competition including Cherise Attard, Mikaela Bajada and Dorcas Debono. Other artists who have made it through this time round have experienced performances in front of an audience with Karen DeBattista having been in the Malta Summer Hit Song Contest, Cynthia Attard performing in the pre-selection stage of the 2010 Malta Eurosong, Letizia Seychell and Nicola Marie Cutajar taking part in Don't Stop Me Now. The final act to make it through was Claudio Castelletti who most recently was a backing the Spiteri Lucas Entertainment show having been scouted last year during the same competition. Passport 2 Indifest continues to unravel as the jury hear the ten semi-finalists once more and decide, who the final four should comprise of. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news as soon as it takes place.

Source: Spiteri Lucas Entertainment, Clint Gerald Attard

The 21st edition of the annual Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza will be taking place next week with preparations now in full swing with the organizing committee making the final arrangements as they prepare for the rehearsals which will be taking place in just seven days time noting that the final run through would be taking place on the morning of the competition itself. The venue as has been the case almost every year except when weather wasn't permitted have been the Granaries in Floriana which have now hosted some of the most amazing concerts in history including those of Joseph Calleja for the past three years. Nevertheless, one week before the festival does take place, Indifest will be hosted and it will be quite the show because apart from the weekly performances which people have come to expect from the acts taking part in the Established Category, there will also be the revelation of the finalists of the Teenage Category along with a performance by a special guest as has also come to be expected each week.

This year, the teenage category will be crowning the fifth winner having seen the likes of Gabrielle Massa, Dian Bland, Cherylis Camilleri and Angelica Portelli triumph in the past four years since the competition began back in 2008 to resounding success. The difference between the past and the present though is the way that the result has been worked out noting that the jury had a 60% say in the final proceedings this time round with the public still having a 40% weighing in the outcome. Ultimately this was the way forward with talent being given the most importance. This evening, the performers of the ten participating entries will be present in the studio awaiting the announcement of the finalists as made by Christine Haber, Ronald Briffa and the Chairman of the Committee of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza; Mark Azzopardi. Prior to the announcement this evening, we would like to remind you that you can still watch the videos of the songs below.

01. Aħna ż-Żagħżagħ - Maria Debono (Kaya / Joe Chircop)

02. Bil-Bnadar F'Idejna - Sarah Bonnici (Miriam Christine / Joe Chircop)

03. Ftakar Fl-Imħabba - Jade Amber Muscat (Kaya / Christopher Azzopardi)

04. Ħbieb ta' Veru - Maria u Justine (Kaya / Christopher Azzopardi)

05. Il-Libertà - Antoine u Kayleigh (Ray Agius / Michael Vella Haber / Evelyn Saliba La Rosa)

06. L-Ewwel Imħabba - Darlene Sammut (Kaya / Rita Pace)

07. Niftakar Fik - Derrick Schembri (Dominic Cini / Stephen Baldacchino)

08. Noli - Natalya Galdes (Rita Pace)

09. X'Qaltli L-Arzella - Antonella Rapa (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Joe Friggieri)

10. X'Sar Minnhom - Mikaela Bajada (Miriam Christine / Joe Chircop)

This evening, the performances will continue from the Established Category as well noting that taking to the stage this evening will be Kylie Coleiro with the track Ħalluni composed by PhiliP Vella and penned by Joe Chircop as well as Corinne Caruana who had to reschedule as she fell ill a couple of weeks ago and was unable to attend. She will be performing the track Dan Mhux Tmiem composed by Mark Scicluna and penned by Rita Pace. In the meantime, there will also be a special performance this evening given by none other than the reigning winner of the Teenage Category of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza, that being the Gozitan Angelica Portelli who will be giving a performance of the track Ejjew Nieqfu composed by Miriam Christine and penned by Joe Chircop. This has to be the most filled programme of the series but nevertheless, headlined by Christine Haber and Ronald Briffa as hosts, it will be quite the showcase this evening. Make sure that you tune to NET Television for the final programme of Indifest before the actual Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza.

Source: Media.Link Communications, Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza, escflashmalta.com

One of the most prominent dates on the local music calender is surely the one which features the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza, which is somewhat known as the largest competition in the country to feature original songs in the Maltese language. The annual spectacle is organized by Media.Link Communications has always provided a lot of entertainment for those watching noting that most of the artists to have competed have somewhat gained a name for themselves and are ultimately even achieving a respectable status in foreign waters. The standard of the competition has always been maintained at an extremely high level and this year is no different noting that all of the finalists were picked through internal auditions in front of musically trained professionals as well as people with vast years of experience within the music industry. Nevertheless, the key to success for both an artist and a competition is promotion and henceforth, for yet another year, Media.Link Communications along with the Committee of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza have carefully divulged a programme which gives exposure to each of the respective finalists. 

The 2012 edition of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza features a host of talent noting that there are a number of newcomers as well as individuals who have been rightfully earning their place in the local music industry. Apart from meeting three (3) people each week, two (2) from the Established Category and one (1) from the Teenage Category, there are also a number of weekly special guests. In fact, last week, the programme had the honour of meeting up with none other than Christabelle and Lyndsay who have been dominating the local music charts in recent months. In the meantime, NET Television and their professional crew have been busy recording all of the songs, preview videos, which were uploaded through viral website, YouTube but nevertheless, we encourage you to follow Indifest and escflashmalta.com to to get to know the people in the competition better.