Applications open for sixth edition of Mużika Mużika

Applications have opened for artists interested in taking part in next year’s edition of the Maltese-language song contest Mużika Mużika.  

The 2026 edition, the competition’s sixth since returning in 2021, will be held between March 19 and 21. Applications will be open until September 19 this year.  

This year’s edition was won by actor and radio host Jamie Cardona, who took part in the competition for the first time with his song Stajna Konna Ahna. 

Cardona, together with Brooke and Pamela Bezzina, who placed second and third respectively, were presented with trophies at an event at the Phoencia hotel in Floriana, as were various songwriters and composers. 

Francis Agius, CEO of Festivals Malta, which organises Mużika Mużika, said the festival continued to grow and complete new achievements, such as a new public voting app. 

Paul Abela, the competition’s director, said Mużika Mużika had increased in both quality and popularity over the years, and had become a mainstay in the cultural calendar.  

“The Serrata Tal-Klassici, when singers perform a classic Maltese song with an established artist, is particularly loved,” Abela said. 

Abela said that next year’s performers will be accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Mużika Mużika chairman Raymond Bugeja said that people told him they did not always watch the Eurovision Song Contest, but always tuned into the local competition.  

“It’s a success because everyone involved puts their heart and soul into it,” he said, adding that the new voting system had been received positive feedback from both artists and viewers.  

“We are always looking at the systems and rules to see where we can improve and experiment. We try to keep the festival as modern as possible.” 

Festivals Malta chairman Aaron Zahra said the organisation would carry on investing in the competition. 

“We believe in the artists and in our language, which is what makes the competition unique,” he said.  

Zahra said the fifth edition had attracted a record audience of 390,000 TV viewers over three days.  

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the beauty of Mużika Mużika is that it is a celebration of Maltese music sung by Maltese singers and written by Maltese composers and songwriters.  

“There are many ways to celebrate out language, such as by teaching it and raising awareness about it, but another way is singing in Maltese. 

Bonnici said that while the public might think that there is a large group of organisers behind the festival, the reality was organised by a small group of passionate workers.