Chance for child singers to shine

The second edition of the Golden Cross International Singing Festival for children and youths will be held from August 4 - 6 at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta.

For the first time, a pre-festival show will be held in Xlendi during which both the foreign and local singers will be presented to the public, the press and the members of the jury. This show, also featuring Maltese dancing troupes, will be held on August 3 at 8 p.m.

This festival will be hosted by Malta under the International Federation of Festival Organizers' (FIDOF) motto of Peace And Friendship Through Music And Art.

The event is an opportunity for Maltese children and youth aged eight to 17 to sing songs penned by renowned Maltese and international composers and share their talents with other children from different parts of the world.

The organising board has managed to secure the participation of renowned foreign young singers for this year's edition. The countries which have confirmed their participation are England, Poland, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Ukraine and Italy.

Guests will include the 23-year-old singer Anna Stepanova from Ukraine, a professional singer who plays the saxophone.