The national folklore commission in the department of culture is holding the fifth edition of the Folk Singing Festival at the Argotti Gardens, Floriana, from May 16 to 19.

Eighty-four folk singers and musicians will be taking part.

Other performers include ethnic foreign groups, such as Xarabanda from Madeira, Katice from Slovenia, Hato de Foces from Spain and the duo Converso & Propoli from Sorrento.

This year the organisers are allocating more time for guitar and traditional instrument players to perform on each day of the festival.

The audience can also taste traditional Maltese food.

A large monitor is being set up to display the lyrics and synopsis of all the folk songs in both English and Maltese.

Entrance to the festival is free.

On May 16 and 17, the programme starts at 7 p.m. and on May 18 and 19 at 6.30 p.m.

A seminar with the theme `L-Ghana and Folkloristic Music Today - Our Experience` with the participation of all festival performers, foreign delegates and experts will be held at the Forum Hotel, St Andrew`s, on May 18 at 9 a.m.

Folk singers and musicians and the foreign groups taking part in the festival will be performing daily at St. John`s Square, Valletta, from May 14 to 17 between 11 a.m. and 12.15 p.m.