Honour for Maltese composer

Composer Ray Agius was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mediterranean Song Contest - Megahit 2002 in Turkey. The festival took place in Antalya on October 11.

It was the first time such an award was presented to a composer from a Mediterranean country.

The presentation was held at the Antalya University theatre.

Famous Turkish composer, Melih Kibar, also won a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The contest, which was won by Israel, was held in the Aspendos amphitheatre, a well-known venue, particularly for classical concerts and operas.

Participating countries included Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Israel, Bosnia, Egypt, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey. Malta was also supposed to participate, but the contestants backed out at the last minute, Mr Agius said.

The event was transmitted live on Turkish TV and other Mediterranean countries.

Mr Agius was originally invited to the festival as one of the members of the international jury.