Song for Europe lacks committee

Preparations for next year's Song for Europe Festival have not yet started because the new organisation replacing the Malta Song Festivals Committee has not yet been set up.

With just four months to go, certain decisions have had to be put on hold, festival organising committee Charlo Bonnici said in last night's Bla Agenda, presented by Norman Hamilton on Super 1 TV.

Contacted by The Sunday Times, Mr Bonnici confirmed that "he was not in a position to go ahead with plans for next year's festival, and in turn the Eurovision Song Contest, without the proper set-up.

"Furthermore, after last year's positive result, I am not willing to produce a half-baked cake."

The term of the present committee responsible for the organisation of the International Festival of Maltese Song, the National Youth Song Festival and the Song for Europe Festival expired on May 31.

Though Mr Bonnici was reconfirmed as chairman and asked to resume his post until the new organisation is up and running, he feels it is unwise to shoulder the responsibility of certain decisions.

"The European Broadcasting Union which organises the Eurovision contest has already started asking the different organisations to submit their plans for the future selection process, but I cannot take this decision on my own," Mr Bonnici said.

"It has also become very clear that one of the major challenges of the new organisation will be to find a new record company to sign up Malta's participant in the Eurovision after what happened with Cap Sounds," he said.

The German record company Cap Sounds had signed up Malta's entry for the Eurovision since 1996. However, two high-placing Eurovision entrants - Ira Losco and Chiara - recently complained about the treatment they received from the record company.

"By this time we would have normally renewed our contract with Cap Sounds and also started looking for the foreign judges for February's contest. Once again I cannot take such a decision on my own," he said.

Another important decision to be taken as soon as the new organisation is up and running is where February's contest will be held.

The Song for Europe Festival is usually held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, but plans had already been made to move to an alternative site which can accommodate more guests.

However, yet again no final decision can be taken without the approval of the new organisation.

Another issue which Mr Bonnici discussed on the television programme was the need for the new organisation to be geared to face the new regulations that the EBU plans to implement in 2004.

One of the changes that the EBU is said to be planning is the introduction of semi-finals, before the actual final Eurovision contest.

"Another change which seems imminent is that the EBU plans to impose a monetary guarantee on those stations broadcasting the Eurovision contest, in our case Public Broadcasting Services," Mr Bonnici said.

This change is being proposed as a means of ensuring that any country which wins will be able to organise the festival.

It seems this change is a repercussion of what happened after Estonia won the contest. Many initially doubted whether it could cough up the money to organise it.

"If such a change went through, it would mean Malta would have to fork out thousands of liri in addition to what is already being paid," he said.

Despite the challenges ahead Mr Bonnici is confident that if the new organisation were set up as early as possible in November "we will catch up and even improve on the good work that has always been done in this field".

Mr Bonnici also talked about the organisation of the International Festival of Maltese Song which is being held next Saturday at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at 8.30 p.m.

There has been a record number of 185 submissions this year and the 12 shortlisted songs were aired on the three main radio stations during the past week.

The festival is being hosted by DJ John Bundy and co-hosted by American singer Josie Brandon, who is currently working in Italy.

Johane Casabene's Dance Unlimited Studios will also provide ample entertainment with the lavish show Paris Danse.