The Golden Cross International Singing Festival event was held on the 4th, 5th and 6th August 2005 at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta.   This festival has received an enormous response from eight different countries around the world.  The foreign singers participating in this Festival were from United Kingdom, Serbia & Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and Lithuania, making up a nicely formed group of 12 participants who were choosen from 40 applicants.  Maltese participants amounted to 30. For the first time this year a pre festival show was held in Xlendi, Gozo.  During this show, both the foreign and local singers were presented to the public, the press and the members of the jury. Dancing groups from Annalise Dance Studio formed part of the show which was held on Wednesday 3rd August 2005. The Festival was adequately formed to cater for Maltese singers, singing both original and cover versions of songs composed by Maltese composers and lyric writers, who had the opportunity to compete with international singers.  The festival was of a high standard and the competition intense.  The results were:

PLACING  NAME OF SONG  NAME OF SINGER CATEGORY  A  3rd   HALLATA BALLATA  SALAIA GERADA (MALTA)   3rd INHOBB IZ-ZFIN ANTOINE FARRUGIA (MALTA)   2nd OH WHAT A GRATEFUL JOY  MIRUNA OPREA (ROMANIA)   1st HABIB TASSEW DOMENIQUE AZZOPARDI (MALTA) CATEGORY   B 3rd MA NINSIK QATT NOYLENE ATTARD (MALTA)   2nd LET’S DANCE TOM MORLEY(U.K.)   2nd L-ART L-INHOBB DANICA MUSCAT (MALTA) 1st IF I WANT I LIGHT UP A STAR ALINA EREMIA (ROMANIA) CATEGORY  C 3rd QALB MIFNIJA KIMBERLY GRECH (MALTA)   3rd A DIVER BIRD ARINA NOVIKOVA (RUSSIA)   2nd HOW COME YOU DON’T CALL ME KAROLINA RYMKEVIC (LITHUANIA) 1st WARZONE CHILDREN KLINSMANN COLEIRO (MALTA) BEST NEW SONG   IF I HAD WINGS GIANELLA MAZZOLA (MALTA) BEST PUBLIC OPINION LIVE AS ONE JAN PACE (MALTA) BEST CHOREOGRAPHY 3rd SAY NO THEA & FRIENDS (MALTA)   2nd SARDINELLA CELAINE BORG (MALTA)   1st NIKBRU HENJIN MARZIA FARRUGIA (MALTA) FIDOF AWARD  SWEET MUSIC DEBORAH CASSAR (MALTA)

GRAND PRIX  WINNER   -   Cliff Zammit (Malta) with the song GRAZZI MILL-QALB LYRICS: Joe Chircop  Composer: Philip Vella

The comperes of all shows were Christian, Gabriella and Alexia who were also guest singers.  They also sang the opening Song of the festival and were accompanied by the dancers from Annalise Dance Studio.  Anna Stepanova, Annabelle Debono and Dancers from Annalise Dance Studio, Vittorio and Clifford were among the foreign and local guests.  Annabelle Debono was the winner of the Gran Prix of last year’s edition.  Anna Stepanova is a Saxophone and vocal Soloist.  She is Professor of the South Ukranian Pedagogical University of Ushinsky in Odessa, Ukraine.  This show girl is a presenter of a TV programme in Odessa, Ukraine.  Another highlight this year were the dancers from Annalise Dance Studio.  This Dance Studio needs no introduction.  It is one of the main dancing schools on the Maltese islands. Both Vittorio and Clifford are well know singers both locally and abroad.  This event was in the working hands of a team, which was directed by Anthony Grech who is a member of the International Federation of Festival Organizers (FIDOF). He ensured the quality of organization, professionalism, quality of hospitality, aims of the event in conformity with FIDOF’s aim – "peace and friendship through music and art".  The main sponsors for this second edition of The Golden Cross International Singing Festival 2005 were the Ministry of Education & Youth and the  Malta Tourism Authority.

Photos winners 2005 Click to see photos WINNERS 2005

Guests Edition 2005