Eurovision’s Malta Moment: How a Song Contest Became Our Biggest ‘Sporting’ Event

It’s a Saturday night in late May, and Republic Street in Valletta is buzzing. But it’s not the usual weekend crowd. Thousands have gathered, not for a local band or a street party, but to watch a TV screen. They’re here for Eurovision. Yes, you read that right. In Malta, Eurovision is more than just a song contest; it’s a national event that rivals even our beloved football.

From Underachiever to Contender

Malta’s Eurovision journey has been a rollercoaster. We debuted in 1971 with Joe Grech’s ‘Marija I Mri’, but it took us until 2002 to secure our first win with Ira Losco’s ‘7th Wonder’. Since then, we’ve become a force to be reckoned with, consistently qualifying for the final and even hosting the event twice – in 1992 and 2019.

Remember 2005? Malta’s Chiara made it to the final with ‘Angel’, singing her heart out in Kyiv. The next day, the streets of Sliema were filled with proud Maltese, celebrating our best result in years. That’s when we started to take Eurovision seriously. Not just as a music competition, but as a ‘sporting’ event that brings the nation together.

More Than Just a Song Contest

Eurovision is big business in Malta. The Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) pulls out all the stops for our national final, ‘Malta Eurovision Song Contest’. Local musicians compete for the chance to represent Malta, and the event is a major draw for tourists, with many flocking to see the show live at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

But it’s not just about the music. Eurovision is a chance for Malta to showcase its creativity and culture. Our entries often reflect our unique identity, from our language (Maltese and English) to our history and traditions. Take 2018’s ‘Taboo’ by Christabelle, for instance. It was a powerful statement about sexual harassment, resonating with audiences worldwide.

Fans United: The Malta Eurovision Fan Club

Malta’s Eurovision fever is fueled by passionate fans. The Malta Eurovision Fan Club, established in 2006, is at the heart of this. They organize events, support our contestants, and even travel to Eurovision host cities to cheer on Team Malta.

Club President, Mario Spiteri, says, “Eurovision is more than just a song contest. It’s about unity, diversity, and peace. It’s about Malta standing on the same stage as countries like Sweden, Italy, and Russia. It’s about our artists making us proud, and us, as fans, cheering them on, together.”

So, the next time you’re in Malta on a Saturday night in late May, don’t be surprised to find Republic Street filled with fans, eyes glued to a TV screen. They’re not watching a football match, but they’re every bit as passionate. They’re watching Eurovision, Malta’s biggest ‘sporting’ event outside football.