Maltese artists express heavy frustration over the potential cancellation of the official MESC songwriting camp for Eurovision 2027.
Behind-the-scenes drama is unfolding in Malta, as singers, creators, and songwriters are expressing severe disappointment, frustration, and deep concern. It appears that the official songwriting camp for the local Eurovision national selection faces imminent cancellation. The songwriting camp, managed and organized in recent years by the Maltese national broadcaster PBS, has established its status as one of the highlight events in the preparations for the Maltese national selection, “MESC”.
The unique program brings together local musicians and performers with leading international creators and producers for an intensive period of collaboration, brainstorming, and artistic unity. Rumors of the project’s possible cancellation are causing great concern among the country’s musical community, which views this event as an irreplaceable professional stepping stone and a central axis in choosing Malta’s entry for the coveted contest.
Uncertainty and Frustration Among Local Artists
Local artists, who requested to remain anonymous, report that at this stage of the year, the registration process for the camp should have already closed, but as of now, no official information has been received from the national broadcaster. One of the singers shared their noticeable disappointment:
“This camp allowed me to find myself as an artist, showcase my talents, and expand my international network. I was highly anticipating it this year, and now I’m being told it simply won’t happen. It’s very frustrating.”
Another singer described the emerging cancellation as a massive missed opportunity, while colleagues in the local industry emphasized that this is a fantastic opportunity that extends far beyond the borders of the Eurovision Song Contest itself, stating that
“there is absolutely no logic in not holding it.”
Charles Dalli, the head of the Maltese national broadcaster, PBS, was asked about the matter but deflected and refused to provide a definitive answer regarding the camp’s existence or cancellation, issuing only a general statement:
“All Eurovision-related activities for the upcoming season are currently in the planning stages, and discussions on the matter are ongoing. We will announce the full details of the format and the specific broadcast schedule at the appropriate time.”
Financial Criticism vs Proven Artistic Success
Alongside the praise for the artistic aspect, one of the participants noted that over the years, criticisms have also been raised by creators regarding the fact that they received no payment for the many hours of work at the camp, relying instead solely on the potential for future royalties if the song breaks into the market. However, he emphasized that this is a specific issue that can be resolved and that the overall experience is positive and essential for the local industry.
To date, three editions of the intensive camp, which lasts about six days, have taken place. The initiative has already proven itself a success for the country, having birthed the last two songs that represented Malta at Eurovision and brought it back to the grand final after three consecutive non-qualifications.
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Last year: The song “Serving” that was performed by Miriana Conte.
In addition to the songs that won the local national selection, other hits entered deep into the hearts of the Maltese people and fans of the contest. The most prominent example of this is the song “Heaven Sent” performed by Kristy Spiteri – living proof of the magic that can be created in these songwriting camps.
The song was born out of an immediate connection at the Maltese songwriting camp – where Spiteri collaborated with international artists highly esteemed among Eurovision fans: Linnea Deb, Tom Oller, and Teya, who together created an exceptionally infectious pop bomb that one falls in love with instantly. The song conquered the stage of the Maltese national selection, was one of the massive favorites to win, and ultimately settled for a respectable second place in the grand final. But despite not grabbing the first place – it became an exceptionally beloved hit among the fans.
Bulgaria in Eurovision 2026
“Bangaranga” is the song performed by the singer DARA, which represented Bulgaria in Vienna, Austria. DARA won the contest and got 516 points in the final. The song was written and composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Cristian Tarcea. While this is the performer’s first Eurovision entry, it marks the 15th song in the contest for composer Dimitris Kontopoulos. The song was performed entirely in English.
Eurovision 2026: This was Bulgaria’s 15th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Bulgaria joined the competition in 2005 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2026 when the singer Dara finished in first place with the song “Bangaranga”.
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A writer and content creator in the field of Eurovision, a commentator with extensive expertise in the modern era of the contest. Adiel’s vast knowledge and familiarity with Eurovision are reflected in every article, ensuring professional and up-to-date content. He closely follows song releases and various Eurovision pre-events. Adiel has a fondness for cultures and new languages, which he discovered through his love of Eurovision. In his writing, he places great emphasis on professional commentary and a diversity of opinions.
