Break a leg! Two Maltese singers to represent Malta at one of Eastern Europe’s biggest music festivals
Maltese talent takes the international stage! Mireille McKay, winner of popular TV talent show ‘Brillanti’, and Thea Aquilina, winner of ‘KantaMagħna’, are representing Malta at the prestigious Slavianski Bazaar (also known as the Slavic Bazaar) – one of the largest and most competitive international music festivals in Eastern Europe.
The Slavianski Bazaar is an internationally acclaimed Festival of Arts held annually in Vitebsk, Belarus, under the patronage of the Belarusian government. The festival, established in 1992, celebrates Slavic music and culture, drawing performers from countries including Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, the Balkans, and beyond.
Mireille will be competing in the Children and Teen category, while Thea will take part in the Adult category. Both young artists will have the unique opportunity to sing with a live orchestra and perform a song in a Slavic language – a challenging but exciting task for any non-native speaker.
This year’s edition is welcoming participants from 71 different countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse editions to date. Past editions have featured performances by global music legends such as Michael Bolton, Thomas Anders, Patricia Kaas, Sumi Jo, and Bosson, among many others.
The festival is a symbol of cultural diplomacy, featuring the special award ‘Through Art – to Peace and Understanding’, which celebrates artists whose music fosters global harmony. Winners of this award are honoured on the iconic ‘Square of Stars’ in Vitebsk.
Mireille and Thea’s participation highlights Malta’s growing presence on the international music scene. While the competition is known to be intense, it also offers local singers invaluable exposure, professional experience, and a chance to connect with a global audience.
Mireille arrived in Belarus two days ago, with Thea landing yesterday, just ahead of their performances. The Children and Teen competition kicks off first, followed by the Adult category in the days to follow.
Break a leg, ladies – Malta is cheering you on!