Popular Maltese folk singer (or ghannej) Frans Baldacchino, more commonly known as “Il-Budaj’, was born and raised in Zejtun, and sadly passed away on  21st June 2006 at just 63 years of age.

Remembering a folk icon

Although ghana (traditional local folk singing) was his passion, from a very young age, he fell in love with opera and classical music. Frans was also a talented self-taught poet, and even published a book, ‘L-Imriezaq ta’ Mohhi’. 

Together with friend Karmenu Bonnici ‘l-Bahri’, in 1992, Frans worked on French albumInedit Malte: Ballades et joutes chantées, making history as the first ghana album on a compact disk. 

‘Il-Budaj’ was an important part of Maltese history, as he elevated the popular ghana from what was once a pastime to the highest levels of Maltese culture. 

This video shared by Joseph Abela shows one of Malta’s iconic folklore singers, back in his prime, singing his heart out. 

Have no idea what ghana is? Well, here’s a little explanation. 

Ghana is a style of singing in which the performer keeps to a slow rhythm. The ghannej (singer) would sing about the roots of Maltese culture, the simple life of a local, and the natural surroundings they lived in. It started off as a way of passing the time but turned into an integral piece of Maltese history. 

Frans’ passing in 2006 was a loss for Maltese history, but it’s lovely to see that his voice still lives on today.