The boycott that had been announced by UKAM last night has been lifted. The organization of Maltese composers, authors and singers has reached an agreement with the Malta Song Board. The Malta Song for Europe Festival 2005, scheduled for 18th and 19th February can probably go on.
The agreement includes an extension to the submission closing time of the songs. Interested parties can now submit their songs by latest tomorrow Thursday 25th November at 16:00 CET. UKAM had asked its members last night not to submit their songs for the upcoming Malta Song for Europe Festival and was also to give a 50% refund to all those members who had already purchased the necessary documents.
In a press release, UKAM thanked Hon. Minister Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech for his intervention during the negotiations and all the composers, singers and authors who supported UKAM.
The agreement states that:
– Author and composer of the winning entry can join the Maltese delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest.
– Further negotiations concerning the Malta Song for Europe rules will start immediately after the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.
– As of next year, the participation of foreign composers and authors in the Malta Song for Europe Festival shall be restricted to composers and authors of those countries where Maltese composers and authors have equal opportunities to participate.
In the meantime, the rules for Malta Song for Europe Festival 2005 remain as they are.
