The new Maltasong Board has confirmed with OGAE Malta and Esctoday.com that 213 entries have been submitted for Malta Song for Europe 2006.
The first judging round will take place over the following days when the 213 songs on disc will be reduced to 50. Songtitles of the top 50 songs will be published on the official website of Maltasong, this Friday 9th December in the afternoon.
The 50 songs will proceed to a next round in which the performers of the songs have to sing their song live in front of a jury behind closed doors. This will be held on Saturday 17th December. The jury will then select the 16 finalists for Malta Song for Europe 2006. Singers are allowed to perform only 1 song in the finals. UKAM, the Maltese union of songwriters and singers, will be present during all phases of these selections.
Foreign composers were allowed to submit entries, but these had to abide by the reciprocity rule. 186 entries were submitted in 2005. A record of 272 entries were submitted in 1999. Malta Song for Europe 2006 takes place on 3rd and 4th February 2006.
