In September 2025, the Maltese popular singer Kevin Borg discovered that he is a descendant of one of the most prominent għana singers of the mid-20th century. Ġanmarì Spiteri Amletu was the brother of Kevin’s paternal grandmother. Among long-time enthusiasts of għana, the name Amletu is counted among the great singers of the post-Second World War years. He sang alongside some of the most celebrated folk singers of the time, including Pawlu Seychell l-Għannejja, Ċikku Degiorgio Tal-Fjuri u Salvu Darmanin ir-Raġel.
In collaboration with Karol and Jorge Aquilina of Nofsillejl, Kevin selected a number of songs from the surviving reel recordings of Ġanmarì Amletu. As a result, during the first edition of Festgħana we will hear Kevin Borg sing publicly for the first time in continuation of the legacy of this ancestor.
Kevin Borg Bio
Kevin Borg is a Maltese singer, songwriter and producer from Floriana who gained international recognition after winning Swedish Idol. Since then, he has built an international career, performing over 500 concerts worldwide while reaching millions of listeners across digital platforms.
As a songwriter and producer, Borg has contributed to more than 26 of Japan’s best-selling albums, with total sales exceeding six million copies. He has achieved triple platinum success in Japan and platinum albums in Sweden. He has written and produced three global number-one hits and contributed to an album by the group Arashi, which became the world’s best-selling album in 2019.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with international artists including Jordin Sparks, Richard Marx and renowned songwriter Desmond Child.
In 2026, Borg received the awards for Best Entertainer of the Year and Best Live Singer of the Year in Malta, continuing to represent the country with pride on an international level.
Karol u Jorge Aquilina Bio
Karol and Jorge Aquilina are Maltese guitarists who continue a long family tradition rooted in classical, flamenco and Maltese folk music. At the centre of this lineage is Jorge Aquilina, who grew up performing alongside his father, the renowned guitarist Carmelo Aquilina Nofsillejl. From an early age Jorge appeared with his father in venues across Malta, performing a repertoire that ranged from Mediterranean folk songs to Maltese għana and prejjem guitar traditions.
Over the years, Jorge developed a distinctive style that blends classical technique, flamenco influences and the expressive accompaniment required for Maltese folk singing. His work has been instrumental in preserving and transmitting the guitar styles associated with għana, while also expanding their musical possibilities through careful study and performance.
Jorge has passed this knowledge on to his son Karol Aquilina, representing the third generation of the Aquilina musical lineage. Together they perform as a duo, presenting programmes that combine Maltese folkloric music with classical and flamenco repertoire. Their performances highlight both the historical roots and the evolving nature of Maltese guitar traditions.
Beyond concert work, Jorge and Karol have collaborated on cultural projects, festivals and recordings that promote Maltese musical heritage locally and abroad, ensuring that the legacy of Carmelo Aquilina Nofsillejl continues through new generations of performers.