Malta has joined the Eurovision Song Contest on 35 occasions in the past and is now preparing for its 36th entry this year. However, Malta hasn’t made it to the Grand Final since 2021. Last year, the group The Busker finished in last place with “Dance (Our Own Party)” in one of the semi-finals held in Liverpool.

Malta made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with the song “Marija L-Maltija” performed by Joe Grech in the Maltese language. However, the Maltese language has been utilized only twice in the contest. English, as Malta’s second official language, has been preferred for better international understanding. Nowadays, countries have the freedom to choose the language of their preference. Many nations have opted for languages other than their own, such as Austria presenting a song in French, Latvia in Italian, and Cyprus in French.

English has indeed emerged as the dominant language in the Eurovision Song Contest, with most countries opting to perform in English to broaden their appeal and improve their chances of success. Consequently, Malta, being primarily English-speaking, no longer enjoys the same advantage it once did in the contest.

Malta’s vibrant enthusiasm and creative spirit shine brightly, even within its small population of around 520,000. The nation’s national finals for Eurovision are expansive, featuring a multitude of talented singers. Among them stands Chiara, a noteworthy Maltese vocalist who has represented her country in the contest three times: in 1998, 2005, and 2009. Her remarkable performances earned her second and third place finishes, showcasing Malta’s enduring presence and talent on the Eurovision stage.

Malta’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest saw a significant hiatus from 1976 to 1990. However, upon their return in 1991 with “Could it be” by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina, they secured a commendable 6th place, marking a strong comeback. Since then, Malta has consistently achieved notable positions. With 33 participations, they have landed in the Top 10 an impressive 14 times, giving them a statistical likelihood of approximately 39% to secure a Top 10 position. Furthermore, Malta’s chances of reaching the Grand Final hover around 50/50, showcasing their consistent presence and competitiveness in the contest.

While Malta has yet to secure victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, they have come tantalizingly close, achieving two second places and two third places in their history. The Maltese people exhibit tremendous enthusiasm for the contest and eagerly anticipate the day their country emerges victorious. Rumours have circulated suggesting that if Malta were to win, they might host the first-ever open-air contest, showcasing their innovative spirit. In 2014, Malta successfully hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, demonstrating their capacity to organize and execute a memorable event. Particularly noteworthy were the captivating introductions and postcards. Therefore, if Malta were to clinch the Eurovision Song Contest title, audiences could expect nothing short of a spectacular show from them.