Watch: Kantera Delivers An Evening Of Traditional Maltese Excellence At The Kennedy Center In Washington DC
Maltese music took centre stage in Washington, D.C., as Kantera delivered a powerful performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating 61 years of diplomatic relations between Malta and the United States.
Hosted by the Embassy of Malta to the U.S., the Malta Day Concert blended traditional, folkloristic, and contemporary Maltese music, captivating an audience of more than 150 guests, including members of the Maltese diaspora and international music enthusiasts.
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A standout moment of the night came with the historic debut of the żafżafa, a traditional Maltese friction instrument performed for the first time ever at the Kennedy Center. The performance served as a symbol of Malta’s deep cultural roots and musical distinctiveness.
Kantera’s infectious energy filled the venue as the group invited audience members to dance and even join in with tambourines and żafżafas. Their set ended with a standing ovation, sealing an evening that highlighted both Malta’s vibrant artistic heritage and its long-standing friendship with the U.S.
It was, as attendees described, “a night to remember”, one that brought a piece of Malta’s heart to one of the world’s most iconic stages.
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