Interview with president of oGAE Malta Deo Grech

Club found: 1993 under Nazzareno Micallef and after few years of pause 2000 under Deo Grech
Number of members: 66
President: Deo Grech
Average age: 23

1. Mr. Deo Grech, how would you briefly describe your club?
Club OGAE Malta is good representative of everything related to Eurovision song contest on Malta. Together we operate on radio and TV station Super One Radio, where we create program dedicated to Eurovision song contest and all of OGAE contests. The club has its own web page, which is very well visited on Malta and from abroad.

2. Eurovision song contest is very popular on Malta. Therefore you have quite a large number of members.
Relatively speaking; in the past there were just 10 members, later with the help of media the membership rose for 600% and now we have as we already said, 66 members.

3. What percentage is this in the relationship to all population on Malta?
We have approximately 400.000 residents, so the percentage is 0.0165%. Large percentage by comparison with other European countries, especially when compare to big countries.

4. Does your club have parties, meetings where you can get together; like something like "Eurosong party?"
Club members meet for various occasions; that's good there we can upgrade all previous suggestions and our previous work.

5. You are leader of one-hour show on Super One Radio in Malta. How long have you been working there and how has everything begun?
I have started to work there in year 1997. In the same complex, where the radio is, there's a well known TV station. It all started with Celtic music called "Celtica". Later I got an idea about Eurovision song contest music - it was a kind of show which managers approved and after 5 years it's still very popular. On our web page there's data regarding the show, so please tune in.

6. What other functions do you have besides being the president of the club? Do you do all the work by yourself or do your members help you a lot?
As the president of the club I have lots to do, it takes a whole man to lead such a club. There's actually no one in the "management" but that doesn't mean that OGAE Malta club members don't help. It would be way too much work for just one person. Of course I have to say my thanks to all of OGAE Malta members who help me.

7. How long have you been the president and for how long are you planning to be the president?
I have been president since 2000 and even though all the stress, hard work and how time consuming it all is, I decided that I'll be president as long as members will want me to be one.

8. You have been on Eurovision song contest for the first time in Kiev. Which event was for you the most memorable?
Generally speaking the whole event was exceptional. It is hard to describe what this experience means for me as I have enjoyed every minute of it. The special experience was of course was Chiara's performance. She was very confident on the rehearsal; she managed to present lots of positive energy and furthermore her performance, song and everything were great.

9. How do you feel about televoting and lack of orchestra in Eurovision?
There are lots of complaints that neighboring countries gives votes to each other. Overall that's true but Malta doesn't have any neighbors; but look at the result of this year Eurovision song contest. Chiara was superb; likewise Ira Losco in 2002. As goes for orchestra; Eurovision song contest couldn't be like it is now if the there was still orchestra on the stage. I can not imagine how these songs would sound with an orchestra.

10. What do you know about Slovenia or OGAE Slovenia club?
I was actually in your "neighborhood" I visited Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia. I hope we will see each other soon in Slovenia, when you win Eurovision song contest. I must confess I don't know much about Slovenia, it's a mystery to me. Except what I could see in the video of Tanja Ribi's song "Zbudi se" in 1997. There are lots of nice details and beautiful castles. Tanja's "Zbudi se" is for me the best song you've sent to ESC. I actually watch EMA every year over the internet; I was very sorry that Saa Lendero and her "Metulj" was not the winner this year. Well that way she has got a great chance on this year OGAE Second Chance. I hope OGAE Slovenia and OGAE Malta will develop great cooperation and a true friendship. I had a chance to meet two of your members and if all of you are like them, you are fantastic. Bravo! I saved the best for last to tell you; Malta's representatives on this year OGAE competitions: ogae 2nd chance: "Dejavu" by Olivia Lewis, ogae song contest: "Love me or Hate me" by Ira Losco and ogae video contest: "I'm in love again" by Ira Losco.

More about OGAE Malta: http://www.malta.ogae.net