What Is 2018 Malta Eurovision Song Contest

Overview

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2018 was the national final organized by Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) to select Malta's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. It was the 18th edition of the national selection and featured a competitive field of 20 acts vying for the honor of representing the island nation on the international stage.

Held on February 3, 2018, at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, the event combined jury evaluations with public voting to determine the winner. The show was hosted by Claire Agius, Valerie Vella, and Paul Borg, and broadcast live across Malta and online, drawing significant local attention as Eurovision remains a major cultural event in the country.

• Twenty entries competed in the final, following a series of semi-finals and selections, marking one of the largest national finals in Malta’s Eurovision history.
• Christabelle Borg emerged as the winner with her song 'Taboo', a dark pop anthem that addressed societal repression and personal freedom.
• The song was written by Joacim Persson, Joy Deb, and Linnea Deb, experienced Swedish songwriters with prior Eurovision success.
• Voting combined 50% jury and 50% public televote, ensuring a balanced selection process reflecting both expert and popular opinion.
• The event attracted over 120,000 viewers in Malta, highlighting the national interest in Eurovision and the significance of the selection process.

How It Works

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest operates as a multi-stage competition, beginning with open submissions and progressing through semi-finals and a grand final. Artists and songwriters from around the world can submit entries, which are then evaluated by a panel before being shortlisted for live performance.

• Submission Period: The open call for songs ran from September to October 2017, receiving over 200 entries from international and Maltese composers.
• Semi-Finals: Two semi-finals were held on January 26 and 27, 2018, each featuring 10 acts, with the top 10 advancing based on combined voting.
• Jury Composition: Each jury consisted of five music industry professionals, including producers, vocal coaches, and past Eurovision participants.
• Public Voting: Televoting was open during the final, allowing Maltese residents to vote via phone and SMS for their favorite performance.
• Staging and Production: Each act received professional staging, lighting, and choreography, with budgets allocated by PBS to ensure high production quality.
• International Exposure: The final was streamed globally via the official Eurovision website and YouTube, increasing Malta’s visibility on the international music scene.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2018 national final with Eurovision Song Contest participation outcomes:

This comparison highlights the contrast between national success and international performance. Despite winning Malta’s selection decisively, Christabelle’s 'Taboo' struggled on the broader Eurovision stage, failing to advance to the Grand Final. This outcome underscores the challenges smaller countries face in standing out amid high-budget acts and diverse voting blocs.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Malta Eurovision Song Contest is significant not only for its role in selecting a national representative but also for reflecting broader trends in music, public engagement, and cultural identity. Malta consistently invests heavily in its Eurovision entry, viewing it as a platform for soft power and international visibility.

• High production standards in the national final showcase Malta’s commitment to excellence and its ambition to compete at the highest level.
• The event promotes Maltese cultural pride, uniting audiences across age groups and communities during the live broadcast.
• It provides exposure for emerging Maltese artists, such as Christabelle, who gained national recognition despite Eurovision setbacks.
• International songwriters are attracted to collaborate with Maltese acts, enhancing the quality and global appeal of entries.
• The selection process fosters public participation, with televoting enabling fans to influence national representation directly.
• Malta’s Eurovision journey highlights the competitive nature of the contest, where artistic merit doesn’t always guarantee qualification due to political and regional voting patterns.

Ultimately, the 2018 edition reinforced Malta’s status as a serious Eurovision contender, even when results don’t meet expectations. The national final remains a cornerstone of Malta’s cultural calendar and a testament to the country’s passion for music and performance.