Celebrating the Launch of Katerina Songs Trilogy in Malta

Today, 5th December 2025, marks an important milestone for our Foundation as we officially launched the Katerina Song Trilogy, bringing to completion the 2025 edition of the Maltese Honey Bee Education Through Songs and Rhymes project, delivered through the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS), managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) and supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). After individually releasing each song on its respective commemorative date throughout the year, today’s event brought the entire trilogy together in a joyful celebration of music, education, and environmental awareness.

The event was held at San Ġorg Preca College, St Elmo, Valletta Primary, where we were warmly hosted by Head Mr Salvinu Agius and Assistant Heads Ms Norma Zammit and Mr Marco Vella. Their hospitality and enthusiasm created the perfect environment for this special occasion, and we extend our sincere thanks for generously welcoming us and supporting our educational mission. We also express our appreciation to all the educators and students, whose participation, energy, and engagement made the event even more meaningful.

Children sitting on the floor, attentively watching a performance during the launch event of the Katerina Songs Trilogy.

A lively gathering of students and guests at San Ġorg Preca College during the launch event for the Katerina Songs Trilogy, with children seated in the front and adults applauding in the background.

A group of children sitting together, smiling and clapping during an event, wearing matching dark blue outfits with orange accents.

A group of young children dressed in navy blue and red clothing, seated together, with one girl in the foreground looking directly at the camera while clapping her hands, in a lively educational event.

One of the highlights of the launch was the gathering of all the talented individuals who contributed their artistic expertise to the trilogy, alongside the much-anticipated first official public debut of the Katerina mascot. The singers, lyricists, and composers behind the three songs came together to perform the songs, offering children, educators, and guests a vibrant musical experience. Their collective dedication has been central to the project’s success, bringing to life the stories, characters, and messages at the heart of this initiative. Adding even more excitement to the occasion, Katerina, the friendly Maltese Honey Bee who has become the project’s beloved mascot, made her lively entrance to the delight of the children. Sparking laughter, joy, and engagement throughout the room, she infused the event with colour and personality, perfectly embodying the project’s mission to educate young audiences through joyful, relatable characters.

The trilogy includes:

In-Naħla Katerina (released on 20 May 2025, World Bee Day) – written and composed by Michael Piscopo and performed by Phyllisienne Brincat
Festin Għad-Dakkara (released on 16 June 2025, Pollinator Week) – written by Rita Pace, composed by Augusto Cardinali, and performed by Christabelle Scerri
In-Naħla u Sħabha (released on 24 September 2025, anniversary of the Maltese Honey Bee’s National Insect recognition) – written and composed by Michael Piscopo and performed by Claire Marie Busuttil

A performer on stage is singing while holding a microphone, with a colorful dress and a screen displaying a cartoon bee in the background. A mascot in a bee costume stands nearby, entertaining a group of seated children dressed in school uniforms.

A presenter engages with children in a classroom setting, standing next to a large bee mascot, while children attentively watch from their seats.

A performer singing on stage with a microphone, wearing a cozy sweater, with a joyful expression, as part of a lively event.

Educational guidance throughout the project was provided by Professor Suzanne Piscopo, ensuring the songs were pedagogically sound, age-appropriate, and aligned with the project’s goal of raising awareness about the Maltese Honey Bee and Malta’s national species. In addition to his roles as songwriter and composer, Michael Piscopo was also the creative mind behind the videos for all three songs, ensuring that the visual storytelling complemented the music and educational messages.

We were also pleased to welcome Mr Glenn Bugeja, attending on behalf of the HSBC Malta Foundation, which generously funded the music video for the third song, In-Naħla u Sħabha. Their continued support has allowed us to enhance the visual storytelling component of the trilogy, making it even more engaging for younger audiences.

As we celebrate the completion of the trilogy, we also take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Ms Joelle Dimech, SIS Fund Officer at the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector. Her guidance, professionalism, and continuous support made the fund administration process smooth and efficient, enabling us to utilise SIS resources effectively throughout 2025.

In addition to the songs and videos, today’s launch also showcased new educational materials created as part of the SIS 2025 project: a vibrant roll-up banner and A6 postcards designed to accompany school visits and outreach activities. The roll-up banner features Katerina in the same lively style as the first music video, complete with a QR code linking directly to the song. The postcards, printed in bulk for distribution to students, include imagery from all three songs in the trilogy along with QR access, serving both as keepsakes and learning tools.

A person holding a jar of honey with a decorated label featuring musical notes and illustrations of bees and flowers.

A person holding two colorful postcards featuring the Katerina mascot design and the Maltese flag, with beehives in the background.

These visual materials will continue travelling with us as we visit schools across Malta, helping to reinforce the environmental and cultural messages shared through the songs, and ensuring that children remain engaged long after our visit ends.

The Katerina Song Trilogy concludes a year of creativity, education, and community collaboration. Through music, storytelling, and visual engagement, the project, led by Dylan Farrugia and Abner Joe Buttigieg, has introduced thousands of children to the Maltese Honey Bee, the importance of pollinators, and the richness of Malta’s biodiversity.

As we officially close the SIS 2025 project, we look forward to continuing this journey, inspiring the next generation to appreciate, understand, and protect Malta’s natural heritage.

A group of people clapping and celebrating during an event, with a bright and cheerful atmosphere reflected in the background.

A group of adults and children gathered at an event, with some individuals applauding and smiling, showing enthusiasm and engagement. The background features wooden panels and educational displays.

A person in a maroon shirt posing with Katerina, a large friendly bee mascot, in a classroom setting.

A group of people posing for a photo with a large, friendly bee mascot in a colorful indoor setting.

Two men smiling and posing together at a festive event, with a Christmas tree adorned with lights in the background.

A man in formal attire stands next to a young man holding a microphone, both smiling at the camera. They are in a decorated room featuring a Christmas tree and a mosaic artwork on the wall.

A woman in a colorful costume and a man in a maroon polo shirt stand together smiling at an event, with a Christmas tree and a presentation screen in the background.

A woman with curly red hair and a colorful scarf stands next to a young man holding a microphone, both smiling in front of a Christmas tree and a background featuring a mosaic.

Two presenters smiling and interacting during an event in front of a Christmas tree and a colorful mosaic backdrop.

Two men shaking hands during an event, with a decorated Christmas tree in the background, in an indoor setting.

Two men standing together at an event, one holding a microphone and the other holding a small item, with a decorative wall in the background.

A man in a maroon polo shirt shakes hands with a woman in a grey blazer and yellow top during an event, displaying a friendly gesture in a setting with a mosaic wall in the background.

A joyful scene featuring a friendly Maltese Honey Bee mascot and a woman, set against a vibrant backdrop of buildings and clouds.

A cartoon illustration of a smiling bee character with a round face, wearing a black and yellow striped outfit, and large eyes. The background features a honeycomb pattern, with the name 'Katerina' written in a playful font.

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Disclaimer: This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/ publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.