Following the resounding success of In-Naħla Katerina, which has been making the rounds in schools across Malta and Gozo with children singing and dancing to its infectious tune, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee has today launched its second original children’s song: Festin għad-Dakkara (A Feast for Pollinators).
Released to mark the start of Pollinator Week 2025, this colourful and educational song continues the journey of Katerina the Bee − Malta’s beloved mascot for pollinator awareness.
Part of the Maltese Honey Bee Education Through Songs and Rhymes initiative, the project is supported by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS), managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) and backed by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). The project is coordinated by Dylan Farrugia and Abner Joe Buttigieg.
A buzzing celebration of nature
Written by Rita Pace, composed by Augusto Cardinali, and performed by Christabelle Scerri, Festin għad-Dakkara transforms the act of pollination into a joyful celebration. With In-Naħla Katerina leading the festivities, the song presents pollination as a festive “wedding feast” where flowers and pollinators come together in harmony.
Children are invited to sing along and discover the fascinating, invisible role played by bees, wasps, flies, butterflies and other vital insects that help plants reproduce and ecosystems thrive.
The song delivers an important environmental message in a fun and memorable way: without pollinators, plants would struggle to reproduce, and the fruits, seeds and vegetables we rely on would simply not grow.
Why pollinators matter
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beetles, wasps and flies are responsible for helping over 75% of the world’s flowering plants reproduce. They are also essential to the growth of more than one-third of the crops we eat daily. Without them, biodiversity would plummet, and the natural world would lose much of its colour, variety, and resilience.
Festin għad-Dakkara helps children recognise and appreciate these hidden heroes of nature − no matter how small or unexpected they might be.
A musical boost to language learning
While it teaches about nature, Festin għad-Dakkara is also a language-learning tool.
Aimed primarily at children aged seven to 10, the song uses simple, rhythmic phrases to help listeners expand their Maltese vocabulary and improve pronunciation.
Singing is known to strengthen memory and linguistic awareness, and this song was specifically designed to support both early and intermediate language learners.
Visual storytelling with heart
Accompanying the song is a vibrant slideshow video produced by Michael Piscopo, featuring charming illustrations of Katerina the Bee and her pollinator friends flitting from flower to flower.
The visual storytelling enhances the learning experience, helping children connect the lyrical content with the natural scenes depicted on screen. Colourful, animated and full of life, the video is ideal for use in classrooms and family settings alike.
An engaging resource for home and school
Whether used by teachers during science and language lessons or by parents at home, Festin għad-Dakkara offers a delightful way to engage children in learning about pollinators and the environment. It encourages curiosity, empathy and environmental responsibility through music, storytelling and creativity.
The journey continues
Festin Għad-Dakkara is the second in a trilogy of original songs to be released in 2025. After the success of In-Naħla Katerina, which continues to be sung with enthusiasm in schools across the islands, the momentum now builds towards the third and final release in the series: In-Naħla u Sħabha: L-Għanja tal-Ispeċi Nazzjonali, coming this September.
As we celebrate Pollinator Week, today’s launch of Festin għad-Dakkara is a cheerful reminder that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference − and that learning can be as joyful as a feast in a field of flowers.
This article was provided by the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee.
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