In-Naħla Katerina | Album: In-Naħla Katerina

Описание: The song In-Naħla Katerina (Katerina the Bee), released on 20th May 2025 to coincide with World Bee Day, marked the launch of a trio of songs created to promote environmental awareness and support early language development in Maltese. It formed part of the wider initiative “Discovering the Maltese Honey Bee: Education Through Songs and Rhymes”, supported through the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS), which is managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) and funded by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). Aimed at children aged 0 to 6 years, the project brought the story of the Maltese Honey Bee to life in an engaging and educational manner.

Written and composed by Michael Piscopo and performed by Phyllisienne Brincat—the same creative duo behind the popular children’s song Fonzu l-Fenek—In-Naħla Katerina introduced young listeners to the endemic Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri). Professor Suzanne Piscopo ensured that the pedagogical content was age-appropriate, engaging, and aligned with early learning principles. Through charming lyrics and an upbeat melody, the song offered children an imaginative glimpse into the bee’s world, from pollination to hive life, while reinforcing environmental values.

Beyond its ecological message, the song served as a valuable tool for language acquisition. By blending simple vocabulary for toddlers with more advanced phrases suitable for early primary learners, it catered to a broad developmental range. The repetitive structure and catchy phrases, particularly the “Bzz Bzz Bzz” refrain, supported phonemic awareness and memory retention—key components in early literacy. Educators and parents found it effective in encouraging pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition in a joyful and informal setting.

Movement and interaction were also central to the song’s appeal. One section invited children to mimic the bee’s fluttering movements, enhancing coordination and motor skills while fostering group participation. This physical engagement reinforced the themes of the song through play-based learning.

A visually engaging slideshow video, also produced by Michael Piscopo, accompanied the song. Designed with young children in mind, it featured colourful illustrations of the Maltese Honey Bee in natural settings, complementing the audio with visuals that captured attention and enhanced comprehension.

Written by: Michael Piscopo
Music by: Michael Piscopo
Musical Arrangement by: Phyllisienne Brincat
Performed by: Phyllisienne Brincat and her choir
Directed and Produced by: Abner Joe Buttigieg and Dylan Farrugia
Recorded at: Sweet Notes Studio, Il-Qawra (Malta)
Video Designed and Produced by: Michael Piscopo

© 2025 Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee

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IN-NAĦLA KATERINA
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Fi ġnien jew fil-kampanja
Kultant tilmaħ insett
Sewdieni u daqsxejn sufi
U iżgħar minn farfett
Din hi n-Naħla Maltija
Tagħrafha minnufih
Għax tħobb iddur mal-pjanti
U tagħmel ħoss sabiħ
Ħoss sabiħ

Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura roża
Fuq fjura kaħla
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura bajda
Fuq fjura safra
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess

In-Naħla Katerina
Sabiħa għax Maltija
Kuljum taħdem għalina
Minn filgħodu sa flgħaxija
Ittir minn fjura għal fjura
Biex tagħmel l-għasel bnin
Ħabiba tan-natura
U tagħna t-tfal ħelwin
Tant ħelwin.

Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura roża
Fuq fjura kaħla
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura bajda
Fuq fjura safra
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess

Flgħaxija n-naħal kollha
Itiru lura d-dar
Jiltaqgħu mar-Reġina u
Jgħidulha b’kulma sar
Jiżfnulha żifna ħelwa
Biex juru lill-oħrajn
Fejn qiegħed l-isbaħ fjuri
Ħalli jsibuh malajr
F’ħakka t’għajn

In-Naħla Katerina
Tassew ħabiba tagħna
Biex tibqa’ dejjem magħna
Irridu nieħdu ħsiebha int u jien
Int u jien

Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura roża
Fuq fjura kaħla
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tagħmel in-naħla
Fuq fjura bajda
Fuq fjura safra
Biżż Biżż Biżż
Tferfer ġwinħajha
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess
U ta’ warjaha
Jagħmlu l-istess

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.