Finland’s Erika Vikman can sing about coming (repeatedly). Australia’s Go-Jo can boast about spreading his milk and sharing his banana. But Malta’s Miriana Conte “serving kant”? Apparently that’s one step too far.
On Tuesday Miriana wrote on her personal Instagram that the EBU is forcing her to change her song’s lyrics. But she’s not letting their last-minute demand — just a week before the song is due for official submission — mess with her vibe.
“Currently filming the official ‘KANT’ music video, literally living my best life. We’ve just been notified that @ebu_hq has decided against using the Maltese word ‘Kant’ in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. While I’m shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on – Diva NOT down”
EBU orders Malta to change “Kant” lyrics
It’s not the first time that the EBU has asked a country to change its song lyrics. But it’s perhaps a first for a word that means something innocent in one language, but something offensive in another. As we all know by now, “kant” means singing in Maltese — though it sounds a lot like a deeply offensive word in the English language, which refers to the female anatomy. In the context of the song, it’s a play on being bold and extravagant — a reclamation that smacks of confidence and self-belief.
In 2017, Sweden’s Eurovision entry “I Can’t Go On” initially contained the line “because you look so f***ing beautiful”, which was changed to “freaking beautiful” before the contest. These lines were cleaned up before the final of the country’s national selection show Melodifestivalen.
Nevertheless, the fact that the word “kant” means singing in the Maltese language and the lyrics can therefore be translated as “serving singing” has left many scratching their heads.
Malta has until early next week to submit a new song.
“Kant” went viral even before the conclusion of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest on February 8. Assuming Miriana delivers a new lyric with a similar cheek and power to the original, this controversy could add more fuel to her fire. It’s certainly got Europe talking — again.
What do you think about this? Should Miriana Conte be allowed to serve kant at Eurovision 2025? Or do you think it’s fair for the EBU to decide this? Let us know in the comments down below!
