Il-Vitorja

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Victory Day – 8th September

Victory Day is one of Malta’s National Holidays. The date commemorates the end of the 1565 Great Siege, the end of the French Occupation of Malta in 1800 as well as the armistice of the Fascist forces in Italy in 1943. The Italian Navy was brought to Malta to remain moored at St Paul’s bay until the end of the war.

Official Celebrations

Various official State ceremonies characterize the morning of the 8th September, these include a parade by the Armed Forces of Malta. The parade is held in Valletta throughout Republic street and finishes in front of St John’s Co-Cathedral. Upon the arrival of the Prim Minister, he is given a military salute and the National anthem is played. Afterwards a solemn mass is held in the cathedral attended by some of the highest dignitaries of the country.

During the afternoon the hotly contested Regatta (boat race) is held in the Grand Harbour. The participating teams include; Senglea, Cospiqua, Vittoriosa, Marsamxett, Kalkara and Marsa. A number of races are held in two principle boat categories.

In the evening the centuries old feast of il-Madonna tal-Vitoria is celebrated, this feast has been celebrated 1565 to mark the end of three months siege by the Ottoman Empire.

Il-Madonna tal-Vitorja

The feast celebrating the Nativity of Our Lady is celebrated on the 8th of September in 3 different locations in Malta being; Naxxar, Mellieha and Senglea as well as in Xaghra Gozo.

See the spanish translation.