Malta has 14 public holidays and national holidays and, sometimes, it can get confusing to remember what they’re all about. Get your facts straight about this month’s public holidays and know where to go.
8th September: Feast of Our Lady of Victories
The Feast of Our Lady of Victories is locally known as Il-Vitorja. While it is essentially a religious feast, it is also a historically important day. The 8th September marks the day when the Ottomon Empire retreated and left the Maltese Islands, essentially marking the end of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Incidentally, it also marks the day when the Italian forces surrendered to the Allies during World War II in 1943, essentially switching sides from the Axis to the Allies; several Italian ships had surrendered in Malta.
You can attend the official ceremonies in Valletta in the morning and then head over to the bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour to see the massive regatta event in the afternoon. In the evenings, see the fireworks in any of the villages honouring the feast of Our Lady of Victories: Senglea, Naxxar and Mellieha in Malta, and Xaghra in Gozo.
21st September: Independence Day
Independence Day is locally known as Jum l-Indipendenza. On this day in 1964, Malta officially gained independence from Britain. Amid cheers from a large crowd, the Maltese flag was raised at Independence Arena, Floriana, on the night of the 20th-21st September, declaring Malta an independent nation. The fact that Malta gained independence is a little more special when you learn that a referendum almost made Malta a part of the United Kingdom. A degree of self-rule had been granted prior to 1964 and it took another ten years for Malta to finally be declared a Republic (this is celebrated on 13th December).
Malta’s Independence Day is widely marked all over the Islands with a variety of parades, musical performances and cultural events.
Meanwhile, if this has caught your interest, learn more about the other public holidays in Malta.