On Saturday, Gozo commemorated the two victories of Malta – 1565 and 1943, during a ceremony which took place in the main square of Xaghra.
Present for the ceremony was among others, Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, who remarked that a Victory Day commemoration takes place every year in Xaghra where a reenactment takes place to mark the historical events linked to this important holiday in our calendar.
“These are the events that shaped our nation, events that are woven into history and that it is our duty to continue to commemorate,” he said.
Following the Mass in the morning, led by Archbishop Emeritus Mons Paul Cremona,there were reenactments with the participation of locals, by the Xaghra Historical Re-enactment Organisation, of the Great Siege of Malta 1565, and scenes from the Second World War.
These included the triumphal entry of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette and the Captain of the Order of St John accompanied by Knights and Maltese soldiers.
The Captain of the Order read out various proclamations by Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette.
One states that following the victory of the Knights and the Maltese over the invading army after a five month long siege in 1565, the Grand Master declared that the 8th day of September was to be remembered every year as the day of victory.
Another stated that the day was to be dedicated to Our Lady of Victory.
The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths in front of the Great Siege monument, which was temporarily set up in Victory Square, followed by the National Anthem.
The commemoration event was organised by Xaghra Parish, in conjunction with the National and Regional Celebrations Committee within the Ministry for Gozo and Xaghra Local Council.
The end of the Great Siege of 1565 is commemorated on the 8th of September, this year marks the 459th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta; the epic 1565 battle that made a legend out of a little island that, against all odds, withstood invasion from an empire.
The Great Siege of Malta commenced in May of 1565 when the Ottoman Empire began invading Malta, which was then occupied by the Order of the Knights of St John.
After several months of continuous battle and bloodshed the Siege came to an end on the 8th of September, a date that continues to be commemorated with the annual public holiday Il-Vitorja.
It also marks the end of the French occupation of Malta in 1800 and coincidentally, the armistice of the Fascist regime in Italy in 1943.
The connection with Malta in 1943 was two-fold – the bombardments by the ‘Aeronautica’ were over and the Italian Navy was brought to Malta to remain moored at St. Paul’s Bay until the end of the war.
Photos: MGP