The two Victories of Malta in the years – 1565 and 1943, were commemorated on Wednesday in Xaghra attended by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat.

The ceremony was held on the newly refurbished Xaghra Square, the first time a National Day ceremony had been held in Gozo, and was made possible through changes made to protocol. A Guard of Honour for the President was made by the Armed Forces of Malta. A National Salute was given to the President and Prime Minister by the AFM.

This was followed by a Pontifical High Mass led by the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Mario Grech.There was a reenactment with the participation of, locals from Xaghra, by the Xaghra Historical Reenactment Organisation, including the triumphal entry of Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette nd the Captain of the Order of St John accompanied by Knights and Maltese soldiers.

Going round the Square, the Captain of the Order reads 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 states that the Day was to be dedicated to Our Lady of Victory.

There was also a reenactment of a scene from WWII and a show by Il Sestiere di Porta Bonomini from Sulmona Italy.The Malta Police Force Band performed a display and the commemorative 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.

Also present for the ceremony were the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, among others.

The 8th of September commemorates the end of the Great Siege of 1565, 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 the island of 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 enough, the armistice of the Fascist regime in Italy in 1943.

In the latter, the connection with Malta 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 by Alain Salvary

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