Malta celebrates Victory Day

Malta yesterday celebrated one of its national holidays, September 8, known as Il-Vitorja. The feast has a triple significance for the island: It commemorates the birth of Our Lady, the historic defeat of the Turks during the Great Siege of 1565 and...

Malta yesterday celebrated one of its national holidays, September 8, known as Il-Vitorja.

The feast has a triple significance for the island: It commemorates the birth of Our Lady, the historic defeat of the Turks during the Great Siege of 1565 and the collapse of fascism in Italy in 1943 which ended the onslaught on Malta in World War II.

The parishes of Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra mark the feast dedicated to the nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The official commemoration began with President Eddie Fenech Adami inspecting an Armed Forces of Malta Guard of Honour outside St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta. This was followed by a concelebrated Mass led by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca at the co-cathedral which was attended by numerous dignitaries including the President, the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers.

After Mass, Dr Fenech Adami laid a wreath at the Great Siege Monument in Republic Street, Valletta.

In the afternoon the traditional regatta was held in Grand Harbour.

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