Tuesday, 11th November 2008

Recalling WWI armistice

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I today by recreating the historic moment when a cannon was fired from the Saluting Battery in Valletta. World War I was the first truly global conflict and lasted from 1914 till 1918. The 20 million military casualties - 600 of whom were Maltese - led to it being called "the war to end all wars". The official end of the conflict came at a symbolic time - the 11th hour (GMT), of the 11th day, of the 11th month - so that generations to come would forever remember the occasion. This had been marked throughout Europe with the simultaneous firing of cannon, including a ceremony at the Saluting Battery. The programme will start at 11 a.m. and end at noon. Entrance will cost €5 per person and this will contribute to the purchase of an original British Vickers 18-pdr quick-firing field gun from WWI, the type used at the Saluting Battery between the wars.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Mario Farrugia (on 11/11/08)

History remains history whichever way you look at it. FWA marks Rememberance Day along with a good part of the world in its effort to keep historic memory alive in the hope of influencing the future for the better. If Mr Cachia prefers the Cavaliers' yoke for the British one then that is his choice. I for one feel glad that I live in Independent Malta but will never forget our forefathers' sacrifices to reach this point. That is why we commemorate important events from the past - not to let them fade away. About FWA's bid to get an original WWI Vickers 18-pdr field gun for its museum collection - what can I say?!!! Mr Cachia take cover....

Joseph Cachia (on 11/11/08)

Will Wirt Artna give us a hint how the families of the 600 MALTESE lost, have been rewarded.
And, how World War 1 come to be a 'WIRT' to our island.
This catastrophic was caused by a king and a prince fighting each other and committing
their country citizens to die for their own personal greed and power in EUROPE and beyond.
Unfortunately 600 MALTESE were forced to join in the conflict, absolutely not for Malta
security
'WIRT' inheritance. We did inherit a lot from the Cavaliers and the king sent his men to stamp
their heels on our inherited on our granite slabs.
Please Wirt Artna give us a hint about the families of the fallen and why we need to have a
WEAPON of MASS DESTRUCTION original vickers cannon.
Is it not much better to erect a statue of CHRIST and St Paul?