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The sword of La Valette, which has long created a controversy as to whether it should be sent back to Malta or not, was stolen from the Louvre in France.

The dagger, which, together with the sword, was given to the Grandmaster by King Philip II of Spain as appreciation and to commemorate the victory in the Great Siege of 1565, was stolen as well.

This is part of the story from the new novel written by Richard Attard, Ix-Xabla Leġġendarja, which shows how the sword is stolen from France so as to be brought back to Malta to be enjoyed by everyone.

The novel, published by Horizons, recounts the adventurous plot of two old friends who are commissioned with this dangerous task. Involved in the story, among others, are the highest Maltese authorities, the Order of St John and the Italian Mafia.

It was in 1798 that Napoleon Bonaparte stole from Malta numerous priceless treasures, including La Valette’s sword and poniard.

Many Maltese argue that the sword should be returned from the Louvre, but according to Attard’s novel, there is someone in particular who wants it back at all costs.

The novel was conceived with the idea of being easily translated to film, with continuous action that takes us to France and Italy, while being prim-arily based in Malta.

Attard was born in Cospicua in 1962. His first literary work was Il-Kodiċi Vassalli – The Vassalli Codes, published by Progress Press in 2009.

www.horizons.com.mt