The works carried out on St George's Square, Valletta, have resulted in the discovery, among other things, of a stone block through which a sizable hole had been carved and which - together with ropes - was in all probability used to hold the kukkanja pole in place.

It is not clear whether the stone was discovered in its original place and whether it was left in situ following the re-paving of the square.

A painting from 1720-1722 shows the kukkanja pole placed to the left side of the square as one enters from Republic Street, pretty much where the stone is situated, so the latter might still be in its original position. The earliest reference to the kukkanja goes back to 1715 and was set up as part of the coming of May, or Calendimaggio celebrations, which were held annually in the square facing the Grandmaster's palace.

By 1720, the kukkanja was also featuring as part of carnival celebrations. The carnival one was set up in what is today's Republic Square.

During carnival of 1763, the impatient and hungry crowd assaulted the kukkanja before the customary signal was given by the Grand Master. The 100-odd soldiers guarding the kukkanja confronted the crowd with their musket butts and bayonets. Some 17 would-be kukkanja assailants were killed on the spot while a further 37 died later from their injuries.

Following the killings, the carnival kukkanja was discontinued, only to be revived under Grand Master De Rohan when it too started to be held at St George's Square and under somewhat safer conditions.

Few of us enjoying the relaxed environment of Republic Square realise that in February 1763 the place witnessed one the worst episodes of state-sanctioned violence ever to occur on the island. It would indeed be fitting if a plaque in rememberance of the episode and its victims were to be set up.