Il-Vitorja (Victory Day) 2012

Celebrate one of the most important historical dates

Il-Vitorja, or Victory Day, is one of Malta's most important historical days, falling on the 8th of September. It's a National Day as the date commemorates the end of the Great Siege in 1565, the end of the French occupation of Malta in 1800 and the fall of the Fascist regime in Italy in 1943. This day represented both the stopping of 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.

During the morning of Victory Day, there are usually a number of State Ceremonies, including a parade by the Armed Forces of Malta. During the afternoon then, there's the famous regatta held in the Grand Harbour, an incredibly contested traditional rowing boat race, with the participation of towns surrounding the Grand Harbour.

In the evening, you can join in the celebrations of the feast of Our Lady as a Child (or Our Lady of Victories/Maria Bambina). You can visit Naxxar, Senglea, Mellieha or Xaghra in Gozo to see the procession with the statue, street decorations and amazing fireworks.