Victory Day Regatta : Celebrating Malta’s Triumphs

Victory Day commemorates two high points in Maltese history – the victorious end of the Great Siege on 8^th September 1565, when the Ottoman forces gave up their attempts to take over the Islands after three months of relentless fighting and heavy losses, and the date when the surrender of Fascist Italy was made public in 1943, giving Malta a breather in the Second World War. By sheer coincidence, the birth of the Virgin Mary is also celebrated on this day.

The day will start with mass at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary at Fort St Angelo at 09:30. It will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Malta, Mgr Charles J. Scicluna, together with the Archpriest and Collegiate Chapter of St Lawrence. This mass will be aired live on TVM and will be followed by a small blessing ceremony at the cemetery located inside the fort. The public can also admire the recent restoration of the chapel. Anyone wishing to attend mass is required to have a specific ticket, which can be obtained for free either from the sacristy of the parish church of St Lawrence or from George Agius. The number of tickets is limited.

The day will continue with a commemoration at the Victory of the Great Siege monument, which includes the participation of the 1st Cospicua Scout Group, the Malta Sea Cadets, and the National Festivities Committee.

At 12:00 another mass will be celebrated in St Anne’s Chapel in Upper Fort St Angelo.

The afternoon will be enlivened by various local re-enactment groups. The participating groups are Show of Arms, the Malta Historical Fencing Association, and the Historical Re-enactment Group of Malta. The Royal Naval Association Malta will also be participating with several Royal Navy veterans.

The fort will be open from 09:00 till 19:00, with last admissions at 18:30, allowing the public to also enjoy advantageous views of this year’s Regatta contest from 12pm till 18:00pm. Fort St Angelo will again offer its majestic premises at a reduced entry fee, serving as the perfect vantage point (Grunenbergh bastion – port side) from where to witness the rowing activities in the creek nearby, alongside a bar selling refreshing drinks and snacks. The event will include access to the upper parts of the fort which are administered by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, particularly the crypt.

Tickets cost €3 each for adults, seniors, and students. Children up to 11 years of age and Heritage Malta members presenting their membership card will be admitted free of charge. Heritage Malta passports are not applicable for this event.