Victory Day in Malta
Victory Day is observed in Malta on 8 September and is both a national holiday and a day of remembrance. It brings together memories of three turning points in Maltese history, official ceremonies, religious observances and the Grand Harbour Regatta.[1][4][5]
A holiday rooted in Malta’s history
Malta’s National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act regulates the country’s holidays. The government lists 8 September as the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, marked as a national holiday; the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations includes it among Malta’s 14 paid holidays.[1][2]
The day recalls the end of the Great Siege in 1565, the French capitulation in 1800 after the blockade, and Italy’s declaration of an armistice in the Second World War in 1943. Heritage Malta presents these as three events that helped shape Maltese identity.[4]
How the day is observed
Official commemorations include a wreath-laying at the Great Siege Monument in Valletta and a parade by the Armed Forces of Malta. The President’s Office has also reported a pontifical Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Victories in Xagħra, Gozo, as part of the national feast’s celebrations.[5]
The afternoon Grand Harbour Regatta is a traditional rowing-boat competition associated with Victory Day. Religious observances are also tied to the Nativity of Our Lady, the feast celebrated by parishes dedicated to Our Lady of Victories.[4][5]
Work and practical planning
The holiday is fixed on 8 September. When a national or public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Malta’s 2021 amendment provides for an additional day of vacation leave; this is a leave entitlement, not a substitute date on the calendar. Pay and arrangements for employees who work depend on the applicable wage regulation order and employment conditions.[2][3]
Shops, banks, public offices and public transport may follow different hours or timetables on Victory Day, so check with the service directly. The Regatta takes place in the Grand Harbour, so visitors planning harbour activities should also check event information.[4]
Frequently asked questions
When is Victory Day in Malta?
It is observed every year on 8 September, the date listed for the Feast of Our Lady of Victories.[1]
Is Victory Day a paid day off?
Is there a substitute day when 8 September falls on a weekend?
The law provides an additional day of vacation leave when a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday. The holiday itself remains on 8 September.[3]
What can visitors expect to see?
Sources and references
Sources used for Victory Day in Malta:
- Public Holidays in Malta- Government of Malta
- National and Public Holidays- Department for Industrial and Employment Relations, Government of Malta
- Parliament of Malta - National Holidays & other Public Holidays (Amendment ) Act- Parliament of Malta
- 8 September: New Exhibition At The Grand Master’s Palace- Heritage Malta
- The President attends the official Victory Day celebrations- Office of the President of Malta