Freedom Day commemorates the day Malta gained its freedom and officially became a sovereign state. On March 31, 1979, the last British vessels left, and Malta was no longer used as a British military base.
On the occasion of the 44th anniversary of Freedom Day, Festivals Malta, through the National Festivals Committee, is organising a programme of activities to commemorate this day.
On Friday, March 31, 2023, on Freedom Day, at 9:30 in the morning, a march with the Armed Forces of Malta will start from Gavino Gulia Square, proceeding to Triqix-Xatt ta’ Bormla. The march will then pass through Saint Laurence Street in Birgu and finish at the Freedom Monument in Birgu.
During this ceremony, the Armed Forces Band, together with the Armed Forces of Malta’s Guard of Honour, will welcome the country’s highest authorities, including the President of Malta, the Prime Minister, and the leader of the Opposition.
The ceremony on Freedom Hill starts at 10:00 in the morning, where the President will be given the national salute. Afterwards, the authorities will ascend Freedom Hill, where the Armed Forces Band will play the Freedom Day Anthem. This will be followed by a fanfare and the laying of flowers on the monument. The ceremony ends with the national anthem.
At 12:30 in the afternoon, the traditional regatta, organised by the National Regatta Association with the help of SportMalta, will take place in the Grand Harbour in Valletta. During the event, there will be several boat races for the following categories: Medal Boat A – Frigates – Pass C Boats – Kayaks – Pass B Boats in the Open and Reserves. After each race, commemorative trophies will be presented to the winners in each category.
After all the races are finished, commemorative shields will be presented to the club that obtains the highest number of points in the Open Category and in the Reserves Category races. In this edition of the regatta, there will also be a frigate race for female rowers, and the winner of the race will also be presented with a special shield. The regatta will be broadcast live on TVM Sports +.
On Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 10:30 in the morning, a parade by the Armed Forces Band will march through Republic Street and end in St George’s Square, Valletta.
File photo: AFM
