The Maltese Islands celebrate their Independence Day on 21st September. After years of colonial occupation by various nations, the Maltese Islands were finally granted independence by the British government in 1964. Malta is on Thursday celebrating 42 years of independence.
A number of activities and festivities mark the 21st of September, which is a national holiday.
A solemn pontifical mass was celebrated at 0930 CEST in St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta by Archbishop Mercieca. Archbishop Mercieca thanked God for His help throughout the years which helped Malta in a long and difficult journey to achieve what we have today. He appealed for prayers so that God’s help will keep our country strong when facing the difficult contemporary challenges. Archbishop Mercieca appealed to all the citizens particularly to politicians; to understand, appreciate and safeguard the soul of the Maltese people and their Christian values.
The state’s highest authorities attended, including President Edward Fenech Adami who was saluted by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta. The Armed Forces Band marched along Republic Street just before the mass.
Following the mass, President Fenech Adami together with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi laid a wreath in front of the Independence Monument in Floriana.
An Investiture Ceremony was also held on Thursday morning on Indipendence Day. The President of Malta, H.E. Dr Edward Fenech Adami, conferred honorary membership of the National Order of Merit on two Honorary Consuls General and two Honorary Consuls for Malta overseas at The Palace, Valletta.
At 17:15CET the Prime Minister will attend celebrations in Victoria with Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.
In the evening, at 19:00CET, President Fenech Adami will attend a symphony concert by the National Orchestra under the baton of Mro Michael Laus at the Presidential Palace courtyard in Valletta.
The Nationalist Party (PN) organised several days of activities on the Floriana Granaries during the past week ending on Wednesday evening with a mass meeting addressed by PN leader and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
While addressing the crowd of PN supporters Dr Gonzi highlighted several projects and achievements in the country and promised that the work initiated will continue to further improve the country.
Dr Gonzi and earlier PN Secretary Joe Saliba in both their speeches praised former PN leaders George Borg Olivier and Eddie Fenech Adami for trusting in the Maltese people and whose hard work brought the country independence 42 years ago and reaching its climax in contemporary time by joining the EU in 2004.
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