Republic Day ( Maltese: Jum ir-Repubblika) is a public holiday celebrated in

Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...

on 13 December. It celebrates the anniversary of the creation of the

Republic of Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...

in 1974, and the ending of the role of

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

as Queen of Malta, under which Sir Anthony Mamo, the last

Governor-General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

, was sworn in as the first

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

. British troops did not leave the country until 31 March 1979.

Events on 13 December

The main state sponsored celebrations take place in the center of the country's capital,

Valletta Valletta ( ; , ) is the capital city of Malta and one of its 68 Local councils of Malta, council areas. Located between the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west, its population as of 2021 was 5,157. As Malta’s capital ...

. The National Festivities Committee is responsible for organizing Republic Day events annually.

Awards ceremony

The

President of Malta The president of Malta () is the constitutional head of state of Malta. The president is indirect election, indirectly elected by the House of Representatives of Malta, which appoints the president for a five-year term and requires them to sw ...

usually presents awards to those who have served Malta in the military/political sphere and public figures who are considered to be effective representatives of the country.

Fireworks

A fireworks display is annually held over the Grand Harbour.

Monument

A wreath laying ceremony is held at the Republic Day Monument in Marsa. Monuments are also erected during the holiday for wreath laying procedures.

Military parade

A traditional

Trooping the Colour Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade in London, United Kingdom, by regiments of Household Division, to celebrate the King's Official Birthday, official birthday of the British sovereign, though t ...

ceremony and parade is the main military event that takes place on the day. The parade takes place in St. George’s Square in

, where the Presidential Colour is trooped through the ranks of the

Armed Forces of Malta The Armed Forces of Malta () is the name given to the combined armed services of Malta. The AFM is a brigade sized organisation consisting of a headquarters and three separate regiments, with minimal air and naval forces. Since Malta is the ...

. The salute is taken by the

, in their position as the commander in chief of the AFM. It is similar to the British version of the ceremony, with the parade being composed of 1 Colour Escort Guard and 3 other Guard units, accompanied by the Armed Forces of Malta Band. In the march-past, two marches are performed, '' By Land and Sea'' (for the march in slow time) and ''

The British Grenadiers "The British Grenadiers" is a traditional march (music), marching song of British and Commonwealth military units whose badge of identification features a grenade, the tune of which dates from the 17th century. It is the regimental quick march ...

'' (for the march in quick time). At the conclusion of the ceremony, the guards perform a ceremonial '' Feu de joie''.

Links

Republic Day Parade 2018Republic Day Parade 2017Republic Day Parade 2013

References

{{Commons category-inline, Republic Day (Malta) Public holidays in Malta

December observances Annual events in Malta Autumn in Malta