In Pictures: Xaghra celebrates Victory Day

From the enactment of Maltese history to the Malta Police Band performing a display in the main square, Victory Day in Xaghra was not to be missed.

The small Gozitan village of Xaghra this morning celebrated one of Malta’s national holidays, il-Vitorja.

The feast has a triple significance for the island: It commemorates the birth of Our Lady and the feast of ‘Maria Bambina’, the defeat of the Turks at the hands of the Knights of St John and the Maltese during the Great Siege of 1565, as well as the surrender of fascism in Italy in 1943 which effectively marked the end of World War II for Malta.

All photos by Chris Mangion.
All photos by Chris Mangion.

The parishes of Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra mark the feast dedicated to the nativity of Mary.

Earlier today, Xaghra feast enthusiasts and residents alike celebrated the feast as they re-enacted part of the Maltese history depicting the collapse of fascism in Italy in 1943, which effectively marked the end of the onslaught on Malta during World War II.

At the end of the re-enactment, actors released a number of pigeons.

The celebrations also saw the police band perform a display in the main square followed by a Guard of Honour by the Armed Forces of Malta.

Photography by Chris Mangion – click on arrows to view photos.