Updated 12.50pm

Malta today marks 50 years since it revised its constitution and became a Republic.

As of December 13, 1974, Malta no longer had a foreign head of state, as it ceased to be under the sovereignty of the British monarch, and instead appointed its first President of the Republic - Sir Anthony Mamo.

Sir Anthony Mamo was Malta's first president. Photo: DOI

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Republic Day - Festivals Malta through the National Festivities Committee - and in collaboration with the Office of the President will be organising various activities throughout the long weekend.

The day kicked off with pontifical Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta at 9am.  

Archbishop Charles Scicluna led pontifical mass at the St John co-cathedral in Valletta. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Mgr Charles Scicluna greets President Myriam Spiteri Debono. Photo:DOI – Omar Camilleri

A ceremonial parade by the Armed Forces of Malta then greeted President Myriam Spiteri Debono and Prime Minister Robert Abela among others in St George’s Square.

There, the public watched a parade from the tiered seating set up in the square for this year’s commemorative events.

This large-scale public event is set to cost €2 million. 

The public could watch the parade from tiered seating. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Bernard Grech among those present for the ceremony in St George's Square. Photo: Jonathan Borg

At noon an investiture ceremony and medal awarding will be held in the Grand Council Hall at the Grand Master’s Palace.

The Valletta King’s Own Band Club will participate in a band march  in Republic Street, Valletta starting at 6pm from Republic Square. 

The parade in St George's Square is held in the morning, before an investiture ceremony and medal awarding at the palace at noon. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Later in the evening, Festivals Malta and Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali (FCN), will present an audiovisual spectacle titled L-Istorja, Aħna.

The government has promised that this performance, which depicts the history leading to Republic Day, will transform the façade of the President’s Palace in St George’s Square into a canvas narrating the story of the Maltese nation.

The show will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday. Friday's will be broadcast live on TVM and all local television stations.

Malta became a Republic on December 13, 1974.

The Republic of Malta is sick: ADPD

In a statement marking the 50th anniversary, the Green party said "the Republic of Malta is sick".

“While we celebrate this historical national milestone achieved 50 years ago, our county is now at a crossroads and needs to recognise how many fundamental aspects, so necessary for a strong democracy, have been eaten away, weakening our democracy," ADPD chair Sandra Gauci said.  

"It is shameful that after 50 years, governance has hit rock bottom.  It is now a given that hardly a week goes by without some discovery of abuse of power, corruption, and clientelism from people entrusted with the governance of the country, treating the country as their personal property." 

Malta was paying a high price for the foot-dragging of politicians on both sides of the House failing to make the necessary changes to safeguard and strengthen good governance, she said. 

"The constitutional reform, which has been promised for years, has remained on the shelf because it was not a priority for neither the Labour Party nor the Nationalist Party," Gauci said, adding that the current constitution guaranteed nearly absolute power to incumbents.  

She questioned why the constitutional reform process had been halted.

“The greatest celebration ever of the Republic would be the continuation of the process of constitutional reform that reflects the modern Maltese Republic.

"Instead it seems that we have a sick Republic of Malta stuck in the past.”