Truly national day

Every year the first week of this month dawns upon us the glorious September 8, unfolding the pages of history marking Malta's victories over its enemies on the day the Church commemorates the Nativity of Our Lady. After the lifting of the Great Siege of 1565, a repeat of joyful events took place 60 years ago when the statue of Il-Bambina arrived in procession at The Strand, in Senglea on the feast day of September 8, 1943. The Archpriest, Can. Emanuel Brincat, received the jubilant news from the British Admiralty that Fascist Italy had surrendered, which meant that the war in Malta had phased out.

September 8 is Malta's original national day bringing nostalgic memories to many including the Maltese communities overseas. In Australia our compatriots reunite in their thousands to celebrate the feast of Il-Bambina, from the historic cathedral in Sydney to the other parishes in NSW, Greystanes and Horsley Park. Other festivities are held in Melbourne and Adelaide. Recently, in London the feast which has been chosen for Malta Day echoes the same national feeling and religious traditions, complete with a processional statue of Our Lady of Victories.

In my travels I have met Maltese from all walks of life and they seem to either ignore the remaining national days or, sadly enough, affiliate them with the two main political parties. Without diminishing the importance of events and achievements in the annals of our history, it is a well-known fact that the superabundance of the other national days does not bring the desired "national" unity in these islands. I may be voicing the opinion of the silent non-politically motivated citizens in crying out loud for a one and only national day, that is September 8.