John Attard Montalto of Sliema writes:
I have just read the letter by Mark John Galea (‘Celebrating Malta’, August 26).
The idea he expresses is most commendable. The only issue relates to the name proposed, Maltese National Day. This may be mistaken with Malta’s national days, which are part of our law. Notwithstanding our moderate size, we have five national days. Once, an American ambassador, who was a personal friend of mine, jokingly pointed out that Malta was a plum ambassadorial destination but for the five national days, which tend to be an inconvenience.
‘The Lifting of the Siege of Malta’. An allegory by Charles-Philippe Larivière at Salle de Croisades, Versailles, France. Photo: En.Wikipedia.org“America is ‘slightly larger’ than Malta but we only have one National Day,” he said.
Indeed, we do have five national days, probably as a compromise. Neither of the two major political events, September 21 (Independence Day) and March 31 (Freedom Day) were acceptable to either of the two dominant political parties, Nationalist or Labour.
The other three national days were introduced not to make the political divide too obvious. But they all have individual merit and importance, namely December 13 (Republic Day), June 7 (when six Maltese nationals lost their lives in protest over a hike in the price of bread) and, last but not least, September 8 (The Great Siege and the Santa Maria convoy are remembered).
A National Day should reflect unity among all the population on a date that is the most significant in the history of our country. If a day of political unity had to be chosen it should have been Republic Day, December 13. But if a day in which the whole Maltese population united immaterial of status, wealth, occupation or gender to save Malta from our then foes only September 8 qualifies.
The Santa Marija convoy saved Malta from starvation and domination by the Nazis and the fascists.
But the valour, courage and sufferings the Maltese took shone in the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, when almost half the population died or was seriously injured.
A recent publication of the Great Siege by Marcus Bull, of the University of South Carolina at Capital Hill, crystalises this indelible event. It also had a vital impact for control of the central Mediterranean by the two main powers of the time: the Ottoman and Spanish empires. The book concludes that the true heroes of the Great Siege were the Maltese.
Although all the other days mentioned deserve special commemoration, September 8 must surely be our National Day.