8th September (5)

Hmmmm.......... the 8th September is one of the last feasts in Gozo - held in Xaghra ('my' village) it celebrates the birth of 'Maria Bambina' - Mary the mother of Jesus Christ.

This date has historical connotations:

1.) On 8th September 1565 what remained of a Turkish Army 'fled' Malta defeated (a monument raised for the feast in Victory Square depicts Grand Master La Vallette 'kneeling down and receiving the palm of Victory with the slain Admiral Dragut lying at his feet'. La Vallette must have been a cool dude - I like drinking the wine 'La Vallette' which is named after him. You see, the Ottoman Empire wanted to establish a base here in the Maltese islands to assist in crushing Christianity in Europe.

2.) On the 8th September Italy ceded in WW2; the islands had been under siege for three long years.

On both occasions the population had prayed fervently to the 'Maria Bambina' to save them - and Mary is credited with having answered their prayers and allowed the islands to be 'reborn'.

The village has been celebrating all week - there will be a really good firework display in Victory Square at midnight tomorrow, Sunday 7th September........... today, in a couple of hours at 2.30 p.m. there are horse races on the road leading from Xaghra to Victoria (Rabat in Maltese) - the main town/capital of Gozo.

Each street is decorated with it's own distinctive style of banners and lights, and a good time is had by all (~burp~!).

All the villages in Gozo compete to have the best feast/festa on the island... naturally Xaghra's feast is the best - and anybody who disagrees faces the wrath of the Bambina, so there!

Arrrggghhhh! - re. 2.) above - 8th September, 1943

THAT IS MY BRITHDAY!!!! SEPTEMBER 8TH

great festivals in malta,a truly catholic country