Unbeknownst to me, when I left the flat for my morning walk a couple of days ago, I quickly discovered it was a holiday. March 31st was Freedom Day & the National Regatta in Malta.
Freedom Day
Here in Malta, Freedom Day is March 31st. This day is the anniversary for the withdrawal of the British troops and Navy from Malta. In March of 1979, the last of the British forces left the country. For the first time it its history, Malta was not a military base of a foreign power, but its own independent country.
A celebration indeed!
The Regatta
Twice a year, a national regatta is held in Malta, specifically in the Valletta harbour.
The reason I discovered both the holiday and the regatta was a notice posted at the ferry terminal. I had planned a day exploring Valletta, and needing to take a ferry over, I went to the little terminal. Low and behold, there were no ferries running!
So change of plans, I walked around the seawall to Birgu and to Senglea. Once at Senglea I stayed where the crowd was and watched the Regatta!
I have never seen a regatta before. This one is highly competitive. Each neighbourhood has its own club, set of colours and loyal fans. The National Regatta has been taking place since the middle ages!
There are several different categories ranging in size of boat and number of rowers aboard. Accompanying each race is a police boat and a Naval ship.
The biggest race that I was witness too, was a group of four men rowing neck and neck with one other team. Senglea was the winning team! You should have heard the crowd erupt with cheer! Hooping, hollering, firecrackers, music, it was so much fun to be part of that celebration!
When the winning team pulled up to the dock in their boat, the crowd went wild once again. More firecrackers and smoke bombs the colours of Senglea, yellow and red were let off. Team members were lifted onto shoulders and paraded around the area.
As I walked the sea wall, through the crowds and past all of the food vendors, it was so fun to see people celebrating. It was a beautiful sunny day, the local beer was flowing freely, people were happy, dancing, laughing and absolutely enjoying life.
