The famous dagger which belonged to Grandmaster de Valette himself is soon heading back to the Louvre museum in Paris after a five month stay here in Malta.
The dagger has been exhibited in the Malta Archaeology Museum in Valletta since 18 March. It was supposed to be taken back to Paris in July. However, arrangements were made so that the dagger stays for a bit longer, to celebrate the feast of 8 September in the Maltese islands.
Minister for Justice and Culture Owen Bonnici said that the public will have this one last opportunity to see the golden dagger on 8 September, a public holiday. The archaeology museum will be open to the public free of charge.
The dagger's presence was a huge success, Minister Bonnici said. In the period between 18 March and 4 September, almost 40,000 people visited the museum. This compares drastically with the 28,000 who visited the museum during this same period last year. "This dagger attracted almost double the number of average visitors," he said in a press conference this morning. He also noted how group tours are on the increase.
Heritage Malta CEO Kenneth Gambin said that 8 September carries an important significance with the dagger's history, as in the past, the Maltese used to celebrate the Great Siege Victory on this same date. He said that Heritage Malta has, in recent years, managed to increase accessibility to the public by events, public lectures, publications and open days. He also announced that the Chief Curator of the Louvre Museum in Paris will be delivering a lecture on Thursday at the archaeology museum.
The dagger carries with it an intrepid account which revolves around de Vallette to Napoleon Bonaparte. When the French took over the Maltese islands, Bonaparte took any military artefacts with the intent of having a museum set up. However, the general decided to keep this one particular dagger to himself. Bonaparte kept the dagger with him at all times, even when he was sent in exile. After his death, the dagger was taken to the Louvre for exhibition.
The dagger was given to Malta, 'on loan' for the first time since 1798.