On 8 September, the political/cultural movement Viva Malta will be honouring the memory of the Maltese who fought in the Great Siege.

The Viva Malta commemoration at 10.30am in front of the Law Courts, has been slotted midway through the Victory Day official celebrations. At 10am, President Fenech Adami and officialdom will attend the Thanksgiving Mass in nearby St John’s Co-Cathedral. At 11am the President will lay wreath on the Great Siege Monument in front of the Law Courts. The Viva Malta commemoration will consist of the movement’s leader, Norman Lowell, making a statement to the press.

Announcing the event, Viva Malta said, referring to ‘our forefathers’: “They saved our island and indeed Southern Europe from being conquered by the Turkish invading army. We will be commemorating this pivotal event in both Maltese and European history that ensured our survival as a people.”

Another statement by Viva Malta said that Dr Emmy Bezzina will be presenting two pleas in court on behalf of Norman Lowell on Friday 9 September, regarding Mr Lowell’s case for incitement of racial hatred. Dr Bezzina will hand out a copy of the pleas to the press at 10.30am, at the door of the court. Dr Bezzina and his client will then make statements to the press.