The Nationalist Party on Monday announced the activities in will be holding as from Wednesday to celebrate Malta's 60th year of independence.

The events will take place at the Tritons Square in Valletta, culminating in a mass meeting to be held on Friday, the eve of Independence Day.

Addressing the media, PN general secretary Michael Piccinino said the activities, with the slogan "'il quddiem" (moving forward) will be an opportunity to reflect on Malta's future. "Our country needs a different direction. We want a country where everyone is taken care of, which is what Karl strived for," he said, referring to former MP Karl Gouder who died last week.

Gouder had expressed his interest to succeed Piccinino as PN Secretary General before his untimely death.

Piccinino, who is stepping down to contest the election, said the party "will continue working along the path Karl was preparing to ensure a better Malta and Gozo," Piccinino said.

The week of celebrations will start with a discussion on Wednesday with the participation of PN leader Bernard Grech. Among the speakers are Michael Galea, former manager of the Gozo Business Chamber; Marisa Xuereb, former president of the Malta Chamber; Joe Farrugia, former director general of the Malta Employers Association; and communications academic and author Gorġ Mallia.

Grech will be interviewed on Thursday and will be the main speaker at the party's mass meeting on Friday.

The activities the PN is organising also include live music, events for children, chess competitions, and bicycle rides.

This year's celebrations will continue with two shoot-outs at Bidnija and Ta' Kandja on September 22. An art exhibition titled "Rotta Arti" will open at Dar Ċentrali on September 23 and run until October 6.

The PN will also mark this milestone anniversary with the release of a commemorative coin.