Malta is celebrating Santa Marija today, a national holiday commemorating Operation Pedestal, the World War II convoy that saved the islands.
Amid heavy enemy bombardment in 1942, only five of 14 merchant ships that set sail from Britain reached the Grand Harbour. The badly damaged ships brought urgently needed food and fuel, preventing the islands from surrendering.
Operation Pedestal completed its voyage on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, when the tanker Ohio, laden with water, was slowly escorted into the Grand Harbour as people watched from the surrounding forts.
This daring naval operation is forever imprinted in the Maltese psyche as a Marian miracle, and has become known as the “Santa Marija Convoy”, and has been celebrated ever since.
Image Source: EC English
Although the situation is quite different, the Santa Marija festival is now the highlight of the summer holidays, with many Maltese travelling to Gozo or abroad for a week.
Thousands of other Maltese and tourists will celebrate at the Glitch and Summer Days Music Festivals, which have become regular events during Santa Marija week.
And many others will head to the beach to make the most of their holidays and beat the scorching heat.
The Christian festival on 15 August is celebrated in seven communities in Malta and Gozo: Mosta, Gasak, Guja, Mqaba, Qrendi, Attard and Victoria. The communities of Dingli, Machar and Jebbub on Gozo will celebrate the festival on Sunday.
Colourful and elaborate firework displays lit up the night skies over these towns yesterday and later in the day hundreds of revellers are due to take part in loud street parties accompanied by traditional Fiesta marching bands.
