Why Wo We Have A Regatta Every 8th Of September?

Every year on 8 September, the Grand Harbour becomes the stage for one of Malta's oldest and most cherished sporting traditions, the Victory Day Regatta.

While many associate the event with Victory Day celebrations, its roots stretch back centuries and reflect Malta's long maritime history.

According to SportMalta, traditional rowing in Malta dates back to the Middle Ages, when boats used for fishing, transport and other daily activities around the harbours gradually evolved into vessels designed specifically for racing.

The Victory Day Regatta itself can be traced back at least 200 years. Records preserved by the National Archives of Malta show that a regatta was held on 8 September 1822, with prizes awarded across several races featuring fishing boats, tal-pass boats and caiques.

Historical accounts also link the races to Senglea, where competitions originally connected to the Feast of Our Lady of Porto Salvo began taking place on Victory Day before eventually becoming an official national event.

Today, the Regatta is among Malta's most prestigious traditional sporting competitions. Rowing clubs representing Cospicua, Kalkara, Marsa, Marsamxett, Senglea, Vittoriosa and Birżebbuġa compete in 10 races using traditional Maltese boats, including frejgatini, kajjikki, dgħajjes tal-pass and dgħajjes tal-midalji.

Crews race over a 1,040 metre course in pursuit of the Aggregate Shield, awarded to the club that earns the highest number of points.

Held annually on both Freedom Day and Victory Day, the September Regatta commemorates the Great Siege of 1565, the end of French rule in 1800 and the 1943 Italian armistice.

More than two centuries after the first recorded races, it remains one of Malta's proudest expressions of sporting heritage and national identity.

#MaltaDaily