Celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Malta’s National War Museum have officially begun at Fort St Elmo with a ceremony, the launch of a commemorative exhibition, and a public concert carrying a strong message of peace.
The anniversary events form part of the wider ‘Malta Remembers’ initiative, also marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. The initiative is being coordinated by Heritage Malta, the National Celebrations Foundation, and Festivals Malta.
The celebrations will reach their peak on Sunday with an Open Day, during which visitors will have the rare opportunity to view the George Cross and the original letter from King George VI.
These two historic items have been loaned exclusively by the National Library of Malta for this special occasion.
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, emphasised the museum’s role in preserving the country’s wartime legacy, describing it as a symbol of the nation’s courage and resilience.
He said the display of the George Cross and the royal letter enhances the commemorative significance of the anniversary.
Heritage Malta Chairman Mario Cutajar called for the continued sharing of personal wartime experiences, noting the museum’s role in connecting past and present generations. CEO Noel Zammit acknowledged the contribution of early volunteers, whose efforts in 1975 laid the foundations for today’s institution.
To mark the occasion, three new publications were launched.
These include a bilingual guide on WWII in Malta and a volume highlighting 50 artefacts from the museum’s collection. Original museum volunteers also attended the event.
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