A short ceremony full of evocative memories was held in front of the War Monument in Independence Square, Victoria as part of the Remembrance Day activities in Gozo, known popularly as Poppy Day.

Gozo Minister, Giovanna Debono, together with representatives of numerous groups and organizations laid the traditional red poppy wreaths at the foot of the monument commemorating Gozitan victims who perished between the years 1939-1045 by enemy action during the World War II. The monument, known also as Christ the King Monument, is a 1949 work of Italian sculptor Carlo Pisi and was unveiled by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 7th May 1954. Present for the ceremony were veterans of war as well as members of the British Legion of Malta. A number of Mayors of Italian cities participating in the Gastronomical Festival being organized by the Culture section were also present.

The ceremony also included the reading of a commemorative poem as well as the reading out of names of Gozitan war victims by Mr Charles Bezzina. Prayers were also recited for the departed. The Gozo platoon of the Armed Forces of Malta also took part in the ceremony.

As the Citadel clock struck the eleven’th hour a minute of silence was held followed by the Last Post and the Reveille. A tornado aircraft from the Royal Air Force Leuchars in Scotland made a fly past over Independence Square a few minutes after eleven o’clock.