National Anthem Day Celebrated in Malta for the First Time

Malta marked a significant cultural milestone with the celebration of National Anthem Day for the first time on 27 December, following its official declaration earlier in 2025 by the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Hon. Owen Bonnici.

The date holds particular historical significance, as it commemorates 27 December 1922, when L-Innu Malti, written by Malta’s National Poet, Dun Karm Psaila, and composed by Dr Robert Samut, was performed publicly for the first time at the Manoel Theatre.

The University of Malta joined the nationwide celebrations by sharing a commemorative social media post featuring the bust of Dun Karm located on its campus, paying tribute to the poet’s enduring contribution to Malta’s cultural and national identity.

Although L-Innu Malti had been widely sung at schools, public ceremonies and national events for decades, it was formally adopted as Malta’s national anthem with the coming into force of the Independence Constitution of 1964. A defining moment in its history occurred in 1945, when Maltese supporters united to sing the anthem at a football match at the Gżira Stadium; an act that powerfully affirmed its role as a symbol of collective identity, resilience and unity.

At the University of Malta, this legacy continues to be honoured through the statue of Dun Karm on campus, serving as a reminder of the enduring values of faith, unity and patriotism embodied in Malta’s national anthem.