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Malta is the country with the most holidays in the European Union. Since 2020, any holidays falling on Saturdays or Sundays add an extra day to the workers' leave pool, reverting to the pre 2005 system.[1]

National holidays

Public holidays

Traditional Feasts

The following is a list of feasts or special days celebrated in Malta. Note that, with the exception of the dates mentioned in the previous section, these feasts are not public holidays and on these days, business runs as usual across the Maltese islands. As Malta is largely Roman Catholic, most of these feasts celebrate Saints or events from the Holy Bible.

January

January is known by the Maltese as ix-xahar tal-bard ('the month of the cold')

February

February is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar ta' San Pawl' ('Saint Paul's month')

March

March is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar ta' San Ġużepp, tal-Lunzjata u tar-roħs' ('The month of Saint Joseph, the Annunciation and Sales')

April

April is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tan-nwhar u ta' San Girgor' ('the month of blossoms and Saint Gregory').

The following feasts are moveable, as they can occur either in March or in April.

May

May is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-ħsad u tal-Madonna ta' Pompej' ('the month of harvest and Our Lady of Pompeii')

June

June is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tad-dris, tal-ħġejjeġ, tal-Imnarja, u tal-Qalb ta' Ġesù' ('the month of reaping, bonfires, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus')

July

July is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Karmnu' ('Our Lady of Mount Carmel's month').

August

The Assumption of Mary statue by Mariano Gerada, 1808, Għaxaq, Malta

August is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-frott, ta' Santa Marija u ta' San Lawrenz' ('the month of fruit, Saint Mary and Saint Lawrence').

September

September is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Vitorja, tal-Bambina, u tal-Grazzja' ('the month of Victory, the Nativity of Our Lady, and Our Lady of Graces').

October

October is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tar-Rużarju' ('the month of the Rosary').

November

November is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-inżigħ tal-weraq, tal-erwieħ, u tal-imwiet' ('the month of fallen leaves, of souls, and of deaths').

December

December is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Milied u tal-Kunċizzjoni' ('the month of Christmas and the Conception')

Distinction between National and Public Holidays

Article 3 of the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act (chapter 252) provides the distinction between National and Public Holidays.[2]

The National Holidays shall be public holidays and on those occasions there shall be flown on public buildings the National Flag of Malta.

References

  1. ^ "Amendment ensures that public holidays that fall on weekends to be added to vacation leave". The Malta Independent. 21 December 2020.
  2. ^ "National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act (chapter 252)". Maltese Government. 27 June 1975.
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