OXI Day military and school parades cancelled across Greece this year

·

Stelios Petsas, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesman, announced on Monday that the country’s traditional military and school parades on October 28th would not take place this year due to coronavirus concerns.

Although Greece’s virus numbers remain low compared to other European nations, Petsas stated that the risk of the further spread and transmission of COVID-19 is too high to allow for the parades.

“It is now clear that a second wave of the pandemic has already occurred in our country and throughout Europe, which is reflected in the number of cases, intubations and, unfortunately, deaths,” Petsas said during a health briefing on Monday.

“Vigilance is needed… because the picture can easily change dramatically.”

OXI Day commemorates the moment when Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, on October 28, 1940, rejected Benito Mussolini’s ultimatum to allow Axis forces to invade strategic locations in Greece during WWII.

After the war, OXI Day became a national holiday in Greece and Cyprus.

It is celebrated every year with military and school parades in both countries and around the world among the Greek Diaspora.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Wollongong Wolves score epic last minute goal against Sydney Olympic in ultimate draw

Sydney Olympic battled it out with Wollongong Wolves on Monday afternoon of the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

Ecumenical Patriarch reiterates call for unified Orthodox and Catholic Easter

The Ecumenical Patriarch has once again proposed a unified date for Easter to be celebrated by both Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

Top Greek Entertainers and Celebrities of the Decade

These celebrities have served this decades entertainment industry well...and they also happen to be Greek! Zach Galifianakis The most recent decade has seen many Greek celebrities...