People across Greece gathered in their cities and villages on Friday and over the weekend to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of Greece’s National Day (‘OXI’ Day).
In Thessaloniki on Friday, the customary military parade celebrating the anniversary of Greece’s entry into World War II took place.
As usual, the parade was attended by several officials including Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and foreign dignitaries such as US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis.
The highlight of the parade was the passage of several airplanes, including newly-acquired French-built Rafale fighters. German-made “Marten 1” infantry fighting vehicles given to Greece in replacement of armoured units sent to Ukraine were also on display.
In a speech after the parade, Sakellaropoulou said: “The ‘No’ of October 28, 1940, to the fascist invasion and our people’s heroic resistance are one of the most glorious moments of our modern history, which we respectfully commemorated in today’s parade.”
“The spirit of national unity forged in the Albanian epic is a precious legacy for all of us.”
Elsewhere, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also attended a commemorative event in the north-western Greek city of Ioannina.
During his visit, Mitsotakis attended a memorial service, laid a wreath and lit a candle in honour of the 167 fallen soldiers whose remains are kept in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Our own duty is to bequeath to the younger generation a stronger, more secure, more prosperous and more just fatherland,” the Prime Minister said during his speech.
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