THE IMPRESSIVE PARADE OF THE 28TH OF OCTOBER IN THESSALONIKI
Every year, on the 28th of October, Thessaloniki becomes the center of celebrations for the National Anniversary of “OXI”, hosting the largest and most impressive parade in Greece. The events that take place during this special public holiday (also known as “Ohi Day”, the day of “No”) commemorate the rejection of the ultimatum that the Italian Fascist Regime of Benito Mussolini delivered to Greece on October 28, 1940: the Greek State would either allow the Italian army to enter the country and occupy strategic locations or there would be war. It was the day that Greece officially entered World War II.
The Anniversary of “OXI” honors the soldiers of Greece that lost their lives or were injured during the winning battle against the invading Italian forces at the Greek-Albanian border. It also honors the victims among the soldiers, the civilians and the members of the Resistance during the Axis occupation that was enforced after the invasion of Germany from the Bulgarian border in April 1941. During the years that followed, Greece suffered a triple occupation by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria, losing almost 1/10 of its population due to famine and executions, including its Jewish population that was almost eradicated.
Yet, for the citizens of Thessaloniki, the parade on the 28th of October has two additional meanings. It is the main event of a three-day celebration, which also commemorates the Liberation of Thessaloniki from the Ottomans, on the 26th of October, 1912, and the celebration of the patron saint of the city, Saint Demetrius, which coincides on the same day (the 26th).
In this article, you can see what the parade of the 28th of October in Thessaloniki is all about, and find all the main details regarding the anniversary and the event itself.
What should you expect to see?
There are three (3) different types of groups that participate in the parade, each one consisting of many different divisions:
- the civil groups, consisting of many cultural associations, traditional folklore dancing groups, marching bands, scouts, historic vehicle clubs, rescuers, firefighters and more,
- the students’ groups (with only a few schools participating, since there is a separate student parade the previous day), and
- the military groups, consisting of marching and motorized divisions of the Greek Army, officers, military bands, and veterans of war.
During the parade of the military groups, several aircrafts fly along the waterfront of the city and over the sea of Thermaikos Gulf, where naval ships may have anchored. At the end of the event, there is a spectacular F-16 aircraft show performed by one of the pilots of the Hellenic Air Force’s Demonstration Team “Zeus” (see pictures below or visit the team’s website). The parade is also attended by the president of the Hellenic Republic and many other officials of the Greek State.
For most people, the military part of the parade is the main attraction of the day. The parade of the 28th of October in Thessaloniki, however, is not just an expensive demonstration of weapons and military discipline, with soldiers and students marching. It is also a great opportunity for getting to know the versatile, traditional and folklore character of Greece, represented in the first half of the parade with the colorful costumes of the several cultural associations, traditional folklore dancers and other civil groups. And most of all, it is an opportunity to applause the volunteer rescuers, firefighters and other groups that contribute to the society and a day to honor the few remaining survivors of the war and the Resistance.
Where it happens and at what time?
The parade of the 28th of October in Thessaloniki, takes place on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue*, along the city’s New Waterfront. The starting point of the parade is at the junction of the avenue with Mpotsari Street (see the location on Google Maps) and its direction is from south to north, ending before the White Tower Area. The parade usually begins at approximately 11:00am and you can watch it from any point along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue excluding the area reserved for the officials of the Greek State. Lots of people are gathered for a nice viewing spot as early as 10:00am. The duration of the event, including the military aircraft show at the end, may last up to 3 hours.
* If you are also interested in watching the student parade the previous day, on the 27th of October, it takes place on Tsimiski Street, at 11:00am.
What should you be aware of?
- Before, during, and for some time after the parade, there are special traffic regulations in effect and besides Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, more roads are blocked around the parade. The public transport of the city is also affected.
- Given that the 28th of October is an official public holiday, all commercial stores, public services, banks, etc, are closed. However, many of the archaeοlogical sites, the monuments, and the museums that belong to the Greek State, are open with free admission (for more free entrance days see here). Restaurants and cafes are also open.
- During the parade, there is usually overcrowding.
More facts about the 28th of October
- Since the French language was the official diplomatic language of the time, the initial response given by the Prime Minister of Greece, dictator Ioannis Metaxas, to the ultimatum delivered by the Italian ambassador, Emanuele Grazzi, was in french: “Alors, c’est la guerre!” (So, this is war!). “OXI”, which means “no” in Greek, was according to Grazzi the answer that Metaxas gave to him after he tried to convince him otherwise. It was also the word that was used by the Greek newspapers and the people of Greece to express their stance.
- Mussolini’s failure in the Greco-Italian War was used by Hitler as an excuse for his own failure at the invasion in the Soviet Union, blaming the delay that was caused to the operations on the Eastern Front due to the German intervention in the Balkans.
- The Anniversary of “OXI” started to be celebrated in 1942, at first by the members of the Greek Resistance and after the end of the war, by the Greek State as an official public holiday.
- The anniversary of “OXI” is also celebrated in Cyprus and in many other countries throughout the World by the Greek diaspora.
