October 28 is an important date in the history of Greece, the day when all
the Greek people said “No” (Greek: Ohi) to the Italian occupation in
during the Second World War.
STORY
Day "Oh and" in Greece (Greek: Επέτειος του “’Οχι”) is a public holiday that is celebrated annually in the country on October 28 in memory of the events of 1940.
On the night of October 27-28, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece appeared at the door of the Prime Minister's office Ioannis Metaxas and handed over a telegram to Mussolini, in which Greece was asked to surrender to the mercy of the Italian dictator without any conditions, to surrender its national positions.
The Greek Prime Minister's response was categorical: "No!"(in Greek "ohi"). In response to the ultimatum of the Italian embassy, it was stated that this method of treatment was regarded as a declaration of war on Greece by Italy, and at 6 am with the sanction of the Italian parliament armed forces began the occupation of Greek territories.
So Greece entered the Second world war. On October 28, 1940, Italian troops invaded Greece from Albania. Greeks from all over the country arrived at the front line, the army occupied the dominant heights and repelled the onslaught, and on November 14 launched a counteroffensive.
For five months, the Greek army resisted many times superior enemy forces, once again proving to the world that strength, numbers, weapons and equipment do not always win in war; the spirit of the people is also important. Greek army was able not only to stop the Italians, but also threw their troops back into the Adriatic Sea.
There is such a date in the Greek official calendar - a public holiday from strange name“Day ‘Οχι” (“Day No”). For more than 70 years, on this day they remember an event that is considered one of the most valiant and patriotic in the life of the country.
Then, back in 1940, the fascist government of Mussolini presented an ultimatum to the Greek state to occupy its territory. And the Greco-Italian War began...
Italian troops took up positions on the Greek-Albanian border.
6:00 am
The citizens of Athens were roused from their beds by the air raid siren. Not understanding what could have happened, half-asleep people poured out onto the balconies and then onto the streets of the capital. Only one piece of news was passed from mouth to mouth: “Italy declared war on us.”
7:15 am
Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas made a speech to the people gathered at the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the Military Council was meeting.
He announced to the people: “ Today at 3 o'clock in the morning the Italian Ambassador Emmanuel Grazzi presented me with a note from his government.
In it, the Italians demand that the Kingdom of Greece not prevent Mussolini’s troops from entering Greek soil across the Greek-Albanian border in order to occupy all the country’s strategic facilities in order to freely advance the Italian army into the African states where they are waging war.
My answer was short: “Ooh!” This means the Greco-Italian war! I gave such an answer because I am firmly convinced that the people will support me, and our Greek army will write new heroic pages in glorious history a proud and invincible nation! Now it's all about the fight!».
Enthusiastic cries were heard from the crowd: “Bravo, General!”, “ Victory or death!».
Not an inch of Greek land was given to the Italians. For 6 long months, the Greek army repelled the attacks of enemies who tried to enter the northwestern part of Greece from the territory of Albania. The Italians failed to suppress the high morale of the Greek army, which was supported by the common people.
The feat of the Greek brigade of Colonel Davakis
The Italian command set the task of cutting off the Greek army in Epirus from Western Macedonia in front of its “Julia” mountaineering division of 11 thousand soldiers.
One of the sections of the 35-km Klisouras mountain pass, through which the Italians advanced, was defended by the Greek brigade of Colonel Davakis, numbering only 2 thousand soldiers. They managed not only to hold back the onslaught of a numerically superior and well-armed mountain division, but also to launch a counteroffensive.
On November 1, 1940, Italian forces, faced with the threat of encirclement, were forced to retreat. The colonel himself was wounded in the chest during the counterattack. An officer rushed to his aid. The wounded Davakis whispered: “ This is not the time to deal with me, consider me killed! Go and see that the enemy does not take your positions!"And lost consciousness.
The feat of Davakis's warriors is compared to the feat of the legendary 300 Spartans, and he himself is compared to the courageous Leonidas.
The feat of Greek women
That year there were terrible frosts, the temperature in the mountains of Epirus dropped to -30 degrees. The Greek army was half-naked and lacked provisions. Ordinary Greek peasants helped them survive. Women showed particular courage.
At a time when their husbands took up arms and went to fight voluntarily, women, those who were younger, fought next to them, helping the wounded and sick. And those who were older collected firewood and carried it high into the mountains on their shoulders so that the soldiers could warm themselves. They knitted warm socks and sweaters for the soldiers and baked bread. They were ready to do anything just to prevent the enemy from entering their native land.
Mother's feat
In a small village in the mountains of the Klisouras gorge there is a monument to the heroine mother. Her name is Eleni Ionidou. This woman had 9 children - 9 sons. Five of them went to the front.
When she was informed that her son Evangelos Ionidis had died, she, overcoming terrible pain, found the courage to write a letter to the Prime Minister, Metaxas' successor, Alexander Corisi. In the letter, Eleni says that she could not bury her beloved son. He was buried by his brothers who fought nearby. Her youngest children, four sons, are with her now, and they are still studying. She has the right to keep the boys with her.
«… But I want you to know that if their lives are needed by the Motherland, I am ready to sacrifice them. So tell our king" And signature: Eleni Ionidi, February 2, 1941.
The resistance to Mussolini's troops was so strong that to the German government there was nothing left to do but postpone the impending attack on Soviet Union and come to the aid of your allies.
April 27, 1941 german army occupied Athens. A month later, the island of Crete was conquered. The Greek people had to endure all the horrors of Hitler’s occupation, but this is another page in their history...
Okha Day today
Every year on October 28 in all small and big cities countries public buildings and private houses are decorated with national flags. Greece is preparing to celebrate its heroic holiday “OHI”, associated with the events of the distant 1940. On this day, even in the smallest villages remote from the center, residents honor the memory of their heroes.
School and student parades are mandatory, which were introduced in 1944.
Children prepare for such parades in advance, because the right to bear state flag Greece is granted only to the best student of the school.
Wreaths are laid at the monuments and obelisks of war heroes. In Athens, flowers are always brought to the Tomb. Unknown Soldier. And although this is a soldier who died in another war - for the independence of Greece, this only confirms the continuity of the patriotic traditions of the Greek people.
IN northern capital- Thessaloniki, this holiday is celebrated especially solemnly. The President of the Hellenic Republic is always present at the military parade on October 28th.
After the end of the official part of the holiday, folk festivities begin, concerts of popular performers of folk music, songs and dances are held. And the celebrations end with a big fireworks display.
October 28th is a special date for Greece, which the entire country celebrates with pride every year as a public holiday. This is Okha Day - an event inscribed in history as one of the most striking manifestations of patriotism. On this day in 1940, the fascist government of Italy, led by Mussolini, presented Greece with an ultimatum. Greece answered with a short “No”, and then the war came to its territory.
“Okhi”: the answer that predetermined the course of history
In 1940, the Second World War between two military-political coalitions was just gaining momentum. On the one hand - Germany with its allies: Italy, Slovakia and Albania. At that time, France, Poland and Great Britain were at war with the fascist states. After a series of failures by Great Britain and the start of mass raids on it from outside fascist countries Germany began to rule virtually unchallenged in Europe. Italian forces also declared war on the British, launching offensives in the Mediterranean and Africa.
In the fall of 1940, the struggle for the Balkans between the countries of the warring coalitions intensified. For the British, the peninsula was strategically important: it covered their possessions in the East and served as a springboard. The Third Reich had no less ambitions: the Nazis planned to make the peninsula a springboard for an attack on the USSR. The southern flank could ensure uninterrupted supplies of resources and food.
By that time, Germany had already sufficiently strengthened its position in the Balkans. And Greece was under the influence of Britain.
After the occupation of Romania by the Germans, Hitler did not consider it necessary to inform Italy. Mussolini decided to repay in kind by occupying Greece - Hitler should have learned about this as a fait accompli only from the news.
On October 15, Italy began preparations for war, planning to break into Greek territory from Albania and break through the defenses in the Ioannina region. Then - capture Epirus, Thessaloniki and Athens. At the same time, the landing force was supposed to occupy Corfu.
On the night of October 28, the Italian ambassador came to Ioannis Metaxas, the then Prime Minister of Greece. He brought with him a telegram with an ultimatum: Greece comes under Italian command and lets fascist troops to your territory. There followed a short and categorical answer from the Greeks: “Ohi,” or “No.” The result of the refusal also followed immediately: Italian troops launched an invasion, and over the next 5 months the Greeks heroically held back the onslaught. The forces were unequal, but the enemy was driven back to the Adriatic.
During the Italo-Greek War, the commander-in-chief of the Greek army was Alexandros Papagos. Under his leadership, the country's troops seized the initiative on the 7th day of the Italian offensive. In the first days, more than 250 thousand people were mobilized. The reaction was also important ordinary people, who supported the army from day one. Having learned about the ultimatum, the Greeks shouted the slogan “Victory or Death!”, chanted the now legendary “Ohi!”
By April 1941, the Italians were unable to cope with the Greeks alone. And then the German invasion began from Bulgaria - without ultimatums and the right to choose. On April 27 they captured Athens, and Crete with the help allied forces held the defense until the end of May. The results of the occupation, which lasted until 1944 (and Crete until 1945), were disastrous. However, during the war, Greece managed to form such a powerful resistance movement that it was later recognized as the most effective in occupied Europe.
Okha Day today
The Greeks have been celebrating Okha Day since 1942, and after the war it was officially recognized public holiday. All schools, shops and offices are closed on October 28. IN major cities They hold military parades, the largest of which are in Thessaloniki and Athens. And in coastal cities they organize naval parades.
The patriotic feelings of the Greeks are manifested in the same way as in other countries: television channels broadcast films that detail the national exploits of the war, and many orthodox churches on Okha Day they spend special services. No less important part Parades of students and schoolchildren become mandatory for events - this tradition was introduced in 1944. Traditionally, the best students in their classes become standard bearers at school parades.
Along with official events on Okha Day, attention is paid to cultural events. Museums and some archaeological sites offer free admission. Concerts of folk groups are held at venues in all cities of Greece. And the celebration ends with a grand fireworks display.
Okha Day has significance not only for the Greeks, but for the whole of Europe. After all, it is unknown how history would have turned out if the small and brave country had not given a negative answer to Italy... And for tourists, celebrating the event is an invaluable experience. On this day you can admire the patriotism of the Greeks, feel national history and at the same time witness interesting cultural events.
Don't be surprised by this name. Okha Day- this is the Day of No, National holiday Greece, one of the most important holidays of the country and the pride of the Greeks. And its story began with one alarming autumn night, when on October 28, 1940, an ambassador from Mussolini arrived before dawn at the residence of the then ruler of Greece.
What does Okha Day mean?
Greece was given an ultimatum - to open the border with Albania within 3 hours so that the Italian fascist army could capture strategic objects in Greece - ports and airfields - for further advance towards Africa.
Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas may have been a dictator, but he did not hesitate to refuse Italy. "OH AND!" - "NO!" - the Greeks also chanted on the streets of Athens. So little Greece turned out to be the first country to offer serious resistance to the forces of the fascist coalition.
And if the Italian units, which outnumbered the Greeks several times in numbers and equipment, were eventually driven back to Albania, then the attack Hitler's army Greece could not hold out and was captured. Of course, I knew all the horrors of the occupation, burned villages, and hunger.
Here in the village, old people still remember the war years. My husband's grandmother sold an entire plot of land for a bag of grain to feed her four children.
Now in the village there is an obelisk in memory of the Greek soldiers who fought the Nazis. And in the video you will see how, after the festive service, villagers pay tribute to the memory of the heroes. After the mini-service of Father Dimitris, the students primary school The Greek national anthem is performed.
And after that - a small parade! Look at the photos of our few children! Pupils kindergarten lay wreaths at the monument to Greek anti-fascist heroes.
The parade is opened by the youngest - kindergarteners in national costumes:
And next are the students from the local elementary school. To the best student entrusted to carry the banner. One photo didn’t turn out very well, but you can see the overall picture:
ATHENS, October 28 - RIA Novosti, Gennady Melnik. Greece celebrates a national holiday on October 28 - Ohi Day (in Greek - “no”).
On this day 75 years ago, Greece answered “no” to Mussolini’s ultimatum, which demanded that Italian troops be allowed into Greek territory. So the country entered the Second World War. The Greek army crushed the Italian troops for several months, but when Germany entered the war in April 1941, the resistance of the Greek troops was broken in most of the country.
This day has been declared a public holiday, it symbolizes the unity and cohesion of the Greeks in the face of external threat, when the entire nation stood up to defend their homeland.
This summer, similar to 1940, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on the Greek population to say “no” to the ultimatum of creditors demanding that they sign an enslaving agreement under which the country received new loans in exchange for new austerity measures. Almost 62% of Greeks answered no, the country entered open conflict with creditors, which, according to a significant part of observers, ended with the capitulation of the Greek government.
Military and school parades
Okha Day is a day off. Parades, festive processions and folk festivals, performances by musicians and artists will be held throughout the country. On this day, admission to all museums is free.
According to tradition, the military parade will take place in the “northern capital” - Thessaloniki.
Greece's ruling SYRIZA party has elected Panagiotis Rigas as secretary.IN political composition secretariat central committee SYRIZA included 17 people, including Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The party leadership promised to honor its pre-election commitments.The Coalition of Radical Left party SYRIZA, before coming to power, said it would cancel military parades when it took over the government. SYRIZA deputies called them “Paleolithic” parades and said that parades should be carried out by “ordinary citizens, not battle tanks.” However, having headed the government, SYRIZA did not dare to cancel military parades.
The military parade will be hosted by Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
The defense ministers of Greece Panos Kammenos and Cyprus Christoforos Foakidis will be present at the parade in Thessaloniki. For the first time, at the invitation of the Greek Minister of National Defense, Cypriots who were disabled from the 1974 war, as well as soldiers of the Greek Group of Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK), the permanent Greek military presence in Cyprus, will take part in the parade.
The President of Greece arrived in Thessaloniki the day before, he took part in a number of commemorative events and visited school parade. School parades take place all over the country. In Athens, representatives of all schools, gymnasiums and lyceums will march from Syntagma Square to the building of the University of Athens on Panepistimiou Avenue.
Last year, a school parade in the Athens district of Chalandri caused a political scandal - during the procession of schoolchildren, the anthem of the National Liberation Front of Greece (EAM), written to the tune of the popular Russian song "Katyusha", was played. The right said it stirred up civil war-era hatred.
EAM was founded by the Greek Communist Party to fight the Nazi occupation. After liberation in Greece began Civil War, and EAM was banned in 1947. The right-wingers came to power then, supporting the occupation government.