Oxi Day in Greece

With the 28th of October behind us, we took a chance to write this article and focus on the day. On the 28th of October, Greeks celebrate Oxi day. Why is it named this way? And why are Greeks celebrating it? Do you know what Greeks do to celebrate? Here is some information:

What is Oxi Day?

The 28th of October is a national holiday in Greece that celebrates the 1940 prime minister Ioannis Metaxas’ refusal to let Italian forces enter Greece. The day is called Oxi day (Ochi day – ochi meaning “no”) to remind us of an important historical event. Greeks in other countries also  celebrate inCyprus, the United States of America, Australia, and Canada.

How is Oxi Day celebrated?

Oxi Day is a day of celebration and remembrance in Greece. On this day, Greeks celebrate by decorating their streets and balconies with Greek flags, watching patriotic movies on TV, listening to heroic songs on the radio, reciting poems in school, and enjoying parades. Although the day is mainly about commemoration, it is also a day of education, as school teachers usually spend time discussing the war of 1940 and its heroes.

On the 28th of October, schoolchildren usually parade on the main street of their city with military music. The best student of each school is called in Greek, simeofóros, and is responsible for carrying the Greek flag in the parade. After the parade, families and friends get together and usually eat out in a tavern.

Conclusion

Greece is blessed with a rich past and its culture will always have something to interest you. Take a step closer to Greek history by studying the Greek language. Take a look at our range of modern Greek textbooks here.