Ημέρα του Όχι in Cyprus
Ημέρα του Όχι is a holiday in Cyprus.
When is Ημέρα του Όχι in Cyprus
Ημέρα του Όχι is celebrated on 28, October, 2023 in Cyprus.
About Ημέρα του Όχι in Cyprus
The Ημέρα του Όχι (Day of No) is a national holiday in Cyprus that is celebrated on October 28th every year. This holiday commemorates the day in 1940 when the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, refused an ultimatum from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini to allow Italian troops to occupy Greece.
The refusal was a pivotal moment in Greek history, as it led to Greece’s entry into World War II on the side of the Allies. Cyprus, which was a British colony at the time, also played a significant role in the events leading up to the Ημέρα του Όχι. The Cypriot people supported Greece’s decision to say “no” to Mussolini’s demands, and many Cypriots volunteered to fight in the Greek army.
Today, the Ημέρα του Όχι is celebrated throughout Cyprus with parades, speeches, and other patriotic events. Schools and government offices are closed, and many businesses also shut down for the day. The holiday is an important reminder of Cyprus’s close ties to Greece and its role in the fight against fascism during World War II.
History of Ημέρα του Όχι in Cyprus
Ημέρα του Όχι, which translates to “Day of No,” is a public holiday in Cyprus that is celebrated on October 28th every year. The holiday commemorates the rejection of a proposal by Benito Mussolini, the Italian fascist leader, to cede control of Cyprus to Italy during World War II.
In 1939, Italy was seeking to expand its territorial control in the Mediterranean and made a proposal to the British government to hand over control of Cyprus to Italy in exchange for Italian support in the war. The British government initially considered the proposal but eventually rejected it, leading to a period of tension between the two countries.
On October 28th, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Cyprus, Piero Parini, visited the Cypriot governor to deliver the ultimatum for the island’s surrender. The Cypriot governor, Sir Andrew Barkworth Wright, immediately rejected the proposal, stating that the Cypriots would fight to the death to defend their island’s independence.
The rejection of the Italian proposal was met with widespread celebration and demonstrations across Cyprus, with people taking to the streets to express their support for the island’s independence. The rejection of the proposal was seen as a significant moment in the history of Cyprus and marked the beginning of a new era of resistance against foreign control.
In 1960, Cyprus gained its independence from Britain, and the rejection of the Italian proposal was seen as a crucial step towards achieving this independence. Today, Ημέρα του Όχι is celebrated as a national holiday in Cyprus, with parades, speeches, and other events held across the island to commemorate the rejection of foreign control and celebrate the country’s independence.
How is Ημέρα του Όχι celebrated in Cyprus
Ημέρα του Όχι (Day of No) is celebrated in Cyprus on October 28th to commemorate the rejection of the Greek government’s demand for surrender by the Cypriot people in 1940. Here are some ways it is celebrated:
-
Parades and Ceremonies: The day is marked by parades and ceremonies across the island, with schools, universities, and government offices participating in the celebrations.
-
Flag Raising: The Greek and Cypriot flags are raised on all public buildings, and people display the flags on their homes and cars.
-
Wreath Laying: Wreaths are laid at the monuments and memorials in honor of the fallen soldiers who fought for the independence of Cyprus.
-
Fireworks: In the evening, fireworks light up the sky in many towns and cities across the island.
-
Traditional Food: Traditional Cypriot food is served at family gatherings and public events, including souvla (grilled meat), sheftalia (grilled sausages), and loukoumades (honey balls).
-
Speeches: Political leaders and officials give speeches to commemorate the day and honor the sacrifices of those who fought for independence.
Overall, Ημέρα του Όχι is a day of national pride and unity, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and passion by the Cypriot people.
Dates
Ημέρα του Όχι will be celebrated in Cyprus on 2023-10-28 2024-10-28 2025-10-28 2026-10-28 2027-10-28 in the comming years.