Ochi-Day

On October 28 people in Greece celebrate the Ochi-Day (the “No”-Day). In 1940, this was the day when the Greek Prime Minister at that time Ioannis Metaxas said "No" to an ultimatum by the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

In this ultimatum Mussolini demanded to let Axis forces on Greek territory or if not, they would face war. Metaxas answered this allegedly simply with “Όχι”, no, but actually he said “Then it is war” and the Greco-Italian war began.

Since 1942 this anniversary is celebrated by the Greeks and even became a national holiday after World War II. In most Greek cities Ochi-Day is a big event with military and student parades. This year we went to visit the celebration in Chios City.

Long before the actual start people gathered around the main square to meet their family and friends, to enjoy a Greek coffee and to prepare themselves for the parade. Some of them changed in colorful traditional dresses and most of the children wore their school uniforms.

Soon the people began to secure their places on the pavement to have the best view on their children, grandchildren, friends and whoever else they know that took part in the parade. After that, already late in the morning, the political representatives started the parade followed by a marching band. Then all the children from kindergarten to high school and the Scouts came marching down the street nicely dressed up and obviously very proud and honored to represent their country in front of their family, friends and the whole city. In the end the military made its impressive appearance and after that the crowd dispersed slowly and the people made themselves comfortable in one of the many cafes to celebrate the Ochi-Day with their beloved ones.