Day «Ohi» in Cyprus (28/10)

Day «Ohi» in Cyprus (Greek). Επέτειος του «'Οχι») — is a public holiday celebrated annually on October 28 in memory of the rejection of the ultimatum presented by Italy to Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas on October 28, 1940. The Greek word «όχι» means «net».

The history of any state includes many wars in which it either defended itself or pursued offensive tactics. But the wars that came to Cyprus still stand apart. This small island was destined by nature to become the intersection of sea routes, the «link of the» between Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This both helped him and created problems. Cyprus has become a «tasty morsel» for many…

The Second World War did not bypass this island either. In 1939, about 250 volunteers went to Egypt to undergo special practice in driving military transport equipment. Fascist Italy wanted to see Greece as its ally and station its contingent on its territory, and also asked the Greeks to give them freedom for their air maneuvers on the way to the Soviet Union. Mussolini invited Greece to surrender to the mercy of the Italian dictator without any conditions, but in response he heard a decisive «net». This is exactly what happened on October 28, 1940.

Mussolini was not long in coming and went on the offensive. The first to suffer from Italian bombers were Nicosia, the villages of Neohorio and Vavla, then Paphos. In the end, the trials of war were felt by all the cities of Cyprus.

It is worth noting that during the war Cyprus was still under British protectorate, so the Cypriots found themselves in the same army along with the British. Cyprus also maintained relations with Greece, as there was a «pan-Hellenistic brotherhood in action».

The Cypriots hastily signed up as volunteers. People of different classes and religious beliefs went to war. Before her horrors, everyone was equal. About half of all island residents were at the front. One of the most famous women in Cyprus remains Stella Souliotou, the pilot who shot down more than one plane, who later became the Minister of Justice of the republic.

The Cypriot and Greek resistance lasted about seven months, and finally Mussolini's troops were defeated. This was a significant victory over the Nazis in southern Europe.

In tribute to the memory of the decisive rebuff to fascist troops, October 28 is also a holiday for both Cyprus and Greece itself. On this day, military parades, folk festivals and demonstrations are held. Most government agencies and public buildings are decorated with national flags on this day.

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