Athens marked Greece’s October 28 national anniversary on Wednesday with a student parade through the city centre, attended by representatives of the country’s political, state, military and religious leadership.
Students from schools across the Municipality of Athens marched along the capital’s central streets in favourable weather, accompanied by the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra. Each participating school was represented by a selected group led by a flag-bearer and five flag escorts.
The parade honoured the anniversary of the historic “Ohi” (“No”), commemorating Greece’s refusal to accept Italy’s ultimatum in 1940 and remembering those who fought for the country’s freedom.
Athens’ October 28 anniversary events
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The commemorations began at 06:47 with a ceremonial gun salute from Lycabettus Hill, while musical units from the Armed Forces and security services performed the traditional morning reveille.
At 08:00, officials raised the Greek flag on the Acropolis. An hour later, at 10:00, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece led the official doxology at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.
Representatives of the political leadership and public authorities then laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square.
Those who laid wreaths included Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, New Democracy MP Angelos Syrigos, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and PASOK representative Dimitris Mantzos. Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course of Freedom party, had also visited Syntagma Square earlier.
(Source: AMNA)