Μake us preferred on Google Athens marked Greece’s October 28 national anniversary on Wednesday with a student parade through the city center, honoring the country’s resistance to Fascist Italy’s ultimatum in 1940.
Held in favorable weather, the parade brought together students from schools across the Municipality of Athens, accompanied by the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra. Each participating school was represented by selected groups led by a flag bearer and accompanied by five flag attendants.
Students, university students, Scouts and Girl Guides march in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens to mark Greece’s October 28 national anniversary, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (Michalis Papanikolaou / EUROKINISSI).
The annual commemoration, known as the “Oxi” (“No”) anniversary, recalls Greece’s rejection of Italy’s demands at the start of its involvement in World War II and honors those who fought for the country’s freedom.
Commemorations began at dawn
The day’s events began at 6:47 a.m. with ceremonial artillery salutes from Lycabettus Hill, followed by a dawn signal performed by musical units of the armed forces and security services.
Students, university students, Scouts and Girl Guides march in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens to mark Greece’s October 28 national anniversary, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (Michalis Papanikolaou / EUROKINISSI).
At 8 a.m., the Greek flag was raised on the Acropolis, the historic hill overlooking Athens. An official religious service was held at 10 a.m. at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, led by Archbishop Ieronymos II, head of the Church of Greece.
The ceremony was followed by wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, where political leaders and other officials paid tribute to those who died for the country.
Students, university students, Scouts and Girl Guides march in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens to mark Greece’s October 28 national anniversary, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (Michalis Papanikolaou / EUROKINISSI).
Political and public officials attend ceremony
Among those who laid wreaths were Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, New Democracy lawmaker Angelos Syrigos, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and PASOK representative Dimitris Mantzos.
Students, university students, Scouts and Girl Guides march in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens to mark Greece’s October 28 national anniversary, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (Michalis Papanikolaou / EUROKINISSI).
Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course of Freedom party, was also present at Syntagma Square earlier in the day.
The student parade formed part of nationwide events commemorating October 28, a major date in Greece’s national calendar.
