Μake us preferred on Google Thessaloniki began its commemorations of Greece’s October 28 national anniversary on Monday with a ceremonial flag-raising at the city’s landmark White Tower, accompanied by 21 cannon shots.
The ceremony began at 8 a.m., drawing crowds to the city’s waterfront to watch the Greek flag rise as the Hellenic Navy band performed the national anthem.
Flag-raising ceremony at the White Tower. Twenty-one cannon shots fired by an artillery unit (Sotiris Tripsanis/ Eurokinissi)
Flag-raising ceremony at the White Tower. Twenty-one cannon shots fired by an artillery unit (Sotiris Tripsanis / Eurokinissi)
The annual anniversary marks Greece’s historic refusal to accept an ultimatum from Fascist Italy in 1940, an event commemorated nationwide as “Ohi Day,” meaning “No Day.”
At 11 a.m. Monday, a religious service was scheduled at the Church of Saint Demetrios, Thessaloniki’s patron saint, attended by President Konstantinos Tasoulas.
Flag-raising ceremony at the White Tower. Twenty-one cannon shots fired by an artillery unit (Sotiris Tripsanis/ Eurokinissi)
Student and military parades planned
The commemorations continue Tuesday, October 27, with a student parade along Tsimiski Street.
The events will culminate Wednesday, October 28, with a major military parade along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
The parade is expected to feature an air display by the Hellenic Air Force’s “Zeus” team, whose F-16 fighter jet demonstration attracts large crowds each year. Modern weapons systems will also be presented to the public for the first time as part of the “Achilles’ Shield” initiative.
Flag-raising ceremony at the White Tower. Twenty-one cannon shots fired by an artillery unit (Sotiris Tripsanis/ Eurokinissi)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President Tasoulas and other political and state officials are expected to attend the commemorations.
The Hellenic Navy’s Kimon, a Belharra-class frigate, is also drawing visitors while docked at the port’s Pier A.
Flag-raising ceremony at the White Tower. Twenty-one cannon shots fired by an artillery unit (Sotiris Tripsanis/ Eurokinissi)
