Ohi Day commemorations held in Gümülcine and İskeçe
Ohi Day commemorations marking Greece's rejection of an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, were held in Gümülcine (Komotini) and İskeçe (Xanthi), with students, cultural associations and military units taking part in official parades.
The ceremonies also featured schools belonging to the Turkish national minority of Western Thrace, including minority primary schools, secondary schools and religious seminaries.
CEREMONIES DRAW OFFICIALS IN KOMOTINI
In Gümülcine (Komotini), commemorations began with a ceremony at the Sword Monument in the city's main square. Pelops Laskos, secretary-general at Greece's Ministry of Justice, represented the government.
The event was attended by local and regional officials, members of parliament representing Rhodope, Deputy Regional Governor Emanuil Tapatzas, Onur Sezer, vice-consul at Türkiye's Consulate General in Gümülcine, and the mayors of Gümülcine and Kozlukebir, Yanis Garanis and Erdem Hüseyin, respectively.
A parade followed the commemorative ceremony, featuring students, associations and military personnel.
Among the participants were students from Turkish minority primary schools, Gümülcine Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School, and Hayriye Madrasa.
MINORITY SCHOOLS TAKE PART IN XANTHI PARADE
In İskeçe (Xanthi), the programme began with a religious service in the morning, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at a monument and an official parade attended by local dignitaries.
Students from İskeçe Central Turkish Minority Primary School, İskeçe Turkish Minority Secondary School and High School, and local religious seminaries took part in the procession.
GREECE MARKS OHI DAY
Ohi Day, meaning “No” Day, commemorates Greece's response to the ultimatum delivered by Fascist Italy on October 28, 1940, which led to Italy's invasion of Greece during the Second World War.
Commemorations were held across the country, although some parades in other areas were reportedly cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.
In Western Thrace, the ceremonies in Gümülcine and İskeçe brought together public officials, students, community organisations and military representatives, with Turkish minority educational institutions participating in both cities.
