Cyprus marked ‘Oxi Day’ on Monday, commemorating Greece’s rejection of Axis forces’ demand to enter its territory on October 28, 1940, during World War II.
In Nicosia, President Nikos Christodoulides presided over a student parade in front of the Greek embassy. Earlier in the day, he attended a religious service at Ayios Barnabas Cathedral in Nicosia alongside Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, with the service led by Archbishop Georgios.
After the parade, Christodoulides made statements to reporters, expressing pride in the annual celebration and marking the struggles of the Greek people.
“Happy anniversary to all Greeks everywhere,” he said. “The struggle of the Greeks marked the beginning of the end for fascism and Nazism in Europe and the start of the end of colonialism. However, as I have repeatedly mentioned, we must not focus solely on celebrations and parades.”
He then stressed the importance of the daily struggle, particularly in Cyprus, which this year marked 50 years since the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation.
“Our goal remains clear: the end of the occupation, liberation, and the reunification of our homeland,” he said.
Christodoulides added that since taking office, the government has been working on a specific plan, “which has begun to yield results”.
“I am satisfied with the progress made and I will feel even greater satisfaction when substantive negotiations for resolving the Cyprus problem restart based on the agreed framework,” he said.
Other religious services and parades were held across the island. Following the church service in Nicosia, Christodoulides received the parade salute, accompanied by Michaelidou, Greek ambassador Ioannis Papameletiou, and other political and military representatives.
Political parties across Cyprus also commemorated ‘Oxi Day’ on Monday. Disy highlighted the Greek ‘no’ as a stance against fascist-Nazi totalitarianism, drawing parallels to Cyprus’s ongoing efforts for reunification, democracy, and human rights. “We must use the lessons of 1940 to address today’s challenges,” the party said, underscoring the pursuit of a solution grounded in dialogue and UN frameworks.
Akel emphasised the anti-fascist legacy of Oxi Day, paying tribute to Greek resistance fighters and calling for vigilance against modern far-right movements. Edek echoed this sentiment, celebrating the Greek spirit of resistance as an example for Cyprus, and calling for a peaceful, democratic solution free from foreign intervention.
Other parties, including Elam, the Green Party and Dipa, underscored the anniversary as a reminder of the importance of national sovereignty and collective resilience. Elam declared that “there is no room for concessions on issues of national sovereignty,” while Dipa urged Cyprus to look to Oxi Day’s legacy as a model of enduring resistance against oppression.
