28th October anniversary celebrated in Corfu
CORFU. Large crowds turn out for celebrations marking the national “OCHI” Day — festivities culminate in student and military parade.
The 1940 anniversary was commemorated in Corfu Town on Wednesday, 28 October.
The commemorative events began early in the morning. At 7.30 am, the town’s historic philharmonic bands marched through the main streets, playing patriotic hymns and military marches, while the bells of all the churches rang out joyfully. At 8.00 am, the official flag-raising ceremony took place at the flagpole of the New Fortress, accompanied by a military detachment and a philharmonic band.
At 11.00 am, the official Te Deum service was held at the Metropolitan Church of the Most Holy Virgin Spilaiotissa, presided over by His Eminence Nektarios, Archbishop of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontia Islands, in the presence of political representatives, military officers and local authorities. The commemorative address was delivered by Maria Iseri, a philologist and teacher at Corfu’s 1st High School.
This was followed at 11.30 am by a memorial service and the laying of wreaths at the town’s War Memorial by the Government representative, the Regional Director, the Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, military authorities, security forces, representatives of local organisations and the Hellenic Red Cross.
The main parade
The celebrations culminated at 12.15 pm with the traditional parade along Agoniston Polytechniou Street. Participants included:
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People with disabilities and war veterans
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Students from the Ionian University, as well as pupils from vocational schools and other schools
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Girl Guides and Scouts
Units of the Armed Forces, the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard, the Fire Service and Border Guard.
Once again, the stars of the show were Corfu’s famous philharmonic bands — “Mantzaros”, “Spyros Samaras” and “Capodistrias” — whose stirring music added a unique touch to the celebrations. They were greeted with enthusiastic applause from the large crowds lining the route until the marching units dispersed at the Old Palace.
The celebrations conclude at 5.30 pm with the scheduled lowering of the flag at the New Fortress.
ELENI KORONAKI
