Cyprus to participate in Thessaloniki military parade on October 28

Cyprus will be represented at the military parade in Thessaloniki on October 28, 2026, as part of the commemorations for the national anniversary of "Oxi Day." The parade is scheduled to take place at 11:00 am along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, serving as the highlight of celebrations that also include the city’s liberation and the feast of Saint Demetrius.

The Cypriot contingent will consist of a 24-member National Guard commando unit and a group of war veterans who fought during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. This participation underscores the historical ties between Cyprus and Greece. In comparison, the 2024 parade featured 12 members of the Pancyprian Organisation for the Rehabilitation of War Victims and Disabled Veterans, marking a larger official presence this year.

The events are centered on the historical refusal of Greece to accept the ultimatum issued by Fascist Italy in 1940. Local authorities in Thessaloniki have organized the parade as the primary event for the day, finalizing the schedule for the national festivities.