OHI Day in Cyprus
Description:
Cypriot soldiers, including the President of Cyprus (1993-2003) Glafkos Clerides
The history of any state includes many wars in which it either defended itself or conducted offensive tactics. But the wars that have befallen Cyprus still stand apart. This small island was destined by nature to become the intersection of sea routes, the “connection” between Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This has both helped him and created problems. Cyprus has become a tasty piece for many.
The Second World War did not spare the island either. In 1939, about 250 volunteers went to Egypt to undergo a special practice in driving military transport vehicles. Fascist Italy wanted to see Greece as its ally and station its troops on its territory, and also asked the Greeks to give them freedom for their air maneuvers on the way to the Soviet Union. Mussolini offered Greece a position of neutrality in the war, but in response he heard a resounding “no” which means “ohhi” in Greek. It happened on October 28, 1940.
Mussolini did not wait long and went on the offensive. On May 15, 1941, Cyprus was attacked by Italian bombers. The first to suffer were Nicosia, the villages of Neohorio and Vaula, then Paphos. In the end, the trials of the war were felt by all the cities of Cyprus.
It is worth noting that during the war Cyprus was still under British protection, so the Cypriots were in the same army with the British. Cyprus also maintained relations with Greece because of the Pan-Hellenistic Brotherhood.
 Stella Suliota |
Cypriots quickly enrolled as volunteers. People of different classes and religious beliefs went to war. Before her horrors, everyone was equal. At the front were about half of the inhabitants of the island. One of the most famous women of Cyprus is Stella Suliotu, a pilot who shot down more than one plane, who later became the Minister of Justice of the Republic.
In tribute to the resolute resistance to the fascist troops, October 28 is both a holiday for Cyprus and for Greece itself. On this day, military parades, festivities and demonstrations are held.