Summary

Apokoronas municipality has published the official programme for the October 28 national holiday, commemorating Greece's rejection of the Axis ultimatum in 1940. Ceremonies will take place in two villages: Vamos from 09:30 and Vrysses from 10:30, each including a church service, wreath-laying at the war memorial, a minute's silence, the national anthem and a speech by a local teacher, followed by a parade. Organisations wishing to lay a wreath must register the name of their representative with the municipality by October 27, 2026 at 10:00.

Oxi Day 2026: full programme for Vamos and Vrysses

On October 28, 2026, Greece marks the 86th anniversary of Oxi Day — the day in 1940 when the Greek government refused Mussolini's ultimatum, drawing the country into the Second World War. In Apokoronas, the official commemorations will be held in the two main municipal centres, Vamos and Vrysses.

From 08:00 on October 27 until sunset on October 28, all public buildings across the municipality will fly the Greek flag. On the evenings of both October 27 and October 28, public and municipal buildings, private businesses and banks are asked to illuminate their facades.

Programme in Vamos

Wednesday, October 28, 2026:

09:30: Church service at the Church of Saint Nikolaos in Vamos

10:15: Memorial prayer at the War Memorial in Vamos square, wreath-laying, one minute's silence, national anthem, address by teacher Nektarios Nikolakakis on the significance of the day, followed by a parade at the usual route

Programme in Vrysses

Wednesday, October 28, 2026:

10:30: Church service at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Vrysses

11:00: Memorial prayer at the War Memorial, wreath-laying, one minute's silence, national anthem, address by Vrysses primary school teacher Dionysía Dimopoúlou on the significance of the day, followed by a parade at the usual route

Registering a wreath: what organisations need to know

Any organisation, association or club wishing to lay a wreath must notify the municipality of the name of their representative in advance. The deadline for registration is October 27, 2026 at 10:00. Wreaths that have not been registered by this time may not be announced during the ceremony.

In addition, each organisation is responsible for ensuring their wreath is in place at the war memorial at least one hour before the ceremony begins.

Contact for registration: tel. 2825340300 or 2825340301

Registration deadline: October 27, 2026 at 10:00

The municipality has invited local authorities, associations and all residents to take part in the commemorations. The Apokoronas police station has been asked to maintain order and prevent vehicles from parking in the square areas during the events.

Programme for the Celebration of the National Anniversary of 28 October 1940

October 21, 2026, 12:09 PM

For the anniversary of 28 October we are setting out a celebration programme for the entire Municipality with the following events:

From 8:00 in the morning of 27 October until sunset on 28 October 2026, a general flag display is prescribed for all public establishments.

Illumination of all public and municipal establishments, shops and banks during the evening hours of 27 and 28 October 2026.

Specifically for Vrysses and Vamos the programme is as follows:

Vamos

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Time 09:30 a.m.

Holding of a Doxology at the Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos in Vamos.

Time 10:15 a.m.

Memorial prayer at the Monument to the Fallen in the Square of Vamos
Laying of wreaths
Observance of one minute of silence
Playing of the National Anthem
Address on the significance of the celebration by Mr. Nektarios Nikolakakis, Teacher
Parade of sections at the usual place of parades

Vrysses

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Time 10:30 a.m.

Holding of a Doxology at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Vrysses.

Time 11:00 a.m.

Memorial prayer at the Monument to the Fallen
Laying of wreaths
Observance of one minute of silence
Playing of the National Anthem
Address on the significance of the celebration by the teacher of the Primary School of Vrysses, Ms. Dionysía Dimopoúlou
Parade of sections at the usual place of parades

The Authorities of the city, the Associations, the Clubs and all residents are invited to participate in the celebration of our great National holiday.

The Apokoronas Police Station is kindly requested to ensure the maintenance of order and the non-parking of vehicles throughout the area of the squares.

The preparation and delivery of the wreaths will be carried out by the depositors. The wreaths are the responsibility of the organisations to be present at the Heroes' Monument at least one (1) hour in advance, and the name of the representative, organisation or club that will deposit it must have been declared to the Municipality of Apokoronas, at the latest by 27 October at 10:00 a.m. (tel: 2825340300-2825340301).

Wreaths that have not been declared in accordance with the above may NOT be announced.