PM Albanese honours Greece’s “defiant spirit” on Oxi Day

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, today sent a connection to Neos Kosmos marking Ohi (Oxi) Day — the day of Greece’s defiant stand against fascism during World War II.

Ohi Day commemorates 28 October 1940, when Greece’s Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected Benito Mussolini’s request to let Axis forces to inhabit Greece. The Greek effect — a resolute “Ohi!” (“No!”) — was followed by a stunning subject victory implicit Italy, marking the archetypal Allied success of the war.

In his message, Prime Minister Albanese wrote:

“On the 85th day of Oxi Day, Australians erstwhile again stock successful the pridefulness of a federation and a radical who showed that victory is ultimately won by those who stand for state and peace. We retrieve the defiant όχι! (no) In effect to Axis aggression, and the courageousness and determination of those who fought successful a conflict against overwhelming odds. We callback that Australia and our Allies joined with the Greek people, knowing that if tyranny was not confronted together, it would person to beryllium confronted alone. Above all, we honour the lives of each those who sacrificed so overmuch successful the origin of justness and freedom, courageously laying the foundations for a brighter aboriginal they knew they mightiness ne'er get to spot with their ain eyes  Eighty-five years on, it is successful the spirit of our shared past that we articulation with the radical of Greece and the bonzer Greek diaspora present successful Australia to commemorate Oxi Day. We besides wage tribute to the bonds betwixt our nations, bonds strengthened by the generations of Greek migrants who chose to marque Australia location and whose hard work, aspiration and emotion of state person done so overmuch to enrich our nation. As you stitchery connected this special day, I accidental to the Australian Greek community, and to Greek people  everywhere: Ζήτω η 28η Οκτωβρίου 1940!”

As you stitchery connected this special day, I accidental to the Australian Greek community, and to Greek people   everywhere: Ζήτω η 28η Οκτωβρίου 1940! – PM Anthony Albanese

Ohi Day’s value was recognised globally astatine the time. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt praised Greece’s bravery, telling the American  Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) Supreme Lodge connected 25 April 1941, “The heroic struggle of the Greek radical to support their liberties and their homes against the aggression of Germany aft they had so signally defeated the Italian effort astatine penetration has stirred the hearts and aroused the sympathy of the whole American people.”

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill besides paid tribute, famously declaring, “Hence, we will not accidental that Greeks combat similar heroes, but that heroes combat similar Greeks.”

Winston Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt saw the Greeks’ defiance against overwhelming likelihood arsenic a defining infinitesimal successful World War II. Photo: AAP

Greece’s victory against Italy and its fierce absorption to Nazi Germany delayed the Axis penetration of Russia — a turning constituent that altered the people of the war.

Eighty-five years later, Ohi Day remains a symbol of courage, freedom, and the enduring relationship betwixt Greece and Australia.