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"We must learn from our past. United Greeks are able to achieve a lot," said particularly for GRReporter the Mayor of the Athens municipality of Maroussi George Patoulis in the day of the national holiday of the country October 28. On this day 70 years ago the Greeks refused to surrender voluntarily to the Italian occupation and took part in the World War II. "It is our obligation to learn the lessons of history and guarantee a better future for our children," said the blue Mayor of Maroussi after the student parade, having in mind the coming parliamentary elections in which the opposition New Democracy hopes to prevail. According to the blue leader Antonis Samaras, the main trump in the hands of the right wing is people’s discontent with the policy PASOK government pursued the last year.
 
Traditionally, the national holiday of Greece is celebrated with solemn processions. Students from elementary school to high school built in rows march in tribute to the memory of their heroes. The day is known as "Ochi day" meaning “Day of the No” and expresses the Greek people opposition to capitulate in the hands of Benito Mussolini. Asked what this day means to her, the 17-year-old Theodora from the Maroussi Second High School said: "I am proud that my nation has defied against such a large threat as the fascists ultimatum. I wish today we the Greeks could say "No" again to everything that we do not like and find the strength to change it." The statement of the young Theodora brought meaning to the existence and the pride of an entire nation that is recently not only in economic but also in moral crisis.
 
The national holiday prompted the Greeks to think for themselves about what is most important and how each one of us can contribute to the revival of spirit and culture. "I'm here today for my son’s march," said the father of an eight-year-old boy scout, a participant in the parade. He said the most important thing for him and for any parent is to give children a better future. The man defined the current economic situation as inevitable and expressed hope that today's crisis may be a necessary evil to create a fairer and more secure Greece.

Most families celebrate the national holiday gathering for a luncheon either at home or in the local tavern. Interesting was the opinion of the 30-year-old Catherine, who was just an observer of the student parade. She is the daughter of Greek immigrants in Germany who decided to return back to Greece and to their roots 15 years ago to build a better life for their children. Catherine said that in her childhood, when her family was still in Frankfurt, the October 28 celebration was one of the most important events during the year.

The ‘Ochi day’ was a major unifying date for the Greek community in Germany when relatives, friends and neighbours prepared intensively and gathered together to celebrate it with big parties. "It was not easy in Germany for the Greek as well as for all other immigrants. We went shopping three times a year – at Christmas, Easter and the national holiday on October 28," she said. Catherine remembers that the kids learnt songs and poems at the Greek schools a month before the holiday. "This day was a special event for us but however it misses this solemnity since I returned to Greece," she explained. She said that the country lacks a sense of belonging such as the Greek community abroad has built. "I do not know what caused it, but the great moments in the history of a nation should be celebrated from the heart because otherwise the sacrifices of our ancestors loose their meaning," said the young woman.