Events calendar Cyprus

On October 28, 1940, the Greek dictator Metaxas rejected Mussolini's ultimatum demanding access to certain strategic Greek sites, immediately leading to the beginning of the war against Italy. That same evening, Athenian newspapers ran the headline OXI ("o-chi"), meaning "no", a symbol of Greek resistance to fascism and Nazism. In solidarity with occupied Greece, the Greek Cypriots unofficially celebrated No Day from 1942 onwards and officially after independence in 1960. A military and civilian parade is held in South Nicosia.

The Turkish-speaking inhabitants commemorate the decisive victory of Dumlupınar on August 30, 1922, marking the end of the Turkish War of Independence which lasted from 1919 to 1922. On that day, forces led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk defeated the Greek army near the village of Dumlupınar in Anatolia. In commemoration, every 30 August, since 1974, parades of the Turkish occupying forces have been held in the northern part of Cyprus in Nicosia North, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Morphou, Lefka and the Karpas Peninsula.

It is a national and community holiday for Greek speakers. It commemorates the first day of the uprising of the Greek Cypriot paramilitary organisation EOKA against the British on ¹ April 1955. Frequently referred to as "EOKA Day", this day is celebrated mainly by Greek Cypriots and massively rejected by Turkish Cypriots who, together with the British, were the victims of the EOKA attacks. In the southern part, the celebrations remain rather discreet