Old Philharmonic of Corfu to perform in Cyprus Oxi Day parade

The Old Philharmonic of Corfu is scheduled to participate in the 28th Oxi Day parade in Nicosia, Cyprus, this Wednesday. The band will gather on Heilonos Street to join a historical parade of students and perform the Greek national anthem, ‘Hymn to Liberty’.

The Philharmonic Society of Corfu, founded in 1840, holds historical significance as the band played the melody that was officially recognized as the Greek national anthem in 1865.

Oxi Day commemorates the Greek rejection of an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940. Following the refusal by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas to allow Italian troops to occupy strategic points, Italian forces invaded from Albania, leading to a period of conflict that eventually saw Nazi German intervention in 1941.