Church services, wreath-laying ceremonies and a parade will mark the 86th anniversary of October 28, 1940, with commemorations beginning the previous day.
Kalymnos will mark the 86th anniversary of October 28, 1940, with commemorative ceremonies and a parade on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 12:15 p.m., led by the Municipal Band.
The programme, issued by the Kalymnos Regional Unit and signed by its coordinator, Emmanouil G. Mousellis, includes school commemorations, tributes at the central square’s war memorial and participation by community organisations and military units.
Tuesday, October 27: Remembering the fallen
Commemorative addresses will take place at schools, public services and other institutions.
At 12 noon, a tribute and wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the central square will involve children from the Creative Activities Centre, primary and secondary school pupils, Scouts and Guides, the Municipal Band, the Lyceum Club of Greek Women, the “AI MOUSAI” Reading Society and the Bar Association.
Wednesday, October 28: Official schedule
- 8:00 a.m.: Flag-raising at the Kalymnos Regional Unit building, supported by the 5/42 Evzone Regiment “Delvinaki” and the Municipal Band.
- 10:55 a.m.: Arrival of officials.
- 11:00 a.m.: Official thanksgiving service at the Church of Christ the Saviour, led by Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia, alongside local clergy.
- 11:30 a.m.: Schools, Scouts and Guides assemble near the Port Authority according to their parade order. The designated route starts at the Olympic Hotel and ends at Town Hall.
- 11:45 a.m.: Memorial service at the central square’s war memorial and commemorative address by Kalliopi Lysgari, a teacher at the 3rd All-Day Primary School of Kalymnos Town. Wreath-laying by representatives of authorities and organisations will follow, with honours provided by a military detachment and the Municipal Band.
- 12:15 p.m.: Parade begins.
- 5:30 p.m.: Official lowering of the flag at the Kalymnos Regional Unit building.
Parade participants will include the Lyceum Club of Greek Women, children from the Creative Activities Centre, local cultural and sports associations, school pupils, Scouts and Guides, the local Hellenic Red Cross branch, cadets from the Kalymnos Merchant Marine Academy, the Hellenic Coast Guard and detachments of the 5/42 Evzone Regiment “Delvinaki”.
Flags will be displayed from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 26, until sunset on Wednesday, October 28. Public and municipal buildings and banks are also scheduled to be illuminated on the evenings of October 27 and 28, with energy-saving measures observed.
Residents are invited to attend the commemorations and honour the struggles and sacrifices of the Greek people.
