Join us on Thursday, October 28 for EMBCA’s “ Annual OXI Day (October, 28, 1940) Commemoration: The struggle for all has begun./ Νυν υπέρ πάντων ο αγών." at the 3 West Club (3 West 51st ) at 6 P.M.. It will be a Demetrios Contos Memorial Lecture in Celebration of OXI Day. The Commemoration will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos EMBCA’s President and AHEPA National Hellenic Cultural Commission Chairman with Remarks by Dr. Konstantine Koutras the Hellenic Republic Consul General in New York, AHEPA Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas, and Carol Contos. The Lecture will include presentations by Historian Researcher/ Author Peter Giakoumis on "American News Coverage of OXI Day'' , Historian/ Artist Vassilios Chrissochos on "OXI Day: The Cultural Impact on Hellas and the World." , and Marcia Ikonomopoulos the Museum Director of Kehila Kedosha Janina on "May Their Memory Be a Blessing: Greek Jews who fell in battle on the Albanian Front". The program will include a musical presentation by well known Hellenic American Opera Singer Bass Baritone Costas Tsourakis singing a cappella Sofia Vembo songs of the period. The event hosted and sponsored by EMBCA is in Association with the Demetrios Contos Memorial Lecture Series, AHEPA’s Hellenic Cultural Commission, AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 and Empire District 6 (NY). There is NO CHARGE for this special community event but Registration is Required.
OXI Day (October 28, 1940) is a national Hellenic holiday and represents when the Hellenic Prime Minister Metaxas was awoken to respond to a series of demands from a representative of a WW2 Axis Power which would have allowed foreign troops free reign in Greece a neutral nation at the time. His response to these demands, and the Hellenic public's “OXI/NO” led to historic battles by the Hellenes against the fascists which had international consequences for Europe and the free world. It was the first time in the European theater that an fascist Axis Power was defeated after them taking over country after country. Hellenic heroism raised the hopes of occupied Europe, and caused the Nazi forces which were scheduled to attack the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) to divert their forces and invade Greece instead. This diversion led to a delay in the Nazi invasion of the U.S.S.R. and the Nazi’s eventual defeat there in the Soviet winter. OXI Day was a turning point in WW2 and as stated international in scope and importance that went beyond the Hellenic Republic. In addition, despite the ultimate Hellenic defeat, having fought long and hard , the bravery of the Hellenic people during those difficult six months also had the effect of changing how Hellenic Americans were perceived in America. It transformed them from being thought of as the “Other” to being finally accepted as Americans. These and other aspects of OXI Day will be elaborated on in the presentations. Join us.
** Important Note - Based on the health provisions of the City of New York and the 3 West Club venue all those attending will have to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or proof of a negative molecular (PCR) or RAPID test taken within three days of the event .