The 11th of November is a very special and important day for the inhabitants of Chios Island.
More than hundred years ago the island was occupied by Turkey for many years. The population was oppressed, their rights were restricted. But the population of Chios wanted to be an independent part of Greece again. The revolution brought many deaths of the locals, there was the massacre of Chios 1822. Finally, the Greek Navy succeeded in 1912 to liberate Chios City. Afterwards the whole island was liberated.
In the city there was a huge and impressive parade to celebrate one of the most important days in the history of Chios. Not only dressed up adults in traditional clothes and the military in their uniforms but also kids and teenagers from different schools and kindergartens of Chios and clubs like basketball, soccer or music clubs walked through the city. The parade was accompanied by music so it was really festive. The city was crowded, everybody came to see the parade and to celebrate this day together with the family. After the parade many people went to restaurants and cafes or to the main square to watch and join the traditional dances there.
The schools of Vrontados celebrated this day by performing a theatre. In the 3rd primary school of Vrontados the third class prepared a creative and very nice theatre. The stage and the room were decorated with the flag of Greece, flowers and candles and at the end everybody sang the Greek National Anthem. All in all it was really interesting to see how this special day is celebrated and we all enjoyed it!
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