This leaflet was written by the Unnamed Student Group in October of 2009 in Nicosia. It was signed as 'Paidia tou manoli (children of Manolis)', a reference to Faneromeni Square. It was given out st the student parades on the 20th of October (Ohi day anniversary).
Parades of Discrimination
Student parades originated from the “Hitler youth” which was a Branch of the Nazi Party (for Students and young people). It promoted the Nazi ideology by implementing military discipline onto the new generations. This was imposed on all children by force in Germany in 1936-45.Greek Dictator Ioannis Metaxas who came to power in 1936 was inspired by the Nazi ideology; he led the youth under the same military strategy. Even after the fall of Metaxas in 1941 this process of organizing student parades still exists until today.
Declaring independence in 1960, the Educational System of Cyprus became largely based on the existing Greek system. The Abolition of student parades was suggested just once after the fall of the Junta dictatorship (1974) but soon after was forgotten.
The only two countries that still promote the idea of student parades within the European Community are Greece and Cyprus, with the rest of the European countries strongly opposing the toleration of this practice for the following reasons:
Say Yes to Diversity, Say Yes to Unity-Say No to Student Parades
Paidia tou manoli