Cyprus held a state funeral today for former President George Vassiliou, who died aged 94, with Turkish Cypriot leaders joining Greek and Cypriot officials to pay respects to a leader who devoted his life to reunification.
Family members received the coffin at the Church of Divine Wisdom in Strovolos with tears streaming down their faces as crowds gathered to pay tribute. The coffin, draped in the flag of the Republic of Cyprus and carried by eight military police, arrived on a gun carriage accompanied by the Police Band playing funeral marches whilst a military guard rendered honours.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman attended the funeral alongside former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who conveyed condolences to the family.
Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı was represented, with a short message expected to be read on his behalf. Officials and party leaders filled the church.
The funeral was held at public expense with the honours accorded a serving head of state. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis represented the Greek government and delivered a eulogy alongside President Nikos Christodoulides, University of Cyprus Rector Tasos Christofidis, Michalis Papapetrou on behalf of collaborators, and Vassiliou’s son Evelthon.
The family received condolences from 11:30am before the funeral service began at 1pm.
Burial will follow at Aglantzia Municipal Cemetery with the firing of honorary gunshots.
A public viewing on Friday drew crowds of collaborators and ordinary citizens of all ages, who left flowers and wrote moving tributes in the condolence book.
Averof Moritsis, Vassiliou’s driver of 26 years, called him a “second father” and “gentleman”. Many praised his ethos, modesty and modernising work.
Androulla Vassiliou appeared devastated but proud of her husband’s legacy. She said she had lost “a Man with all capital letters, a companion in the literal sense of the word”.
The former president “left with the grief of reunification”, she said. Until his last moment, his concern and vision remained the solution to the Cyprus problem.
She expressed hope that the democratic principles and unity he advocated would not be lost.