Thousands pay their respects to former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias

State funeral held to honour former Cyprus president who died longing for his village in the north

Honour guards transporting the coffin of former Cyprus President Demetris Christofias during funeral ceremonies as the cortege heads for the Holy Church of God's Wisdom in Nicosia. Demetris Christofias was the sixth President of the Republic of Cyprus, died at the age of 72 in a Nicosia hospital 21 June. Photo: EPA/Katia Christodoulou

26 June 2019 10:25am

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Former president Demetris Christofias was buried in Nicosia on Tuesday in a state funeral at Saint Sophia church. Thousands came to pay their last respects and honour the statesman that died on Friday at the age of 72. Officials came from both sides of the island, including the Turkish occupied side.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Cyprito House Speaker Demetris Syllouras, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Baris Burcu as well as many more attended the funeral.

Turkish Cypriot Fatma Kismir brought dirt from Christofias birthplace, the village of Dikomo in the north, to put in his grave. She told the press that she felt that he deserved to be buried with dirt from his birthplace. Christos, his son, told mourners that his father had died longing for his village, that he was forced to leave with his wife Elsi and baby Marianna during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Christos said that his father was a man of the people who grew up in poverty.

“You would tear up, dear dad, because you always remained a good-hearted and sensitive person,” Christos said. “This is the best thing you have bequeathed us.

Christofias had served as the sixth president of Cyprus from 2008-2013. His coffin was covered by the Cypriot flag and buried at the cemetery at Engomi.