In a deeply emotional atmosphere and with familiar songs performed live, Thessaloniki bid farewell to Vasilis Karras, who passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 70.
The popular pilgrimage concluded earlier at the Holy Temple of Hagia Sophia, where thousands of fans and friends of the singer gathered to say their last goodbyes.
As soon as Vasilis Karras’s coffin left the church, the artist’s orchestra played his well-known hits, such as “Nyxta xelogiastra” and “Den pao pouthea,” with the assembled crowd softly singing along, accompanying the musicians.
Immediately afterward, Cretan and Pontian lyres were played, while the crowd erupted in applause, shouting “Athánatos” (immortal).
The burial is set to take place in his birthplace, Kokkinohori, Kavala, as per his wish later today (Greece time). Instead of wreaths, his family’s wish is for contributions to be made to the Parents’ Association for Children with Neoplastic Diseases ‘Flame’.
Remembering Karras’ kindness
In 2000, students from the Gymnasium and Lyceum of Lechovo conducted fundraisers to collect money to help 15-year-old Panagiotis from their village cover his medical expenses and undergo surgery in a foreign hospital after a serious accident with his bicycle resulted in total disability.
The story of the young man touched the community of Amyntaio, Florina, and everyone contributed to the students’ fundraiser. One of the teenagers suggested proposing to Vasilis Karras to sing at a concert they would organise for the financial support and assistance of Panagiotis’s medical care.
Stavros Moustakas, a classmate of Panagiotis at the time, was part of the four-member delegation of teenagers from the village and recalls visiting Vasilis Karras in the “Village of Peace” outside Thessaloniki.
“I made the proposal for the concert myself, described the situation to him, the needs that exist, and that the purpose of the concert is to raise money for Panagiotis to go abroad,” Moustakas told AMNA.
Vasilis Karras immediately accepted, stating that he would sing without any financial compensation. The concert for Panagiotis took place in the summer of 2000 and, after the events in Prespes, became the summer highlight in Western Macedonia. The area of Prophet Elias, the hill above Lechovo, transformed into a record-breaking venue to host the concert’s needs. Stavros Moustakas recalls that a total of 10,500 tickets were sold.
Unfortunately, due to the rapid deterioration of his health, young Panagiotis passed away not long after.
