Cypriot resistance fighter and politician, Vassos Lyssarides, dies aged 100

·

Vassos Lyssarides, one of Cyprus’ most respected politicians who was active in the ethnically divided island’s politics since its 1960 independence from British colonial rule and was involved in the global socialist movement, died on Monday. He was 100.

In a post on his official Twitter account, Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, said the country lost “one of its historic leaders who helped shape (its) identity.”

“(Lyssarides) made his mark on our political life over many decades. We owe him much,” Anastasiades wrote.

A trained doctor, Lyssarides figured prominently in efforts to restore democratic governance to Cyprus after a 1974 coup by supporters of union with Greece. The coup triggered a Turkish invasion which split the island along ethnic lines.

Lyssarides founded in 1969 the socialist party EDEK which he led until 2001. He was first elected to parliament in 1960 and held his seat without interruption until 2006. Between 1985-91, he served as Parliament Speaker.

Lyssarides also served as vice-president of the Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization.

Lyssarides also served as vice-president of the Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization, a non-governmental group with a presence in more than 90 African and Asian countries that according to its website struggled against colonialism, apartheid and armed conflict.

He was also secretary-general of the International Committee in Solidary with South Africa, a body aiming to free then-imprisoned anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. He established many close relationships with African and Middle Eastern leaders including Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and Cuban leader, Fidel Castro.

Lyssarides’ wife Barbara, a native of the US city of Detroit, died in 2019 at 85.

Source: Washington Post.

Lyssarides and his wife Barbara.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Capturing legacies: The proika exhibition’s emotional tribute to Greek migrants

On Wednesday, November 20, the proika exhibition opened to a crowd of eager guests at the Thematikos x MBO Tailors creative space.

Golden Era Gala: A reunion with a cause to combat brain and rare cancers

White Pearl Foundation and Cquence Foundation have announced the Golden Era Gala to be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on November 30.

Melbourne scientist Steven Petratos offers hope to thousands with multiple sclerosis

The image of Steven Petratos’ grandfather, confined to a chair with trembling hands, left an indelible mark on his childhood.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett to launch book on Nick Thyssen’s legacy

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, supporter of Greece and its diaspora, will launch the biography of Nick Thyssen (Nikos Theodosiadis).

Ithacans in Melbourne enjoy sell-out film screening to support archaeological preservation

On Sunday, at Palace Como in Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 135 Ithacans and friends gathered to see the historical epic, The Return.

You May Also Like

High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia: ‘We’re very proud of our diaspora’

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, shares his pride in the Cypriot diaspora of Australia.

$1 billion package proposed by NSW Government to compensate taxi licence owners

Under a proposal by the NSW Government, compensation payments for NSW taxi licence owners could increase from $20,000 to $200,000.

Traditional Greek recipes: Galaktoboureko (semolina custard pie)

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for galatoboureko (semolina custard pie) with The Greek Herald.