To his last residence in the First Cemetery of Athens, he was taken Dionysis Savvopouloswith Greece saying the last goodbye to its beloved songwriter in a climate of deep emotion. The funeral procession arrived shortly after 15:15 at the First Cemetery, accompanied by the songs of the beloved Nionios. “Cloud” “Let the dances go on” “Speak no more love” were some of the songs that played on the air throughout the funeral.
The body of Dionysis Savvopoulos was greeted with applause at the First Cemetery by the people gathered at the scene. His family followed behind the hearse. Dionysis Savvopoulos, who passed away at the age of 81, leaving behind a huge legacy, but also a void that cannot be filled, was held earlier in the Metropolis of Athens in an atmosphere of sorrow. His body was from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of the Metropolis of Athens, where a crowd of people, politicians, artists, relatives and friends, said their last “farewell” to the unique creator who stamped Greek music.
With the song “Let the dances continue”, the philharmonic of the municipality of Athens bid farewell to Dionysis Savvopoulos, shortly before the artist’s burial.
Dionysis Savvopoulos in his last residence – The procession inside the First Cemetery
“Farewell “Nionio”: A procession full of tears and song to the First Cemetery – Unique images
Sometimes mute, sometimes with tears and in many moments with clapping and singing. With a unique procession, the citizens cheered Dionysis Savvopoulos, walking with him from the Metropolis of Athens to the First Cemetery.
The moving exit from the Metropolis of Athens with “Synnefoula”
“I’m not just here as a friend. THE “Nyonos” throughout his life he kept pace with the life of the country. Having his own view of things, open. That’s why in music he was able to bring rock close to art, as well as in politics.” the prime minister said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr. Mitsotakis, in fact, used lyrics by Dionysis Savvopoulos from “Angelo Exangelos”, “because they are a direct and public discourse. They succeed in uniting the sensitive space of art with the pragmatism of politics.” as he said.
“You sang about us, the nation, the people and the history, the tradition and the modern, the connection of East and West”said the former President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
“Your work is not only a musical history of our country. You didn’t shy away from your audience, you were always ahead even in front of them”he said, adding that he stood with dignity, head held high, with Aspa, his wife, always by his side.
“You leave a Greek song in tatters. You loved it so much”said the Stamatis Fasoulisadding that Dionysis Savvopoulos brought life to the song. “He took nothing and did it again.” Moved, Stamatis Fasoulis said that he did not want to cry. “I won’t say goodbye, I’ll say good-bye to your garden in heaven.”
The work of Savvopoulos is and will always be a living, new, eternal heritage of ours, said with emotion the Dimitra Galani. “They have written and said beautiful things about you. Soul words. Finally, you succeeded and made us all poets and united. The world has really said it all. He feels everything. And how else could it be, after all, since you have given us such gifts. We want to somehow return this big thank you.”
The “last cheer” to the great composer
The bells tolled mournfully, while the Navy band played mournful marches paying respects before and during the carriage of the coffin of Dionysis Savvopoulos. Aspa’s wife, children and close relatives and friends accompanied the body into the temple.
The Navy Band also, as a mark of respect to the composer, performed three of his most famous tunes, among them the lyric “Laurel” and the famous one “Cloud”.
A large crowd of people of all ages who had come to venerate the body, which was exposed in the chapel of the Metropolis until 11:30 and had then gathered in the square of the Metropolis, with bowed heads and an excess of emotion, greeted the coffin with applause and cheers.
The Prime Minister, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the cartoonist and cover designer Alexis Kyritsopoulos, the writer Giorgos Skabardonis, the singer Dimitra Galani and the singer Alcinoos Ioannidis, as well as his personal doctor, delivered a eulogy in his memory. His funeral was attended by a large number of politicians, contemporaries of the deceased, artists and intellectuals. The President of PASOK was represented by Yiannis Vardakastanis, Secretary of the Greek Communist Party of Greece, at the funeral of D. Savvopoulos. Mr. Androulakis had a family obligation outside of Athens.
People of all ages and backgrounds expressed their emotion and admiration for the songwriter, who not only with his unforgettable songs, but also with his very public attitude expressed the changes in Greek society.
Among the crowd and his references stood out admirers of the composer’s different periods and attitudes. Not only the older ones “60’s campers”who were identified with the “politician” Savvopoulos, of the Bouats, of the electrified “Ball” and the “Dirty Bread” or its post-political note “Reserve”the imperishables “Acharneis”but also generations of the 80s, who experienced the “tables outside” of affluence, but also younger people who were ideologically expressed by the definitive “Haircut”. After the funeral procession from the Metropolis of Athens, the body of Dionysis Savvopoulos will be transferred to the First Cemetery.
Dionysis Savvopoulos, the beloved “Nionios” was one of the main shapers of modern Greek art. Composer, lyricist and pioneer of the school of Greek songwriters who characterized his generation and created a “school” in singing with his inventive and subversive lyrics as well as with his musical combinations and his inspired productions, Savvopoulos with his creative presence catalyzed all currents and musical trends.
Savvopoulos contained us all. He sang a song for each of us, so his death is not just a loss, but an orphan. He was the melodious storyteller who captured our national psyche with his songs. He was married to Aspa Arapidou with whom they had two sons, Cornelios and Romanos.
Source: Skai
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