With emotion and deep sadness, the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou bids farewell to the Mayor of Ioannina Moses Elisaf, who passed away, after an unequal battle with cancer, at the age of 69.

In her statement, Mrs. Sakellaropoulou emphasizes that “his untimely death leaves the city poorer, the people of Gianni deprived of a municipal ruler with rare integrity of character, unbound, opponent of intolerance and fanaticism, who built bridges between people and inspired with his ethos and vision”.

He also points out that “Romaniotis Jew, native of the prosperous Jewish community that perished in the Holocaust, loyal to its tradition, drew strength from the painful past to defend democracy, freedom, belonging.”

In conclusion he notes that “Doctor, university professor, passionate about the public, he was dedicated to highlighting the cultural imprint of his small place that separated so many cultures. His gentle, unifying, bold and visionary personality he will be missed by his fellow citizens and by all of us who knew him, talked with him, worked with him and connected with him with a friendship that is priceless.”