In an emotional event held in Athens on Wednesday 22 June, friends and comrades of the legendary "Greek Viet Minch" Kostas Sarantidis, also known as Nguyễn Văn Lập, honored his memory and legacy, on the occasion of his first death anniversary. The event took place at Studio New Star Art Cinema in central Athens and was attended, among others, by the Ambassadors of Vietnam, Cuba, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was represented by Giorgos Marinos, MP and member of the Political Bureau, who delivered a greeting speech, pointing out among others: “Comrade Kostas Sarantidis lived in turbulent times. He experienced in his own skin what imperialist war, foreign occupation, ruthless exploitation and injustice mean, and at the same time he managed to become a symbol of popular struggle against imperialism, for the abolition of exploitation of man by man, for socialism-communism. The KKE honors this man and fighter, a heroic example of genuine proletarian-internationalist solidarity and considers that the country's youth can learn a lot from his example”.
Greeting message were also delivered by the Ambassador of Vietnam Le Hong Truong and Cuba Aramis Fuente Hernandez. An emotional moment was when the daughters of Kostas Sarantidis, Antonia, Fotini and Eleftheria took the stage to say a few words about their father. Τhe event was moderated by “New Star Cinema” director Velissarios Kosivakis.
As part of the tribute to Kostas Sarantidis the documentary “Viet Costas. Citizenship: Undefined”, directed by Yannis Tritsibidas, was screened.
Kostas Sarantidis, who fought alongside the people of Vietnam against imperialism, had received many honors from his second homeland. In 2013, he was named a Hero of the People's Armed Forces. Additionally, he has been awarded several honorary titles by both the Vietnamese Party and State, including the Friendship Order in 2011, the Victory Medal, Third Class and the Resistance War Medal, Second Class. He died on 25 June 2021 in Athens, aged 94.
