Monday, September 6, 2021

Communists of the world bid farewell to Mikis Theodorakis

Communist Parties from Russia to Chile and from Turkey to Mexico express their condolences for the death of the legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis who died on September 2nd aged 96. 

In a message published on Twitter the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez pays tribute to the late composer: 

"Mikis Theodorakis died and the world accompanies the mourning of Greece for one of the greatest musicians of all times. Cuba, which always had his militant solidarity, also mourns. Let the Canto General sound in his memory". 

The Ambassador of Cuba in Greece Zelmys Maria Dominguez Cortina also expressed Cuba's condolences for the death of Mikis Theodorakis in a letter addressed to his family and friends. 

In a statement, the Central Committee Communist Party of Chile refers to Theodorakis as "one of the most important contemporary composers and permanent fighter for the liberation of humanity", pointing out that he was "a staunch activist in solidarity with the liberation cause of the Chilean people in the dark years of the dictatorship". 

The Party also mentions the monumental work of Theodorakis, Canto General, which is based on the poerty of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, characterizing it "an important contribution to the culture of our continent".

In a message addressed to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation  expresses "its heartfelt condolences over the death of Comrade Mikis Theodorakis", stressing out that "the whole life of Mikis Theodorakis is a symbol of unbroken resistance to fascist dictatorship and exemplary services to the people of Greek and his songs will be in the mouths of communists and revolutionaries all over the world".

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) expressed its condolences for the death of Mikis, pointing out in a letter addressed to the KKE: 

"We heard with great sorrow of the passing away of a great composer, musician, former KKE MP and a holder of the Lenin Peace Prize, Mikis Theodorakis. Humanity has lost one of its masters.

The great artist of our age Mikis Theodorakis had wished to leave this world “as a communist”. He wanted his comrades to bid him farewell. We convey our condolences to KKE, of which he kept speaking highly even in his last days, to our comrades and to the working people of Greece.

Mikis Theodorakis, who had been a part of the struggle for socialism throughout his life and who always supported the brotherhood of the peoples of Greece and Turkey will continue his struggle by becoming a song in the mouths of communists and revolutionaries all over the world. His works will be alive in our communist struggle in Greece, in Turkey and all over the world!"

Statements about the death of Theodorakis were also issued by AKEL (Cyprus), the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM), the Party of Labour of Austria, the Workers' Party of Ireland and the Communist Party of Pakistan.