Greece said goodbye on Saturday to Dionysis Savvopoulos, one of its most beloved and influential musicians, lyricists, and storytellers. From early morning, people of all ages gathered at the chapel of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens to pay their respects, where his body lay in state for public viewing.
The public farewell began at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 11:30 a.m., with the funeral service scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Tributes from Greece’s Political and Cultural Figures
Among those expected to deliver eulogies are Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, former President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and several close friends and collaborators — including painter Alexis Kyritsopoulos, singers Dimitra Galani and Alkinoos Ioannidis, writer Giorgos Skambardonis, and his personal physician, who supported him during his five-year battle with cancer.
Former President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, were also among the first to arrive. Kaklamanis described Savvopoulos as “irreplaceable,” saying, “For him, the phrase ‘no one is irreplaceable’ simply does not apply. He was unique.”
A Nation in Mourning
Singer-songwriter Christos Thivaios called Savvopoulos “a wonderful Greek, a great poet and composer,” speaking emotionally about how deeply his death has affected the artistic community and the public. “It feels like we all lost our grandfather — the one who told us stories,” he said.
Traffic restrictions have been in place across central Athens since early morning as crowds continue to gather to honor the late artist, whose influence spanned generations and whose music became the soundtrack of modern Greece.
The public farewell will conclude at 1:00 p.m., marking the end of an era for Greek music and culture.
