What can you say about a man who gave so much to his family, community and society, yet expected nothing in return. His four children, Nick, Erini, Helen and I, always had unconditional love from him and he would always be there when we needed him. Mum, his soul mate and his rock for the last seventy years of marriage, was always there for him and us. He gave us all a foundation in life that you only begin to appreciate in your later years.
A man of utter integrity and well respected by all who knew him, if he gave you his word, it was meant. If he borrowed a shilling he would repay it. I don’t remember him saying a single lie or doing a single mean thing.
Born in Tseri, in the heart of Cyprus in 1924, he learnt from an early age that the world had a lot of injustice and inequality. At the age of thirteen, he had to leave school to help his father tend the flock. Although my grandfather wanted him to take over, Dad really wanted to do more and be in a position that he can fight back the injustices of the world – his choice of weapon – The written word.
Dad furthered his education, both culturally and politically, when he was part of the Morfodikon Sillogon in Tseri. He once told me – “learning is a lifelong journey”
He then worked in the print industry and joined the trade union, PEO (Pan Cyprian Federation of Labour) where he also worked from 1952 until 1964.
We left Cyprus in January 1964, and embarked on a journey through the turbulent waters of the Mediterranean to reach London, where Mum, needed health treatment. Dad did not want to split the family up, so the whole family came and we established a new life.
I clearly remember my arrival at Dover, after seven harrowing days at sea, the heavy smog was the final straw and I burst out crying because I thought that it was always going to be like this. After all, Cyprus in those days was like living the dream. Dad reassured me that all was going to be okay – and it was.
Dad’s love for Cyprus and for its development into a free, unified, secure and peaceful nation never waned. As we established a life in London, it was clear that Dad had a contribution to make within the ever growing Cypriot community here in the UK. He first worked for The Vema and subsequently helped establish and work for Parikiaki as a journalist until he retired. During this time he was also General Secretary of AKEL in London. All the time, he gave his all for the community and for the creation of a better world for all of us.
At the age of seventy, he sort of retired. You never really retire when you are a journalist and a writer. He went on to write ten books and to also contribute columns to newspapers. By now, many grandchildren and subsequently great grand-children had arrived and he continued to be such a positive force in all their lives as well. He made two trips to Australia and bonded with the rest of the family there. A bond that is everlasting.
I have been fortunate to visit the family here regularly and spend a lot of quality time talking with Dad and Mum and learning things from them. After all, learning is a lifelong journey, as he said.
At the age of ninety, he wanted to write a book about the family and we helped him pull it together. I said to him that we would also do one for his 100th year. A couple of years ago, he said to me – I think we need to start the book now and in 2016, he published, Nostalgia which was dedicated to his village Tseri, the place that gave him, “The first light of life.” (Da proda foda dis zois)
I would like to end by quoting a short verse from his book.
“Στο Τσέρι θα επιστρέψουμε στις ρίζες μας τις πρώτες
να δούμε τους συγχωριανούς που αφήσαμε από τότες.”
Loosely translated –
“To Tseri we will return, to our roots, to again be re-united with our fellow villagers whom we left so long ago”
Thank you to all who supported us over the last few months and for being here today to farewell a great man of our time – Christos Zavros.
