Theodorakis: 3-day national mourning cut into half, burial plans land in court

Greek Prime Minister declared on Thursday a 3-day national mourning for the death of great composer Mikis Theodorakis. Then the Interior Miniister clarified that the “national mourning” would have flags flying half-mast on all public buildings and institutions and the cancellation of all public events.

Friday morning, the Interior Minister reportedly issued a second statement in which he announced that flags will fly half-mast from Thursday to Saturday, September 2-4, 2021.

The government, through the prime minister, announced three days of national mourning for the death of Mikis Theodorakis. While it was initially announced by the competent Ministry of Interior, for a half-flag raising in all public buildings and the suspension of public festive events, then they undo the second part!

Therefore, the three-day national mourning will be limited to the flags flying on half-mast only, while public events will take place as scheduled.

According to news website libre.gr, the decision to have public events upset local governments as many municipalities throughout Greece had organized concerts and other events and would have to postpone them for another date.

Meanwhile, also his burial is at the edge of being a farce too, as his last wish was to be buried next to the graves of his parents and his brother in Galatas on the island of Crete, but his family wants to bury him in Vrahati by Corinth where the family has also a home. The disagreement between his family and an associate of the late composer landed at court that issued a restrictive order on Friday, forbidding any arrangements for Theodorakis‘ burial until Monday, when the court will take up the case again.

Note that he will lie to state Tuesday to Thursday and his funeral is scheduled Thursday afternoon.

*Poor Mikis, this nation did not deserve you, after all*

PS some mean Greeks commented on social media that the conservative government decided to hold a national mourning only for the years after 1989 when communist Theodorakis leaned to the right-wing and even served as Minister under New Democracy government and the father of current PM, Constantinos Mitsotakis