Aged 68, but undaunted, armed with an inner strength, Savvas Papasavvas, originally from Mesa Chorio, resident of France, professor at the University of Geneva with a specialization in Biology, decided to cross three countries on his bicycle. For a treat. In memory of 23-year-old Kyprianos Papaioannou, who lost his life in the train collision in Tempi.
Mr. Papasavvas firmly believes in the power of man who can achieve a lot and move his life forward even through complex stones thanks to his faith and his spiritual ability.
What pushed him more to dare this venture and to travel from France to Switzerland, Italy to Greece and then to Cyprus, apart from a bet of his own endurance, was the tragic death of the young Kyprian.
He watched, as he relates, the way his reverend father and his entire family dealt with his death. "With a theological treatment, they had carried out an unusual for the religious conditions of Cyprus, an exodus sequence, everyone was smiling after delivering him into the arms of God", as he says. This shook him emotionally and he admired his own people's view and analysis of death. And he made a wish. This daring journey by bicycle, crossing three countries, Switzerland, Italy and Greece, ending in Cyprus, should be done in memory of this young man but also for the appreciation of his parents. He said he would seek to meet these people.
So he started from his house which is on the French side of the Alps, 10 km from Geneva, crossed to Italy, took the ship from Agona and arrived in Greece. He traveled all the way to Athens by bicycle, while from Athens he took the ferry to Cyprus, Limassol, and arrived in Paphos. He rode through adverse weather conditions rains on several occasions from many cities, cycling.
On his bike trip he carried his tent as well as solar panels to charge his phone. He wanted, as he admitted, to do it as independently as possible.
Apart from Cyprian whom he loved very much, without knowing him, he also dedicated his trip to the memory of the Cypriots and Greeks who from time to time visit Switzerland for heart surgery and receive his support. Some made it, some didn't. He then referred to the love and gratitude he receives from the people he supported and the strength they give him.
However, the ringing of the bell in every church he found on his journey also gave him strength. He went up and down mountains and plains, passed through the flooded town of Forli in Italy, through small dirt streets, through rivers and lakes, through green meadows full of red poppies and beautiful landscapes, and through small dollhouses. He also met people who guided him where to pitch his tent for some rest at night. Others brought him some water, sandwiches, some tea and some others some fruit. Human actions that marked his life.
Every day he crossed 150 kilometers a day. So he left on St. Constantine's Day on May 21 and arrived in Greece on May 30. From there in one and a half to two days he reached Athens.
In Cyprus he will meet his friends, but his wish is to meet Kyprianos' family as well.
Source: KYPE