Yannis Karousos said goodbye to Theodore Pyrillis through a post on social media.
See the post:
"Famagusta Brothers" – A Farewell to Theodore
With Theodoros Theodoros Pyrillis, we didn’t just have a collaboration. We had a special relationship, so close that the other mayors called us “Chiots”, because we went everywhere together – whether the issue concerned Ayia Napa or Paralimni. We were known for shouting loudly – and some people didn’t like that. But we shouted in an organized way, with a plan, with a vision and with a common goal: the good of the Famagusta district.
I could talk for days, remembering stories, moments and battles. After all, it was the first time that our municipalities had such good relations – and this bore fruit that the entire province enjoys today. It is no coincidence that one of our posts was once titled “Famagusta Brothers” – because that is exactly what we were: Brothers in the fight.
Theodoros was one of the first to believe in me. In 2013, when almost everyone was hesitant and saw me as an outsider, he called me, supported me, advised me. And when I was elected, we united to demand justice, to redress injustices, to shout together.
Our first battle was the landfill. He told me: "I stopped paying and I was left alone. You come too and we will bring them to their knees." And we went. And we brought them to their knees. Ayia Napa followed immediately. The results are known.
At tourist fairs, we would find out which hotels the Minister was staying in and book rooms next to him – not for luxury, but to… “bother” him. To remind him that the Famagusta district demands and is entitled to.
On his own initiative, we came together and brought services to the province: the Urban Planning Department, the headquarters of the District Governor, the Land Registry. Together we claimed both marinas, with the clear message: “Two marinas are better than one.” And we succeeded.
Road projects – Kapparis, Pernera, 1st of April, the Protaras beachfront – the approvals for the projects in the center of Paralimni, the Police Directorate… In total, with the two marinas, over 650 million euros in projects became a reality in our province.
Even the flood control projects in Paralimni, which we will soon announce, are also his work. He handed them over to me maturely. He was ready. He was ahead.
The greatest success, however, was the designation of Paralimni – along with Ayia Napa – as a temporary urban center. An agreement that we both accepted with dignity, until the liberation of our occupied Metropolis.
He once called me “his little brother.” It was then that we had disagreements about the mergers. I knew that, if he wanted to, he could hit me politically – but he didn’t. He didn’t want to. And I kept that inside me as a deep character imprint.
Proof of his support was when I was appointed to a cabinet position and a member of parliament called me “the minister of Ayia Napa.” Theodore came out in public, like a road roller, and defended me. I have never forgotten it.
Fate brought us to be opponents in the last elections. He respected me and I respected him. On the night of the results, he called me. He congratulated me and wished me success, to unite the province. I answered him:
"Theodoros, the elections are over. I'll prove it to you."
And I believed it. And I did it. Because that was the path we charted together.
This was the Theodore I met. A man who believed, fought, supported, demanded, asserted. Fighter. Vindictive. A path-breaker.
When we decided to claim something, it was until the end.
Paralimni and our province owe him a lot.
I, too, feel deep pride that we walked together.
Have a good trip, Theodore.
Goodbye – we'll see each other again sometime.
