Cyprus music star Marios Tokas dies at 54

LGR - Monday 28th of April 2008

The popular Greek Cypriot composer Marios Tokas has died after a long battle with cancer.

He died Sunday morning (27/04) of at the age 54 in Athens, where he had been undergoing treatment for the past nine months.

Cypriot President Christofias, who was a close friend of Tokas, is said to be deeply saddened at the news.

Archbishop Christostomos expressed deep sorrow over the death of Tokas, saying he had known for the past few days that his condition has worsened.

The Archbishop praised the work of Tokas, saying he was a great talent.

"He was a great composer who gave a lot to Cyprus, his country, with his talent. May God rest his soul," he said.

Yanakkis Omiriou, leader of political party EDEK, said that Cyprus mourns the death of a great artist and a great Cypriot.

The composer had collaborated with legendary artists such as Giannis Parios, Haris Alexiou, Manos Loizos, Dimitra Galani Katerina Kouka, Themis Adamandidis and Dimitris Mitropanos.

Marios Tokas (Μάριος Τόκας) born in Limassol was a composer of traditional music.

In 1974, he fought as a soldier against the Turkish invadors.

In 1975 he went to Athens in order to study in the philosophical school. At the same time, he studied in the Ethniko Odio because he wanted to start a career as a musician.

In 2004, Tokas and his six-member orchestra gave a concert in Vienna. The concert was co-organised by the Greek Society of Austria and the Athens Sports Association "Pantalkis" with the support of the General Secretariat of Hellenism Abroad of the Greek Foreign Ministry, under the auspices of the Cypriot ambassador to Austria.

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