Cypriot George Pippas voted mayor of Cambridge

The town of Cambridge has elected an immigrant mayor, Cypriot George Pippas from Paliometocho, for the first time in the 811 years the position has existed.

Having served as municipal councillor for years with the Liberal Democrats, Pippas was voted by the plenary session of the city council of the well-known campus.

According to a CNA news release, the inauguration ceremony for the new mayor was held last week, after a one-minute silence in condemnation the terrorist bombing in Manchester last week.

Pippas, surprised, referred to his 90-year-old mother in his speech who, with much effort, respect and dignity raised her nine children.

Cypriot municipal councillor Petros Sarris, a professor of Byzantine history, spoke about the circumstances that brought Mr Pippa to Britain in a speech, censuring the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the occupation of Cyprus.

Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain Gregorios, as well as Consul General at Cyprus’ High Commission Ioannis Koukoularides, stressed the significance of Pippas’ election to the expatriate community, orthodox faith, and Cyprus itself.