Friends and loved ones bid farewell on Saturday morning, 11 July 2026, to activist Paola Revithi at Athens’ First Cemetery. Revithi, who died at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer, was a pioneering figure in Greece’s LGBTQI+ movement — one of its earliest activists since the late 1970s. She was also a publisher, photographer, and documentary filmmaker.
A Colorful, Silent Procession
The farewell ceremony was marked by a quiet yet vibrant procession — evoking the spirit of a small Pride march within the solemn grounds of the cemetery. Friends, fellow activists, and family members accompanied her casket in a deeply personal tribute.
Political Funeral Highlights Lifelong Advocacy
The official funeral began shortly after noon. Speakers honored Revithi’s decades-long commitment to LGBTQI+ visibility and rights, with special emphasis on her advocacy for sex workers — a cause she championed consistently and courageously.
‘O Mighty God’ and a Standing Ovation
As her casket emerged, the hymn ‘O Mighty God’ played softly — prompting many attendees to hum along quietly. Wrapped in the rainbow flag, the casket was met with a sustained, heartfelt round of applause from the crowd, who walked with her to her final resting place.