Tribute paid to Alithia chief editor who died aged 48

By Evie Andreou

The chief editor of Alithia newspaper, Rena Koulermou-Larkou, 48, who died on Saturday from cancer, was buried on Monday at Episkopio, in Nicosia.

Koulermou-Larkou, who was the daughter of the daily’s publisher, Frixos N. Koulermos, was married to Philipos Larkou and had two children, Frixos and Chloe.

As soon as she finished her studies in the US, she started working in Alithia as a journalist in the 1980’s. She was also a member of the journalists’ union (CUJ).

“The loss is great for us as it is for the whole journalistic community, which has become poorer,” said the Alithia team in the announcement of her death.

They said she had served print journalism at all levels, “with the same respect, ethics and success”.

Koulermou-Larkou’s eulogy was delivered by her sister Elli Hasikos, who said that she had been a loving sister, friend, mother, wife and daughter and that she fought bravely against her battle with cancer over the past year.

The funeral which was presided over by Tamassos Bishop Isaias at the Ayios Nicolaos Cathedral in Episkopio. Other than friends and family it was also attended by President Nicos Anastasiades, government ministers, MPs, representatives of parties and the head of the journalists’ union Antonis Makrides.

“On behalf of the government and myself personally, I express my deepest condolences to her family and those close to her. We will remember Rena for her ethos, good judgment and professionalism,” Anastasiades said in his condolences announcement.

“Rena Koulermou, who served journalism from an early age, was characterised by sweetness of character, gentleness and humility; rare gifts which made her very dear among colleagues. Her presence and action in our field, honours journalism,” said the CUJ in an announcement.

The announcement added that even though Koulermou-Larkou was working in Alithia, which was owned by her family, she started her career as a simple journalist without ever having used her family connections when she did eventually become chief editor of the newspaper.

 

 

 

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.