- TRAIYAN SILVIU DIES
- DETAILS OF THE FUNERAL TO BE ANNOUNCED
September 3rd LET 39 Last updated 22:34 Exegrad Standard Time
NORTHBANK CITY, ALAYENIA
Tributes from across the nation and the world are pouring in, following the passing of "The Greatest Radiatian Who Ever Lived".
Traiyan Silviu has died aged 76
All across the Radiatian Federation factories have closed for the day, children have been sent home from school, shops are closed and public transport systems shut down, as the entire nation stops to mourn the death of the man who brought down communism.
At 1800 hours Xerconia Time, President Hiroshi Vodotel gave a televised address to the nation, confirming the news that Traiyan Silviu had died.
"The grief that I feel is inexpressible," Said the President. "The world is a far poorer place without this man, who was undoutedly the greatest Radiatian who ever lived. He is a man who stood up against tyranny, and who brought democracy to our great northern land for the first time in our history. Never before have so many people owed their freedom to a single man.
"The Radiatian Federation itself shall be his memorial, and our democracy shall be his legacy. Today, my fellow Radiatians, Traiyan Silviu has passed into immortality."
The President has ordered that all Radiatian flags, including those on embassies and other overseas territories, be flown at half-mast.
A state funeral, which is likely to be attended by world leaders, has been organised, while the country is to go into a week-long mourning period.
Silviu, aged 76, died peacefully in his sleep, in his mansion north of Exegrad. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease three years ago and made clear that he intended to be euthanised.
Mary Martinek, Silviu's chief carer, said that the former President "went to sleep last night and didn't wake up. He was in no pain. He simply drifted off."
Silviu is survived by two children and three grandchildren. His son Keldon Silviu is an MP for the Workers Party, while his son Traiyan Silviu Jr. is an oil company executive.
Prime Minister Soden Larssen expressed his condolences directly to Keldon Silviu in parliament, where the session was cut short following the news.
Plans for the funeral have not yet been revealed, however it is expected that Silviu's body will be moved from his home in Exegrad to a final resting place in Xerconia.
The federal government have commissioned the immediate construction of a mausoleum in federation square, and it is most likely that Silviu's body will be embalmed and placed there on public display.
All across the federation today, Radiatians young and old, rich and poor collectively mourned the man who had brought them their freedom.
The Exegrad Stock Exchange - whose very existence was a result of Traiyan Silviu's achievements - today stopped trading, and has announced it will likely remain closed for the duration of the mourning period.
In Exegrad, where the revolution that brought down communism began, the city paused for a spontaneous moment of silence, with every car in the city stopping in rememberance of Traiyan Silviu.
It remains to be seen whether every car stopping at once was a deliberate act, or merely a result of typical rush hour traffic.
Nomadic tribesmen held vigils for Silviu, whose legend is known even in the remote northern wilderness areas.
"Hob gomma dabba wah-wah." Said one tribesman, although your guess is as good as ours as to what he was saying.
Even the homeless on the streets of major cities appeared saddened by Silviu's passing - even though many cite them as being victims of the fall of communism.
"Under communism I would have had a job, a house and probably a wife," Said one hobo. "But thanks to capitalism, I have the freedom to do what I always wanted to do: Lie in the gutter drinking moonshine all day."
Lucy Gehrig, a 16 year old high school girl who did a day of work experience in Silviu's mansion before his death said that she was very sad to see him go. "He was very lonely when I met him, but also very sweet and gentle. I'll remember for who he was, not what he was."
However, in true Radiatian fashion, people tried to avoid showing their emotions publicly. Indeed, comedian Akat Wifabaag went out onto the streets of Das Engel and caused a scene crying and screaming melodramatically.
When asked if he was crying for Traiyan Silviu he feigned ignorance and said "No, I'm grieving for Gregor Imari."
Meanwhile, rumours are circulating that Soden Larssen, Hiroshi Vodotel, Skortch Takita, Draco Zerra, Keldon Silviu and Traiyan Silviu Jr. have been selected as the six pall-bearers for Silviu's state funeral.
- RPNN
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