Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Leonard Cohen
Date: Fri 11th Nov, 2016 | 07:13
“It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Leonard Cohen, author, painter, poet and singer.
In his timeless songs, Leonard Cohen captured not just feelings of loneliness and loss, but also the essence of human life: love, beauty, humour, as well as social and political engagement.
His vast and diverse music repertoire has been widely recognised, receiving awards and critical acclaim, and gaining him fans around the world. Leonard Cohen has left a lasting legacy and his work will continue to inspire current and future generations.
He was deeply influenced by William Butler Yeats and he made a very warm connection with his Irish audiences - a fact that he valued and emphasised to me when I met him in Dublin.
May I convey my deepest condolences to his family, his son Adam and daughter Lorca, his friends, colleagues in music, and to all those who share an appreciation of Leonard Cohen's impressive body of work."